Therapists for college students near University of Chicago
You’re thoughtful and self-aware. You can name your patterns and handle daily demands and yet you still feel burnt out, empty, or stuck. Maybe you’ve tried therapy before and learned helpful strategies and yet something deeper still feels unsettled. For many, college brings more than academic pressure. It can intensify questions about identity, belonging, relationships, family expectations, and who you’re becoming. Sometimes what looks like anxiety or procrastination is tied to something more relational — how safe you feel being fully yourself, how you learned to manage closeness, or how you’ve had to adapt in order to be accepted. My work is depth-oriented and relational. That means we pay attention to what unfolds between us, not just the symptoms you want to reduce. I won’t rush to give you techniques or quick fixes. Instead, we slow down enough to understand what’s been shaping your experience and create space for something different to emerge.
My therapeutic process is rooted in the values of openness, acceptance, and collaboration. I believe that accessing what genuinely exists inside ourselves helps us to know who we really are. I draw from various therapeutic approaches, focusing on the mind-body-spirit connection, to illuminate underlying issues, free up blocks, and heal old wounds. My goal is supporting clients in their efforts to discover and become more fully the person they were created to be. Being a recreational triathlete and endurance sports participant has drawn my focus towards the biopsychosocial approach to one’s overall health and wellbeing.
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Students work with me when painful experiences of anxiety, depression and stress interfere with their ability to find enjoyment and success in relationships and academically. Psychotherapy with me usually begins with a discussion of the concerns, problems and distress from which you are suffering and seek relief. The goal of the work is to solve the problems, alleviate the distress and place the concerns in the context of your personal development. Results of this effort often include increased self-awareness, enhanced self-esteem, recognition of unique strengths and potentials, and more positive feelings. Appreciation of one’s unique circumstances and developmental history makes for a more meaningful therapy experience. I have over twenty-five years of experience as a former college counseling center Director and Dean.
If you are someone who is wrestling with perfectionism, adjusting to college life, struggling with classes and peer relationships, I can walk alongside you as you organize and process those feelings. Many college students do not discuss the grief and loss that may come up when they move away from loved ones. This can also be a complex time as you begin a new chapter of your life while also trying to appreciate a newfound independence as you enter adulthood. I want to provide my clients with the necessary coping skills and tools to better equip themselves for the obstacles ahead, while also taking the time to understand behaviors and habits in their daily lives that they want to enhance or limit!
I provide individual counseling to neurodivergent, anxious adults and young adults 18+. I aim to create a nonjudgmental, direct, supportive, and often humorous environment for neurodivergent, anxious adults, & struggling couples. I am experienced working with high profile, actors, lawyers, government workers, other therapists, and aspiring young adults, tailoring aspects of multiple different behavioral and relational approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure & Response Prevention, Prolonged Exposure, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Motivational Interviewing (MI), Psychoeducation, Gottman Method Couples & Marital Therapy, Somatic Therapy, and I’m currently training in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). These evidence based therapies are designed to address a wide range of mental health concerns, from anxiety & adhd to complex trauma. My aim is to help you problem solve and come up with solutions that you think will best work for you. This is through providing talk therapy and a listening ear while also challenging you to think about situations in a different way then you have previously. Together, we can work through your struggles, build on your strengths, and help you achieve the life you envision.
There is no denying that we live in a world steeped in struggles with food and body image. Whether these issues are severely impacting your life or simply hard for you to manage right now, I’m here to help. I have been a registered dietitian specializing in the treatment of eating disorders and disordered eating for almost 10 years. I’d love to work with you on your journey to heal your relationship with food, no matter your diagnosis or lack thereof. I have experience treating a wide variety of eating disorders, including EDNOS, AN, BN, BED, ARFID etc. I work with all ages, all sizes, all ability levels, all genders, all races, all religious backgrounds, and all cultures because eating disorders do not discriminate and neither does treatment for them. We can do this together. I didn’t always know this was my passion. Having studied Psychology as an undergraduate at Central Michigan University and obtaining my first Bachelor’s degree in 2004, I was unsure what my calling was. I took some time to gain some real-world experience and it wasn’t until several years later that I realized my passion for food and nutrition. In 2010, I went back to school to study nutrition and dietetics at Michigan State University. It was there that I learned about Health at Every Size for the first time, and I knew exactly how I was going to perfectly blend my newfound passion for nutrition, my psychology background, and my years of experience working service jobs – I decided then that I would be part of a revolution to break the self-hatred cycle that diet culture feeds us all and that we unwittingly pass on to each other by helping people learn food freedom, and I have never looked back. After obtaining a Bachelors in Nutrition, I went on to participate in an eating disorder-specialized dietetic internship and graduate program at Northern Illinois University, where I received my Masters in Nutrition. I have since worked in all levels of eating disorder treatment and have become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist/ Certified Eating Disorder Specialist Supervisor through the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals and I am a Supervisor for other professionals treating eating disorders. This is what I do and I’d love to do it with you.
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Most clients are already aware of what they need or where they want to go. My role is to help you identify what is getting in the way of living out your values each day, and to help you gradually remove those barriers. If you aren't sure what you hope to get out of therapy but just want to feel better, we'll work together on a plan towards increased wellness that fits for you. I consider myself a generalist but I have specific training in the treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD, insomnia, substance use, grief, and personality disorders. My practice involves cognitive behavioral, interpersonal, and mindfulness-based interventions. I do my best to tailer the interventions I use to the specific needs of each client. It takes courage to ask for help, whether you're experiencing mental health issues for the first time or whether you have struggled for years. I hope to make your experience as welcoming and comfortable as possible. The quality of the relationship between the therapist and client is, after all, one of the most important determinants of therapy success.
Having worked in college counseling centers for over 15 years in Chicago and New York, and serving as the Associate Director for DePaul University Counseling Center for 8 years, I am deeply committed to and well acquainted with college student mental health. Whether this is your first time seeking therapy or you have a history of treatment and are looking towards a next chapter of work, I am delighted to begin a conversation to see how I might be of help.
Chicago Counseling Collective is an inclusive, downtown Chicago-based group practice offering collaborative, culturally informed care for individuals, couples, and groups. We provide both in-person and virtual sessions.
Not every storm is visible, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t real. Whether it's the whirlwind of ADHD, the quiet complexities of autism, or the relentless loop of anxious thoughts, I help individuals navigate what others often don’t see. I specialize in supporting neurodivergent clients and those managing anxiety, with a deep commitment to honoring each person’s unique wiring. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based and scientifically proven practices tailored to your lived experience. We work together to customize therapy to meet you where you are—authentically, collaboratively, and with curiosity. In our work together, you’ll find a space that’s safe, curious, and empowering. I aim to guide my clients through the messiness of growth with compassion and clarity—helping them build self-understanding, reduce overwhelm, and rediscover their inner calm. To me, therapy is not about “fixing” but empowering—offering tools, insight, and support I’ve had the honor of walking alongside clients of all backgrounds as they reclaim confidence, build coping skills, and find language for what once felt unspeakable. Healing isn’t linear, but it is possible—and you're not alone in the journey. Together, we’ll make space for growth, resilience, and meaningful change.
Ashley (Evans) McTaggart is a Registered Dietitian and a alumna of Northern Illinois University. With over six years of experience in the eating disorder field, Ashley is deeply passionate about supporting individuals in their recovery journey. She began her nutrition career at a residential eating disorder facility in downtown Chicago and later expanded her expertise through roles in Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) levels of care. Ashley’s nutrition philosophy emphasizes building a healthy and positive relationship with food, integrating mental, emotional, physical, and social health.
As a therapist, I value assisting clients on their journey to cultivating deeper insight into their lives in order to foster empowerment, personal growth and internal healing. I specialize in treating adolescents, adults and couples working through generalized anxiety, OCD, trust issues, life adjustments, addiction, social anxiety, guilt, shame, breakups, self criticism, infidelity, lack of fulfillment, relationship issues, college issues, boundaries, women's sex issues, kinks, ethical, non-monogamy, low self esteem, family issues, attachment issues, codependency, and trauma.
Providing culturally sensitive and inclusive therapy services to adults, including college students. "To care for another individual means to know and to experience the other as fully as possible." - Irvin D. Yalom, M.D. As a South Asian therapist, I understand the deep value of family and the intricate meanings tied to being an immigrant and a woman of color. I believe that every person's lived experiences uniquely shape their life and perceptions, which is why finding congruence and meaning in one’s life is important. This helps align one's actions with their true values, reducing internal conflict and enhancing overall well-being. As a therapist, I understand that building trust and rapport are critical for effective progress and meaningful change. To do so, I provide my clients with a safe and supportive environment for them to explore their inner thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, to foster personal growth and healing. In my practice, I utilize an integrative approach that blends systems, humanistic, and multicultural frameworks. My goal is to empower you to achieve your personal and psychological goals while providing a safe, non-judgmental, and culturally sensitive space where you can explore your inner self. I am committed to creating an environment where you can feel at ease, be your authentic self, and build a trusting relationship with me. Together, we'll work collaboratively to build insight, draw on your strengths, process difficult emotions and experiences, and form a meaningful narrative for your life. With a kind, empathetic, and compassionate approach, I strive to create a therapeutic environment where you feel supported and empowered to achieve your goals. I look forward to accompanying you on your path to well-being and self-discovery.
Are you a person of faith who also identifies as gay (LGBTQ+) or same-sex attracted? Are you looking for a trauma therapist who's passionate about working with teens and young adults who have experienced trauma? My life's work is focused on teens and young adults who are exploring their faith and sexual identity and who are recovering from past trauma. Common symptoms are anxiety, depression, and PTSD. My goal is always to walk with my clients to find freedom, fulfillment, and an integrated identity. I love getting to know my clients - being entrusted with your story is an honor to me. Treatment Areas and Competencies: Teen therapy, Trauma Processing, Faith and Spirituality, Sexuality and Gender, Relationship Challenges, Emotion Regulation, Sexual Trauma, and Exposure to Violence. Reaching out to a therapist is a big step and I am on your team.
"I help adults navigate through their depression and anxiety by using humor and authenticity, so that they can successfully cope with whatever life throws at them." Part of the MQA family since 2020 Presenting Concerns; Categorized under the following core areas of concern and title: – Adults; ADHD, Anxiety, Behavioral Issues, Depression, Grief/Loss, Life Transitions, OCD, Peer Issues – Social Skills, PTSD/Trauma Presenting Concerns – - Children: Anxiety, Behavioral Issues, Depression, Peer Issues, Social Skills I earned my Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lewis University in 2018, and completed my clinical practicum and internship at Family Behavioral Health Clinic in Des Plaines, IL. I have had the privilege of working with children, adolescents,and adults of all backgrounds, who were coping with a wide range of concerns ranging from depression and anxiety, to trauma and PTSD. I believe that one of the most powerful approaches to overcoming life’s tricky obstacles is resilience, and that working with my clients from a genuine and supportive place of connection is the key to overcoming even the most difficult of times. I gravitate towards a humanistic style of counseling while utilizing cognitive-behavioral tools in order to give clients research-supported, “take-home” coping strategies. I enjoy incorporating aspects of mindfulness, humor and art into my therapeutic work. Outside of work, I enjoy riding roller coasters, being outdoors and spending time with family and friends. I also love to travel! I have traveled to over 10 different states and four countries. One of my life goals is to visit all 50 states as well as many more countries that our world has to offer. Culture is a big aspect in the work that we do as counselors, and I strive to experience as much of it as I possibly can. I am fluent in Greek and I enjoy learning new languages whenever I get the chance! Please feel free to contact me via email at dstathopoulos@mqatherapy.com with any questions and inquires for scheduling appointments. Thank you and I look forward to working with you!
Lincoln Park Psychology was founded by Dr. Kati Wax, with the mission of providing comprehensive, affirming, and ethical clinical services to a variety of populations. Lincoln Park Psychology offers services for adults, children, adolescents, and families, as well as consultation and supervision services to organizations such as schools, classrooms, and mental health programs. We believe that each client is an individual with unique strengths, abilities, and challenges and we work closely with you to assess your specific needs, set attainable goals, and help you reach your potential. Our clinicians are skilled at working with a variety of presenting issues including: mood disturbances, depression, anxiety, fear, trauma, Autism Spectrum Disorder, relationship issues, family conflict, social skill deficits, career stress, young adult transitions, self-image issues, identity building, loss, and many others. As dynamic human beings, no one issue looks the same in every person; therefore, we value each client's history, personality, disposition, and needs.
New Light is a Lincoln Park based therapy practice, providing in-person and telehealth sessions for children, families, and adults. Founded to extend our expertise beyond the school setting, our clinicians have experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families with a range of presenting challenges. With a wide variety of clinical approaches including psychodynamic talk therapy, play therapy, EMDR and cognitive behavioral therapy, our foremost goal is to provide each client with individualized, compassionate, and culturally sensitive therapy. At New Light, we support and include people of any ability level, gender, age, race, religion, or sexual orientation
I specialize in treating young adults facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, low self-esteem, and OCD. I tailor my approach to each client’s unique needs, utilizing evidence based practices such as CBT, ACT, and ERP.