Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

At Connect Clinical Group, PLLC, we provide top-quality therapeutic services to residents of Chicago, Aurora, and all of Illinois. We specialize in a range of mental health issues from depression to anxiety – meeting each client with respect and empathy as they begin their journey toward healing. With our innovative approach combining teletherapy sessions alongside traditional counseling methods, we make sure your unique needs are met every step along the way!

I've spent years helping kids and families navigate life's challenges, and I love supporting college and graduate students because I know growing up doesn't stop after high school. School brings new pressures, relationships, and responsibilities. It's normal to feel overwhelmed sometimes. I strive to create a space where you can be yourself, talk openly about what's on your mind, and build the confidence and skills to handle whatever comes next. No one has it all figured out. We can work through it together.

I hope to help you on your journey of growth and self-discovery. I enjoy working with clients to reflect on their experiences and find new ways to express themselves, communicate, and cope with life’s challenges. I have experience working with ADHD, anger control, anxiety, communication difficulties, depression, low self-esteem, marital conflict, mood disorders, and trauma. I use a combination of person-centered, solution-focused, CBT, and DBT interventions. I place great value in meeting clients where they are and will implement a variety of approaches to meet client needs and preferences. I enjoy using both art and games to give clients additional ways to express themselves.

Trauma impedes our natural ability as humans to be able to identify and reach goals, and connect and form relationships with others. I know that this can all be worked through with a positive therapeutic relationship and guidance to rediscovering the inner knowing you possess about what you truly need to thrive. My personal approach to therapy is what allows for others to connect with me- I am laid-back, direct, funny, caring, and most of all, nonjudgemental. I provide that open space of comfort that is needed to be your authentic self.

School can be some of the most rewarding years of your life but they can also be overwhelming. Between classes, internships, work, relationships, family expectations, finances, and figuring out who you are and where you're headed, sometimes it's good to have some extra support. Therapy gives you a place to talk openly about what's going on, without judgment. Whether you're feeling anxious, stressed, burned out, stuck, lonely, or simply trying to make sense of a major life transition, you don't have to navigate it alone. I work with college and graduate students on concerns such as anxiety, self-esteem, relationships, identity exploration, gender identity, academic stress, life transitions, binge eating, and body image. Many of my clients are also learning how to manage life on their own for the first time and are discovering that no one ever really taught them how to handle the emotional side of money. As a Certified Financial Social Worker, I can help you develop a healthier relationship with money, spending, debt, budgeting, and financial decision-making. Together, we can explore both the practical and emotional aspects of financial wellness so you feel more confident and in control. My style is warm, supportive, and down-to-earth. I'll meet you where you are, help you build on your strengths, and offer practical tools along the way. If you're curious about working together, I'd be happy to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we're a good fit.

Our ideal clients are college students and emerging adults who feel overwhelmed, anxious, or stuck while navigating academic pressure, social stress, identity questions, and the transition to independence. Many are high-achieving students who look “fine” on the outside but feel exhausted, disconnected, or constantly behind. Clients often come to us when anxiety, burnout, or overthinking is getting in the way of school, relationships, or daily life. As a team, we provide a warm, collaborative space and practical, evidence-based tools to help students manage stress, build coping skills, and feel more grounded, confident, and connected.

Are you burnt about life in general? Life can be demanding at times and can often feel overwhelming especially as college students. I am a first generation Latinx, Spanish speaking therapist! I work with a lot of students, children, adolescents, young adults, couples, families, etc. to explore their mental health needs. I am here to guide you and support you on your healing journey. I have experience in trauma, depression, anxiety, stress, and much more. I am an eclectic therapist and use a lot of therapeutic approaches. Some examples are, Psychodynamic, CBT, Trauma- Informed CBT, EMDR, and many more according to what I see you need. You don't have to be alone in this, lets talk about ways to create new coping skills and work through those challenges. Book your appointment on the website! I'm excited to hear from you!

I am a board-certified psychiatrist and Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. For me, being a physician is more than a profession—it is a vocation to help indviduals flourish. My practice is devoted to students and young adults seeking thoughtful, individualized psychiatric care that extends beyond symptom relief. I provide comprehensive evaluations that consider medical, nutritional, lifestyle, and psychological factors—including laboratory testing when clinically appropriate—to identify the contributors to emotional and cognitive health. I also specialize in evidence-based de-prescribing for patients who wish to reduce or discontinue psychiatric medications for anxiety, attention difficulties, or substance use disorders. My approach is guided by precision, humility, and restraint: using the least intensive intervention necessary while drawing upon the full breadth of evidence-based medicine. Depending on each patient's needs and goals, I integrate psychotherapy, nutrition, lifestyle medicine, exercise, targeted supplementation, and, when appropriate, carefully selected medications into a personalized treatment plan. In addition to my clinical work, I have presented internationally on psychiatric deprescribing and medical ethics. My work has been recognized with awards from the American Psychiatric Association, the International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions, the American Psychoanalytic Association, and other leading professional organizations. I am the Founder & Medical Director of Verigrate Health. I am licensed to serve patients in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Lousiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C., and Wisconsin.

Struggling to escape the same old patterns? Looking to empower yourself and create change in your life? I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who has spent my career assisting men in achieving their goals, making lasting and fulfilling relationships, and facing life's challenges head-on. I have worked with adults across the lifespan to address concerns about relationships, behaviors, substance use, and more. You will receive evidence-based, values-driven interventions to address your unique goals and needs. Through collaborative exploration you are empowered to write your own story and captain your own ship. You can expect to spend your first session with me identifying goals and highlighting strengths, values, and barriers. Clients will explore their beliefs and values to develop a personal roadmap to success. If you're looking to create change in your life and focus on what's important to you, please reach out to my listed contact and schedule an appointment. I look forward to seeing you!

As a dedicated and compassionate Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), I am committed to supporting students' mental health and emotional well-being. With years of experience working in diverse academic settings, I help students navigate the challenges of college life, including stress, anxiety, academic pressures, and relationship dynamics. I offer a supportive, confidential space where students can explore their thoughts, emotions, and struggles without judgment. Through evidence-based therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques, and person-centered approaches, I empower students to build resilience, develop healthy coping strategies, and achieve personal growth. My goal is to create an open, inclusive environment where students can feel heard and validated while gaining the tools necessary to succeed both academically and personally. I believe in the power of self-awareness, self-compassion, and community support to foster lasting change.

Have you experienced trauma? Maybe you've figured out some ways to manage it in the past, but it's getting harder since starting/going back to school. Those old coping habits aren't cutting it anymore, and it's finally time to do the work, both for the sake of your academic future, and also so you can live an authentic, fulfilling life. Welcome! My name is Caroline Lavelock, and I have worked in university counseling with large, diverse, nontraditional student populations for nearly 15 years. I bring expertise in college mental health, especially for first-generation students and children of immigrants who are balancing competing expectations between work, school, and home life. Now that I am in private practice, I am pleased to offer the longer-term, trauma-focused therapy that many students need but struggle to find in short-term counseling university counseling models. I am also a Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional and can provide information about how you can use nutrition to optimize your mental health. I offer instant online booking through my group practice, Tailwinds Psychology, where you can also access psychiatry and testing services. Let's get to work!

If you’re here, it’s probably because you’re ready to make some changes in your life. Maybe you’re struggling to form deep and meaningful relationships. Maybe you’re tired of constantly making to-do lists but never finishing them. Or maybe you’re tired of being plagued by indecision and self-doubt. As a licensed professional counselor, I’ll help you let go of perfectionism, people pleasing and other related anxieties. I’m a perfectionist therapist who loves working with high achievers, anxious college students and overwhelmed adults. I'm a licensed professional counselor in Missouri, Illinois and Colorado. I also offer Brainspotting.

The daily grind of work, family, friends, and life can be so demanding. Trying to juggle and balance it all at once. It can be too much pressure. You don't have to do it all, and certainly not alone. When feeling overwhelmed and stressed out, therapy can provide a space to have time to focus on you: to be heard, get feedback, and process through the hard stuff that's going on in your life. I enjoy practicing with individuals, couples, and familes. I am specialized in trauma, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and couples. I am trained and certified in EMDR and perinatal. I have extensive experience working with trauma recovery, survivors of abuse, and relationship and intimacy difficulties. As a working mom myself, with over 17 years of clinical experience, I take a direct and compassionate approach to therapy that allows for interactive dialogue and feedback to identify things that are working, and incorporate them into places that don’t seem to be working so well. We collaborate to create treatment goals, identify barriers, and create a plan.

Hello! Are you struggling with generalized anxiety or social anxiety? Do you have excessive worries that control your daily functioning? Are you an athlete struggling with anxiety and perfectionism? Are you going through a major transition/adjustment in your life? Having family issues? What about acculturation? Dealing with 1st generation American issues with parents or 1st generation college student concerns? Struggling with career issues? I can help. I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy and EMDR (brain and body work) to address your concerns. I have expertise in Family therapy, Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Issues, Trauma, Children impacted by Divorced parents, Anxiety, Career Counseling.

** Telehealth and In-Person appointments.** We all long for our experiences, feelings, and needs to be seen, recognized, and honored. I bring to our work deep respect for your concerns and suffering. I place the therapeutic relationship at the heart of our work together which I approach with curiosity and empathy. I am most interested in what your unique experience is, and I aim to listen deeply on our road toward understanding. A safe-enough space will help us to transform your patterns of experience that interfere with your ability to be compassionate with yourself, to build meaningful relationships, and to work and play creatively, in other words, to live a fulfilling life. I am humbled by the complexity of human existence and feel honored to work with individuals from different racial and cultural backgrounds, sexual and gender identities, as well as spiritual and religious affiliations. In addition to my private practice, I am an Instructor in Psychology at Harvard Medical School (part-time) and supervise psychology interns and psychiatrist fellows. I served as the co-chair of the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Society for Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychology Graduate Student Committee helping young clinicians explore and develop their professional identities.

Experiencing anxiety can feel overwhelming and you may find yourself avoiding people, places and things in an attempt to manage your symptoms. You may find that your world is getting smaller and smaller and may feel like you are in a constant cycle of anxiety and a mix of other painful emotions. I would like to help you change your relationship with anxiety. Through collaboration, you can learn skills to help you face and manage your anxiety symptoms, so that you can live the life that you want to live.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Illinois, holding an MSW from the University at Buffalo, SUNY. With a commitment to cultural sensitivity and supporting LGBTQ+ populations, my practice is grounded in an identity-affirming, anti-oppressive framework that respects and validates lived experience. I believe that therapy should be accessible, so please ask me about sliding scale sessions if you feel finances are a barrier to access. I specialize in working with Autistic adults and individuals who have experienced trauma, depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. Drawing from a rich tapestry of therapeutic modalities including psychodynamic/psychoanalytic, humanistic, existential, motivational interviewing, and cognitive behavioral therapies, I tailor my approach to each individual’s unique needs and circumstances. Embracing a person-centered philosophy, I meet clients where they are, valuing their strengths, and collaboratively working towards their goals. I specialize in creating a safe and inclusive space for those who have felt marginalized or misunderstood. I believe deeply in the transformative power of feeling understood and endeavor to foster healing through empathetic connection and genuine support.

Great to meet you! My name is Kyle and I have been in the field of for many years and graduated with my MA degree in 2011. Some of my specializations and interest areas include EMDR, PTSD, social anxiety, career counseling, and couple's counseling (Gottman Method). When I am not counseling, some of my interests include playing guitar, comic book movies,diet/nutrition and exercise. A bit about my approach to therapy: I utilize an integrative approach when working with my clients with a particular emphasis on Cognitive Behavioral and Existential Therapy. While I believe that it is important to help clients alter their perceptions that surround their upsets, I also believe that it is essential to assist clients in finding meaning in life and taking responsibility for one's choices. I believe that these factors together play an integral role in the promotion of mental and emotional well-being. What you can expect from our first session: I try to be as collaborative as possible with clients. I want to work together toward your specific goals instead of telling you what to do. I also try to keep a calm and relaxed environment in session as well as incorporate humor when possible

As a bilingual Korean-English psychologist, I specialize in working with adults navigating perfectionism and/or anxiety rooted in attachment and emotional wounds, often shaped by growing up in immigrant families or with Asian parents. I’ve worked at several college counseling centers (e.g., GWU, UIUC, UCI, CSULB), giving me a deep understanding of the challenges commonly faced by both undergraduate and graduate students. I see clients residing in California and Illinois via secure Zoom meetings. Please feel free to reach out!

I am an ANCC Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner as of 2023. I started out as an RN nine years ago and have experience in mental health. I received my Master's Degree in Psychiatric Mental Health from Northern Kentucky University. I take great pride in being able to help patients when they need it most, fully aware of how difficult it can be to battle with mental health issues. I’m committed to making a difference in the lives of those struggling with mental health challenges. I believe in taking a holistic approach to mental health, understanding that each mental health problem and situation is unique for each individual—no single scenario is ever the same. I look forward to embarking on your mental health journey with you and will always be nonjudgmental, supportive, and empathetic to your needs. Schedule your session easily through our online booking link. Click "Website" to find a time that works for you.