Therapists for college students near 60657

Life can be challenging. I believe psychotherapy with a therapist who is a good match can help one more successfully navigate those challenges. I work collaboratively with my clients. I aim to create a nonjudgmental and supportive environment to explore difficult issues together -- to better understand what one is currently facing, to help manage those difficulties, and to ultimately make life more rewarding and meaningful. I have over 30 years of clinical experience and have worked in a variety of settings including university counseling centers (Univ. of Illinois, Univ. of Michigan, Northwestern Univ., The School of the Art Institute of Chicago), and LGBTQ and feminist services (Howard Brown Health Center, Planned Parenthood, Chicago Women's Health Center). I maintain a general practice where I see a wide diversity of men and women for issues including anxiety, depression, relationship problems, and identity.

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.

LifePath Therapy Associates is excited to have an art therapist, Jessica Walters, that graduated from SAIC! We also have many other clinicians with a wide range of experience and training to meet your needs. We are a psychotherapy practice in the heart of the Chicago's loop at Washington and Wabash. We believe in embracing each individual’s unique strengths and celebrating the resilience of the human spirit. Our therapists are warm and compassionate and believe in collaborating with each person who walks through the door to help them build the life that they wish to live.

You may be navigating a rupture in your relationship, adjusting to a major life transition, or trying to reconnect with yourself and those around you. Maybe you’re part of a family balancing the pressures of athletics, or you’re working to reintegrate into a familiar or new life context. At the core, you want to feel understood, rebuild trust, and find a sense of stability and connection within yourself and your relationships. I specialize in working with couples rebuilding trust after infidelity, families of athletes navigating sport and family life, individuals facing major life transitions, and those reintegrating into their environments. My therapeutic style is collaborative, supportive, and systemic, drawing from approaches like CBT, EFT, narrative, IFS, and more. I tailor therapy to each client’s needs, often using metaphors and shared interests to make the process relatable, meaningful, and personal. As a bilingual speaker, I am able to provide therapy in English and Thai. Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to take that step alone. I know how important it is to feel seen, hopeful, and reassured when facing challenges in life and relationships. Together, we can explore what feels heavy, uncover your strengths, and create space for healing and growth. If you’re ready to reconnect with yourself and those who matter most, I’d be honored to support you on that journey.

I approach therapy with authenticity, empathy, and the belief that meaningful change happens within a trusting therapeutic relationship. Whether you are navigating anxiety, trauma, family challenges, or life transitions, I strive to meet you where you are and work alongside you towards your goals. I have extensive experience working with children and families and am particularly passionate about supporting those affected by anxiety, trauma, attachment concerns, and relationship difficulties. Through my work, I have seen how deeply our experiences, relationships, and environments shape our emotional well-being. Because of this, I often view therapy through a systems lens, recognizing the important role that family and support networks can play in healing and growth.

I have a low-pressure, warm approach focused on creating an environment of safety and encouragement. I enjoy helping individuals with a variety of concerns including life transitions, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, health issues, substance use concerns, and healing from trauma. My practice is LGBTQ affirming and I am experienced working with Trans and gender-nonconforming individuals. I work with adults of all ages, genders, and racial/ethnic backgrounds and have extensive experience with college students and emerging adults.

Cloud Nine Counseling specializes in helping college students and young adults navigate anxiety, relationships, body image concerns, life transitions, and spirituality. Balancing school, work, friendships, and personal growth can be overwhelming, but therapy can provide clarity and support. Using evidence-based approaches—including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS)—Cloud Nine Counseling helps clients reduce anxiety, build meaningful relationships, improve self-image, adjust to life changes, and explore faith and spirituality. For those seeking faith-based guidance, Christian counseling is available upon request. Cloud Nine Counseling offers a nonjudgmental, strengths-based approach to help clients gain confidence, heal from past experiences, and create a fulfilling future. Looking for support during college and beyond? Reach out to learn more about how therapy can help.

I believe the human experience is beautifully complex, with our emotions serving as both a compass and catalyst for growth and healing. When those feelings become overwhelming, it’s easy to feel isolated or stuck in cycles of anxiety, self-doubt, or hopelessness—but you don’t have to navigate this alone. My passion is creating a space of warmth, understanding, and compassionate curiosity where we can explore what’s happening beneath the surface, make room for your full emotional experience, and discover new ways of thinking, relating, and healing. Gender Identity & Sexuality: Exploring your gender identity or sexuality can be deeply personal and, at times, isolating. Whether you're early in your journey or further along, I provide affirming, compassionate support in a space where you can be fully and authentically yourself—without judgment. You deserve to be seen, understood, and empowered as you embrace who you are. Relationship Challenges: Relationships can be both life-giving and deeply challenging. If you’re feeling stuck in painful cycles, navigating conflict, or longing for deeper connection, I’ll work with you to untangle patterns and build stronger, healthier relationships—rooted in mutual respect, communication, and emotional safety. Family Dynamics: Family systems often shape how we see ourselves and relate to others. I help clients unpack generational patterns, unspoken expectations, and relational roles that may no longer serve them. Together, we’ll work to foster clarity, establish healthy boundaries, and nurture meaningful, sustainable relationships. Anxiety: Anxiety can feel all-consuming, quietly infiltrating every area of life. I offer both practical strategies and gentle exploration to help you better understand your anxiety, manage its impact, and regain a sense of calm, confidence, and agency—especially when life feels out of control. Do I work with struggles not on this list? Maybe what you’re going through doesn’t fall neatly into one of these categories, or perhaps you’re looking to approach it from a different angle. If my approach resonates with you, I’d love to talk more. Together, we can create a path forward that honors your story and supports your unique process of healing and growth.!

At Birch Tree Psychotherapy (Chicago, Northwest Suburbs), we provide general mental health care, with a focus on outpatient eating disorder treatment. Our team provides outpatient size and gender inclusive treatment to adults, youth, & families. With a commitment to weight neutrality, body liberation, and radical self acceptance, our therapists and dietitians work within an intersectional feminist, Health at Every Size (HAES) framework. Birch Tree Psychotherapy, founded by Dr. Catharine Devlin, is a private , woman-owned, psychotherapy practice located in the Chicago Loop and South Barrington. The South Barrington location is convenient to Palatine, Inverness, Schaumburg, and Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

Madison’s top priority is creating a safe, supportive space where clients navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relational concerns, or life transitions can feel heard and understood. She brings warmth, curiosity, and steadiness to each session, offering compassion alongside practical tools for growth. Her integrative approach helps clients better understand their emotions and patterns through parts-work (IFS) and somatic-based interventions to create meaningful change. Madison's counseling philosophy is integrative and collaborative. She emphasizes empathy and authenticity in building rapport. Maddie integrates Cognitive behavioral therapy and Interpersonal Family Systems within her work with clients. Madison meets clients where they are, honoring their pace and readiness for change. Counseling is a journey we take together, at the speed that feels right for you. With warmth and understanding, she will help create a space where you feel safe to heal, grow, and rediscover your strengths.

As we shift from summer into fall, many of us are reminded that life is full of seasons of change. Sometimes these transitions feel exciting and grounding, but other times they can feel uncertain, overwhelming or even unsafe. It can be hard to feel steady when the world itself feels unpredictable. I provide a safe, nonjudgmental space where you don't have to hold those feelings alone. Together, we can explore your experiences, identify your strengths, and create a path forward that helps you feel more grounded and empowered. My goal is to walk alongside you with compassion as you navigate depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, life transitions. You deserve a place where your voice is heard. I invite you to begin the inner work that can foster, healing, resilience and self acceptance. Even in uncertain times, you can move toward your best life.

I work with college students, emerging adults, and professionals navigating anxiety, identity concerns, workplace stress, career exploration, and life transitions. I see therapy as an opportunity to pause, reflect, and reconnect with yourself during moments of uncertainty or change. My approach is grounded in authenticity, curiosity, and presence, and I value being sincere and direct while maintaining warmth and thoughtful reflection. I aim to create a supportive, respectful therapeutic space where clients feel understood and empowered. My work integrates psychotherapy with mindfulness-informed and holistic practices that support self-awareness, grounding, and connection. I’m drawn to approaches that invite clients to slow down, tune in, and build a more intentional relationship with themselves, while honoring the whole person beyond symptoms alone. I completed my doctoral internship at Duke University Counseling and Psychological Services, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Headspace Health. I hold a PhD in Psychology from Tennessee State University’s APA-accredited program and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Boston College. I am also certified in Mental Health Coaching.

We believe that under the right conditions, all humans have the ability to reach their greatest potential. Our psychologists develop trusted relationships with their clients, validating their worth and value while facilitating growth towards becoming their unique, authentic selves. They see each client as a whole, complex person, and through safe exploration of clients’ emotions, thoughts, behaviors, greater awareness is fostered toward identifying the path of becoming one’s true self. We believe that being alive is a gift, yet being human is challenging and difficult. There are many beautiful aspects of life itself, and at the same time life has a lot of suffering. We are human and we are fallible and life involves a lot of difficult external influences. Navigating both seeing and embracing the beauty while also coping with and overcoming the suffering is the key to finding internal happiness, contentment, and peace.

You're juggling a lot right now. Classes, relationships, figuring out what you actually want to do with your life, maybe dealing with family stuff that followed you to college. Some days you feel fine. Other days, getting out of bed feels like a win. Maybe you're dealing with anxiety that won't shut off, the racing thoughts at 2am, the knot in your stomach before class, the way you replay conversations wondering if you said the wrong thing. Or maybe it's more like a fog, low motivation, feeling disconnected, going through the motions without really being present. We work with college students and young adults who are navigating: - Anxiety that gets in the way of school, friendships, or just feeling okay - Depression, low mood, or losing interest in things you used to care about - Relationship issues with partners, friends, roommates, or family - Identity questions: who you are, who you're becoming, who you want to be - Stress from academic pressure, career uncertainty, or feeling behind - Trauma or difficult past experiences that keep showing up - Coming out, gender identity, or finding your place in the LGBTQ+ community - Feeling like you have to have it all figured out (you don't) We're not going to tell you what to do or give you a bunch of homework. Therapy here is a conversation. We create a space where you can say the things you don't say out loud and figure out what's actually going on. We'll meet you where you are. We offer in-person sessions in Chicago's Ravenswood neighborhood and telehealth throughout Illinois. We accept BCBS PPO and Aetna PPO insurance and are happy to set up a free 15 minute phone consultation to see if we are the right fit for you.

When looking for a therapist, it can often be a challenge to figure out who will be a good fit based on a bio and a picture. Sometimes there is something very specific that we know we need from therapy, sometimes we are just going in with a vague sense, and it can often feel vulnerable. There is a quote that I often return to in my work: “healing happens at the speed of trust”. When we start our work together, we will be figuring out how to build that trust and communication so that you can do the work and exploration that you need to do to get the most out of therapy. I specialize in supporting individuals navigating addiction and substance use. I also enjoy working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, isolation, and effects of trauma. My work is grounded in a harm reduction philosophy that aims to meet people exactly where they are and recognizes that we are all experts in our own lives. I won’t have all of the answers, but hope to work alongside you. I approach therapy with deep curiosity and a relational lens, believing that meaningful change grows from genuine connection and collaboration. I like getting to know people and find one of the most profound things to come from therapy is a feeling of being understood.

"Growth is never by chance; it is the outcome of people working together." Are you ready to work together in achieving your personal goals? Are your goals to be less anxious and/or depressed and have more meaningful relationships? I understand today's stresses for college students in balancing school/work, challenges with focus, relationships, physical health and future planning beyond college. As a Therapist, my focus in working with my clients is on identifying your personal strengths and helping you to recognize them so you can work to achieve and maintain a healthy physical and mental balance in your life.

As therapists, we work to build a genuine relationship with each client, create a safe space for discovery, and aim to understand that individual. This allows clients to safely explore alongside the therapist, and begin to see themselves with greater clarity, depth, and honesty. Good, effective therapy will likely not happen overnight (though exciting and wonderful eureka moments certainly occur along the way), and trust, honesty, and humor are invaluable to a beneficial therapeutic relationship. We believe that laughter and tears are equally powerful but that therapeutic change is measured in neither. We believe the act and effort of genuinely and non-judgmentally understanding each client allows for lasting therapeutic change to take place. While each clinician at Dr. Blehart & Associates has a unique method and skillset, we believe it is the underlying interpersonal style and ability to connect and understand that rests at the heart of our work. Dr. Blehart & Associates offers the highest level of expertise, care, and access for adults and adolescents in Chicago. Services are available in English, Spanish, German, and Somali.

As a therapist and pleasure activist I strive to create a safe, accessible environment for you to connect with and express your most authentic self. During sessions, your trust and safety are priorities for me. I practice from a relational and client-centered framework, understanding that you are the expert in your own experience. With my warm and direct approach, I seek to ask the right questions to help you make new connections and provide a fresh perspective. I have experience supporting clients through gender-identity development, C-PTSD, Dissociative Identity Disorder, gender dysphoria, anxiety and depression. As a therapist, researcher, and pleasure activist I strive to create a safe, accessible environment for you to connect with and express your most authentic self. During sessions, your trust and safety are priorities for me. I practice from a relational and client-centered framework, understanding that you are the expert in your own experience. With my warm and direct approach, I seek to ask the right questions to help you make new connections and provide a fresh perspective. I have experience supporting clients through gender-identity development, C-PTSD, Dissociative Identity Disorder, gender dysphoria, anxiety and depression. With my lived experience as a transgender woman, I bring a compassionate and affirming approach to my therapeutic practice. I am passionate about working with transgender/gender diverse, Autistic, and Disabled clients, and pride myself as a kink/BDSM, polyamory/ENM, and sex-worker allied therapist.

As a previous university counseling center therapist, I work well with students who feel stuck and unhappy, and who are looking to make some sort of change in their lives, whether it is related to mood, purpose, addictions/habits, and/or relationships. I also work well with student who are experiencing nervousness about their academic and/or personal lives, and who are feeling overwhelmed with stress. I help students figure out how to be successful as they transition into young adulthood.

Welcome. I’m glad you’re here. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years of experience helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s challenges, relationships, and personal growth. I believe therapy is a collaborative process built on trust, compassion, and a genuine understanding of each person’s unique story. My approach is warm, supportive, and thoughtful while also helping clients identify patterns, develop new skills, and create meaningful change. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, life transitions, grief and loss, perfectionism, self-esteem concerns, and challenges related to family and interpersonal relationships. I believe that people often develop ways of coping that once served an important purpose, and therapy provides a space to better understand those patterns, build on strengths, and move toward a more fulfilling life. My goal is to provide a safe, nonjudgmental environment where you feel heard, understood, and supported. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, facing a transition, or simply wanting to better understand yourself, I would be honored to work with you on your journey toward growth and healing.