Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

Maybe you’ve been telling yourself you should be able to handle this by now. But lately, everything feels heavier. Your energy is low, motivation is hard to find, and even small tasks can feel overwhelming. You may notice yourself pulling away from people, losing interest in things you used to enjoy, or feeling stuck in patterns that are hard to break. At times, you might find yourself reaching for something—whether it’s substances, distractions, or numbing behaviors—to get through the moment, even when it doesn’t bring lasting relief. For some, this shows up as persistent sadness, emptiness, or feeling disconnected from yourself and others. For others, it may look like anxiety, burnout, or being caught in cycles of overthinking and self-criticism. These experiences can also show up in relationships pulling away, avoiding hard conversations, or finding yourself in the same painful dynamics again and again. You may notice that your inner voice is harsh or unforgiving, making it even harder to find a way forward. Together, we will gently identify and address these patterns while building more compassion, stability, and connection—both within yourself and in your relationships I work with teens and adults navigating depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, identity questions, traumatic experiences, and life transitions. I provide LGBTQAI+-affirming therapy grounded in cultural humility, creating a safe and validating space to explore identity, relationships, and lived experiences. I also support individuals who are exploring their relationship with substances, whether that means reducing use, understanding patterns, or working toward recovery. I have completed training toward my Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) credential and am CADC-eligible, which allows me to integrate evidence-based approaches for substance use into our work. My practice is trauma-informed and guided by phase-oriented treatment approaches. In our early work, we focus on safety, stabilization, and building self-regulation skills to help you feel more grounded—even when things feel heavy or overwhelming. As you begin to feel more supported and resourced, we may shift toward processing more difficult experiences and understanding the roots of depressive patterns or substance use. Therapy is always paced according to your readiness. I prioritize transparency throughout therapy, ensuring you understand each step of the process and why certain approaches are used. My goal is to create a space that feels collaborative, supportive, and grounded—so you can move from feeling stuck and depleted toward feeling more engaged, connected, and able to experience meaning in your life again.

Shu Hudson is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She received her Masters degree in Counseling Psychology from North Park University. Shu thrives in providing a compassionate, client-centered space where individuals feel seen, heard, and supported in their healing journey. Her approach integrates evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with a deep focus on uncovering and understanding core emotions—those powerful, often hidden feelings that drive our thoughts, behaviors, and relational patterns. Shu has specialized training in yoga and mindfulness, that enables her to bring a somatic awareness to therapy, helping clients reconnect with their bodies as a source of wisdom, grounding, and emotional regulation. Shu focuses on navigating anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, or life transitions, working collaboratively to explore underlying emotional truths, challenging unhelpful thought patterns, and fostering meaningful, sustainable change. Shu’s goal is to guide each client toward greater self-awareness, emotional resilience, and a more empowered relationship with themselves and others.

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.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

As a queer, disabled person, engaging in topics of systems, religion, and relationships is both my lived experience and my passion. As a clinician-in-training, I see the counseling process as a collaborative, client-centered time for exploring patterns, story, and skill-building for your relationships to yourself and the world around you. Whatever patterns, questions, or pain you may bring, therapy is your space to make self-compassionate change happen. I utilize narrative, art, emotional regulation, somatic, executive functioning, and mindfulness approaches to the treatment of Depression/Anxiety, ADHD, LGBTQ+ Issues, and Relationship Concerns (self, others, political environment, earth, etc). In short: my style of therapy is warm, client-centered, trauma-informed, and rooted in curiosity. I am committed to providing therapy that recognize intersections of potential pain and power within myself and others (race/ethnicity, gender/sexuality, religion/spirituality, disability, immigration status, etc). Whatever your pain may be, I look forward to learning more about and from your lived experience as we work together towards healing.

Find individual, couples, family and group counseling, as well as Medication Management & Psychiatry services in person at one of our 6 Chicagoland locations or from the comfort of your home, using a secure, online platform. Find out about Telehealth Services, serving all Illinois and Indiana, here. The Juniper Center is here to help you or someone you love to heal from symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, behavioral issues, relationship issues and more. We work at the forefront of brain science to provide evidence-based results for you.

Whatever challenges are impacting your life, you don't have to face them alone. That's where I come in – to help you heal, gain new insights and perspectives, and develop the tools you need to best care for yourself. At the heart of my approach is building an authentic, egalitarian therapeutic relationship where you feel safe, heard, and best able to work towards your goals in a supportive environment. My primary population focus is LGBTQIA+ clients, and as a queer woman myself, I believe creating a safe, affirming space is key to successful counseling. I provide therapy that is culturally humble, trauma informed, and strengths-based. As a creative person, I am keen on customizing counseling to you and your passions in life. My integrative counseling approach combines humanistic/person-centered principles with techniques including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), creativity, and mindfulness. Since every client has different needs, goals, and nuances, the two of us will work together to develop a treatment plan that is as unique as you and able to grow with you. I graduated from Roosevelt University with an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I completed my internship year at Renew You Counseling Center where I worked with a diverse array of individuals, couples, and groups ages 18-65. In my free time, I love playing guitar, rock climbing, going on nature walks, writing, performing stand-up comedy, gaming, and spending time with my loved ones and two cats. Reaching out for help is never easy, so my aim is to provide unconditional acceptance of all aspects of your identity and experience. My hope is to support you on your journey of healing and growth.

I have an extensive background guiding youth and young adults toward greater health and fulfillment. Every day I look forward to helping individuals experiencing PTSD, trauma, abuse, depression, anxiety, life transitions, social struggles, family conflict, and ADHD reach their full potential for success. I strongly believe that therapy can be a meaningful and transformative space for individuals of all ages to identify patterns and struggles in order to make effective changes. I believe in co-creating a safe, collaborative space for clients to process emotions, thoughts, and experiences. Let's take this journey together.

Our group therapy practice has trained our clinicians to be trauma and systems informed, neurodivergent and LGBTQ affirmative, and knowledgeable in incorporating and integrating the body and mind in therapy. We consider the individual, societal, and environmental factors and contexts for each client. We also explore the identities you hold and the intersectionality of how your identities inform who you are. We also recognize how macro societal level systems, those that influence experiences of power, privilege, and oppression, deeply impact the experiences of every individual. We use our expertise and understanding about neurodiversity and learning styles in conjunction with Mary Jo Barrett’s Collaborative Change Model to structure and pace healthy trauma informed therapy. We also acknowledge and take into account that when we experience something painful, we experience it on multiple levels. Our approach allows us to integrate the body into therapy and explore what the body needs to feel safe or calm again.

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.

We started Smart Behavior Solutions with the goal of going against the grain. While most therapy practices use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as a means to modify thought patterns to change moods & behaviors, we use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help patients recognize and accept the many aspects of life. ACT helps patients understand who they are and choose the associated beneficial behaviors. These behaviors are based on the most important people & things in life.​​​ Our therapists work with you to create change.

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Registered Art Therapist working at the group practice, Emily Hanneman LCSW PLLC. Our office is located in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago and is accessible by Metra and public transit. As a therapist, I believe that everyone deserves access to quality, affirming mental health care. This is especially important during major life transitions, like starting college! I identify as a queer, neurodivergent therapist, and I'm experienced in helping students manage depression, anxiety, and alcohol or substance misuse. My therapy style is warm, collaborative, and relatable. I enjoy utilizing humor as a way to connect and build comfortability within our sessions. It's my goal to ensure that every client feels seen, heard, and valued during our work together. If this approach sounds like it could be a good fit, feel free to reach out for a free consultation.

Flourishing Affinity Counseling is a woman founded, small private practice located in the heart of Lakeview. Flourishing Affinity Counseling was created in order to give people a space to feel safe, heard, understood, and affirmed while navigating their concerns surrounding sex, relationships and identities. FAC is a therapeutic space for those to explore individual, couples, relationship and/or sex therapy in order to truly flourish in life and relationships. ​ ​ At FAC we value inclusivity, pleasure, exploration, and embracing your unique sexuality. We also value your autonomy and your therapeutic process. We recognize this work is complicated and challenging. Together we will navigate your concerns at a pace that feels right for you and work towards your own desired growth and outcome. ​​​ Flourishing Affinity Counseling is a sex positive space that is affirming to members of the LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, kink, poly, CNM, and sex worker communities.

My name is Sophia Jelsma and I am a psychotherapist working for the group practice Mezame. At Mezame, we focus on a type of therapy called EMDR that addresses trauma, stress, and emotional dysregulation. To learn more about our group practice, visit our website list at the bottom of the page.

We provide individualized and effective mental health care in a warm and welcoming environment to individuals of all ages, developmental levels, and orientations to address the concerns and problems they are facing. Our approach is inclusive, intersectional, neuro-diversity affirming, relational, strength-based, and trauma-informed. If you are feeling overwhelmed, over stressed, and know that your mental health needs support and care, we can help.

Life can be difficult and everyone needs help at some point. I believe in a humanistic/person-centered approach that emphasizes the potential within people. Everyone has a different story, a different journey, a different destination. My goal as a therapist is to give you the support you need to get to where you want to be. Therapy is a collaborative effort and so it is through the combined work of the therapist’s experience in the mental health field and the client’s expertise in themself that this process is most effective. My previous work has primarily been focused on people within the LGBTQIA+ community as well as individuals dealing with substance use disorders and co-occurring conditions including but not limited to anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, mood disorders, and personality disorders Between my time working at a residential sober house and a community mental health center, where I led substance use and LGBTQIA+ support groups, I have experience working with individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds dealing with a wide variety of mental health issues.

I love working with young adults who are dealing with things like stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, life transitions, and the pressure to be perfect. Life can feel overwhelming at times, but you're not alone in this! Whether you're trying to manage stress, navigate tricky relationships, or simply find more balance, I'm here to support you every step of the way.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I am a psychotherapist who enjoys helping you reach your full capacity. As your counselor, I will walk you through a holistic treatment plan to create an enriched healing environment. I approach the therapeutic relationship with respect, empathy and humor. I will help challenge you to fully look at all aspects of your life so you can create positive growth. I am down to earth and believe in the importance of having a positive and healthy relationship with your therapist. When I'm not in the office I enjoy spending time watching movies, listening to music, exploring new restaurants and playing sports.

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.