Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

I like to think of therapy as a journey of inner exploration and I am along as a guide. I believe that therapy is most effective when it is a combination of intellectual understanding and emotional experience. In that regard, it feels like your feelings are our road signs that we are in the right track to self-growth. I try to not have a specific agenda going into sessions, but rather to go where it is you feel like you need to go at that time. I believe that it is my role to create a safe space for you to express and explore whatever it is that is inside you. Compassion is key, and cultivating self-compassion is one of the most important elements of therapy. I look forward to helping you explore and become more self-aware and self-compassionate!

Could you use a safe space to process a major life transition? Are you looking for guidance on improving your relationships? I see therapy as a valuable tool to reflect on life, unpack how you're feeling, and discover what changes you can make to be more satisfied. My therapeutic style tends to be a good fit for clients who identify as perfectionists, struggle with anxiety and uncertainty, or who are experiencing stress from significant phase of life changes like starting school, getting married, or having kids. As a violinist myself, I love working with creatives, musicians, and performing artists. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and currently working towards my Perinatal Mental Health Certification. I strive to cultivate a supportive and compassionate relationship with my clients while also encouraging growth and accountability. I utilize evidence-based techniques, including ACT and CBT, to help clients improve their mental health. I also draw from my experience as a couples counselor to assist clients in developing more satisfying relationships. I received my EdS degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Loyola University Chicago and hold a degree in Violin Performance from Northwestern University. I started my private practice, Vivant Counseling & Psychotherapy, in 2022. Outside of the therapy room, I love taking walks with my pitbull Rosie, cooking pasta, and British crime dramas.

My approach is integrative and trauma-informed, drawing from psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, and mindfulness. I have particular experience working with grief, identity exploration, chronic illness, spirituality, LGBTQ health, and women’s health. I also work with clients who feel disconnected from their purpose or who are navigating major shifts in their sense of self. Our work will begin with your story, and from there, we will collaboratively create a plan to address your goals. My aim is to help clients access their own wisdom, find relief from emotional distress, deepen self-awareness, and experience greater self-compassion. In addition to my work as a psychotherapist, I have worked as an interfaith hospital chaplain, supporting patients, families, and staff during moments of intense vulnerability and uncertainty. This experience informs my work, allowing me to hold space for life’s deepest questions and existential concerns. My approach to spirituality is non-prescriptive, honoring each person’s unique beliefs, values, and ways of making meaning.

Are you having trouble with falling and staying asleep? Are you feeling anxious and overwhelmed? I specialize in working with people who are having trouble sleeping, who are experiencing anxiety, and who are going through reproductive transitions or who are experiencing distress related to their reproductive health (e.g., PMDD, pregnancy, postpartum, infertility). In my work, I aim to cultivate a safe space to hold and honor your emotions, while also providing you with new coping tools to help you process your emotions, get some distance from your thoughts, and help you engage with your life. To do this, I use a blend of evidence-based psychotherapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and Interpersonal Psychotherapy.

I'm a Health Psychologist with extensive experience helping college students overcome personal struggles and mental health challenges. College is already demanding, but navigating it with anxiety, trauma, or health issues can make it feel overwhelming. I’ve worked with students in college counseling centers and my private practice, where I specialize in treating anxiety, trauma, addiction, and health-related concerns like sleep problems and chronic illness. Whether in person or online, I offer a space where you can feel supported and empowered to tackle what’s holding you back. If you're ready for help, I’m here to work with you through this challenging time so you can focus on achieving your goals and building the future you envision. If you need help, I will support you through so that you can focus on your future.

My dedication to mental health comes from an interest in patients’ stories and the need to help them, educate them, and encourage them to take an active role in their care. My goal is to collaborate with my patients with empathy to help them better understand their health so they can make important health decisions. I believe in providing individualized care through a holistic approach. I am Board Certified in General Psychiatry. My areas of expertise include Major Depressive Disorder, Mood Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, and psychosis. I am an avid reader and love cooking, gardening, and painting. I have two children and enjoy spending time with my family.

We are licensed psychologists who've been working with students for 20+ years. We understand and care about college student concerns -- from adjusting to campus life, navigating friend-groups, reflecting on family, and making your way academically. We can help. In addition, we're "PsyPact certified" in 42 states and counting, which means when you head home for breaks or intern out of state, there's a really good chance we can provide continued support so you can maintain the gains you've made.

Melody Stauffer, LCPC is a licensed clinical professional counselor in Illinois who has counseled children, teens, and adults for over 10 years. She graduated from Judson University with a bachelor’s in psychology. She then graduated from Argosy University in 2013 with a Master of Arts in Community Counseling. Her areas of expertise include: depression, anxiety, trauma, parenting, children/adolescents, communication issues, stress management, grief & loss, self-esteem issues, self-harm, substance abuse, psychosis, and crisis stabilization. Melody recognizes each client has their own story to tell and specific wounds to heal and will let her clients lead the way on their mental health journey. Melody is also trained in EMDR therapy that is helpful with patients with trauma, old or new. Schedule your appointment with me by simply clicking on the "Visit Website" link below!

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to make sense of who you are, where you’re going, and how to handle life’s challenges. I work with students who feel like their emotions are out of control, are struggling with identity, navigating family stress, searching for community, or carrying the impact of past experiences. I understand how culture, family, and community shape our stories. Sometimes in ways that bring strength, and other times through cycles we want to break. I believe therapy is a collaborative process. Together, we’ll build coping tools, create balance, and honor your culture, story, and strengths as you move toward a life that feels more meaningful and manageable.

As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, I integrate a medical-model approach with supportive therapy to provide compassionate, comprehensive care. While diagnostic labels can help guide medication decisions, my focus is on understanding the deeper context of your challenges—exploring symptom triggers, emotional meanings, and how relationships influence your coping style. Mutual respect and trust are the foundation of my practice, and I am committed to creating a relaxed, non-judgmental space where honesty, transparency, and collaboration empower you to take an active role in your treatment. I treat a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, addiction, OCD, complex grief, and chronic illnesses. Together, we’ll work toward authentic growth, healthier choices, and a more positive outlook on life.

Welcome to Essentially You Counseling and Wellness Services. We first would like to acknowledge the step you are taking to create positive change in your life, and thank you for considering us to be a part of that process! At Essentially You Counseling and Wellness Services, we provide an array of behavioral health services to individuals, couples, families and groups. Life can prove to be very difficult at times. With two convenient locations in Bloomingdale and Bolingbrook, our mission at Essentially You Counseling and Wellness Services is to guide you through the challenges you are facing so that you are able to live a happy life. We are proud to offer both in-person and telehealth sessions. Everybody can benefit from counseling at different points in their lives. Unfortunately, no one is immune to the stress and strain that life can bring each day. Our goal is to provide you with excellent care in a warm, safe and empathetic environment. While we can’t change difficult situations that you may have been through in the past, we can work together to help you enjoy the present and look forward to your future. Our therapists use eclectic therapeutic styles to help you experience a more fulfilling and meaningful life. Our team works with you to guide you through the challenges of life, develop new outlooks and skills to manage stressors, and gain a better understanding of living an authentic life that is “Essentially You”.

The demands and transitions in college can be hard and lead to feelings of being overwhelmed, loneliness, grief, anxiety, depression, helplessness, hopelessness, anger, etc. I offer an emotionally safe telehealth experience to listen, guide, and support you. If you are looking to learn skills to build confidence, resilience, tame performance anxiety, self-manage emotions, prepare yourself for life after college, and learn how to get through any challenge life throws at you, my specialization with sports and performance psychology is the answer. I have worked with all levels of athletes, musicians/performers, chess masters, health and law professionals, etc for over 15 years. I will meet you where you are at and support you with all the tools, research, leadership, and experience I have built. Feel free to text my work cell 630-219-0339 anytime to schedule.

Licensed clinical psychologist with 20 years of experience providing Telehealth in Illinois. My clinical training and practice has primarily centered on college students and the unique challenges of emerging adulthood. Areas of focus include eating disorders, anxiety disorders and performance/perfectionism guided by principles of trauma-informed care. Modalities used include CBT, DBT, ACT and psychodynamic therapy. Please see my website for more information about me.

You've worked hard to get to where you are today, but your trauma is still holding you back. Anxiety keeps you up at night. You can't quiet the voice in your head that's telling you you're not good enough. You feel disconnected from other people and wonder how others seem to maintain their relationships. And interactions with your family members leave you thoroughly exhausted. You're suffering from the legacy of childhood emotional neglect and trauma. You had to take care of yourself from a very early age because there wasn't anyone else to do it. Now, you're struggling to stay afloat and maintain the life you've always wanted. It’s time find peace with your past and create a life you love. If you're ready to break free from repetitive thoughts and behaviors that hold you back, heal from past hurt and trauma, develop a greater sense of inner peace and self-confidence, improve your relationships with others and yourself, and reconnect with your body and emotions, then keep reading. My specialty is working with adults who have experienced childhood emotional neglect and trauma. I'm a Level 2 trained IFS clinician, and I bring years of experience to helping my clients heal and live the lives they want to live. It's possible for you, too. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation and start on the path to healing.

Sometimes words don't cut it. Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or seeking a safe space to explore your inner world? Art therapy uses tools that take traditional talk therapy to the next level by giving you an embodied experience. The heart of my practice is believing people are their own experts. You are the ONLY you with your exact values, experiences, routines, heartaches, and desires. I want you to feel seen, foster a deeper understanding of your journey, and find answers and solace through your own innate intuition. If you're new to art therapy you may not be aware of how creativity can open new doors of understanding and connection. Sometimes we get stuck on a judgmental message from 1st grade that we aren’t “good” at artmaking. Well, I say forget that! You ARE inherently creative and it’s okay to heal using both the logical AND intuitive sides of your brain. You get to lead at your comfort level and I will authentically support you using tools and techniques (whether open-ended or more structured) to guide you. If you are seeking space to work through an issue you're having, improve self-esteem, cope with anxiety or depression, manage stress, deal with relationship or parenting issues, process trauma, or just vent, consider reaching out to me.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and founder of Serenity Way Therapy Services, LLC. I work with individuals navigating unresolved childhood experiences, life transitions, and the stress that can come with balancing responsibilities and identity. Many of the clients I support appear to be functioning well on the outside but feel overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected internally. My approach is both supportive and direct. I strive to create a space where clients feel safe to explore their experiences while also being challenged in ways that promote growth. I focus on helping clients build self-awareness, improve relationships, and develop practical tools they can use in their daily lives. Whether someone is adjusting to a new phase of life, managing stress, or working through deeper emotional patterns, I aim to help them move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and intention.

Feeling burnt out? Keeping up with college life can be overwhelming. We specialize in working with college students and we're here to support you! Schedule an appointment today! We look forward to meeting with you. We are accepting new clients and have immediate openings, both in person or virtual. We accept insurance, self-pay, and sliding scale (reduced fee).

I offer virtual mental health services to AZ, IL and MD residents. Life is completely unpredictable, fast moving, unstoppable and often complicated. Do you feel lost, hurt, lonely, confused, depressed, and/or anxious? Do you suffer from pain that has no medical explanation? Do you worry endlessly about your physical health or medical diagnosis? If so, I will be able to help. I offer a non-judgmental space where all of your feelings and questions can be expressed and explored with kindness, compassion, and acceptance.

Peace in Counseling is a virtual therapy practice based in Naperville, Illinois, committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care for children, teens, adults, and families throughout the state. We specialize in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, life transitions, and more. Our mission is to empower clients on their journey to inner peace by fostering a sense of stability and confidence in every aspect of their lives. Our mission at Peace in Counseling is to provide trauma-informed, culturally aware, and evidence-based therapy that helps individuals, couples, and families build lasting inner peace and resilience. We are committed to creating a collaborative space where you feel truly seen, respected, and supported in your growth. By integrating emotional, psychological, and spiritual care, we focus on the whole person and foster meaningful, lasting change.

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.