Therapists for college students near 60611

I often work with students navigating big changes—adjusting to college life, managing stress, or figuring out who they are and where they fit in. Maybe you’re balancing school with work or family expectations, or feeling pressure to succeed while silently struggling. I offer a supportive, judgment-free space where you can slow down, talk things through, and learn to care for yourself while meeting life’s demands. Together, we can work on easing anxiety, building confidence, and finding balance that feels sustainable.

I prioritize seeing a holistic view of a person. I find joy in helping assist individuals find their meaning and finding balance in every aspect of their life. Whether that's physically, mentally, emotionally, and/or spiritually. I find it to be a great privilege to listen to someone’s story, and for the past eight years I’ve worked with children, adolescents, and young adults for experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and overall life transitions, especially when it comes to going to college. I would be happy to work with you whether that may be in person or virtually. I am licensed in Illinois and Missouri!

My focus has been on individuals of all ages struggling with trauma, attachment, mood issues, and family issues. I work with individuals and families struggling with the effects of trauma, change, anxiety, and their relationships. I am here to help build a sense of safety, joy, and connection. As most people in this society, I have been affected by trauma, and I believe that my personal insight as well as my training and experience. I work with all ages, though I am unable to work with small children right now as sessions must be virtual. I love helping people feel more empowered and grow in their understanding.

Are you longing to feel more connected—to yourself, to the people you love, or to what really matters? It’s common to move through life feeling stuck or off-track, even when everything looks “fine” on the outside. You might be craving more clarity, authenticity, or ease in your relationships—or simply a space to reconnect with your values and sense of self. I’m Dan, a counselor with over fifteen years of experience working with students and adults navigating anxiety and self-doubt, searching for meaning and direction, and striving to feel more authentic and connected in their relationships. Whether you're facing academic burnout, parenting stress, or communication struggles with a partner or family member, therapy can offer a space to slow down, make sense of what’s happening, and move forward with greater clarity and confidence. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in helping you reconnect with your strengths. In my work at Middlebury College and in private practice, I’ve supported people through moments of uncertainty, emotional stuckness, and growth—whether that means sorting through persistent thoughts, easing the physical toll of stress, or learning to speak more honestly and effectively with loved ones. You don’t need to have everything figured out to begin. We’ll work together with curiosity and compassion to help you feel more grounded, capable, and aligned with what matters most.

No matter what you do, you feel like you are never good enough. You are consumed with thoughts of food and shame about your body. You’ve tried everything to control your eating, but in the end feel like it is food that controls you. If this is you, know that you are not alone and you can find healing. If you are struggling with an eating disorder, disordered eating, or body image, I can help you find acceptance and finally feel at home within your body. We will work together to explore your beliefs about food, your body, and yourself to uncover what’s not working and keeping you from what matters most to you. I provide a warm, compassionate space, (with some humor sprinkled in) in which you can breathe and connect with who you truly are. Through a social justice-informed Health at Every Size framework combined with acceptance and mindfulness-based approaches, we will explore and practice new ways for you to cope with difficult thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Many of the clients I work with struggle with intense self-criticism, perfectionism, and feeling like they are both “too much” and “not enough.” During our initial sessions, we will explore the challenges impacting you most deeply and work together to identify initial goals to help you soften that self-critical voice and build more self-compassion. I also collaborate with clients to identify specific skills to work on between sessions to integrate what you are learning into daily life.

Welcome, amazing human. I’m glad you're here. Whether you are feeling stuck or trying to make sense of life, let’s chat and find ways to help you find a new path forward and feel better. Research shows that the key element in counseling is the relationship between the counselor and client. If we click, counseling will likely be effective. So let me give you a sense of my approach to counseling. I think of counseling as physical therapy for the mind and soul. Connection with self and others is key. My job is to create a space for you that feels safe, validating, and supportive, where I can introduce “exercises” that help you sort things out, gain new skills, and start feeling better. And so, whether you are at a crossroads in a relationship or your career, or simply feeling adrift in life, it would be an honor to be a part of your journey. I’d love to walk with you as you move through whatever might be overwhelming you right now: the pain of indecision, anxiety, relationship struggles, or the pressures of daily life. Let’s schedule a time to talk so you can decide if we’re a good fit to work together. Your satisfaction and relief matter most to me. Wishing you well!

I’m a Clinical Therapist at Health and Healing Therapy and I work with teens and adults 18 – 30 years old who are working through various wanted and unwanted transitions, changes, and challenges of life. My therapeutic approach is grounded in collaboration and authenticity. Together, we’ll work to uncover your strengths and develop personalized strategies to navigate life’s uncertainty.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

If you are a person with a disability who experiences mental health symptoms stemming from social situations, trauma, obsessive thoughts, or difficulty letting go—you are not alone. It is an incredibly frustrating place to be when your mental health feels like it controls your life and limits your choices. If your deepest desire is to regain a sense of calm and control, you've found a supportive space.

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.

Parkside Psychological Services is dedicated to serving people of all ages and needs. Our team of diverse, talented providers is committed to understanding the root of client’s concerns and working with them to bring about effective changes for recovery. Different providers are available 7-days/wk including daytime, evening, and weekends to suite your needs. We are currently accepting patients with a wide spectrum of symptoms. Able to connect in-person (Lake Forest, IL) or virtually (PsyPact membership connecting to 42 states nationwide!). We are in-network with BCBS PPO and Medicare. Out-of-network rates can be discussed as needed with option of superbills to support your request for reimbursement. Please reach out to Dr. Smiley directly to discuss your needs and preferences, and get started right away! Ideally an initial appointment will be scheduled within a week.

Regret, self-criticism, guilt and shame are far too often root causes of the depression and anxiety plaguing our minds. Sometimes we don’t even realize these feelings until we examine our thoughts more carefully. My goal in talk therapy is to help you recognize how thoughts and emotions impact your behaviors so we can break unhealthy patterns and find strategies that work best for you. I work to create a casual, stress-free environment where you can truly be yourself, feel understood, and validated. Using empathy and a conversational style, I bring knowledge, experience, and most importantly, a fresh perspective into the (virtual) therapy room. We will work together to build upon your strengths, and I will strive to help you find insight and practical solutions to implement into your daily life to find a path forward and heal. I offer telehealth video therapy for clients in Iowa, Illinois and Florida. I work with adults and couples aged 18+ with issues including anxiety, depression, women’s issues, empowerment, work stress, improving communication, interpersonal and relationship issues, life transitions, aging, living chronic illness, spiritual growth, and trauma.

Little Bird Psychotherapy is a therapeutic space for clients to explore and understand themselves with a sense of compassion and curiosity. Rooted in a commitment to collaborative care free of judgement and shame, Little Bird welcomes those with a desire to discover and rediscover who they are in order to embody their most authentic and joyful selves. We are who we have always been; Little Bird can help you see who that is. I enjoy working with adults of all ages seeking support with eating disorders/body image, gender/sexuality exploration, unique stressors of graduate school, and family of origin issues. Abolition is the primary value that guides both my own life and practice. In sessions, this involves a deep understanding and compassion for all persons and their parts and a commitment to maintaining space free of pathologization and hierarchical relationships between therapist and client. I am deeply invested in anti-carceral approaches to healing. For clients wanting to engage in a collaborative relationship to foster healing, find joy in their authentic selves, and practice more self compassion, this might be your nest.

Your first session is simply the beginning. There’s no pressure to have everything figured out. We’ll start by getting to know each other and talking about what is bringing you to therapy. I’ll ask questions to better understand your experiences, your strengths, and what feels most important to focus on right now. Therapy is a collaborative process, and this first meeting is about taking those initial steps together. We’ll begin identifying your goals and what meaningful change would look like for you. Just as importantly, this is your opportunity to see how it feels to work with me. A strong therapeutic fit matters, and I want you to feel comfortable, supported, and confident moving forward!

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.

Starting therapy can feel like a big step, especially when you're already balancing classes, relationships, family expectations, work, and everything else that comes with college life. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, stuck, or simply looking for extra support, I'm glad you're here. I'm Mary Mesiha, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with over 20 years of experience helping young adults navigate life's challenges. I specialize in working with college students facing anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, relationship concerns, self-esteem, trauma, and the pressures that often come with this stage of life. I believe the relationship you have with your therapist is one of the most important factors in successful therapy. My goal is to provide a warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you can feel heard, gain practical tools, and build confidence as you work toward the life you want. I offer a free 30-minute consultation so we can get to know each other, discuss what you're looking for, and determine whether we're a good fit. I would be honored to support you through this chapter of your life.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) I have experience working with adults and immigrant populations who are navigating challenges such as depression, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, grief, and chronic illness. As an immigrant, I can empathize with the unique obstacles faced by those adapting to a new environment and a different way of life. I take a client-centered, culturally responsive approach that recognizes each individual's distinct needs and experiences. I have experience working with individuals navigating both past traumas and the challenges of adjusting to a life that may differ from their previous expectations. I have also worked in hospital settings, supporting patients and their families from the moment of diagnosis through the emotional process of coping with illness and loss. In our first session, we’ll explore what brought you to therapy, what’s currently happening in your life, and what changes you’re hoping for. Utilizing a psychodynamic framework, we will uncover unhelpful patterns and defense mechanisms, helping you develop healthier coping strategies while processing uncomfortable emotions. Shall we dive in?

I am deeply passionate about supporting college students and young adults as they navigate this exciting yet often challenging period of life. My clinical practice is rooted in a comprehensive understanding of the unique developmental milestones, pressures, and transitions faced during emerging adulthood. I have extensive experience assisting clients with a wide range of common concerns, including managing the pervasive feelings associated with anxiety and depression, developing effective strategies for ADHD management, and successfully navigating significant life transitions such as starting college, entering the workforce, or adjusting to new relationships. Additionally, I specialize in addressing concerns specific to cultural identity, acculturation, and systemic stress. My therapeutic approach is fundamentally culturally sensitive and trauma-informed. This means I prioritize creating a safe, non-judgmental space where your individual background, experiences, and identity are respected and central to the healing process. I operate with the understanding that past experiences, including trauma, can profoundly impact present well-being. Mental health is not just important—it is absolutely crucial during this formative stage of life. It lays the groundwork for future success, resilience, and happiness. I genuinely believe that investing in your emotional well-being now is one of the most powerful steps you can take. I would be genuinely honored to partner with you as you explore, grow, and strengthen your mental health throughout this transformative journey.

If your mind moves quickly, your to-do list never ends, you feel stretched too thin, or you just feel behind no matter how hard you try - you are not alone! As a School Social Worker of 12 years, a wife to a first responder and a mom of 2, I understand the struggles that students and parents face as well as the pressures of teens and adults who are balancing responsibilities, while quietly carrying the mental load. I work with teens and adults navigating ADHD, anxiety, burnout and the general overwhelm that can come with everyday life. My style is calm, warm, collaborative and down-to-earth, with a little humor mixed in. Therapy should feel comfortable, not clinical. I follow a multi-modal approach, pulling from various evidenced-based methods, based on your needs. I hope to create a calm space to help you untangle what feels chaotic. You deserve an an open, non-judgemental place to share your thoughts and I offer a space where you can show up honestly, think out loud and maybe even laugh a little along the way. My goal is to help you feel calmer, more confident and more equipped to handle what life gives you.

I am a licensed psychologist dedicated to supporting college-aged individuals as they navigate one of the most transformative and challenging periods of life. Whether you’re adjusting to a new environment, managing academic pressures, exploring your identity, or coping with stress, anxiety, or relationships, I provide a safe, confidential space where you can feel heard and understood. My approach is collaborative and tailored to each person’s unique needs. I draw from evidence-based practices to help you build practical skills, deepen self-awareness, and develop resilience. Together, we can work toward managing overwhelming emotions, improving focus and motivation, strengthening relationships, and fostering a greater sense of balance and well-being. Starting therapy can feel like a big step, but you don’t have to navigate this stage alone. I welcome new college-aged clients and strive to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where you can grow and thrive.