Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL
We are a mental health group private practice located in the Avondale neighborhood in Chicago. We specialize in a variety of mental health diagnoses and conditions and all have experience working with college students. Some of our specialties include trauma/childhood trauma/complex trauma, depression/anxiety, ADHD, self-esteem/shame, dissociation, personality disorders, stress - relational, academic, occupational, etc., life transitions/adjustments, etc. We are an LGBTQIA+ Affirmative practice and all our clinicians practice from a trauma-informed lens. Currently we offer both in person and remote sessions and we are open 7 days of the week. We look forward to working with you.
I am a queer, feminist, down-to-earth therapist who prioritizes the comfort of and connection with my clients. I have experience working with clients from a wide variety of identities, but I am especially passionate about working with LGBTQ+ people, mothers and parents, and navigating life transitions. If you’re looking for a therapist who sees therapy as a healing process, which addresses feelings, experiences, and parts of yourself that have been ignored or are causing you distress, we may be a good fit. I work with clients of all ages and specialize in LGBTQ+ affirming care, maternal mental health, trauma/PTSD, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and grief. The core of my practice involves centering each client’s needs and intersectional identities, focusing on individual strengths, and providing relational, trauma-informed care. I believe that each individual is the expert on their own experience, and my goal is to help you gain insight into the impact of those experiences. By taking this first step in starting therapy with me, we’ll create a space that is safe, trusting, and led at your own pace.
Therapy is not about “fixing” yourself. It is about making space to understand yourself, and developing compassion for the parts of you that feel confusing, painful, or hard to face. Healing begins when we stop running from ourselves and start acknowledging what has been asking for our attention. I offer a therapeutic space that is warm, curious, and non-judgmental. I work with adults navigating depression, anxiety, identity exploration, family and relationship dynamics, and more. I am passionate about supporting the LGBTQ+ community, those struggling with strained or painful relationships, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of themselves. I invite those who feel their experiences are not always affirmed by the world around them to explore what it means to feel seen, find clarity, and build self-trust.
Hello, I'm Mili Kuriakose, and I work at The Family Institute. As a therapist, I believe in meeting you exactly where you are on your journey. My approach is centered on collaboration — together, we’ll build a therapeutic path that highlights your strengths and addresses your unique needs. By understanding your personal history and the ways it intersects with society, I strive to embrace the complexities of your experiences. My goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where you can feel comfortable exploring your thoughts, feelings, and goals.
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.
Gabi is a board-certified, licensed clinical counselor and a Registered Art Therapist. She holds a masters degree in Counseling & Art Therapy from Adler University. Rooted in a passion for fostering community, connection, understanding, and belonging, Gabi is committed to guiding clients through their unique journeys, holding space for their truths and experiences. Through a blend of talk therapy, art therapy, mindfulness, body-centric work, and play, she fosters trust and belonging. Her art therapy encourages intuitive expression, allowing clients to authentically explore emotions, memories, and body-felt experiences, creating a safer inner space for self-discovery. Outside of private practice, Gabi worked as a therapist and clinical supervisor within community mental health, as well as an art therapist with marginalized Chicago youth. She has experience working with the spectrum of age, from as young as 5 into adulthood, as well as families. Gabi has experience working with a wide range of presenting concerns, but specifically has a passion for working with 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, those navigating past and present trauma, those experiencing significant life transitions (transitioning into adulthood, college, becoming a parent) as well as those wanting to further connect with the experiences of their body.
Our emotional world can at times leave us feeling completely out of control. Whether our emotions feel incredibly intense and unmanageable or numb and out of reach. I know what it's like to feel broken, alone, and disconnected from yourself. I believe that everyone has an inner wisdom they can tap into that can guide them towards self trust and healing. I am passionate about collaborating with my clients to discover that deep inner wisdom and become experts on themselves to gain clarity and peace for the mind and body. Together we can explore anxiety, depression, life transitions, self esteem, family dynamics, relational difficulties, and anything in between that keeps you from living the life you are worthy of. We can come to understand your inner critic and gain skills to quiet the noise that leaves you feeling hopeless and doubtful. I have a genuine love for getting to know you and your story. In our sessions together I will meet you with nonjudgmental support that empowers you in your journey towards self-compassion, balance, and authenticity. My hope is that through this process you develop a deeper understanding and acceptance for yourself. I’m so happy you’re here!
Liberation Therapy Collective is a private practice based in Chicago. We center the care of queer, trans, brown and Black communities and prioritize the liberation of all who have been marginalized. This includes our clinical staff who we believe are frontline workers in the fight against oppression
Hi, my name is Selena Bradshaw. With a lifelong passion for helping others, I am a dedicated Licensed Social Worker with experience in both child welfare and school social work. I have always been driven by a deep desire to support individuals and families in navigating life's challenges, fostering resilience, and empowering positive change. My work is rooted in trauma-informed care, ensuring that each person I work with receives compassionate, individualized support. Outside of my professional life, I enjoy being outdoors and staying active, as I believe in the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between physical and emotional well-being.
If you've ever felt misunderstood, struggled with recognizing your worth, grappled with questions about your identity, or faced challenges in relationships, we're here to listen to you. If you find yourself weighed down by deep-seated emotional experiences, memories that are confusing, unclear, conflicted, or downright painful, we can help you. We understand the importance of processing and unpacking trauma. Sometimes you need to explore the deepest and darkest aspects of your experiences in order to find the inner strength that will push you forward. These moments can produce actual healing and growth which occurs most often in a safe therapeutic relationship with a therapist who listens carefully and responds with genuine acceptance and empathic understanding. Our approach centers on you, providing a nurturing environment where you can delve not only into topics like self-image, self-esteem, sexual and gender identity, and relationship difficulties, but also into those complex emotions and memories that might be lurking beneath the surface. Those who find our approach most beneficial often seek a space where they're free to be themselves without fear of judgment, a place to sift through their emotional landscapes with care and attention. If you're looking for a therapeutic experience where you feel heard, valued, and empowered to explore your emotions, memories, and challenges at your own pace, then our client-centered approach might just be the right fit for you. Our psychologists offer individual, family, relationship and sex therapy that is affirming and sensitive to all aspects of diversity. We also offer affordable neuropsychological assessment and evaluations for attention, memory, learning, and neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and Autism. If you are uninsured or paying out of pocket, please ask us about sliding scale fee options for students so we can accommodate your needs.
Ali King, LCPC, earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. She went on to work as a behavioral therapist for children with Autism at the Minnesota Autism Center before moving to Chicago and earning her master’s degree in Community Counseling from DePaul University. After graduate school, Ali worked as a therapist at Insight Behavioral Health Center’s residential facility for people struggling with eating disorders, as well as mood disorders. She led groups and supported people with everyday living tasks, as well as general skills coaching and meal management. Ali recently stepped down as the Director of the Young Adult PHP and IOP programs at Compass Health Center where she worked for 8 years in many different roles helping to build the Young Adult program and support the growth of the organization. While at Compass, Ali provided supervision and mentorship to newer clinicians and helped establish the group curriculum they currently use, as well as instituting effective policies and protocols. While at Compass, she received the award for Continuous Improvement, which highlights her drive and dedication to learning and growth. For over a decade, she has been providing person-centered, solution-focused, skills-based care. Her direct though nurturing, fun, and empathetic approach, is well received and has shown tangible results for her clients. With consistent encouragement and support, clients feel safe to explore their values and to learn successful coping strategies to improve their lives. While Ali has a passion for working with young adults through the tough transitions they face, she also appreciates working with adolescents and adults. She is well-versed in helping people manage struggles with self-esteem, relationships, low motivation, and simply feeling “stuck”. Ali is adept at working with clients with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, adjustment disorders, personality disorders, psychosis and substance use struggles. She has extensive experience working with DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), and often incorporates these modalities into her eclectic therapeutic approach. Ali is currently accepting new clients virtually and at the downtown Chicago location.
Nothing human can be alien to me -Terence. Within the bounds of a safe relationship, I hope you can let the ugly, shameful and irrational parts of you breathe. Together, we can encounter them with compassion, as this is often where the work lies. I endeavor to create a warm holding environment for you as we explore issues more deeply and understand their origins through psychoanalytic, relational and existential perspectives. I share my conceptualizations with clients and provide psychoeducation to increase insight into our unconscious experiences, while honoring individual uniqueness, cultural nuances, and other complexities. I enjoy working with BIPOC individuals (especially AADPI and South Asian), first- and second- generation immigrants, LGBTQIA+ identifying individuals, men’s issues, and those with religious or spiritual backgrounds. I’m also interested in therapy with couples and intimate unions. I integrate a variety of approaches, fitting the needs of each client. I am currently a fellow at the Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis. I received my Master’s in Counseling from Northwestern University and have two years of clinical experience working with clients from a range of backgrounds and presenting issues. I feel honored to do this work and I look forward to working with you.
Hello and welcome! Whatever you may be experiencing, I commend you for being here. It’s no simple task to address the challenges you may be facing, but I believe it is the most important step forward. My clinical approach is trauma-informed, strength-based, intersectional, and person-centered while utilizing psychodynamic and somatic modalities. I have experience working with individuals who face difficulties with stress, anxiety, loss, life transitions, self-esteem, relationship/family issues, identity development, trauma, burnout, and more. In our sessions, you'll l find a safe space to explore your personal history and encounter internal thought patterns, behaviors, and emotions while reclaiming a path toward security and equilibrium. Alongside helping you achieve your goals, my role is to foster an environment of compassion, collaboration, and confidence. I look forward to hearing from you!
As a dual board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC), I am dedicated to providing holistic care that addresses both the physical and mental well-being of my patients. In my role as a PMHNP, I strive to offer compassionate support and evidence-based treatments to individuals facing mental health challenges. Through therapeutic interventions and medication management, I aim to empower my patients to navigate their emotions, overcome obstacles, and achieve optimal mental wellness. Simultaneously, as an FNP, I am committed to promoting overall health.
Mental health struggles can be difficult. I'm here to help! I provide therapy for adolescents, teens and adults struggling with depression, anxiety, OCD, and low self-esteem. My clients need a supportive and understanding space to navigate these challenges and reclaim their lives. My clients often feel trapped by their thoughts and emotions, struggling to find peace and self-acceptance. They might minimize how they feel, saying "I'm fine," while feeling anything but fine. Many of my clients struggle with self-doubt and harsh self-criticism, leading to people-pleasing behaviors and a fear of asserting themselves. This keeps them stuck in a cycle of burn out. Before coming to me, they often feel isolated, drained, and disconnected. They seek relief and a sense of empowerment. I use a compassionate, holistic approach and offer evidence-based treatments like CBT, DBT, IFS, and trauma-informed care. I help clients feel seen and heard, while remaining goal oriented. These modalities help address and heal the parts of you affected by anxiety and trauma, fostering self-confidence and growth. If you’re ready to break free from anxiety, stop people-pleasing, and build a more confident self, I’d love to support you on your journey! Feel free to send me an email or give me a call and we'll get you scheduled.
Sage Therapy Chicago specializes in working with college-aged students who might be experiencing stress, worry, anxiety, depression, stressors surrounding life transitions, trauma & PTSD. We offer in-person and virtual sessions and together we can help you increase your self awareness, support you in finding the best answers to life- changing questions, and guide you to a more enjoyable life. If you're looking to see things in a different way, feel free to get in touch!
You are the most important person you will ever meet. Why not be on good terms with yourself? I view therapy as a relationship between two people devoted to facing the deepest truths of our lives so we can be healed. I believe that coming to know ourselves and understanding why we suffer leads to genuine change, a return to health, and gives birth to a more authentic life. In therapy, we discover that we heal through relating, because the wounds that occurred in relationships must be healed in a relationship. What was unbearable alone, becomes bearable when shared. Sometimes we find out that the old solutions don't work as well as they used to and we feel stuck. People who come to work with me seek to be understood as unique individuals, to improve their personal relationships, get relief from painful emotional symptoms, gain greater control of their lives, change lifelong ways of coping, and stop self-destructive behaviors. I specialize in treating adults with depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, and family conflict. I have particular experience and interest in working with college students, artists, and individuals from diverse backgrounds who struggle with self-esteem, self-development, and identity concerns, including gender and sexual identity.
Are you feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of how to move forward? With a warm, compassionate approach, I specialize in working with individuals who are seeking clarity, healing, and personal growth. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, or life transitions, my goal is to provide a safe, non-judgmental space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings openly.