Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

With over 20 years of experience as a therapist and school counselor, I am dedicated to supporting students as they navigate life’s challenges and transitions. My approach is grounded in compassion, collaboration, and evidence-based practices, with a deep understanding that every individual’s journey is unique. I specialize in providing meaningful support for individuals with ADHD, anxiety, and/or special needs. Whether a client is struggling with focus and organization, feeling overwhelmed by worry, or needing tailored emotional and academic support, I strive to create a safe encouraging space where growth and confidence can flourish. Drawing on two decades of experience in educational and therapeutic settings, I can help clients of all ages build practical skills, emotional resilience, and self-awareness. My goal is not only to address immediate concerns, but to empower individuals with tools they can carry forward—at school, at home, and in everyday life.

The students and young adults I work best with are often navigating major life shifts - whether adjusting to college life, entering demanding graduate programs, or preparing to transition into the workforce. Many of my clients are high-achievers who find themselves struggling with constant anxiety, perfectionism, or feeling overwhelmed by high-pressure academic or social environments. Others are navigating relational dynamics - dealing with communication roadblocks, trust issues, or changes in how they relate to partners, family, or friends. My clients typically look for therapy that goes beyond surface-level advice - a place where they can feel heard, gain practical tools, and better understand themselves as they figure out the next steps.

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.

I try to provide a warm but structured therapeutic experience designed to help my clients address their difficulties in productive and forward-moving ways. I use a variety of different therapeutic techniques designed to help my clients gain insight into their behavior and the behavior of others, and together we work toward devising new approaches to past problems that will serve them better. I have over 25 years experience working with young adults. I particularly enjoy working with anxious clients suffering from stress, generalized anxiety, and social anxiety, providing them with ways to manage their stress and thoughts using cognitive restructuring, behavioral calming strategies, mindfulness, meditation, and problem-solving strategies. I also have expertise in working with individuals who have OCD and use an exposure with response prevention paradigm in treatment. In addition, I have also had considerable training and experience in working with individuals who struggle with anorexia and bulimia as well as those struggling with relational problems. I think flexibility and collaboration with clients is the key to a positive therapeutic experience.

I am a board-certified general psychiatrist. I completed my undergraduate studies in Biology and Psychology at Syracuse University in Syracuse, NY, and earned my medical degree from the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Following that, I completed my residency in general psychiatry at the same institution. I have experience working in various clinical settings, including psychiatric emergency rooms, first-episode psychosis programs, obsessive-compulsive disorder clinics, and specialized psychiatric units in hospitals. I have also worked with diverse patient populations, such as refugees, veterans, and individuals from underserved urban and rural areas. My approach is centered around the patient and takes a holistic view. My treatment includes medication management along with a combination of supportive, cognitive behavioral, and psychodynamic therapies.

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 tired of overthinking everything—relationships, school, work, finances, and what’s coming next in life? Do you find yourself always thinking ahead, planning details, and trying to stay on top of everything… to the point that it feels exhausting? Maybe your mind rarely slows down. You replay conversations, overanalyze decisions, and put pressure on yourself to do things the “right” way. You may find yourself feeling anxious about the future or wondering whether you’re somehow falling behind. Internally, it can feel exhausting to always be this “on.” If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many highly capable people feel overwhelmed by the pressure to keep it all together while quietly struggling with anxiety, perfectionism, and emotional exhaustion. And often, it’s not simply a time management issue—it’s the mental and emotional load of carrying too much for too long. I specialize in helping individuals manage overthinking, overwhelm, anxiety, and perfectionism. Many of my clients are thoughtful, self-aware, and driven, but feel mentally stretched and unable to fully enjoy where they are in life. Therapy with me is collaborative, supportive, and grounded. Together, we’ll work to untangle anxious thought patterns, quiet the constant pressure you place on yourself, and create more space for clarity, confidence, and ease—without lowering your standards or stepping away from what matters most to you. You do not need to have everything figured out before starting therapy. Most of the people I work with reach out while they’re still trying to make sense of what they’re experiencing—they just know they’re tired of feeling constantly “on” or stuck in cycles of pressure and overthinking. Please reach out today to start your care. I’m happy to answer any initial questions and help you determine whether we’d be a good fit. I look forward to connecting with you and supporting you in feeling more grounded, more present, and more like yourself again—so life can start to feel a little lighter.

Welcome! We at The Celestial Life see clients for nutrition counseling and we specialize in folks who struggle with eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hi, I’m Charles King Hi, I’m Charles King, I’m a geeky therapist who loves to help fellow geeks build deeper connections and feel understood. Too many geeks struggle with anxiety in relationships and in social situations. This often leaves them feeling disconnected from friends, family, and life, and feeling like nobody can understand them. I believe you shouldn’t have to hide your passion for Dungeons and Dragons, tabletop games, Star Trek (even though Star Wars is better, imo), or whatever you geek out about, in order to feel comfortable in social settings and in relationships. I understand what you are going through. I’m a Game/Dungeon Master who has been the one who saw himself as a social outcast or socially on the fringe. It took me a fair bit of time to figure out my path. Now, I have helped over 50 geeks just like you in becoming more connected with others, and more confident in being themselves, no matter the social setting. How does it work? There are three key ingredients to how I do therapy. 1. I’m Geeky but Also Personable And Laidback I can keep a conversation going, and I know the right questions to ask, so it’s never going to be awkward coming into a session. I’m also comfortable being my geeky self in our sessions because I want you to feel comfortable doing the same. 2. I’m Eclectic in My Background I can geek out with you on a lot of topics. It’s not just D&D & Star Wars for me… 3. I’m Highly Motivated to Help You I’ve personally experienced how challenging it is to feel productive and/or successful in my life’s quest while integrating my geekiness. I am intensely passionate about helping other geeks in their own quests. To get started, fill out this get started form. You don’t have to keep feeling like you have to decide between hiding your true self to fit in, or feeling isolated and alone. I can help guide you in your quest to overcome this feeling of being misunderstood, and instead become more passionate, confident about your life, and more successful and connected in your relationships. Come adventure with me here.

I value each person for who they are and strive to create a safe, welcoming space where everyone feels respected and accepted. I believe mental health care should be empowering, supportive, and individualized, which is why I take time to understand what matters most to you—so we can work together to create a plan that supports your goals and overall well-being. I focus on understanding your story, goals, and expectations, and work with you to develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. I aim to be a caring, approachable provider who believes meaningful care starts with seeing the whole person, not just a diagnosis

As a therapist specializing in mental health and substance abuse, my goal is to provide you with a safe, supportive, and compassionate space where you can begin or continue your journey toward recovery and wellness. My work is guided by deep empathy for the challenges you face. I know that reaching out for help can be difficult, and I’m here to listen without judgment, offering the understanding and validation that can make all the difference in the therapeutic relationship. I look forward to walking the path of self-discovery and recovery with you.

🫶🌿🌹 Welcome!! Are you ready to feel different? The RIGHT therapist can change your life! I can provide a safe place to explore your innermost thoughts and help you cope with the emotions that can feel overwhelming. I provide insight oriented talk therapy with a focus on nervous system regulation. What does that mean? It means I strive to help you heal through insights that we learn TOGETHER, and I teach you about your nervous system and how to regain control of the emotions that threaten to take over. Most of my practice is young adult/college age individuals and I help people with depression, anxiety, life transitions, grief/loss, relationship difficulties, skill building, assertiveness, improving communication and emotional intelligence. I've spent many years working with crisis clients in an emergency department setting and have experience with clients in crisis, self injury, bipolar disorder and suicidal thoughts. Today CAN be better than yesterday but the first step is to GET CONNECTED!

I practice from an insight oriented, relational, and multicultural approach tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual I work with. My priority as a therapist is to create a warm, collaborative, non-judgmental space where you can work through your concerns and make the changes in your life you desire. People seek therapy for a number of reasons, perhaps to alleviate symptoms or distress, improve self-esteem, or address relationship issues. In my experience, symptoms often “mark the spot” of a deeper themes you may be grappling with and I aim to assist you uncover what the root of your concerns may be. Often therapy helps increase self-awareness, develop deeper understanding of how past experiences may be influencing the present, and provides an opportunity to learn tools to address problematic behavior(s). Having spent the majority of my training and professional life working in university counseling centers, I am passionate about working with college and graduate students. I completed my pre-doctoral internship at Pace University in New York City and my postdoctoral fellowship at University of Chicago Student Counseling Service where I gained experience working with life-transitions, relationship issues, eating disorders, and sexual trauma. Other areas of interest include identity development and intersectionality, family dynamics, anxiety, and stress management.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hi, I’m Jaime! I’m a licensed therapist who creates a supportive, nonjudgmental space for students navigating stress, anxiety, trauma, grief, or big life changes. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or just need someone to talk to, I’m here to help you feel seen, heard, and empowered to take steps toward healing and growth—at your pace, and in your way.

Navigating OCD, anxiety, relationships, and life transitions can be emotionally and physically draining. There is little more frustrating than thinking and behaving in the same ways despite knowing they contribute to these issues and other debilitating symptoms. Therapy is a place to safely explore the thoughts, behaviors, and relationships that are interfering with living a more fulfilling and rewarding life. I am a trained OCD specialist and an active member of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF). I have extensive experience working with college undergrad and graduate students from my time as a counselor at the University of Colorado, Boulder and at Bryant University. Working directly on a college campus has provided me with a unique understanding of the intersection between academics and mental health, as well as how to navigate many campus systems best. Currently, in my private practice, I work with college students from the many different colleges in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Colorado. The majority of clients that I work with are navigating Anxiety or OCD and Related Disorders. My clinical approach to therapy is grounded in ERP, ACT, and CBT. I believe therapy is built around compassion, respect, and trust. I look forward to connecting with you and exploring how we can collaboratively achieve your treatment goals. Send me an email, give me a call, or visit my website (www.smithlicsw.com) to set up an appointment. If you are struggling and are tired of trying to handle things alone, please do not hesitate to get in touch. * I provide telehealth services to clients in Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Illinois, Vermont, and Colorado.*

Hi there! My name is Estefi and I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, life transitions, social anxiety, and school issues. I have more than 11 years of experience working as a therapist with clients of varied cultures, ages, and backgrounds. I specialize in working with college students or young adults facing a variety of personal, academic, professional, and psychological challenges. In my practice, I celebrate the uniqueness of every person and believe in the power of the trusting working relationship between client and therapist. I personalize my interventions based on the client’s needs, challenges, and goals. I use different therapeutic models while maintaining a strength-based perspective. Some of the therapeutic methods that I use are psychodynamic theory, systems theory, person-centered therapy, solution-focused therapy, CBT, and EMDR. I am bilingual in English and Spanish. I was born and raised in Argentina, but I've been living in the Chicagoland area for over 20 years.

Hi, I’m a first-generation Mexican-American bilingual therapist (¡HABLO ESPAÑOL!) offering compassionate, non-judgmental care for individuals who are ready to heal, grow, and reconnect with themselves. I’m deeply committed to supporting the Latinx community, LGBTQ+ individuals, teenagers, college students, young adults, adults, eldest daughters, and señoras navigating life’s challenges. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, suicidal thoughts, self-harming behaviors, emotional struggles, relationship issues, family conflict, low self-esteem, imposter syndrome, and school-related stress. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by family expectations, struggling with perfectionism or people-pleasing, carrying the pressure of being the eldest daughter, or finding it difficult to set boundaries and say “no,” you do not have to navigate it alone. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling emotionally exhausted, disconnected from themselves, or stuck in patterns that no longer serve them. You may feel like you’re constantly putting others first, avoiding your emotions, struggling to protect your peace, or carrying the weight of generational trauma. Together, we’ll work toward healthier boundaries, greater self-confidence, and breaking patterns that no longer serve you. My approach is rooted in empathy, cultural sensitivity, and authenticity. Together, we’ll build insight into your thoughts, emotions, and behavioral patterns so you can stop feeling stuck in survival mode and begin moving forward with greater clarity, confidence, and self-compassion. With me, you can expect to feel truly listened to. My calm, lighthearted presence helps create a space where you’ll feel safe to open up, even when things are heavy. I pride myself on creating a warm, supportive environment where you can explore your emotions without fear of judgment. I’ll also gently challenge you when needed, helping you face yourself with honesty so you can grow. That may mean confronting difficult emotions, patterns, or experiences, but always with care, respect, and your best interest at heart. If you’re ready to do the work, whether that means challenging old habits, trying new coping strategies, or showing up with honesty and curiosity, we’ll likely be a great match. Therapy with me is about creating momentum toward the life you want and becoming the version of yourself that feels most authentic, empowered, and at peace. Therapy is not about being “fixed”. It’s about learning to care for yourself in ways you may have never been taught. I would be honored to support you on your healing journey.

I believe that everyone deserves a safe, compassionate space to be heard, understood, and supported. My work is grounded in empathy, respect, and a deep commitment to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with confidence and resilience. I am especially passionate about supporting teens, young adults, and individuals seeking trauma-informed care. My approach is evidence-based, yet flexible—focused on empowering you with practical tools while honoring your story and strengths.