Therapists for college students near 60637

My name is Sydney, and I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Chicago, Illinois. I’ve spent the last four years as a mental health therapist in both private practice and community mental health settings working with remarkable individuals who face mental health challenges, uncertainty, and loss. Throughout my experience as both an individual and as a therapist, I know how especially challenging and isolating it can feel to navigate college and early adulthood while also learning how to manage symptoms of mental health challenges. But you don’t have to do it alone. I created my small private practice, Ambedo Psychotherapy, to offer partnership and therapeutic insight to help you to understand your current situation, pull from your unique strengths, and to grow into the next best version of yourself. In my experience, no mental health struggle looks exactly alike, so I incorporate an eclectic combination of evidence-based therapeutic interventions tailored to help you meet your mental health goals.

I know that reaching out for therapy can feel overwhelming, especially when you're already carrying so much. You don’t have to do this alone. I’m Mariana Bednarek, a Licensed Professional Counselor, and I work with adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, and life transitions. I offer a warm, nonjudgmental space where you can feel seen and accepted as you are. As an LGBTQ+ and neurodiversity-affirming therapist, I am committed to helping you feel safe, validated, and understood.

Darian Gier, Licensed Clinical Social Worker is a highly experienced social worker and therapist with over 11 years of experience working in schools, community mental health, private practice, and the university counseling setting of New York University. Darian has experience working clinically with children, adolescents, young adults, university and grad students, and middle aged clients. Darian is comfortable working with all genders and orientations, but specializes in working with men and boys on the subject of healthy masculinity for the 21st Century.

Create Balance Counseling is a boutique therapy practice dedicated to creating change by bringing awareness, creativity, movement, and well-being into balance. We provide talk therapy, art therapy, and yoga therapy for all ages, available through telehealth and in-person at our Hinsdale, IL location. At Create Balance Counseling, we are committed to our clients' overall well-being. Using a dynamic approach, we work to create a safe space for connection and healing using a combination of art, movement, and talk therapy. Our team adapts treatment plans to meet clients where they’re at in their journey, factoring in individual needs. Whether you've had experience with therapy or you're completely new to it, we collaborate to establish a comfortable space that promotes personal growth and lasting change. Our practice welcomes everyone, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, people of all abilities, ages, and backgrounds.

Life can be brutal, can’t it?! Can you remember that time in life when you were happy, like top of the world scream it from the rooftops happy? In that moment, everything was right in your world and then well, life happened. Now you look back and have so many questions…What happened? Let me tell you, you are not alone! We’ve all been there in some season of life. But who says this can’t make us better! Every person comes to therapy with their own individual needs. Therefore, we adapt our interventions based on a comprehensive assessment of who you are and what you need. We are all trained in a number of different interventions and like to use a combination of our training and expertise to utilize an eclectic approach to best meet the needs of each individual person. We know that every individual is uniquely different and therefore each person should have a unique therapy journey based on their own needs.

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.

I have experience working in treatment, community, group, and correctional settings with adolescents, young adults, and adults. Primary clinical approaches include evidence-based therapies focused on generating behavioral results. I have an in-depth understanding of the mental health issues that arise from incarceration and the stressors associated with navigating the post-incarceration process. I specialize in working with complex behavioral issues such as: conduct disorders, addition, sexual behavioral problems, and personality disorders. Other issues I specialize in include Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, and adolescent, young adult, and transitional issues. The decision to come to therapy can be overwhelming, especially when current approaches are not successful. If you are results-oriented and are willing and open to challenge yourself I encourage you to contact me. I am currently accepting new clients.

Equip is the leading evidence-based virtual eating disorder treatment program on a mission to ensure that everyone with an eating disorder has access to treatment that works. Built by clinical experts in the eating disorder field and those who have experienced eating disorders firsthand, Equip fills the gaps in today’s insufficient eating disorder landscape. We provide fully virtual, evidence-based treatment through a multidisciplinary care team (which includes a medical provider, therapist, dietitian, and trained mentors), allowing each patient to achieve full recovery without disrupting their life. We treat patients of all ages and diagnoses in all 50 states, and we accept most insurance plans.

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.

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!

I earned my **Master’s degree in Counseling from Freed-Hardeman University in 2008** and became a **National Certified Counselor (NCC #247220) in 2016**. I have been a **Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois (LCPC #180.011277) since 2017**. With more than **14 years of counseling experience**, I have worked with adolescents, college students, and adults facing a wide range of mental health and life challenges. I specialize in helping individuals manage **anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma/PTSD, substance use concerns, stress, relationship difficulties, and major life transitions**. I understand that the college years can bring unique pressures—academic stress, uncertainty about the future, balancing relationships, adjusting to independence, identity exploration, and feeling overwhelmed by expectations. My goal is to provide a supportive space where students can build confidence, strengthen coping skills, and develop practical strategies to succeed both personally and academically. My background includes work in **outpatient, residential, in-home, rehabilitation, foster-care, correctional, and telehealth settings**. I have experience providing **individual, group, and family therapy**, with a strong focus on helping clients improve emotional regulation, executive functioning, stress management, communication skills, decision-making, and healthy relationship patterns. I take a **collaborative, nonjudgmental, and strengths-based approach** to therapy. Together, we will identify your goals and create a treatment plan that fits your needs and values. I want clients to feel safe, heard, and respected throughout the counseling process. My therapeutic approach is tailored to each individual and may include evidence-based methods such as: * **Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)** * **Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)** * **Mindfulness-Based Interventions** * **Solution-Focused Therapy** * **Motivational Interviewing** * **Attachment-Based Therapy** * **Behavioral Activation** * **Person-Centered Therapy** * **Positive Psychology** To help students get the most out of therapy, I often provide **practical exercises, skill-building activities, and between-session strategies** that can be applied in daily life, academics, and relationships. Seeking support is a sign of strength, and I would be honored to work with you as you navigate the challenges and opportunities of your college experience.

My interests and expertise are in general adult psychiatric medicine, with a special focus on helping patients navigate depression, anxiety, OCD, and issues related to LGBTQ+ culture. I provide management of prescription medications along with supportive psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy in every session. I am an adult psychiatrist who focuses on helping patients feel comfortable and heard during their appointments. I earned my medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine and completed my psychiatry residency as chief resident at the University of Toledo Medical Center. All treatment plans are collaboratively developed in a respectful and professional environment. I take a warm and personable approach, looking forward to helping individuals achieve their best selves.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the owner of Turn On the Light Therapy Services, a telehealth private practice serving adults throughout Illinois. I have over 10 years of experience working with adults navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship challenges, ADHD, and the many demands that come with trying to balance work, relationships, family, and taking care of yourself. My approach to therapy is warm, collaborative, and practical. I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and family systems approaches, tailoring treatment to each person’s individual needs and goals. I also have specialized training as an ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider and am completing additional training focused on pain psychology using CBT and ACT-based approaches. One of the things I value most about therapy is creating a space where people can slow down, be honest about what they want, and reconnect with themselves. Often, people come to therapy feeling stuck or trying to figure out how to make everything work. Therapy can provide an opportunity to explore what is underneath that feeling, understand patterns, build confidence, and make intentional choices about what comes next. Through Turn on the Light Therapy Services, I provide convenient, compassionate virtual therapy for adults across Illinois. My goal is to help clients feel more understood, empowered, and equipped to create meaningful change in their lives.

Existing in the world right now may feel overwhelming and reaching out for support may be even more daunting. Maybe you've struggled to feel safe enough in your body to tend to your own needs. Or maybe you've felt disconnected from yourself and adrift in your relationships. However lost or stuck you may be feeling, you deserve an inclusive space to feel valued and held. Building on the inner resilience you already hold, together we can practice slowing down, invite curiosity and compassion into your life, and expand your comfort zones to make life more manageable and meaningful. My style is warm, relational, and collaborative and my approach is rooted in anti-oppressive practice, trauma-informed care, and harm reduction principles. I view therapy as a space that we build together and offer an eclectic range of tools and perspectives to meet your unique needs. As a queer and trans therapist, I believe that therapy can be a powerful tool in our path towards collective liberation. I accept Quartz, Dean, GHC-SCW (under Mental Health Collective) insurances.

My approach to therapy Together, we’ll untangle the stress, overthinking, and self-doubt that keep you feeling stuck. I help you build practical tools to manage anxiety, set boundaries, improve communication, and make decisions with more confidence. Our work is collaborative, honest, and focused on real-life changes you can apply outside of sessions.

When people come to treatment with problems, it is important to remember that they are trying to cope with them in the best way they can. With that in mind, I offer a reflective and engaging partnership with my clients, working toward the goal of helping them to be autonomous, authentic and compassionate in a world that can be extremely stressful. Although my work is solidly grounded in psychodynamic, cognitive/learning, and systems theories, my approach is client-centered, practical and strengths-based. I bring honesty, warmth, and humor to the therapy relationship. I am LGBTQ affirmative and invested in doing cross-cultural therapy which is culturally sensitive. I have a dog, Bracket, who works with me, and I have been doing AAT since 2002. There is a growing body of research which suggests that AAT (Animal-Assisted Therapy) can be helpful with a range of diagnoses, including Depression, PTSD, and Autistic Spectrum. Many therapists know little about online games such as World of Warcraft and Second Life. They may dismiss it as unimportant, or assume it is a problem. I am a gamer-affirmative therapist, meaning I’m more interested in understanding your in-world experience and activity than pathologizing it.

When it comes to supporting you and providing you, your care must be adaptable, empathetic, individualized. Whether you are seeking dramatic change, collaboration on a major life decision, or just in need of someone to discuss the trials and tribulations of life, it is important that therapy reflects your uniqueness through its uniqueness. I have experience across a diverse array of clients with a strong belief that care should promote equity, unconditional positive regard, and identity affirming care. I have experience working with clients seeking help for depression, anxiety, trauma, OCD, gender affirming care, pro LGBTQIA+ care, and general life stressors in young adults and adults ages 18-35. I am also a firm believer in the power of remote therapy, if you are going to be vulnerable you should at least be able to choose where you are vulnerable. What should a new client know about working with you? I believe that care should be individualized and adaptive. Open communication is crucial as it helps me adapt to what your needs are and makes for better collaboration on care. I am a firm believer that therapy must also address what is happening in society, and strongly believe in recognizing how systemic issues may influence life’s struggles. My therapy is inclusive and an LGTBTQIA+ safe space. What is your typical process for working with clients? Therapy is a dialogue, I will not just be a bystander who listens, I ask you to challenge your negative beliefs and reflect on statements that you may not even realize you are saying. We will work together to understand how your thoughts, feelings, and past affect each other and influence your behaviors and beliefs. Typically I achieve this through motivational interviewing, psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, psycho education, and a systems focused outlook.

I work with adolescents, young adults, and adults who appear high functioning but feel overwhelmed, anxious, or emotionally stuck. Many are navigating trauma, anxiety, or depression rooted in earlier life or relationship patterns, particularly those from BIPOC communities seeking culturally responsive care. I help clients slow down, understand these patterns, and build emotional regulation, clarity, and more stable ways of relating to themselves and others. I provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive therapy. My approach is collaborative and practical, helping you develop insight, regulate emotions, and create lasting change. Spiritual integration, including Christian faith, is available if desired. If you have been holding it together on the outside but struggling internally, you are not alone. Therapy is a space to slow down, feel understood, and begin making meaningful changes. I provide accommodation letters for clients needing documentation for school or work. Healing should fit your life. When you are ready, reaching out is a powerful first step.

My ideal client is wanting to recreate the moments they desire most within their relationships and at school. My goal is to help people embrace their strengths. I do this through creating an environment where differences are appreciated and authentic choices can be identified. I enjoy helping students as they adjust to life changes, navigate friendships, and cope with school related stressors. I value working with couples as they identify ways to maintain intimacy. I enjoy helping students and their families adjust to life changes. I believe it is possible for you to experience a deeper connection. If you are interested in making this happen, feel free to reach out to me via email or by phone. I look forward to getting to know you more and seeing if I am a good fit within your journey.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.