Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

Beth Thornton is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). She earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing from the University of Louisville in Kentucky and completed her specialized psychiatric training at Regis College in Weston, Massachusetts. Beth’s approach to care is grounded in patient-centered practice, where your unique needs, experiences, and values guide the treatment process. She is committed to creating a compassionate and supportive environment, emphasizing respect, empathy, and empowering you to actively participate in your mental health journey. Beth integrates the latest research and evidence-based practices to tailor treatment plans that address your individual needs. Passionate about demystifying psychiatry, she welcomes all questions and strives to make the process clear and approachable. "Empowering you to take an active role in your care is my passion. Every session provides an opportunity to review and adjust your treatment plan to ensure your concerns and goals are met. Life brings changes, and you deserve a flexible treatment approach that supports you through every season. Please note, I generally do not prescribe controlled substances during an initial consultation." Sessions are designed to be low-stress, and questions are always encouraged. You are unique, and we will take the time to thoroughly discuss your needs before crafting a plan that supports you in achieving your goals.

I received my Master's in Social Work from New York University's Silver School of Social Work. I have years of experience working with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, eating disorders, as well as different phobias. I am trained in Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (EX/RP), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).

Hello! I am a proud Hispanic Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 10 years of experience in the social service field and 3 years practicing therapy. I’m also certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and I’m passionate about providing support that is compassionate, practical, and culturally grounded. Mental health is essential for everyone, and I believe it holds a special importance within the Hispanic community where stigma can sometimes make seeking help difficult. My goal is to create a safe, welcoming space where healing and growth are possible for all.

I hope to offer my clients a safe and positive place to address concerns, gain awareness and strength for the current stressors that bring them to counseling. Clients have said they feel comfortable in therapy with me, and gain a sense of hope and knowledge they did not have before seeking therapy. My approach is person-centered using CBT, strength-based and mindfulness as some of the empirically proven strategies to guide my clients to success.

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.

My mission is to provide quality individual and group therapy that is accessible and meaningful. Over the years, I have worked with a wide variety of folks and have found that meeting people “where they are at “ and actively listening to their goals is the basic foundation that can be overlooked at times. Clients in my practice are motivated for therapy and committed to the time we set aside for their growth. I am also committed to that time in order to assist clients with meeting their goals and experiencing further well-being. Depending on their own personal preference for more or less structure, I can generally adapt my practice skills to meet that personal preference.

Are you looking for a place to find clarity on your relationships? Feeling so overwhelmed you aren't sure where to turn next? Or for a place to find school/life balance? We should talk. I help people like you find direction for their relationships and life. I specialize in those struggling in friend, family, and romantic relationships. I help those with anxiety, depression, ADHD, stress, trauma, grief, and faith/spirituality. If you would like a caring space and support for a path forward you can send me an email and we can set up a free consultation and chat about your hopes for our work together.

Hi, I’m Payton Smith, and I believe therapy should be a space where you can show up fully as yourself, without judgment, pressure, or expectations. I strive to create an environment where you feel safe enough to explore your experiences, process what’s been weighing on you, and begin to make sense of your story. My role as a therapist is to walk alongside you, helping you reconnect with your strengths while building the tools needed to navigate life with more confidence. I use a flexible, collaborative approach that allows me to meet you where you are and adapt to what you need in each moment. I value going beyond surface-level conversations and creating space for meaningful, honest work.

I am a board-certified psychiatrist and Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. For me, being a physician is more than a profession—it is a vocation to help indviduals flourish. My practice is devoted to students and young adults seeking thoughtful, individualized psychiatric care that extends beyond symptom relief. I provide comprehensive evaluations that consider medical, nutritional, lifestyle, and psychological factors—including laboratory testing when clinically appropriate—to identify the contributors to emotional and cognitive health. I also specialize in evidence-based de-prescribing for patients who wish to reduce or discontinue psychiatric medications for anxiety, attention difficulties, or substance use disorders. My approach is guided by precision, humility, and restraint: using the least intensive intervention necessary while drawing upon the full breadth of evidence-based medicine. Depending on each patient's needs and goals, I integrate psychotherapy, nutrition, lifestyle medicine, exercise, targeted supplementation, and, when appropriate, carefully selected medications into a personalized treatment plan. In addition to my clinical work, I have presented internationally on psychiatric deprescribing and medical ethics. My work has been recognized with awards from the American Psychiatric Association, the International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions, the American Psychoanalytic Association, and other leading professional organizations. I am the Founder & Medical Director of Verigrate Health. I am licensed to serve patients in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Lousiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C., and Wisconsin.

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.

Have you experienced trauma? Maybe you've figured out some ways to manage it in the past, but it's getting harder since starting/going back to school. Those old coping habits aren't cutting it anymore, and it's finally time to do the work, both for the sake of your academic future, and also so you can live an authentic, fulfilling life. Welcome! My name is Caroline Lavelock, and I have worked in university counseling with large, diverse, nontraditional student populations for nearly 15 years. I bring expertise in college mental health, especially for first-generation students and children of immigrants who are balancing competing expectations between work, school, and home life. Now that I am in private practice, I am pleased to offer the longer-term, trauma-focused therapy that many students need but struggle to find in short-term counseling university counseling models. I am also a Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional and can provide information about how you can use nutrition to optimize your mental health. I offer instant online booking through my group practice, Tailwinds Psychology, where you can also access psychiatry and testing services. Let's get to work!

I specialize in working with LGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse individuals. I have experience assisting people in working on mood and anxiety disorders, grief and identity exploration.

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.

Charlie Health is a virtual behavioral health program for adolescents and young adults with moderate or severe mental health concerns or co-occurring substance use or eating disorders. Designed to meet the needs of those who require more than weekly therapy, our program combines curated group therapy, individual therapy, and family therapy into personalized treatment programs. We are helping to serve those who are in crisis, or have been historically underserved, by eliminating the most significant treatment barriers: geographical and financial access. We work with nearly all commercial insurance nationwide and have no waitlist, thereby helping people access quality, evidence-based care regardless of insurance, location, or other barriers.

We all need trustworthy guidance to lead fulfilling lives. But where do you turn when you lack support to overcome your problems? You need growth-oriented counseling to lighten your load. My passion is to help individuals find ways to be successful in life, by utilizing your strengths. I do this by understanding your unique desires and providing individualized support to help you achieve them. I like to focus on the person, and their current goals to help support future success. I specialize in evidence-based counseling approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Therapy (SFBT). Utilizing my skills to make life-changing connections with clients every day.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hello. I'm Dr. LaShara Shaw. I believe that we have basic needs. We have needs for personal power, freedom, fun, survival, and secure connections (a choice-theory perspective). Sometimes these needs are not met or we have difficulty attending to them. I think it is crucial to reflect upon what matters in your life and what you consider your responsibility to achieve a flourishing life. Sometimes thoughts, insecurities, and behaviors can be taught, and they do not serve us in the best capacity. In those instances, I believe that humans are capable of learning new things. There is power and brevity in recognizing choices, and there is autonomy to choose how to engage with those circumstances through the collaborative process. Feel free to see my Psychology Today profile, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/lashara-shaw-naperville-il/845893.

Here at Harper Grace Counseling, we see a wide variety of clients and offer vast specialties. We work to diligently to ensure you are placed with the clinician who is most skilled and able to help you with your current struggles. We provide both in person and telehealth services to ensure that we are able to service anyone who resides in the state of Illinois. We are able to support clients navigating gender transition, survivors of trauma, LGBTQiA++, couples, polyamorous relationship systems, caregivers, individuals with chronic medical conditions, financial/ career concerns, racial identity, anxiety, depression, grief/loss, addiction, and neurodivergence.

I was born and raised in Montana and have a genuine passion for nature and the outdoors. I received my Bachelors in Psychology at Montana State University in 2001. I then pursued my Masters of Social Work degree and graduated in 2008 from the University of Montana. This graduate program had a focus on providing a social justice and integrated practitioner perspective. I have an eclectic style that can be tailored to each unique individual. My primary therapeutic methods include Mindfulness Based, Holistic, Exposure, Narrative, Cognitive and Behavioral, Strengths Based & Solution Focused Therapies. Amy provides a non-judgmental and compassionate environment that often helps people feel comfortable. A true passion of mine is structuring therapeutic activities for clients to express, process, increase self-awareness, and de-stress from life’s challenging and developmental experiences. My past work experiences have been in several areas. I have worked in healthcare with the geriatric population, provided school based mental health to kids from grades kindergarten through 12th grade, substance abuse counseling to college aged kids, crisis intervention with the armed forces and a private practice providing therapeutic services to a wide range of people, families and couples that include helping folks who struggle with Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders and life transitions/changes.

At Connect Clinical Group, PLLC, we provide top-quality therapeutic services to residents of Chicago, Aurora, and all of Illinois. We specialize in a range of mental health issues from depression to anxiety – meeting each client with respect and empathy as they begin their journey toward healing. With our innovative approach combining teletherapy sessions alongside traditional counseling methods, we make sure your unique needs are met every step along the way!