Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

We specialize in working with clients who are struggling with transitions, like new living situations, shifting relationships, job changes, and striking out on a new path. We especially love supporting recent college and graduate school graduates in figuring out their next steps to create a life they love. Please check out our website to learn more about our team! We'd love to meet you.

I enjoy actively engaging with clients and provide a warm, safe, nonjudgmental environment for them to explore all aspects of themselves. Throughout our therapeutic journey, I will tailor my approach to meet you where you’re at and support you reaching your goals and living your most genuine, authentic self/life. I have many years experience working with college/post-college humans, the LGBTQIA+ community and women’s issues. I swear, use humor and self-disclose when appropriate. Reach out!

Hello, my name is Dr. Zulexis Alcaide, and I’m a Postdoctoral Resident at Balanced Awakening. I’m so glad you’re here. I am passionate about helping women who are done living on autopilot and ready to take intentional control of their purpose, identity, and emotional well-being. As a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), I specialize in Emotional Intelligence (EQ) development and Positive Psychology. I use an integrative approach that blends evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) with the SPIRE model of well-being — a holistic framework that helps you understand how the spiritual, physical, intellectual, relational, and emotional areas of your life are interconnected. I work best with individuals who are ambitious, reflective, and growth-oriented — often managing career demands, emotional overwhelm, and high expectations, sometimes without the support they truly need. They’re not just looking to manage symptoms; they want to deepen their self-awareness, create meaningful change, and build a life aligned with what matters most to them. In our work together, we’ll identify your personal strengths, clarify which areas of your life need more attention, recognize where things feel disconnected, and explore how those areas may be impacting your well-being We’ll reflect, reprioritize, and design habits, goals, and practical strategies that support your growth across every area: 🧠 Emotional & Mental Skills – EQ, self-awareness, emotional regulation, mindfulness, resilience 🧩 Cognitive Skills – problem-solving, decision-making, goal-setting, time management 💬 Interpersonal Skills – communication, boundaries, conflict resolution, active listening 💫 Self-Identity – confidence, self-compassion, values clarification, purpose alignment 💼 Life & Professional Skills – adaptability, leadership, financial awareness Whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, mood changes, burnout, relationship challenges, or a life transition — or simply feel something is missing — you don’t have to face it alone. I’m passionate about offering culturally sensitive therapy to Latina and Spanish-speaking women who are looking for a supportive space to grow emotionally and individually. Let’s explore how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors interact — and create a therapy experience that supports a mindful lifestyle and helps you fully engage with the present. Think of therapy as a meaningful investment in your long-term fulfillment and in becoming your ideal self. Ready to start? Book a consultation today.

I am an individual and sex therapist specializing in working with clients exploring sexuality, gender, life transitions, and anxiety.

Change can feel intimidating and overwhelming, but it can also be a chance to grow, learn, and build resilience. As college students, you’re in a unique time of transition—navigating new responsibilities, relationships, routines, and decisions about your future. It’s natural to feel a mix of excitement and uncertainty as you let go of familiar comforts and take on new challenges. Giving yourself the space to process these changes, reflect on your experiences, and prepare for what’s next is an important part of your journey. One of the most empowering steps you can take is to explore and understand your own story. I offer a supportive and nonjudgmental perspective to help you uncover your strengths, tackle challenges, and celebrate your growth. Together, we can work toward helping you feel confident as you take healthy risks, build meaningful connections, and embrace the opportunities ahead in college and beyond. I have experience working with individuals dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, and the impacts of past traumas, as well as navigating major life transitions. I’m especially interested in helping you identify what brings purpose and joy to your life, so you can create a future that feels authentic and fulfilling. Above all, I want to get to know you—your experiences, your goals, and how I can support you along the way. Wherever you’re at right now, you don’t have to face it alone. Let’s work together to help you feel more grounded, self-assured, and ready to take on whatever comes next.

Welcome! I'm a passionate healthcare professional dedicated to providing compassionate and effective telehealth therapy. With a focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness, I offer supportive counseling services for adults and older adolescents. My experience in counseling and case management has equipped me with the skills to provide impactful mental health therapy, ensuring my clients receive the care and support they deserve. I see clients almost exclusively during morning hours, up until noon (CST) and can easily accommodate people with non-traditional schedules, since I have appointments as early (or late!) as 1am CST. Just like a good workout, a therapy session first thing in the morning can help you start your day off right. In addition to counseling, I've been instrumental in developing innovative strategies for Medicaid Special Needs programs, emphasizing quality assurance and improvement in Illinois. My cross-functional leadership has enabled me to work collaboratively with community partners, optimizing program outcomes and enhancing quality of care. I hold certifications as a Case Manager (CCM) and Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), which reflect my commitment to providing holistic care. I'm dedicated to meeting my clients where they are at, and helping them to achieve their mental health goals, without judgement. My goal is to help you navigate your health journey with expertise, empathy, and unwavering support. Let's work together towards your well-being.

I specialize in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems in adolescents and adults (ages 12 and up). In my work, therapy often focuses on dealing with stress related to academic demands, difficulties in peer and romantic relationships, family conflict, low self-esteem, as well as struggles with self-identity. I also work with young adults who feel overwhelmed during the transition to college or entering the work force for the first time. I draw on elements from empirically supported treatments such as CBT, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I strive to offer an emphatic, non-judgmental approach to treatment. As a Latina, it is particularly important to me to serve my community and I welcome Spanish speaking clients.

Colleen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with three years of experience providing therapy in private practice. She received her Master's in Social Work from Dominican University, with a focus on health and well-being. She supports children, adolescents, and young adults by providing a safe, open, and nonjudgmental space to explore challenges, embrace strengths, and feel empowered. Before private practice, Colleen worked in community settings as an advocate for those impacted by domestic violence. These experiences shaped her passion as a therapist and her commitment to social justice. She values understanding how exposure to trauma, oppression, marginalization, and grief/loss can influence one’s experience of the world and contribute to challenges like anxiety, depression, life transitions, and relational conflicts. Her approach is client-centered, trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, neurodivergent-affirming, and play-based. By prioritizing these lenses, Colleen helps clients feel engaged, authentic, and supported in their therapeutic growth.

JD Peters (he/him), is Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC). He earned his master’s degree in Addiction Studies: Advanced Practice from the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School, and spent his career walking alongside individuals and families navigating the challenges of addiction to alcohol and other substances, as well as the broader journey of healing and recovery. He works with people facing a wide range of concerns—from anxiety and depression to grief and trauma—and offers both abstinence-based and harm-reduction approaches depending on what feels most supportive for each person. He believes healing is deeply personal, and that change is hard to do alone. His role is to create a space where you feel safe, seen, and empowered to explore what works best for you. JD has experience working with LGBTQIA+ individuals as they navigate identity, relationships, internalized stigma, and family or societal stressors. He strives to offer affirming care that honors each person’s truth and lived experience. He draws from evidence-based practices like DBT, CBT, ACT, and Motivational Interviewing, blending these approaches into conversations that support growth, healing, and hope. Whether you're just beginning your journey or looking to deepen your understanding of yourself, JD is here to support you with compassion and curiosity.

My experience includes emotional & mood concerns, identity exploration, perfectionism, relationship difficulties, academic & vocational distress, and grief. Sharing your true self in therapy is a vulnerable act, and I respect your courage. I am mindful of your needs and meet you where you are. I would be honored to help you with the next step of your journey.

Your experiences matter, and you don’t have to carry them in silence. I believe therapy should be as unique as the person seeking it. I will meet you exactly where you are, tailoring my approach to your needs, goals, and preferences. Whether that means drawing from evidence-based strategies, incorporating somatic or trauma-informed practices, or exploring new approaches together, my focus is always on creating a space where you feel validated and heard. My goal is to make therapy a place where your experiences are taken seriously and your voice matters. Women’s Health: I am deeply passionate about women’s health and the unique challenges that are often minimized or dismissed in many settings. Having seen how women’s health is often minimized, I am deeply committed to creating a space that is the opposite: informed, supportive, and advocating. My specialties include perinatal and postpartum care, women’s health concerns (including endometriosis, PCOS, menstrual cycles, birth control, abortion and pregnancy decision making, autoimmune conditions, and fertility), body image and disordered eating, chronic illness and pain, and young-adult life transitions. I also work with healthcare providers, like nurses and residents, who may be experiencing burnout. I am also a certified Empowered Relief Instructor, a pain management program developed at Stanford University that provides evidence-based tools to help you reduce pain and improve quality of life. Whether you experience chronic pain, menstrual related pain, chronic illness, or other forms of pain, we can use these tools to help you feel like yourself again. Athletes: As an athlete, your mind and body are deeply connected, and navigating that balance can be both challenging and rewarding. Whether you experience stressors like performance pressure, injury, identity shifts, or body-image concerns, I will work with you to explore the mind-body connection and process the pressures that accompany these competitive environments. Together we can build resilience and confidence while also solidifying who you are both within and beyond your sport. Approach: My therapeutic style is eclectic and flexible, drawing from ACT, DBT, person-centered, trauma-informed care, somatic therapy, and solution-focused approaches. I meet clients where they are, and am dedicated to researching and implementing interventions that are both evidence based and tailored to you and your experiences.

Across all therapeutic modalities I aim to maintain a safe space, which allows both therapist and client to collaborate and engage in natural conversation. I believe it is through these interactions where a relationship can be developed and certain insights come to light. In our work together, clients are able to learn more about their relational patterns, both through the experience of retelling their stories as well as firsthand within therapeutic interactions. As these insights provide opportunity for better understanding of current difficulties, ultimately, meaningful and empowered change can be pursued. I utilize a variety of therapeutic styles in my treatment approach including humanistic, relational and psychodynamic based approaches. I also make use of emotion-focused therapy and cognitive-behavioral-based approaches when working with couples and symptomatic issues, respectively.

At Ida Lillie, we believe that everyone deserves compassionate, culturally sensitive, and affirming mental health care. As a Black, woman-owned practice, we are dedicated to creating a healing space that centers the voices and needs of marginalized communities while welcoming individuals from all walks of life. Our goal is to offer support that empowers you to explore your unique experiences, challenges, and personal strengths with confidence and clarity.

Cira Center for Behavioral Health (CCBH) is a group practice that has a Team of Psychologists, Social Workers, Professional Counselors, Doctoral Level Therapists, and Post Doctoral Fellows that serve the age and gender spectrum and specialize in Trauma and Women’s Issues/Health.. Therapy is based on research and science, both of which are incredibly important, but at CCBH, we believe that nothing is more important than feeling heard and understood without any judgment. When a strong, supportive relationship is combined with direct feedback and skill-building, people change, and lives improve CCBH specializes in treating trauma. Trauma includes things that you would typically think of as trauma (war veterans, car accidents, rape, physical assault, etc.) as well as difficult childhoods that may have included: physical, sexual, verbal, and/or emotional abuse; divorce/separation; a caretaker who struggled with their own physical/mental illness; a caretaker who suffered from addiction, etc. CCBH also focuses on treating women’s health issues such as perinatal and postpartum depression/anxiety, relationship difficulties, eating disorders and/or disordered eating, body image struggles, etc

We are a group of mental health professionals skilled in the practice of individual, couples, family, and group psychotherapy. We specialize in reproductive mental health, mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, sexual challenges, and relationships. We are on a mission to build a world where every individual’s worth and dignity is affirmed and celebrated.

Hi there! I am Eve Haydt, LCPC, and this is the business I formed to work with my clients. I have experience and training working with eating disorders and trauma symptoms, as well as frequent co-occurring concerns, such as mood and anxiety symptoms, relationship concerns, and substance use. I see clients both in person and virtually. Feel free to reach out for a free consult to see if we're a good fit!

Hi! I’m Matthew Boltz and I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I provide therapy for children, adolescents/teenagers, and adults in Chicago. I specialize in the treatment of anxiety, autism, behavioral disorders, depression, executive functioning difficulties, family stress, life change & transitions, school/work stress, stress, and self-esteem. I have over 10 years of experience working in the field of social work and providing behavioral/mental health services. I began my career working in inpatient and outpatient hospitalization programs and then spent five years working within the education system to provide mental health services as a social worker in elementary, middle, and high schools across the state of Illinois. I have extensive experience working with many subject matters in regard to the education system such as school functioning, special education law, IEPs and 504’s, coordination of care between support staff, and advocacy within the school setting. While working in the school, I also began working in private practice providing therapy to a variety of people with different presenting issues and concerns as mentioned above. I utilize techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Mindfulness-based therapy to support treatment goals through skill-building, gaining insights, and clarifying values. I employ a person-centered and strengths-based approach when working with my clients to honor each of their own individual wants and needs during the therapeutic process. I am an affirming and accepting therapist that provides a collaborative, non-judgmental, and supportive therapeutic environment. My goal is to empower each client with the coping strategies and skills necessary to make the desired changes in their own life. If you have any other questions, would like to schedule a brief phone consultation, or want to schedule your first appointment, please feel free to call or email me. I look forward to talking with you.

If life feels like a dumpster fire there's a spot on my couch for you. I'm a social worker who specializes in providing therapy to college students dealing with anxiety, depression and ADHD. I also often work with clients struggling in their relationship with their parents, partner or friends. In your individual therapy sessions we will work to align your life with your values rather than your fears. I I provide a warm nonjudgmental approach to help you clarify what matters to you in life while also finding relief from distressing thoughts and emotions. Throughout our development we ask the question, "who am I" over and over. I create an accepting environment for you to freely explore this question. All identities are welcomed and I have experience working clients who are part of the LGBTQIA community, I look forward to connecting with you!

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. I received my Masters Degree in Counseling from Northeastern Illinois University. I am an experienced clinician who provides individual therapy for clients ages 18 and up. My areas of special interest are anxiety, depression, college adjustment, infertility, life changes and trauma. My counseling approach is person-centered utilizing techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy and solution-focused therapy. I also enjoy working with first responders. I encourage clients to engage in self-reflection and help promote personal growth. I am passionate about my work and enjoy being a support for others. I feel honored to be able to help clients improve their mental health and wellness.

A safe space to be your best self. We are an inclusive group practice of Emotion Experts, Trauma-Informed Therapists, Gender Guides, and Sex-Positive Relationship Nerds, here to help. We're a therapy practice in Chicago, Il but we practice primarily through telehealth, so we can see anyone in the state of Illinois. We know the world can be stressful, and we have a team of excellent therapists trained in a range of evidence based therapies who can meet you where you are, and help you figure out where to go next. Our therapists also also reflect the communities we work in, and we have young therapists, queer therapists, bipoc therapies, bipoc and queer therapists, trans therapists, spanish speaking therapists, etc. If you want to find out more, please check out our website where you can directly see our availability and schedule a session, or email us at the email provided and we can answer any questions.