Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL
Counseling Solutions
Counseling Solutions is a group practice located in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago, currently providing telehealth services. We are a group of experienced therapists skilled in treating a number of issues and concerns. All of our staff seek to form a warm and engaging connection wtih our clients. We offer a diversity of experience, areas of expertise, and age and life experience. We also have clinicians available who are bilingual in Spanish.
Chauncey Cody
Chauncey is a graduate student intern beginning her work with Pure Health Center. She is passionate about working with teens and adults through all of life's highs and lows. Chauncey’s approach is person centered, collaborative, and community oriented believing that healing is non-linear and happens best in relation to others. She understands that clients know themselves best and works to help clients live in their unique truths. While predominately person centered, she uses a mix of ACT and DBT to work with those who have experienced trauma, mood disorders, grief, emotional dysregulation or to explore identity formulation and familial dynamics. She particularly enjoys working with marginalized populations such as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and neurodiverse folks. Chauncey has spent the past year working with The Family Institute. She is currently earning her Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a focus on child/adolescence at Northwestern University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Human Services at DePaul University. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her cat, cooking, reading, connecting with friends, and catching up on reality TV.
Brenna Wells
You are the expert on your own life, and I see my role as a supportive partner in helping you navigate it. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, struggling in your relationships, going through a period of change, or simply feeling stuck, you don’t have to figure it out alone. I view therapy as a collaborative process built on care, curiosity, and trust. My role is to walk alongside you, offering support, perspective, and guidance as we work toward your goals. Together, we’ll explore what’s been going on, better understand the patterns that may no longer be serving you, and build on the strengths you already have. I especially enjoy working with children, adolescents, young adults, and women through the many changes that come with growing up and finding your way. For children and teens, that might look like navigating anxiety, big emotions, friendships, family relationships, school stress, self-esteem, or simply needing a safe place to talk and feel understood. As a parent, you may know your child is struggling but aren’t quite sure what they need or how to help. Therapy can give them a space of their own to better understand what they’re feeling, build confidence, and develop tools that can support them as they grow. For teens and young adults, therapy can also be a place to slow down and figure out who you are and what matters most to you. Whether you’re adjusting to high school or college, navigating changing friendships and relationships, starting your career, building confidence, or questioning your next step, we can make space for all of it. My hope is that you leave therapy feeling more confident in yourself, more connected to your values, and better equipped to navigate life's challenges with greater self-compassion. Above all, I want therapy to be a place where you feel heard, supported, and empowered to make decisions that feel authentic to you. Wherever you are in your journey, I'd be honored to walk alongside you. My Approach My approach is collaborative, flexible, and shaped around what works for you. I don’t want therapy to feel like another place where you’re being given an assignment or told what you’re supposed to focus on. I often begin sessions by asking, “What’s most top of mind for you today?” From there, we’ll decide together what feels most helpful. Some days we’ll process something difficult. Other days we might explore your values, strengthen communication, build practical coping skills, or incorporate mindfulness into your daily life. I draw from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness practices, tailoring our work to your individual needs and goals. My hope is that you leave therapy feeling more confident in yourself, more connected to who you are, and better equipped to navigate life’s challenges with greater self-compassion. Above all, I want therapy to be a place where you feel heard, supported, and comfortable showing up as yourself. Wherever you are in your journey, I’d be honored to walk alongside you. Experience I earned my Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adler University. During my graduate training, I completed my clinical internship at Clarity Clinic, where I provided individual counseling and facilitated therapeutic groups for adolescents and adults navigating a variety of mental health concerns. Prior to becoming a therapist, I worked as a case manager at Thresholds and Journey Mental Health Center. These experiences deepened my understanding of the many factors that influence mental health and strengthened my commitment to providing compassionate, person-centered care. My background has given me experience supporting individuals through life transitions, emotional challenges, relationship concerns, and personal growth, while recognizing the resilience each person brings to the therapeutic process. Licensure I am a Clinical Fellow at Balanced Awakening, completing the final steps toward LCPC licensure. I have several years of clinical experience and I am currently accruing additional supervised practice to be eligible for the LCPC credential in Illinois. I am supervised by Zana Van Der Smissen, LCPC, PMH-C.
Live Oak, Inc
We are a community of diversely identified humans working together to transform the emotional, psychological and spiritual well being of individuals, families and communities, beginning with ourselves. Our primary areas of clinical expertise include: LGBTQIA++ Affirmative Practice, Trauma-Informed Practice
Transformational Connections Counseling & Consulting LLC
Struggling is a natural part of being human—something everyone faces at different points in life. You might be navigating relationship challenges, managing stress, or dealing with the effects of past traumas. Perhaps you feel lost, want to understand yourself better, or are searching for a way to heal and move forward. You deserve to feel more grounded, build stronger connections, and regain clarity and control. When life feels overwhelming, having a space where you feel safe, supported, and understood can make all the difference. If this resonates, you’re not alone, and I’m here to help.
Rachel Katz
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Traci Patterson, LCPC
Do you find it challenging to relax and enjoy the present moment? Are you struggling to quiet your inner critic? Do you have a hard time sitting with intense emotions, naming them, and expressing them to others? I work with female and queer clients who want to feel more grounded, present, and empowered in their lives. Things such as trauma, substance use, anxiety, and depression can impact our ability to connect with our bodies, feel our feelings, and experience safety in the present moment. At the end of sessions, I offer Reiki, a Japanese energy healing practice that reduces stress, eases pain, and promotes deep relaxation. In addition to talk therapy, I offer somatic therapy: Brainspotting (which is similar to EMDR) and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. Somatic therapy uses a bottom-up approach of feeling vs. thinking. The body contains so much intuitive wisdom, and being able to sit with challenging sensations – in a safe and controlled way – can lead to better emotion regulation. Therapy can be challenging, so I strive to provide a light-hearted, non-judgmental space where humor and laughter become a part of the process. If I could be a good fit for you, email me to schedule a free consultation, or to schedule an initial session.
Cognitive Behavioral Health
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Dr. Victoriya Tsaran
Introduction Dr. Victoriya Tsaran completed her undergraduate studies in Psychology at Loyola University, and completed both her Master’s and Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Schaumburg. Currently, Dr. Victoriya Tsaran is the owner and clinical director at Progressive Psychological Healthcare. Dr. Tsaran’s multicultural background allows her to utilize the awareness and understanding of diverse client needs, and utilizes multicultural sensitivity and appreciation in her therapuetic approach. Dr. Victoriya Tsaran provides therapy services in both English and Russian. Experience Dr. Victoriya Tsaran has worked in a wide range of professional settings, including behavioral health hospitals, community mental health centers, skilled nursing facilities and medical rehabilitation centers providing mental health services. In addition, Dr. Tsaran has worked in school settings as well as therapeutic schools and private group practices. Dr. Tsaran’s clinical experience includes working with hundreds of unique, complex and diverse clients. She believes that the client’s success is born out of a trusting and supportive relationship that the client and therapist build together. This is not an easy task since many components play a role in the type of relationship that is allowed to be developed in the therapeutic relationship. The relationships that Dr. Tsaran has developed with her clients and patients was based on her ability to empathize with their developmental needs and understand their unique environment, their perspective of the world around them, and the way they view themselves and others while maintaining healthy professional boundaries. Providing a safe and nurturing environment that encourages a trusting relationship is the goal Dr. Tsaran has for her clients, especially during the early stages of therapy. Therapy Approach Dr. Tsaran’s clinical work revolves around being supportive, flexible, and progressive. Dr. Tsaran approaches her patients and their problems from an individualized perspective and utilizes an individualized treatment plan that is tailored specifically to her patient’s individual and unique needs. Over the years, Dr. Tsaran has developed an eclectic perspective to therapy and utilizes a unique combination of psychotherapy, mind-body awareness, family systems therapy, emotion focused therapy and cognitive behavioral techniques. Her wide range of knowledge and competency in various psychological theories allows Dr. Tsaran to be flexible in her individualized treatment approach with every client. Dr. Tsaran’s areas of specialty include: working with children, young adults, adults, families and couples therapy. She is experienced in treating various clinical presentations including depression, anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, adjustment disorders, behavioral problems, relationship conflict and parenting stress. “I aim to revive my patients from the current positions in their lives and help bring in the much needed harmony and infused positivity that will allow my clients to progress in their minds, their mental health and their overall life.”
Jonathan Ecker, LCSW
Do you feel trapped by your thoughts, overwhelmed by emotions, or burdened by past experiences? It's easy to feel stuck when life's challenges become too much to handle alone. These struggles can make it hard to live in the moment, pursue your goals, or even enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, or just feeling lost, it is possible to find a path forward. I'm here to help. As a trained therapist specializing in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), I offer a compassionate, evidence-based approach to help you break free from the patterns holding you back.
Sage Stone Counseling
Therapy is a space for you to be seen, heard, and supported. As your counselor, I will provide a consistent, reliable, nonjudgmental space for you to express yourself honestly and openly. I approach the counseling relationship from a collaborative stance, ultimately recognizing you as the expert of your story; together we will explore what you’ve experienced in your past and present to uncover areas that you may want to adjust, enhance, or extinguish. We will identify goals and establish steps to implement within the framework of your daily life. I work from a person-centered strengths-based perspective, meaning I’m invested in cultivating a genuine relationship with you while tapping into your internal resources to help you thrive. I utilize my training as a clinical therapist and my background as an artist to approach counseling from an out-of-the-box perspective. I believe that some of the best ideas and epiphanies happen when we challenge the norms and look at things from a new or different perspective. Some of the ripest territory is often in areas that we’ve never explored before. I received my BA from New York University; I worked as an advertising professional for several years prior to moving to Chicago to pursue my MFA in painting and drawing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I actively work as an arts professional in the Chicago community and have a passion for drawing, metal casting, and mold making. Most recently, I graduated with my MEd in clinical mental health counseling from DePaul University. I have a passion for working with young adults and college students, career changers, those exploring their identity and dating life, recovering perfectionists and those who identify as artists/creatives. I’m sex-positive and 2SLGBTQIA+, poly/ENM and kink-affirming. I see each individual as unique and approach counseling as such. Whether you're navigating questions of self-discovery, family dynamics, relationships, or mental health concerns, I'm here to help you find your voice, embrace your identity, and cultivate resilience.
Resilient Creatures Counseling
At Resilient Creatures Counseling, we encourage people from all walks of life to honor their resilience. We specialize in treating Trauma and PTSD and serving marginalized communities including queer and gender diverse clients as well as POC and immigrants.
Nanzi Zheng
Life’s journey may bring times of challenge, uncertainty, and pain. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, stuck, or powerless at times. Facing these moments alone can make them even harder. In therapy, I hope to collaborate with you to build a compassionate and empathetic relationship where it is safe to be curious, observe, reflect and grow. Together we’ll understand the sources of distress in the context of your identities and experiences, try out different coping skills and identify what works best for you. We will also explore ways to navigate difficult situations in your life to support you in being your most authentic self. As a therapist holding marginalized identities, I’m passionate about working with folks in the immigrant, BIPOC, neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ communities. My training focused on anxiety, depression, trauma, relational concerns, navigating oppression and discrimination, self-esteem, and grief. I enjoy helping clients find ways to live the life they envision. I provide therapy in both English and Mandarin.
Maia Wilson
My work as a therapist is deeply rooted in connection. Creating a safe space is essential in order to explore and uncover unconscious thoughts and feelings. Considering important aspects of connection such as attachment style, communication, and intimacy can enhance not only the relationship with one’s self, but also with others. I am passionate about working with individuals who have survived trauma, live with anxiety, depression, grief, codependence, as well as interpersonal and internal conflict. My individualized care caters to each client and meets them where they are, while considering each of their identities. Building strong connections with each client is essential as well as my belief that each person is the expert of their own experience. I have worked with many students and understand academic stress as well as the many adjustments that come along with being a student in higher education. I am here to provide support, understanding, and non-judgement.
Christy Scolaro
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Kristina Walz at Chicago Therapy Working Group
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.
Gayathri Cheran, Ph.D.
Hi! I work with college students and emerging adults navigating identity, relationships, family expectations, anxiety, life transitions, and the pressure of figuring out who you are and what you want. I especially enjoy working with first-generation and BIPOC clients exploring how culture, family, and lived experiences shape the way they see themselves and move through the world. My approach is collaborative, culturally responsive, and grounded in understanding you as a whole person. Together, we can make sense of what you’re carrying, strengthen your relationship with yourself, and work toward changes that feel meaningful to you.
Nathan Robbel
The world’s a dumpster fire. I know it, you know it; I’m not about to sugarcoat that. But we only get one shot here, and therapy’s a legitimate excuse to take a deep breath, put your fucking phone away, disconnect from everything, and talk about YOU. What do you want? What are you passionate about? Who do you want to be at this moment in time, and what’s getting in the way? Maybe you don’t have the answers yet, or maybe you have an idea but the way forward is illusive. Regardless, you wouldn’t be here without recognizing change is necessary. That means you’re already invested in you, and the path you're on. I sincerely respect that. My own path began with a love of the arts and storytelling, and these things often find their way into the work I do. I believe that the art and media we consume often becomes the vocabulary of our imagination and our emotions. These can provide an entry way to talk about heavy things. Existential, narrative, and person-centered therapy are my jams. Additionally, I champion science, justice, diversity, kindness, and sex positivity. I strongly believe these values to be fundamental in cultivating the best version of ourselves and our communities. I welcome adolescents and adults of all ages, expressions, and orientations, as well as individuals within relationship dynamics of all kinds.
Krista Mersino
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Deanne Hoaglund, LSW
Maybe you’ve been telling yourself you should be able to handle this by now. But lately, everything feels heavier. Your energy is low, motivation is hard to find, and even small tasks can feel overwhelming. You may notice yourself pulling away from people, losing interest in things you used to enjoy, or feeling stuck in patterns that are hard to break. At times, you might find yourself reaching for something—whether it’s substances, distractions, or numbing behaviors—to get through the moment, even when it doesn’t bring lasting relief. For some, this shows up as persistent sadness, emptiness, or feeling disconnected from yourself and others. For others, it may look like anxiety, burnout, or being caught in cycles of overthinking and self-criticism. These experiences can also show up in relationships pulling away, avoiding hard conversations, or finding yourself in the same painful dynamics again and again. You may notice that your inner voice is harsh or unforgiving, making it even harder to find a way forward. Together, we will gently identify and address these patterns while building more compassion, stability, and connection—both within yourself and in your relationships I work with teens and adults navigating depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, identity questions, traumatic experiences, and life transitions. I provide LGBTQAI+-affirming therapy grounded in cultural humility, creating a safe and validating space to explore identity, relationships, and lived experiences. I also support individuals who are exploring their relationship with substances, whether that means reducing use, understanding patterns, or working toward recovery. I have completed training toward my Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) credential and am CADC-eligible, which allows me to integrate evidence-based approaches for substance use into our work. My practice is trauma-informed and guided by phase-oriented treatment approaches. In our early work, we focus on safety, stabilization, and building self-regulation skills to help you feel more grounded—even when things feel heavy or overwhelming. As you begin to feel more supported and resourced, we may shift toward processing more difficult experiences and understanding the roots of depressive patterns or substance use. Therapy is always paced according to your readiness. I prioritize transparency throughout therapy, ensuring you understand each step of the process and why certain approaches are used. My goal is to create a space that feels collaborative, supportive, and grounded—so you can move from feeling stuck and depleted toward feeling more engaged, connected, and able to experience meaning in your life again.