Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

Laura Ramirez Del Rio is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois who has been practicing since 2017. She holds a Master?s degree in Counseling from Northern Illinois University, and the credentials of Licensed Professional Counselor and Professional Educator License with a commitment to ongoing professional development. Her academic background, combined with practical experience, equips her to address a wide range of mental health concerns. Laura believes in a client-centered approach, tailoring therapeutic interventions to meet the unique needs and goals of each individual. Drawing from evidence-based practices, she integrates modalities such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness, and Multicultural therapy to promote insight, resilience, and lasting change. Collaboration is at the heart of Laura?s therapeutic style, as she works alongside clients to empower them on their journey towards well-being. She is passionate about fostering a non-judgmental and empathetic therapeutic alliance. Her goal is to create an environment where clients feel heard, understood, and supported as they navigate life?s complexities. Laura is committed to promoting mental health awareness and reducing the stigma associated with seeking help.

我提供中文普通话心理咨询 and I provide therapy in English. I graduated from NYU in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and I’m currently pursuing my master’s in Counseling at Northwestern, expected to graduate in 2026. My academic and personal journey across cultures has deepened my interest in mental health and human connection. I’m passionate about supporting others through meaningful, empathetic conversations and helping them navigate challenges with clarity and confidence. I believe in the power of active listening and collaborative growth. Counseling allows me to combine my curiosity about the human mind with a genuine desire to be of service. Additionally, I co-facilitate the grief support group on Mondays from 6-7:30pm.

Ashley Knight is a therapist who recognizes that no problem or issue is too big or small to be addressed, and understands that therapy should feel like a safe, non-judgmental space for clients. Ashley works with late adolescents to middle adult clients who are dealing with depression, anxiety, adjustment, relationship, and life transition issues. Ashley strives to meet clients where they are so they can aim to reach their full potential and goals.

SHFT is Chicago’s first mental health urgent care created specifically for young people and their families. Designed to bridge a long-standing gap in the behavioral health landscape, SHFT offers a full spectrum of services, including crisis assessments, one-time “chat” sessions with licensed clinicians, routine therapy, and medication management. Our clinical team brings deep expertise in adolescent and young adult mental health, with backgrounds across higher levels of care that allow us to respond to a wide range of needs quickly, safely, and compassionately. Open seven days a week, SHFT supports both walk-ins and scheduled appointments. Guided by a “come as you are” philosophy, our space is intentionally warm, contemporary, and non-clinical - created to help young people feel safe, welcomed, and understood from the moment they arrive.

Ignite Counseling is trauma-focused private practice located in the Lincoln Park and Lakeview neighborhoods of Chicago, with options for in-person or virtual appointments. We provide therapeutic services with a commitment to compassionate, relational, and authentic treatment in a culturally-sensitive and inclusive environment. Our therapists have a specialized focus in trauma along with the treatment of anxiety, depression, grief, relationship distress, family issues, identity struggles, racial/cultural issues, and challenges with life transitions, and we approach all clients through a trauma-informed lens. We are a close knit and highly intentional team of clinicians, and value safety and authenticity in all that we do.

You don’t need a polished goal to start therapy. I work with adolescents and adults who are dealing with anxiety, stress, burnout, identity questions, or major life changes, as well as people who just want to understand themselves better. We can start wherever you are. Therapy can serve different purposes at different times. It might be a space to slow things down, to make sense of experiences, or to experiment with new ways of responding to challenges. We adjust the focus as your needs become clearer. I’ve spent the last decade working with a variety of Chicagoans across the city, from the North Side to the South Side. I love the work because I get to grow and learn from the people I support just as often as I offer them opportunities for their own growth. I believe the greatest strength of the human species is our ability to support each other. I will never be judgmental. I think everyone deserves second chances and I will fight to help you find yours. Therapy can be overwhelming, but a first session should simply introduce two people and lay out the groundwork for future sessions. Once we understand your goal, and align our expectations, we can start digging into the process behind it. Just ask!

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I use my full experience from living in China, France, Japan, and the U.S., and from working in management consulting, nonprofits, and the arts in my work as a therapist. I am adept at working with people from varied backgrounds. I am astute, compassionate, and deeply committed to my clients' well-being. I engage my clients not only on the inner- and inter-personal levels, but also in the contexts of their intersecting roles and identities. I am attuned to the mutual influence that individuals and groups have on one another and the interconnectedness in life's pain and healing. By working with a caring and attuned professional, my clients can feel safe and free to explore and work through their experiences of depression, anxiety, trauma, addictions, loneliness, shame, and anger, all the while developing their courage, resilience, understanding, and self-acceptance. I am fluent in Chinese (Mandarin) and can supplement my work with advanced French and intermediate Spanish. I also provide consultation and training to early- and mid- career clinicians in the U.S. and China.

I provide psychotherapy to adults of all ages, creating a safe and supportive environment for clients to explore their experiences, gain insights, and develop coping strategies. I specialize in helping clients navigate relationship concerns, life transitions, identity issues, trauma, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and academic challenges. With a genuine and authentic presence, I empower clients to reach their fullest potential. Hailing from the vibrant streets of New York City and raised in a culturally rich Nigerian-American household, I am deeply committed to enhancing mental health care within marginalized communities. A fierce advocate for social justice, I recognize the profound influence of systemic oppression on well-being and strive to address the intersectional nature of social injustices in my work. I believe that therapy is most effective when centering clients' unique cultural backgrounds and values, helping them navigate and resist oppressive structures. Through my experience providing therapy at the Buffalo State University Counseling Center and my ongoing doctoral training in Counseling Psychology at the APA-accredited program at the University at Buffalo, SUNY, I have become attuned to the unique challenges and joys faced by students and early career professionals. - I offer limited evening and weekend availability.

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You're juggling a lot right now. Classes, relationships, figuring out what you actually want to do with your life, maybe dealing with family stuff that followed you to college. Some days you feel fine. Other days, getting out of bed feels like a win. Maybe you're dealing with anxiety that won't shut off, the racing thoughts at 2am, the knot in your stomach before class, the way you replay conversations wondering if you said the wrong thing. Or maybe it's more like a fog, low motivation, feeling disconnected, going through the motions without really being present. We work with college students and young adults who are navigating: - Anxiety that gets in the way of school, friendships, or just feeling okay - Depression, low mood, or losing interest in things you used to care about - Relationship issues with partners, friends, roommates, or family - Identity questions: who you are, who you're becoming, who you want to be - Stress from academic pressure, career uncertainty, or feeling behind - Trauma or difficult past experiences that keep showing up - Coming out, gender identity, or finding your place in the LGBTQ+ community - Feeling like you have to have it all figured out (you don't) We're not going to tell you what to do or give you a bunch of homework. Therapy here is a conversation. We create a space where you can say the things you don't say out loud and figure out what's actually going on. We'll meet you where you are. We offer in-person sessions in Chicago's Ravenswood neighborhood and telehealth throughout Illinois. We accept BCBS PPO and Aetna PPO insurance and are happy to set up a free 15 minute phone consultation to see if we are the right fit for you.

I am passionate about providing evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure & Response Prevention, and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy for older adolescents, young adults and adults with OCD, depression, anxiety and related disorders. Over the past 5+ years, I have deepened my commitment to providing effective therapy through a personalized and strengths-based approach. I work collaboratively and flexibly with my clients to help develop goals in line with living a more meaningful and values-driven life. I strive to form a supportive therapeutic bond through compassion, warmth, empathy and humor. I received my Masters in Social Work from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration, one of the top training institutions in the field of social work. Prior to that, I graduated cum laude from Northwestern University, with a double major in Psychology and Science in Human Culture. I have provided individualized treatment across outpatient and school settings, serving patients of all ages. Additionally, I gained extensive training and experience providing evidence-based treatment across outpatient clinics specializing in OCD, anxiety and related disorders. I enjoy traveling and trying new restaurants as well as spending quality time with my family, friends, and Sylvester (my toothless, senior rescue dog).

My areas of expertise include the treatment of anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, self-esteem deficits, academic underachievement, perfectionism, family of origin issues, LGBT concerns, and women's issues. I also specialize in working with college students and emerging adults.

Life is a bit of a masterpiece in the making, and I would be honored as an art therapist to guide you as you add new brushstrokes to your unique journey. It is truly beautiful to make the decision to invest in yourself, and I’m here to help you navigate your well being with genuineness, humor, candor, and a bit of quirk. I have specialized training in sex therapy, while other focus areas also include anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship issues, polyamory, sexual exploration/kink, and more. I’m deeply passionate about maternal mental health and the well-being of all women-identified individuals, and I’m committed to addressing the unique needs of your femininity with care and understanding. I strive to foster a safe, compassionate, and inclusive environment where diverse identities are valued and respected. Whether you're seeking support for perinatal mental health, reproductive/birth trauma, sexual health, or other concerns, I’m here to provide a supportive and nonjudgmental space where you can process challenges, uncover strengths, and grow. My Creative Approach My therapeutic style is deeply rooted in my expressive identity as a multidisciplinary artist, while also grounded in authenticity, empathy, and unconditional positive regard. I work to meet you where you are, collaborating to create a personalized roadmap for your healing journey. I’m passionate about using creativity as a pathway to healing because I’ve seen firsthand how the act of creating can unlock deep self-discovery and provide lasting change. Whether through painting, sketching, or hands-on crafts, I’ve witnessed how different mediums help people express what words often can’t. At the heart of our work together will be art therapy—a creative approach that fosters exploration, healing, and self-awareness. Art therapy invites you to trust the art-making process, engage in creative expression, and reflect on your work through emotions and body sensations. Each session is tailored to your unique needs, drawing from the techniques such as the Open Studio Process, Person-Centered Therapy, CBT, and Mindfulness. We’ll use art as a tool to connect with your inner world. No artistic experience is required—art therapy is about the process, not the product. Together, we’ll use creativity to help you explore your story, heal, and move forward.

Located in the Bucktown/Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago, Bailey and Associates Counseling and Psychotherapy offers individual psychotherapy and counseling services and art therapy. You currently have the choice to meet online or in office. I specialize in working with adults seeking change. My approach to counseling is client-centered and trauma-informed, encouraging the expression of personal narrative to build self-understanding and community. I support clients in the use of art-making as a grounding tool to process experiences and relieve symptoms of anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. My intention is to establish a collaborative space alongside clients that fosters bravery; where we can collect helpful coping tools as we work toward clients' goals together. To me, "healing" lies in seeking peace and a sense of wholeness, and not in achieving "perfection." My specialties include supporting individuals with a history of PTSD, depression, anxiety, grief, and/or living with chronic illness. I enjoy supporting my clients through spiritual exploration and developing a healthy relationship to art. My approach is sex-positive and LGBTQIA2S+ affirming. I love working with artists, Veterans, and existential explorers. I understand how intimidating it can be to start therapy for the first time or to find a new therapist after wrapping up with someone else. I take pride in my ability to put others at ease as we build our relationship with patience and compassion. Please don't hesitate to reach out to schedule a consultation and find out if we are a good therapeutic match.

We believe that under the right conditions, all humans have the ability to reach their greatest potential. Our psychologists develop trusted relationships with their clients, validating their worth and value while facilitating growth towards becoming their unique, authentic selves. They see each client as a whole, complex person, and through safe exploration of clients’ emotions, thoughts, behaviors, greater awareness is fostered toward identifying the path of becoming one’s true self. We believe that being alive is a gift, yet being human is challenging and difficult. There are many beautiful aspects of life itself, and at the same time life has a lot of suffering. We are human and we are fallible and life involves a lot of difficult external influences. Navigating both seeing and embracing the beauty while also coping with and overcoming the suffering is the key to finding internal happiness, contentment, and peace.

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.

Hey there!! My name is Kim Koehler and I am the founder and lead therapist at Afterglow Counseling. I am accepting new clients in Indiana and Illinois! I have several years of experience in counseling and therapy with individuals of diverse backgrounds. I specialize in treating individuals who are survivors of various forms of trauma, and those struggling with body image issues/changes, low self-esteem, life transitions, women’s issues, depression, OCD, and anxiety disorders. My approach is to meet you with patience, understanding, and empathy as you share your vulnerable moments with me. I believe that everyone has the power to make changes to parts of their lives that no longer feel aligned with themselves, and am here to offer you encouragement to do so. I have extensive training in trauma and crisis intervention, as well as several years in the private practice setting working with clients of various backgrounds and presentations. I value collaborative relationships, and believe that creation of your own goals for your journey in therapy is the first positive step towards regaining control and autonomy. I believe in empowering individuals to reflect on barriers in their lives, and the strengths they currently possess and skills they can add to overcome these barriers. I believe in practicing self-compassion during difficult periods of our lives, and am committed to working with you to improve your sense of self in the hopes of leading a life you love.

At Piece by Piece we offer comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations for children, adults, and older adults facing a range of cognitive, behavioral and emotional concerns. We have locations in Oak Brook and Lake Forest and now in Chicago in the Lincoln Park area. We are now offering services including therapy, executive functioning coaching as well as telehealth evaluations so we can offer services to a wider population who may not have access otherwise. We also offer neuropsychological evaluations in Spanish. Common reasons for referrals include ADHD, ASD, learning disorders, dementia, brain injury and various neurological conditions. Our evaluations are fast, with a typical two-week turnaround time and we work closely with referring providers to ensure all referral questions are addressed. We accept most insurance as well as offer self-pay and pro-bono options.

We work with adults of all ages as well as teenagers. We see many clients who are working through anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, "failure to launch," and the effects of trauma. Our clinicians have expertise in neuro-diversity including ADHD/ADD and ASD. We have therapists with clinical interests in so-called “men’s issues” as well as therapists who identify as LGBTQIA+ and who speak Mandarin. We facilitate a process by which clients are able to build their resiliency skills, empowering them, long-term, to survive the inevitable challenges of life.