Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

Emily Hanneman, Christopher Manvel, Emiliana Mladic, Monica Morris, Thia Mathes, Will Bartz and Sarah Mitchell provide psychotherapy services to adolescents, adults and families. They offer telehealth services throughout Illinois and in-office services in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago. They work people across the lifespan, including many young adults navigating college, graduate school, or the transition into the workforce. Please note that we do have therapists who accept regular Illinois Medicaid and Blue Cross Community. Unfortunately we are not in-network with other Medicaid plans including Aetna Better Health, County Care, Meridian, Molina or Youthcare or Medicaid from states other than Illinois.

Whatever challenges are impacting your life, you don't have to face them alone. That's where I come in – to help you heal, gain new insights and perspectives, and develop the tools you need to best care for yourself. At the heart of my approach is building an authentic, egalitarian therapeutic relationship where you feel safe, heard, and best able to work towards your goals in a supportive environment. My primary population focus is LGBTQIA+ clients, and as a queer woman myself, I believe creating a safe, affirming space is key to successful counseling. I provide therapy that is culturally humble, trauma informed, and strengths-based. As a creative person, I am keen on customizing counseling to you and your passions in life. My integrative counseling approach combines humanistic/person-centered principles with techniques including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), creativity, and mindfulness. Since every client has different needs, goals, and nuances, the two of us will work together to develop a treatment plan that is as unique as you and able to grow with you. I graduated from Roosevelt University with an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I completed my internship year at Renew You Counseling Center where I worked with a diverse array of individuals, couples, and groups ages 18-65. In my free time, I love playing guitar, rock climbing, going on nature walks, writing, performing stand-up comedy, gaming, and spending time with my loved ones and two cats. Reaching out for help is never easy, so my aim is to provide unconditional acceptance of all aspects of your identity and experience. My hope is to support you on your journey of healing and growth.

Health in Tandem is an integrative private practice with a team of compassionate therapists who help clients find awareness and balance in all aspects of their health and wellness. We believe that change and growth happen when we focus on addressing four pillars of wellness: mental wellness, emotional wellness, physical wellness, and social wellness.

We are an inclusive Therapy Practice that utilizes not just mental health but also emotional wellness activities within our services. Visit www.chitherapywell.com to find out more information and book an appointment.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

You've been trying to keep everything together, but lately it feels like the pressure is catching up with you. Maybe you're feeling anxious, emotionally overwhelmed, burned out, or constantly questioning yourself. You may be juggling school, relationships, family expectations, or major life changes while wondering why it all feels so much harder than everyone else makes it look. I work with college students, graduate students, and young adults navigating anxiety, depression, stress, burnout, trauma, relationship challenges, emotional regulation, and life transitions. Together, we'll better understand what's contributing to your distress while building practical skills that help you feel more confident, grounded, and connected to yourself. My approach is warm, collaborative, and trauma-informed. I integrate CBT, DBT, Emotion-Focused Therapy, somatic practices, and Motivational Interviewing to help you strengthen emotional regulation, navigate difficult relationships, and respond to life's challenges with greater self-compassion. I also enjoy supporting neurodivergent students, including those on the autism spectrum, in ways that honor their unique strengths and experiences. As a second-generation Indian American woman, I'm especially passionate about supporting South Asian students and women of color navigating cultural expectations, family dynamics, and identity. You won't have to explain the pressure to succeed, code-switching, or balancing different cultural values. Those experiences are welcomed and understood here. My hope is that therapy helps you feel more grounded in who you are, more confident in your relationships, and better equipped to navigate this stage of life with resilience and self-trust.

Sometimes life can be overwhelming- whether we are held back by our past, experiencing present obstacles, or anxious about things to come. I view therapy as a collaborative relationship between therapist and client, and value creating a safe and nonjudgmental environment. In my work with clients I am mindful of the ways in which social identities (gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc.) impact the way we navigate mental health journeys and the world in general. Whether working with older adolescents, adults or with couples, I am passionate about supporting others in overcoming life’s difficulties and reaching their goals. My goal as a therapist is to support clients in restoring a sense of hope and positive self-worth. Everyone has the capacity for personal growth within them. My job is to help clients identify and access resources they have in order to achieve this. I work with individuals seeking support with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, interpersonal issues, and mood regulation. I also provide relationship counseling. I am happy to set up a free 10-15 minute phone consultation to get to know each other better and determine if we're a good fit!

I enjoy working with adolescents, emerging adults, and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, self-esteem/self-worth, relationship issues, substance use problems, life transitions, racial and gender identity, and sexuality. I am passionate about helping people create a life worth living based on their personal goals and values. My style is strengths-based, non-judgmental, and compassionate. I feel honored to walk alongside my clients on their journeys towards their goals. While I care deeply about the individual, I also recognize the impact of our economic and social systems on mental health. I believe that a trusting relationship between client and therapist is essential, and I will take care to build this relationship with you.

I absolutely love working with young folks who feel stuck, anxious, or alone in dealing with the stressors that life brings. I am a relational therapist that holds space for young adults to build connection, develop mindfulness, and explore what values will be motivating for their life choices. This work is rooted in prioritizing self-acceptance: one of the best gifts we can give ourselves in individual talk therapy. In a group therapy setting, I aim to create freedom for individuals to get better at feeling emotions and communicating them to others, as a way to navigate symptoms of anxiety, depression, or trauma. Let’s talk more about how I can help you explore self-doubt, dysregulated emotions, academic anxiety, peer conflict, grief, apathy, anger, addiction, shame, or sadness. The experience of emerging adults today is not hopeless; there is ample opportunity to build resources for connection. This connection creates confidence in your ability to cope, grow, and heal on the journey towards a meaningful life!

If it feels like everyone else got the handbook for adulthood except you, you're not alone. I work with young adults navigating anxiety, OCD, perfectionism, and relationship stress. You might struggle with intrusive thoughts, panic, people-pleasing, or the pressure to have everything figured out. Together, we'll move beyond insight by building practical tools, facing fears gradually, and creating healthier patterns so you can feel more confident, grounded, and free to fully engage in your life. Our work is collaborative, supportive, and focused on real change. Together, we'll understand the patterns keeping you stuck while building practical skills to regulate your nervous system, face fears, and respond differently to life's challenges. Therapy isn't just about talking—it's about helping you feel more confident, grounded, and free. Starting therapy can feel intimidating, especially if you're used to handling everything on your own. You don't have to keep carrying it all alone. If you're looking for a space that's both supportive and practical, where we can work toward meaningful change together, I'd love to connect and see if we're a good fit.

Young adulthood can be both exciting and overwhelming—full of choices, change, and uncertainty. Whether you're graduating from school or navigating college, starting your career, facing relationship challenges, or feeling stuck, anxious, or down, therapy can be a grounding space to sort through it all. I understand the complex stressors that come with early adult life, and I am deeply passionate about supporting adults navigating a range of emotional and psychological challenges, such as anxiety, depression, life transitions, academic concerns, relationship troubles, and grief. My therapeutic style is compassionate and empathetic—I work to create a safe, supportive environment where you feel seen and heard. I also believe in the importance of being direct and gently challenging when needed, to help you grow and move toward meaningful change. I tailor my work to meet your unique goals and with respect to your lived experience.

I am a bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker with New Insights Behavioral Health Services in Chicago, IL. If you feel you are ready to take that first step in starting your therapy journey, feel free to email me to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation.

Hello, I'm Mili Kuriakose, and I work at The Family Institute. As a therapist, I believe in meeting you exactly where you are on your journey. My approach is centered on collaboration — together, we’ll build a therapeutic path that highlights your strengths and addresses your unique needs. By understanding your personal history and the ways it intersects with society, I strive to embrace the complexities of your experiences. My goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where you can feel comfortable exploring your thoughts, feelings, and goals.

Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re juggling school, relationships, identity questions, and pressure to “have it all together.” My role is to offer a grounded, compassionate space where you don’t have to perform or explain yourself perfectly to be understood. I’m a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with experience working with college students and young adults navigating anxiety, trauma, depression, identity development, relationship concerns, self-worth struggles, and life transitions. I’ve worked in a variety of settings including higher education, group therapy, and community-based car. My approach is collaborative, relational, and trauma-informed. I don’t believe therapy is about fixing you. It’s about helping you understand yourself more deeply, unlearn patterns that no longer serve you, and build a life that feels aligned with who you actually are. Together, we work at your pace, honoring your history while focusing on practical tools that support emotional regulation, boundaries, confidence, and resilience. Students often tell me they appreciate that sessions feel both reflective and grounding. We can explore the “why” behind your experiences while also building skills you can use day to day. I welcome clients who feel stuck, disconnected, emotionally overwhelmed, or unsure how to trust themselves again. Reaching out for support is a meaningful step, not a sign of weakness. If you’re looking for a therapist who is thoughtful, honest, and genuinely invested in your growth, I’d be honored to work with you.

As an experienced clinician specializing in anxiety and depression, I work with individuals to reduce symptoms, increase resilience and interrupt unhelpful thought patterns. I believe a supportive therapeutic relationship is essential for meaningful change, and I work collaboratively with clients to create a space to explore the parts of you that feel overwhelmed, identify triggers and build skills to manage anxious and depressive thoughts and physical symptoms. My practice is IFS-informed and strengths-based, helping clients feel more grounded, in control and confident in their daily lives.

Hi! We are a team of therapists with a special focus on emerging adults navigating the pivotal transition into college and adulthood. We understand the unique challenges of this stage, from the pressures of academic responsibilities and perfectionism to struggles with self-esteem, depression, and anxiety. We’re also here to help with relationship, roommate and friendship issues, as well as concerns around dating, sexual health, and identity. We approach our clients with cultural humility and create a non-judgmental space for all types of relationships, sexualities and genders.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Do you often feel anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck in cycles of overthinking and self-doubt? You may be navigating academic or career pressure, family expectations, or the emotional complexity of living between cultures. Many of my clients struggle with anxiety, depression, burnout, perfectionism, and feeling “never good enough,” even when they appear capable on the outside. Therapy can be a space where you slow down, feel understood, and move forward with greater clarity, emotional balance, and self-trust. As a bilingual therapist fluent in Mandarin and English, I bring both professional training and lived experience into my work. Having studied abroad since high school, I understand the challenges of living between cultures and am deeply attuned to the invisible pressures related to identity, family expectations and adapting to new environment. My approach is client-centered and trauma-informed, grounded in empathy, authenticity, and empowerment. I believe that healing begins with understanding—and that every small step toward self-acceptance is a powerful act of growth. I look forward to walking with you on this journey of healing and rediscovery.

Ryan is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Art Therapist. She earned her BFA with a concentration in painting, second major in psychology, and minor in children’s studies from Washington University in St. Louis, and she earned her Masters degree in Counseling: Art Therapy from Adler University. Ryan has 10+ years of experience working with children, adolescents, teens, and young adults in various settings including schools, summer camps, hospitals, community mental health, and private practice. In her therapeutic practice, she specializes in working with individuals who have experienced trauma, are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, and/or are navigating challenges with daily functioning as a neurodiverse individual. Ryan also works with youth who are not ready to verbalize their needs, but are looking for a creative outlet and safe space to express themself through art with no pressure of needing to talk. As an art therapist, Ryan utilizes art and art making to facilitate communication and help her clients gain insight into themselves. She is experienced in using various art mediums to help clients navigate complex situations and explore their identity without the added pressure of needing to verbalize their thoughts. No prior art experience or high level of art prowess is needed for art therapy. Art therapy is about the creation of art, not the appearance of the final product! Ryan takes a client-centered, strengths-based, and trauma-informed approach to therapy, utilizing principles from narrative therapy and choice theory, as well as Trauma-Focused CBT to inform her work. Ryan believes that each person is the expert on themself, and aims to empower the client and help them feel a renewed sense of confidence and agency over their life.

Meredith Starr is a Registered Dietitian and Director of Nutrition Services at Allow Wellness in Chicago. She is an alumna of the University of Illinois at Chicago Coordinated Nutrition Program and began her nutrition career at UI Health general inpatient services while working part-time at a residential treatment facility for eating disorders. Meredith is deeply passionate about the treatment of eating disorders and has been practicing in this field for the past nine years. Meredith's personal nutrition philosophy centers on building a healthy relationship with food and is inclusive of mental, emotional, physical and social health. Meredith aligns herself with size-inclusive and non-diet nutrition approaches. She is passionate about empowering others in their relationship with food and their bodies. Allow Wellness is currently offering outpatient group nutrition sessions and profession presentations. Meredith welcomes all stages of readiness with regard to your relationship with food and your body shape and weight. If ready to schedule, please contact her today.