Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

Many of us are looking for ways to find peace, be more present with our friends and family, and live in a way that feels nourishing. Therapy is an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of ourselves and the people we love. I aim to use an individualized client-led approach to therapy while honoring intersecting identities. I offer my clients warmth and acceptance in our work together, encouraging curiosity and collaboration that leads to living an authentic life. I like to cultivate a strong alliance and establish a safe and supportive environment to help my clients access the power of vulnerability, honoring their true selves and desires. Some of my favorite groups to work with are gender and sexual minorities, artists, young adults, and folks navigating life and career transitions. Topics such as relational diversity and identity formation are also of special interest. My experience working in the performing arts makes artists, actors, musicians, and other creative professionals a natural fit for me. I celebrate client passion and know the importance of meaningful creativity, striving to encourage my clients to feel confident in presenting a genuine expression of who they are.

I offer therapy in an affirming environment where individuals share concerns about their current and past challenges. I work collaboratively with clients to help them gain insight into their lives, manage distress, and develop tools to create meaningful and sustainable relationships. With the support of therapy, you can move towards a healthier, more balanced life. I have specialized training and experience working with LGBTQ adults in different life phases, as well as artists who see creativity as a part of their life and a source of their growth. I have over a decade of experience helping folks find healing from anxiety, depression, trauma, grief/loss, unhealthy relationship patterns and addiction.

Tired of feeling stuck? Anxious? Sad? Do intrusive thoughts get in the way of studying or feeling settled when spending time with friends or family? Are you ready to make a change but having a hard time starting the process? We get it. We know how hard it is. And we can help you. We are a clinically diverse group of clinicians available to meet with clients Monday-Saturday with evening availability (we are solely doing teletherapy at this time). We work with college age students and adults who may be struggling with a life adjustment or transition, unresolved past hurt or trauma, difficulty concentrating and nervousness, negative thoughts or hard to control worry and fears. In our therapy session, we don't just sit back and listen. We teach our clients how to have more control over difficult thoughts and intense emotions, feel more emotionally settled and balanced in daily activities and develop healthier coping skills to combat unhealthy behaviors. And to keep the therapy process moving forward, clients are given homework assignments in -between therapy sessions. We know that you have the ability to make the changes you are looking for. And we are confident we can help you make these changes.

Dr. Carrera is a licensed clinical psychologist. She works with adults and adolescents to help them understand the impact of their thoughts, feelings, and actions on their wellbeing. She offers an active and empowering space to navigate issues such as anxiety, low mood, family of origin concerns, identity confusion, and cultural adjustment and transitions. She also provides therapy and coaching for work and school-related struggles, including low motivation, attention difficulties, and time management concerns. Clients working with her will strengthen their awareness of ways that their life experiences may affect their ability to cope with challenges effectively. Dr. Carrera provided psychotherapy to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students at Northwestern University’s Counseling and Psychological Services, where she completed her clinical training (Postdoctoral Fellowship). She completed her Doctoral Internship at the University of California, Berkeley. She graduated with her doctorate in Counseling Psychology (Ph.D.) from Iowa State University, a program accredited by the American Psychological Association. She is an active member of the National Latinx Psychological Association and the Society of Counseling Psychology. Born and raised in an Ecuadorian-American home, Dr. Carrera is bilingual and bicultural. Clients can speak English, Spanish, and Spanglish in their work with her. She lived and studied for several years in England and Italy; these life experiences, as well as her identity as a woman of color working in several professional settings, fuel her empathy for clients navigating various cultural messages and social pressures at home, work, and school. She is committed to fusing clinical work with social justice advocacy alongside clients who may feel silenced, marginalized, and disempowered.

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.

When you're surrounded by expectations, it can be hard to know what's actually yours. Maybe you're trying to meet your family's expectations, questioning your identity, navigating anxiety, or wondering why everyday tasks feel so much harder than they seem for everyone else. Therapy can help you quiet the outside noise and reconnect with the person you want to become. I work with college students, graduate students, and young adults navigating anxiety, identity development, neurodivergence, executive functioning challenges, family relationships, and major life transitions. Together, we'll explore what's getting in your way while building practical tools that help you manage overwhelm, navigate change, and feel more confident in your daily life. I'm especially passionate about supporting LGBTQIA+ students, individuals exploring queer identity, and those processing religious trauma or family expectations. You don't have to choose between honoring your authentic self and honoring your experiences. Therapy offers space to explore both with curiosity, compassion, and without judgment. My approach is relational, somatic, and trauma-informed. I integrate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Brainspotting, and evidence-based behavioral strategies to help you reconnect with your values, strengthen self-trust, and create lasting change. My hope is that therapy helps you hear your own voice more clearly, trust yourself more fully, and build a life that feels authentic, meaningful, and aligned with who you are.

Sometimes it feels like your past is still influencing your present. Maybe anxiety is making everyday life feel overwhelming, you're recovering from a difficult experience, navigating a major life transition, or struggling to manage emotions that seem to take over. Therapy can help you better understand what you're carrying and begin creating the life you want moving forward. I work with college students, graduate students, and young adults navigating anxiety, trauma, life transitions, family-of-origin challenges, emotional regulation, and substance use concerns. Together, we'll explore the experiences that have shaped you while building practical tools to help you feel more grounded, resilient, and confident in your everyday life. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and trauma-informed. I integrate Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness, and an intersectional feminist lens to support healing in a way that honors your unique experiences and strengths. I believe therapy should be a place where you feel safe enough to explore difficult emotions, celebrate your growth, and reconnect with hope. Whether you're processing trauma, strengthening emotional regulation, or working toward recovery from substance use, we'll move at a pace that feels supportive while building lasting skills you can carry beyond therapy. My hope is that you leave therapy feeling more connected to yourself, more confident in your ability to navigate challenges, and empowered to create a life that feels meaningful and fulfilling.

My background is in psychodynamic therapy. This type of therapy helps you to better understand patterns that play out in your life, how your mind works, the internal conflicts you wrestle with, the defense mechanisms you use, and other things you might not be fully conscious of. By learning more about yourself and your struggles, you are better equipped to make changes in your life, solve your problems in the ways you want to solve them, and break out of the self-defeating patterns you find yourself stuck in. I specialize in working with adults with longstanding difficulties, including depression and anxiety, overwhelming emotions, issues with self-esteem, impulsivity, and self-destructive behavior. I am not a believer in quick fixes or easy answers. Being in therapy is hard work and a major commitment. I often meet with people long term and sometimes in twice-weekly therapy. I aim to be an ally as you work to make changes that won’t just make you feel better today but will change your life in the years to come.

Hi, I’m Spencer (they/them)! I’m a queer, non-binary, neurodiverse therapist who believes that everybody deserves a space in therapy. Working in mental and behavioral health spaces I have found that it can be difficult to find professionals who are competent and specializes in working with the LGBTQ+ community, and I aim to help change that! So much about therapy revolves around identity. Having a therapist who is part of your communities can make all of the difference. I work from a systems, anti-opressive, and liberation focused lens, meaning that there are many factors both internal and external that affect our well-being, one of which is community! Community is important for everybody, but especially for LGBTQ+ identities. This was one of the main reasons I chose to name my practice Neighborhood Psychotherapy, along with being based in Chicago and coming to love and appreciate the city’s strong sense of community and neighborhood identities, and being inspired by the work of Fred Rogers and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. My therapeutic approach weaves together DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Thearpy), CBT (Cognative Behavioral Therapy), Mindfulness, and Trauma-Focused interventions to deliver the best care possible to my clients. I specialize in offering therapy for anxiety, depression, ADHD, ASD/Austim, Neurodiversity, and Borderline Personality Disorder. Having experienced the world as a queer and neurodiverse individual, I understand the profound impact of being truly seen. I see my work as collaborative, let’s work together to set goals and effect change in your life.

I believe the human experience is beautifully complex, with our emotions serving as both a compass and catalyst for growth and healing. When those feelings become overwhelming, it’s easy to feel isolated or stuck in cycles of anxiety, self-doubt, or hopelessness—but you don’t have to navigate this alone. My passion is creating a space of warmth, understanding, and compassionate curiosity where we can explore what’s happening beneath the surface, make room for your full emotional experience, and discover new ways of thinking, relating, and healing. Gender Identity & Sexuality: Exploring your gender identity or sexuality can be deeply personal and, at times, isolating. Whether you're early in your journey or further along, I provide affirming, compassionate support in a space where you can be fully and authentically yourself—without judgment. You deserve to be seen, understood, and empowered as you embrace who you are. Relationship Challenges: Relationships can be both life-giving and deeply challenging. If you’re feeling stuck in painful cycles, navigating conflict, or longing for deeper connection, I’ll work with you to untangle patterns and build stronger, healthier relationships—rooted in mutual respect, communication, and emotional safety. Family Dynamics: Family systems often shape how we see ourselves and relate to others. I help clients unpack generational patterns, unspoken expectations, and relational roles that may no longer serve them. Together, we’ll work to foster clarity, establish healthy boundaries, and nurture meaningful, sustainable relationships. Anxiety: Anxiety can feel all-consuming, quietly infiltrating every area of life. I offer both practical strategies and gentle exploration to help you better understand your anxiety, manage its impact, and regain a sense of calm, confidence, and agency—especially when life feels out of control. Do I work with struggles not on this list? Maybe what you’re going through doesn’t fall neatly into one of these categories, or perhaps you’re looking to approach it from a different angle. If my approach resonates with you, I’d love to talk more. Together, we can create a path forward that honors your story and supports your unique process of healing and growth.!

I am a therapist, social worker, active listener, and committed community member. In therapy, I take a person-centered, holistic approach and am looking forward to supporting you in your goals - even if they're a bit uncertain at the beginning. I enjoy helping clients make change and solution plans in a non-judgmental space. Oftentimes, talk therapy is one piece of a bigger puzzle and helping clients identify and then connect with their unique healing team is something I love about this work. My approach to working with you is to be a supportive guide on your unique healing journey. I love working with clients who have very specific behaviors and problems they would like to address, as well as clients who are curious about themselves or their mental health, looking for support in exploring identities and relationships, or just want a space to process life's stressors. If you have a lot going on, are uncertain about what areas of your life are impacting your mental health, or are looking to change behavior patterns, utilize skills, or gain insight, I can be an empathetic and reflective part of that journey with you.

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.”

Hello! My name is Elizabeth and I am a bilingual/bicultural therapist. I provide sessions both in English and Spanish based on the needs of my clients. I provide a safe space for clients to share their unique stories and perspectives, allowing us the opportunity to learn more about their experiences and their behaviors. I am passionate about empowering my clients by helping them discover the tools they need to cope with difficult times and challenging feelings.

I approach my work grounded in the belief that understanding the deeper layers of your experience can create meaningful and lasting change. I work collaboratively to explore how past relationships, unconscious patterns, and emotional experiences shape your present life. I often work with individuals who are navigating challenges related to self-esteem, anxiety, life transitions, relationship stressors, grief, and trauma. Through a consistent, attuned, and compassionate therapeutic relationship, I aim to create a space where you can feel understood, reflect more deeply, and develop new ways of relating to yourself and others.

Room to Breathe is a group practice of therapists and yoga instructors who understand that your mental and physical health are interconnected. Our therapists offer talk therapy for those interested in exploring and accessing their wellbeing and their personhood, difficulties and strengths through counseling sessions. Our yoga instructors are psychologically-informed and offer trauma sensitive classes for people who are connecting with their bodies and wellbeing through the practices of yoga and meditation. We’re here to support and address your goals holistically; that may be with therapy, yoga, or both. It’s up to you. We’re glad you’re here.

Wellington Counseling Group is the trusted resource for adults, children, families, and couples looking for professional emotional and psychological support. Our diverse team specializes in anxiety, depression, life transitions, behavioral issues, trauma recovery, family dynamics, couples, and so much more. Each of our therapists offers a unique perspective that helps their patients find relief from symptoms, transcend the boundaries of mental health conditions, and craft a life they are proud to lead.

I specialize in working with children, adolescents and adults struggling with anxiety, behavioral challenges, depression, addiction, grief & loss, and trauma. I also help those who are struggling with transitional changes, relationship stressors and identity challenges. Additionally, I help couples' work through conflict and improve communication in their relationship.

Clients come to me for support with overcoming adversity in order to start living their best life. My style is affirming, empathetic, and encouraging, which fosters your ability to identify unhelpful patterns, process complex emotions, and strengthen the coping skills you need for personal growth. Life can be hard and we all could use extra support. In our first session, you can expect to go at your own pace. My priority will be your comfort and emotional safety. You can expect our sessions to provide a nonjudgemental space for you to feel safe to explore, grow, and heal. We'll take time to get to know each other and talk about expectations as well as explore your current concerns, challenges, and goals for therapy. Together, we'll sketch out a plan for how to move forward with creating meaningful change in your life.

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.

Faraz is passionate about both discovery and the practice of psychiatry. He trained at Rice University as an undergraduate and moved to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), where he was part of the Medical Scientist Training Program, culminating in an M.D. and Ph.D. in Neurobiology. His academic interests include molecular and behavioral neuroscience, computational sciences, and translational psychiatry. Faraz’s strategies are patient-specific and motivated by quantitative evidence derived from high-quality studies. Still, as an investigator, he understands psychiatry is a rapidly evolving field, and it is the goal of translational scientists to fill the gaps in our knowledge. Faraz consistently uses his best clinical judgment, combining facts and theory to care for his patients. Faraz is a strong proponent of multimodal approaches to patient care. He endorses the appropriate use of pharmacology, therapy in a variety of settings, and novel and long-standing somatic tools. He strives for efficient deployment of evidence-based evaluation and treatment algorithms but simultaneously has a low threshold for questioning generic approaches, especially when treatment is less effective than expected. Statement on ADHD management: Neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD are diagnosed and treated in relation to comprehensive clinical judgment. Diagnosis may require multiple avenues including psychiatric evaluation, review of past psychological and related records, medical workup, cognitive testing, and collateral information gathering. Collectively, diagnosis may take up to several months, especially in individuals looking to be initially evaluated for ADHD. Additionally, patients with a prior diagnosis or corresponding medication treatment history of ADHD should not assume this will be carried forward automatically. As in all aspects of psychiatric care, thorough assessment and clinical judgment will guide recommendations. Schedule your session easily through our online booking link. Click "Website" to find a time that works for you.