Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

To me, therapy is about meeting you where you are at. We can 'sit in the suck' and commiserate but from there we will build up! This is a collaborative relationship; we are colleagues working towards the same goal. I won’t try to impress you with fancy medical jargon or bore you with a lecture. I am a simple person with humble beginnings. I started my career in healthcare at 17 years old as a CNA (Certified nursing assistant) working nights at a tiny rural hospital. I moved into the Chicago suburbs to continue my education but maintained my CNA certificate by working afternoons and nights at a long-term care facility. I graduated with my Master’s in Social work in 2016 from Aurora University. During my initial years as a social worker I worked in mental health case management and hospice. Two years later I received my Licensed Clinical Social Work for the state of Illinois. Not even a month later in 2019 I moved to North Texas where it took me several more year of training before I received my clinical licensure for Texas. During that time I took several different positions to gain a better understanding of all the kinds of work a social worker is capable of. Those positions were intensive outpatient for mental health and addictions, intake, utilization review for a psychiatric hospital and home health. After gaining clinical licensure in Texas, I concentrated my focus to one on one telehealth with adults while they navigate difficult life changes. When I am not working I enjoy cooking, hiking, competing in dog sports, and tending to my plants and home with my spouse, 7 dogs, and one very old rabbit. I volunteer with the local animal shelter working with animals at risk of euthanasia due to behavior issues or medical concerns and in rescue rehabilitating struggling pets. As a clinician I use aspects of cognitive behavior therapy and dialectical behavior therapy and am considered person centered. I regularly provide handouts, suggest videos, or give homework to encourage therapeutic thought and action outside of our sessions. I look forward to meeting you and being part of the healing chapter of your story!

Center for Hope and Family Solutions' Eating Disorder team consists of Licensed Therapists and Registered Dietitians that are all specialized in treatment of the full spectrum of Eating Disorders. Our team takes a Health At Every Size approach to the treatment of Eating Disorders, and assists individuals in working towards gaining a healthy relationship with food, activity, and their bodies using anti-diet perspectives, body neutrality, and nutrition counseling. In addition to providing mental health counseling and nutrition counseling, we also provide support with addressing underlying issues and assist individuals in connecting with medical providers as needed.

I’m Lauren Dircks, a licensed therapist in Illinois and Minnesota, offering immediate openings for Telehealth counseling. I provide a safe, supportive space where you can explore challenges, build resilience, and find healing. I welcome individuals from all backgrounds and provide a judgment-free, inclusive environment where you can be your authentic self. I know that seeking support takes courage, and I'm here to help you. Your well-being is my priority, and I'm committed to helping you grow, heal, and become the best version of yourself. You don’t have to do this alone.

Stephanie Kilper is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Board-Certified Dance/Movement Therapist (BC-DMT). With several years of experience in a variety of mental health settings and a large spectrum of care, Stephanie has worked with children, teens and adults on issues related to disordered eating, body image, emotional regulation, and mood disorders. Stephanie’s approach to treatment includes supporting individuals with increasing their mind-body connection and reconnecting to their bodies in a safe, gentle manner through integrated movement and mindfulness experiences. Stephanie utilizes present-moment connection and curiosity to inform her work with individuals, navigating the inner self with a practice of kindness and openness. As a member of the LGBTQ community, Stephanie also supports individuals in identity exploration and self-discovery as clients deepen their understanding of all aspects of who they are.

As a bilingual Korean-English psychologist, I specialize in working with adults navigating perfectionism and/or anxiety rooted in attachment and emotional wounds, often shaped by growing up in immigrant families or with Asian parents. I’ve worked at several college counseling centers (e.g., GWU, UIUC, UCI, CSULB), giving me a deep understanding of the challenges commonly faced by both undergraduate and graduate students. I see clients residing in California and Illinois via secure Zoom meetings. Please feel free to reach out!

Warm greetings! I help overworked and overwhelmed students manage their stress and anxiety surrounding school and big life changes. I know balancing school and work is very challenging, as well as continue to have a social life and engage in the other opportunities your campus has to offer. I help you to express those stresses and learn helpful skills to manage the challenges life at this time can be.

I want to help those facing day to day challenges and in need of extra support. I am committed to being apart of that journey by offering faith-based counseling that combines the pillars of Christian faith with the knowledge of mental health and psychosocial functioning. This will assist with your overall wellness and freedom to change. I understand that reaching out for help can feel intimidating, and it takes a lot of courage to take that first step. If you're struggling with stress, anxiety, or any challenges that feel overwhelming, know that you're not alone. I’m here to listen without judgment and to help guide you through the process of Healing and growth.

Welcome to The Black Sheep Sanctuary, where therapy isn’t about “fixing” you—it’s about helping you make sense of your beautifully messy, wonderfully weird, and sometimes chaotic life. We’re here for the overthinkers, the socially anxious, the “why am I like this?” crowd, and anyone who’s ever felt like they don’t quite fit in. We believe that being different isn’t a flaw—it’s just you, being you. But let’s be real, sometimes figuring out “you” can feel overwhelming without a little guidance. That’s where we come in. Therapy with us isn’t stiff or clinical—it’s a conversation. Sometimes deep, sometimes hilarious, but always real. We show up as ourselves so you can too. Whether you're navigating anxiety, ADHD, relationships, or just trying to function without wanting to scream into the void, we’ve got you. No judgment. No weird therapy head tilts. Just real talk, practical tools, a couple of “f-bombs”, and a safe space where you don’t have to filter yourself. Welcome to the flock. You belong here.

Hi there! My name is Cory Bedtke, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I received a Master of Social Work degree from Loyola University Chicago in 2015, and started my career as a school social worker prior to switching over to clinical work with adults. While this may seem like a big transition, it's funny how similar our problems are at the different stages of life. Currently, I enjoy working with clients in young and middle adulthood who would like to feel less stressed and anxious, improve their mood, work on communication, and feel more secure in their relationships. I also work with folks who want to process and find ways to cope with traumatic experiences. College can be an amazingly wonderful but also daunting time, so I am here to help you navigate the challenges that you face.

I am committed to providing quality mental health services that promote positive change through collaboration, compassion, reflection, and direction. I like to help patients explore and carve innovative changes and opportunities in one's life. Through the provision of confidential psychotherapy that integrates sensitivity and warmth, I integrate the latest approaches on how lasting improvements in overall wellbeing and our relationships with others can be achieved. I realize that patient needs are not one-size fits-all and I aim to provide personalized mental health services that empower a process directed at meeting personal and professional aspirations. I'm experienced in working with children, adolescents, and adults with behavioral challenges, ADHD, substance use issues, Depressive and Bipolar Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, trauma experiences, as well as providing psychoeducational services related to major life transitions, such as assimilation to the demands of college from high school, among other areas of interest. In addition, I maintain competencies related to a multitude of psychological assessment and evaluation contexts, including neuropsychological assessment, personality assessment, therapeutic assessment, substance use assessment, among others. Lastly, I am a fully bilingual clinician in English and Spanish.

Hi, I’m Ben Fendrich, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor in Wisconsin. I specialize in supporting adults navigating mood challenges, including bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and mood disorders. My approach is warm, engaging, and collaborative—I provide a supportive space to process life’s stressors, whether they stem from work, relationships, or personal struggles. Together, we’ll explore new perspectives, develop coping strategies, and help you move forward with confidence and clarity.

At BlueSky Telepsych, we're revolutionizing mental health care through our virtual Mental Health Clinic, owned and operated by clinicians. Our clinic caters to individuals of all ages who are facing mental health and/or substance use challenges. Our approach is grounded in comprehensive, evidence-based psychiatry and therapy, ensuring that our patients receive the highest quality of care. Currently, we are proud to accept insurance from Anthem, Optum, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, and Cigna across 12 states, including AZ, CO, CT, KY, IL, MD, MA, MN, NM, NC, OH, OR, TX, and WA. And here's the best part - we operate without any waitlist, ensuring prompt access to the support and treatment our patients need.

I am a compassionate, thoughtful, experienced psychologist, and I am very interested in getting to know you and your struggles. I work with individuals and couples, from late adolescence to older adulthood. My work is collaborative and starts by creating a non-judgmental space in which you can feel comfortable sharing your symptoms and exploring your past, present and future. We will work together to help you understand and negotiate the external and internal obstacles preventing you from achieving greater contentment in your life. I use evidence-based approaches, such as CBT, DBT, and ACT, to help clients reduce anxiety and depression, better cope with stress, and improve their self-esteem and relationships. I also utilize attachment and psychodynamic theories to help clients construct a meaningful narrative of their history, help identify harmful patterns in thinking, behavior and relationships, and help clients liberate from them. I specialize in both short-term and long-term psychotherapy aimed at increasing self-awareness and identifying patterns that contribute to mood symptoms and difficulties at work or in relationships. I look forward to speaking with you about the challenges you are currently facing so that we can establish a plan to help you overcome them and lead a more satisfying and fulfilling life. I look forward to learning about you and partnering with you through psychotherapy to help you reduce stress and find greater satisfaction with your life.

Psychotherapy is a highly individualized practice that can assist with a broad set of life problems. Each session carries the potential for change and growth. In my practice I strive to create deeply personal and meaningful experiences. I believe we best accomplish this by developing a mutual understanding of the concerns that have brought you to therapy, and then embarking on a collaborative process towards addressing your goals for treatment. I enjoy and welcome working with people from diverse backgrounds on a wide range of issues. I am a clinical associate faculty and an advanced candidate at the Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis. I earned my masters degree at the University of Chicago and worked for over 10 years as a community social worker in the psychiatry department at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

How you feel about yourself, relate with others, and make your way in the world is significantly influenced by your earliest relationships. If your caregivers struggled with their own psychological health, their ability to connect with and be emotionally available to you may have been impaired. You may have felt invalidated, rejected, smothered or unwanted. Since you had no choice but to adapt and attach to the adults available to you, you may now find yourself in relationships that feel empty, end abruptly, or are riddled with conflict. Such disharmony only exacerbates feeling depressed and anxious. As a psychodynamic therapist, I am trained to recognize the underlying thoughts, feelings, and patterns that keep you from sustaining meaningful relationships and stuck in emotional pain. Rather than viewing you as a diagnosis or problem to be solved, I'm most interested in understanding and helping you work through what is troubling you. I completed training at The Object Relations Institute of New York City, The Center for Religion and Psychotherapy of Chicago, and I am an Assistant Professor at Indiana University South Bend . I am also a classically trained musician and former high school choral director. Please visit my website at www.kurtmhanus.com

Don't just survive. Thrive. Ellie Mental Health in Aurora, Illinois isn’t your average therapy clinic. We’ve created a comfy, judgment-free zone where you can be authentic, get real about where you’re at in your mental health, and receive the compassionate care you deserve. We strive to break down treatment barriers and provide you with customized counseling services that meet your therapy needs. We provide support for a wide range of mental disorders and common mental health issues at our Ellie Mental Health Clinic in Aurora. No matter your concerns, your compassionate Ellie therapist will provide you with the non-judgmental care you deserve.

I help everyday people struggling with anxiety, trauma, and/or depression find the root of their troubles & take back control of their lives. I treat conditions such as: PTSD, anxiety, trauma, phobias, OCD, depression, addictions, & related symptoms. I take a Solution-Focused & evidence-based therapeutic approach for creating solutions rather than focusing on problems. You may request a for 15 minute consultation today, just visit the Alma website at the link below.

As a therapist, I specialize in supporting college students as they navigate the unique challenges of this transformative stage of life—whether it’s academic stress, relationship dynamics, identity exploration, or mental health concerns. College life isn’t easy! My approach is grounded in empathy, collaboration, and a deep understanding of the pressures students face. Together, we’ll work to build resilience, develop coping strategies, and create a path toward balance and growth, so you can thrive both personally and academically. You can check your insurance information and schedule directly through the Headway website!

I am committed to fostering a compassionate, empathetic, collaborative therapeutic environment. I’m particularly interested in understanding your unique experience of yourself, others, and the world. People often seek help to expand their self-development and personal growth in addition to feeling better. I strive to help people by widening self-awareness through a balance of emotional experience and insight. I believe people should feel heard and understood, and I do my best to understand what it’s like for you in your unique subjective experience. Having a secure, stable place will allow you to freely explore your internal world and take risks in the outside world. Part of the process includes finding integration between emotions and thoughts, memory, consciousness, narrative, attachment relationships, and identity. I aim to help you deal with difficult thoughts and feelings so you can move towards what you care about in life, live more fully with greater passion and vitality, increase your curiosity, and be more present.