Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL
We are a group of skilled clinicians dedicated to creating space for wellness through thoughtful, evidence based care. Many of us from marginalized communities know what it’s like to have our voices ignored or dismissed. At Ida Lillie, we acknowledge the history and reality of systematic oppression while offering our patients deep healing and change. Our team is passionate about providing reparative care through diverse representation in a field that often lacks it. At Ida Lillie, we offer expert clinicians who support all identities in their mental wellness.
You are so much bigger than the things that have bogged you down in your past, the things that trouble you in the present, and the things that scare you about the future. Therapy isn't about fixing something broken; it's about helping you recognize, hone, and use the strength you already possess to create lasting change. You don't have to be trapped by old stories or limiting beliefs, you can rewrite your own narrative. As a therapist, I believe my first and foremost responsibility is to create a safe space for you - space for you to heal, laugh, cry, celebrate, and even make mistakes. I want you to feel cozy bringing your entire self into the therapeutic space, and I promise I’ll do the same. I’m always on your side; while I may question or challenge you, at the end of the day I fundamentally believe we are all doing our best—you included. I specialize in working with queer adults, adolescents, and couples navigating life transitions, anxiety, family-of-origin issues, identity development, and body image concerns in an easy-going, shame-free space. I am a member of the queer community, and am committed to a practice that is accessible, antiracist, LGBTQIA+-affirming, poly-allied, body-neutral, and welcoming toward clients of all walks of life. I draw on diverse experiences in the arts, corporate settings, education, and in clinical mental health to bring an integrative and eclectic approach to therapy. As a continually developing and evolving clinician, I draw from narrative, existential, and person-centered approaches, and am supervised by Angela Scalisi, LCPC. If you are here and are already considering starting or continuing therapy, you’re already taking such a meaningful step in prioritizing yourself and your wellbeing. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just want someone to chat with, there’s a spot on my couch for you.
Great to meet you! Hi, I’m Melissa. I work with curious, thoughtful people who are ready to show up for themselves — even when growth feels uncomfortable. Many of the clients I connect with are navigating big life transitions, like adjusting to college or next steps after college, navigating adulthood, or realizing the old path no longer fits. If you’re someone who’s willing to stay with the process and understands that meaningful change takes work, we’ll likely be a good fit. A bit about my approach to therapy I believe the relationship we build together matters more than any single approach or technique. Feeling safe, understood, and respected is where real change begins. Clients describe me as steady, thoughtful, and encouraging — someone who can sit with you when things feel messy and help you think outside the box when the usual answers don’t work. I focus on everyday, “garden-variety” struggles that still have a big impact on quality of life, especially during periods of transition. What you can expect from our first session Our first session is a chance to slow down, get to know each other, and talk about what brought you in and where you hope to go. We’ll explore what’s working, what feels stuck, and what kind of support actually feels helpful to you. Over time, many clients walk away with more clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense that they can create a path forward — even if it looks different than they originally imagined. Growth isn’t always easy, but you don’t have to do it alone.
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Welcome. My name is Shinhae. I believe therapy is a journey of understanding and healing your inner self in the process of rebuilding a relationship with yourself as well as with others. My own therapeutic journey has allowed me to find new meaning and insight for me to embrace myself wholeheartedly. I strongly empathize with what it feels like to be alone in a cage of emotional and mental struggles. It is hard to overcome the situation with a hopeful mindset while in the state of being most vulnerable. I believe that understanding of self can uplift you to move forward with hope. I am grateful to walk along on your journey as if someone did to me.
Many of the clients I work best with are thoughtful, curious individuals who are seeking a deeper understanding of themselves. They may be struggling with relationships, feeling stuck in patterns they don’t quite understand, or carrying emotions that feel overwhelming or confusing. Often, they’ve tried to “figure things out” on their own but are ready for something more meaningful and supportive. What they tend to have in common is a desire to be truly seen and heard—not just to fix a problem, but to grow through it. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that change happens in relationship—with a therapist who is present, attuned, and deeply respectful of your experience. I work well with people who are open to exploring the layers beneath their struggles, even if they don’t have all the words for it yet. If you're looking for a space where you can be yourself without judgment, and where your story will be met with care and curiosity, you might feel at home here.
Kudos to you for starting this journey toward whole health! At CG Therapies, we are a group of experienced and compassionate psychotherapists focused on tailoring treatment to the most effective techniques for your specific needs. Some of the issues we treat are depression, anxiety, perfectionism, stress management, PTSD and effects of trauma, bipolar disorder, biculturality and LGBTQ+ identity issues, relationship issues, personal growth, among others. Our clinicians have specialized training in a variety of techniques proven effective. We provide in-person and teletherapy as well as flexibility and understanding to meet the changing schedules of students. t takes courage to take the first step in addressing a challenge, but you do not have to face it alone. Therapy is a way to gain support, insight, and effective tools to navigate life’s obstacles. Whether you’ve been contemplating therapy for a while or this is the first time you’ve encountered a certain stress or crisis, you don’t have to figure things out alone. Schedule a 15 minute consultation call or complete a short form on our web site to get started.
You’ve taken a brave step in inviting someone into your most personal space to partner in your healing. In our time together you will find a safe, non-judgmental environment to work through difficult experiences. I will support you to find resolution to your struggles, while helping you identify your inner strengths to reveal a healthier version of you. You are respected and valued, and this will be shown via honesty and empathy. I thrive in walking alongside you in your journey healing from toxic, antagonistic and/or difficult relationships. I have been providing therapeutic services to individuals, couples, adolescents, and families for over 15 years. I look forward to joining you in your wellness journey.
I specialize in working with young adults who feel unsettled, stuck, or uncertain about aspects of their lives. These challenges often affect academic performance, relationships—whether with friends, family, or significant others—and overall well-being. Together, we explore how these feelings show up in daily life, identify recurring themes, and uncover behavioral patterns. By working together, I view my role as a clinician to be very similar to a consultant : you are the subject matter expert on your relationships, emotions, and experiences and together we can develop a plan that aligns with your core values.
Anxiety fights dirty. When anxiety gets out of control, it can feel like a bully, always pushing you around. I get it, I’ve been there. When you’re really in it, you feel stuck and worse still, it can feel like there’s no way out. Constantly living in survival mode doesn’t feel much like living at all. The good news is that you don’t have to face anxiety alone. Together we can push back against anxiety and get your life back. We can use tried and true methods to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and get you out of survival mode. Imagine being more present and connected to life, feeling more like yourself again. More at ease, as you look to the future with a renewed sense of confidence and hope. A way forward is actually, finally here. If you’re ready to change your relationship with anxiety and want to stop living in survival mode. Let’s talk. Give me a call and let’s get to work.
Holistically Divine Counseling is centered around providing a form of care that accounts for all areas of a person's life. Operating within the 8 dimensions of wellness, we empower our client's exploration, growth and pursuit of healing for the mind, body, soul and spirit.
Grey Area Therapy is a small, private practice conveniently located in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood with easy access to public transportation and an emphasis on building meaningful, authentic connections with clients. As a therapist with Grey Area Therapy, I work with clients on needs related to anxiety, depression, OCD, vocational stress, and life transitions. I have a special interest in working with individuals who identify in the LGBTQ+ community. I offer both in-person and virtual appointments. I accept Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and Cigna insurance and offer free 15-minute phone consultations to help you find a therapist that works for you!
I help people make sense of their stories, find what’s been missing, and build something sturdier—for their relationships and for themselves. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that meaningful change begins with feeling truly seen. In our work together, we’ll look at the patterns that keep showing up, the questions that keep you awake at night, and the parts of yourself you’ve learned to hide. I draw from narrative, attachment, and systems perspectives to help you understand how your past has shaped your present—and how you can shape what comes next. Whether you’re facing anxiety, relationship challenges, major life changes, or questions about who you are, I’ll meet you with curiosity, honesty, and practical tools you can take with you beyond the therapy room. My goal is to help you walk away with a story that feels more whole, a self that feels more grounded, and a life that feels more like your own.
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Dr. Hannah Waldman is a psychotherapist who works with emerging adults, young adults, and older adults facing a range of mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, relationship challenges, and difficulties related to stress and life transitions. She takes an integrative and collaborative approach to therapy, blending symptom-focused techniques—such as CBT, DBT, and ACT—within a relational framework. Hannah is committed to staying current with the latest research, particularly in areas relevant to her clients’ needs. She has experience supporting individuals dealing with aging, grief, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias, eating disorders, chronic pain, and navigating gender-affirming care. Throughout her career, Hannah has worked with clients from diverse backgrounds across the lifespan, including varied identities in terms of gender, sexual orientation, religion, race, culture, nationality, and socioeconomic status. Her additional clinical interests include mood disorders, personality disorders, and religious trauma. In her work, she strives to empower clients while fostering deeper insight into the self, personal history, and relationships.
Our team at Wellman Psychology & Associates offers each client a unique, supportive, and collaborative therapeutic relationship. As partners, we collaborate with clients in building the insight, confidence, behaviors, and outlook necessary to access one’s inherent potential and life goals. Through our lens, struggle is an opportunity for change, growth, and new direction. An active, integrative approach is used with every client, whereby the needs and voice of the client is our upmost priority. Therapists offer feedback and suggestion only when appropriate or requested, encouraging a client-centered environment. Our team is trained in multiple modalities; employing cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic, and interpersonal therapies to help children, adolescents, and adults gain insight and work through various life concerns. Additionally, we offer modern and efficient neuropsychological and psychological assessments to provide clients with the clarity and accommodations they require. We strongly believe in the importance of using methods that work best for you as our client.
Life can be incredibly complex and overwhelming, full of twists and turns we often do not expect. As both a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a human being, I have witnessed how receiving professional therapeutic support can guide individuals towards finding a sense of safety and comfort within themselves in a world of ever-shifting dynamics that can distract from or exacerbate the challenges we experience. My clients may be struggling with eating disorders, depression/anxiety, body image concerns, and substance misuse, in addition to difficulty managing stress, life transitions, or intimate/peer/familial relationship conflicts/wounding. I am LGBTQ+ allied, anti-racist, and anti-diet/Health at Every Size aligned and informed. Utilizing attachment theory, values exploration, and mind-body awareness, I work with my clients to re-instill and preserve individual autonomy while healing the relationship between oneself and others. I support my clients in learning new ways to tolerate uncomfortable emotions instead of avoiding or numbing them, and create space to process the inevitable grief that comes with making any changes in life. As a therapist, I embody humor, authenticity, empathy, and patience to create a safe space for my clients to begin exploring both internal/external experiences that contribute to feelings of distress, loneliness, and uncertainty. Values I hold above all else in the therapy space include humanism, autonomy, relational accountability between client and therapist, and the power of ‘any positive change’.
Perhaps you’re tired of not feeling good. Your relationships or career may be draining you and there could be a felt sense that there is more to life or something better for you out there. You might even be carrying a deep, nagging pain that needs release and yet, when the tears come, you hold them back in. Your struggles could leave you feeling unable to think clearly, experiencing tightness in your chest or your body, or even feeling like you weigh a million pounds. Over time, you could find yourself completely numb and not wanting to get out of bed in the morning. Whether these feelings are coming from the distant past or from something happening currently, this does not need to be your “normal”. With support, you can find relief and have greater peace in your life. I know what it’s like to feel empty or to question “how did my life get here?”. My experience with various mind body therapies, blended with traditional counseling, taught me that with compassion and determination, we can find our way out. I believe when we can openly share about ourselves without pressure and with knowing that everything is welcome, we are able to take small steps towards lasting change. From a young age, I had been fascinated with human behavior, introspection, and understanding our inner world. I became a therapist to help people explore all of the crevices where we hold our pain, not only to help connect the dots, but to expand awareness in both the mind and body. I believe this helps us to allow our tears to flow and hold our messiness with tenderness and grace. Working at the Family Institute at Northwestern University, showed me firsthand that change begins when we let go of labeling our thoughts, feelings, or sensations as “good/bad”, “right/wrong”, or “should/shouldn’t”. I am dedicated to helping people step away from these rigid beliefs and approach themselves with a gentle curiosity. I believe when we let go of the labels, we can learn to accept and integrate all parts of ourselves and our experiences with greater compassion. I also learned how important it is to blend a sense of lightheartedness and tough love during my role at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center. I know change is not easy, and although we may never feel ready, it’s in doing it anyway and taking the first small steps that we begin to uncover our true nature. I understand how difficult it is to hold the uncertainty or pain in your life. You have the innate ability to regain a sense of balance and create internal space for any emotional experience. You deserve more and there is more for you out there. I am here to help you uncover and discover how big and free your life can be. Let’s connect now.