Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

Nora Ochoa, LCPC, focuses on fostering a nurturing environment during sessions where clients can feel safe. She works in a variety of areas and populations, and incorporates exceptional clinical techniques to promote positive change. Nora earned a BA from University of Illinois at Chicago and an MA from National Louis University. For over a decade, Nora has worked in IOP, office, residential, and home-based services. She also has extensive experience working with foster families, adoptive families, and families involved with DCFS. Nora is also an EMDR International Association certified therapist and uses it to reduce the impact of trauma and psychological distress. Nora uses a variety of therapeutic approaches to put clients on the path to wellness, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness techniques, and solutions-focused therapy. She is also trained in Theraplay, an attachment-based therapy, and she teaches parenting skills like Love and Logic and Trust Based Relational Interventions.

Vanessa Wrobel is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who works with individuals and their families identifying and managing their mental health. She earned her master's degree in nursing from Northern Kentucky University and has more than ten years of nursing experience. Vanessa's training includes a full range of inpatient hospitals, outpatient programming, nursing homes and other subspecialties treating symptoms of mental health. She enjoys working with a wide range of health issues including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, psychosis, and trauma. Vanessa uses an integrative approach designed to meet the individuals needs by using a variety of psychotherapies including cognitive-behavioral therapy and stress management therapy. Her philosophy is based on providing empathetic, compassionate, and person-centered care to meet each individual's needs. Her biggest fulfillment of being a nurse practitioner is the ability to help others and watching their success. Outside of work, Vanessa is a wife and full-time mom of two that enjoys beach vacations and outdoor activities.

Krista Sherinian, LCSW, has over 27 years of experience helping clients age 5 and up. She often works collaboratively in cases of divorce and with stepfamilies. She got Spanish fluency from a language school in Guanajuato, Mexico. Adult clients have described her work with her as, practical and life-changing. She addresses mind-body wellness by including in treatment lifestyle tips, relaxation training, guided imagery, and Emotional Freedom Techniques. Her approach to couples or family therapy blends strengths with personality type to learn better communication and ways to grow in partnership. From the start, she will create a practical roadmap of how to enhance or restore trust and intimacy based on a clear explanation of how personality, defenses, and other patterns affect the issues you wish to resolve. Ms. Sherinian is an adoptive and biological parent who has received specialized training in adoption and fertility issues. She is listed as a resource in Chicago Area Families for Adoption (CAFFA). She has been a speaker in District 203's Parent University, Advances in Neuropsychiatry, and Evidence-Based Holistic Therapies.

Shannon believes the therapy process begins with providing a safe nonjudgmental environment to help people feel comfortable sharing their feelings, thoughts and experiences and through this an interactive, nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship is developed. You learn to see your value and gain a greater sense of self to help add meaning and fulfillment to your life. Some days are hard, tearful even and some days, we find moments of laughter. Shannon graduated from Benedictine University in 2005 with a Masters in Clinical Psychology. Shannon has worked in Private Practice, Community mental health and in both an inpatient and outpatient hospital setting. Shannon received her School Counseling Certification in 2008. At Benedictine, Shannon had the opportunity to be taught by a direct pupil of the founder of Person Centered Psychology. Shannon believes this experience has helped her develop skills to deepen the empathetic experience to help clients feel understood. Shannon brings an eclectic approach to therapy using a mixture of modalities including Person centered, Cognitive behavioral therapy and Dialectical behavior therapy.

Laura Rae Venditti is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Iliinois who has been practicing since 2016. Laura Rae approaches therapy within a client-centered climate, using the tenets of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), through a solution-focused lens. She helps clients identify obstacles and explore solutions, believing that if one wants something to change, one has to be willing to foster change. Laura Rae and the client will explore barriers and remove roadblocks that have denied them their joy. Laura Rae works with her clients to explore their version of a better life in a quest to make it their reality. In essence, they are on this journey together. Outside of work, Laura Rae enjoys time spent with family, and especially finds joy spending time with her grandchildren. One of her favorite pastimes is attending baseball games and is especially loyal to her Chicago White Sox. She takes advantage of the benefits of exercise, as it greatly contributes to attaining balance and minimizing stress in her life. Therefore, she loves the advantages of living in the city where she can walk, run, or bike, most anywhere she needs to go.

I completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication, Media and Theatre and a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. My formal training in the counseling field ranges from working with children with trauma, adults with depression and anxiety, couples therapy, substance abuse counseling, and wellness groups. I have worked with clients who want to change and with mandated clients. I have helped clients set and accomplish their goals. I consider myself to be an eclectic counselor. I use different therapeutic approaches depending on the need of the client. These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Existential, Person-Centered, and Solution-Focused Therapy. I treat each client as unique and help them set and meet treatment goals. In my free time, I love to watch sports, fish, travel, work out, read books, walk my dog, hang out with my family, and enjoy a good meal.

Samuel Assam, PMHNP, provides compassionate and personalized mental health care for clients in Illinois, helping them navigate challenges through tailored treatment plans. He works collaboratively with each individual, ensuring that the plan is aligned with their needs and is both achievable and effective. Samuel serves adolescents, adults, and seniors, specializing in treating those aged 15 through 65+. Samuel is particularly passionate about addressing complex mental health conditions such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, and psychosis/schizophrenia. He believes in a holistic approach that incorporates both medication management and therapeutic interventions like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure Therapy to support individuals in their journey to mental wellness. His deep understanding of trauma-related disorders, such as PTSD, allows him to offer nuanced care to individuals processing both acute and long-term trauma. In addition to his focus on psychiatric care, Samuel has extensive experience supporting specialized populations, including LGBTQ+ individuals, first responders, and military veterans.

Michelle Minton, LPC, is dedicated to creating a non-judgmental and safe space for patients across Illinois, empowering them to express their true selves and explore their identities. Specializing in individual and family therapy, Michelle provides compassionate support for children, teens, and adults navigating mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD. With a focus on collaborative care, xe offers opportunities for creative self-expression through play and art activities, tailoring therapeutic approaches to each patient?s unique needs. Michelle brings nearly seven years of experience working with children and adolescents ages 3-18 in residential, group home, school, and outpatient settings. Xe is particularly passionate about addressing childhood behavior issues, school avoidance, and trauma, including PTSD.

Krystal Fowlkes, LCSW, LICSW, practicing at LifeStance Health in Illinois, is dedicated to helping children build self-awareness and accountability to succeed both at school and home. Serving the Illinois community, she brings a wealth of experience from her background as an elementary school social worker. Krystal specializes in assisting children and adolescents, working closely with them to normalize social emotional learning and support their emotional and behavioral growth. Krystal is passionate about addressing childhood behavior issues, ADHD, and PTSD/trauma. She is skilled in creating tailored interventions that foster a supportive environment for children to thrive. Her expertise extends to helping children manage school avoidance and anxiety, providing them with the tools they need to overcome these challenges. By working with parents, she helps develop easy-to-use behavioral interventions that can be implemented at home, ensuring a consistent and supportive approach across different settings. She is also proficient in parenting skills training, helping parents support their children effectively.

Dr. Juliana C. Nwauwa, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in Illinois, stands at the forefront of mental health care, blending her extensive education with a compassionate approach. Armed with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, Dr. Nwauwa has honed her skills and knowledge to provide the highest level of care to her clients. With full-practice authority (FPA), Dr. Nwauwa possesses the autonomy to diagnose, treat, and prescribe medication independently, empowering her to deliver comprehensive and timely interventions tailored to each individual's needs. Drawing on over six years of clinical experience since earning her certification in 2018, Dr. Nwauwa is deeply committed to offering client-centered care. She embraces diversity and inclusion in her practice, ensuring that every person receives holistic and individualized treatment that respects their unique background and circumstances. Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Nwauwa finds fulfillment in her passions outside of work. Whether she's exploring new destinations through travel, experimenting with flavors in the kitchen, cherishing moments with loved ones, or pursuing ongoing education, Dr. Nwauwa approaches life with a spirit of curiosity and growth.

Denise Goff is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with over 20 years of experience in helping to facilitate positive change in clients who have mental health concerns and/or addiction problems. She received her Masters Degree in Clinical/Counseling Psychology from Illinois State University in Normal, IL. Denise believes in an individualized treatment approach, and she utilizes a variety of evidence-based approaches to match the person's needs. She provides therapy in a safe, supportive environment, and works with clients to develop effective coping strategies. She views therapy as a chance to support clients in achieving personal growth and change. Her areas of specialty include: anxiety, depression, addictions, dual diagnosis, relationship difficulties, grief & loss, personality disorders, low self-esteem and LGBTQ+ issues. In fact, she has extensive experience in dealing with addictions, including alcohol and other drugs, gambling addiction, internet addiction, shopping addictions and eating disorders. Furthermore, she has many years of experience in working with the LGBTQ+ community to help clients deal with self-acceptance, social stigma, and family relationships.

Cory Dolley is a Licensed Social Worker in Illinois who has been practicing since 2019. Cory just wants to be able to help give people a fighting chance to have a healthy, happy, productive life. Perhaps you are someone in your late 20's to 60's and are not used to asking for help because you were taught early never to show vulnerability. Perhaps you are dealing with unacknowledged trauma from years ago that was never seriously addressed. All you know is that you are in pain, and that pain is affecting all your other relationships, making it harder to reach out to others, hard to trust anyone. Perhaps you were coping with that pain by drinking or using other drugs. You just want to get better, and to live a healthier, happier life. You want to have a better relationship with the people you love. Cory can work with a variety of people to identify and address the issues that they are having so that they can begin to have better lives. He uses a compassion based and understanding approach and works with people's strengths so that they can begin to address the problems they are having and work to have the better lives they want to have. Cory has worked with a wide variety of clients and helped people process grief, loss, anxiety, and anger.

Jillian Thornton is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois. She has a Bachelor?s of Science in Biology and a Master?s of Human Development and Counseling. Jillian is an avid mental health advocate. Jillian applies her knowledge in CBT. DBT, BLT, narrative therapy and existentialism to aid in the change of each person?s awareness, happiness, and to eliminate people, places, and things that do not serve each individual that enters the therapeutic alliance. Outside of work, Jillian loves board games including Scrabble, Trouble, and Mancala. Her favorite pastimes are trying new foods and hanging with loved ones.

Nancy Johnston, LPC, is dedicated to helping individuals navigate life s challenges with warmth, understanding, and a practical approach. Serving clients across Illinois, she provides a supportive space where individuals can untangle confusing or unhealthy thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. With a deep commitment to understanding each person s unique experiences and perspectives, Nancy empowers clients to develop resilience and create meaningful change in their lives. Nancy specializes in working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, and PTSD/trauma. She is passionate about helping those who have endured difficult life experiences, guiding them toward healing with compassion and evidence-based strategies. Whether clients are struggling with overwhelming emotions, past trauma, or persistent stress, Nancy provides tailored support to help them regain control and find balance. As a Domestic Violence Advocate, Nancy is particularly committed to supporting survivors of domestic violence. She understands the complexities of these situations and provides a safe, judgment-free environment where individuals can rebuild their confidence, set healthy boundaries, and establish a path forward.

Hildred I. Amegashie is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in Illinois who has been practicing since 2019. She has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain College of Nursing, and a Family Nurse Practitioner Program, Post-Grad Certificate from Wilkes University. Hildred is passionate about providing culturally competent and individualized care tailored to each unique individual. She is a strong advocate for listening to patient needs and concerns to deliver personalized mental health needs. Outside of work, Hildred enjoys hanging out with her three beautiful daughters, cordially walking with her dog Buttercup, or on the weekend working it out on the dance floor. She truly enjoys traveling and sightseeing. Bike riding is her exercise of choice, there is nothing like it.

Diana Wells is a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. She started her medical journal from the University of St. Francis, Joliet IL, where she obtained a bachelorette of science in Nursing. She practiced as a Registered Nurse for three years focusing on behavioral/mental health. She gained a vast knowledge in mental health disorders and Emergency medicine before advancing her career as an Advanced Practice Nurse with a specialty in psychiatric. Her practicum/residency experiences were in an inpatient/outpatient setting, and Telehealth. She did her residency at UChicago medicine (Ingalls Memorial Health), Amita Health/Alexian Brothers, Family Christian Health Center, and Alay Health Team in WI. She has a combination of over 8 years' experience in behavioral/mental health. She enjoys practicing the full scope of behavioral/mental health medicine and work well with patients and family members. She is very dedicated in providing quality clinical care to patients and family members across the life span and values holistic, collaborative, and integrative care method.

Lasma Maher is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois who has been practicing since 2018. She has an MA in Fine Art and Design from Latvian Art Academy and an MA in Art Therapy/Counseling from Adler University. Lasma helps patients unlock and develop their creative thinking which paves the way for learning and applying effective coping skills in their daily lives. Outside of work, Lasma enjoys folk dance, painting, drawing, yoga, and traveling.

Karissa Fleming is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) dedicated to supporting individuals and families across Illinois. Karissa is especially passionate about working with individuals experiencing trauma and PTSD and women navigating life transitions. She uses TF-CBT to assist clients with managing symptoms after a traumatic event, so they begin to integrate their experiences and create a full life. Additionally, Karissa works with children, teens, and their families. She incorporates elements of play and expressive arts to create a safe and fun environment for children and teens to express their feelings. Her experience with foster care and adoption provides strong skills to help families navigate a variety of difficult situations. By focusing on each client?s strengths, she helps them uncover new perspectives and solutions, fostering meaningful change. She emphasizes the importance of interpersonal connection and shared healing. Her inclusive and affirming approach ensures that all clients feel valued and supported on their journey. Outside of her clinical work, Karissa enjoys engaging in creative hobbies like writing, cooking, and crafting. She also finds joy in movement, whether through exercise or spending time with her beloved cat.

Paige Salomone is a therapist at Rooted Hope Counseling who specializes in working with young adult women. While serving as a social work professor and then counseling students at a small Christian university, she quickly discovered her passion for helping young adult women navigate challenges like anxiety, depression, struggles with understanding their immense value and the transition to adulthood. Many young women experience uncertainty as they are exploring who they have been, who they are, and who they are becoming. If any of this sounds familiar, Paige would be honored to walk alongside you and help you discover a path to greater peace, a stronger sense of worth, and reduction of symptoms as you take on the challenges of young adulthood. Paige offers a warm, authentic space for clients to grow. She specializes in Christian counseling, for those who are interested, as her Christian faith is at the root of all she does as a therapist. She begins by listening to you and tailors her approach to your individual needs and strengths, drawing most often from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). In a world that praises us for managing things on our own, it can be hard to reach out for help. Yet, it is in those moments of connection and vulnerability that we find true strength. We would love to talk with you about what working together could look like! The first step is a free 15 minute consult with our owner. Call, message, or book on our website!

You do not have to have it all figured out to start. Life has a way of throwing challenges at us that feel impossible to navigate alone, especially when you are a student trying to find your path or a professional struggling to keep your head above water. I provide a down to earth, judgment free space where you can finally drop the perfect act and focus on what is actually happening. My goal is not just to help you cope, but to help you build a life that feels balanced and authentic. We focus on moving beyond the performance of being fine so you can start living with actual relief. I believe therapy works best as a collaborative partnership. I specialize in helping clients work through high-functioning Anxiety, OCD, Eating Disorders, and Body Image concerns. We look at the root of these struggles while building practical tools you can use every day. From the complexities of relationship conflict and substance use to the unique challenges of Perinatal Mental Health, I provide specialized support for the stages of life that change us the most. Using a trauma-informed and psychodynamic approach, we explore how your past experiences shape your present, helping you gain the insight needed to move forward with confidence. I blend professional expertise with a personal understanding of life’s major transitions. I reject the one size fits all checklist in favor of strategies tailored to your unique goals and experiences. Whether we are addressing family dynamics or the intense reality of becoming a new parent, our sessions are a space for you to be seen and supported without the fluff of You don't have to have it figured out to start. Whether you're a student finding your footing or someone quietly struggling beneath a put-together exterior, I offer a down-to-earth, judgment-free space to drop the perfect act and focus on what's actually going on. I specialize in anxiety, OCD, eating disorders, body image, and relationship stress — and I take a trauma-informed, psychodynamic approach to get to the root, not just the surface. We build tools you can actually use, tailored to your life and goals. Reach out — let's figure out the rest together. *Insurance & Fees* I am an out of network provider and provide a superbill to be submitted to your insurance for reimbursement. My office is happy to assist in verifying your benefits and with initial submission processes to ensure your focus stays on your mental health. I also offer a sliding scale rate if appropriate. Please reach out to learn more about how we can start building a more fulfilling life together.