Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

I am a Registered Dietitian working to help people improve their relationship with food. I work with people with eating disorders, disordered eating, or chronic dieters lookin to ditch the diet for good. In our work together, I will utilize principles from Intuitive Eating and Health At Every Size to help you learn how to let go of food rules and fuel yourself in a way that works for you. I believe all foods fit. I will never tell you that you need to eliminate any foods! I also work with recreational athletes to help them determine fueling plans to perform their best and also feel their best outside of sport. I also use Intuitive Eating and HAES principles in this work as well. I believe fueling for sport can be done while eating intuitively and does not need to have rigid rules. Whether you are struggling with an eating disorder, looking to stop dieting and let go of food rules, or looking to dial in your nutrition to improve your sport, I would love to work with you on your journey!

I earned my master’s degree in social work, with a concentration in mental health, from the Jane Addams School of Social Work at UIC in 2017. Since then, I have worked in multiple settings, including residential treatment, schools, and traditional clinical placements. I have a passion for doing this work and absolutely love my job. I have worked primarily with adolescents and families from diverse backgrounds, and I am excited to work with clients from all walks of life, whether they are on specific journeys of growth and healing, or just trying to figure some things out. I believe that everyone already has within them the inner strength and talents they need to create the life they want. Sometimes, we just need some help recognizing or tapping into our gifts. I’m a firm believer in the strengths-based approach, along with cognitive behavioral and reality therapy, and work from a combination of these perspectives. This means that in essence, I believe that learning the how and why behind the choices we have made in the past, is the most important part of learning how to choose wisely in the future. My goal is to create a safe place where we can talk openly about those choices without judgment, process the consequences both good and bad, and progress towards making different choices leading to different outcomes.

Are you tired of facing your problems alone, yet feeling unsure about discussing them with a stranger? Are you feeling trapped in your anxious and depressive thoughts, but feeling too embarrassed to talk, or express yourself in fear that you may be judged? You are not alone in this. I want to applaud your courage and bravery in taking that first step. I have helped those seeking help with a variety of issues, and work well with complex conditions. Some include depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, self-esteem, bullying, family conflict, defiant behaviors, anger management, and coping with stress. My work has also included providing parental support in working with their children / adolescents with regard to communication, discipline and affection. My main desire is for all clients to know they are not alone and help them on their journey. I will adapt to meet your needs. I recognize that no two people are alike. We are all unique in some ways. With this, I meet each client with an individualized (client-centered) approach. I emphasize mindfulness, strengths, coping skills and positivity. I utilize aspects of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, motivational interviewing, CBT, psychoanalysis, and some other methods. I believe that success in therapy relies on the foundation of mutual trust and therapeutic alliance. With this, clients can work to improve and achieve goals they set. I place the utmost value on respecting my clients, providing a safe and supportive space for growth, and emphasize the importance of placing the client's needs, values, and goals as the driving force for change. I am part of the Path referral network, which means that when you reach out, my team will get back to you quickly to schedule our first session. I am committed to making therapy affordable. Through Path, I am in-network for most commercial insurances, so you're only responsible for your co-pay!

Ali King, LCPC, earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. She went on to work as a behavioral therapist for children with Autism at the Minnesota Autism Center before moving to Chicago and earning her master’s degree in Community Counseling from DePaul University. After graduate school, Ali worked as a therapist at Insight Behavioral Health Center’s residential facility for people struggling with eating disorders, as well as mood disorders. She led groups and supported people with everyday living tasks, as well as general skills coaching and meal management. Ali recently stepped down as the Director of the Young Adult PHP and IOP programs at Compass Health Center where she worked for 8 years in many different roles helping to build the Young Adult program and support the growth of the organization. While at Compass, Ali provided supervision and mentorship to newer clinicians and helped establish the group curriculum they currently use, as well as instituting effective policies and protocols. While at Compass, she received the award for Continuous Improvement, which highlights her drive and dedication to learning and growth. For over a decade, she has been providing person-centered, solution-focused, skills-based care. Her direct though nurturing, fun, and empathetic approach, is well received and has shown tangible results for her clients. With consistent encouragement and support, clients feel safe to explore their values and to learn successful coping strategies to improve their lives. While Ali has a passion for working with young adults through the tough transitions they face, she also appreciates working with adolescents and adults. She is well-versed in helping people manage struggles with self-esteem, relationships, low motivation, and simply feeling “stuck”. Ali is adept at working with clients with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, adjustment disorders, personality disorders, psychosis and substance use struggles. She has extensive experience working with DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), and often incorporates these modalities into her eclectic therapeutic approach. Ali is currently accepting new clients virtually and at the downtown Chicago location.

Are you struggling with the transition to college while navigating new responsibilities? You’re bright, creative, and motivated and yet finishing anything feels impossible. You call yourself “lazy” when tasks pile up and feel ashamed that simple things seem hard. You want clarity about your brain, tools that actually work, and a therapist who gets it. I am passionate about working with college students untangle executive-function struggles, perfectionism, trauma, and low self-esteem. I’m especially passionate about supporting BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ folks. Together we’ll kick shame out of the driver’s seat and build self‑compassion, understanding, and systems that fit you. Sessions are flexible and center your needs: if we need to laugh, move, play, or cry—we will. We explore the “what” with curiosity, not the “why can’t you just…”. I use strengths-based reframes, coping tools, and psychoeducation so you understand how your brain works and can actually use the skills between sessions. Fit matters. If you’re craving relief from shame, clearer systems that fit your life, and a space where all parts of you are welcome, let’s talk. I offer virtual and in-person sessions, a free 15‑minute consult, and accept insurance/sliding scale options when available.

I believe therapy should be a space where you feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow. I hold a BA in Psychology from Marquette University and an MEd in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from DePaul University, with several years of experience working with children (ages 3+), adolescents, and adults in various therapeutic settings. I have a passion for supporting neurodivergent and queer clients.
 My style is warm, direct, and collaborative. I draw from CBT, DBT, feminist theory, and narrative therapy, and I also enjoy using creative and nontraditional methods such as play therapy, art therapy, and even walk-and-talk sessions. No matter the approach, my goal is to create an affirming space where clients can explore their story and take meaningful steps forward.

If you've ever felt misunderstood, struggled with recognizing your worth, grappled with questions about your identity, or faced challenges in relationships, we're here to listen to you. If you find yourself weighed down by deep-seated emotional experiences, memories that are confusing, unclear, conflicted, or downright painful, we can help you. We understand the importance of processing and unpacking trauma. Sometimes you need to explore the deepest and darkest aspects of your experiences in order to find the inner strength that will push you forward. These moments can produce actual healing and growth which occurs most often in a safe therapeutic relationship with a therapist who listens carefully and responds with genuine acceptance and empathic understanding. Our approach centers on you, providing a nurturing environment where you can delve not only into topics like self-image, self-esteem, sexual and gender identity, and relationship difficulties, but also into those complex emotions and memories that might be lurking beneath the surface. Those who find our approach most beneficial often seek a space where they're free to be themselves without fear of judgment, a place to sift through their emotional landscapes with care and attention. If you're looking for a therapeutic experience where you feel heard, valued, and empowered to explore your emotions, memories, and challenges at your own pace, then our client-centered approach might just be the right fit for you. Our psychologists offer individual, family, relationship and sex therapy that is affirming and sensitive to all aspects of diversity. We also offer affordable neuropsychological assessment and evaluations for attention, memory, learning, and neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and Autism. If you are uninsured or paying out of pocket, please ask us about sliding scale fee options for students so we can accommodate your needs.

I am a passionate clinician working within the field of eating disorders and mental health. I provide nutritional therapy to guide individuals in redefining their relationships with food, nutrition, body image, and overall wellness. As a dietitian, I use nutrition therapy to unravel the nutrition and diet beliefs held by individuals and society. I believe that there is no “secret” or “magic pill” to having a healthy relationship with food. By including principles of Intuitive Eating (IE) and Health at Every Size (HAES), I practice a non-diet approach. I follow the philosophy of all foods fit, incorporating balance, moderation, and variety in one’s intake. Once one can recognize that all foods fit, a positive relationship with food can be developed. I am currently accepting new clients and would love to be a part of your journey!

I am a Spanish Speaking Bilingual Couple and Family Therapist Intern passionate about assisting Families and Couples in building healthy connections to their community, families and partner(s). My goal is to facilitate effective communication, enhance understanding, and provide tools for resolving conflicts and improving overall relationship satisfaction.

I have a profound belief in the strength and resilience of the human condition. Each person carries a vast amount of internal resources that may, at times, feel distant or even inaccessible. My role as a therapist is to help clients utilize their strengths in a way that leads to tangible, impactful progress. Together, we will collaborate on how our sessions can be personalized in a way that meets your specific goals. I lead with an insight-oriented approach because understanding our thought processes and emotional responses enable us to live with both agency and intention. To capture the complexity of the human experience, we can draw from various methods (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Somatic Therapy, and Internal Family Systems), each of which serves a unique purpose. At the center of my work is a warm, accepting, and intuitive presence. I encourage my clients to speak freely, as I greatly value their experience of themselves and the world around them.

The Center for Religion and Psychotherapy is a not-for-profit organization offering psychotherapy and pastoral counseling for adults and adolescents, individuals and couples, since 1965. Fully accredited as a clinical and educational site by the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, the Center also offers education and consultation services. Clinical staff members are licensed by the state of Illinois, and have been trained both in psychodynamic psychotherapy and in the engagement of the spiritual and religious dynamics of human experience. Clinical staff at the Center offer a range of clinical services for individuals and couples, ranging from short-term, problem-focused counseling to long-term, in-depth psychotherapy. People come to the Center from the Chicagoland area, representing a variety of social, economic, ethnic, racial, and both religious and non-religious backgrounds.

We specialize in treating complex co occurring addiction, eating disorders, mood disorders and related trauma. Our patients are complex human beings and our goal is to treat the whole person and not just a single diagnosis.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

As a queer, disabled person, engaging in topics of systems, religion, and relationships is both my lived experience and my passion. As a clinician-in-training, I see the counseling process as a collaborative, client-centered time for exploring patterns, story, and skill-building for your relationships to yourself and the world around you. Whatever patterns, questions, or pain you may bring, therapy is your space to make self-compassionate change happen. I utilize narrative, art, emotional regulation, somatic, executive functioning, and mindfulness approaches to the treatment of Depression/Anxiety, ADHD, LGBTQ+ Issues, and Relationship Concerns (self, others, political environment, earth, etc). In short: my style of therapy is warm, client-centered, trauma-informed, and rooted in curiosity. I am committed to providing therapy that recognize intersections of potential pain and power within myself and others (race/ethnicity, gender/sexuality, religion/spirituality, disability, immigration status, etc). Whatever your pain may be, I look forward to learning more about and from your lived experience as we work together towards healing.

I’m a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with experience in both inpatient and outpatient care, supporting patients with acute psychiatric needs, substance use disorders, and complex comorbidities. I thrive in team-based environments and focus on whole-person, evidence-based care that empowers patients and improves outcomes. I’m seeking inpatient or outpatient opportunities in the Chicago area where I can bring my skills, clinical insight, and passion for mental health to a dedicated care team.

I am a queer, neurodivergent, South Asian adoptee and first-gen immigrant who is dedicated to social justice and equitable care. I take a collaborative, compassionate approach, creating a safe and open space to explore your identities, experiences, and goals. I know finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming—particularly when navigating complex and marginalized identities. My priority is building an authentic, warm relationship where you feel truly seen and heard. Together, we’ll customize our work to support your growth and healing at a pace that feels right for you. I’m passionate about working with marginalized communities, including LGBTQIA+ folks, immigrants, adoptees, neurodiverse people, and people of color. I have a particular interest in autistic adults and ADHD, and also have experience working with mood disorders, anxiety, complex PTSD, and substance use concerns. I use trauma-informed applications of Client-Centered Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Video Game Therapy (ask me about it!). I believe that you’re the person who knows yourself best. It’s my hope that in our work together, we can find ways for you to implement compassion, kindness, and empathy in your life. A little about me: I am a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) with a master’s in social work from the University of Chicago. Outside of therapy, I enjoy playing video games, learning about herbalism, and engaging in artistic expression. If you’re interested in working together, I’d love to hear from you!

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Alexandra obtained her Masters of Art Therapy and Counseling from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Throughout her career, Alexandra has worked with clients in all stages of life from childhood to older adulthood. She has worked in continuing care communities as well as residential and private practice settings. During her time working in residential level-of-care, she led groups based in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (CBT). She is particularly passionate about working with grief & loss, ADHD, anxiety, and depression. Alexandra’s therapeutic style is integrative through the use of a person-centered lens that can incorporate DBT, CBT, and ACT modalities. She approaches sessions with clients through collaboration to develop interventions that meet the needs and interests of each individual while highlighting each client’s strengths. Alexandra uses ACT through an existential perspective, supporting client’s actions and decisions in connection with each individual’s values to create meaningful experiences throughout life. In the therapeutic relationship, she utilizes a relational approach while also finding moments to incorporate humor. One of her favorite parts of being a mental health professional is to witness growth in clients and celebrating their successes. Throughout her career Alexandra has specialized in working with clients experiencing anxiety and depression through the use of interventions such as Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), Behavioral Activations (BA), developing coping skills, and managing critical thoughts. She assists clients navigate perfectionism and build self-esteem while addressing concerns in relationships to build communication and boundary-setting. Alexandra’s path to becoming a therapist began with explorations in the benefits of artmaking in mental health through art therapy. She has developed extensive knowledge of art materials and methods such as painting, fiber arts, and ceramics. Alexandra can use art therapy with clients as a form of communication, self-expression, or assist in emotional regulation. She previously developed an art therapy curriculum when working in a residential setting to assist clients in continuing to build skills as well as creating further opportunities for creative expression.

College can be a lot—stress, pressure, uncertainty about the future, relationship drama, identity exploration—it's all real, and it can feel overwhelming. I'm here to create a space where you can be 100% yourself without fear of judgment. My approach is all about empathy, active listening, and making sure you feel heard, seen, and supported. I'm grounded in person-centered therapy, which means you lead the way—we go at your pace, based on your experiences and what matters most to you. But I also pull from a variety of techniques to help you work through tough stuff like anxiety, trauma, and burnout, and build practical tools to feel more grounded, confident, and resilient. Whether you're going through a big life change, feeling stuck or overwhelmed, or just need someone to talk to, I’m here to walk with you—no pressure, no fixing—just real support for wherever you are right now.

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.