Therapists for college students near University of Chicago
Thousand Branches Wellness – Chicago Loop offers compassionate, structured mental health care for teens and adults in the heart of downtown Chicago. We provide inclusive, evidence‑informed treatment for individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, stress, and major life transitions. Our mission is to create a safe, supportive environment where clients can heal, grow, and build lasting resilience. Our highly trained clinicians deliver care through adult and adolescent Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), and weekly specialty groups. Using evidence‑based approaches such as CBT, ACT, mindfulness, somatic therapy, and schema‑informed process work, we support both high‑functioning individuals who feel “stuck” and those needing more structure than traditional outpatient therapy. Thousand Branches Wellness is known for a responsive intake process, collaborative communication with referring providers, and culturally aware care. We focus on building stability, insight, and sustainable coping skills—helping clients move forward with confidence and connection.
As a dually licensed therapist in Indiana and Illinois, I offer a unique advantage to clients who attend school out of state and return home during the summer. This dual licensure ensures continuity of care, eliminating the need to switch therapists or interrupt treatment. My therapeutic style is warm, direct, and focused on building a strong connection with my clients. Through this approach, I strive to create a safe space where individuals can explore their challenges and work towards growth and healing. I firmly believe in using evidence-based practices to address a wide range of conditions effectively. What sets me apart from other therapists is my ability to infuse humor into the healing process when appropriate. I have found that incorporating humor and creativity empowers individuals to embrace imperfections and build resilience. If you are interested in starting therapy, feel free to reach out for a complimentary consultation where we can explore if my approach aligns with your needs.
Are you facing anxiety, depression, navigating significant life changes, or grappling with LGBTQ-related challenges? If so, I'm here to help. I'm an empathetic student therapist with a year of experience, working under the supervision of a licensed clinician. My ideal client is someone looking to address these issues and seeking a safe, supportive space for personal growth. My approach to therapy is integrative, drawing from person-centered, psychodynamic, CBT, DBT, and feminist theories. I tailor my methods to your unique needs, ensuring that each session is a personalized journey towards healing and self-discovery. You're not alone in your journey. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, facing life's transitions, or navigating the complexities of LGBTQ-related issues, I'm here to walk alongside you. If you're ready to embark on this path of self-discovery and growth, I invite you to reach out to me and I'm here to answer any questions you might have.
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There are times when we may need support to gain insight and find creative solutions to our challenges. I look to meet people wherever they are on their journey and walk for a while, along-side them. As an art therapist, I believe in the power of creative expression and the role that it can play in self-awareness, growth, and healing. Let's Collaborate. I use art making as a mode of expression and fertile space for creative problem-solving. I found this outlet at a young age and went on to study art formally earning a degree in fine arts from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Creative expression of all kinds and across mediums has been a part of my personal self-care practice for most of my life. I believe so deeply in the healing power of art that I went on to obtain a graduate degree in Art Therapy so I could share this therapeutic practice with others. In addition to creative expressive therapy, I often integrate mindfulness and meditation techniques into sessions. I am trained in a variety of theories and modalities that support the deep work of trauma processing, such as EMDR, somatic work, and Internal Family Systems. Like a well-composed song or a pigment-layered canvas, a multi-media approach may be in order to best support the therapeutic process. I invite co-collaborators (that's you!) to roll up their sleeves in order to design creative solutions to their challenges and imagine new landscapes for their futures. Let's see what we can create together. The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. ― Aristotle
We provide individual, couples, family, and group therapy to people of all ages and for most problems in life, including depression, anxiety, and relationship difficulties. Our mission is to deliver the highest-quality, culturally-sensitive counseling services in a client-friendly manner. We are driven by a desire to empower clients to heal, grow, and achieve balance. Our therapists have experience providing therapy to people from all walks of life. We work with life-long residents of Chicago as well as people who are more transitory. Many of our clients are students, faculty, and staff of local colleges and universities. Wherever you live and whatever your reason for seeking help, we are here to support you (or your child) in reaching your goals.
Having worked in college counseling centers for over 15 years in Chicago and New York, and serving as the Associate Director for DePaul University Counseling Center for 8 years, I am deeply committed to and well acquainted with college student mental health. Whether this is your first time seeking therapy or you have a history of treatment and are looking towards a next chapter of work, I am delighted to begin a conversation to see how I might be of help.
We meet you wherever you are on your journey and assist in helping you navigating anything and everything so you can feel empowered to create the life you want to live. We offer you a space to to feel held and heard so you know you are not alone. We see mental health care as everyday wellness where we radiate warmth and foster connection.
Gabi is a board-certified, licensed clinical counselor and a Registered Art Therapist. She holds a masters degree in Counseling & Art Therapy from Adler University. Rooted in a passion for fostering community, connection, understanding, and belonging, Gabi is committed to guiding clients through their unique journeys, holding space for their truths and experiences. Through a blend of talk therapy, art therapy, mindfulness, body-centric work, and play, she fosters trust and belonging. Her art therapy encourages intuitive expression, allowing clients to authentically explore emotions, memories, and body-felt experiences, creating a safer inner space for self-discovery. Outside of private practice, Gabi worked as a therapist and clinical supervisor within community mental health, as well as an art therapist with marginalized Chicago youth. She has experience working with the spectrum of age, from as young as 5 into adulthood, as well as families. Gabi has experience working with a wide range of presenting concerns, but specifically has a passion for working with 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, those navigating past and present trauma, those experiencing significant life transitions (transitioning into adulthood, college, becoming a parent) as well as those wanting to further connect with the experiences of their body.
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.
New Light is a Lincoln Park based therapy practice, providing in-person and telehealth sessions for children, families, and adults. Founded to extend our expertise beyond the school setting, our clinicians have experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families with a range of presenting challenges. With a wide variety of clinical approaches including psychodynamic talk therapy, play therapy, EMDR and cognitive behavioral therapy, our foremost goal is to provide each client with individualized, compassionate, and culturally sensitive therapy. At New Light, we support and include people of any ability level, gender, age, race, religion, or sexual orientation
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.
I’m Zitong ZHENG (Denice). I’m a bilingual (English and Chinese) in-training therapist currently providing services in the Chicago area. For now, I'm only accepting refugee patient at Mount Sinai Hospital. We provide free service for both long-term psychotherapy sessions and medication management. Client does not need to have a medical insurance but have to meet refugee status criteria. Therapy may be new for you, may be not. But no matter anytime you choose come to a session, give your own credit for that braveness! Feeling of sad, nervous, stressful, lonely, confuse, anxious, fear, mad, helpless, hopeless, pain, shame, guilty, and fatigue etc.....these feelings are definitely difficult to cope with and get through in life. Hope therapy can be a safe space for you to talk and provide you insight to understand then express your feeling. In the past practice, I worked in different settings such as hospital and private practice, I’ve been working with client who are from young adulthood to late adulthood with various diagnoses/race/sexuality/gender identity/SES status. I'm open to listen your story and thoughts, to do some exploration with you, then find consistent strategies together that can be useful for you and be kept for the rest of your life. My main approaches are person-centered therapy, psychodynamic, existential, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and narrative therapy. I believe the interpersonal process in therapy sessions is really important for therapeutic effectiveness which can bring you new experiences and insights. I would like to openly discuss about what kinds of methods are exactly working for you. Therapy is not only a treatment which is provided by therapist, also a cooperation between both of us. I would also emphasize the equality and genuineness among therapy. I believe every people is expert for their own life, sometimes we will neglect our own potential. I would also appreciate and respect all people's belief, attitude, and identity. I hold non-judgement attitude for client. There's no right and wrong in life. As a past international student, I’m able to validate the feelings of: challenge, hardness, loneliness, stress, and helplessness that every client is going through. I hope I can provide a safe space for you to talk, and offer you support as best as I can. I know life has too many unspoken moments, which does not only happen during language translation. I hope to create a place for you when you are in need. Every feeling is important, you are important.
Everyone has a story. We want to understand yours. Everyone's life is a unique and powerful story – one that deserves to be heard. At Elevate Counseling, our purpose is not just to listen but to uncover the individual narrative of every person we work with. With this deep understanding, we are able to move clients toward enhanced emotional health and balance in life. At Elevate Counseling, we believe that beauty, comfort, diversity, equity and inclusion are the keys to providing stigma-free mental health services for our clients. These ideals are held in deep regard in order to help ensure an environment that is positive, welcoming, effective, and completely stigma-free so that we can deliver exceptional results for all of our clients.
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As a Syrian living in Chicago, I am sensitive to issues of race, ethnicity, cultural background, gender, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, and religion and their influence on mental health. Therapy is one of the rare safe spaces to explore sensitive cultural identity topics. Where you can explore your sense of belonging and recreate your place in this world and how you want to be in it. We cannot change the past but we can change our relationship with the past, which ultimately shifts our present and future.
I can work with a variety of clients who are looking for an empathic connection which allows them to understand themselves better and solve problems. Students I have seen are dealing with academic pressures, relationship issues, depression, anxiety, transitions, self esteem etc. Each situation is unique.
Our experienced therapists have various specializations in addition to being trauma informed and fully competent in treating anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. We offer a safe, non-judgmental therapeutic space for you to share your unique story.
Dr. Michael Bricker founded Psychological Services PC in 2013 to reflect a practice of compassionate-minded psychotherapy as an art and science. At Psychological Services PC, we endeavor to provide a therapeutic environment that is sensitive and responsive to the role of culture, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical ability, spirituality, and other multicultural factors in mental health. We practice 21st Century counseling. Our clinicians’ commitment to ongoing professional development and training helps to ensure that the our services are based upon the latest theory and scientific information, giving our clients the best possible chance at achieving lasting changes and improvements in their relationships and quality of life. At Psychological Services, PC, we see our services as a significant personal investment; an investment that can lead to growth resulting in more fulfilling and harmonious relationships, career satisfaction and success, and long-term improvements in overall mood and well-being. We invite you to learn more about the services we offer through contacting us. Psychological Services, PC has offices in downtown Chicago and in the Lakeview neighborhood.