Therapists for college students near University of Chicago

Have you experienced trauma? Maybe you've figured out some ways to manage it in the past, but it's getting harder since starting/going back to school. Those old coping habits aren't cutting it anymore, and it's finally time to do the work, both for the sake of your academic future, and also so you can live an authentic, fulfilling life. Welcome! My name is Caroline Lavelock, and I have worked in university counseling with large, diverse, nontraditional student populations for nearly 15 years. I bring expertise in college mental health, especially for first-generation students and children of immigrants who are balancing competing expectations between work, school, and home life. Now that I am in private practice, I am pleased to offer the longer-term, trauma-focused therapy that many students need but struggle to find in short-term counseling university counseling models. I am also a Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional and can provide information about how you can use nutrition to optimize your mental health. I offer instant online booking through my group practice, Tailwinds Psychology, where you can also access psychiatry and testing services. Let's get to work!

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Welcome to my practice! If psychiatric symptoms are causing you pain and limiting your life, I want to help. I offer telepsychiatric medication management services to adult patients (ages 18 years+) who reside in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, and Washington state. Specialties include treating members of Sexual and Gender Minorities / 2SLGBTQIA+, emerging/young adult populations, creative professionals, and educators. I bring to clinic an abiding commitment to offering my patients kind, affirming, personalized psychiatric care. I do not prescribe controlled substances. The practice is in-network with select insurance companies in CA, IL, MA, NY, OR, and WA. I also accept self-pay patients from CA, IL, MA, NY, OR, and WA who may be able to collect reimbursement from their insurance companies, if they have out-of-network benefits.

I work with adolescents, young adults, and adults who appear high functioning but feel overwhelmed, anxious, or emotionally stuck. Many are navigating trauma, anxiety, or depression rooted in earlier life or relationship patterns, particularly those from BIPOC communities seeking culturally responsive care. I help clients slow down, understand these patterns, and build emotional regulation, clarity, and more stable ways of relating to themselves and others. I provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive therapy. My approach is collaborative and practical, helping you develop insight, regulate emotions, and create lasting change. Spiritual integration, including Christian faith, is available if desired. If you have been holding it together on the outside but struggling internally, you are not alone. Therapy is a space to slow down, feel understood, and begin making meaningful changes. I provide accommodation letters for clients needing documentation for school or work. Healing should fit your life. When you are ready, reaching out is a powerful first step.

I practice from an insight oriented, relational, and multicultural approach tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual I work with. My priority as a therapist is to create a warm, collaborative, non-judgmental space where you can work through your concerns and make the changes in your life you desire. People seek therapy for a number of reasons, perhaps to alleviate symptoms or distress, improve self-esteem, or address relationship issues. In my experience, symptoms often “mark the spot” of a deeper themes you may be grappling with and I aim to assist you uncover what the root of your concerns may be. Often therapy helps increase self-awareness, develop deeper understanding of how past experiences may be influencing the present, and provides an opportunity to learn tools to address problematic behavior(s). Having spent the majority of my training and professional life working in university counseling centers, I am passionate about working with college and graduate students. I completed my pre-doctoral internship at Pace University in New York City and my postdoctoral fellowship at University of Chicago Student Counseling Service where I gained experience working with life-transitions, relationship issues, eating disorders, and sexual trauma. Other areas of interest include identity development and intersectionality, family dynamics, anxiety, and stress management.

I’m a therapist passionate about helping people heal and feel more like themselves again—without judgment, pressure, or pretense. I work with emerging adults and adults navigating trauma, anxiety, relationship stress, burnout, boundaries, and major life transitions. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or trying to untangle patterns that no longer serve you, we can sort through the mess together and find a way forward. I earned my Master’s in Counseling from DePaul University, with a concentration in College Counseling and Student Affairs. My background in community mental health and higher education has shaped how I show up in the therapy room: down-to-earth, affirming, and collaborative. I primarily draw from Person-Centered Therapy and CBT, while tailoring our work to your individual needs, experiences, and goals. I care deeply about creating an inclusive space where people from all backgrounds can feel seen, heard, and understood—especially women and those carrying the weight of trauma or intergenerational pain. My goal is to help you better understand yourself, strengthen your voice, and move from survival mode toward greater clarity, confidence, and emotional freedom.

I hope to help you on your journey of growth and self-discovery. I enjoy working with clients to reflect on their experiences and find new ways to express themselves, communicate, and cope with life’s challenges. I have experience working with ADHD, anger control, anxiety, communication difficulties, depression, low self-esteem, marital conflict, mood disorders, and trauma. I use a combination of person-centered, solution-focused, CBT, and DBT interventions. I place great value in meeting clients where they are and will implement a variety of approaches to meet client needs and preferences. I enjoy using both art and games to give clients additional ways to express themselves.

Margarita Kos is a board-certified Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) and a licensed Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) in Illinois. She obtained her MSN as a family nurse practitioner (FNP) from Loyola University and post-Master’s Psychiatric Mental Health certification from Maryville University. She has over 25 years of nursing experience that includes working in the emergency room, family practice, pain management, and psychiatric mental health as a registered nurse (RN) and APN. Margarita is fluent in English and Polish. Margarita is actively practicing in the Chicago-land area with a focus on maintaining mental health wellness, providing psychopharmacologic treatment management, and improving the quality of life of her patients through preventative healthcare. Her areas of special emphasis include mental health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for a variety of mental illnesses amongst the childhood, adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations. Margarita is dedicated to providing compassionate care to her patients while maintaining a safe environment to promote therapeutic relationships. By actively adapting to the needs of each patient on a personal level, Margarita is able to assist patients in developing treatment plans to meet their goals and desired outcomes. Margarita strives to develop mental health treatment plans through various approaches including psychological or physical well-being, lifestyle changes, and self-care strategies.

I am a board-certified general psychiatrist. I completed my undergraduate studies in Biology and Psychology at Syracuse University in Syracuse, NY, and earned my medical degree from the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Following that, I completed my residency in general psychiatry at the same institution. I have experience working in various clinical settings, including psychiatric emergency rooms, first-episode psychosis programs, obsessive-compulsive disorder clinics, and specialized psychiatric units in hospitals. I have also worked with diverse patient populations, such as refugees, veterans, and individuals from underserved urban and rural areas. My approach is centered around the patient and takes a holistic view. My treatment includes medication management along with a combination of supportive, cognitive behavioral, and psychodynamic therapies.

Hi! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have been helping people experiencing stress, anxiety, trauma and relationship issues for over 7 years. I have developed great skill in balancing a caring therapeutic rapport with direct communication, and I am not afraid to provide challenging feedback at times. I will be openminded and warm as we work through your concerns together.

We aim to provide the best possible telepsychiatric care (therapy and medication management) for our patients, wherever they are. We know that self-care is a journey, and the first step towards a fulfilling life begins with recognizing a need to get help. With the advancements in technology, we are able to provide care that is the most convenient for you. That is what makes our mission possible. We strive everyday to ensure that our patients are able to live their best lives.

The students I work best with are often thoughtful, driven, and hard on themselves. On the outside, you may be doing well academically or professionally, while internally you feel anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck in your own thoughts. You might overthink decisions, repeatedly question whether you did something wrong, struggle with perfectionism, or put a lot of pressure on yourself to meet others’ expectations. I also work well with students navigating relationship difficulties, major life transitions, cultural or family expectations, and the challenges of living or studying away from home. Many of my clients are international students or Asian/Asian American students balancing different cultures and expectations. You don’t need to know exactly what is “wrong” or what kind of therapy you need before reaching out. We can start with what has been bothering you and work together to understand what is keeping you stuck and what would help you move forward.

I offer individual, couples, and family therapy, with a deep focus on the LGBTQ+ community and those navigating the complexities of identity and life transitions. Whether you are adjusting to independence, managing the academic and social pressures of campus life, or beginning to explore family planning and your future, I am here to help. I also specialize in neurodiversity, helping students—including those who are late-diagnosed—understand their unique brain wiring and develop strategies that actually work for them. My goal is to help you build a life that feels authentic to who you are, while giving you the tools to navigate the challenges that come with this pivotal stage of life.

I prioritize seeing a holistic view of a person. I find joy in helping assist individuals find their meaning and finding balance in every aspect of their life. Whether that's physically, mentally, emotionally, and/or spiritually. I find it to be a great privilege to listen to someone’s story, and for the past eight years I’ve worked with children, adolescents, and young adults for experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and overall life transitions, especially when it comes to going to college. I would be happy to work with you whether that may be in person or virtually. I am licensed in Illinois and Missouri!

The decision to seek therapy is a very important decision, but choosing the right therapist is even more important since one of the best predictors of a positive therapy outcome is the fit between client and therapist. I strive to provide the people with whom I work an environment that is comfortable, nonjudgmental, and genuinely validating. My job is to provide a space for you to access your strengths and attributes, and with this I can provide psychological approaches to help you address the concerns that brought you in for therapy. I have extensive experience in treating anxiety disorders, (GAD, phobias, panic). I also have extensive experience in treating mood disorders, such as depression. I also have extensive experience in treating trauma. Additionally, I treat academic challenges, such as procrastination and perfectionism. Finally, I also treat psychosis, anger management issues, relationship problems, and tough life decisions, and a host of other issues. Initially, my job is to listen and help us understand the problem. Also during this time, I'll share diagnostic and other relevant information, and then give options on how we might address the problem. We will also periodically evaluate our progress in therapy to ensure that your goals are being met.

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.

Do you struggle with racing thoughts, distressing feelings, anxiety, depression, or trauma? Are you and your partner(s) struggling with communication, intimacy, or distrust? Exploring how counseling can be beneficial is a brave first step that I am so glad you are taking! Regardless of what you want to work on in therapy, I treat my clients with compassion, respect, and empathy. I help you navigate this progression while creating a safe and supportive space to explore and create new ways to grow towards your goals. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with children, adults, and couples across a variety of settings with various clinical needs. My goal is to provide services to diverse populations across socioeconomic backgrounds. My skills in counseling include LGBTQ+ and BIPOC affirmative care, trauma-informed practice, and human sexuality. I believe that forming a strong therapeutic alliance is principal to healing and growth. Should we work together, you can trust that I will prioritize building a therapeutic relationship based on empathy and positive regard in a judgment-free space. After sessions, I hope you feel equipped to tackle the challenges in your life by tapping into your potential.

KB & Associates is a multicultural practice with clinicians that look like you. We work with you in exploring your identity, growing your self esteem, and finding healing. We welcome you free of judgement, providing helpful tools for you to use to process your feelings and connect the dots. We are client focused and aim to provide you with what you need to move forward. Personal Introduction: The pain that currently exists in your life may feel like a weighted blanket, but it’s vital to remind yourself that the pain will not last forever. My name is Naseem and I’m a clinical mental health therapist based in Chicago, IL with about 2 years of therapy experience. I am a first generation Palestinian-American with parents born and raised in Palestine. Growing up, my parents never spoke about the importance of mental health, only physical health. Looking back on my childhood and the knowledge I gained over time, I learned that one can affect the other; both of them are equally important and are important for improving overall health. I identify as a queer Palestinian woman. In my culture, discussing mental health-related topics is foreign. One of the main reasons why I chose to pursue therapy as a career path is to be that first step in normalizing conversations on mental health in cultures that don’t discuss it enough like my own. It wasn’t until my adult years that I learned keeping my thoughts to myself 24/7 is doing more harm than good. My parents always told me to “get over it” and I found that wasn’t working for me anymore as I got older. My parents did not have the same opportunities as I do today when they were living in Palestine; they are another main reason why I chose this path. I received my bachelor’s from University of Illinois at Chicago (or UIC) in Psychology and my master’s from Adler University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I also hold a certificate in sex therapy from Adler University as well. In my past and most recent clinical experiences, I had the privilege and pleasure of working with individuals from the BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disability community dealing with difficult life transitions, relationship problems (including infidelity), gender identity exploration/issues, grief/loss, and trauma (including racial and generational trauma). As your therapist, I will help you tap into your inner resources and power so you are able to create and experience a much more fulfilling relationship with the people around you, your life, and, most importantly, yourself. Within my work, I mainly utilize a narrative and person-centered approach. In our therapy space, your safety and comfortability is a top priority. Our space is highly collaborative as well; I want to know how I can best support you as you learn how to support yourself. Lastly, one of my favorite poets, Yung Pueblo, once said “I cannot make you happy, but I can commit to support you in the creation of your own happiness.” Together, we will do exactly that. A little about me (because I am human after all): Outside of work, I enjoy playing with my pup, meeting up with friends and family, reading, painting, playing wordle, and watching 90 day fiancé every Sunday (can’t miss it!).

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.

I specialize in treating young adults facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, low self-esteem, and OCD. I tailor my approach to each client’s unique needs, utilizing evidence based practices such as CBT, ACT, and ERP.