Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

When emotions feel overwhelming, patterns feel stuck, or relationships become difficult to navigate, therapy can offer a supportive space to gain clarity and stability. Some people seek support for themselves, while others reach out around concerns related to their child or family. I work with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, emotional dysregulation, relational concerns, and life transitions. My approach is trauma-informed, eclectic, and collaborative, grounded in creating a safe, non-judgmental space for exploration and growth. I draw from insight-oriented Psychodynamic Therapy to better understand emotional and relational patterns, and integrate evidence-based approaches such as CBT, DBT, and the Gottman Method. In my work, I focus on supporting emotional regulation, communication, and connection across individual, couple, and family systems. Reaching out for support can bring up a mix of thoughts and emotions, especially when you are facing personal challenges or concerns related to your child or family. My goal is to offer a compassionate, steady presence where you feel heard and supported as we work toward meaningful change. If you are looking for a therapist who values connection, curiosity, and collaboration, taking that first step can open space for growth.

I believe in every person’s worth and capacity for change and connection. This belief guides my work, and I lead each session with unconditional positive regard, leaving judgment at the door. This foundation shapes the work I do and the people I support in therapy. I specialize in working with adults, adolescents, couples, and children navigating hurt and harm across different areas of their lives, including interpersonal relationships and larger social systems. My work includes support for relationship conflict, communication challenges, family dynamics, anxiety, depression, trauma, and identity-related concerns. My approach to therapy is integrative and relational, meaning I draw from a variety of evidence-based practices while tailoring our work to fit your unique needs, goals, and lived experiences. I draw primarily from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I am also particularly interested in the power of narrative, how we make meaning of our experiences, and how reauthoring those stories can be a source of growth and empowerment. In the therapeutic space we will build together, we work to reflect with intention and honesty. My goal is to help you reconnect with your authentic self in therapy and apply that work in ways that feel real, practical, and lasting outside the therapy room. Along the way, I will challenge and support you in becoming the version of yourself that best aligns with your values, needs, and goals. My work is always grounded in the belief that you are the expert of your own experience. That doesn’t mean you have to navigate your healing journey alone.

I conduct neuropsychological testing with young adults and adults to understand how they learn and assess for ADHD, learning giftedness or challenges, as well as neurodivergence. I also coach young people entering into the therapy or counseling field. I also very much enjoy coaching people about relationships, dating relationships and boundaries in relationships.

You've been trying to keep everything together, but lately it feels like the pressure is catching up with you. Maybe you're feeling anxious, emotionally overwhelmed, burned out, or constantly questioning yourself. You may be juggling school, relationships, family expectations, or major life changes while wondering why it all feels so much harder than everyone else makes it look. I work with college students, graduate students, and young adults navigating anxiety, depression, stress, burnout, trauma, relationship challenges, emotional regulation, and life transitions. Together, we'll better understand what's contributing to your distress while building practical skills that help you feel more confident, grounded, and connected to yourself. My approach is warm, collaborative, and trauma-informed. I integrate CBT, DBT, Emotion-Focused Therapy, somatic practices, and Motivational Interviewing to help you strengthen emotional regulation, navigate difficult relationships, and respond to life's challenges with greater self-compassion. I also enjoy supporting neurodivergent students, including those on the autism spectrum, in ways that honor their unique strengths and experiences. As a second-generation Indian American woman, I'm especially passionate about supporting South Asian students and women of color navigating cultural expectations, family dynamics, and identity. You won't have to explain the pressure to succeed, code-switching, or balancing different cultural values. Those experiences are welcomed and understood here. My hope is that therapy helps you feel more grounded in who you are, more confident in your relationships, and better equipped to navigate this stage of life with resilience and self-trust.

Anxiety doesn't always look like panic. Sometimes it looks like overthinking every decision, constantly questioning yourself, feeling like you have to get everything "right," or struggling to quiet your mind long enough to enjoy the present. If fear, perfectionism, or self-doubt have been keeping you stuck, therapy can help you build confidence and move forward with greater clarity. I work with college students, graduate students, and young adults navigating anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), low self-esteem, identity development, family-of-origin challenges, and major life transitions. Together, we'll identify the patterns that keep you feeling stuck, better understand the fears driving them, and develop practical strategies to help you live with greater confidence and flexibility. My approach is warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental. I believe you are the expert on your own life, and my role is to help you better understand yourself while building on your strengths. Rather than letting anxiety make your decisions, we'll work toward creating a life that feels more aligned with your values, goals, and the person you want to become. I also work with couples navigating communication challenges, intimacy concerns, relationship transitions, and sexual wellness. Whether you're seeking support as an individual or in a relationship, my goal is to create a space where you feel heard, understood, and empowered to make meaningful, lasting changes. My hope is that therapy helps you trust yourself more fully, strengthen your relationships, and move through life with greater confidence, self-compassion, and purpose.

Relationships can be messy, identity can feel complicated, and figuring out who you are while balancing school, family, friendships, and your future isn't always easy. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, questioning your identity, navigating conflict with loved ones, or trying to feel more confident in yourself, therapy can help you better understand what you're experiencing and create healthier ways of moving forward. I work with college students, graduate students, and young adults navigating anxiety, depression, relationship and family challenges, life transitions, body image concerns, self-esteem, and identity exploration. Together, we'll explore the patterns shaping your relationships, strengthen your communication and boundaries, and help you build greater confidence in yourself and your decisions. I strive to create an affirming, inclusive space where LGBTQIA+, queer, transgender, and gender-expansive students feel safe, respected, and fully seen. I also recognize that culture, privilege, family expectations, and social systems shape how we experience ourselves and our relationships, and I welcome those conversations throughout our work together. My approach is warm, collaborative, and relationship-focused. Drawing from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman-informed strategies, and Imago Relationship Therapy, I'll help you develop practical tools for navigating conflict, strengthening relationships, and creating deeper connections with yourself and others. I also specialize in supporting women through major life transitions, including perimenopause and menopause, while continuing to support students and young adults as they navigate the many changes that come with this stage of life. My hope is that you'll leave therapy feeling more grounded in who you are, more confident in your relationships, and empowered to create a life that feels authentic to you.

You spend so much time showing up for everyone else that it's easy to forget to care for yourself. Whether you're balancing school, work, family, motherhood, or a major life transition, you may be feeling anxious, emotionally drained, or unsure of who you are outside of the roles you fill. Therapy can be a place to reconnect with yourself and begin creating the life you want. I work with college students, graduate students, and women navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, life transitions, and relationship stress. I have a special passion for supporting women through pregnancy, postpartum, and the emotional changes that come with motherhood, while also helping women build confidence, healthy boundaries, and a stronger sense of self. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and empowering. Together, we'll identify what's getting in your way, develop practical tools to navigate life's challenges, and celebrate the progress you make along the way. I believe healing happens when you feel supported, understood, and encouraged to recognize your own strengths. I'm especially passionate about helping women heal from trauma, including generational trauma, strengthen self-worth, and reconnect with their purpose. My hope is that therapy becomes a place where you feel more confident in your voice, more connected to yourself, and better equipped to move through life's transitions with resilience and intention.

I have experience working with people facing anxiety and depression, and individuals struggling with patterns of codependency and conflict in their intimate relationships. I have also worked with people who feel disconnected from their bodies, their creativity, and their sexuality. I have helped people navigating difficult life transitions, as well as those surviving trauma and loss. In my practice, I am sensitive to how marginalization and stigma impact mental health, as well as the ability to seek support. My style as a therapist is marked by openness, curiosity, and warmth. I sincerely believe in this work, and view therapy as a collaborative effort. With time and trust, we’ll explore the underlying feelings, beliefs, and conflicts which have made it challenging to live a meaningful and satisfying life. In turn, what once felt inescapable begins to shift, and something new emerges.

You might be feeling distress, restlessness, or unease. You might be wondering what’s driving your interactions with others, questioning where certain emotions or motivations stem from. You might be feeling a lack of purpose, anxiety, a pressure to perform, or that you are not living your life as authentically as you once did. You may have even had a moment of, “Well, how did I get here?” If this is you, I may be able to help. I have experience working with people struggling with anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, childhood trauma, and complex PTSD. I help individuals and couples who have experienced family issues, struggles with relationships and attachment, women’s health and fertility issues, sexual abuse, and experiences of incarceration. I also work with those in search of individual meaning, identity, and authenticity.

Dr. Michelle Okolita completed her Doctorate in clinical psychology at Illinois School of Professional Psychology at National Louis University. She completed her internship at South Campus Therapeutic Day School in Palatine, IL. She has extensive training providing evidence-based therapy and conducting psychological evaluations with children, adolescents, and adults. Dr. Okolita’s clinical interests include depression, anxiety, mood disorders, adjustment disorders, identity, relationships, and behavioral problems. She uses a holistic approach to therapy, drawing from humanistic, cognitive behavioral, and mindfulness techniques. She believes in the importance of adjusting to a client’s needs and maintaining flexibility in therapeutic interventions. In addition to therapy services, Dr. Okolita performs psychological assessments with children, adolescents, and adults. During her free time, Dr. Okolita enjoys baking, crafting, being outdoors, and spending time with her family and friends.

Derek completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, and is a graduate of the Masters in Counseling program at Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Before joining Progressive Psychological Healthcare, Derek worked in a variety of clinical settings including an outpatient private practice, residential group home for teenagers, IOP/PHP programs and a community mental health center. He also has significant experience working for an Employee Assistance Program providing therapeutic support and coping skills to professionals in a variety of industries. Therapy Approach Derek collaborates with clients to form individualized, goal-oriented treatment plans that help clients get from where they are to where they want to be. Derek incorporates appropriate empirically supported treatments to help clients understand themselves more fully. He provides them with skill sets to achieve their current goals, and to empower them in future life challenges. Specializations: Generalized Anxiety, Work/life balance, Depression, ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Social Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Specific Phobias, Life- transition issues, Trauma, Grief/loss, Excoriation Disorder (Skin-picking) Currently working with: Children, Adolescents, and Adults Theoretical Lens: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Psychodynamic, Person-Centered, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Acceptance-Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SBFT)

Samantha Parker completed her Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University. She received her bachelors in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago and her Masters in Gerontology from Concordia University River Forest. Samantha has experience working with individuals dealing with numerous psychological illnesses. She has spent the last twenty-two years working at Catholic Charities Older Adult Services in Chicago. She has done case management and her most recent position was Supervisor of the Choices for Care Program. Samantha also has experience providing individual, group, couples and family therapy in a private practice setting. She strives to help clients overcome emotional challenges by utilizing evidence-based therapies that are tailored to meet clients’ individual needs. Samantha is an enthusiastic and dedicated clinician who believes feeling stuck is a part of being human. She uses a strength-based approach to help clients grow, reflect, and heal. Samantha strives to create a judgement-free safe space where people can feel comfortable being their genuine selves. Samantha’s therapeutic style is nurturing, nonjudgmental and respectful of each individual’s needs. Her therapy style also includes viewing clients from a systemic perspective while using Narrative and Solution-focused techniques. Her clinical interests include working with individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, mood disorders, people recovering from past traumas, those who are facing changes in life stage, grief and loss, and people who are looking for guidance in finding their true self. As a clinician, Samantha is goal oriented and works collaboratively with clients to aid them in transcending the anxieties and stressors of what is holding them back.

I'm Liam, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in downtown Chicago where I offer individual therapy appointments. I primarily use the methods of Strengths Based, Client-Driven, and Person-Centered talk therapy. That basically boils down to me believing that you know yourself best and my role is to help you find a path forward. Everybody's life is wildly different; I can assist you in your decision and achievement of treatment goals that ring truest to you, even if that goal is just having someone to talk with. Wanting a better quality of life and seeking support in that is totally normal. Frankly, reaching out for help in and of itself is terrifying; let alone help from a stranger on the internet. If you are struggling I would be glad to hear from you. To avoid phone tag I am most accessible via e-mail to set up a time for us to talk and see if you'd like to come in for a session.

我提供中文普通话心理咨询 and I provide therapy in English. I graduated from NYU in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and I’m currently pursuing my master’s in Counseling at Northwestern, expected to graduate in 2026. My academic and personal journey across cultures has deepened my interest in mental health and human connection. I’m passionate about supporting others through meaningful, empathetic conversations and helping them navigate challenges with clarity and confidence. I believe in the power of active listening and collaborative growth. Counseling allows me to combine my curiosity about the human mind with a genuine desire to be of service. Additionally, I co-facilitate the grief support group on Mondays from 6-7:30pm.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Dr. Arina Polevoy received her Doctorate from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology with a concentration in Clinical Neuropsychology. She completed her internship specializing in neuropsychology at the Illinois Psychological Association (IPA) Predoctoral Internship Consortium. At her internship, Dr. Polevoy specialized in working with adolescent and adults impacted by HIV/AIDS. She provided extensive neuropsychological evaluations to children with a variety of presentations including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Learning Disabilities, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as well as adults who suffer from Substance Use Disorders, HIV/AIDS, epilepsy, Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), dementia, as well as a variety of psychiatric conditions. She has also conducted numerous disability evaluations cooperating with the Department of Rehabilitation Services. Following her internship completion, Dr. Polevoy completed a dual Post-Doctoral, two-year fellowship program at Thomson Memory Center and Northwest Behavioral Health Services. At her fellowships, Dr. Polevoy gained a great deal of training in the assessment and treatment of children, adults, and geriatrics with neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD, learning disabilities, ASD, and complex medical conditions, such as TBI, children with history of low birth weight, and seizure disorder. Dr. Polevoy has a great deal of experience assessing and diagnosing older adults with suspected dementia, as well as providing comprehensive capacity evaluations. Dr. Polevoy’s current interests include assessment and treatment of individuals over the lifespan. Given her training with children, adults, and older adults, Dr. Polevoy conducts assessments in Russian, Hebrew, and English with a variety of ages and presentations. Her vast clinical interests include assessments of ADHD, TBIs, learning and developmental disorders, epilepsy, HIV-related disorders, substance use disorders, socio-emotional evaluations, and complex medical conditions, such as stroke, cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, sleep apnea, and a variety of dementia presentations. Additionally, she has a great deal of experience conducting assessments for patients who are undergoing bariatric surgery. Dr. Polevoy is affiliated with various hospitals as well as rehabilitation facilities.

Life can feel overwhelming when emotions seem too big to handle or when you’re trying to figure out who you are. You might feel anxious, misunderstood, or caught between different worlds — wanting to belong, but unsure where you fit. Whether you’re a teen navigating pressure from school and family or an adult balancing expectations, grief or identity, therapy can be a space to breathe, slow down, and reconnect with yourself. As a trauma-informed, DBT-certified bi-lingual therapist, I help clients learn to regulate emotions, build confidence, and recover from experiences that have left them feeling disconnected, grieving or stuck. My approach combines practical coping tools with genuine curiosity and warmth, so you can better understand your emotions and develop resilience in everyday life. Together, we’ll explore your story at your pace, honoring both the pain and the strength that brought you here. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe to be honest, to grow, and to move toward a life that feels authentic, balanced, and your own. You don’t have to carry everything alone — healing begins when you allow yourself to be supported. I graduated in Rutgers University with a BA degree in psychology, 2022. After that, I pursued a mental health counseling master degree in Johns Hopkins University. In therapy, I am solution focused and use approaches that are supportive and effective: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Play Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and trauma-informed care. I also incorporate mindfulness and practices rooted in Buddhist and Taoist traditions that honor your unique cultural background. I believe in meeting you where you are, respecting your lived experience, and working together to help you reconnect with your strengths, process your pain, and move toward a more meaningful life. Therapy doesn’t have to feel clinical or distant—it can be collaborative, warm, and deeply healing. If you’re ready to take the next step, I’m here to walk with you. I will be working virtually and from the Lakeview Office. 如果你因为学业感到压力重重，对自己的身份感到迷茫，或者正在努力寻找归属感，请相信你并不孤单——你不需要一个人面对这一切。我专注于帮助青少年、青年和成年人，他们正在经历重大转变、身份困惑、被误解的痛苦，或者在以神经多样性身份生活中挣扎。 无论是学业压力、焦虑、倦怠、失落，还是对自己和未来的疑问，我都会为你提供一个安全、没有评判的空间，让你可以完全做自己。我也特别支持移民家庭、第一代移民，以及在多重文化之间寻找平衡的人。作为一名双性恋的亚裔女性，我深深扎根于中美两种文化，我理解在复杂身份中穿梭所带来的重担——也理解那其中的力量。 在治疗中，我运用既支持性强又有效的方法：接纳与承诺疗法（ACT）、认知行为疗法（CBT）、游戏治疗、焦点解决短期治疗（SFBT），以及创伤知情的治疗方式。我也融入了佛教和道教中与正念相关的文化实践，来尊重并接纳你的独特文化背景。 我相信从你所在的位置出发，尊重你的生活经历，与你携手合作，帮助你重新连接内在力量、处理情绪创伤，并迈向一个更有意义的生活。心理治疗不需要是冷冰冰的或距离感强的——它可以是协作的、温暖的、而且具有深度疗愈作用的。 如果你已经准备好迈出下一步，我会在这里，陪你一起走下去。

I discovered my passion to make a difference in others’ lives when I began my career in Behavioral Health over 20 years ago. I am privileged to meet people and together we find the solutions to whatever life problems come into our lives. I have been consistently told by clients that they feel safe and comfortable talking about whatever brings them in and that they feel better when they leave a session. It’s my goal to provide you the ability to leave a session with more than you came with as part of the process of personal growth and healing. Through life experience, having worked with thousands of people, I share information, methods of coping with situations and people, suggestions of solutions that allow you to make informed decisions about what you want to do. I never judge anyone about anything and am accepting and supportive. I have a positive, professional approach that has shown to be effective to help people with respect and dignity, improve self-esteem and confidence, self-acceptance, and the ability to learn from mistakes.