Therapists for college students near Chicago, IL

Intersectionality and social justice are central in my practice and philosophy; in other words, I view you within the context of your identities and environment and consider what in those spheres may be helping or hurting you. My clinical specialties and interests include trauma, gender & sexuality exploration, depression & anxiety, and life transitions. I also have experience working with community college students, immigrants & refugees, and survivors of intimate partner violence. As a queer person, I understand the challenges of navigating systems that often cause harm. I aim to provide you with a safe, empathetic, and inclusive environment that embraces vulnerability, fosters empowerment, and welcomes the parts of you that you have been told to hide

Therapy is a unique opportunity to find peace within ourselves. While it may be difficult to find the right therapist to work with, I find my warm, empathetic, friendly, straight-forward approach helps my clients work through issues to find transformation and purpose in their life, as we collaboratively work to find the right approach that fits for you. I work with different types of clients. Some may struggle with challenges of anxiety, depression or mood disorders and the impact it has on their lives, or perhaps not feeling good enough. Others may be working through different life transitions, career struggles or relationship issues. We will work together to help you find self-acceptance of who you are. I also enjoy working with clients trying to navigtate different challenges unique to the LGBTQ+ population. Additionally, I have a special interest and experience working with athletes during different phase-of-life transitions with the uncertainty that comes when having to carve out a new path while struggling the loss of identity of being an athlete.

It's exhausting when your inner critic never seems to quiet down. Maybe you're constantly second-guessing yourself, struggling with body image, feeling anxious about the future, or wondering why it's so hard to show yourself the same compassion you give everyone else. Therapy can help you step out of those patterns and build a healthier relationship with yourself. I work with college students, graduate students, and young adults navigating eating disorders, body image concerns, anxiety, depression, identity exploration, relationship challenges, and life transitions. Together, we'll explore what's contributing to your distress while building practical tools to help you feel more grounded, confident, and connected to yourself. My approach is collaborative, strengths-based, and rooted in the connection between mind and body. I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness, and somatic approaches to help you better understand your emotions, strengthen self-compassion, and create lasting change. Rather than striving for perfection, we'll work toward building a life that feels balanced, authentic, and aligned with your values. I have a special passion for supporting clients healing their relationship with food and their bodies. Together, we'll work toward reducing shame, building body neutrality, developing healthier coping strategies, and strengthening trust in yourself. I also support individuals navigating the perinatal journey, including pregnancy, postpartum adjustment, and infertility. My hope is that therapy helps you reconnect with your strengths, treat yourself with greater compassion, and move through life with more confidence and self-acceptance.

College and young adulthood can bring excitement, uncertainty, and a lot of pressure. You may be navigating a major life transition, feeling overwhelmed by anxiety or depression, processing trauma, exploring your identity, or learning how to set healthier boundaries. Wherever you are, you do not have to move through it alone. Therapy can be a place to slow down, feel heard, and better understand what you are carrying. My goal is to create a space where you feel welcomed, respected, and accepted just as you are. Together, we will explore what is contributing to your current challenges, build on your strengths, and develop tools to help you manage stress, emotions, relationships, and change with more confidence and self-compassion. My approach is relational, client-centered, trauma-informed, and strengths-based. I tailor our work to your needs and goals, drawing from CBT, mindfulness, mind-body practices, motivational interviewing, art therapy, and psychodynamic and intersectional feminist perspectives. I strive to offer therapy that is LGBTQ+ affirming, culturally responsive, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive. I welcome conversations about identity, belonging, discrimination, marginalization, and the systems that may impact your mental health and well-being. My hope is that our work together helps you better understand yourself, honor your emotions, build healthy boundaries, and cultivate a deeper sense of resilience, safety, and peace within yourself.

Shannon feels that the relationship that she has with a client is the most important aspect of counseling. With a safe and trusting environment, Shannon and her clients can collaboratively work through their specific needs together. She believes that clients should feel as though they have power in counseling, in their decision-making and in their lives. Shannon believes open and honest communication about ones' difficulties and the counseling process is key to success. Shannon hopes to create a brave space where clients can be vulnerable, try new things and speak openly in a position where they feel accepted rather than judged. Counseling can be uncomfortable, and it can also be fun and rewarding. Shannon finds it important to bring humor to counseling in addition to the hard work that occurs at each session. While Shannon uses different approaches and techniques with each client; a strengths-based approach is central to her work. Everyone seeking treatment does so with strengths that continue to bring success throughout the journey. The first of these strengths is making an appointment and seeking the change for which they are ready. These strengths are often the driving force behind successes in treatment, help to build courage and tap into other strengths and assets.

Liz Casaclang Melo is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois. She graduated from Argosy University with an MA in Clinical Psychology. Liz is a very open and empathetic person who values having a therapeutic relationship with her patients. Liz has had the opportunity to work with patients from different backgrounds, ethnicity, and BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. Outside of work, Liz enjoys the outdoors, especially biking and swimming. She loves hanging out with her family and their 3 dogs, and barbeques. She admits she is a foodie.

Nicholas Krysztopik is a Licensed Professional Counselor, who has been practicing since 2018. He graduated from the Institute for Clinical Social Work with a Master's degree in Clinical Counseling and Psychotherapy. Nick believes in a Psychodynamic approach to therapy where he utilizes the relationships that are apart of the client's life, along with the relationship that develops between the client and the therapist to help the client gain an increase in self-awareness. Nick further believes that the exploration of the unconscious plays a significant role in self-discovery which can enrich one's life, and that a portion of one's struggles are rooted within the depths of the mind. Ultimately, needing to be brought forward to consciousness where they can be processed together with the help of a therapist in order to relieve unwanted tensions of the mind and burdens placed on self.

I am passionate about working with adolescents, adults and couples looking to cultivate change. I believe each person seeking therapy is unique, and my approach is tailored to meet your individual needs. I use an integrative approach, drawing upon a variety of techniques including psychodynamic, existential, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches. I have experience working with an array of mental health issues including gender dysphoria, LGBTQIA+ issues, trauma, anxiety, and depression. I have a great deal of experience working with first responders, grief, and high conflict couples. I pride myself in creating a safe space for anyone who has experienced complex trauma. My passion to serve my community drew me to social work where I earned an MSW from Loyola University Chicago. I started my counseling career later in life and I look forward to supporting you on your journey of growth and transformation.

Anne Radakovich is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois who offers individual and couples counseling. She knows the client is the expert on themselves, so she follows as the client leads. Anne facilitates the environment that one needs to grow and build healthy relationships with themselves and others. Anne creates unique supports for each person she works with. She uses a combination of therapy approaches for the most success, including Motivational Interviewing, Person-Centered, Solution-Focused, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Lucien Loveless is a Licensed Social Worker in Illinois who has been practicing since 2002. They have a BA in Psychology from University of California at Santa Cruz and an MA in Clinical Social Work from Crown Family School of Social Work, Social Policy, and Practice at University of Chicago. At their core Lucien is a trauma-informed and client-centered therapist, focusing on what tools and methods are going to be most helpful to each person in their individual therapeutic journey. There is not a one size fits all answer to mental health challenges, and Lucien can help you find which skills, strategies, and coping mechanisms are going to help you reach your goals. Lucien is dedicated to serving the many communities that have helped them grow out of their personal and professional shell. As a therapist they have a particular passion for working with queer and trans folks, POC, Latinx individuals, and the kink and poly community. While life can often be serious and overwhelming, Lucien believes in the importance of slowing down to listen to our hearts, and our bodies in order to sit with gratitude and compassion for ourselves.

Cara McGhee, LPC takes a holistic eclectic approach to therapy. With the holistic aspect, Cara addresses symptoms as one way an individual's cognizance can convey consideration to an individual's advance perception. In the eclectic aspect, Cara uses various theoretical approaches to meet client's needs. Cara also addresses the therapeutic relationship with the belief that a stable relationship incorporates trust, authenticity, autonomy and optimistic outcomes. Cara has experience with survivors and offenders of domestic violence, substance use, parenting, and ran a court ordered anger management program. Mood disorders, anxiety, and depression are some of the main areas Cara treats. Cara earner her M. A. in Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Ms. Shauntai P. Taylor is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois with more than 14 years of experience in the field. She holds an MA in School Counseling Psychology and specializes in providing evidence-based therapeutic interventions to individuals with various mental health challenges. Ms. Taylor adopts a client-centered and collaborative approach to counseling, tailoring interventions to meet each individual's unique needs and goals. Her therapeutic style is characterized by empathy, active listening, and fostering a safe and non-judgmental space for clients to explore and address their concerns. Ms. Taylor is committed to staying current with the latest developments in the field of counseling through regular participation in workshops, seminars, and advanced training courses. Outside of work, Ms. Taylor enjoys traveling, music concerts, theater performances, church, and family time.

Jaclyn Weiss, LSW, is dedicated to creating a safe, non-judgmental therapeutic space for clients throughout Illinois. She brings warmth and compassion to her practice, fostering a comfortable environment where clients can work on their mental health challenges. Jaclyn specializes in helping adults and seniors manage conditions like anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). With extensive training in evidence-based practices, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), she offers a structured approach to equip clients with coping skills and emotional regulation techniques. Jaclyn is particularly passionate about supporting clients through life transitions, including midlife changes, later life adjustments, and health-related challenges. She works with individuals experiencing grief, helping them process loss and build resilience.

Brighid Morse, LSW, ASW, is a dedicated therapist at LifeStance Health who serves adults and seniors across Florida. With a unique and holistic approach to mental health care, Brighid brings an understanding of how systemic forces shape individual well-being. Their practice emphasizes collaboration, creating a space where clients feel safe, seen, and supported. Brighid believes in the power of community and approaches therapy as a joint effort, helping clients navigate challenges such as anxiety, depression, and trauma. For them, mental wellness is deeply interconnected with addressing societal issues, and they are committed to challenging oppression and promoting empowerment. Brighid's experience in crisis response, combined with their identity as a queer therapist, allows them to offer a therapeutic space that is affirming and sensitive to the needs of marginalized individuals. They are particularly passionate about supporting clients within the LGBTQ+ community, as well as first responders and veterans.

Annabel Punsalan is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in Illinois who has been practicing since 2018. Annabel is very compassionate, caring, understanding, non-judgmental, detail oriented, and a well-rounded provider. Her goal is to provide the highest quality of care for every patient encounter. Outside of work, Annabel enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, watching, traveling, and eating out. She is passionate about people who need attention and support in their mental health.

Katarina Berin, LPC, believes that change starts with reciprocity and respect in the therapy relationship. She encourages self-expression, affirmation, feedback, learning, and self-awareness to help clients set goals and make new behaviors possible. Katarina earned a graduate degree in community counseling from Loyola University Chicago. She works with clients age 7 to 76 and, while delighted by all life stages, has a special place in her heart for adolescents and young adults. Katarina helps individuals facing various challenges learn to live with energy, flexibility, and peace. In therapy, Katarina combines a warm and calm presence with evidence-based practices to help clients understand, tolerate, grow, and thrive. She uses techniques that are attentive to the body and emphasize the power of self-awareness in affecting change.

Anissa Murphy, LPC, is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment for clients. With her empathetic approach, Anissa meets individuals where they are, helping them navigate their personal challenges and achieve their goals. Whether you're seeking support for anxiety, depression, or PTSD/trauma, Anissa offers compassionate and tailored care to address your unique needs. Anissa has extensive experience working with diverse age groups, starting with elementary aged children through the lifespan to older adults. Her approach is grounded in evidence-based practices, utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy to help clients manage and overcome their mental health concerns. With children, Anissa incorporates play and art therapy techniques to help them explore their feelings that they may not be able to express with words. She also includes parents and provides family therapy to address the full system. Anissa's clinical expertise extends working with children who have been adopted or involved in the foster care system.

Stephen Sullivan is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois who has been practicing since 2018. He has a bachelor's degree in theology and a master's degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling from Concordia University. Stephen sees huge value in building a trusting relationship with his clients and providing them with an objective and non-judgmental point of view during sessions. As a therapist, Stephen prioritizes creating an open space for clients to safely share their story. He finds that this gives people permission to develop a loving and secure relationship with themselves. Stephen specializes in working with adolescents, adults, and couples who are dealing with challenges in their lives. He has a wealth of experience working with people who are going through anxiety, addiction, depression, trauma, mood/behavioral challenges, and couples/relationship issues. He utilizes a variety of therapeutic approaches, personalized to each client?s needs. Some strategies he uses are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and trauma-informed therapy. Stephen can also provide spiritual counseling, specifically Christian-based counseling.

Philip Montgomery, LPC, PhD, has a track record of delivering high-quality services to individuals with a variety of emotional difficulties. He believes each client's voice needs to be heard and their stories validated to allow them to feel safe so the work can begin. Philip earned an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Roosevelt University and a PhD from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. He is highly experienced in the treatment of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, personality disorders, LGBT challenges, relationship difficulties, and a variety of social challenges facing African American males in the community. Throughout his career, Philip held a variety of clinical and managerial positions with both community-based organizations and private entities. He also holds an academic position with Roosevelt University in the department of Clinical Mental Health Counseling lecturing for their graduate Masters program.

Nina Dismukes has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families struggling with attention issues, learning disabilities, substance use, self-esteem, expressing emotions, trauma, coping skills, and more. Nina believes that effective therapy is a soulful-healing process that takes time, patience, loyalty, self-love, and the openness to communicate. Nina feels that it is important to help empower patients by allowing them to express themselves in a way that makes them feel comfortable and safe. She works collaboratively with clients, encourages them to be themselves, and motivates them to help ensure their personal goals are met and that treatment has been successful. Nina Dismukes has received her Master's Degree from Marquette University in Clinical Mental Health with a specialization working with children and adolescents. During her time at Marquette, she was the Diversity Leader for her class and felt strongly about diversity and inclusion in the world of mental health involving people of color and the stigma behind those factors. Although Nina has used different approaches, she does not believe in one therapy working for one individual or a specific diagnosis.