Therapists for college students near 60611

Are you looking for a place to find clarity on your relationships? Feeling so overwhelmed you aren't sure where to turn next? Or for a place to find school/life balance? We should talk. I help people like you find direction for their relationships and life. I specialize in those struggling in friend, family, and romantic relationships. I help those with anxiety, depression, ADHD, stress, trauma, grief, and faith/spirituality. If you would like a caring space and support for a path forward you can send me an email and we can set up a free consultation and chat about your hopes for our work together.

Create Balance Counseling is a boutique therapy practice dedicated to creating change by bringing awareness, creativity, movement, and well-being into balance. We provide talk therapy, art therapy, and yoga therapy for all ages, available through telehealth and in-person at our Hinsdale, IL location. At Create Balance Counseling, we are committed to our clients' overall well-being. Using a dynamic approach, we work to create a safe space for connection and healing using a combination of art, movement, and talk therapy. Our team adapts treatment plans to meet clients where they’re at in their journey, factoring in individual needs. Whether you've had experience with therapy or you're completely new to it, we collaborate to establish a comfortable space that promotes personal growth and lasting change. Our practice welcomes everyone, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, people of all abilities, ages, and backgrounds.

Your mind is unique—your therapy should be too. If you’re exhausted by overthinking, caught in endless “what if” thoughts, or feeling mentally drained despite appearing to have it all together, you’re not alone. Many of my clients are thoughtful, compassionate, and high-achieving people struggling with anxiety, OCD, perfectionism, intrusive thoughts, self-doubt, burnout, depression, or major life transitions. Together, we’ll uncover what’s keeping you stuck and build the skills needed to create meaningful, lasting change. My approach goes beyond symptom management. I take a personalized, whole-person approach that combines neuroscience, comprehensive assessment, and evidence-based therapies tailored to your unique needs. Drawing from Neuropsychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Inference-Based CBT (I-CBT) for OCD, Solution-Focused Therapy, mindfulness, and somatic techniques, we’ll help your brain and body work together—not against each other. Therapy with me is collaborative, practical, and grounded in real life. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of how your mind works, learn effective tools to manage difficult emotions, and build resilience that lasts beyond the therapy room. I believe healing doesn’t have to be cold or clinical—it happens through authentic connection, curiosity, and, when appropriate, a little humor. Whether you’re ready to quiet the mental noise, overcome anxiety, regain confidence, or simply feel like yourself again, you don’t have to do it alone. I offer personalized therapy in both English and Polish through in-person and secure online sessions. Healing is possible, and I’d be honored to be part of your journey. This version is more conversational, premium, and client-focused while naturally incorporating your specialties and approach without feeling like a list of techniques.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) I have experience working with adults and immigrant populations who are navigating challenges such as depression, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, grief, and chronic illness. As an immigrant, I can empathize with the unique obstacles faced by those adapting to a new environment and a different way of life. I take a client-centered, culturally responsive approach that recognizes each individual's distinct needs and experiences. I have experience working with individuals navigating both past traumas and the challenges of adjusting to a life that may differ from their previous expectations. I have also worked in hospital settings, supporting patients and their families from the moment of diagnosis through the emotional process of coping with illness and loss. In our first session, we’ll explore what brought you to therapy, what’s currently happening in your life, and what changes you’re hoping for. Utilizing a psychodynamic framework, we will uncover unhelpful patterns and defense mechanisms, helping you develop healthier coping strategies while processing uncomfortable emotions. Shall we dive in?

I hope to offer my clients a safe and positive place to address concerns, gain awareness and strength for the current stressors that bring them to counseling. Clients have said they feel comfortable in therapy with me, and gain a sense of hope and knowledge they did not have before seeking therapy. My approach is person-centered using CBT, strength-based and mindfulness as some of the empirically proven strategies to guide my clients to success.

No matter what you do, you feel like you are never good enough. You are consumed with thoughts of food and shame about your body. You’ve tried everything to control your eating, but in the end feel like it is food that controls you. If this is you, know that you are not alone and you can find healing. If you are struggling with an eating disorder, disordered eating, or body image, I can help you find acceptance and finally feel at home within your body. We will work together to explore your beliefs about food, your body, and yourself to uncover what’s not working and keeping you from what matters most to you. I provide a warm, compassionate space, (with some humor sprinkled in) in which you can breathe and connect with who you truly are. Through a social justice-informed Health at Every Size framework combined with acceptance and mindfulness-based approaches, we will explore and practice new ways for you to cope with difficult thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Many of the clients I work with struggle with intense self-criticism, perfectionism, and feeling like they are both “too much” and “not enough.” During our initial sessions, we will explore the challenges impacting you most deeply and work together to identify initial goals to help you soften that self-critical voice and build more self-compassion. I also collaborate with clients to identify specific skills to work on between sessions to integrate what you are learning into daily life.

Your first session is simply the beginning. There’s no pressure to have everything figured out. We’ll start by getting to know each other and talking about what is bringing you to therapy. I’ll ask questions to better understand your experiences, your strengths, and what feels most important to focus on right now. Therapy is a collaborative process, and this first meeting is about taking those initial steps together. We’ll begin identifying your goals and what meaningful change would look like for you. Just as importantly, this is your opportunity to see how it feels to work with me. A strong therapeutic fit matters, and I want you to feel comfortable, supported, and confident moving forward!

I often work with students navigating big changes—adjusting to college life, managing stress, or figuring out who they are and where they fit in. Maybe you’re balancing school with work or family expectations, or feeling pressure to succeed while silently struggling. I offer a supportive, judgment-free space where you can slow down, talk things through, and learn to care for yourself while meeting life’s demands. Together, we can work on easing anxiety, building confidence, and finding balance that feels sustainable.

My approach to treatment is to introduce and guide you down a pathway that you feel is suitable for you and your lifestyle. I use my sessions to learn and understand who you are as a person. It is essential for me to identify your specific concerns and then provide psychiatric treatment that aligns with your goals and values in life. I am passionate about discussing more than medication as treatment as I feel it takes more than medicine to develop a balanced, comfortable lifestyle.

As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, I integrate a medical-model approach with supportive therapy to provide compassionate, comprehensive care. While diagnostic labels can help guide medication decisions, my focus is on understanding the deeper context of your challenges—exploring symptom triggers, emotional meanings, and how relationships influence your coping style. Mutual respect and trust are the foundation of my practice, and I am committed to creating a relaxed, non-judgmental space where honesty, transparency, and collaboration empower you to take an active role in your treatment. I treat a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, addiction, OCD, complex grief, and chronic illnesses. Together, we’ll work toward authentic growth, healthier choices, and a more positive outlook on life.

Regret, self-criticism, guilt and shame are far too often root causes of the depression and anxiety plaguing our minds. Sometimes we don’t even realize these feelings until we examine our thoughts more carefully. My goal in talk therapy is to help you recognize how thoughts and emotions impact your behaviors so we can break unhealthy patterns and find strategies that work best for you. I work to create a casual, stress-free environment where you can truly be yourself, feel understood, and validated. Using empathy and a conversational style, I bring knowledge, experience, and most importantly, a fresh perspective into the (virtual) therapy room. We will work together to build upon your strengths, and I will strive to help you find insight and practical solutions to implement into your daily life to find a path forward and heal. I offer telehealth video therapy for clients in Iowa, Illinois and Florida. I work with adults and couples aged 18+ with issues including anxiety, depression, women’s issues, empowerment, work stress, improving communication, interpersonal and relationship issues, life transitions, aging, living chronic illness, spiritual growth, and trauma.

College life can feel like a whirlwind—full of change, pressure, expectations, and questions about who you are and where you’re headed. If you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, depressed, or struggling with self-medicating behaviors like drinking too much, you’re not alone. At Trailside Therapy, I offer a supportive and nonjudgmental space where you can talk through the challenges you’re facing—whether it’s stress, relationships, identity, academic pressure, trauma, or navigating major life transitions. My approach is person-centered, empathetic, and focused on meeting you right where you are. Therapy doesn’t have to feel clinical or intimidating. It can be a place where you feel safe to explore, process, and find hope again.

My practice is dedicated to supporting adolescents, women, and families who are navigating emotional challenges, behavioral concerns, and relationship stress. I provide a supportive and collaborative space where clients can explore what they are experiencing while developing practical tools to manage difficult emotions, improve communication, and create healthier patterns in their lives and relationships. My goal is to help clients feel understood, empowered, and better equipped to handle the challenges they face both individually and as a family.

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!

Struggling to escape the same old patterns? Looking to empower yourself and create change in your life? I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who has spent my career assisting men in achieving their goals, making lasting and fulfilling relationships, and facing life's challenges head-on. I have worked with adults across the lifespan to address concerns about relationships, behaviors, substance use, and more. You will receive evidence-based, values-driven interventions to address your unique goals and needs. Through collaborative exploration you are empowered to write your own story and captain your own ship. You can expect to spend your first session with me identifying goals and highlighting strengths, values, and barriers. Clients will explore their beliefs and values to develop a personal roadmap to success. If you're looking to create change in your life and focus on what's important to you, please reach out to my listed contact and schedule an appointment. I look forward to seeing you!

Are you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or just not feeling like you’re firing on all cylinders? Maybe you're feeling burnt out from life or work. Life throws heavy stuff at us, and sometimes, we need a partner to figure it out. That’s where I come in; I’m just a real person helping other real people. The idea of talking to a therapist can be scary- maybe you’re not ready to share your whole story, and that’s okay. My job is to help you figure out what you want to work on and go from there. I believe therapy is a safe place where we can come up with solutions to some of the challenges you may be experiencing. I take a strengths-based approach and will pepper in some humor as well. I am skilled at helping clients with various challenges, but I consider my expertise to be helping people who are dealing with anxiety, depression, caregivers for others, healthcare workers, people dealing with chronic illness, and people going through life transitions. My goal is to help you feel like the best version of yourself. If you are looking for a real and authentic person who will be your partner in this shitshow we call life, and not just someone asking you "how does that make you feel" and head nodding, then I'm your girl! Setup a free consultation to see if I'm a good fit for your needs.

I value each person for who they are and strive to create a safe, welcoming space where everyone feels respected and accepted. I believe mental health care should be empowering, supportive, and individualized, which is why I take time to understand what matters most to you—so we can work together to create a plan that supports your goals and overall well-being. I focus on understanding your story, goals, and expectations, and work with you to develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. I aim to be a caring, approachable provider who believes meaningful care starts with seeing the whole person, not just a diagnosis

Balancing the demands of being a student while maintaining your mental health can be overwhelming. I hope that therapy can be a space to intentionally care for yourself, gain a better understanding of your identity and experiences, and process the stressors that you encounter. I use a person-centered and trauma-informed approach to therapy while integrating practices of Internal Family Systems (IFS), Attachment, and Strengths-Based theories. I have experience serving individuals in high crisis situations such as suicidal ideation and domestic violence, as well as people experiencing PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Through this work, I have developed a passion for working with the LGBTQ+ community, adults in transitional periods of life, and with topics such as trauma, sex and relationship issues, and anxiety. Reaching out to begin therapy services can be intimidating, but I hope to help you lighten the load you're carrying. If any of this resonates with you, please reach out!

I earned my **Master’s degree in Counseling from Freed-Hardeman University in 2008** and became a **National Certified Counselor (NCC #247220) in 2016**. I have been a **Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois (LCPC #180.011277) since 2017**. With more than **14 years of counseling experience**, I have worked with adolescents, college students, and adults facing a wide range of mental health and life challenges. I specialize in helping individuals manage **anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma/PTSD, substance use concerns, stress, relationship difficulties, and major life transitions**. I understand that the college years can bring unique pressures—academic stress, uncertainty about the future, balancing relationships, adjusting to independence, identity exploration, and feeling overwhelmed by expectations. My goal is to provide a supportive space where students can build confidence, strengthen coping skills, and develop practical strategies to succeed both personally and academically. My background includes work in **outpatient, residential, in-home, rehabilitation, foster-care, correctional, and telehealth settings**. I have experience providing **individual, group, and family therapy**, with a strong focus on helping clients improve emotional regulation, executive functioning, stress management, communication skills, decision-making, and healthy relationship patterns. I take a **collaborative, nonjudgmental, and strengths-based approach** to therapy. Together, we will identify your goals and create a treatment plan that fits your needs and values. I want clients to feel safe, heard, and respected throughout the counseling process. My therapeutic approach is tailored to each individual and may include evidence-based methods such as: * **Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)** * **Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)** * **Mindfulness-Based Interventions** * **Solution-Focused Therapy** * **Motivational Interviewing** * **Attachment-Based Therapy** * **Behavioral Activation** * **Person-Centered Therapy** * **Positive Psychology** To help students get the most out of therapy, I often provide **practical exercises, skill-building activities, and between-session strategies** that can be applied in daily life, academics, and relationships. Seeking support is a sign of strength, and I would be honored to work with you as you navigate the challenges and opportunities of your college experience.

The demands and transitions in college can be hard and lead to feelings of being overwhelmed, loneliness, grief, anxiety, depression, helplessness, hopelessness, anger, etc. I offer an emotionally safe telehealth experience to listen, guide, and support you. If you are looking to learn skills to build confidence, resilience, tame performance anxiety, self-manage emotions, prepare yourself for life after college, and learn how to get through any challenge life throws at you, my specialization with sports and performance psychology is the answer. I have worked with all levels of athletes, musicians/performers, chess masters, health and law professionals, etc for over 15 years. I will meet you where you are at and support you with all the tools, research, leadership, and experience I have built. Feel free to text my work cell 630-219-0339 anytime to schedule.