Therapists for college students near University of Chicago
I am Anita Rao, MD, an ABPN board-certified psychiatrist trained in adult psychiatry at Northwestern University, where I had the honor of being a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society, recognized for teaching medical students. I earned my MD from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and obtained my undergraduate degree in International Health from Georgetown University. I adopt an approach that goes beyond treating disorders to focus on mental wellness and whole-person health. I utilize holistic treatment modalities, including evidence-based medication management, and collaborate with other members of our treatment team to ensure comprehensive mental health care. My specialization lies in anxiety and depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, and PTSD, with a particular focus on populations that are new to psychiatric care. I take pride in delivering accurate diagnoses, including second opinion evaluations, and am committed to educating and empowering my patients to understand their illnesses and themselves.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Birchwood Clinic, LLC provides in person and telehealth mental health services to adults in the Bucktown/Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago. Our holistic approach strives to empower each client to achieve balance, clarity, and overall health and wellness.
As a biracial, first-generation American, I know what it’s like to sometimes feel torn in different directions and unsure how to navigate. I care deeply about helping people accept and embrace multicultural and/or queer identities. I firmly believe we all deserve to be represented, feel seen, and live truthfully without being weighed down by guilt. I use a trauma-informed, person-centered approach to support people in addressing challenges with curiosity as we explore questions of how and where we fit in.
"I help adults navigate through their depression and anxiety by using humor and authenticity, so that they can successfully cope with whatever life throws at them." Part of the MQA family since 2020 Presenting Concerns; Categorized under the following core areas of concern and title: – Adults; ADHD, Anxiety, Behavioral Issues, Depression, Grief/Loss, Life Transitions, OCD, Peer Issues – Social Skills, PTSD/Trauma Presenting Concerns – - Children: Anxiety, Behavioral Issues, Depression, Peer Issues, Social Skills I earned my Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lewis University in 2018, and completed my clinical practicum and internship at Family Behavioral Health Clinic in Des Plaines, IL. I have had the privilege of working with children, adolescents,and adults of all backgrounds, who were coping with a wide range of concerns ranging from depression and anxiety, to trauma and PTSD. I believe that one of the most powerful approaches to overcoming life’s tricky obstacles is resilience, and that working with my clients from a genuine and supportive place of connection is the key to overcoming even the most difficult of times. I gravitate towards a humanistic style of counseling while utilizing cognitive-behavioral tools in order to give clients research-supported, “take-home” coping strategies. I enjoy incorporating aspects of mindfulness, humor and art into my therapeutic work. Outside of work, I enjoy riding roller coasters, being outdoors and spending time with family and friends. I also love to travel! I have traveled to over 10 different states and four countries. One of my life goals is to visit all 50 states as well as many more countries that our world has to offer. Culture is a big aspect in the work that we do as counselors, and I strive to experience as much of it as I possibly can. I am fluent in Greek and I enjoy learning new languages whenever I get the chance! Please feel free to contact me via email at dstathopoulos@mqatherapy.com with any questions and inquires for scheduling appointments. Thank you and I look forward to working with you!
Our emotional world can at times leave us feeling completely out of control. Whether our emotions feel incredibly intense and unmanageable or numb and out of reach. I know what it's like to feel broken, alone, and disconnected from yourself. I believe that everyone has an inner wisdom they can tap into that can guide them towards self trust and healing. I am passionate about collaborating with my clients to discover that deep inner wisdom and become experts on themselves to gain clarity and peace for the mind and body. Together we can explore anxiety, depression, life transitions, self esteem, family dynamics, relational difficulties, and anything in between that keeps you from living the life you are worthy of. We can come to understand your inner critic and gain skills to quiet the noise that leaves you feeling hopeless and doubtful. I have a genuine love for getting to know you and your story. In our sessions together I will meet you with nonjudgmental support that empowers you in your journey towards self-compassion, balance, and authenticity. My hope is that through this process you develop a deeper understanding and acceptance for yourself. I’m so happy you’re here!
Alexandra obtained her Masters of Art Therapy and Counseling from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Throughout her career, Alexandra has worked with clients in all stages of life from childhood to older adulthood. She has worked in continuing care communities as well as residential and private practice settings. During her time working in residential level-of-care, she led groups based in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (CBT). She is particularly passionate about working with grief & loss, ADHD, anxiety, and depression. Alexandra’s therapeutic style is integrative through the use of a person-centered lens that can incorporate DBT, CBT, and ACT modalities. She approaches sessions with clients through collaboration to develop interventions that meet the needs and interests of each individual while highlighting each client’s strengths. Alexandra uses ACT through an existential perspective, supporting client’s actions and decisions in connection with each individual’s values to create meaningful experiences throughout life. In the therapeutic relationship, she utilizes a relational approach while also finding moments to incorporate humor. One of her favorite parts of being a mental health professional is to witness growth in clients and celebrating their successes. Throughout her career Alexandra has specialized in working with clients experiencing anxiety and depression through the use of interventions such as Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), Behavioral Activations (BA), developing coping skills, and managing critical thoughts. She assists clients navigate perfectionism and build self-esteem while addressing concerns in relationships to build communication and boundary-setting. Alexandra’s path to becoming a therapist began with explorations in the benefits of artmaking in mental health through art therapy. She has developed extensive knowledge of art materials and methods such as painting, fiber arts, and ceramics. Alexandra can use art therapy with clients as a form of communication, self-expression, or assist in emotional regulation. She previously developed an art therapy curriculum when working in a residential setting to assist clients in continuing to build skills as well as creating further opportunities for creative expression.
At Chicago Therapy Group, we are committed to ethical conduct that creates a safe and trusted environment for you to explore your challenges and achieve personal growth. I am a bilingual (English/Serbian, Bosnian, Croatian) therapist. I offer culturally informed therapy and acknowledge individual, intergenerational, historical, racial, and social trauma. These traumas are often at the root of modern human issues. As someone who grew up in unstable socio-political circumstances and as an immigrant, I have reinvented myself many times, and I can help you do the same. I am a fierce fighter for social justice and a supporter of oppressed people.
As a therapist, I value assisting clients on their journey to cultivating deeper insight into their lives in order to foster empowerment, personal growth and internal healing. I specialize in treating adolescents, adults and couples working through generalized anxiety, OCD, trust issues, life adjustments, addiction, social anxiety, guilt, shame, breakups, self criticism, infidelity, lack of fulfillment, relationship issues, college issues, boundaries, women's sex issues, kinks, ethical, non-monogamy, low self esteem, family issues, attachment issues, codependency, and trauma.
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.
Hello! We are a Chicago-based group private practice, and we offer counseling services for individuals, couples, and adolescents. We are located in the Wicker Park neighborhood right off the Blue Line. We accept BCBS PPO/Blue Choice insurance, out of pocket, and sliding scale payment for services. Please reach out to us at 773-249-2921 or hello@acclchicago.com for more information!
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.
Our Treatment Center therapists specialize in psychodynamic and psychoanalytic psychotherapy, the first and most established form of talk therapy. These are unique forms of psychotherapy that foster personal development and liberation from dissatisfying or painful patterns of living. Together, you and your therapist will work to understand the meaning of your emotional experiences, thoughts, dreams, memories, fantasies, and sensations with the objective of cultivating a more robust sense of self. By applying complementary therapy approaches and techniques, we will unearth long-standing behavioral patterns or negative perceptions that may be holding you back from experiencing a more fulfilling and meaningful life. Whether you’re looking for extra support and guidance through a challenging situation or you’re ready to move in a new direction in your life, our therapists look forward to working with you to transform suffering into growth.
I welcome all clients in a warm and engaging manner. I respect each as a person with their own unique needs,priorities and perspectives. It is always a professional pleasure of mine to provide insight that assists another's personal growth and self understanding.
Our focus is on helping our clients create a life of presence, passion and purpose. We are a practice of 42 diverse, authentic and skilled therapists. Having a large team of therapists allows us to cover many specialties and treat most mental health disorders. We serve over 1000 clients each week, many of whom are students struggling with adjusting to college life, "adulting", anxiety, stress, OCD, trauma, depression, eating disorders, body image and identity development. Our therapists are LGBTQ+ affirming and consistently work on anti-racism. As therapists we are both creative and collaborative in helping you become the best and most authentic version of yourself.
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.
College can feel overwhelming — between classes, internships, friendships, and trying to figure out who you are and where you’re headed. Many students I work with describe feeling anxious, burnt out, or stuck in old patterns that don’t change no matter how hard they try. Others notice that underneath the stress is a sense of loneliness or pressure to have it all together. I work best with students who are curious about going deeper — not just learning coping strategies, but really understanding themselves and healing the patterns that get in the way of feeling connected and confident. If you’ve tried surface-level tools and still feel like something’s missing, this may be a good fit. Together, we’ll create a space that feels supportive, creative, and real — so you can grow in ways that last well beyond college.
If you feel depressed, anxious, emotionally overwhelmed, stuck or simply need somebody to talk to, I can help. If you are considering making life changes or have a sense that something needs to change, let's work on it together. It has been my life's work to try to understand people and, beyond understanding, help people grow & change. If any of this sounds like you, I hope we can meet to talk it over together. For over 16 years, I taught psychology to therapists & counselors in training. I am certified in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy & informed by Attachment, Mentalization & Evolutionary Psychology based therapies. I am also formally educated & trained in spirituality & religion. Through engaging conversation we will find ways to understanding, growth & change. Working with people during their college years has been a central part of my life. I understand the challenges of coming into the adult life and coming up against personal challenges. I want to help.