Lakeview · Chicago
Counseling for College Students in Chicago
Looking for a therapist in Chicago who works with college students? Need counseling for issues related to school, studying, grades, or relationships? Struggling with focus, concentration, organization, or motivation? If the answer is yes to any of these, you’ve come to the right place.
Before we get too far in, let me congratulate you for taking the necessary steps to focus on your wellness. One of the smartest things you can do is reach out to a professional when life is confusing.
In my work as a counselor, I’ve helped many college students work through a variety of academic and personal challenges — real things like better time management, healthier decision-making, and managing anxiety. The issues, while certainly unique to your situation, generally tend to follow common themes. Here are a few examples.
Common Life Challenges for Chicago College Students
College can be stressful. Can therapy help?
Prefer Virtual Sessions?
For many men, online counseling can make it easier to get support without adding another commute to the day. Guy Counseling offers secure virtual counseling for clients located in Illinois, along with online coaching options when appropriate.
How Therapy Can Help College Students
You may be wondering how counseling can actually help with the issues mentioned above. There are a number of ways, but probably the most important is having someone to help you find solutions.
Partnering with a counselor who has experience working with university students also offers an accountability partner for the goals you set for yourself. In this way, you learn new tools for coping with life’s stressors while creating a plan for success. Here are some of the specific ways research shows counseling helps college students navigate their academic journey:
Emotional well-being: College can be a stressful time with academic pressures, social adjustments, and personal challenges. Counseling provides a safe and confidential space to express your feelings, manage stress, and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Personal growth and self-awareness: College is a time of self-discovery. Through counseling, you can gain deeper self-awareness, explore your values and beliefs, and develop a clearer sense of identity and purpose — leading to personal growth, improved decision-making, and increased self-confidence.
Relationship and communication skills: College puts you in contact with a diverse range of people. Counseling can help you build healthy relationships, resolve conflicts, and strengthen interpersonal communication — skills that matter well beyond graduation.
Mental health support: Many college students experience anxiety, depression, or substance use challenges. Counseling offers specialized support — assessments, interventions, coping strategies, and referrals when needed.
Career guidance and planning: College is a pivotal time for career exploration. Counseling can help you identify your interests and goals, choose a major, and work through resume writing, interview prep, and job search strategy.
Counseling is a valuable resource that supports students in overcoming challenges, maximizing their potential, and thriving during their college years.
What’s counseling like?
What’s Counseling & Therapy Like?
Typically, we would meet to learn about the issues that are important to you. In a safe, affirming, and confidential environment, we then move about the business of creating a plan of action.
For example, if your studies are going well but your love life isn’t, a goal for counseling might be finding the right balance. Or maybe too much time has gone into relationships and not enough into school — either way, we’d work together to explore options and walk toward a path of change, recognizing your strengths while acknowledging your challenge areas.
As part of this approach, I employ Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Other tools are used as well, including coaching and, when appropriate, hypnotherapy, to reinforce learning concepts.
Because I believe real change happens outside of the counseling office, I usually provide homework assignments designed to spark self-insight and growth.
What’s Your Background?
Apart from my work as a counselor, I’m also a college educator — I teach courses at the graduate and undergraduate level across a variety of subjects, including business and psychology programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.
Not only do I understand what it’s like to be a student, I also understand what your instructors are looking for when you submit assignments. If you’re interested in learning more about my background, check out my bio.
College stressing you out?
Do You Work with College Men and Women?
A common question I get is, “Do you work with men only?” The simple answer is no. I work with men and women to help them move closer to important academic and personal goals. The only requirement is a genuine desire to experience counseling and the motivation to make change happen.
In-Person or Virtual Counseling for College Students?
The counseling services I offer are flexible by design. Depending on both of our schedules, we may meet in person at my office or online using a secure, HIPAA-compliant video program. The choice between face-to-face or virtual sessions is largely yours — many students opt for video sessions simply for the convenience.
Chicago Office Location
My office is located in Chicago’s Lakeview community at Park Place Tower, 655 W. Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613 — one block off Lake Shore Drive at the Irving Park exit, at the corner of Irving Park Road and Pine Grove Avenue.
When Are You Available for Counseling?
When I have openings, I typically have the ability to work with people during the day. Much will depend on your schedule and mine — we’d work collaboratively to figure out a time that works best. If I don’t have openings, or our schedules don’t align, I’m plugged into a network of professionals who specialize in working with college students.
Requesting a Therapy Appointment
If you’re interested in receiving guidance around any of the issues mentioned above, feel free to send me a confidential note using this contact form.
