Therapists for college students near Los Angeles, CA
Are you tired of "reacting" and not feeling good about yourself? Is your past controlling you in the present in ways that aren't serving you? When we are "hijacked" by our past experiences we lose the ability to "choose" how we want to respond. This affects how we feel physically and emotionally; which can make us feel depressed, anxious, shameful. This in turn impacts the quality of our interpersonal relationships. It doesn't have to be that way. I see therapy as a relational and collaborative process that supports wellbeing on mental, physical and spiritual levels. My approach blends several Somatic and Talk based psychotherapies: EMDR, The Trauma Resiliency Model, Internal Family Systems, Gestalt Psychotherapy, Relational, and several, Mindfulness based awareness techniques which include my many years background in the healing effects of yoga. Each person is an embodied being with pleasant an unpleasant experiences embedded in the flesh and bones and tangled in the mind. My therapeutic work with individuals and couples is to process the unpleasant and build resiliency in support of personal transformation.
I offer Counseling, Education and Consultation services in the area of Family Formation, specializing in the area of Adoption. I provide counseling to pre-adoptive and adoptive parents, expectant/birth parents, and adoptees, covering an array of topics. I am pleased to have expanded my practice to incorporate expertise in building Meaningful Post-Adoption Relationships and Search and Reunion Support. I also work with clients in the area of Infertility, Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy.
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I work best with clients who are passionate about self-discovery, social change, and navigating life’s challenges. Many of the individuals I support are exploring identity, facing societal pressures, or advocating for human rights, including LGBTQ+ issues, women’s rights, and other radical movements. College can be a time of immense growth and uncertainty, and I help students manage stress, relationships, and personal identity while balancing academic and social expectations. Whether struggling with anxiety, self-esteem, or navigating systemic injustices, I provide a supportive, affirming space to explore these challenges. My goal is to empower clients to embrace their authentic selves and build resilience in the face of adversity.
We specialize in Resiliency informed care. We believe that with the right environment and support from a healthy community of peers we can see radical change! It’s amazing when we discover our capacity and potential to heal. Our resilience is our superpower. We are here to support your journey and are happy to help in any way we can.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
My primary approach is psychodynamic, with attachment and family systems theory. We will explore your emotional experience and discover parts of you that you may have forgotten along the way. You will experience deeper intimacy with yourself and the ones who matter most in your world. We will tap into your inner strength that you may have forgotten about or misplaced. I bring over 25 years of expertise working with humans of all ages, helping to release trauma and stored tension, creating new pathways for healing and new life stories. I help those suffering from all forms of Addiction, Anxiety, Chronic Illness, Depression, Domestic Abuse and Intimate Partner Violence, Eating Disorders, Elderly Issues, Family Conflict, Grief, Obesity, Peri-natal and Postpartum Issues, Self- Esteem, Sexual Abuse, Substance Use, and Women's Issues. We work on coping skills amid chaos and pain. We work on thriving in life, relationships, and business. I work with people short-term, or long-term. It depends on your desires and needs. Working in the virtual space gives more freedom and flexibility. I can't wait to meet you and begin our journey together.
I'm a trauma specialist with a focus on neurodiversity, particularly autism, ADHD, and highly sensitive people. As a neurodivergent therapist myself, I'm familiar with the challenges that come with being different. Many people, including well-intentioned therapists, don't fully grasp the intricacies of neurodivergent experiences, leaving us feeling misunderstood and unsupported. That's why I provide therapy that's tailored to you. I believe in incorporating your values, preferences, and special interests into our sessions. By doing so, we can address your specific goals and challenges in a way that aligns with your inherent strengths and learning style. Whether you want to work through your past, discover your true self, or find new tools to more effectively manage your daily life, I'm here to support you. Let's work towards creating a more meaningful and fulfilling life, one step at a time. I can’t wait to meet you.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
If you’re a student feeling overwhelmed by balancing academics, relationships, family expectations, and figuring out who you are, you’re not alone. I work with students who tend to keep it all together on the outside but feel anxious, stuck, or burnt out inside. You might be a deep feeler or an overthinker, someone who struggles with saying “no” or feels the weight of trying to please everyone. Maybe you’re navigating cultural or family expectations that clash with what you want for yourself. In our work together, we’ll slow down and create space for you to explore what you’re feeling in your mind and body. I’ll help you build tools to manage stress, set healthy boundaries, and feel more at ease in your own skin—without judgment or pressure. My approach is gentle, supportive, and focused on helping you connect with your values so you can make choices that feel right for you.
The Performance Psychology Center provides therapy to adolescents and adults with concerns across the spectrum of mental health. The Center specializes in providing therapy to individuals with athletic and competitive performance backgrounds. Further, tele-mental health services (video and phone meetings) offer clients throughout the state of California a way to bring the therapy and sport psychology services to them, whether they have a tight schedule, do not have access to a trained profesional or just want to skip the traffic.
We at Affirming Therapy Center are offering TeleTherapy services (by phone or video sessions for individuals and by video sessions for relationship therapy). If you have circumstances where TeleTherapy is too limiting for your mental health care needs, we are also offering the option of in-person sessions, along with additional safety protocol and procedures in place. We understand that you may feel anxiety and stress from the uncertainty of your situation, or depression from isolation, and that you may be experiencing relationship challenges or struggling with being single in a time of social distancing. If you need additional support and are looking to start therapy, please reach out to us. We are here for you! Move from what’s now to what’s next. If you are like most people, there’s no magic moment when you find yourself saying, “I’m ready for therapy.” But there comes a time when you begin to get tired of living with things the way they are, and enough is enough. If this is where you find yourself now, you are ready for what’s next. Like any first step on a new path, the beginning of the therapeutic journey may feel unfamiliar. We know, because we have traveled this road to find the whole places in ourselves. If you are looking for more or longing for change, we can help you start the process and walk that path. Visiting the Affirming Therapy Center website indicates that you are seeking a more fulfilling and satisfying life. We can guide you as we move forward to your better place. Contact us now to get started!
About Me. Hi, My name is Alissa Young and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing therapy services to College Students and Young Adults within the State of California. A little bit about me, I was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, California. Clients would describe me as a ‘safe space’, where clients can feel validated and supported when sharing their challenges and seeking mental health support. Clients also describe me as motivating, comfortable, and strengths-based focused. I truly value hosting a therapeutic space where both parties are engaging in a confidential safe space, as their authentic selves - judgment free zone. My Ideal Client. If you searched terms such as “Therapist for College Students”, “Black Female Therapists”, “BIPOC Therapist”, and “EMDR Therapist in California”, you’re probably in the right place! My ideal clients are the students, parents, and professionals that feel a sense of connectedness when they read more about me. My ideal client is the person I see in the mirror - which is pretty amazing and full of resiliency and strength, ready for open and honest conversations - ready for CHANGE!
We all want to be happy, belong, and feel loved. Yet at some point in our lives we struggle, get bogged down, and feel stuck. Getting support can help you understand what is going on and help you discover new ways of thinking about yourself and your relationships. My goal is to help bridge the gap of where you currently are and where you want to be. I view my role as empowering you to make those changes in your life and supporting you to make healthy decisions, feel more at peace, and cultivate a happier and more confident self. I specialize working with Asian Americans in their twenties and thirties struggling with depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and relationship difficulties. I am especially interested in supporting individuals work through issues of identity, barriers in cross-cultural communication, and generational family of origin pain. I hope that I could be a support to you in your journey wherever you are. I would love to speak with you today to hear more about your situation and see if we are a good fit in working together.
Deciding to engage in therapy is an important step in one’s life and I am honored by the opportunity to join in this journey with you. My work with clients begins from a place of genuine curiosity and authenticity. As a relational-cultural narrative therapist I believe that the person is not the problem. The problem is the problem and we work together to develop and implement effective tools aimed to address the problem. People are also defined by stories. When these stories become problematic, people can become stuck. Together we will examine these stories and help you develop new and healthy stories for your life. Deciding to engage in therapy is an important step in one’s life and I am honored by the opportunity to join in this journey with you. My work with clients begins from a place of genuine curiosity and authenticity. As a relational-cultural narrative therapist I believe that the person is not the problem. The problem is the problem and we work together to develop and implement effective tools aimed to address the problem. People are also defined by stories. When these stories become problematic, people can become stuck. Together we will examine these stories and help you develop new and healthy stories for your life. In my work, I engage in culture-centered practices, where the role of culture is seen as integral in understanding one’s journey. While relational-cultural narrative therapy guides my work, I also incorporate other evidenced-based practices and cognitive behavioral therapy to address maladaptive patterns and behaviors. I am deeply committed to working with BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color) and LGBTQIA+ populations. I look forward to the opportunity of hearing your story and working with you.
I am a psychologist based in the San Francisco Bay Area, and I have spent the past 10 years working with folks who are excited and curious about how they can learn to best care for themselves. In general, I tend work with clients who are looking for support around their career goals, including transitioning out of or into a career, finding a better work-school-life balance, establishing or refreshing professional skills/communication, or navigating the experience of college/career integration. I have a particular passion for working with clients in "helping" industries or in training, including healthcare, healthcare administration, mental health, and teaching. I also work regularly with clients who are struggling with depression, anxiety, and other mood regulation concerns. I have experience working with students, especially as they are exploring the next phase of their life. Transitions are sometimes moments of great growth and self-discovery, and often accompanied by great pain and confusion. I think addressing both side of the coin honestly and with support can help us navigate the tough stuff with a sense of clarity and hope. I currently work in a private practice clinic, and provide talk-therapy from a variety of clinical orientations. I usually go for a somewhat down-to-Earth approach when first working with someone: taking the time to learn more about what is and isn't working in their lives, thinking collaboratively with them about what some attainable long-term goals might look like, and then allowing us to settle into the process of engaging and tracking areas of growth as our work develops. Therapy is such a unique and personal process. This should work with and for you, even if it's not always easy. I'm open to meeting you and learning more...even if we aren't a great fit. I'm also happy to support your process in finding that next-right-one. I do my best to respond to voicemails and emails within 24 hours during the work week, and follow-up on all weekend inquiries by end of business on Mondays.
In the therapeutic space, I aim to help clients develop a deeper understanding of their difficulties through exploration of historical and interpersonal experiences. As a product of this exploration, we identify patterns in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that play a role in the development and maintenance of stress. With this new insight and understanding, and the application of specific coping skills and strategies, we are able to collaboratively work toward making the changes they desire in their lives. I enjoy working with individuals of all backgrounds and specialize in: depression, anxiety, grief/loss, cultural issues, and relational difficulties. As a South Asian immigrant, I am passionate about working with immigrants and adult children of immigrants who experience stressors such as: balancing a bicultural/multicultural identity, coping with generational trauma, navigating the barriers of a new country, and managing family expectations vs individual/personal desires. I also enjoy helping couples who seek to understand how personal family dynamics and experiences impact their relationship, or simply desire to enhance feelings of connectedness through healthy emotional expression, communication, and effective conflict resolution.
College can be an overwhelming time with academic pressure and navigating challenging personal and social situations. You don’t have to stay stuck in patterns or situations that aren’t working. If anxiety, depression, focus challenges, trauma, queer identity questions, or feeling disconnected are making college life harder, therapy can offer support in understanding what’s going on and finding more sustainable ways to feel calmer, clearer, and more able to manage daily life and relationships. In our work together, we’ll gently explore the patterns that keep you feeling stuck and build awareness and skills that create more choice and flexibility in how you respond to stress, emotions, and relationships. We’ll pay attention not only to thoughts and feelings, but also to your body and nervous system, helping you feel more grounded and aligned with what matters most to you. Therapy with me is grounded in empathy, curiosity, and respect for your unique story. You won’t be judged or rushed, and we’ll move at a pace that feels safe, supportive, and responsive to your needs. You can expect a warm, respectful relationship; space to explore both present challenges and past experiences; and practical support for feeling safer in your body and more capable in daily life. There is room for difficult emotions, without pressure to “fix” everything right away. Whether you’re navigating daily overwhelm or seeking deeper healing, therapy can help you feel more connected and alive.
For every challenge there is an opportunity. From the perspective of psychology, this means that the challenges we face can be gateways into a new understanding of ourselves; they are part and parcel of our development as human beings. I would be happy to support you in your development. I work collaboratively with my clients by helping them set realistic goals for our work together and use a variety of engaging or creative methods to support them in developing greater insight into themselves.