Therapists for college students near San Diego State University

For the past 35 years, I have been helping people explore and work through barriers to living and loving well. If you are feeling stuck or overwhelmed, therapy can provide space to understand and experience ourselves in a new way. I work with people to change the way they think about and experience the challenges they face, to effect positive change and resilience. I can work with you to navigate the ups and downs of anxiety and depression, the hopes and fears of life transitions, the joys and challenges of creative pursuit, the pain of grief and loss, and the wounds of trauma, abuse, and oppression. I work with adults and young adults and people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. I have particular interest and experience in working with people in the helping professions and people going through transitions such as career, parenthood and relationship (e.g. divorce) transitions. In addition, I also work with people to help resolve and move through creative blocks, including those who struggle with the question of whether they are or can be creative and those struggling with questions of spiritual identity and practice. My approach is warm, compassionate, and collaborative. I believe in creating a therapeutic experience responsive to your unique needs and life situation and respectful of your strengths. We can work to help you understand yourself better, identify and shift patterns that no longer serve you, and develop ways to increase your sense of well-being.

I support students who put a lot of pressure on themselves to succeed—whether that’s in school, relationships, or planning for the future. Many of my clients appear to “have it all together," but inside they feel anxious, burned out, or unsure of how to manage the stress. My clients come to me because they’re struggling to balance everything on their plate or want support navigating big changes like moving away from home, figuring out their identity, or making decisions about what’s next. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or like you’re carrying the weight of expectations (your own or others’), you’re not alone. In our work together, you’ll have a space to slow down, feel understood, and learn practical tools to feel more grounded and confident in your everyday life.

Welcome. I believe we are all wired for connection, and, whether extraverted or introverted, rejection and isolation are incredibly painful experiences. Our brains and bodies are built in such a way that protects us from threat and harm. While these protection instincts are necessary and helpful in the midst of threat, sometimes they can keep us from the connection we truly crave and need. If you're finding that your protectors are keeping you from relating with yourself, others, and the world around you, the counseling setting can be a safe place for practicing transformational skills to break free from the unhealthy, unhelpful habits. You are the owner and narrator of your own story. The counseling room becomes a place where your felt-story can be shared, heard, and healed through. My method is collaborative and holistic in nature, integrating counseling methods to meet each client's specific needs. I am trained in Gottman Method, DARe, EMDR with kids and adults, and TBRI. "Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up" (Brene Brown). Your bravery does not go unnoticed. I look forward to hearing your story, soon.

As a queer therapist, I believe there is no one “right way” to live our lives. This is the same for therapy, there is no “right way.” I believe we all have the power to harness our strengths and find the path that gives us the most meaning and purpose. Clients are the experts in their own lives – each person has the tools and skills to solve their problems, though sometimes may need some outside help to find those tools and learn those skills. Together we can create a therapeutic alliance that is conducive towards self-discovery, growth, and fulfilling your potential while honoring your history, resiliency, values, and beliefs. I completed my Masters in Social Work at Loyola University Chicago. I am working towards being a Certified Sex Therapist (CST) through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). I specialize in working with the LGBTQ+ community, gender diverse, the consensual non-monogamy (CNM) community, and I am kink/BDSM-affirming.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

First, I want to honor that you being here is a huge step as you look to improve your emotional wellbeing. My trauma-informed approach provides short-term, solution-focused, and culturally responsive cognitive therapy. I enjoy working with students and understand the stressors of dealing with school, work, family, and other life events! My goal is to use effective techniques to help you achieve your goals. My practice aims to provide affirmative psychotherapy for the LGBTQI community. Being a first-generation college grad myself, I can relate to the frustrations and feelings of isolation that can come up. My goal is to guide you on strategies to manage anxiety, depression, life adjustments, trauma, acculturation, "imposter syndrome," and first-generation higher education adjustment. I look forward to working with you. ****All telehealth services can only be provided in the state of California.****

Combining the imagination of a poet with the skills of a psychologist, Dr. Owen (she/her) is an engaged and active listener. She sees the goal of therapy as helping students reduce current distress, resolve symptoms, and enhance their sense of passion and purpose. Dr. Owen uses insight-oriented and existential perspectives to deepen conversations, including informed consideration of family, societal, racial, gender/sexual orientation, and cultural dynamics that may be impacting you. This approach helps provide a through-line of inquiry across sessions. To help people start feeling better in the short-term, Dr. Owen uses the skill-sets of cognitive-behavioral therapy, trauma-informed practice, mindfulness, and somatic work to address things impacting your ability to function in school and to work toward feeling better day to Dr. Owen is a secular therapist who also specializes in working with exvangelicals—people who have grown up in or left fundamentalist religious churches or spiritual groups—as well as anyone who is on a path of deconstruction, i.e., deeply examining their religious/spiritual beliefs or faith. Dr. Owen has been in academia herself, having worked at a community college, a state university, and a small, highly selective liberal arts college, so she understands things unique to academia you may be struggling with. Common issues include navigating political issues with graduate students, undergrad challenges such as choosing a major and dating, worries about career, and working through cultural and identity issues. For students residing in Hawai’i, Dr. Owen is able to accept HMSA insurance.

College is such a roller coaster. You may be feeling overwhelmed, apathetic, anxious, and always just going through the motions. Even though "everything's fine", you can't help but feel like the daily grind of "needing to be productive" could go a bit smoother. Maybe that irritation with that one roommate still lingers throughout our week. Or maybe the thoughts about that one moment during last night's date keep popping into our head as we're trying to concentrate during our morning lab. As a first generational Asian American, I can relate to the pressures of being independent and needing to keep up with school while still trying to have my own life. Schedule slots for yourself during the week to process the things we take on and carry within us. After all, they have a way of harboring and distracting our minds and bodies, clouding our judgement, taking away from our motivations, focus, and keeping us emotionally distant from those around us. If you live in NV or CA, I offer virtual telehealth sessions so that you can benefit from them right from your home or office. With flexible scheduling, my goal is to help you create habits using targeted solution focused therapy. I offer a variety of options, catered to your busy schedule. Integrate the "mental gym" into your week so that you can incorporate the benefits right away. It's better to process through it instead of holding it all in. You can be successful AND feel confident, calm, and in control. Our first session: will be a casual meeting to talk about how I can best help you. We will discuss the areas that you'd like to work on, collaborate and come up with a schedule that best suits you. Therapy can last anywhere from 3 months to a year depending on how consistent our meetings are. Client that I've worked with have experienced improvements within the first few sessions. If you're interested, reach out today to schedule a free consultation with me.

I’m passionate about supporting clients struggling with OCD, anxiety, depression and neurodivergent individuals (ADHD, Autism) seeking greater self-understanding and self-compassion. My clients want relief from worries, tools to manage their thoughts and behaviors, and a space where they feel seen and accepted. Together, we work toward building confidence, reducing compulsions, and embracing your unique way of experiencing the world. My approach blends warmth, humor, and guidance to help clients feel comfortable and supported while making meaningful change.

We are a group of therapists who share the vision of providing mental health services to our community, that are inclusive and affirming. Collectively, we have a variety of cultural backgrounds, education, training, areas of expertise, and life experiences that we bring to the work with our clients. We are bilingual and bicultural. We provide services in English and Spanish and provide services to ALL including the Spanish-Speaking and Latinx/e community. Hablamos Español! Please see our website, call or e-mail us for any questions you may have, we are here to help!

Phoenix Rising Centers breaks barriers in mental health care for BIPOC, QTPoC, and LGBTQIA2S+ communities. Through trauma-informed, anti-racist, and culturally rooted practices, we empower healing, growth, and resilience while confronting systemic inequities.

I profoundly believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to create a fulfilling and emotionally healthy life. I help people utilize their inherent strengths, build meaningful support systems, and develop practical skills that promote lasting change and personal growth. I am driven to help individuals overcome generational trauma and break free from cycles of pain and suffering. I believe in tailoring my approach to meet the unique needs and preferences of each person. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you feel seen, heard and valued. Together, we work towards achievable goals, cultivate resilience, navigate challenges, and foster emotional well-being. I am committed to providing culturally competent and affirming care to all those I serve. In my practice, I find fulfillment in working with a diverse range of communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrant families, and college students. I have had the privilege of supporting individuals from various cultural backgrounds through life transitions and psychosocial stressors. I approach each session with empathy, curiosity and respect towards all experiences. I build trust and a strong therapeutic alliance by collaborating on goals, honoring your pace, and highlighting your strengths as we work through evidence-based strategies.

I've worked with parents in the Sacramento area for 2 decades now, but as my own children have grown into young adults I have also made a shift into working with college students of any age. I'm not sure whether it's an openness to learning that extends to person growth, my ability to relate to the challenges of academia, or what exactly makes the relationship so successful, but I have found it to be mutually beneficial to the students I work with. I use an eclectic approach of mindfulness, psychodynamic, and CBT to balance short term immediate benefits with long term personal growth.

Hi, my name is Esma. Clients come to my practice looking for a therapist who can get to the root of their problem. I specialize in working with sensitive, high-functioning people who look fine on the outside but feel stuck on the inside. My practice is integrative, trauma-informed, and centered around helping clients navigate trauma, complex PTSD, anxiety, relationship challenges, and attachment wounds. I draw from Brainspotting, IFS, ACT, CBT, and other holistic approaches depending on each client’s individual needs and goals. I’m not afraid of hard conversations, and I won’t tiptoe around the things that matter. Clients appreciate that I’m both caring and direct. I’m not cold or overly clinical, but I also won’t sugarcoat things or avoid difficult conversations. I help clients get underneath the surface and start making real changes. I also use humor naturally in session because sometimes humor creates the exact amount of honesty, perspective, and relief people need to finally let their guard down. Therapy can be deep and challenging without feeling rigid or performative. I’m both caring and straightforward. I bring warmth and honesty into the room equally. You’ll feel supported, but you’ll also be held accountable. I believe both are necessary for growth. I offer both in-person and online therapy services in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego. I especially enjoy working with young adults and creating flexible, accessible options for support. Some of the services I currently offer include: • Brainspotting Group Therapy — Self-Love & Secure Attachment (weekly with flexible attendance) • Brainspotting Group + occasional individual therapy as needed • As-needed therapy (individual or couples) • Weekly therapy (individual or couples) • Every-other-week therapy (individual or couples) • Therapy intensives (individual or couples)

Anxiety Experts has offices in Santa Monica, Goleta, Montecito and Ventura, as well as virtual outpatient and Virtual Intensive Outpatient (VIOP) Treatment. Our team is specialized in treating anxiety, panic, social phobia, school refusal, OCD, PTSD, BDD, and disordered eating. These problems rob one's sense of freedom, confidence and self-worth. We treat these issues with a type of CBT called Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), and Medical Nutrition Therapy from a Registered Dietician as appropriate. We have helped hundreds of young adults master their fears; research shows in-person and live video to be equally effective!

If you need support for a challenging situation, dealing with work/life stressors, struggling to make healthy changes or ready to get unstuck and move in a new direction in your life, I can help you with your journey to living in the world as your most authentic self. By holding a safe space for you to be heard without judgement, I hope to help you see your existing values, strengths and learn new skills to help you adapt and cope. I am passionate about whole person health and helping you achieve your goals of growth, wellness, and personal joy. As a first generation Filipino American, I understand the stigma around expressing emotions and seeking mental health services in Asian American and minority communities. Suppressed emotions can lead to emotional distress, affecting body and soul. As a licensed clinical social worker with decades of experience in healthcare, I've seen the toll firsthand. I decided to become a therapist when I realized that it's ok to have uncomfortable feelings, to acknowledge them and and learn from them what we really want.I realize how daunting this first step to reaching out can be and am grateful you’ve taken the time to look into self care for yourself. I offer a free 15 minute consultation to see if we'd be good fit.

We are a group of Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) and Associate Marriage and Family Therapists (AMFTs) here to help you feel better. Here is a brief overview of what we do. LMFTs: Our LMFTs focus on support women through their motherhood journey from trying to conceive, pregnancy, and the postpartum period. We focus on helping smart, high achieving women navigate the stressors of starting a family while maintaining their career goals. We use a compassionate electric approach to therapy pulling interventions from different theoretical orientations and customizing our care plan to fit each individual woman's unique needs. AMFTs: Our AMFTs focus on working with young adults (16-24 years old) and supporting them in their transition into adulthood. It is hard to navigate what type of career you want to have, who you want to become, and what kind of friend you want to be. Our AMFTs are here to help you figure it out and support you as you find your path in life.

We believe that you are the expert in your own life, and we are here to create a therapeutic environment that fosters real positive changes. It is our goal to assist you in becoming your best and most authentic self. Because of the uniqueness of the human experience we don't believe in a one size fits all model of therapy, therefore we tailor treatment specifically designed to meet your own unique goals and challenges.

At our practice, we understand that navigating university life while balancing cultural expectations, family dynamics, and identity can feel like a lot to carry. We specifically specialize in supporting Hispanic and Latin students, providing a culturally affirming space where your background is celebrated and understood. Our team of therapists helps students navigate anxiety, academic pressure, life transitions, and generational differences. We are dedicated to breaking the stigma around mental health in our community and offer a warm, bilingual, and judgment-free space where you can feel seen and heard.

Intercultural Psychological Services is a group practice of multicultural, multilingual, therapists led by clinical psychologist Elizabeth A. Willems, PsyD. We are highly-trained and offer psychological services including therapy, consulting, assessment, as well as training opportunities for psychology graduate students. We hail from Mexico and the USA. We virtually serve clients located across the globe.