Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA
Welcome! I am so glad you are here. I am a licensed psychologist and gender expert, specializing in working with transgender, nonbinary, and LGBTQIA+ communities. I also specialize in working with Black, brown, and indigenous, as well as POC. I have extensive experience working with college and graduate students. I am queer/trans, and an immigrant myself. I also have expertise in this area. I completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University in their gender and sexual identities track. I offer therapy to people with a variety of concerns including trauma, anxiety, panic attacks, OCD, eating disorders, and difficulties with impostor syndrome. I hope I get the honor of working with you.
Adulting is hard. As we go through transitions in our lives, it can be a time that is both exciting and stressful. In my work, I enjoy supporting college students as they tackle all the ups and downs that come their way. I especially love helping those who are the first in their families to go to college because I've been in their shoes. In my practice, I specialize helping individuals who have experienced trauma and I love blending my passions for music, dance, fitness, and yoga with my professional experience to help young people find their way, develop, and overcome challenges.
My academic study of transpersonal psychology and my own personal healing journey introduced me to therapists who inspired me to follow in their footsteps. Our partnership thrives on clear communication. I prioritize active listening and regular check-ins to ensure you feel understood and satisfied at every stage of our work. I work with clients to build trust and therapeutic alliance through supportive non-judgment, genuineness, and teamwork.
I know how difficult it can be when lack of motivation, worry, or stress keeps you from living the life you want. That's why I use evidence-based techniques to help you bring the color back to life. I specialize in academic stress, life transitions (like entering college or getting ready to graduate), work-life balance, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, and perfectionism. I take an individualized approach to therapy by prioritizing client goals, celebrating client's unique cultural traditions, and integrating relevant diversity and contextual factors into treatment. Clients who work with me describe me as compassionate, validating, and a great accountability partner. As a queer identifying clinician, I have extensive experience working with LGBTQIA+ individuals and have developed and led trainings in affirming care across the country. I also have specific expertise in gender issues, where I've helped clients unlearn unhelpful myths about gender and reimagine gender roles that no longer serve them. I strongly value a holistic approach to care which includes paying attention to often overlooked aspects of health such as sleep, chronic pain, and finding joyful ways of moving your body. I work from a health-at-every size perspective to help individuals learn to appreciate, love, and thrive in their own body.
I love being able to combine my passions for helping others, creativity, and understanding why people think, feel, and behave as they do! I believe therapy should be a collaborative relationship where we are working together on an issue, rather than me being The Expert. Instead, you are the expert on what it is like to be you in your life. I may share my perspective on what I believe may be going on and ask you to reflect on its accuracy and relevance to your experience. I take my job in the helping profession seriously. Consistent studies on why psychotherapy works indicate that the therapeutic relationship is the most important variable determining therapeutic outcomes. I relate to you as a regular person with education, training, and experience that I am eager to share with you to help you feel safe and understood. I occasionally will share relevant experiences either from past anonymous clients or from personal experience to normalize, validate, and help you feel that you are not alone in your pain.
I specialize in working with individuals who are ready to go deep: people tired of surface-level solutions and hungry for real, lasting change. I help clients struggling with anxiety, burnout, boundary-setting, inner child healing, intergenerational trauma, and the work of finding their way back to themselves after years of people-pleasing or disconnection. If you're someone who wants to understand why you struggle, not just how to cope better, we'll likely be a good fit.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
You may be trying to figure out who you are and what you want to do, possibly for the first time. You are probably navigating big changes in relationships, whether that is making new friends, figuring out where you fit in, communicating with professors/advisors, or redefining relationships with family. It can be overwhelming. While this can be an incredibly stressful time, it is also full of possibility and growth. You don't have to figure it out alone - therapy can be a wonderful place where you can slow down and get the support you need and deserve. I absolutely love working with undergraduate and graduate students. Many people who work with me are navigating something invisible that makes them feel different - whether that is anxiety or depression, a chronic health condition, grief or trauma, relationship concerns, life transitions, or parts of your identity that may be unseen. I am especially passionate about working with artists/creatives, the LGBTQ+ community, and people who feel their emotions deeply. My style is empathetic, attentive, non-judgmental, and collaborative. I seek to create an affirming space where all parts of you that you wish to explore are welcomed. I bring careful listening and offer tools to help you feel more grounded, let go of unhelpful narratives, communicate effectively, and build better relationships with yourself and others.
You want to feel like a team again. But lately, it’s been harder to talk without tension or connect without effort. Under the surface, something’s missing: trust that your relationship is solid, the comfort of being understood and appreciated, or the closeness that makes you feel like you’re truly in it together. Couples counseling helps you shift out of reactive cycles and into meaningful connection. You’ll learn to communicate with care, listen with empathy, and build a foundation that is steady and supportive so your relationship feels like home again. I see couples in person in San Luis Obispo and online across California, Washington, Florida, and South Carolina.
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.
Having trained at the University of Notre Dame (Ph.D., M.A.), UC Berkeley (APA-accredited internship) and Stanford (post-doctoral fellowship), I bring rigorous scientific expertise into my clinical work with college students. In fact, I worked at the University Counseling Centers at all three of these schools and have continued to develop a specialized private practice that focuses almost exclusively on college students. I also teach for Pepperdine University in their Graduate School of Education & Psychology. I help clients with a range of concerns including: anxiety, depression, career and academic concerns, ADHD, relationship concerns (situationships, am I right? :) ), body image and eating disorders, perfectionism, college/life transitions, as well as family of origin challenges (let's say it together, boundaries...). I often work with high-achieving students who often are managing academically but struggling internally. My clients often put others first and themselves last. By the time they come to therapy, concerns have been going on for some time and they've reached a breaking point. They may feel they "should" be able to handle things on their own. As a recovering perfectionist and someone who was riddled with anxiety throughout college, I get it. It wasn't until my own training in CBT that I learned how destructive such thought patterns were. It inspired my clinical approach, as well as three clinical workbooks I've published on Solution-Focused Therapy, CBT, and Positive Psychology with the top mental health publishers. Many of my clients who have been to therapy before often remark how "easy" I make the process. We laugh, we learn, and talk like old friends. Therapy doesn't have to be stuffy or stressful. It's about feeling respected, validated and heard. Learning to take care of yourself, set appropriate boundaries, and thrive! I'd LOVE to work with you! Please feel free to book a complimentary 15 minute consultation at my website below so we can connect!
Online therapy appointments available and easily scheduled through www.parheliawellness.com to make the process of getting help easier. You are the expert of you. As such, collaboration and trust are key parts to helping you guide treatment to suit your needs and meet your goals. In our first appointment, I hope to work with you to help you decide your next steps. To schedule an online appointment, click on the "website" button where you can click on "request appointment." A bit about me. I have a strong affection for anything outdoors where I can run, climb, hike, ski, and explore with my family and friends. My personal and professional experiences have prompted me to use advocacy as a tool to contribute to positive meaningful change working towards a more equitable, inclusive and just world. This is reflected in my work as a clinician, researcher, and community service member. For this reason, I am committed to lifelong experiential learning and growth to hone my capacity for cultural humility. I welcome adults of all ages, abilities, genders, orientations, ethnicities, and spiritual beliefs to reach out for care.
Making change and discovering new understandings can work together to fulfill purpose and find meaning in life. Whether it is emotional relief or emotional depth, it is figuring out what one needs to feel whole. With over 10 years of experience in crisis settings, including emergency mental health and trauma care, I use an eclectic approach to guide you through creative adjustments that foster personal growth and problem-solving. Let’s embark on this journey together! I prioritize empathic attunement to achieve detailed understanding of the person, the relationships, and the environment. By contextualizing one’s experiences we can shift our perspective around thoughts, actions, behaviors, and relationships. Prepare to share! By utilizing the tenets of Gestalt therapy, I revere the person for who they are and aim to create a collaborative process of exploration and insight. I honor the therapeutic space, holding a safe outlet for your innermost thoughts and feelings. Only through a shared space of deep understanding and acceptance can therapy truly be a mechanism of success. Unlock Your Potential with Personalized Therapy!
I became a therapist to welcome everyone so they feel safe and can be heard without judgement. My goal is for my clients to feel supported, heard and feel connected to someone they trust. I ensure that clients feel they are heard and understood by helping them stay on track with their goals and life experiences. I invite feedback during our sessions so that their needs and concerns are addressed. I build trust and a strong therapeutic alliance by prioritizing a safe and welcoming space in remote therapy. My approach is to use humor, creativity and metaphors to help the clients connect. I want to make the process of therapy more engaging and meaningful. I enjoy family life. I run every day first thing in the morning to feel connected and balanced. I also enjoy watching college basketball – especially when my team wins.
Are you feeling worried, stressed and/or overwhelmed on a regular basis? Do you often put other people's wants and needs before your own? Do you experience self-doubt or struggle with low self-esteem that leads you to feel like your thoughts, feelings and opinions are not important? If this sounds like you, you are probably also experiencing burn-out, imposter syndrome, disconnection with your body/emotions, and/or significant life-changes. You want to feel a sense of calm and assurance that you can move through your day with ease. I would be honored to walk this journey alongside you. To hold space for you, to support you and remind you that you have all the tools to lead the life you envision for yourself. If this resonates with you, please feel free to reach out!
We provide psychological testing and therapy to ages 1 and up. Specialize in ADHD and anxiety for all ages. Use mostly evidence based approaches.
If you're feeling overwhelmed, unfocused, anxious, burned out, or just not like yourself lately, you're not alone. I work with adolescents and adults navigating ADHD, anxiety, depression, mood changes, stress, and major life transitions. I especially enjoy supporting students, professionals, and high-achieving individuals who want to improve focus, feel more emotionally steady, and function better in everyday life. My goal is to help you feel understood, gain clarity, and move toward lasting relief with care that feels practical, personalized, and empowering. I’m a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner providing compassionate, evidence-based telehealth care. In sessions, you can expect a supportive, collaborative approach where we explore your concerns, build practical coping tools, and create a treatment plan that helps you understand your mental health and feel confident in your care. If you’re ready to feel more like yourself, I’d be glad to help. Visit my website to learn more and book your first session online. Taking the first step can feel hard, but getting support can be simple, convenient, and life-changing—and help is only a click away.
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!
bilingual psychiatrist, medication management, psychotherapy
Every step forward begins with a spark of hope. Whether you face life’s challenges, navigate family dynamics, struggle with difficult feelings, self-doubt, and being overwhelmed, you don’t have to do it alone. Together, we’ll uncover that sense of hope — a belief that things can improve. From there, we’ll take a meaningful journey, working side by side toward healing, growth, and renewed strength. Along the way, I’ll provide compassionate guidance, tailored support, and practical tools to help you reach your goals. My approach is collaborative, relational, and strengths-based, prioritizing a safe space, unconditional positive regard, and a strong therapeutic alliance. No matter where you are on your path, I’m here to walk with you. Every person has a unique story, and every journey is filled with opportunities for healing and connection. Let’s take that first step together.