Therapists for college students near UCLA

Oceanside Clinics is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization providing telehealth services across California. We are in-network with Aetna and Blue Shield.

I’ve always had a deep interest in understanding people and their experiences. I was often the friend or family member that people would turn to for support, over time, I realized that I wanted to do more than just offer advice—I wanted to truly guide people on their personal journeys toward healing and growth. I was inspired by the idea of providing a safe space for people to explore their thoughts and feelings, and the idea that through therapy, people can find clarity, strength, and lasting change. I believe the most important thing is creating a space where you feel comfortable sharing openly. I listen closely to your words, but also pay attention to the emotions and body language that might not be as obvious. I want to really understand your perspective—what you’re going through, how you’re feeling, and what you need. My goal is for you to feel that you’re not just being listened to, but truly understood in a way that’s supportive and non-judgmental. Everyone’s experience is unique, so I try to adapt my approach to what works best for you, ensuring that you always feel seen and valued throughout our work together. Working together is a process, and it’s built on open communication, respect, and collaboration. I believe trust is something that grows over time, and I’m committed to creating a space where you feel comfortable and supported every step of the way. Trust is something I prioritize, and that comes from being consistent, empathetic, and non-judgmental. I’ll always meet you where you’re at, and we’ll work together to set a pace and approach that feels right for you.

I aim to create an environment that is respectful, supportive, and collaborative. My approach to therapy is primarily based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). A core idea in ACT is that trying too hard to get rid of or control our emotions tends to backfire. Thus, instead of trying to get rid of unwanted thoughts, feelings, or emotions, I will help you learn to react differently to them so that you can keep your focus on living a meaningful and fulfilling life based on what’s important to you. This type of approach places your values at the center of therapy. Using your values and existing strengths as a foundation, we will work together to set meaningful goals to address your concerns –whether they relate to life transitions, depression, anxiety, body image, grief/loss, job or academic stress, or gender and sexuality. I have extensive training in working with transgender and gender diverse adults, youth, and families. Transgender clients seeking assessment or counseling services can expect a safe space, and respectful, non-pathologizing, collaborative care. If you are looking for someone to work with regarding gender identity and exploration, I can provide education, support, preparation, and, if indicated, reports/letters for surgery.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

As a mental health clinician, I find a great joy in working with young individuals in their early 20's and 30's who may struggle with depression, anxiety, and trauma. Through active listening and communication, client's have found therapy to be a place to "think out loud" and allow themselves to feel or experience emotions that would otherwise be ignored and forgotten. Therapy is a place to being authentic, to grow in self awareness, and to be empowered by one's successes and shortcomings. I am passionate about supporting the Asian American community. As an Asian American therapist, I want to support Asian American individuals who may struggle with cultural identities, family relational issues and addressing culture specific topics that impact one's social and emotional wellness.

Hello, my name is Stacy Udolph, LCSW. I specialize in helping individuals manage stress, navigate life transitions, strengthen relationships, process grief, and overcome the fears and self-doubt that can interfere with personal growth, success, and well-being. I have been working in college counseling for the past 12 years, supporting young adults as they adjust to college life, develop greater independence, and prepare for their future careers and professional lives. I understand that the transition to college can bring unique academic, social, and emotional challenges, and I enjoy helping students build the skills and confidence needed to thrive during this important stage of life. I earned my Master of Social Work degree from the University of Southern California, where I received comprehensive training in mental health assessment and treatment, with a particular focus on understanding how patterns of thinking influence mood, behavior, and overall functioning. In addition, I have completed specialized training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), grief counseling, and mindfulness-based approaches for anxiety and depression. With more than 26 years of combined experience as a therapist and educator, I recognize the importance of creating a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel safe exploring difficult emotions and personal challenges. My goal is to help students gain insight, develop practical coping strategies, and make meaningful changes that enhance their quality of life. Clients often appreciate my calm, collaborative approach and my focus on providing concrete tools and techniques that can be applied in everyday situations. I believe therapy should be both supportive and effective, helping you better understand yourself while building skills that promote resilience and long-term well-being. I look forward to partnering with you as you navigate life's challenges and work toward your personal and academic goals.

As human beings, we often find ourselves wanting more freedom, or perhaps wanting more purpose in our lives, or craving a sense of inner peace. Other times, we find ourselves caught up in difficult and challenging relationships in our personal lives or at work. Whether your life feels overwhelming or underwhelming, I believe that care and courage, along with some healthy curiosity can go a long way in helping you locate new possibilities and finding solutions that work for you. My process is not a one-size-fits-all affair. Indeed, the work we do together is unique to each and every individual I encounter and always begins with accepting you just as you are. Beginning the self-exploration of therapy is an act of courage. I respect your bravery by always providing a calm, warm, and nonjudgmental space to discuss and process your concerns. Together, we’ll collaborate in clarifying your goals, identifying effective strategies, and finding a path that will work for you.

Marc is a seasoned clinician who uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in his work with clients. CBT focuses on exploring relationships among a person's thoughts, feelings and behaviors. During CBT Marc actively works with clients to uncover unhealthy patterns of thought and how they may be causing self-destructive behaviors and beliefs. By addressing these patterns, the client and Marc work together to develop constructive ways of thinking that will produce healthier behaviors and beliefs. For instance, CBT can help clients replace thoughts that lead to low self-esteem ("I can't do anything right") with positive expectations ("I can do this most of the time, based on my prior experiences"). The core principles of CBT are identifying negative or false beliefs and testing or restructuring them. Oftentimes clients being treated with CBT will have homework in between sessions where they practice replacing negative thoughts with more realistic thoughts based on prior experiences or record their negative thoughts in a journal. Studies of CBT have shown it to be an effective treatment for a wide variety of mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, eating disorders and schizophrenia. Individuals who undergo CBT show changes in brain activity, suggesting that this therapy actually improves your brain functioning as well. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has a considerable amount of scientific data supporting its use.

Honestly I’ve known from an early age that I wanted to be a therapist. I’ve always been very sensitive and empathetic to people’s experiences. Also growing up in a very dysfunctional family affected by alcoholism had a part to play as well. I know how important it is to feel seen and heard. I will communicate my understanding of your experience, not in the same words, but in a way that you will have the experience of me understanding. Part of this is also being open to you communicating that I didn’t get it and having the space to try again until I do. I build trust by really valuing the creation of a safe, trusting container in which I continue to get more and more understanding of your experience. This container comes from you being able to be honest with me, and feel like you can communicate what is needed in the moment no matter what it is.

I am passionate about helping 20 and 30 year olds navigate life’s unexpected curve balls. Being a human can be challenging and complex, but I believe that support, coping skills, and self awareness can make things easier. College and adulting means facing a lot of "firsts" and new transitions. My goal is to help you move through life with more ease and confidence. I am human-centered therapist and believe you are the expert on you. In my office, therapy is a team effort and a journey we go through side by side. We work together by drawing on your unique lived experiences and building on your strengths. I use various elements of DBT, cognitive behavioral therapy, and strengths-based therapy to help my clients meet their individual goals. Let’s work together to embrace your strengths and tackle life's challenges.

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!

Navigating your college years is a massive transition. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to succeed, shifting relationship dynamics, or anxiety about the future, you do not have to figure it out alone. I have been a therapist since 2011, and as a trauma specialist, I help young adults find their footing. As a UC Berkeley grad, I know firsthand the weight of high expectations. My approach is collaborative and conversational. I bring warmth and genuine care to our sessions. We will work as a team, using strategies focused on finding solutions to get to the root of what is holding you back while building practical tools for resilience. Our first session is simply a safe, supportive space to start unpacking what is on your mind. We move at your pace. Reach out today, and let's start exploring what true healing looks like for you.

Stress, Anxiety, Overwhelm, and Uncertainty. How long can we go on like this? What happens when it gets to be too much? Living like this can push you past your limits. I notice that people tend to seek help for "mental health" when the symptoms of stress that affect their "physical health" worsen. My approach to helping clients is rooted in my understanding that mental, physical, and emotional health are all inextricably intertwined. I work with Highly Sensitive Persons (see the self questionnaire at: www.hsperson.com) who struggle to cope with the fast paced, overwhelming and uncertain environment our lives have become. I also work with many people who recognize their childhoods as having been painful or traumatic.I am trained in EMDR. Therapy can help develop the tools you need to create the life you want to live.

Hello and welcome! My name is Carlton Hemphill, a 34-year-old Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the state of Illinois who is also board certified (NCC). I received my Master’s degree from Roosevelt University in Clinical Psychology-Counseling Practice, with a concentration on child and family dynamics. I have been working in the field since 2015 and practicing as an independent clinician in my own private practice since June 2023. My therapeutic approach is grounded in behavioral and cognitive theories, focusing on how your recent experiences, environment, and thought patterns shape your current emotions and behaviors. Together, we’ll explore how these elements influence your present life, helping you make meaningful changes and move forward with confidence. I also integrate existential perspectives to help you explore your purpose, values, and fulfillment. I provide a warm, supportive environment where we focus on what’s happening in your life right now. Through direct, thought-provoking questions and unbiased feedback, I’ll help you gain clarity and make informed decisions. This process is centered on your insights, growth, and goals, and I’ll respect your pace and direction as we work together.

I enjoy working collaboratively with individuals who are seeking healing and change. Anxiety, panic, depression, conflict, stress and overwhelm, impact of transitions, OCD, and communication challenges are all areas where I can be most effective working with my patients. My specialty is TEAM-CBT, a form of CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). I find that using this approach with my clients makes it possible to reach their desired outcome rapidly and effectively and empowers them with methods they can apply to maintain their progress moving forward. Embarking on a journey of self-exploration and self-improvement through the process of therapy is a profound experience. I am honored to have an opportunity to work together with you to help you meet your personal goals for change.

I specialize in providing therapy to young men and women struggling with life transitions, identity development, family, and relationship issues.

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.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I work with clients of all ages, including students using a variety of modalities including cognitive-based strategies, somatic therapeutics and EMDR trauma reprocessing. I've worked in student affairs, was a clinical supervisor for graduate students for 10 years and now have a private practice where I love supporting students. I have a sliding fee scale to make therapy more affordable. I specialize in supporting LGBTQI+ students, reducing anxiety, supporting those managing illness or illness with a loved one, and when it fits, incorporating yoga, meditation and somatics. I'm a mix of east-coast-straightforwardness with California-anything-is-possible. My style is approachable, down to earth, and solutions-focused.

I enjoy working with students and providing a safe place to understand yourself and build healthy relationships. The twenties are the time to explore and build your skills to live your best life.