Therapists for college students near 92093

What inspired me to become a therapist comes from both my professional journey and my personal understanding of how complex life can be. Over the years, I have worked in multiple healthcare and community-based settings, and across each of those environments, one thing became very clear: people are not just one problem or one diagnosis. Our experiences are shaped by a combination of emotional, relational, environmental, and even systemic factors. When those pieces are not addressed together, healing can feel incomplete or out of reach. I was drawn to therapy because it allows me to work in a way that honors the full picture of a person’s life. I believe deeply in a “whole systems” approach—where we explore not only what is happening, but why it is happening, how it connects to other areas of life, and what meaningful change can look like for you specifically. My goal is not just to help resolve a single concern, but to support a process where growth in one area begins to positively influence others. In addition, my own life experiences—including moments of navigating professional and personal challenges—have given me a strong sense of empathy and respect for the courage it takes to seek support. Therapy, to me, is a space where people can safely explore, rebuild, and move forward in a way that feels authentic and sustainable. Helping you feel genuinely heard is one of the most important parts of our work together. I approach this by creating a space that is intentional, unhurried, and centered around you. That means giving you the time to express yourself fully, without interruption, and without feeling like you need to filter or edit your thoughts. I use active listening throughout our sessions—not just hearing your words, but paying attention to underlying emotions, patterns, and meanings. I will often reflect back what I’m hearing and check in with you to make sure I’m understanding you accurately. This kind of back-and-forth dialogue helps ensure that your experience is not only acknowledged, but deeply understood. Research consistently shows that when clients feel heard, respected, and involved as active participants, they experience stronger engagement and better outcomes in care. Equally important, I strive to create a non-judgmental and inclusive environment where all parts of your identity and experience are welcome. Whether you are sharing something difficult, uncertain, or even hard to put into words, my role is to meet you with openness and respect. You are not just being listened to—you are being understood, validated, and taken seriously. Working together is a collaborative and evolving process. In the beginning, we spend time understanding what brings you in, what feels most important to you, and what you would like to change or explore. From there, we develop shared goals and a plan that reflects your needs, preferences, and pace. This might include structured approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, along with other evidence-based methods that align with your situation. As therapy progresses, sessions often involve exploring patterns, building insight, developing coping strategies, and practicing new ways of responding to challenges. There is also space for reflection, processing emotions, and making meaning of your experiences. Importantly, you are actively involved in shaping the direction of our work—we regularly revisit goals and adjust as needed. Building trust and a strong therapeutic alliance is something I approach with intention from the very first session. This includes being consistent, transparent, and respectful, as well as clearly outlining what you can expect from therapy. I also invite your feedback openly, so we can address any concerns and ensure that the process feels supportive and aligned for you. A strong therapeutic alliance—built on trust, collaboration, and mutual understanding—is one of the most important factors in successful therapy outcomes. This alliance is not something assumed; it is something we actively build together through open communication, shared goals, and a sense of partnership. My role is to create a space where you feel safe enough to be honest, supported enough to take risks, and empowered enough to make meaningful changes. I believe that therapy works best when the space feels human and relatable, so I will share small, lighthearted parts of who I am to help build connection. For example, I enjoy songwriting, spending time with my pets, gardening, and participating in community activities. These interests are meaningful to me because they bring balance, creativity, and connection into my own life. Sharing them can sometimes help create an easy point of connection and remind clients that while therapy is a professional space, it is also a genuine human relationship. Thoughtful and appropriate personal sharing can help strengthen rapport and trust, making it easier for clients to feel comfortable and engaged in the process. Ultimately, my goal is to create an environment where you feel both supported and at ease—where meaningful work can happen, but where you can also feel comfortable being yourself.

I was inspired to become a therapist because I feel we are living in an age that devalues deep listening and I decided I wanted to invest my life and my soul in creating safe spaces wherein people feel heard and held. I wanted to dedicate my life to helping others feel validated, understood, and truly empowered in their journey toward self-discovery. I think it’s important to give people the space and patience to gradually sift through their thoughts and emotions in order to better understand the core reasons why they want to change. My practice involves unconditional positive regard, active listening, and creating a consistent container of respect and curiosity toward my clients. Trust requires a consistent safe presence of curiosity and nonjudgment, both of which I provide and exhibit with my clients. Therapy is a space for both therapist and client to become connected with their inner curious nature, so as to better gain deeper perspectives on the process of thinking and the ways in which our thoughts and beings are influenced by a complex layer of factors. I hope to show that my therapeutic style is an open-minded and reflective container.

Feeling lost, anxious, overwhelmed, depressed, alone? Figuring out how you feel, what you want, or who you are is just plain difficult, especially in the world we're living in now. Add to that a difficult personal history and doing 'well' can feel nearly impossible. You don't have to carry this all on your own. I became a therapist through my work in the arts and teaching meditation. I help clients develop a healthy inner life, relate to others deeply, and find meaning in their lives. My approach is relational, psychodynamic, Buddhist-based, and creative. My specialties include relationship issues, life transitions, grief, anxiety, depression, and existential dilemmas. I work with individual adults, couples, and facilitate interpersonal process groups. If you’re struggling with relationship issues: connecting with yourself or with others, experiencing grief, anxiety, or depression, or suffering through an existential dilemma, please reach out.

I am inspired by providing others with the opportunity to have a safe place and somewhere they can go to feel respected, heard, and understood. I utilize active listening, empathetic communication, and being transparent and honest throughout our work together. I focus on creating a safe, non-judgmental space to allow the client to feel valued and respected. I also maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality to establish trust and rapport throughout our time working together.

Many of the students I work with appear to have everything under control, yet privately feel overwhelmed, anxious, or unsure of themselves. You may be struggling with stress, perfectionism, relationships, family expectations, loneliness, depression, or major life transitions. Some students are navigating identity, independence, or the challenges of balancing academics, work, and personal life. Others simply feel stuck in patterns they don't fully understand. My goal is to provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you can better understand yourself, build resilience, strengthen relationships, and create lasting change.

Anxiety and depression are so prevalent these days. Coping with difficult transitions such as adjusting to college, being weighed down by existential/career pressures can feel so overwhelming. Romantic struggles are also stressful, including conflict with your beloved related to intimacy, infidelity, etc. Communication with your partner/family member can feel so frustrating at times. "Getting on the same page" with your partner prior to taking the next step would feel great. Coping with a loss can make you feel powerless. These are all really heavy life challenges that many of us face, but you don't have to face them alone. I am here to help. I work with individuals and couples by providing you with the tools you need for healthier relationships, better communication, and more fulfillment. I will help you sort through the various questions that impede love and joy in your life. I also offer Brainspotting, a revolutionary brain-body processing method that heals emotional wounds/traumas which may take longer to heal with traditional talk therapy alone. I look forward to offering you an opportunity for more healing!

I am duly certified as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and family nurse practitioner. I became a RN in 2006 and a family nurse practitioner in 2012. After working in family medicine, I became very passionate about mental health. I felt called to serve those who were often overlooked. Therefore, I got my board certification in psychiatry/mental health in 2018 and pursued psychiatry full time. I have been working at Foresight Mental Health since 2021. I’m inspired to work in mental health because of how rewarding it is. Being able to help someone through a life transition and be part of that journey to help them navigate it is a privilege. I strive to treat my patients as my own friends and family, as they are putting their trust in me to help them navigate through life transitions. My approach is collaborative and supportive and I aim to provide health services that place emphasis on both care and cure. Mental health is such a big part of our overall health, therefore I strive to eliminate the gap between behavioral and physical health and focus on improving overall health & wellness. My focus is to help my patients be as healthy and happy as possible.

Hi! I’m Jen, a therapist living & working in Santa Monica, CA. I offer in-person and virtual therapy for teens, adults, and couples, with a special focus on supporting college students navigating life’s big transitions. College can feel like a constant pressure to have it all figured out, like keeping up with classes, planning your future, maintaining relationships, becoming independent. It’s easy to go on autopilot and miss the internal struggles happening under the surface. In our work together, we’ll take a closer look at the patterns, beliefs, and experiences shaping how you move through the world - not with judgment, but with curiosity. That might mean noticing how the past shows up in the present, tuning into what actually feels good (which often gets overlooked), or learning how to ask for what you need with more confidence and empathy. I know firsthand what it’s like to seem “fine” on the outside while feeling overwhelmed inside. My own experiences navigating high-pressure environments, family dynamics, and personal growth have shown me how powerful it is to have a space for reflection, connection, and honest support. My approach is insight-driven, relational, and strength-based. This means we'll work on understanding why you do what you do, not to label it, but to learn from it, and build on the strengths you already bring to the table. The relationship we build in therapy becomes a space to practice things like vulnerability, setting boundaries, and getting your needs met, so that over time, the changes you make here can ripple into your everyday life — in classes, friendships, dating, and beyond.

Working with students has been my life's work. For nearly a decade I have focused my practice on teens and young adults facing complicated situations and trauma. Navigating these unique difficulties takes experience. I look forward to meeting you and helping you through these challenges.

Feeling stuck or struggling with relationships? I help students navigate the pressure of college while exploring racial/ethnic, sexual and gender identity, especially within the Latine/x TNG/LGBQ+, and neurodivergent communities. If you're tired of guessing why things feel hard, my assessments provide clear answers and paperwork you need for school accommodations. Whether you want to understand your patterns or get a roadmap for your brain, let's build a life that actually feels like you. See if we're a fit.

Valencia Counseling is a culturally sensitive private practice providing comprehensive mental health services via telehealth in the state of California. Valencia Counseling is committed to assisting children, adults and families achieve their goals.

Honest Insight is an individual and couples counseling service dedicated towards developing self-awareness and healthier relationships with ourselves and others. We provide in person services (Pasadena) and virtual services throughout CA. Clients that choose to work with us are curious to learn about how their unique childhood experiences have influenced their current adult lives. You want to be more effective in managing relationships (romantic, family, professional, social), and develop the confidence to live life with more meaning. It is possible to feel safe, experience happiness and worry less. We are trauma informed and work from a relational focus. We can work together to gain insight and explore your past so that you can develop a better understanding of your experiences and how they have impacted you. Our therapists have been trained in several modalities including Emotionally Focused Therapy, EMDR, CBT, ACT, DBT and more trauma based approaches.

I specialize in chronic stress and trauma that disabled, neurodivergent, queer, and trans folks and their loved ones experience. I am an anti-oppressive therapist: no AI, no diagnosis without consent, and no calling the police. I have a 3 hour cancellation policy to increase access for chronically ill, sick, and disabled folks. Together we can explore topics of ableism, grief, and identity. Family, friendship, or individual sessions. My specialties include gender exploration, chronic illness, medical trauma, and caregiver support.

The most important thing for how well and how soon you get results in therapy is that you feel comfortable, like we have good chemistry, and that I get where you're coming from. And the second most important thing is that you feel like our plan---how we're going to work together--- is exactly right for you. I think only a conversation can help you know whether I'm right for you, so I offer you a free 15 min conversation to kick my tires :-) Btw, my schedule in not on this website but on https://headway.co/providers/christopher-franklin-2?utm_source=pem&utm_medium=direct_link&utm_campaign=81956 I am a really unusual combination of qualities. Maybe you are too?... I went to Princeton and Yale, but I'm Marxist (Socialist Equality Party). I trained to be an Episcopal priest; I love and married a Muslim woman, whose parents are from India/ Bangladesh and we both appreciate Zen. Growing up with divorced parents, I went back and forth from my father's farm to my mother's townhouse...and felt at home nowhere. I fostered two people since they were 10, who are like a son and daughter to me. I served a Spanish language, Mexican immigrant, LGBTQ+ Episcopal church in Los Angeles. (I know! REALLY unusual combination, right?) I have taught psychology at undergraduate, masters and doctoral levels. I used to be a hospice chaplain and suicide negotiator (as a registered psychologist, not as a police officer) and a consulting suicidologist for ICE (yes, in 2 detention facilities, one for children the other, adults). Nowadays, I work with adult students, doing couples and individual therapy. I'm sex worker positive. (See my videos, TheSugarPsychologist on tiktok.) And I do evaluations for people adopting orphans in India.

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.

I am passionate about supporting clients to heal and thrive in their lives – reaching their goals and a sense of self that brings wellness and fulfillment. I have 15 years of professional experience working in social programs and services – including a diverse range of clients, including veterans, LGBTQI+, seniors, high-achieving professionals, students and young adults. I work with people experiencing PTSD, anxiety, depression, substance use/harm reduction, anger management, severe mental illness, workplace challenges and career goals. I am interested in working with individuals of all ethnicities, faiths, cultural/belief systems, genders, and sexual orientations. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and my Masters Degree from the University of Southern California (USC). I work with clients as experts in their own lives. I focus on collaborating with clients to identify their intrinsic strengths to build resilience and achieve the life they want for themselves. I believe that developing awareness and understanding of one’s thoughts, feelings, and actions develops personal insights and motivation to support optimal mental health. I utilize evidence-based and trauma-informed approaches, combining motivational interviewing, narrative therapy, mindfulness, art therapy, coaching and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to build tools for healthy functioning and overall wellness.

Welcome — I'm so glad you're here. You are so not alone in what you're carrying and you don't have to have it all figured out to move forward; this is exactly where we start. Being in college can be a huge adjustment, one that often comes with anxiety, loneliness, major academic pressure, and figuring out how to build authentic community. Whether you're navigating academic pressure, relationships, family stress, sexuality, gender exploration, or just the uncertainty of what comes next, I want to be in that space with you. Together we'll find insight using creative expression, mind-body connection, and shedding the internalized ideas of who we think we’re supposed to be. This is a place where everything is process over product and where we are actively seeking the imperfect. My approach is rooted in deep empathy, expressive arts, somatic practices, social justice lenses, and whole-person centered frameworks. I specialize in working with identity exploration, neurodiversity, queer folks, as well as young adults navigating the internal and external complexities of college life. We will start our work together with meeting right where you are and will walk together the rest of the way. My goal is to help you find more empowered, centered, and become more connected to yourself and others. Through our time together, however long that might be, my hope is that you're able to explore the many wonderful, scary, and magical layers that we hold. You can find me in my virtual office space or in-person at my Hayes Valley office. When I’m not sitting in the therapist chair, I’m usually guiding expressive arts workshops, working with queer & trans youth, reading multiple books at one time, out enjoying nature, or spending lots of time adventuring. I hope we get to meet soon! "I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become." - Carl Jung

Being a student is demanding. Add athletics, performances, or other high-pressure activities, and it can feel like you're constantly balancing expectations from every direction. You may be managing anxiety, stress, performance pressure, perfectionism, injury recovery, relationship challenges, or simply trying to figure out who you are beyond your sport. Whatever brings you here, you don't have to navigate it alone. I'm Buffy, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with advanced training and certification in Sports Social Work. I specialize in supporting student-athletes and young adults through the unique challenges that come with balancing academics, athletics, and everyday life. Using evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness, and strengths-based interventions, we'll work together to better understand your experiences, develop practical coping skills, and build resilience, confidence, and emotional well-being. My goal is to help you thrive—not just in your sport, but in every area of your life.

Hello, I’m Jessica Martinez, a licensed mental health therapist providing evidence-based care since 2011. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, problem gambling, relationship and marriage issues, and a wide range of emotional and behavioral concerns. My approach integrates leading therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Gottman Method couples therapy, Narrative Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). My goal is to create a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space where you feel understood and empowered. By tailoring treatment to your specific needs, I help individuals, couples, and families gain clarity, build resilience, and make meaningful, lasting change.

As an immigrant who identifies as Chinese/Chinese American, I understand the challenges and nuances of growing up bicultural and have helped individuals/families navigate these issues. I am committed to understanding each client’s unique experiences with various identities (e.g., culture, race, ethnicity, gender), as well as the intersectionality of these identities, family values, and belief systems. As a result, I view my clients as whole people, rather than just focusing on diagnoses and symptoms. I approach each client with curiosity and am committed to helping you connect with yourself and others, nourish your growth, and flourish in all areas of your life. My approach is warm, collaborative, direct, open, and honest. I have worked with the following: ASD, ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, academic stress, emotion regulation issues, life transitions, identity development, gender/racial/sexual identity, family conflict, and LGBTQ+ issues. I utilize an integrative approach, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), mindfulness, and other evidence-based treatments when warranted.