Therapists for college students near San Francisco, CA
My mission on earth is to help people live authentic, fulfilling lives. There are many things holding us back from this way of being: patterns of thoughts and behaviors that no longer serve us, fear, depression, anxiety, shame, loneliness. In the virtual world we are more connected than ever, and we are also in a time of profound disconnection - from our body, ourself, others. Therapy is a great way to get connected. To start living the life you dream of. Perhaps to begin dreaming that a better life is possible. I'm here to walk with you on your journey every step of the way. Together, we will discover who you are and make a plan to get you where you want to be. Self-knowledge, acceptance, compassion, forgiveness, and change are not easy. But the end result is more freedom, possibility, and love. I'm ready to walk your journey with you. Are you ready? "There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path." ~Morpheus, "The Matrix"
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You and your life isn’t one note. You are multifaceted and the demands you face happen to be as well – particularly when you are a student. Currently, the sound-track of your life has moved away from the sounds of a harmonious symphony -or maybe from an upbeat pop song- to something more unnerving and stressful (like the alarm you use to wake up to in the morning or the background music in a horror film—building tension, bracing yourself from some known or unknown threat). It makes sense that life has been overwhelming -increased responsibilities and life demands alone would contribute to this feeling. Add fears about the future, a recent breakup, challenging relationship dynamics with family, and/or other stressors and you might find yourself tipping the scales of your emotional bandwidth. I help students focus on the unique aspects of their lives that are no longer serving them – with empathy, tools, problem-solving, and emotional healing and growth. I believe you can have a richer and higher-quality of life– free from the overwhelming influence of your current life demands, harmful past experiences, poor modeling, and environmental toxicities (psychological). Call me to schedule an initial consultation (415) 356-9897 or fill out contact form https://www.alexandrialeedy.com/take-action.
Whatever difficulty is bringing you into therapy, ultimately it's an opportunity to learn about who you are, and how your personal and intergenerational history is affecting your experience of yourself and how you perceive the world. I work best with people who are hungry for this understanding, so they can untangle themselves from whatever is holding them back from living their best life. The truth can bring immense relief, but it is also often painful. I take seriously the need to create a relationship that is deeply compassionate and supportive, one that feels safe enough that you can confront whatever truth needs to be faced. We are embedded in cultures and political institutions that shape our experience. It is essential to consider larger social forces to fully make sense of our lives, and including these factors in the therapeutic process can help empower you by relating your personal difficulties to systems of power and oppression. Reaching out can be hard. I invite any skepticism or questions you have about me or how I work. I expect to earn your trust and respect, and I won't take it for granted.
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Most days you can pretend that everything is ok--that you don’t need therapy for anxiety—especially if you keep busy. Then there are these moments of panic where all of your emotions hit you and you can’t find a way to feel better. Maybe you drag yourself out of bed to go to work and have anxiety attacks where you cry in the bathroom stall. You try to keep pushing the thoughts or memories that overwhelm you away, to no avail. It doesn’t happen all the time so you can usually tell yourself and everyone else things are fine. But if you stopped for a minute and looked at reality you would notice how unhappy you are with yourself and who you are. Every move you make seems like a reminder of something you did wrong or could do better. It feels like these moments happen OUT OF NOWHERE and a part of you feels like you are going to have to live your life with these intense feelings and memories coming up unexpectedly and just having to grin and bear it until the feeling passes. Or maybe these overwhelming feelings of anxiety and dread only come up when you are dating or when you are close friends with someone. You are usually confident and happy in your life but anxiety eats away at you when you get close to someone. t doesn’t have to be this way. You can reclaim your life. Your body was MADE to feel and EXPRESS emotions. And, if you don't learn how to identify, respond to, and express those emotions regularly- they will come out- in ways that often feel out of control. My name is Lisa Manca and I specialize in working with anxiety/trauma, dating anxiety, and online therapy. My approach will help you learn how to deeply connect with your body, identify what is happening, and move through it with more ease and grace so your body has to send you those big signals less and less. We won't just TALK about what is happening or what has happened to you, we will create new routines, patterns, and strategies that feel GOOD in your body and that work in your life. Our sessions will get you moving through life with more ease (literally), dancing (sometimes), and getting really clear on creating a new way of moving through life and relationships. Through therapy with me, you will find a deep sense of safety and connection to yourself and your body. Your emotions will no longer be the enemy and you will accept who you are and be able to give compassion to yourself. You will connect with yourself, live in your body and FEEL the emotions you were once so afraid to face. Please call (415) 212-8780 to schedule your free therapy consultation now and learn how to live in your body in a way that life has more ease and less panic.
I work with adults of all ages, couples, and adolescents. I offer virtual and in-person sessions at my office in the Castro. I have extensive experience working with college students and graduate students. I can help with a wide range of issues including: anxiety and stress, depression, self-esteem, relationship issues, grief, identity issues, transitions, ADHD/neurodivergence, difficulties with regulating alcohol use, gender and sexuality, loneliness, and more.
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Whether you're starting college, moving to a new city, exploring career paths, or navigating relationships, this chapter is filled with major transitions. It's a time of asking big questions—about identity, belonging, purpose, and connection. And while this growth can be exciting, it often comes with anxiety, self-doubt, loneliness, or feeling lost along the way. Maybe You’re: -Feeling anxious, unmotivated, or unsure of what you want -Constantly comparing yourself to others and struggling with self-worth -Feeling disconnected from friends, unsure about your relationship, or lonely in a new city -Confused about career direction or struggling to make major life decisions -Navigating identity, sexuality, or finding your place -Afraid of making the wrong choice or not living up to expectations -Dealing with difficult family dynamics or crises -Overwhelmed by the state of the world and unsure how to move forward with purpose My approach is relational, trauma-informed, and non-pathologizing. That means I believe that what you’re experiencing isn’t a personal failing—it’s a natural reaction to the larger systems you’re living within. Together, we’ll unravel where your patterns come from, the ways they’ve protected you, and how you can begin to explore new ways of being. We might: -Get curious about your beliefs around success, identity, and self-worth -Explore how family or cultural expectations have shaped you -Understand the relationship between mind and body -Work through shame, fear, or grief that keeps you stuck -Identify your values and true desires, regardless of external pressures or expectations -Begin to take notice of the patterns that are no longer serving you Whether you’re starting college, building a career, or simply trying to figure out your next -step, you don’t have to do it alone.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
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.
I work primarily with adolescent and adult men who feel stuck and want more from life. Whether you're facing social difficulties, academic pressures, anxiety, family transitions, or adjusting to life away from home, I can help. Being a young adult is hard. Therapy is a safe place to discuss the things that are difficult to talk about with your family or friends.
You're ambitious, kind, hardworking, and yet, something in life isn't working out. It feels like you're trying so hard, and yet, you're stuck, or somehow falling behind in a part of your life. Maybe because of stress, a past romantic relationship, or maybe because you're feeling overwhelmed. Talking with someone about worries and circumstances to heal emotional wounds takes courage. Counseling could be intimidating and stirring. Thankfully, we offer an attentive and supportive environment that is safe, private and professional for your emotional health. If you need support, reach out. We are here to help. Book an appointment to meet with us at our office in-person, or via TeleHealth.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Therapy is truly an odd place. It is a social, emotional, and mental experience unlike any other. You are plucked from your life and placed in a room or screen where the process and conversations revolve around you and your life. This can be daunting and debilitating, but also transformative, fascinating, and full of wonder and opportunity. Sometimes our lives ask that we be machines like everyone else, regurgitating what everyone else is doing. We are conditioned to disconnect from ourselves in order to function in this society. We are told there’s only one version of ourselves that is acceptable. My attempt will be in accompanying on your journey of building your individual unique identity and vitality. I have had multiple years of experience working with students that are navigating feelings of inadequacy, shame, and loneliness. I also have worked extensively with supporting students in highly competitive environments with pressure to conform, while building their authenticity and their voice. My practice is catered towards building a space for the client and their individual needs.
If you are reading this you are likely ready for a shift or change in your life. How to proceed in creating a more satisfying life is often confusing, but it is possible. If we listen deeply and compassionately enough to the wisdom of our body and mind the obstacles to our wholeness can become the catalysts of deeper awareness, meaning, agency and fulfillment. I aim to help you explore both the known and unknown parts of yourself so that you can more easily navigate your inner world, your relationships with others and the complex demands of being human.
I am a Board Certified Psychiatrist with over 30 years of experience. I have worked with students since the 1990s in a variety of settings and most recently was the director of the Stanford student mental health program (2008-2017) then on staff (2017-2022). I treat a variety of conditions from anxiety and depression to ADHD and bipolar disorder. I also practice intensive short term dynamic psychotherapy (ISTDP).
My practice speciality areas include working with Anxiety, Panic, OCD, PTSD and Depression and relationship issues. My approach is warm, client- centered and with an aim to get you feeling better and back into living your best life possible as quickly as possible. The techniques I use most in practice involve methods from CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and EMDR.