Therapists for college students near 90095

I became a therapist because I believe everyone deserves a space where they can feel truly seen and heard, without judgement. Life’s challenges can leave us feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or uncertain about our path. My goal is to provide a space where you can show up exactly as you are, knowing you are supported and understood. With over 15 years of experience in health care settings, I work best with individuals who are motivated and ready to engage actively in their therapeutic journey. My ideal clients are open to partnering in therapy to learn practical skills for managing distress, improving emotional well-being, and enhancing daily functioning. They are eager to explore new strategies, reflect on their experiences, and take actionable steps towards personal growth. My approach integrates mindfulness practices, supportive therapy, somatic techniques, and cognitive behavioral strategies. Whether you’re navigating burnout, grief, life transitions, or seeking a deeper connection with yourself, I provide a compassionate, structured space, where meaningful change can happen. If this resonates with you, I invite you to reach out. Whether you’re beginning your healing journey or deepening your self-exploration, I look forward to offering you supportive space to help you navigate the path ahead. Let’s connect and see if we’re a good fit!

We provide therapy for children, teens, and adults in San Diego, CA. We specialize in Anxiety and ADHD and treat a wide range of issues including stress management, depression, grief/loss, LGBTQ+ and relational issues. Please view our website and providers' pages for more information.

Starting therapy is a big step—one that takes courage. College can be exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Maybe you're struggling with the weight of past experiences, feeling lost about your future, or dealing with relationship challenges that leave you unsure of where you stand. Balancing all of this while trying to keep up with school and daily life can feel like too much to handle on your own. You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Therapy is a space where you can bring your full self—your worries, frustrations, hopes, and uncertainties—without fear of judgment. My goal is to help you make sense of what feels messy, reconnect with your strengths, and navigate the challenges that are holding you back. I specialize in working with college students and understand the unique struggles that come with this stage of life. If you're curious about how therapy might help, I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation. Feel free to check out my website or send me an email with any questions. No matter what you're facing, you're not alone, and I'm here to support you.

I’m passionate about working with children and young adults, especially those who are queer, neurodivergent, and/or Asian American. College is a major life transition, and I'm here to help ease the stress and anxiety that tends to come with it! In our work together, I will draw on play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and traditional psychotherapy approaches to best fit your treatment needs and goals. I practice from a trauma-informed, anti-carceral framework where the most important thing is that you are your own expert. I hope to foster growth in emotional regulation, self-awareness, and self-esteem so you can express yourself freely and live as you want to be seen.

Santa Cruz Therapy Collective (SCTC) is a place for support, healing, and growth. We understand what you’re going through: work burnout, childhood trauma, panic, family distress, sadness. As a group of experienced colleagues who have worked together for years, we have numerous specialties, making sure you connect to a therapist who understands and can help you overcome your struggles. We’re trained in science-backed techniques that help you become more mindful, reflective, and connected as you build resilience, manage distress, and feel more fulfilled. As a therapy client at SCTC, you’ll have engaging, thought-provoking sessions that give you clarity, perspective, and self-compassion.

My ideal client struggles with low self-esteem, self-doubt, and negative self-talk, often rooted in past experiences. These internal blocks keep them from reaching their potential in personal, professional, or creative areas. They deeply desire to feel empowered, build confidence, and take meaningful action toward their goals. They seek support to overcome limiting beliefs, develop resilience, and create a life they feel proud of—one where they trust themselves and feel in control.

My ideal client is someone that’s ready to delve deeper. This person may be struggling to get out of bed or may be overwhelmed by their thoughts. Perhaps these habits impact their motivation or energy levels. This person may notice that their self-doubt interferes with their goals and overall meaning in life. My specialties include depression, and anxiety. My goal is to create a safe and non-judgmental space so that you can learn to cope with difficult feelings, and develop a sense of confidence in yourself. I have successfully worked with athletes and their performance anxiety. One of my favorite parts about working with clients is seeing their own resilience, their ability to witness their own capabilities. It's meaningful to work alongside my clients and to provide them with the skills to work through whatever challenges come their way. If you feel as though my approach fits with you, I'd love to chat over the phone. My therapeutic approach is psychodynamic and relational, meaning that my focus is not on symptom-reduction. Instead, our work together is long-term, delving deeper into childhood wounds and how these present themselves today. This work might take two to three years. Of course, this may vary from individual to individual. Because psychotherapy is based on trust, meeting on a weekly-basis is key. I am excited that you are open to making this commitment to yourself and to the therapeutic process. Groups Offered: Setting Boundaries With Others, Mindfulness For Those Who Are Skeptical About Meditation, Identifying & Expressing Emotions.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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.

I provide therapy for adolescents and young adults ages 12-25, supporting them through academic, emotional, and social challenges that come with this stage of life. Together we will explore your goals and strengthen coping skills and create lasting tools for managing stress, relationships, and self-esteem in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment.

Hello and welcome to my page! My name is Erlynn and I have a MSW, concentration in Individuals, Families and Groups from SFSU. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California since 2015. I received a BA in Psychology, emphasis in Clinical and Developmental Psychology from UCSC. I have 20 plus years of post-grad work experience in the mental health field, working with people who are from the LGBTQ+ community, have Stress and Anxiety, ADD/ADHD, ASD, Depression, Relationship Issues, and Coping with Life Changes. My specialties include: Trauma and PTSD, Separation and Loss, Self-Harm, Suicidal Ideation, Anger Management, Mood Disorders and Eating Disorders. I believe that the first step of healing is self-discovery and the development of personal goals to overcome challenges. My intentions are to instill hope and inspiration and to empower you to be able to move on. Remember that You are resilient and determined to change for the positivity. My purpose is to provide a safe zone and a non-judgmental environment. If you’re ready to talk, I’ll be here to support you.

Hi, my name is Brandon Waugh and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based out of San Diego California and working with clients statewide via telehealth. I work with adults and specialize in anxiety, stress and depression using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Person Centered Therapy and a whole system perspective to help my clients work toward their mental health and life goals. My approach varies based on the needs of each of my clients. I most frequently use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Person Centered Therapy while maintaining a whole system perspective. This approach helps the client better understand their internal experiences both as influenced by their own history and beliefs as well as the environment in which they live. I have found that my approach works best with adults living with the experience of anxiety, stress and depression. We often work to cope with the stress of daily life, relationship difficulties or working toward a goal of creating a better life. My communication style is calm, accommodating, and personable. I want my clients to feel comfortable talking with me about anything, and I pride myself on my ability to listen without judgment. We will work together to explore the direction in which our time together will take. We will take the time to discover what we would like to accomplish and begin to explore the path toward these goals. In our first session together we will take the time to get to know one another. We will work to better understand the needs and goals being brought into our space together. We will also begin to explore some of the options to move forward in our journey toward these goals. I have always aspired to be a calming and helpful presence to those with whom I spend time. I feel nourished by the experience of aiding others on their path toward their goals and am looking forward to working with you in the near future.

I understand what it is like to feel lonely, stuck, depressed, and anxious about oneself and the future. It can seem tough to move on in life when life appears to move on without you. These heavy feelings and unwanted thoughts are hard to embrace even when everything is going well. Helping others work through these times of deep feelings is very important to me. My focus is to support you as you learn to generate your own purposeful action plan and create a flexible value-directed life that matters to you. You are more than your troubled feelings and thoughts. I do this by careful listening and checking for understanding by reflecting that understanding back to you, the client. I believe trust is the creation of a safe space to reveal your hurts and dreams. If you can see that you are more than your thoughts and feelings, then you can handle uncomfortable unwanted thinking and begin to heal and believe there is hopeful successes in you future.

As a licensed psychologist, I partner with children, adolescents and young adults navigating life’s most difficult chapters. My primary expertise lies in the assessment and treatment of stress, trauma, and PTSD, helping young people process painful experiences in a safe, validating space. Additionally, I specialize in managing ADHD symptomatology, providing actionable strategies to strengthen executive functioning, improve emotional regulation, and reduce impulsivity. Whether you are managing anxiety and depression, balancing heavy academic and work demands, or wading through a complex life transition, my goal is to help you build real-world coping skills. By blending evidence-based therapies like CBT, DBT, TF-CBT, and mindfulness, I empower you to leverage your natural strengths, cultivate self-compassion, and gain the practical tools needed to thrive. I am a highly accomplished licensed psychologist with over 20 years of clinical experience specializing in the psychological assessment and evidence-based treatment of children, adolescents, and young adults. I demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of youth development and systemic care across the full continuum of mental health settings.

Dr. Bruett provides warm, compassionate, collaborative care that is backed by science, and loves working with college and graduate students. She has specialized training in cognitive-behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness, exposure and response prevention, emotion focused family therapy, and other evidence-based practices. She provides care to individual of all backgrounds and identities. She is licensed in Massachusetts and California.

Hi, I’m Madison Steele, LMFT, specializing in eating disorders and related challenges. Since 2019, I’ve worked with individuals across various settings, supporting them at different life stages. I recognize that disordered eating often intertwines with broader emotional issues, and my approach is client-centered and judgment-free. I collaborate with registered dietitians to provide comprehensive care tailored to your needs. As a BIPOC therapist, I understand the diverse experiences that shape our relationships with food and self. I’m here to meet you where you are and support your journey to holistic well-being.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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.

I work best with those who are committed to their healing and wellbeing journey. My practice is holistic focused with a body-mind-spirit connection. I work from an Energy Psychology framework and include Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT/Tapping) to support healing in the energy body system. I have a passion for the integration of indigenous practices into modern psychology. I offer a free 20 min phone initial consultation. Please refer to my website for more information.

Are you struggling in your current relationships? You’ve noticed you put other people’s needs first, are unable to say “no” even when it hurts, get attached too quickly and worry people will leave you. If this is you, together we can explore, understand, and navigate the challenges that you’re currently facing in your relationships. You will learn how to set boundaries and learn skills that will help improve your self-esteem. Know that you're not alone.