Therapists for college students near San Diego State University

Hello and welcome! I am a licensed clinical social worker with 14 years of experience working with children and adults struggling with the impact of trauma, depression, anxiety and other issues. I always work from a strength based perspective. I believe that therapy can be a place were a person can feel safe and work through life's challenges. I take a humanistic approach to therapy. I like to have a good understanding of who a person is and how things impact them day today so we can work together to fins solutions or relief to whatever may be going on.

You’ve taken the first step towards healing, which is often one of the most difficult. Thank you for being vulnerable and allowing me into your space. The world changed, and so did all of us…and that is okay! I am here to partner with children, teens, young adults, adults, and couples towards achieving healing and fulfilment, however that may look to you. My You-Centered approach places you at the helm of your journey, as we use cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological System, and other mindfulness management strategies to transform this moment. Together, we will combine these theories when discussing matters concerning goals/aspirations, relationships, interpersonal struggles, depression, self-esteem, executive functioning, stress management, phobias and fears, and substance use concerns.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

After working in the developmental disability and mental health field for many years I decided to pursue an education to become a therapist. I wanted to support people with improving their quality of life regarding relationship problems, life transition difficulties, self-esteem struggles, and emotional healing from past and current trauma. I have been working in the developmental disability and mental health field for over 20 years and I’ve always felt a strong passion to do this work. My educational background includes a BA in Education from the University of Akron and a M.Ed. in Community Counseling from Kent State University. I hold a national certifications as a Certified Brain Injury Specialist and a National Certified Counselor. As a therapist, I take a holistic and collaborative therapeutic approach. I consider the physical, mental, and spiritual factors that influence someone’s well-being. My Approach is to create a sense of self-awareness and to understand the connections between mind, body, and relationships. In collaboration I enjoy exploring how these areas impact a person’s mental health. As a therapist I have a compassionate and empathetic style that creates a safe space where you can share intimate details of your life. I bring valuable experience in supporting individuals navigating issues such as anxiety, disabilities, feelings of stagnation, and challenges in attaining a state of inner peace. With my collaborative approach, we will work on navigating uncertainty, embracing yourself, and building stronger relationships and supports. The strategies and skills that I teach can be practiced on their own outside of the therapy sessions.

Exhausted by the way you think about yourself? We are often (if not always) our own worst enemies. Whether this pattern has caused you problems with guilt, shame, anxiety, depression, addiction or you name it - the starting point is generally the same. When we embark on the project of therapy you will be asked to put your painful thoughts and feelings into words. As the process unfolds, the strength and fervor used to overthink and condemn yourself will become accessible to use productively in reaching your goals.

Life can be overwhelming, and asking for help takes courage. Whether you're feeling stuck, disconnected, or simply need support processing life’s changes, you don’t have to do it alone. I offer a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where we focus on your strengths, explore your goals, and move at a pace that feels right for you. Sessions are available in English or American Sign Language to meet your communication needs. I take a collaborative, client-centered approach to therapy, grounded in trust and open communication. We'll set meaningful goals together, and I’ll support you using your strengths while building new skills. You can expect empathy, respect, and a space that truly honors your voice. Let’s connect and explore how I can support you. I offer telehealth sessions to fit your needs and schedule.

I became a therapist because I genuinely care about people and believe we can all use a little extra support sometimes. We are complex, unique individuals shaped by our emotions, relationships, and life experiences. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe, accepted, and supported as you grow. Wherever you are in your journey, I’m here to meet you there and root for you along the way. I believe therapy works best when it feels collaborative. You are the expert on your life, and I tailor our work to your individual needs, experiences, interests, and goals. Therapy can feel intimidating, especially at first, so we can move at a pace that feels comfortable. I will never force you to discuss or do something you are not ready for. At the same time, meaningful growth can sometimes ask us to step outside our comfort zones. Part of my role is to gently encourage and support you as you explore difficult emotions, experiences, or new ways of coping. You won’t have to navigate those moments alone. I bring honesty, authenticity, compassion, and a little creativity into the therapy room. I enjoy incorporating your interests into our work to make difficult topics feel more relatable and approachable. Most importantly, I want you to feel heard, understood, and supported while gaining a deeper understanding of yourself and building tools that work for you. I’m human, too. While I can’t know exactly what you are experiencing, I understand what it is like to feel angry, lonely, discouraged, anxious, or misunderstood. In my own life, I find comfort in simple things like spending time in nature, hugging my cat, coloring, or settling in with one of my favorite movies.

Starting college can feel exciting—but also overwhelming. Many students I work with struggle with the transition to greater independence, academic pressures, and the challenge of building new friendships and relationships. It’s common to feel anxious, down, or unsure of how to balance it all. In our sessions, I create a supportive space where you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Together, we’ll work on understanding and managing stress, easing anxiety and depression, and navigating the ups and downs of college life. Whether it’s handling the workload, dealing with homesickness, or managing new romantic and social experiences, my goal is to help you feel grounded, confident, and better equipped for this chapter in your life.

Choosing a therapist is a deeply personal decision. It's important to find someone that you can relate to and most importantly someone that you trust. We will work together to create a secure relationship, where you begin to feel less alone experiencing emotional vulnerability. My capacity to truly see you, and your capacity to feel comfortable being seen, will be essential to your healing. It is my belief that lasting growth does not occur as a result of insight and understanding alone. Deep healing and change happen when you are able to explore new emotional experiences and to try new behaviors, in the presence of a supportive person (therapist). I work with adults and older adolescents to address old wounds, to increase self compassion and to develop increased emotional stability and flexibility. If you are interested in learning more about me and my practice, please visit my website or email/call to schedule a brief phone consultation.

Whether you're burdened by anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, identity questions, transitions, or physical pain linked to stress or emotions, therapy can bring relief. I offer a compassionate space where you can slow down, be seen and heard, and reconnect with yourself and what you aspire for your life. I often use Internal Family Systems to help heal painful parts and foster self-compassion and inner harmony, and Somatic Experiencing to help regulate your nervous system and heal trauma. I also offer somatic movement therapy for those interested in deeper mind/body connection. I tailor my approach based on your needs. I have helped a wide range of people in a variety of situations over more than 20 years as a licensed clinical social worker. I strive to be an ally to people of color and to be culturally responsive. I work collaboratively and without judgment. I consider it a privilege to help you find joy and make the most of that which is in your control.

Life is a series of changes and transitions that can create roadblocks in our lives. As a Licensed Psychologist, I work with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, perfectionism, procrastination, histories of trauma, grief and loss, AAPI issues, and other life hurdles. In addition, I work on supporting individuals with the unique challenges of juggling life as a student. My practice is grounded in creating a safe, supportive space where clients can feel seen, heard, and empowered to grow. In session, I offer opportunities for introspection wherever one might be in their journey. With empathy and direct clear goals, we will work together on tailoring a plan specifically for you by breaking down larger goals into more manageable steps. Coming from a bicultural background, as an Asian American female, I understand the unique challenges that one faces when straddling two different worlds. I believe in providing therapy that honors multicultural perspectives and diversity. Whether you’re seeking support for yourself, your child, or your relationship, I’m here to walk alongside you with care and intention.

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!

I became a therapist because I believe everyone should have access to a safe space where they can feel truly heard and seen. Life’s challenges may have you feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or wondering why certain patterns keep repeating. My goal is to provide a safe, collaborative, and non-judgmental space where you can feel supported and understood. I strive to ensure that clients feel heard by providing a non-judgmental perspective and supporting them in reconnecting with themselves in a deeper and more compassionate way. I also regularly encourage clients to share feedback and discuss any concerns they may have about the therapy process. In sessions I work to build trust and a therapeutic alliance by providing a warm and welcoming space and stressing collaboration and the client’s role as the expert in their life. I’m passionate about working with individuals navigating life transitions, anxiety, depression, stress and burnout, relationship challenges, and identity related concerns. I use humor, warmth, cultural sensitivity, and curiosity to help clients gain insight into their experiences and make deeper connections with parts of themselves that they have been struggling to access. I enjoy sharing my belief in the power of routines and spending time in nature when possible, even if it’s just sitting by your window or in your yard or patio and soaking up the sun because these small habits can help alleviate at least some of our day to day stress. This often helps clients become aware of things they are already doing or may have done in the past that can have a positive effect on their well-being.

In our work together, we will strive to clarify and validate your emotional experiences. You will also learn skills to change the thoughts and behaviors that are not serving you. I aim to empower you to take control of your symptoms, foster self-compassion, and grow in ways that are important to you. I am committed to using treatments that work while flexibly adapting to your unique background and goals for therapy. I specialize in the treatment of anxiety disorders, PTSD, depression, and women's reproductive mental health, as well as provide evidence-based skills for coping with stress. In therapy, you may face feared situations, learn how to identify, challenge and create distance from unhelpful thoughts, cultivate acceptance, clarify life values, and practice mindfulness and emotion regulation skills. Therapy will be a collaborative experience. I respect that you are the expert about your life, and I will strive to understand and honor the unique ways in which your identities influence how you experience the world. My goal is to create space for you to be vulnerable and authentic through a warm and empathic style. I look forward to working with you.

I specialize in treating depression, anxiety, self-harm, binge eating, substance abuse, and grief. I am trained in the application of Dialectical Behavior Therapy. I practice an array of therapeutic techniques including tenets of Cognitive Behavior Therapy, mindfulness, and grief therapy. I work collaboratively with clients to provide concrete tools for them to cope in everyday life. I provide an empathetic and a non-judgmental environment.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

We are a group therapy practice that offer a wide variety of therapeutic specialties. We are committed to building up the walls of our community by supporting people. We have a saying at Castle Rock Family Services: Help More People More. We strive to meet you where you are at in your journey and help you to find peace. Our clinicians support clients through therapy and connection to resources to help them reach their greatest potential.

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.

In a world not created for our comfort or success, the challenges of Black, Latine/a/x, Indigenous, Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI), and People of Color often go unnoticed by others. Are you constantly feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and unable to prioritize yourself? Do you feel as though your relationships are one-sided? Have you experienced microaggressions, felt marginalized, or like an impostor in predominantly White spaces? Are you ready to level up and reclaim your power? My approach is person-centered and strengths-based. You are the expert of your life, and we will work together to identify and use your strengths to create healthier relationships, increase self-esteem, and build resilience. Transforming into your most joyful self requires dedication and hard work, and I am here to support you every step of the way. As a Black and Latinx psychologist, I am passionate about healing and uplifting his communities. You deserve not to just survive, but thrive! I believe this work has the ability to help you find the confidence in your voice, and feel empowered in your daily life. If this resonates with you, come through, get settled in, and let’s get to work.

If you are having difficulty in your personal life or with school, give a call or send an email so we can talk about what you are looking for. I have been in private practice for 40 years, have extensive experience and training, and I know how to help. If you want to know more about me and how I can help you, click on the link to my website below. I look forward to talking with you.