Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA

I work with students who may be struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief or relational issues. Most of my clients see a gradual lifting of symptoms within the first month and sustained improvement thereafter. My goal is to empower you to heal and be comfortable being your truest self, while breaking free from harmful patterns and expanding your natural ability to experience inner joy, and achieve your fullest potential.

I am a psychotherapist with over 15 years of clinical experience in a variety of settings. I received my psychotherapy training at the San Francisco State University and graduated in 2012. After working at a private counseling center for 6 years, I opened my private practice in 2018 as a licensed marriage and family therapist. I specialize in working with LGBTQ+ adults and Asian adults. My areas of interests include gay/lesbian and gender issues, sexuality. I have history of interest in issues of race and culture and their intersection with psychoanalysis.

If someone asked you not to think for 10 minutes how hard would that be? Is overthinking about the “What Ifs” driving you to relentlessly check things over and over again? Are you determined to find certainty in an uncertain world? Do you frequently ask others repeatedly if something or someone is going to be OK? No matter how much you do a task or say a particular thing does peace of mind elude you? Does the compulsion to handwash, re-read, double-check, pray, or re-arrange items never provide lasting relief? Do you find yourself burdened by intrusive thoughts that strike against your will and preoccupy your mind for hours a day? OCD is characterized by unabating obsessions matched with intense mental or behavioral rituals to relieve the anxiety provoked. It is not treated by “talk therapy” but with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Through customized gradual exposures, ERP is an evidence-based method of intervention to reduce the severity of OCD symptoms. Exposure Therapy Designs is a telehealth practice that focuses on providing EMDR and ERP for individuals struggling with OCD and PTSD. Our clinicians offer evidence and strengths-based counseling with multicultural sensitivity. We are solutions-oriented and practice from a Solutions Focused Brief Therapy Model. ERP is a collaborative and creative approach to learning new skills and strategies to become comfortable with uncertainty and more confident in your ability to handle life’s unexpected challenges. My style is compassionate, client-centered, and culturally sensitive. Licensed in California and Massachusetts. Registered Out-of-State Telehealth provider for Florida. Research indicates that approximately 40 to 60 percent of OCD conditions have a trauma onset. Often talking about the trauma(s) can retraumatize a person. For that reason, Eye Movement and Desensitization Response (EMDR) and the Flash Technique are evidence-based treatment interventions utilized to resolve the severity of PTSD symptoms. Our treatment focus is on neurodivergent issues and gifted learners. Therapeutic style is evidenced and strength based, multiculturally sensitive, solutions oriented, client centered, and collaborative. You are the expert on you. Our role is to facilitate and support an awareness of how to implement changes to overcome unhelpful patterns in thinking and decision-making. We strive to see the whole person not just a list of symptoms. Understanding your unique background is key because therapy is not a cookie-cutter approach. Our team includes providers who are Certified Level One Solutions Focused Therapists and received specialized training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Habit Reversal Training (HRT). We also have clinicians who have completed Basic training in EMDR and the Flash Technique. We work with individuals experiencing neurodivergent issues, gifted learners, individuals coping to manage life transitions, women’s mental health issues around shifting roles in family and career, and immigration/re-entry adjustment stressors. We have licensed therapists who can see individuals residing in California, Florida, Massachusetts and Virginia. However our Associate Clinicians are only able to see residents of California at this time. Individuals who have Aetna, Kaiser Permanente, Lyra, SpringHealth, or Sutter EAP benefits are able to use their health plan coverage to pay for sessions with our licensed clinician only. For everyone else we work with Mentaya, a platform that helps clients get money back on out-of-network therapy sessions. If you have out-of-network benefits, Mentaya will file claims and handle the insurance paperwork to make sure you get reimbursed. They charge a 5% fee per claim and have helped people get thousands of dollars back per year. You can sign up using this link: https://app.mentaya.com/register?p=XqKyUZD7e4vJZUJ89P3c Note: Mentaya's goal is to save you time and money. It's completely optional, and as your therapist, I do not benefit in any way from your participation. **Sliding scale rates available on a limited cash pay-only basis with our Associate Clinicians**

I work with individuals and couples offering virtual sessions throughout California and New York working with grief, trauma and living with acute and chronic illness. My style is nurturing, dynamic and radically present. I adapt my approach based on what you might need drawing from Relational, Mindfulness and Somatic based methods and incorporating EMDR when indicated. My work focuses on supporting people in their relationships to feel empowered and connected, being curious of what gets in the way of that connection. I work with individuals of all orientations, abilities, and racial, cultural, or identity groups. I look forward to meeting you.

Hello and warm welcome to you! I'm Leila and I believe that people are naturally resilient with the right support. My approach to therapy is deeply rooted in the belief that the therapeutic relationship between the client and therapist is at the heart of the healing process. This is why I work from a Humanistic framework, which is based in the belief that providing unconditional positive regard and empathy to clients cultivates a truly safe environment for them to look deeply within themselves and rediscover their potential and self-empowerment. I also believe that humor is vital to the human experience, and always welcome and encourage this within my sessions. I provide trauma-informed therapy with a focus in childhood attachment wounds, using a compassionate, client-centered approach; specializing in EMDR, chronic depression, anxiety, life-changes, stress, self-esteem issues, and inner-child/shadow work; utilizing somatic and eclectic methods. My clients walk away from therapy with me feeling a transformed sense of inner peace and self-worth, a regaining of control over their lives and decisions, and the empowerment to awaken their full potential. I strongly believe in making therapy as enjoyable as possible, and hold true to the statement of "come as you are." I have a laid-back, down-to-earth style and want my clients to feel seen, valued, and appreciated for sharing their journey with me.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to support people in a wide range of settings, including inpatient and outpatient treatment centers, residential programs, and homeless shelters. These experiences have allowed me to work closely with individuals facing many different challenges and life circumstances. Working across these environments has helped me develop a flexible, compassionate approach to care. I’ve learned how to meet people where they are—whether they’re in crisis, navigating major life transitions, or working toward long-term healing and stability. My background has shaped my ability to provide thoughtful, personalized support that is grounded in real-world experience and a deep understanding of the complexities people face. I specialize in general mental health, anxiety/depression, substance abuse, and Christian centered psychotherapy. Therapy is a space for growth through trust, curiosity, and reflection. I use humor, metaphor, and insight to guide exploration with compassion, seeing vulnerability not as weakness but as fertile ground for healing, self-awareness, and resilience. Together, we'll explore root causes and develop a practical plan for change. Many notice symptom relief within weeks and continue to make steady progress, gaining a stronger sense of control and connection in their lives. Together, we'll explore your unique path toward well-being.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Do you find yourself having strong emotional responses to past events? Are you struggling to “Let go” or “Move on” from painful experiences? A typical Enduring Strength Counseling client is someone between the ages of 20-35, possibly a member of the military community, who answered yes to the questions above and is ready to begin their mental health journey but do not want to deal with the constraints and limitations of insurance companies. My clients pay for services directly and feel greater comfort and peace of mind to engage in counseling knowing that their care will not be denied.

Let's support you in facing internal struggles stemming from everyday life, anxiety, stress, trauma, and relationships! Let's help you learn a variety of coping and parenting skills to support you in feeling confident as an individual or as a parent while developing healthy communication within your relationships. In therapy, we will spend time exploring your history, concerns, strengths, and areas of growth. We will then work together to develop an individualized way to support you in the growth that you want to see in yourself. You will learn a variety of new tools and skills to manage anxiety or stress, decrease self-criticism, improve self-esteem, increase self-confidence, set healthy boundaries, learn new ways to communicate, or learn new parenting skills. Emphasis will then be placed on learning how to implement these into your everyday life.

Therapy for Young Adults You waited your entire life to graduate high school but things aren’t working out the way you imagined. You moved back home because the college wasn’t a good fit. Your psychological disorder is flaring up and you need some help managing your symptoms. Your mood is taking over your behaviors and it’s hard to be successful meeting all of the demands in this new phase of your life. Maybe you are confused and don’t know what to do next. I help young adults who are experiencing overwhelm with the transition into adulthood. Some issues I help young people with are: Creating goals, plans to achieve them and exploring what is getting in the way of living the life you want. Managing the demands of school, work, social situations and the tasks that come with everyday life. Anxiety. Depression. Isolation and Loneliness. Self-harm. Making and keeping friends.

I meet clients virtually to quiet negative self-talk and build resilience in their nervous systems using a patent pending somatic processing tool. With a stronger nervous system, it’s easier to not be overwhelmed, in fact your baseline becomes calm, less triggered, and more balanced. Clients routinely report resolution of panic attacks; resolving the underlying causes of the negative self talk; resolving the root causes of anxiety, depression, rage, and numbness; having better relationships; and understanding their emotions better. This transformative work addresses the nonverbal impact of stressful/traumatic experiences including feelings, sensations, emotions, muscle tension, numbness and dissociation; the areas where talking is not effective. Benefits typically begin with the first session. We use CBD, medical cannabis, or ketamine assisted virtual sessions to activate brain areas that facilitate safely processing emotions, and make new brain cell connections (associated with learning and working around blocks) among many other benefits. Many patients complain about the emotional numbness and other symptoms caused by their psych medications. Because I am a medical doctor, as patients improve I am able to help wean them off of their meds when appropriate. Insurance is not accepted, but sliding scale payments are. Learn more at: http://www.slipflowtherapy.com/patients

I am a board-certified, Cornell and Mount Sinai-trained adult and child psychiatrist in New York and California. My approach to treatment is holistic and firmly rooted in the science of the brain, combining psychotherapy (for individuals, families, and couples) with nutrition, lifestyle modification, as well as state-of-the-art medication treatment, when helpful. I view each person as a complex individual with a unique story to tell, so I take time getting to know my clients and work collaboratively to develop a targeted plan to achieve their treatment goals. I have expertise in treating depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, tic, ADHD, ODD, personality disorders, and eating disorders in children, teens, adults, and in pregnant and breastfeeding women. I also work with adults transitioning into parenthood, and with infants and toddlers. I am available for consultations and second opinions. I do not accept insurance (payment is out of pocket), but I do provide invoices for out-of-network claims. I do not take medicaid or medicare at this time.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Being a student can feel overwhelming at times. Between classes, work, relationships, and figuring out who you’re becoming, it’s easy to feel anxious, burned out, or stuck. I want you to know that you don’t have to handle it alone. I provide a supportive, judgment-free space where you can talk openly and build tools that fit your life. It only takes a few sessions to feel more confident and in control. I specialize in strategies for coping with anxiety, panic and depression, as well as the management of ADHD. CBT strategies can be useful to resolve issues of procrastination or perfectionism. Together, we will decide which counseling approach and modality works best for you. I accept most insurance plans, including Cal-Optima/Medicaid. Depending on your particular insurance, I will guide you to schedule through the Headway or Octave platforms. All telehealth sessions are conducted in a private, HIPAA-compliant space.

I am a trauma-informed purpose-driven psychotherapist who loves to support students as they are going through their journey of learning, building their confidence as practitioners in their field, developing relationships with their peers and navigating the challenges that can come from being away from home. School can be hard: making deadlines, showing up to class even though you are tired, living in a culture that isn't your own, being away from your family, and having a taste of setting out on your own. I would like to support you with any anxiety and depression you might be experiencing and help you set a course of action that will help you make better decisions, prioritize self- care and discipline, and build the confidence needed to create a life of your dreams. I have lived overseas for much of my life, learned about other cultures, and employ a variety of techniques, including emdr and somatic experiencing into my work.

Are you Autistic and/or ADHD and struggling in a world not designed for your neurotype? Or do you suspect that you may be Autistic and/or ADHD and want to work with a down-to-earth neurodivergent psychologist to find out? Are you looking for a therapist who gets the struggle? I offer collaborative and neurodiversity-affirming assessment and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) tailored to the needs of Autistic and ADHD clients. Assessment may help you better understand yourself or your child. I offer neurodiversity-affirming Autism and ADHD assessments for all ages, and have a special interest in clients whose autism and/or ADHD are masked by other factors such as high cognitive and/or verbal ability, gender, race, age, or other psychiatric diagnoses. DBT may help you understand and manage your thoughts, feelings, and behavior to align with your goals. I offer DBT (group-only or comprehensive DBT) tailored to the needs of Autistic clients, and am currently co-authoring a manual for Guilford Press on tailoring DBT for the needs of Autistic clients.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hi, I'm Cienna! I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist/Associate Professional Clinical Counselor. Ever since working in Orange County, I've become passionate about helping college students/young adults. From 18-30 is such a special time, but can also come with a lot of ups and downs. I've learned so much during my 20's, and I love to help others navigate similar challenges. In my work, I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and a lot of mindfulness education. I believe that therapy is best when clients are seen holistically. I am Level 3 Trained in Somatic Experiencing, which helps me utilize the body as another tool in healing. I am also a person-centered therapist, which means I really want to specialize my treatment based off each unique client. I believe that you and I are equals, and we work together so that you have the best experience possible. I cherish the therapeutic relationship and am constantly honored and humbled by the work I do, and the ways clients allow me to join them in such a special way. If you're wanting support with~ -dealing with depression/anxiety -navigating romantic/platonic/familial relationships -finding who you are and understanding yourself better -figuring out what you want in life -balancing responsibilities and self-care -building a stronger relationship with yourself ~then I'd love to hear from you! If you think I'd be a good fit, reach out and we can talk further on how I can best support you.