Therapists for college students near San Francisco State University

My name is Taj-Zsa Hower, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, as well as the owner of Minding My Own Therapy. I have more than 9 years of experience providing mental health services to a multitude of diverse individuals and couples. And 2 of those years were spent working in CSUCI Counseling and Psychological Services. While there, I absolutely loved working with the college population. In fact, I created a speciality service within my practice tailored to the needs and experiences I encountered while helping my clients; Adulting Therapy. I use the term Adulting Therapy to define the emotional and mental journey that young adults undergo when confronted with the varied responsibilities commonly linked to significant transitions into adulthood, such as college adjustment, interpersonal relationships, dating, career worries, financial concerns, and stress management. Just because we have entered adulthood, doesn’t mean we know all the answers or that we’ve conquered every challenge; however, what it can mean, is that we have more challenges, increased anxieties, and a higher need for support. Adulting Therapy can be that support! Adulting Therapy will offer a place to openly address any and everything you are feeling, experiencing, and going through, so you don’t have to face them alone. I deeply enjoy and greatly value being a psychotherapist, as my clients gift me the special opportunity to be a guiding influence in the midst of their life’s journeys. A role that I accept seriously and wholeheartedly. If you believe we may be a good fit or just have more questions, please feel free to reach out. I look forward to hearing from you!

As a licensed Marriage and Family therapist with over 20 years experience, I have had the pleasure of working with hundreds of individuals and couples going through many different life experiences. I am a therapist who listens, helps support client goals, meets the client where they are at in their life, and encourages clients to look closely at one’s life and choices both in the session, and in between sessions.

I believe that we all have the capacity to heal. Circumstances, isolation, trauma, stress, and life challenges can all blur this inner knowing from view. Through a holistic lens that recognizes the importance of the mind-body-soul connection, I can assist you in uncovering and working through patterns, thoughts, and experiences that are no longer serving you while re-awakening joy, connection, curiosity, and ease. I believe in the power of the therapeutic relationship as a catalyst for reflection, change, and growth. It is my honor to hold space for healing and self-discovery to unfold. My style is warm, compassionate, attuned, and a little irreverent at times. As a queer, mixed, woman, I understand that therapy is a political act. The personal, social, cultural, and political forces that contribute to and constrain your well-being are all of concern in the therapy room. Originally from the East Coast, I earned my master’s degree in Social Work from Columbia University. Before going into private practice, I worked in school and community mental health settings where I collaborated with clients from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds navigating depression, anxiety, self-harm, and substance use. I am trained in EMDR, Relational Psychodynamic Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, and certified as a 200-hour certified yoga teacher. As someone who has sat on the therapy couch myself, I understand the vulnerability and courage it takes to reach out. Schedule a free phone consultation if you'd like to connect and determine if we are the right fit.

College can be an incredibly stressful time. Whether you are far away from where you grew up, living at home and commuting to school, or living on campus, there is an overwhelming amount of transition that happens once high school ends. Not only are you deciding what you want to do with your life and juggling schoolwork, but you are also figuring out who you are and who you want to spend your time with. This is a time where you may be able to truly be yourself for the first time in your life, where you can have a clean slate to be the person you want to be. With all of these challenges, it can feel very isolating and demanding trying to do this all on your own. It is common for college students to feel very depressed and anxious during this time, and it can also feel hard to reach out to someone to talk to about it all. You don't have to do it alone. Going to therapy is a great way to get the support you need and become the best version of yourself. I can understand why coming to therapy isn't easy though. Why tell a stranger the most personal details of your life? Because by not knowing anything about you or being a part of your life, I can offer an objective and unbiased perspective on your situation while giving you concrete tools and strategies to improve the areas you are struggling in. I've worked with many college students and have seen them make meaningful changes in their lives after going to therapy and believe that you can too. Please feel free to reach out to me and we can discuss any questions you may have, and I hope to hear from you soon!

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I am a licensed psychologist with strong specialties in treating folks with eating disorders and anxiety. I also have extensive experience working with people with depression and relationship concerns. I am a compassionate, direct therapist. I work collaboratively with my patients to set and achieve their goals. These goals often include increased self-acceptance, as well as changes in mood, thought patterns, and behaviors. My therapy is rooted in empirically based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), psychodynamic theory, and neuroscience research. I develop customized strategies to help my patients manage painful thoughts and emotions, change unhelpful behaviors, and increase motivation. I also help cultivate self-compassion and self-understanding. Self-understanding promotes self-acceptance. When you allow yourself to be who you are, your inner critic has no leverage, and you move more easily toward a meaningful and fulfilling life. For most of my patients, this is the ultimate goal. Please go to my website for more information. My blog describes many of the concepts and strategies I use.

My training is in both medical and clinical mental health settings where I have gained an expertise in working with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, sleep concerns and insomnia, chronic pain and other chronic illness adjustment difficulties. I also have a passion for working with mothers and women who are pregnant or postpartum and are looking for support through these critical life stages.

We specialize in working with survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, child abuse, and other types trauma. We are passionate about helping you regain a sense of safety and drastically decrease the lasting effects of trauma in your life. We proudly stand with members of the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC community, and are unapologetically body-, sex-, and kink-affirming.

Chelsea Sterling is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). She holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of San Diego. Her clinical experiences include providing individual therapy, group therapy, crisis counseling and psychosocial assessments through work in short-term acute residential treatment (START) programs, outpatient mental health clinics and an alcohol treatment facility. She is a certified Domestic Violence Counselor. Chelsea has expertise in the following modalities: cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing and eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR).

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.

Life is rough sometimes, and it’s so easy to feel stuck, wondering where life is going. My goal is to help you find new perspectives and new ways of looking at any situation, so that you can approach life with confidence and authenticity. Along with bringing a multicultural perspective to therapy as a therapist of color, I utilize an integrative approach of Narrative and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies, and other modalities that fit your unique life journey. I find the greatest enjoyment in working with adults, couples, and adolescents from culturally diverse backgrounds. Areas of concern that I have extensive experience in includes, anxiety, burnout, depression, interpersonal/ relationship difficulties, racial stress and trauma, general school-work-life balance stress, helping clients cultivate a healthy relationship with physical fitness, as well as those simply seeking a bit more fulfillment or life satisfaction. I also work diligently in conducting psychological assessments and ADHD evaluations. Of special interest, my research on the psychological impact of code-switching behavior in African-Americans allows me a unique perspective on how to help professionals of color learn to cope with stress. Coupled with my passion for social justice, advocacy and the role they play in mental health, my goal is to help break the stigma of mental health in communities of color. If you feel we may be a good fit, or desire to learn more about my specialties, experience & approaches to therapy, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to speaking with you!

I’m a licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years of diverse experience in mental health, including work at the VA San Diego Healthcare System and UC San Diego. My career spans roles in clinical practice, research, and education, giving me a broad perspective on mental health challenges and treatment approaches. I have worked extensively with veterans, trauma survivors, and individuals navigating intimate partner violence (IPV) or relationship-related concerns, as well as adults facing anxiety, depression, grief, and life transitions. I provide trauma-informed, evidence-based, and integrative therapy that blends modern psychotherapies with mindfulness and Zen Buddhist principles. This approach helps students build resilience, self-compassion, and clarity. Therapy is tailored to each individual, offering practical tools for managing stress, navigating relationships, and balancing academic and personal demands. I offer secure telehealth sessions across California, making it easy for students to access support alongside their studies. My goal is to create a safe, understanding space where students can explore challenges, develop coping strategies, and strengthen a sense of purpose and well-being during this formative stage of life.

Navigating life’s transitions can often feel lonely, overwhelming, and even hopeless. Whether you’re mourning the loss of an important relationship, shifting into a new job or role, adjusting to an unfamiliar environment, or simply trying to stay afloat amidst a sea of relentless responsibilities and challenges, you may become paralyzed by your thoughts and worries and begin to lose the sense of joy and contentment you used to feel. As a recent undergraduate and graduate student myself, I completely understand how this feels. I chose to specialize in young adult life transitions so that I can offer guidance and support to students going through issues such as relational conflict, anxiety, depression, body image, and identity development. Together, we will navigate towards self confidence and personal growth by focusing on finding balance, coping with difficult thoughts and emotions, and striving towards a life that aligns with your personal values and prioritizes what truly matters to you. I use an eclectic approach to customize therapy in order to help you uncover your innate capacity for growth and fulfillment. I offer fully remote services and convenient scheduling to accommodate what works best for you. Choosing the path towards growth requires tremendous strength and resilience, so take the first step today.

Hi there, I'm Marianna! My name is Marianna Birdsong. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Southern California and working with clients statewide via telehealth. I work with the adult population and specialize in anxiety, stress, and life changes, using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Client-Centered Therapy to help my clients make progress and start feeling better.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, struggling to find your identity, or dealing with the pressures of life transitions and relationships? College is an exciting time, but it can also feel stressful and uncertain. As a therapist, I specialize in helping students like you navigate these challenges with compassion and understanding. Together, we'll explore your values, develop effective coping strategies, and build stronger connections, so you can feel more confident and empowered in your journey. I’m here to support you every step of the way. To start the conversation about therapy, please contact me to set up a free, 15-minute consultation.

Peace-It-Together Counseling Agency provides prevention and intervention counseling services to at-risk youth and offers affordable mental health care services to vulnerable populations in our community. We recognize many people do not have the necessary insurance to seek mental health services. PIT intentionally offers lower fee counseling to individuals, children, teens, families, couples, and the older-aging population to help those who would not ordinarily be able to afford counseling. We make our services affordable by offering them on a sliding scale based on your income. The Peace-It-Together staff knows the unique stressors students carry as many of our staff are also students. Our counselors can provide students with stress reduction strategies to help with school performance anxiety and other school-related stressors. Juggling work, school, and relationships can be overwhelming at times. Our staff is here to help support you and listen to your concerns. We can offer interventions to help you thrive.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I see patients only virtually, but can see anyone whose residence is in California, or anyone who is out of the country (USA). My website has information about what I do.