Therapists for college students near University of Southern California

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

My name is Sandra Martinez and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Orange County, CA. I work with young adults/teens and specialize in anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitional changes, relationship issues, peer-related issues, stress, and family issues. I am trained in various evidence-based models of treatment and utilize an integrative therapeutic approach to optimize the needs of the clients that I serve. I have a collaborative approach to goal setting with clients. I work with the client to see what they would like to get out of therapy and what changes they want to make. I typically work well with young adults and teens who are willing to explore and make changes in their life. My communication style is very calm, empathetic, open minded, direct, personable, and I enjoy using humor as appropriate. I want my clients to feel comfortable and like they can be themselves when we work together. Please reach out if you have specific schedule questions.

My Background Hello and welcome! I have been helping people heal and live more fulfilling lives for over 20 years. I am just as passionate today as I was when I first began. My formal training began while studying psychology at UC Berkeley where I became interested in learning about the mind, human behavior and emotions, personality and developmental psychology. For several years after undergrad, I helped people with developmental disabilities by providing them with vocational, recreational and social opportunities so they can live their best lives. I later received my Masters in Clinical Social Work from Boston College where I dove deep into understanding human behavior in the context of environment. My post-masters work involved coaching parents on helping their children with autism and behavioral issues express their needs in safe and effective ways; managing a substance use helpline and providing crisis intervention and family therapy for people who were hospitalized due to severe and acute mental health issues. For three years, I provided group, family and individual therapies to clients at an Intensive Out Patient program in a bay-area hospital, teaching mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness skills. My Journey Growing up I was never taught how to appropriately identify and express my feelings or process pain. This caused me to direct any pain I experienced either inward towards myself or outward towards others. This resulted in hurtful and angry outbursts towards those I love or turning inward and experiencing numbness, anxiety, depression and shame. In my own therapy, I came to discover the power of changing the relationship I had with my emotions. I explored past wounds and destructive patterns and as a result, have experienced deep healing and changes that have significantly improved the quality of my life and have allowed me to experience more intimacy, happiness, deeper fulfillment and peace in all areas of my life. The work I have done in therapy has also had a powerful impact on my ability to serve my clients. My Approach I am compassionate, caring, and non judgmental. My clients have told me they appreciate my authenticity, kindness and creativity. I create a safe environment allowing people to feel comfortable discussing even the most sensitive issues. Clients also feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings on my approach to their therapy. This has lead to an open dialogue encouraging meaningful conversations, improving both the therapeutic relationship and outcomes for my clients. About Me A California native, I love spending time in nature, hiking, singing and recording songs, playing guitar, yoga, meditation, reading, traveling and spending time with friends and family. I also enjoy writing and reading about spirituality, psychology and personal development. I currently live in the San Francisco Bay Area.

hold a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. My professional background includes extensive experience working with adolescents in school-based settings, where I have supported young people through various challenges such as social anxiety, separation anxiety, depression, and adjustment issues following parental separation or divorce. In my work, I prioritize Cultural Humility and Competence, ensuring that my approach is respectful and inclusive of diverse identities and backgrounds. I have worked with clients from the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals of color, and people from various religious traditions. This commitment helps me to provide a therapeutic environment that is sensitive to the unique experiences of each client. I utilize a range of therapeutic approaches tailored to meet your needs. My practice incorporates Gestalt methods, such as the empty chair technique, which focuses on present-moment experiences to facilitate healing from past issues. Additionally, I employ person-centered therapy to create a supportive and empathetic space where you can freely explore your thoughts and feelings. My sessions also integrate art, play, and sand tray techniques, which can offer creative and engaging ways to work through your challenges. I am enthusiastic about supporting you on your journey through life. Whether you are dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, or identity-based issues, I am here to help you explore your strengths and apply them to real-life situations. I look forward to the meaningful work we will do together and the insightful conversations we will have. Let’s embark on this transformative journey together—I’m excited to see the progress we can achieve.

You may be feeling tired of the world as it is—overstimulated, uncertain, and emotionally demanding. Whether you appear strong and capable or feel overwhelmed, many people are carrying fear, exhaustion, and a longing for something steady to hold onto. The people I work with often feel worn down by repeating patterns like people-pleasing or overextending, or feel stuck and disconnected when life feels unstable. I provide a grounded, safe environment where you can truly slow down and breathe. My approach bridges the gap between traditional clinical expertise and alternative ways of healing. I offer evidence-based practices like CBT, ACT, MBCT and Narrative Therapy. In addition to this, I also integrate somatic-based practices, Buddhism psychology, Akashic Record reading, and other spiritual healing practices into our work together. I work with self-identity, relationships, burnout, boundaries, and life transitions—especially during times of uncertainty. My goal is to help you develop an inner anchor you can return to when life feels chaotic, and to support you in moving toward a life that feels more aligned, peaceful, and sustainable.

Sometimes you feel out of place, like you can't connect to other people. Your life might appear "normal" but you can't seem to enjoy it. You may feel alone, like nobody else understands, and might wish you could be more present for your kids/work/partner/family. While you have experienced trauma, pain, loss, hardship, or addiction, you are ready to take hold of your future. If you are looking to break free of a painful past that has you chained in your present, you have found the right place. Thrive clients are women who have struggled, felt alone, and are exhausted. They are people who want support in moving forward. I am genuine, honest, upfront and interactive, and emphasize the importance of our connection for your healing. I treat trauma through the lens of mind/body connection. I primarily use EMDR, which bridges the trauma stored in your body/mind/spirit to allow healing, CBT, which helps you identify and replace unhealthy thoughts, and DBT to teach coping skills. There will be no stuffy office space, writing notes under the gaze of judging eyes, or a long couch...promise! I'll be the supportive ear that puts your butt in gear! You will laugh, cry and heal. You can book your free 10-minute phone consult or first session here (or call or email): https://thriveforlife.clientsecure.me *$165/session via telehealth*

Therapy is a place for those who seek to challenge the status quo of their lives and deepen their relationship with themselves & others to heal relational/behavioral patterns that are no longer serving them. I provide professional psychotherapy that allows individuals to grow their inherent capacity to thrive in an inclusive environment that fosters hope & understanding.

I work with clients who are asking "Who am I, apart from the things I've done, as a student, or the job I have?" The work that we'll do together will help you to create a renewed sense of purpose and meaning through empathetic, insightful therapy. Whether you're grappling with burnout, the complexities of relationships, work-life balance, life transition, anxiety, grief, or depression, I will design treatment that matches your unique circumstances and helps you thrive in the world.

I know it can be daunting reaching out for therapy - to let in support, to try to find the right fit, to allocate the resources & time. When I was a senior in college, therapy truly saved my life - but I so remember how long it took for me to be able to make that first call. So props to you for exploring! If we end up working together, you will likely share a lot about you. So here’s a little bit about me: I’m a white (French, British, and German heritage), queer, cis-woman from a middle-class background who is able-bodied (with some lived experience of chronic illness). I’m often dreamy, sensitive, irritable, passionate, anxious, patient, funny. I love humor, music, sour gummy worms, Rihanna, poetry, shoes, crying, and books. I’m passionate about social justice and art. I grew up in a coastal town so the ocean feels like home. I startle easily. I love singing and songwriting. Some of the big themes I’ve grappled with during this lifetime are: grief & loss; sexuality & sexual orientation; gender; body image and eating disorders; depression; anxiety; addiction and relationships with family members struggling with addiction; containment; perfection; co-dependence & attachment; sexual trauma; disconnection from creativity; betrayal, infidelity, & trust; monogamy & ethical non-monogamy; suicidality. And here's a bit about my therapy practice: I offer therapy for individuals & partners experiencing a broad range of life challenges. And, I have extensive experience in supporting folks as they navigate the following content areas: communication & relationship issues; grief & loss; identity; trauma; sexual orientation, sexuality & sensuality; creativity; systems & lived experiences of oppression; anxiety & fear; depression; co-dependence; addiction; infidelity, betrayal & trust; and inner-child work. I’m sex-positive, queer, and poly- & kink-affirming, and welcome all ethnic & racial identities & positionalities. The therapy that I offer is depth-oriented and strongly rooted in Gestalt & somatic modalities, as well as intersectional feminism. It is trauma-informed and client-centered. For those that are interested, I also enjoy using intuition, creativity, and the imaginal realms (imagery, visualization, experiential exercises, art, dreamwork, etc.) to support our explorations. If none of that means anything to you (understandable!), here's a *hopefully* less-jargon-y description of how I approach my work as a therapist: I fervently believe that you (and only you) are the authority of your experience. I am here to offer my curiosities, intuition, and reflections — in dialogue with you — to help you explore and discover your truth. I am interested in meeting you wherever you are in the present moment, supporting you to increase your awareness. It is my belief that only by increasing our awareness can we increase our felt experiences of agency and choice…which in turn allows us to live a more empowered, aligned, compassionate, and enlivened life. I care deeply about creating a safe container in our therapeutic relationship — to respect boundaries, to always track for consent and choice, to unambivalently welcome all parts of you, to fervently support both your safety and aliveness. I am passionate about and invested in exploring power, positionality, and privilege. I welcome and support difference, and am committed to efforts to not perpetuate authoritarian and oppressive systems in the therapeutic relationship. I honor & trust the massively creative and adaptive survival strategies that you have developed to keep you safe. And, I also honor the ways that the habitual enacting of those survival strategies may no longer be serving you — that your circumstances and capacities may have outgrown these mechanisms, and that you may need some support in this vulnerable re-emergence into the world. I will sit with you in your suffering. I’m not afraid of the darkness, or of your shadow. I will go to the depths with you. And stay there, in the underworld, with you for as long as you need…until you emerge anew on the other side. I believe that, together, we can co-create a homecoming for you. That our work can guide you home to your innate nature — to your authentic expression of your many parts of self. To your passion and presence and joy. To your aliveness. To feeling deeply nurtured and nourished. A return to self in which you come to truly and intimately know yourself for the first time. I so looking forward to hearing from you & seeing if we might be a good fit to work together, should you choose to reach out!

If you are not living the life that you know you could be living, if you are often tense and worried and have a hard time relaxing, if you have difficulty enjoying what life has to offer: give yourself a chance to be happier and to enjoy life! I have over 20 years of experience as a psychotherapist, I am easy to talk to, and I don't judge. I want to help you learn to take care of yourself, to relax and be happy, and to optimize your performance in all aspects of your life. I enjoy helping students feel well, function at an optimal level in class & lead happier lives. I also help athletes & performance artists realize their potential and achieve peak performance.

Thrivister is a proven academic coaching program that specializes in helping students with ADHD and other learning differences overcome their challenges and thrive academically and personally. Our highly customized coaching approach includes a thorough intake process, coach matching, individualized focus plans, and a HIPAA-compliant video platform for coaching sessions. We focus on creating routines and habits for long-term success and offer ongoing feedback and accountability.

My approach to the therapy process is collaborative so that together we can work to accomplish your goals. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, low mood, past trauma, relationship issues, or a life transition, we can work together to uncover the underlying emotions and navigate the blind spots so that you can gain clarity and calmness in your self and in your relationships. I use specific styles of therapy, including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) and Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) as a way to help guide the therapeutic process. These styles help us explore strengths and transformation, while also navigating areas that keep us emotionally stuck. I am truly inspired by the resilience of the human spirit and the bravery that people have when embarking on the difficult but necessary work of self-examination. I am committed to creating a safe and non-judgmental space where you can feel supported and understood, as we journey together in the therapy process.

My practice integrates relational psychodynamic and politicized somatic lineages and I love working with survivors of trauma, queer community, neurodivergent community, young adults, social justice organizers, artists, deep feelers, and outsiders.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#142738), I specialize in trauma, LGBTQIA+ issues, life transitions, anxiety, and depression, I am passionate about supporting adolescents and young adults on their journey to well-being. My commitment to being client-centered means that I prioritize your unique experiences, values, and goals throughout our work together. My approach is client-centered, empathetic, and collaborative. I believe in creating a warm and non-judgmental space where you can feel comfortable exploring and expressing your thoughts and feelings. I recognize the strength within each person and tailor my therapeutic interventions to address your specific needs. I view the therapeutic relationship as a partnership, with your goals and preferences guiding the direction of our work. Building a trusting and comfortable therapeutic relationship is priority. I'll invite you to share what brings you to therapy, your expectations, and any specific goals you may have. This helps me tailor our approach to best meet your needs. It's essential that you feel comfortable and empowered in the therapeutic process. My aim is to empower you with the tools and insights necessary for positive change and personal growth. As far as sliding scale goes, I work with Open Path Collective to offer reduced rates. I also take a variety of insurances. If you are interested, I can also work with helping you get reimbursed for services with Thrizer.

I work with people in transition or who are preparing for change. Artists, actors and writers. Those in bereavement. Or who are living with a catastrophic health-related diagnosis, recent or of long duration. Caregivers. Mental health interns who need to explore their own issues in order to practice mindfully. Folks who are using substances more than they want. People who want to decrease their distress but who also have a curiosity about its sources. People who want to talk with someone about the most important thing in the world, perhaps to discover what that is. My specialty is the intuitive analysis of what is most important to you. My experience has shown me that we carry within us the answers we're looking for. My skill is in eliciting these answers and reflecting them back to you so you recognize them. I've been trained in Depth psychology, Narrative psychology and Cognitive Behavior therapy, in dream analysis and evidence-based practices like Seeking Safety. In addition to private practice I've directed multiple community mental health and recovery programs, as well as provided training and clinical supervision to new therapists.

I generally help individuals to reach their goals of feeling happier and calmer or to change from unwanted habits to wanted habits. I am a clinical psychologist licensed in the State of California since 1992. I work with individuals through the lifespan, and I use an integration of techniques. I am a bilingual (bicultural: Cuban-American) clinical psychologist. Dr. Charles Farrow holds a degree from UCLA and a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Alliant University (APA). His practice focuses on stress management, relationship issues, self-esteem, and adjusting to life’s most challenging situations. He sees clients in his Rancho Peñasquitos office or via video. His work included the major hospitals in San Diego. Dr. Farrow has served the community volunteering with DS Action, the Jesuit Institute for Family life, and with serving the special needs ministry at his church. He is Cuban-American, and the father of 4. Si necesita ayuda en Español, estoy a su servicio.

College can be exciting and full of new experiences, but it can also bring a lot of pressure. Between academics, relationships, and figuring out your future, it is easy to feel stressed, anxious, or unsure of yourself. Therapy offers a chance to slow down, reflect, and work through whatever feels heavy right now. My approach is warm, collaborative, and culturally aware. I focus on helping students manage stress, anxiety, and relationship challenges while building self-understanding and confidence. Sessions are available online for students across California, and my goal is to make therapy a supportive space where you can be heard and find balance.

My style and approach tend to be a good fit for young adults who may be dealing with the challenges of life transitions and societal pressures. I aim to support my clients in navigating these issues and to build skills to develop a more positive life. My communication style is calm, direct, and adaptable. I want my clients to feel comfortable and supported when talking to me about anything they want to share at their own pace. My approach to therapy varies based on the needs of each client, but I tend to lean towards Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Positive psychology, or Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. These modalities help me and the client build a shared understanding of their reality, and allow us to work together to create change. Please reach out via email or call (661-465-2590) if website availability does not match your schedule. I have a flexible schedule.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

College students are going through transitional times in their lives. They are learning how to navigate life on their own while balancing new responsibilities, changes in relationships, and the building of their adult identities. Many find themselves feeling anxious, depressed, stuck, or lost when unforeseen challenges come their way, their life expectations aren’t met, or childhood wounds become harder to ignore. I support clients with coping with current life stressors, overcoming perfectionism and people-pleasing, and processing grief and trauma from the past.