Therapists for college students near University of Southern California

Hi, I’m Zirley Macias, LCSW, a bilingual (English | Spanish) therapist who meets with California college students via secure tele-health. For nearly a decade I’ve helped undergrads and grad students untangle test anxiety, academic stress, low mood, social or roommate conflicts, and the identity questions that come with campus life. Sessions feel like a friendly, judgment-free zone that doubles as a launchpad for growth: we blend evidence-based tools—Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Solution-Focused, and strength-based techniques—and, if you wish, faith-informed perspectives. You’ll leave each meeting with a bite-sized practice exercise you can fit between classes and study sessions, turning insight into daily habits. Whether you’re adjusting to dorm life, juggling coursework and part-time work, or simply feeling stuck, I’m here to help you find realistic solutions, stronger boundaries, and a sustainable sense of hope.

Hi! and welcome. I am Rachel Navarro, a licensed clinical social worker practicing in California with over 15 years of experience in the social services sector. My areas of focus include anxiety, depression, grief, ADHD, and coping with life changes. My therapy style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. I will inquire about which communication method works for you and follow your lead in the pace you need to go at in order to feel comfortable and supported through your journey in exploring feelings and needs. My clinical approaches combine Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, and Internal Family Systems.

Many of the students I work with feel overwhelmed trying to figure out who they are and what they want, especially in a time that feels uncertain and constantly changing. You might be thinking about your future while also holding awareness of things like climate change, global crises, or instability in the world, which can make everything feel heavier or harder to make sense of. Some students I work with are dealing with habits like skin picking or hair pulling, while others feel burnt out, anxious, or like they’re trying to keep up but struggling internally. I take a relational and systemic approach, looking at both what’s happening internally and the larger context you’re living in, while also offering practical tools to support change. Many of my clients are thoughtful and aware, trying to make sense of themselves and the world around them. Therapy can be a space to slow things down and find ways to move forward that feel more grounded and realistic.

You have taken the first step to reach out for support. I know that this can be a difficult thing to do but it is a great first step. You may be seeking support because you have been dealing with stress, loss, worry, feeling down, and looking for ways to cope with the difficulties of life. I have been working in the mental health field for over 10 years. As a former Activities Therapist, Therapeutic Behavior Coach, and currently a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I have experience working with culturally diverse individuals, couples, children, seniors, and families. If you would like to learn more about the therapy process and the services I provide, please reach out to me and schedule an appointment.

I believe that we are shaped, known, and grow in relationships. Therapy can help you better understand your thoughts, feelings, and experiences — and find greater freedom, vitality, and meaningful connections with yourself and others. With curiosity and openness, I work to create a supportive and collaborative environment. We will work together to make sense of who you are as a person, including the experiences that shape how you relate to yourself and to the world. We can address your present day concerns, and explore how early life experiences impact current circumstances.

I believe exploring the narratives of an individual and highlighting points of resiliency can empower and increase personal morale for those he works with. collaboratively. I utilizes a variety of other interventions as clinically indicated. While I specialize in working with children, teens, transitional age youths, and families of color, I have continued to provide therapeutic support to people of all walks of life, in the communities that I serve. I have been a volunteer bereavement counselor for children & teens for many years and have extensive education, training and clinical experience in this area. I am also passionate about foster care on the non-profit side, actively creating change within the system through advocacy and creating spaces for continued conversations, for the marginalized teens.

Hello! I serve adolescent and adult clients from a variety of backgrounds who all are seeking freedom from stress and overwhelm. Some are burnt-out and exhausted because they have high-expectations for themselves and struggle with self-care. Some have experienced childhood trauma or challenges in relationships. Some are so overwhelmed they default to avoidance-numbing with doom scrolling, binge-watching, or staying too busy. Some numb themselves with drugs and alcohol to cope. They all want to heal and be free from the patterns they experience. I would love to help you in your journey too!

I am a cancer survivor, an active duty military spouse, and a child of grief after losing my father at a young age to addiction. Building resilience and fostering hope is not just something that I practice professionally, I have lived it. These experiences combined with my clinical background have given me a unique perspective on healing. I value the realness of showing up as yourself in and out of the therapy room. When I am not wearing my therapist “hat” you can find me at the movies, cuddled up on the couch with my two fur babies, or in the kitchen. I am a serious foodie, dog mama, bookworm, Bravo-binge-watcher, coffee fiend, and yes….I am a millennial. I love to paint, listen to 90s country, decorate for the holidays, and travel (when I can!).

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hello! I'm Liana Huang (she/her), and I’m a bilingual, bicultural (Cantonese and English speaking) Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW #119082). Growing up as the eldest daughter of Chinese immigrants who left their world in the Pearl River Delta to pursue a more abundant life for their descendants in San Francisco, I can relate to and understand the specific struggles of children of immigrants. It’s not easy navigating the unspoken pressure of repaying our parents for the sacrifices they made, the inevitable miscommunication and misunderstandings that arise as families bridge cultures and languages, and the persistent feeling of falling short of expectations. With a deep understanding of intergenerational trauma and family of origin attachment wounds, I offer a unique perspective to my clients as a therapist who has personally experienced the challenges of growing up with Asian immigrant parents. You won't have to explain what it's like to navigate cultural differences and complex family dynamics because I get it. I became a therapist because I recognize that cultural humility, while important, does not compare to the insights and empathy gained through lived experience. Together, we can work through your struggles and heal from the wounds of the past to create a brighter future. You're not alone in this journey towards healing and self-discovery.

Many young adults are emerging from the direct and constant influence of parents or guardians, into a space where they have more control and responsibility for their own lives. In this stage of life, we are discovering who we are independent of those early influences and developing our own personal worldview. We are exploring new relationships and new interests as we prepare to launch into the workforce and set ourselves up for the future. With everything that is going on, you might be feeling intense stress or pressure. Maybe you feel like you’ve taken a wrong turn, are uncertain about next steps, or need a place to explore your possibilities. Many young people realize that they’ve been impacted by something in their past that they feel ready to explore or find freedom from. Perhaps you’ve discovered something about yourself in relationships with others that you’d like to understand better or change. Whatever your goals are, therapy provides a confidential, non-judgmental space to work through your experiences, discover your personal strengths and learn to choose a future that feels exciting for you.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I am passionate about helping people find ways to live their lives more fully. I take a holistic approach to therapy - believing that the mind and body are interconnected and equally important parts in the journey of growth and integration. I blend somatic therapy, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Brainspotting, and mindfulness to help my clients connect to themselves more deeply and move towards a place of healing and self-compassion.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Specializing in Narcissistic Abuse Recovery. Dedicated to empower women and men who have experienced narcissistic abuse and are suffering from the residual effects of PTSD, depression and anxiety. I also specialize in working with adult children of parental narcissism. My passion is to empower victims of narcissistic abuse and reclaim your power by putting an end to the victimization, emotional manipulation and trauma. It would be an honor an privilege to walk with you on your journey to self-discovery, growth and healing.

Hi, I’m Taylor Barragan, an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (APRN, PMHNP) with dual licensure as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and Marriage and Family Therapist. This diverse background allows me to offer a blend of integrative psychiatric care, including medication management, symptom monitoring, and holistic strategies tailored to your needs. I hold a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University and a Master of Science in Nursing from Case Western Reserve University, specializing as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. I specialize in treating ADHD and anxiety, with particular attention to neurodivergent individuals, and offer specialized care for patients navigating medical trauma and chronic conditions. I provide comprehensive psychiatric care tailored to your unique needs. My focus is on effective medication management and symptom relief, working together to find the right strategies to support your mental health goals. I believe in a holistic approach, exploring how physical health, lifestyle, and other factors interact with your mental well-being. This might include nutritional guidance, mindfulness practices, and lifestyle changes to support your overall treatment plan. My style is direct, honest, and collaborative. I prioritize understanding you as a whole person, not just your symptoms, and I am committed to providing feedback and recommendations rooted in evidence-based practices. You can count on me to be forthright and supportive as we work to achieve meaningful improvements in your quality of life. My approach is built on a compassionate, collaborative partnership rooted in trust, empathy, and evidence-based care. Together, we will work toward meaningful, lasting improvements in your mental health, empowering you to thrive with greater confidence, resilience, and peace of mind. Let’s work together to help you feel and live your best.

I have been practicing as a psychotherapist since 2011, and currently offer teletherapy in Virginia, California, and Oklahoma. I believe therapy is about change. My mission as a therapist is to help my clients find their way to creating balance and joy in their daily life. I believe all people have the ability to build a strong, healthy, and peaceful self. Depending on your needs, I utilize a mixture of treatment approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy/DBT, mindfulness, solution-focused, positive psychology, and coaching to help you build more robust coping skills. I also specialize in treating drug and alcohol addiction. I am a member of the American Psychological Association

Are you feeling stressed, overwhelmed, confused, or depressed? Are you feeling disconnected or lost as you navigate your college journey? I would love to support you and empower you to reach your potential. We all deserve to live a rewarding and fulfilling life and sometimes we just need a little help into the right direction. I am honored to help you! In my practice, I strive to combine clinical expertise with empathy and cultural competence to provide effective support and guidance to individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and college adjustment issues. My goal for anyone that I work with is to create a safe and nonjudgmental space for clients to explore their concerns, develop coping strategies, and work towards positive change.

Hello, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of New Mexico, Arizona, California, New Mexico, New York, & Michigan. I have over 20 years of clinical experience. Some of the issues people are working on are: academic performance, peer pressure, career decisions, family problems, alcohol/drug choices, behavioral choices, stress, stress, and more stress, financial aid, money, relationships, career unhappiness, job struggles; and feelings of: lost, alone, depressed, isolated, self-harm, sexual abuse, sexuality exploration, self-doubt, minimal self-worth, eliminating drinking/smoking/drug usage, living a life of sobriety & spiritual development. I am certified in EMDR therapist, I love working with teens, young people & couples; I completed 1 year internship in a couple counseling agency with supervision/training & Gottman's couple counseling training. I am a Wilderness First Responder and lead forest therapy hikes. I am down to earth, easy to talk to, funny and direct. I grew up on a farm & personally did not start out in life with much. I was one of the University scholarship kids you read about. This has shaped me into being authentic, honest, open & direct in my relationships. I have found working hard for your dreams is essential in life.

I very much enjoy working with college students in helping them navigate this time of transition from home to independent adulthood. Many college students I work with experience anxiety, chronic worrying, overwhelm, perfectionism, self-criticism, social anxiety, low self-esteem, distractibility, relationship issues, depression, academic struggles, feeling lost or unsure of their career path, and other obstacles that get in the way of reaching their full potential academically, socially, and emotionally. However, many students I work with find that these obstacles to be growth opportunities to develop greater self-awareness, inner alignment, and transformation that can lead to a more fulfilling, effective, and satisfying experiences in college and thereafter. Although this time in life can bring forth challenges that may seem insurmountable at times, I have generally experienced college students to be very insightful, bright, and resilient, and because of this, I delight in working with them! In addition to psychotherapy, I specialize in providing testing and assessments. Some college students often come to me because they have been diagnosed with a learning difference or ADHD in the past and they need an updated evaluation. Other college students come to me because they suspect they may have an undiagnosed learning difference or ADHD. Because of this, they would like to better understand their learning profile, including strengths and weaknesses, in order to receive the best support, such as specialized tutoring, executive functioning coaching, and accommodations on tests and assignments. I have been providing different types of assessments for several decades and in various contexts, and many students currently come to me from UCSF's dyslexia center, where I am listed as a referral: https://dyslexia.ucsf.edu/resources. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions regarding therapy or assessments. I am happy to provide you a free 30-mintue phone consultation!