Therapists for college students near University of Southern California

Hi I am Ro (they/them). I provide radical care for expansive lives — creating space for healing that honors complexity, identity, and growth. My approach is affirming, trauma-informed, and rooted in curiosity and connection. I integrate Somatic Internal Family Systems, Brainspotting, and other nervous-system–based modalities to support deep, embodied work. I work especially well with clients who live at the intersections — queer, neurodivergent, creative, questioning, or simply ready to do therapy differently. Together, we’ll explore what it means to live more freely, fully, and on your own terms.

College is a time of tremendous growth, but it can also bring stress, uncertainty, and pressure from many directions. Balancing academics, relationships, family expectations, cultural identity, and planning for the future can feel overwhelming—especially if you're a first-generation, international, or multicultural student trying to navigate different worlds. Therapy offers a space that's truly yours, where you don't have to meet anyone else's expectations or have everything figured out. Together, we'll explore what's weighing on you, gain insight into the patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and develop practical tools to help you manage life's challenges with greater confidence and self-compassion. My goal is to help you reconnect with your authentic self, build resilience, and create a life that feels aligned with your own values rather than the expectations of others.

Life gets complicated. Relationships strain, grief accumulates, anxiety takes hold, and sometimes the weight of simply being human becomes more than any one person should carry alone. Whatever brought you here – a specific struggle, a quiet sense that something needs to change, or simply the courage to finally reach out – you’ve come to the right place. Sequoia Counseling Collective is a group therapy practice offering compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals and couples. Our team of skilled therapists specializes in anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, grief and loss, life transitions, perinatal mental health, and relationship challenges. We draw from a range of proven approaches including EMDR, EFT, the Gottman Method, CBT, ACT, and animal assisted therapy to provide care that is thoughtfully tailored to you.

Are you looking to make a change in your life? Feeling stuck with behaviors that used to serve you and now seem to weigh you down? Do you have plans and dreams that you never quite get around to enacting? You are not alone. We have all been there at one time or another. I know I have been. In fact, by some estimates, at any given time 80% of people are feeling ambivalent about a significant decision or change they want to make in their lives. It was with this in mind that Time for Change, Psychotherapy Services was born. I offer an approach that is respectful, compassionate and hopeful. I believe you will find me easy to talk to and a place where you can find courage, take risks and be vulnerable. I am humbled and honored when people trust enough to share their personal stories and together we can seek to find a way forward.

Welcome! I am so glad you are here. I am a licensed psychologist and gender expert, specializing in working with transgender, nonbinary, and LGBTQIA+ communities. I also specialize in working with Black, brown, and indigenous, as well as POC. I have extensive experience working with college and graduate students. I am queer/trans, and an immigrant myself. I also have expertise in this area. I completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University in their gender and sexual identities track. I offer therapy to people with a variety of concerns including trauma, anxiety, panic attacks, OCD, eating disorders, and difficulties with impostor syndrome. I hope I get the honor of working with you.

Since I could remember, I knew that I wanted to be in a field that would give me the opportunity to help others. I chose to be a psychology major for many reasons but one of them is because I found psychology very interesting and fascinating. I also discover that being genuinely interested in people, wanting to help and having the ability to easily connect with others were strengths that would help me in my journey of being able to help others. I have a passion for helping clients enhance their personal strengths, develop coping skills for them to thrive during difficult times, life transitions and needed change. One of the most important thing for me as a therapist is on providing a safe environment to my clients. I do it by being genuine, empathetic and compassionate. I also use actively listening to really understand the client’s perspective on their situations, and also what they want out of treatment. One question that I found important is to ask my client about their previous experiences in therapy and what was something that they did not like or liked in order to understand more what they might need from out therapeutic relationship. I like working collaboratively with my clients to build healthier relationships with themselves and others. I truly believe that people are the experts of their lives. Using compassion, active listening, kindness and a collaborative approach has helped my clients feel safer in our sessions while working together. When leaving our sessions, clients will have a roadmap for their healing and personal development journey. Through out our work together, clients will feel empower, motivate and hopeful that they can improve and achieve their treatment goals.

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You want to be a better person than what you grew up with. You want to provide the love and support that always felt conditional to you. Growing up, you learned to believe the other shoe would drop at any moment and you had to be ready. It was only a matter of time. Instead of being made to feel like you were the problem, you wish you could have grown up to trust in yourself, to feel all of the feelings without shame or judgment, to have healthy relationships. You want this, but just because you know in your head that there is a better way doesn't mean you know how to recognize it, trust in it, or believe in your heart that you deserve it. I enjoy providing a compassionate, non-judgmental space for you to come and just be. We'll work together to identify the unhelpful patterns you've learned, to build a sense of safety, and your ability to trust in yourself. We'll build up the compassionate self you wished you got when you were young, and build in skills and supports to lean on along the way. I help adults who feel like they are always on edge, ready for someone to make you the problem and say it's your fault. Here's the truth: You are allowed to be different, to take up space, to feel all the feelings, that doesn't make you 'the problem.' We'll work together to help your brain believe it and keep you safe. Hi, I'm Allyson! I'm a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT #136508) and Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC #12918) under the supervision of Elizabeth McGinnis, LPCC 8285. I received my Master’s from California Baptist University in Counseling Psychology and my Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology from Biola University. In my career as a therapist, I’ve worked with children and adults of all ages. From preschool through adulthood, I’ve worked alongside my clients to process through their challenges and create patterns of relating that are most true and helpful for them. To find out more about me, check out https://empsychotherapy.net/therapists/allyson/

I graduated with a BA in Psychology from University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou). I earned an ADN from Santa Monica College, Masters in Nursing Education from Phoenix University and PMHNP Post Masters Cert from Maryville University. I worked inpatient for about 3 years then switched to education. I have been an LVN instructor and director of nursing. I developed the Mental Health course for the ADN program. I taught ADN students and later became the Director of Nursing. I finished my PMHNP certificate while I was the ADN director then switched to working at Foresight full-time. I am inspired to work in mental health to improve others’ quality of life. I collaborate with my patients to come to a mutually accepted treatment plan. All psychiatry providers at Foresight have specialized experience in treating a wide range of common mental health conditions, including but not limited to ADHD, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, depression, and PTSD. In addition, I specialize in the following areas: first responders, men’s issues, veterans care, binge eating disorder

Do you sometimes feel stressed, exhausted, unfulfilled, or disconnected? When triggered do you shut down, have unexpected emotions, or dissociate? Do you work hard to please others and be successful, but no matter what you do, it never feels like you are good enough? Therapy may be able to help you learn new coping skills, decrease painful emotions and negative thoughts about yourself related to past events, and become more resilient. My Background and Approach: I strive to create a safe, supportive space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings while also practicing new coping or communication skills (including how to set boundaries). With a doctorate in depth psychology and training in EMDR, an evidence-based trauma therapy, I specialize in helping adults and adolescents work towards healing and growth. We can collaborate to explore the larger picture of what is bringing you to therapy and set goals. In order to help you feel safe and supported, we can balance talking about difficult topics with learning and practicing coping skills. We can explore your strengths while addressing the patterns you want to change. By exchanging feedback regularly, we can evaluate our progress and grow together. My Personal Beliefs and Interests: One of the reasons I became a therapist is because of my own recovery, which has allowed me to find joy and a sense of meaning and purpose in life. When I’m not parenting my two children or working, I enjoy reading, creative writing, and being outside. I make an effort to do something that brings me joy every day- even if it’s just by searching the night sky for the moon or talking to a friend on the phone.

I became a mental health provider because everyone’s gone through something in their life that made them the person they are today. Good or bad, I truly feel passionate about using my experiences to help others achieve their goals and feel supported. I have been providing counseling services for over 12 years and have extensive experience working with the student population. I am a proud Alumni of CSU Channel Islands and Azusa Pacific University! Cannot wait to start working with you!

I enjoy working with those who are struggling with social and general anxiety, adjusting to major transitions in life (like starting college, changing majors, planning graduation), and identity. I am LGBTQIA+ affirming.

Hello! I love working with college students and young adults. I am located within walking distance from Chapman University. If you are looking for a therapist with some sass who curses but also knows how to be nurturing, look no further. I consider myself a trauma therapist and I am certified in EMDR and trained in Internal Family Systems at the IFS Institute. I love learning and am often taking new trainings so I can support my clients better. I am very passionate about what I do. Recently, my focus has been on IFS and Polyvagal Theory. IFS is a type of therapy that helps us understand that we have different parts inside of us that conflict with one another at times. It is sort of similar to inner child work although that is a bit reductive. Polyvagal Theory is looking at what is happening in the body, namely the autonomic nervous system. I also really enjoy focusing on attachment and my thesis from when I was in grad school was on attachment.

Welcome. Taking the first step to getting help can feel daunting. Thank you for being here. Sometimes, life can feel like a whirlwind of unexpected events that can leave you feeling overwhelmed, confused, and empty inside. Whatever it is that you have experienced, know that you have the right to find peace and tranquility. Encountering trauma is scary, but know that you are not alone. Know that YOU are valuable and worthy of living a peaceful life with meaning. Naturally, I incorporate a spiritually holistic approach and strive to connect people to what feels good to their soul. Overall, my approach is mostly centered around your distinct needs. I believe individuals need a warm, safe, and sacred space to begin the healing process. Your experience is important to me and my hope is to maintain a sacred space to help you explore challenges and find some understanding. My role is to be your anchor as we walk through difficult moments. My goal is to be your guide and provide you with a safe, non-judgmental space to find clarity. I strongly believe every person has natural strengths that make them resilient and my hope is to find these within you. It would be an honor to sit with you. If there is anything that resonates with you here. Let’s connect.

Serving the San Fernando Valley, the greater Los Angeles area and conveniently located on Ventura Blvd, 15 minutes west of the 405 freeway with neighboring areas including Calabasas, Simi Valley and Malibu, Clearview Outpatient – Woodland Hills utilizes a combination of DBT, CBT, and experiential therapy to meet the individual needs of each client we serve. We specialize in treating adults, 18 years and older, who have mood disorders, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, and co-occurring autism spectrum disorder (ASD). At Woodland Hills, we’re committed to providing compassionate, comprehensive, and high-quality individualized psychiatric and psychotherapeutic care for adults who suffer from severe and persistent mental illness while maximizing social functioning in the real world.

I help students who are struggling in their relationships or struggling with the demands of college expectations. I have unique specialties in anxiety treatment and eating disorder treatment as well. Reach out, and let's see if I can help!

For years I navigated the fast-paced world of tech, a path that provided stability but left a nagging sense of yearning. Through attending therapy myself, I began a long journey of self-discovery to finally recognize the person I truly wanted to be. This wasn’t just about a career change; it was about uncovering the voice I’d kept hidden and the connections I craved. Now, my passion lies in helping clients embark on their own journey to become their most authentic self. My goal is to create a supportive, non-judgmental environment in which clients can explore their thoughts and feelings freely. Whether you are contending with overwhelming emotions, seeking to improve your relationships, or struggling with a difficult life transition, I am here to help guide you towards greater understanding and resilience. With a compassionate and evidence-based approach, I am confident that we can work together to help you achieve your goals and lead a more fulfilling life. As a therapist, I leverage Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to empower clients to manage their emotional and behavioral struggles. During sessions, we will collaboratively identify unhelpful thinking patterns that contribute to negative emotions or problematic behaviors. We will then explore the evidence for and against these thoughts, fostering a more balanced and realistic perspective. My approach is grounded in meeting each individual where they are on their journey toward healing and growth. My background in traditional work environments allows me to uniquely connect with professionals and students facing work stress, burnout, or career dissatisfaction. Being a former video game developer who stays current on the latest trends, I also find that I easily connect with kids, young adults and teens.

Phoenix Rising Centers breaks barriers in mental health care for BIPOC, QTPoC, and LGBTQIA2S+ communities. Through trauma-informed, anti-racist, and culturally rooted practices, we empower healing, growth, and resilience while confronting systemic inequities.

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I have been a therapist since 2004 working in both private and group practice with adults and children before joining with Kaiser Permanente psychiatry in 2012, recently returned to sole private practice in 2021. I earned my clinical social work degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, which was awarded a top 5 ranking in the field. I additionally have completed post-graduate studies at University of Virginia Mary Ainsworth Clinic and American School of Clinical Psychology in Washington DC. While I enjoy use of various therapy methods, including CBT and ACT to treat anxiety and depression, I have a particular passion in the use of EMDR for trauma and stress disorders. I consider myself very privileged to have trained with and sought consultation with Andrew Leeds, who is an EMDRIA board member and foundational researcher in the field. .Many of my clients have reported this technique to be a fast and highly effective treatment that they wish they had considered sooner. Please feel free to look over the links regarding the high-effectiveness of EMDR and to reach me with any questions. Additionally, I have extensive expertise in the area of dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) another great therapy style that I can strongly recommend, I was very fortunate to be part of a 2012 Ben Hudnell Grant to develop a DBT program for Kaiser Permanente’s Psychiatry Department, initially at the Washington DC clinic and then later heading the program for KP Psychiatry in Pleasanton, CA; running these programs from 2015-2021. I find the coping skills taught in DBT to be essential, not only for reducing suffering and problem behaviors, but for helping to create a life worth living. While DBT was initially developed to assist those with Borderline Personality Disordered traits, it has broadened to include helping those looking to manage with mood swings, anger, relationship problems, binge eating, bipolar disorders, anxiety and depression, as well as assisting those is continuing recovery from addictions. I especially recommend DBT for those who struggle with anger or shutting down, as relationship dynamics are really where difficult can present. I teach both basic DBT and advanced practice, whether your new to process or experienced I am happy to support your process in session. There is the hope to include group education and process, in the future, pandemic needs permitting. I see my clients online via secure telehealth on Mondays and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays are available for in-person for those full-vaccinated and without COVID exposure concerns. You may schedule a free 20-minute telehealth consult via website below.