Therapists for college students near Los Angeles, CA

You may feel stuck, anxious, depressed, or hopeless. However, just the courage to take the first step in knowing you want to experience your life differently takes strength. I work with my clients to expand that strength in a safe environment. When struggling with a family or friend relationship, or when experiencing increased stress from some changing circumstances in life, often unhealed issues start to surface. Now we really need support. These times are actually the ones where the most healing can occur. I provide a space that is safe for all the feelings, thoughts, issues, and fears to be brought forth so that there can begin to be healing. I help clients decide on goals they'd like to achieve in treatment, and with compassionate suggestions, help them make the changes they are looking for. If you want to understand yourself on a deeper level, if you believe you may have formed some distortions in the ways you talk to yourself, I will help you create a new narrative, one that promotes self compassion, peace and joy. I believe we all need help sometimes to move towards a life that is full and thriving. Please call for a free consultation!

We need sex-positive, body-positive support for ourselves, our families, and our communities. Individuals, couples, polycules and groups I work with traverse the world with partners, genders, fetishes, or professional experiences that are often misunderstood by the dominant culture. I am in service to your joy, your healing, keeping you connected to a grounded source of abundance, gaining skills to navigate personal and professional dynamics, and being in keen awareness of your power. I’m excited to journey with you toward an embodied, fulfilling relationship with yourself and those you love.

Happy Apple is known for its warm and highly experienced team of therapists who specialize in relationship concerns, both for individuals and couples, as well as the treatment of anxiety, depression, and EMDR for trauma. Most clients seek out Happy Apple to help them sort through internal conflict, relationship concerns, or for help managing stress caused by school, work, or a change in circumstances. Happy Apple therapists take an engaged approach, using science-backed approaches like CBT, DBT, and EFT to help clients find solutions and new ways to cope with anxiety, fear, depression, or worry.

Michele Ellis is a dedicated and compassionate Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a strong commitment to helping individuals improve their mental health and overall well-being. With over 10 years of experience in the field, Michele has developed exceptional therapeutic skills and a deep understanding of the social, emotional, and psychological issues that clients face. Her commitment to providing individualized care allows her to meet you where you are in your journey and empower you to make positive changes in your life. Each client has a unique story, and she works collaboratively with you to identify and achieve your therapeutic goals. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, general life transitions, grief and loss, end of life or any other psychological concern, she will guide you through the process of healing and self-discovery. Remember, you are not alone. Michele is here to walk alongside you and support you every step of the way. Together, you can create a life filled with meaning, purpose, and emotional resilience

I strongly believe that therapy should be a safe place where anyone can come and talk about their life without judgment or shame. It is a place where everyone can benefit from unconditional empathy, understanding, and grace. I am an outgoing person who is easy to talk to, and I do my best to make the therapeutic process as smooth and understandable as possible. We will go at your pace and create a personalized treatment plan to meet your needs and goals. I strive to help you become self sustaining where you can gain a sense of understanding of what skills you need, why you are utilizing them, and when to utilize the skills learned. I specialize in working with adults and teens with anxiety, depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, substance abuse, PTSD, complex/developmental trauma, grief, chronic pain, health and relationship problems.

Hi! I'm a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in working with college students across a range of concerns. College can bring a lot of unexpected demands, struggles, and adjustments, and it can be helpful to speak with someone who can join alongside you as you navigate these experiences. While I specialize in working with stress/anxiety, neurodivergence (e.g., ADHD and Autism), and relationship conflict, I've worked with many college students on their overall adjustment to college life. My therapeutic approach is warm and relational and is grounded in an attachment-based framework. In therapy, we often include a focus on both deepening insight and self-understanding (answering the "why?" questions) with practical tools and strategies you can use to get you to where you want to be (supporting you with the "what now?" focus). I use a self-compassionate lens in my work and integrate evidence-based approaches that are tailored to your individual needs. If you'd like to learn more about my approach or see if we could be a good fit, reach out today for a free consultation call. I look forward to speaking with you.

I am a bilingual licensed Marriage and Family therapist. I am dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate life’s challenges and build stronger, more resilient relationships. With a warm and non-judgmental approach, I create a safe space for clients to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. I believe in empowering individuals to achieve independence, confidence, and success in their daily lives. Through my education and work experience, I personalize and create interventions with the collaboration of the client.

Meaningful relationships are an essential part of fulfillment and happiness. I believe in the unique power of the relationship that develops between therapist and client. Through an exploration of this interaction, we can more wholly understand your past and current relationships and help shape future experiences. I work with people who are struggling in a variety of ways and are ready to dig in and do some difficult and deeply powerful work that will lead to greater choice and freedom. I view my opportunity to join individuals in their journey toward self-understanding as a great privilege and find the work exciting and gratifying. I am committed to working with culturally diverse individuals, couples, and families from every walk of life. While much of my experience has been centered on work within the LGBTQ community, I strive to create an open and affirmative space for all. I am particularly effective working with adults, young adults, and adolescents. Through my training at Stanford University and University of Chicago, I feel uniquely capable in addressing issues surrounding identity, work, and school. I provide individual, couple, and family psychotherapy at my office in Hayes Valley.

As a Board-Certified Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I provide expert psychotherapy and medication management to individuals aiming to improve their mental health and overall well-being. My practice supports adults and adolescents dealing with schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and substance use disorders. I am equipped to address the full spectrum of mental health conditions within my specialty, ensuring personalized, holistic care for every patient.

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My practice model is all about helping clients explore themselves and their place in the world. As a licensed psychologist with experience working in a variety of care settings, I have expertise in treating depression, anxiety, lifestyle stress, trauma, addiction, and spiritual/existential distress. My therapy takes a nonjudgmental, compassion oriented focus. Through guiding my clients to approach themselves in more open and honest ways, I help them uncover their core needs so that they may lead lives that feel vibrant and fulfilling. I view health as a balance between mind, body, spirit, and environment. As such, my therapy style is holistic. I regularly guide my clients in mindfulness-based practices and offer an approach that blends Internal Family Systems therapy with somatic work and cognitive-behavioral exploration. In a culture where consciousness altering drug use is on the rise, I also work with clients to gain optimal wellness following challenging, disorienting, or invigorating psychedelic experiences. My passion for the Enneagram heavily informs my therapeutic lens, and I happily teach this tool to clients interested in evolving their understanding of self. I work to bolster my clients’ strengths while developing new skills and fresh insights. With sensitivity to the health impact of both personal and cultural forces, I strive to create a safe, welcoming space for my clients to explore all facets of their identities.

Based in the SF Bay Area, I offer trauma-informed psychological treatment for post-traumatic stress, addiction, grief, anxiety, depression, and related life challenges, as well as support for positive growth and insight building. I primarily utilize a combination of EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) and IFS (internal family systems) therapies to provide a somatic and source-focused approach to healing. I educate my clients on the universality of traumatic and addictive experiences. I define trauma broadly as any past experience that remains charged and disturbing, and thus has value in alleviating mental health challenges in the present. It's helpful to understand how traumatic and addictive elements exists in all of us and are not static, but rather ebb and flow as reverberations of past experiences (and those of our family of origin). l frame the looping amplification of addiction as stemming from a healthy evolutionary need to feel safe and easeful, but in a way that can become self-destructive through the distortion of trauma that resides in our nervous systems, until processed.

Hi, I’m Amanda. I work with individuals and couples who want to get to the root of their patterns—whether it’s relational conflict, trauma symptoms, anxiety, or a sense that something deeper is in the way of fully living. Many of my clients are high-functioning on the outside but exhausted internally. Others feel flooded, shut down, or stuck in dynamics they can’t quite name. I help you slow down and listen to the wisdom of your nervous system, so we can understand how past experiences may still be living in your body—and gently unwind them. My approach integrates EMDR, somatic therapy, parts work (IFS-informed), and body-based listening tools like the Safe and Sound or Rest and Restore Protocol. I also offer Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy for those seeking an altered state of consciousness to process trauma or reconnect with meaning. When working with couples, I draw from Relational Life Therapy to help partners move beyond blame and disconnection and into clarity, ownership, and renewed connection. I also offer Discernment Counseling which is a short term focused therapy for couples unsure whether to stay or separate—with compassion for both perspectives. Outside the therapy room, I spend as much time as I can outdoors—going on “bug hunts” with my son, hiking local trails with my husband, or exploring a new interest in horseback riding. I also love yoga, travel, and quiet mornings with coffee and books. If you’re ready to get curious about what your symptoms are trying to say—and want to feel more connected to yourself and your relationships—I’d be honored to support your journey.

Adjusting to college can be overwhelming. Even though this is a life event that is planned, it can still be a culture shock for many. Making new friends, adjusting to a different type of structure, and being away from family and loved ones for the first time can increase feelings of anxiety. You might find yourself over-analyzing your social interactions with your peers in a way that you didn't do with your childhood friends whom you've known for the majority of your life, or maybe you are having a hard time managing your class schedule and assignments when school came easy to you in the past. Whatever may be coming up for you, I am here to support you. We will work together to develop helpful coping skills to manage feelings of stress and anxiety, calm the negative self-talk that often comes with increased stress, and process your recent life transition in order to feel more at ease with the change. My approach is warm, casual, and strength-based. I use gentle and validating conversation to help improve your confidence, challenge your inner-critic when it tries to take over, and make you feel empowered to take your anxiety head-on. Finding a therapist and making the initial step to start therapy can be intimidating and overwhelming. I invite you to contact me for a free initial consultation so I can answer your questions, address any worries or concerns about therapy, and ensure my therapy style is what you are looking for.

I am a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and my work is focused Eating Disorder Therapy, EMDR Therapy, Prenatal and Postpartum mood disorders, anxiety, depression, and trauma. I have extensive experience in both partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient treatment providing eating disorder therapy, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and co-occurring disorders. I have a unique treatment approach to Binge Eating Disorder Therapy as a recovered person and therapist. I deeply understand the struggles of eating disorder recovery and the complexities of treatment.

At Affirming Therapy Center, we support and encourage your desire for growth in a completely non-judgmental way, in a space that acknowledges your unique personhood and distinct challenges. You are welcomed and celebrated here. Helping you in understanding, accepting, and embracing your own beliefs, identities, and lifestyles is cornerstone in providing the support and encouragement you need to grow, to bring clarity to your choices, and to enhance your life and relationships. We focus on making you feel safe to explore your feelings and to express yourself. We proudly serve communities of Gender, Sexual, and Relationship Diversity! The therapists at ATC are dedicated to enthusiastically affirming all GSRD identities including, but not limited to, LGBT, Queer, Heterosexual, Kink / BDSM, Fetish, ABDL and Ageplay, Sex Work, Adult Industry, Monogamy, Non-Monogamy, Swinging / Lifestyle, Polyamory, and a Variety of Relationship Dynamics and Family Configurations. Each member of the ATC clinical team is a professionally-trained Psychotherapist, qualified to address topics such as identity, relationship challenges, intimacy concerns, sex and sexual health, anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and personal growth. And each of our clinicians have unique areas of expertise, including advanced specialized training in the areas of Sex Therapy, Gender Affirming Therapy, Eating Disorders, EMDR (for trauma), and Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy. As with everything in life, there are ups and downs, and sometimes you need someone to talk to. Maybe you have inner conflict, questions about how and where you fit in to our kooky world. Perhaps you have wounds that aren’t healing or stories you need to tell. Or perhaps you just want to talk to someone about life and love, talk to someone who understands the challenges you sometimes face, without having to hide any facet of yourself or your life. There is only one “you”, and we at Affirming Therapy Center are here to help you excel at living your best life and being your best “you”. Our therapists are trained to listen, understand, and help guide you on your unique journey. Please visit our Meet the Team page to see each of our amazing therapists’ bios and areas of specialization. https://www.affirmingtherapycenter.com/meet-the-team/ Contact us now to get started: Send an e-mail to Team@AffirmingTherapyCenter.com with a brief description of what’s going on for you and your availability for appointments. One of our friendly therapists will respond to you (in 1–2 business days) to schedule an initial session or a free 10–15 minute phone consultation.

Jessica C. Lief, MSW, LCSW, MLS Speciality: Eating Disorders, Body Image, Borderline Personality Disorder, Self-Harm, Substance Use LCSW and Psychotherapist Jessica C. Lief, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, body image, Borderline Personality Disorder, self-harm, and substance use. Jessica completed psychoanalytic training through the William Alanson White Institute of Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis, and Psychology in the Eating Disorders, Compulsions, and Addictions (EDCAS) Program. She also completed the advanced clinical supervision training program through Smith College School for Social Work. Her approach is primarily psychodynamic but combines aspects of self-psychology, feminist/womanist theories, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Seeking Safety, mindful self-compassion, and mindfulness. She is particularly interested in the treatment of eating disorders as a social justice issue, as they relate to people of color and the LGBTQ+ community. She is also adept at treating individuals diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. Her grief and loss work is broad but focuses on motherless daughters, maternal grief and wounding, and emotional abandonment. Jessica also works with individuals who have experienced miscarriage, fertility-related issues, post-partum depression, anxiety, and psychosis, as well as post-partum PTSD. She also works with individuals undergoing IVF and who have struggled with women’s health issues, such as Endometriosis and PCOS, as well as individuals who are pregnant and struggling with an eating disorder. Jessica’s favorite part of being a therapist is guiding each client in their transformation and witnessing each step as it is achieved. Jessica will work with the client to identify what is deeply meaningful and important in that person’s life. The client will develop concrete skills to get their needs met directly. Jessica will help the client to develop powerful, inner resources, including self-compassion, emotion regulation techniques, radical self-acceptance, and confidence. Jessica earned her undergraduate degree from Sarah Lawrence College with a concentration in literature, nonfiction writing, and French. She earned a master’s degree in Advanced Clinical Practice in Social Work from New York University. She also earned a Master of Studies in Law with a concentration in Health Law with high honors from UC Law San Francisco. Currently, she is enrolled in a doctorate in social work program through Simmons University. LCSW# 87286 “Jessica’s style has been described as nurturing, empathetic, and empowering. She is direct, authentic and will never blame you for your suffering. She enjoys using humor in psychotherapy.”

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I believe that the most important thing in therapy is finding a safe space to process the good and the bad of life. My goal is to guide you through your life experience and collaborate to create a plan that would help you achieve your goals, whether they are about work, health, relationships, family or personal growth. As a Marriage and Family Therapist I am trained to help children, teenagers and adults in individual, couples and family therapy. I have specially worked with Depression and Anxiety, Parenting and Behavioral Problems, Acculturation Problems and Domestic Violence. I work with CBT, Client Centered Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy based on your needs. Feel free to ask what is therapy about if this is your first time. If you are considering returning to therapy, congratulations in being the best advocate for your health. Our minds need care just like any other organ of our bodies and therapy is one of the best ways to protect our amazing minds.

My mission on earth is to help people live authentic, fulfilling lives. There are many things holding us back from this way of being: patterns of thoughts and behaviors that no longer serve us, fear, depression, anxiety, shame, loneliness. In the virtual world we are more connected than ever, and we are also in a time of profound disconnection - from our body, ourself, others. Therapy is a great way to get connected. To start living the life you dream of. Perhaps to begin dreaming that a better life is possible. I'm here to walk with you on your journey every step of the way. Together, we will discover who you are and make a plan to get you where you want to be. Self-knowledge, acceptance, compassion, forgiveness, and change are not easy. But the end result is more freedom, possibility, and love. I'm ready to walk your journey with you. Are you ready? "There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path." ~Morpheus, "The Matrix"