Therapists for college students near San Diego State University

Hello, my name is Jose Quiroz-Novela, and at the core of my work is the belief that healing happens in safe, affirming, and collaborative relationships. I am especially passionate about working with first-generation young adults, those within the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals balancing multiple cultural identities. I understand how systemic pressures, cultural values, and lived experiences intersect with mental health and with this foundation, I aim to provide a nonjudgmental environment where you can explore your experiences with honesty, self-compassion, and curiosity. In addition, serving as an adjunct instructor allows me to stay closely connected to current research, developmental theory, and emerging conversations in the field of mental health. My approach integrates Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) to help clients better understand their patterns, strengthen coping skills, and reconnect with their resilience.

Over the last decade, I have been dedicated to providing compassionate and empathetic mental health care and working in the communities to reduce mental health stigma. To support my patients and community, I have had many roles, including volunteering at domestic abuse shelters, speaking for mental health organizations, facilitating campus support groups, and working as a psychiatric registered nurse. As a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I will continue my passion for providing quality mental health care for my patients, ensuring every patient feels supported and heard. I center around collaboration and empowerment. What inspires me to work in the mental health field is witnessing the resilience of those I serve. Every day, I see individuals overcome challenges and rediscover hope through compassionate, personalized care. Their journeys remind me that mental health care is about more than treating symptoms—it’s about empowering people to reclaim their lives. I am driven by the opportunity to create safe, supportive environments where patients feel heard, valued, and inspired to achieve their full potential. This work not only fuels my passion but also reaffirms my commitment to making a positive, lasting impact in the lives of others. My approach centers around collaboration, empowering patients to actively participate in treatment plans that best suit their goals and lifestyles. There is no ‘one size fits all’; every patient has different symptoms, beliefs, and needs. Building a therapeutic alliance and fostering an environment of trust and empathy are essential in my practice, ensuring each patient feels supported and understood. In addition, I practice holistic care and look at all aspects of my patient’s life to help improve their quality of life. Finally, I am passionate about Trauma-Informed Care as trauma is a nearly universal experience and patients should all be treated with sensitivity and care.

We specialize in emerging adulthood because this developmental stage requires specific clinical expertise. You're constructing an adult identity, which means the strategies that worked in your family or in school often need updating. The ways you learned to get love, stay safe, or earn approval show up in adult relationships and sometimes constrain you in ways you can see but can't shift alone. Our therapists work psychodynamically to help you understand patterns you didn't consciously choose. We use EMDR to process past experiences that still shape your present, teach DBT skills for managing intense emotions, and apply attachment theory to understand how early relationships become blueprints for later ones. We understand the psychological tasks specific to this stage: becoming your own person while maintaining meaningful relationships, building intimacy based on reality rather than fantasy, tolerating the uncertainty inherent in creating an adult life, and developing a sense of self that can hold complexity. The therapeutic relationship becomes a space where patterns can surface, be examined, and eventually change. You get to practice being yourself without the adaptations you've relied on to get by.

I’m passionate about working with people who want a deeper, more caring connection with themselves. I specialize in gender identity, anxiety, and substance use - I do not require or push abstinence. I tend to connect most effectively with folks who are trans, queer, kinky, creatives, helping professionals, students, recent graduates, artists, nonmonogamous, neurodivergent, witchy, and/or spiritually inclined. Sound like you? Let's chat!

Clients that I see in my practice are frequently struggling with life transition, academic stress, family concerns, and issues in their interpersonal relationships, all while trying to succeed as students. I also work with many clients either diagnosed with ADHD (or suspecting that they have it) who are seeking support to improve functioning. My practice is also LGBTQ+ affirming and welcoming.

Many students have mental health concerns from time to time. We feel stuck or face certain challenges. Sometimes we know what’s wrong and other times, we have the nagging sensation that something feels “off.” It can be stress, anxiety, depression, or academic pressures. When we understand the causes of your troubles, we can alleviate your symptoms. And, when we do, you’ll feel renewed and be a better student, friend, romantic partner, son or daughter. When your desire for your own welfare overrules your limiting beliefs and negative self-talk, what you aspire to starts flowing into your lives—be it a relationship, academic success. Your manifestations become effortless, without internal strife and resistance.

I am a mother of two boys and a wife with over 10 years of experience in psychiatry. My training spans various settings, including inpatient care, crisis units, the mother-baby unit, and academia as a lecturer. I have a particular interest in working with children, adolescents, and the perinatal population. What inspires me most in my work are the patients and their stories—helping individuals make progress and improve their quality of life. I believe in meeting each patient where they are, holding space for them, and listening to their needs as part of the healing process.

What inspires me to work in mental health is the possibility of supporting another person or family through a difficult phase of their life. I have experience in trauma focused care, anxiety, depression, and parenting across all ages. I hope to use this experience to assist my clients in improving their quality of life. As a provider, I come from a place of non-judgement, curiosity, and view my client as the expert of their own life. Therefore, I ask clarifying questions to make sure I understand what they are saying, validate, and respect where they are coming from. I value transparency, consistency, and authenticity and I bring that to session each time. I respect the fact that trust is valuable and I allow time for my clients to feel comfortable with me.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Congratulations! You are taking the first step in your mental health journey. Are you going through a tough time in your life weather that is a major life crisis, significant life stressors or changes? What about depression or anxiety and looking to gain more coping skills? Have you experienced grief/loss and looking for a therapist who understands the complexities of grief. Are you experiencing fertility challenges or undergoing fertility treatments? These are some of the areas I specialize in. In addition, self-esteem, life transitions, career challenges, career challenges, relationship/boundary setting are other areas I treat.

Hi there, I'm Alison. Are you finding that you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, depressed and in need of a lifejacket? Sometimes life can be very challenging, and I can offer guidance, compassion, and understanding without judgment. I work with others to help them discover their hidden strengths and resources, to truly create a life worth living. Whether you're dealing with depression, anxiety, relational issues, addiction, and stressors that make you feel overwhelmed, I am here to help! Seeking therapy can feel scary but you're making the right choice. I believe in creating a safe space that will allow you to heal and grow. Many of my clients are trauma survivors, adolescents, LGBTQIA+, and creative adults who seek deeper connection and meaning in their lives. Let's work together to help you find more balance and fulfillment! Our first session includes establishing a therapeutic alliance based on trust and safety and establishing some treatment goals that fit your needs. I utilize a variety of evidence-based modalities that are tailored specifically to your symptoms to help you feel better and feel a sense of renewed hope. I specialize in helping people learn ways to cope more effectively with their emotions and find ways to better self-regulate when feeling life stressors. I also have over 10 years in the field of Addiction Medicine and can help those in need of support in becoming sober or maintaining sobriety.

I do this work because I am committed to liberation for all people. I believe that none of us are free until ALL of us are free. I am a queer and nonbinary therapist who brings a queer and intersectional lens to my work. I specialize in holding space for life transitions and know how to act as a guide to your personal revelations. I prioritize trauma informed care, and I have been told that I know how to hold a strong container for clients to discover their own inner wisdom and knowing. As survivor of trauma and Intimate Partner Violence, I specialize in helping clients find and trust their own intuition. I have lived experience as a queer and nonbinary person who came out later in life. I am trained in Internal Family Systems (Level 1) and EMDR. I've been doing my own IFS work for 4 years and firmly believe that at the core of every human being is the desire to heal. Fat-friendly, kink and polyamory informed. You already know the way! You have innate wisdom born out of your experiences and intuition. I'm here to help you learn to trust yourself and to be a compassionate witness to your self-discovery. However you show up in session is ok: you don't have to mask or sit still. I meet clients where they are with warmth and curiosity.

Balancing the intense pressures of university life, personal growth, and relationships can easily leave you feeling overwhelmed, self-critical, or emotionally stuck. I provide a collaborative, secure, and entirely non-judgmental virtual space designed to help students and young adults step out of old, survival-mode loops and restore internal harmony. My approach combines the deep, transformative framework of Internal Family Systems (IFS) with the practical, everyday tools of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Instead of just analyzing what is wrong, we work together to understand the different 'parts' of who you are—like the inner critic that drives anxiety, or the defensive patterns that complicate relationships. I also specialize in relational work for couples looking to build safe, vulnerable communication. Whether you are managing difficult life transitions, coping with academic burn-out, or exploring issues of identity and belonging, our work will be practical, compassionate, and tailored to your unique history. Fully bilingual services are proudly available in both English and Spanish (Ofrezco psicoterapia en español). To view my real-time openings or instantly schedule an initial insurance consultation via Headway, please click the link to visit my website.

Santa Cruz Therapy Collective (SCTC) is a place for support, healing, and growth. We understand what you’re going through: work burnout, childhood trauma, panic, family distress, sadness. As a group of experienced colleagues who have worked together for years, we have numerous specialties, making sure you connect to a therapist who understands and can help you overcome your struggles. We’re trained in science-backed techniques that help you become more mindful, reflective, and connected as you build resilience, manage distress, and feel more fulfilled. As a therapy client at SCTC, you’ll have engaging, thought-provoking sessions that give you clarity, perspective, and self-compassion.

Gain an ally to help you face challenges. Together we can help you overcome limiting beliefs or relational patterns. We can help you embrace new perspectives and solve the problems that need solving. We can help you transcend any setbacks you have experienced, and help you appreciate what you have to offer others. Therapy does not have to be rigid; humor is encouraged. We can have fun while applying the best techniques psychology has produced. Together we choose the method that will provide the most progress for the effort you give. We can combine techniques, such as witnessing how your thoughts occasionally betray you, learning what your emotions are trying to tell you, experimenting with new behaviors, and/or seeing how patterns of relating can be modified to help you thrive. We will explore, share perspectives, and help you take your thoughts less seriously. I am empathic & authentic (real). Some clients who have seen other pros say that I offer a good amount of direct feedback. If you want an active, results-oriented psychologist, who averages more than three moments of shared laughter per visit, please email or call me.

Hi, I'm Chris! Im a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with nearly a decade of experience working with diverse populations, including children and adolescents, homeless veterans, individuals struggling with substance use, and almost everything in between. My professional journey has equipped me with a deep understanding of relational dynamics and effective therapeutic techniques designed to alleviate distress in it's many forms and flavors such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and life-cycle transitions. I am passionate about helping clients navigate life's challenges and build healthier, more fulfilling relationships.

When life starts to feel overwhelming or out of balance, having support can make a real difference. Between classes, relationships, family expectations, and figuring out who you are and where you’re headed, it’s easy to feel stressed, overwhelmed, or stuck. I’m passionate about helping people move through those moments with more clarity, support, and confidence. My path into therapy began through early experiences traveling with an international outreach organization in South America and Europe and working in U.S. inner-city communities. Those experiences shaped how I approach therapy today: with openness, cultural awareness, and a curiosity and respect for each person’s story. Over the years I’ve worked in private practice, inpatient and outpatient settings, and group therapy programs, supporting adolescents, young adults, couples and families through times of stress, trauma, and change. I especially enjoy working with college students and young adults who are dealing with anxiety, pressure, relationship challenges, grief, family issues, life questions, or uncertainty about the future. Whether you’re feeling burned out, carrying past experiences, or just trying to make sense of what’s next, therapy can be a place to slow things down and feel less alone. My approach to therapy is collaborative and flexible—this is your space. We’ll work together to figure out what you need and what feels most helpful for you. I aim to create a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where you can be honest, feel understood, and grow at your own pace. If spirituality is meaningful to you, I'd also love to gently integrate that into our work together.

Honest Insight is an individual and couples counseling service dedicated towards developing self-awareness and healthier relationships with ourselves and others. We provide in person services (Pasadena) and virtual services throughout CA. Clients that choose to work with us are curious to learn about how their unique childhood experiences have influenced their current adult lives. You want to be more effective in managing relationships (romantic, family, professional, social), and develop the confidence to live life with more meaning. It is possible to feel safe, experience happiness and worry less. We are trauma informed and work from a relational focus. We can work together to gain insight and explore your past so that you can develop a better understanding of your experiences and how they have impacted you. Our therapists have been trained in several modalities including Emotionally Focused Therapy, EMDR, CBT, ACT, DBT and more trauma based approaches.

Having trained at the University of Notre Dame (Ph.D., M.A.), UC Berkeley (APA-accredited internship) and Stanford (post-doctoral fellowship), I bring rigorous scientific expertise into my clinical work with college students. In fact, I worked at the University Counseling Centers at all three of these schools and have continued to develop a specialized private practice that focuses almost exclusively on college students. I also teach for Pepperdine University in their Graduate School of Education & Psychology. I help clients with a range of concerns including: anxiety, depression, career and academic concerns, ADHD, relationship concerns (situationships, am I right? :) ), body image and eating disorders, perfectionism, college/life transitions, as well as family of origin challenges (let's say it together, boundaries...). I often work with high-achieving students who often are managing academically but struggling internally. My clients often put others first and themselves last. By the time they come to therapy, concerns have been going on for some time and they've reached a breaking point. They may feel they "should" be able to handle things on their own. As a recovering perfectionist and someone who was riddled with anxiety throughout college, I get it. It wasn't until my own training in CBT that I learned how destructive such thought patterns were. It inspired my clinical approach, as well as three clinical workbooks I've published on Solution-Focused Therapy, CBT, and Positive Psychology with the top mental health publishers. Many of my clients who have been to therapy before often remark how "easy" I make the process. We laugh, we learn, and talk like old friends. Therapy doesn't have to be stuffy or stressful. It's about feeling respected, validated and heard. Learning to take care of yourself, set appropriate boundaries, and thrive! I'd LOVE to work with you! Please feel free to book a complimentary 15 minute consultation at my website below so we can connect!

Hi! We are compassionate about helping young adults with life transitions. Change is hard and stressful. Managing classes, work and a social life can be a real challenge. Life transitions and change leave us feeling anxious/depressed...and struggling to feel ourselves. We are here to help you find balance again.