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Therapists for college students near San Diego State University

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Lavender Mood Family Counseling
Marriage & Family Therapist
Ontario, CA
Accepting new clients

Asking for help and opening up can be a difficult process but allowing yourself to share troubling and stressful experiences can help you to regain control over your life. Learning to improve safe coping skills can help one to release stress and anxiety and better deal with life circumstances in a more positive way. Releasing hurt and pain is a healing process and promotes growth which can improve relationships and overall life satisfaction. The 1st step to healing is building a therapeutic relationship where one feels accepted & can feel safe being honest. I have specialized training in crisis counseling, CBT and solution focused therapy in a variety of settings over the past 16 years. I can assist you in improving your anxiety and depression by helping you increase safe coping skills. Please feel free to call or email me to determine if I am accepting new clients. I look forward to the opportunity to help you reach your full potential and to bring greater meaning to your life.

Photo of Beverly Wong, AMFT #138944 at the Center for Mindful Psychotherapy
Beverly Wong, AMFT #138944 at the Center for Mindful Psychotherapy
Pre-Licensed Professional
San Francisco, CA
Accepting new clients

I’m so glad you’re here. Taking the first step toward therapy can feel daunting. Maybe you feel misunderstood, overwhelmed, or like you have to handle everything on your own. Whatever you’re carrying, I want you to know that you don’t have to navigate it alone. I’m here to support you as you step outside your comfort zone and move toward growth, self-discovery, and healing. As someone who was once a student myself, I understand how challenging it can be to manage anxiety, depression, perfectionism, shifting relationships, grief, trauma, and everything in between—on top of trying to keep up with school and the pressures of “figuring it all out.” I work with college students at all stages—whether you’re adjusting to campus life, pushing through to the next break, preparing for graduation and the uncertainty ahead, or returning to school after time away. Whoever you are, this is a space where you can show up exactly as you are, without judgment. As a child of immigrants, I’ve personally navigated the complexities of balancing cultural expectations, identity, and belonging. My own journey has deepened my empathy and passion for helping others find clarity, self-acceptance, and peace in their own stories. Students come to me for all kinds of reasons—managing stress, navigating friendships and relationships (yes, even situationships), figuring out what’s next, or simply having a space to process it all. Whatever brings you to therapy, we’ll approach it with curiosity, compassion, and maybe even some laughter along the way. Whether this is your first time in therapy or you’re continuing your journey, I’m honored to support you every step of the way. Registered Associate Marriage and Family therapist at the Center for Mindful Psychotherapy. - Supervised by Monica Ramil, LMFT #108945 -

Photo of Georgiana Spradling PhD, MFT, CDVC
Georgiana Spradling PhD, MFT, CDVC
Marriage & Family Therapist
San Francisco, CA
Accepting new clients

Hello! I am Dr. Georgiana Spradling. I have been practicing Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy and Relationship Coaching for over 25 years. I am a specialist on Emotional Intelligence. I will teach you Anger Management techniques, as well as communication, negotiation and Conflict resolution, help you use strategy in your decisions and achieve your goals. I will tell you what you need to hear rather than what you want to hear, while moving you forward with kindness.

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Dr. Bryan Ryles
Psychologist
Athens, GA
Accepting new clients

As your clinical psychologist, with over 30 years experience, I am committed to creating an environment where you feel safe and understood. I will assist you in addressing and exploring the challenging issues that have kept you from living the life you would prefer. Originally from SoCal, I have lived in Athens for a total of ten years, have two adult children, and have worked extensively with college students, at both UGA and CSUN. Although it needs to be challenging at times, my goal is to make therapy a very positive, fun, and productive experience for you. I work together with you,utilizing cognitive-behavioral techniques, with an emphasis on solution-based therapy. Having spent almost nine years post-grad (3.5 years Masters, 5 years Doctorate), I personally know the challenges of being a student. I personalize my approach to be the one that is most effective for " you." We will work to find healthy changes that are important in assisting you to be happier, less anxious or depressed, and more fulfilled.

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Chris Bradt
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
New York, NY
Accepting new clients

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a degree in Mindfulness-based Transpersonal Counseling from Naropa University, in Boulder, Colorado. Mindfulness informs all aspects of my work, including my emphasis on creating a space of compassion and curiosity in which we can explore, experiment, and journey together. You can't do anything "wrong" in therapy; everything that happens can be mined for wisdom. I have primarily worked with people to address issues related to anxiety, depression, self-concept, and life transitions. I see therapy sessions as a balance between processing and skill-building, in which there is enough open space to explore and also enough direction to come away with concrete action steps to create the desired change. In addition to mindfulness, I have training in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). I frequently guide my clients in getting to know and work with "parts" of themselves. I bring a trauma-informed approach to all sessions, in which safety, empowerment, and self-compassion are held paramount. For trauma-specific work, I utilize my training in EMDR therapy to provide targeted interventions designed to desensitize and reprocess traumatic experiences in the brain. Above all else, I hold a steadfast hope for the ability of each and every person to heal and grow. It is truly an honor and privilege to join my clients in that journey.

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Therese Schmoll
Marriage & Family Therapist
Beverly Hills, CA
Accepting new clients

Today you are one step closer to a new you where you feel empowered and on a positive path to growth and well-being. If you are looking for extra support and guidance through a challenging situation or you are just ready to move in a new direction in your life, I look forward to working with you to achieve your goals. Please call or email me for an individual, couples or family therapy consultation today.

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David Tran, MD
Group practice
San Francisco, CA
Accepting new clients

Meitri Collaborative is a psychiatric and psychotherapy practice in San Francisco, CA. We believe in warm, excellent, and personalized care. We want to help you live the life you desire and address the obstacles in your way.

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Dr. Crystal Sanchez, LMFT
Counselor
Newport Beach, CA
Accepting new clients

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.

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Marc Navon
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Marblehead, MA
Accepting new clients

Marc is a seasoned clinician who uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in his work with clients. CBT focuses on exploring relationships among a person's thoughts, feelings and behaviors. During CBT Marc actively works with clients to uncover unhealthy patterns of thought and how they may be causing self-destructive behaviors and beliefs. By addressing these patterns, the client and Marc work together to develop constructive ways of thinking that will produce healthier behaviors and beliefs. For instance, CBT can help clients replace thoughts that lead to low self-esteem ("I can't do anything right") with positive expectations ("I can do this most of the time, based on my prior experiences"). The core principles of CBT are identifying negative or false beliefs and testing or restructuring them. Oftentimes clients being treated with CBT will have homework in between sessions where they practice replacing negative thoughts with more realistic thoughts based on prior experiences or record their negative thoughts in a journal. Studies of CBT have shown it to be an effective treatment for a wide variety of mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, eating disorders and schizophrenia. Individuals who undergo CBT show changes in brain activity, suggesting that this therapy actually improves your brain functioning as well. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has a considerable amount of scientific data supporting its use.

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David Gumpert
Psychologist
Los Angeles, CA
Accepting new clients

In-network with Aetna. Tried therapy before and didn't quite help? Therapy helped before, but still struggling? My approach is different! I see people seeking support for many difficulties, including: imposter syndrome, self-esteem, boundaries, vulnerability, excessive guilt and shame, communication skills, difficulty asking for help or saying "no," and more. Reducing self-judgment will help you to make better decisions that are aligned with your core values. I have been in the mental health field for over 20 years and I also have extensive experience working with undergraduate and graduate students at high-pressured universities.

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Ben Benjamin
Marriage & Family Therapist
Claremont, CA
Accepting new clients

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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Julisa Lendo
Marriage & Family Therapist
Los Angeles, CA
Accepting new clients

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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Jessica Clifton
Psychologist
Santa Rosa, CA
Accepting new clients

Online therapy appointments available and easily scheduled through www.parheliawellness.com to make the process of getting help easier. You are the expert of you. As such, collaboration and trust are key parts to helping you guide treatment to suit your needs and meet your goals. In our first appointment, I hope to work with you to help you decide your next steps. To schedule an online appointment, click on the "website" button where you can click on "request appointment." A bit about me. I have a strong affection for anything outdoors where I can run, climb, hike, ski, and explore with my family and friends. My personal and professional experiences have prompted me to use advocacy as a tool to contribute to positive meaningful change working towards a more equitable, inclusive and just world. This is reflected in my work as a clinician, researcher, and community service member. For this reason, I am committed to lifelong experiential learning and growth to hone my capacity for cultural humility. I welcome adults of all ages, abilities, genders, orientations, ethnicities, and spiritual beliefs to reach out for care.

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Jenna Stark
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Santa Monica, CA
Accepting new clients

Starting therapy can be an exciting and daunting process. Working with a therapist allows you to have an unbiased third party listen to your story, validate your feelings and emotions and help foster and provide insight and support. Therapy can help you learn new strategies and techniques to help you better tolerate distress and view thoughts, feelings and situations differently. My goal as a therapist is to provide a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental space where we can work together to identify and process issues you have been facing. Together we can reflect on previous thinking patterns and behaviors that have led to distress and discuss new options and possibilities.

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Shanise Mok
Pre-Licensed Professional
Los Gatos, CA
Accepting new clients

I offer in-person sessions in two locations: Employed by Havenly Counseling Collective in Los Gatos, CA Supervised by Melinda Olsen, LMFT 111165 Employed by Leela Mental Health in Palo Alto, CA Supervised by Moitreyee Chowdhury, LMFT 121934, LPCC 9238 I also offer teletherapy throughout California. I support those who are looking to understand both themselves and their relationship to the world and others more deeply. I am a queer, Chinese American woman with Hong Kong roots living with a chronic health condition in a world shaped by many systems that create barriers for people like me. My mission is to challenge those systems and empower my clients to do so as well by helping them discover their individual needs and find meaning along the way. I believe healing is not linear, and I aim to support you in finding comfort within discomfort by exploring creative approaches that align with your unique needs. I want to do therapy with you. The therapist-client relationship can feel new and vulnerable and I recognize that safety is ultimately co-created. Together, let’s discover ways we can gently bring back genuine, meaningful play and color into life again. I emphasize the present moment, always through a multicultural, feminist, and queer-affirmative lens. I also bring my diverse background in nonprofit museums and education to my practice, integrating creative and science-backed perspectives.

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Lynn Newman
Marriage & Family Therapist
Sacramento, CA
Accepting new clients

What inspired me to become a therapist comes from both my professional journey and my personal understanding of how complex life can be. Over the years, I have worked in multiple healthcare and community-based settings, and across each of those environments, one thing became very clear: people are not just one problem or one diagnosis. Our experiences are shaped by a combination of emotional, relational, environmental, and even systemic factors. When those pieces are not addressed together, healing can feel incomplete or out of reach. I was drawn to therapy because it allows me to work in a way that honors the full picture of a person’s life. I believe deeply in a “whole systems” approach—where we explore not only what is happening, but why it is happening, how it connects to other areas of life, and what meaningful change can look like for you specifically. My goal is not just to help resolve a single concern, but to support a process where growth in one area begins to positively influence others. In addition, my own life experiences—including moments of navigating professional and personal challenges—have given me a strong sense of empathy and respect for the courage it takes to seek support. Therapy, to me, is a space where people can safely explore, rebuild, and move forward in a way that feels authentic and sustainable. Helping you feel genuinely heard is one of the most important parts of our work together. I approach this by creating a space that is intentional, unhurried, and centered around you. That means giving you the time to express yourself fully, without interruption, and without feeling like you need to filter or edit your thoughts. I use active listening throughout our sessions—not just hearing your words, but paying attention to underlying emotions, patterns, and meanings. I will often reflect back what I’m hearing and check in with you to make sure I’m understanding you accurately. This kind of back-and-forth dialogue helps ensure that your experience is not only acknowledged, but deeply understood. Research consistently shows that when clients feel heard, respected, and involved as active participants, they experience stronger engagement and better outcomes in care. Equally important, I strive to create a non-judgmental and inclusive environment where all parts of your identity and experience are welcome. Whether you are sharing something difficult, uncertain, or even hard to put into words, my role is to meet you with openness and respect. You are not just being listened to—you are being understood, validated, and taken seriously. Working together is a collaborative and evolving process. In the beginning, we spend time understanding what brings you in, what feels most important to you, and what you would like to change or explore. From there, we develop shared goals and a plan that reflects your needs, preferences, and pace. This might include structured approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, along with other evidence-based methods that align with your situation. As therapy progresses, sessions often involve exploring patterns, building insight, developing coping strategies, and practicing new ways of responding to challenges. There is also space for reflection, processing emotions, and making meaning of your experiences. Importantly, you are actively involved in shaping the direction of our work—we regularly revisit goals and adjust as needed. Building trust and a strong therapeutic alliance is something I approach with intention from the very first session. This includes being consistent, transparent, and respectful, as well as clearly outlining what you can expect from therapy. I also invite your feedback openly, so we can address any concerns and ensure that the process feels supportive and aligned for you. A strong therapeutic alliance—built on trust, collaboration, and mutual understanding—is one of the most important factors in successful therapy outcomes. This alliance is not something assumed; it is something we actively build together through open communication, shared goals, and a sense of partnership. My role is to create a space where you feel safe enough to be honest, supported enough to take risks, and empowered enough to make meaningful changes. I believe that therapy works best when the space feels human and relatable, so I will share small, lighthearted parts of who I am to help build connection. For example, I enjoy songwriting, spending time with my pets, gardening, and participating in community activities. These interests are meaningful to me because they bring balance, creativity, and connection into my own life. Sharing them can sometimes help create an easy point of connection and remind clients that while therapy is a professional space, it is also a genuine human relationship. Thoughtful and appropriate personal sharing can help strengthen rapport and trust, making it easier for clients to feel comfortable and engaged in the process. Ultimately, my goal is to create an environment where you feel both supported and at ease—where meaningful work can happen, but where you can also feel comfortable being yourself.

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Joan Cantor Backer
Marriage & Family Therapist
Laguna Hills, CA
Accepting new clients

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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Ronnie Tucker
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Santa Rosa, CA
Accepting new clients

I find it an honor to be let into people’s lives to support them in ways that they may not have the opportunity or ability at the moment. It is a meaningful and rewarding experience to be able to help others as others have been there for me. I try to create an open and inviting atmosphere to be yourself where you will be met with active listening and honest conversation while you freely express yourself. I am a transparent person and will consistently show up with the same energy and integrated approach combined with the use of life experience, humor, and education to help build a custom self care plan to thrive in.

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Channeling Growth Therapy
Group practice
Sunnyvale, CA
Accepting new clients

We are an online telehealth group therapy practice committed to promoting mental health and well-being for college students. Understanding the unique pressures and challenges faced in this pivotal stage of life, our team is skilled in addressing stress management, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and personal growth. Our expertise extends to trauma and age-specific therapy tailored to young adults navigating academics, social life, and career planning. We blend traditional therapeutic techniques with innovative practices, focusing on strategies that resonate with the dynamic and diverse needs of college students. Our online sessions are designed to fit seamlessly into the demanding and fast-paced college lifestyle, offering the flexibility and convenience necessary to prioritize mental health without compromising academics or social commitments. Our practice stands on a rich foundation of professional expertise, empathetic care, and a commitment to helping students navigate the complex terrain of college life. With personalized, high-quality care in a confidential and secure online setting, we make mental health services more accessible and relevant than ever. Join us in a collaborative journey towards self-discovery, resilience, and a fulfilling college experience.

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Doratriz Equihua
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Long Beach, CA
Accepting new clients

My biggest inspiration was my grandmother who thought me to help, love and inspire others unconditionally. My children and friends continued to inspire me to use my grandmother’s wisdom to empower others by being present in the time of need as well as celebrating their accomplishments. My goal as a therapist is to work with you as a partner throughout your healing process. At the end of each session, we will review what was discussed and create a plan that will help you meet your goal. You can reach me by phone in case you feel stuck or need assistance. At the beginning of treatment and each session, I will actively listen to your needs, feelings or stressors that might have contributed to you seeking help. We will develop a plan that will empower you to meet your needs, help manage your emotions and teach you coping strategies to help manage stressors.

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