Therapists for college students near San Diego State University

I work best with college students who are starting to notice how perfectionism, people-pleasing, or pressure to achieve affects their mental health. Many grew up feeling like they had to be “the strong one” or keep the peace at home, and now those same patterns show up in school, relationships, or self-worth. They’re ready to understand themselves better, heal from the past, and feel more grounded in who they are.

Botaitis Therapy Group is a dedicated team of therapists offering a wide range of services to meet the needs of individuals, couples and families in California. We provide in-person counseling in Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Valley, as well as online therapy options for those throughout California. This flexibility can make therapy more accessible to people with various preferences and circumstances. Our therapy group offers a holistic approach for diverse mental health and relationship issues. We have skilled professionals to assist various age groups and relationship dynamics, tailoring therapy as needed. Quality care and compassion are central to our practice. If you have questions or need more details about Botaitis Therapy Group, please don't hesitate to inquire.

Client's that work well with my collaborative style are often people who are struggling with life transitions. I often connect with people who are working to find different methods to manage anxiety and perfectionism. I also hold space in my practice for queer couples.

You may be feeling pressure with the challenges of college and what the future holds, difficulty adjusting to new adult roles, and responsibilities. You might feel frustrated with the social norms of dating, friends, and family. I help young adults transition from adolescence to adulthood by gaining self-awareness and figuring out their calling and purpose in life. I specialize in working with young adults who struggle with anxiety, grief, sport performance anxiety, healthy relationships, dating issues, and self esteem. My approach to therapy is to create a space where young adults can be open to discuss and identify new values and beliefs and be confident going into adulthood. Through young adult therapy, I help emerging adults have self-compassion to go through those trial and errors with acceptance and forgiveness. Therapy is a good opportunity to explore who you want to be, set goals for the future, and create strong meaningful relationships. If you want to be more confident with living on your own and creating your new future, contact me today to schedule your first appointment.

Hygieia Behavioral Health Foundation aims to minimize the effects of oppression and intergenerational trauma experienced by many members of BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and marginalized communities. We’re committed to helping bridge the gap between culturally sensitive mental health resources and treatments, promoting mental health wellness, and removing the barriers that hinder people from accessing the quality help they require. Services are offered in English, Spanish, and Mandarin. By prioritizing affordability, inclusivity, and community collaboration, our organization seeks to reduce mental health disparities, combat stigma, and foster holistic wellness within underserved populations, ultimately promoting resilience, healing, and empowerment for individuals and communities alike. Our nonprofit organization targets marginalized communities that face significant barriers to accessing mental health care services, including but not limited to low-income individuals, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, refugees, undocumented individuals, survivors of domestic violence, and individuals experiencing homelessness. Our services are designed to be inclusive, culturally sensitive, and linguistically accessible, ensuring that all members of our target population have equitable access to the support they need to thrive. We provide a safe space, and all are welcome. Contact us today to inquire further.

Hello, my name is Emily and I am the owner of Rose and Resilience Wellness. I work best with students who feel like they’ve been carrying too much for too long. Many of my clients struggle with anxiety, trauma, burnout, self-esteem, relationship stress, people-pleasing, or feeling overwhelmed trying to balance school, work, family, and life transitions. Some students come to therapy after years of “just pushing through,” while others are navigating painful experiences that still affect them today. I strive to create a space that feels warm, safe, affirming, and judgment-free — more like talking to a supportive human than sitting in a stiff therapy office. I especially enjoy working with LGBTQ+ students, young adults, and students who may feel misunderstood, emotionally exhausted, or disconnected from themselves. My approach is trauma-informed, collaborative, and compassionate. I use EMDR and other evidence-based approaches to help clients process difficult experiences, build healthier relationships, feel more grounded, and reconnect with who they are beneath survival mode. Therapy with me is not about “fixing” you — it’s about helping you feel more empowered, understood, and able to move through life with greater confidence and resilience.

Hi, I'm Katerina from Fire Poppy Therapy! I understand that we can't just "find 5 blue objects around me" to be able to deal with life's stressors, so let's work together to find some practical ways to process, cope, and thrive in the spaces you're in. I aim to make the therapy experience authentic and validating for those I work with. Believe it or not, you do know and have intuition of what's best for you, so we'll spend our time working to get the echoes of naysayers out of your head and amplifying the encouragement from yourself and others. The approach I take with our sessions is a more relaxed style and I use a variety of techniques to inform how I support you. I value practical self care and coping strategies, honoring your roots, and empowering my clients with knowledge about how their body and brain work. I also like to balance humor with reflection, encouragement with accountability. Check out my website for more info and/or send me an email if you'd like to set up a complimentary 15 minute Zoom meet-n-greet. Whether we work together or not, I hope you find what you need. [**side note for any clarification purposes] I'm firmly supportive of the following Communities in alpha order: Armenian, Congolese, Haitian, NHAAPI, Neurodiverse, Palestinian, PGM (People of the Global Majority), Pro-Liberation, Queer, Sudanese, SWANA.

First, I want to honor that you being here is a huge step as you look to improve your emotional wellbeing. My trauma-informed approach provides short-term, solution-focused, and culturally responsive cognitive therapy. I enjoy working with students and understand the stressors of dealing with school, work, family, and other life events! My goal is to use effective techniques to help you achieve your goals. My practice aims to provide affirmative psychotherapy for the LGBTQI community. Being a first-generation college grad myself, I can relate to the frustrations and feelings of isolation that can come up. My goal is to guide you on strategies to manage anxiety, depression, life adjustments, trauma, acculturation, "imposter syndrome," and first-generation higher education adjustment. I look forward to working with you. ****All telehealth services can only be provided in the state of California.****

Are you feeling overwhelmed with school work or uncertain about your career of relationships? Getting help can feel challenging. If you have decided to seek support, then I can work with you through a problem-solving approach. With a foundation of trust, together we can work on formulating goals and explore new solutions for the changes that you want. Together, we can also build solutions to maintain the balance that you need to recharge and have a happy, healthy life. I provide students with a warm, safe, non-judgmental, and confidential space to optimize healthy coping strategies. I do this by empowering students to build upon their skill sets and by incorporating a multicultural perspective. If you have decided it is time to reach out for help, Together, we can work on formulating a plan.

I specialize in helping adults work through unresolved trauma, depression, anxiety, OCD, eating disorders, problem gambling, hoarding, phobias, and grief. I also support clients with stress management and navigating life’s everyday challenges. I am trained in EMDR, NARM, and IFS and my approach is warm, supportive, and collaborative. I am licensed to provide telehealth services to clients in both California and North Carolina. I strive to create a nonjudgmental and caring environment where you can feel safe to explore what’s holding you back and begin moving toward meaningful change. Whether you're just starting your therapy journey or returning after time away, I’ll meet you where you are and tailor your treatment to your specific needs and goals. I’m passionate about this work because I have the privilege of walking beside people on their healing journey. Witnessing the shift from feeling stuck in painful patterns to gaining true freedom and self-understanding is something I never take for granted. Therapy isn’t about being “fixed”—it’s about being heard, seen, and supported as you grow and heal.

Working in metal health for over a decade, I realized I would ask more questions about the person than I was trained to know what to do. I knew I wanted to help people more and decided to further my education to be able to do that. Clients need to feel heard and understood. I would initially ask how they would like to feel heard and understood. I would naturally reflect back on what clients have stated to ensure I heard their words correctly. I would also ask if I understood their words correctly to confirm. Working together is collaborative. Building trust looks like me asking questions to see the client’s experience and what support looks like to them. It is listening to their stories and hearing what the client would like to work on as far as goals and supporting them to do so.

Hi, I’m Caitlin, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW and LICSW) and founder of Tiny Cottage Therapy. I offer online therapy for college students and young adults across California and Washington who are navigating anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, and cultural or family expectations. College can bring a lot of pressure: to do well, to meet expectations, to have everything figured out. I provide a space where you don’t have to hold it all together. Together, we’ll work on understanding what’s been feeling heavy, learning tools to manage stress, and building more balance and self-trust. I take a warm, collaborative approach and focus on what feels most important to you. We’ll start where you are. My goal is to help you feel more grounded, confident, and connected to yourself as you move through this season of life. Most of the students I work with share a few things in common: they care deeply, try their best, and often feel pressure to keep it all together — even when they’re exhausted. They might overthink things, struggle to set boundaries, or feel torn between their own needs and what’s expected of them. Many of my clients identify as Asian American, AAPI, mixed-race, or multicultural, and are trying to balance family, culture, and school while figuring out who they want to be. Others are high achievers or caretakers who want to learn how to slow down, manage anxiety, and build a healthier relationship with themselves. If you’ve ever felt like you’re “too much” or “not enough,” or like you’re living your life on autopilot, therapy can be a place to pause, make sense of things, and start finding your own rhythm again.

We work with adults throughout California via telehealth. If you’re experiencing things like anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, grief, life transitions, or chronic stress, we may be a good fit. If you’re not sure, reach out anyway — we can talk through it during the intake call.

Does this sound familiar? You want to be happy and fulfilled but instead you feel: · Uncomfortable in your own skin · Paralyzed by anxiety about what life will throw at you next · Like you are constantly spiraling and no longer have confidence · Stuck and alone These feelings can result in having a negative outlook on life causing you to experience difficulties in relationships, school and work. Life doesn’t have to stay this way! Hi, my name is Sharon Greene. My team and I can help. We provide therapy online for anxiety and depression using the most effective psychological practices. With warmth and curiosity, we assist clients in exploring the current reasons for their struggles. Since thoughts are powerful, we help clients to consciously explore ways to transform their mindset to help them reduce their pain and step into their authentic selves to create the lives they want. We utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, and other evidenced based practices to assist clients in meeting their goals. Our clients walk away from therapy having an improved outlook on life, a sense of confidence in themselves, ability to experience moments of joy and peace and most importantly, with tools they can utilize to maintain their progress.

College is an exciting chapter of life, but it can also bring stress, anxiety, and challenges that feel overwhelming. Whether you’re navigating academic pressure, relationships, past trauma, or simply trying to find balance, you don’t have to go through it alone. Seeking support isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a powerful step toward growth and healing. I’m [Your Name], a clinician dedicated to helping individuals like you work through life’s challenges with trust, empathy, and compassion. My approach is uniquely tailored to your journey because no two healing paths are the same. As an EMDR-trained and Somatic Breathwork Certified therapist, I specialize in helping individuals process anxiety, depression, trauma, and more—providing tools that create real, lasting change. Whether you need a space to talk, tools to manage stress, or deeper healing techniques, I’m here to walk alongside you. Therapy is available in both English and Spanish, and I welcome individuals, couples, and families. If you’re ready to take that first step or simply have questions, let’s connect.

In our work together, we will strive to clarify and validate your emotional experiences. You will also learn skills to change the thoughts and behaviors that are not serving you. I aim to empower you to take control of your symptoms, foster self-compassion, and grow in ways that are important to you. I am committed to using treatments that work while flexibly adapting to your unique background and goals for therapy. I specialize in the treatment of anxiety disorders, PTSD, depression, and women's reproductive mental health, as well as provide evidence-based skills for coping with stress. In therapy, you may face feared situations, learn how to identify, challenge and create distance from unhelpful thoughts, cultivate acceptance, clarify life values, and practice mindfulness and emotion regulation skills. Therapy will be a collaborative experience. I respect that you are the expert about your life, and I will strive to understand and honor the unique ways in which your identities influence how you experience the world. My goal is to create space for you to be vulnerable and authentic through a warm and empathic style. I look forward to working with you.

I am a young adult & child and adolescent psychiatrist who specialize in working with college students. I think of my patients in a holistic way- using medications, lifestyle interventions, and talk therapy. I was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, and spent my childhood in Irvine. I completed most of my education on the east coast. I went to Johns Hopkins and double majored in history and public health. After college, I attended the University of Maryland for medical school. After living in Baltimore for eight years, I wanted a change of scenery and moved to New Hampshire to complete my residency training at Dartmouth. During my training at Dartmouth, I had opportunities to work with high-achieving teens and families who attended Dartmouth College with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, suicidal thoughts, and perfectionism issues. After surviving long winter storms, I returned to my hometown and completed the child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at UC Irvine. I have a passion for and experience working with college students, Asian American families, and teens with LGBT backgrounds. In my free time, I like to hike, run, and kayak. Coffee is my favorite drink, and I make pour-overs every morning. As a first-generation Korean American immigrant myself, I have understood what immigrant or second-generation students go through in college and the pressures of balancing academics and family expectations. I also enjoy working with patients to explore their identities, including gender issues, sexual orientation, religion, and careers. I am double board-certified in adult and child & adolescent psychiatry.

I welcome clients wishing to work on a variety of life's challenges. I specialize in anxiety, panic, stress, self-esteem, depression, and school/work/life balance. I offer a complimentary phone consult, where we can learn more about each other, answer any questions and decide if it feels like a good fit. I've spent the last several years specializing in the college transition, college students, and challenges faced after graduation, as young professionals under unique work/life stressors in Silicon Valley. I believe in working together as a team to create treatment approaches that work best for each unique person. With a calm, genuine and approachable nature, I offer an experience/environment where clients feel safe, supported and encouraged on their path of growth and self-discovery. If this is your first time seeking therapy, I encourage openness, hopefulness and understanding around nervousness and apprehension. I believe in the inherent strengths of the individual. Utilizing a strength-based approach encourages each individual to discover their own special qualities and build upon them, to overcome challenges and create their best self. I feel honored to hear your story. You will find a warm and non-judgmental, human and authentic presence in my work. I also enjoy mentoring and supervising associates, helping other therapists grow and improving experiences within the counseling and psychotherapy field.

I have been in practice over 25 years. I particularly specialize in helping young adults transition into adulthood. I understand the added stressors of this period of time including moving away from home, individuating and understanding oneself, figuring out goals for the future, and navigating personal relationships. I see problems from a family and systemic perspective in order to help create dynamic change. I work to help clients expand their understanding of themselves and discover opportunities for growth and change, often in the context of their relationships and families. I focus on helping clients change destructive relationship patterns, choose healthier lifestyles, and engage in fulfilling relationships. In addition to my educational and clinical experience, I have travelled extensively and have incorporated my knowledge of different cultures into my work as well. I believe in understanding and respecting a client’s individual and cultural diversity in all aspects of the clinical relationship.

I conduct psychoeducational evaluations to assess children and adults for Learning Disabilities including Dyslexia, Attention/ADHD, Executive Functioning, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Giftedness, Depression, Anxiety, and other educationally relevant mental health concerns. Comprehensive evaluations may include assessing a student's cognitive functioning, processing abilities, academic achievement, social/emotional functioning, and/or adaptive behavior. Psychoeducational evaluations for adults are conducted on those who may need support within higher education, in the workplace or to seek employment, and with high-stakes professional exams. Comprehensive evaluations allow us to identify needs and areas of concern, as well as highlight areas of strength. They allow us to best determine a student's learning profile and what supports they may need to access their education, which is why assessment is a crucial first step. Please reach out for your assessment and consultation needs.