Therapists for college students near San Diego State University

Feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of who you really are? College can be exciting—but it can also feel like too much. Maybe you’ve always been the one who holds it all together, gets straight A’s, and never lets anyone see you struggle. But now, you're anxious all the time, you're exhausted from trying to be “on” 24/7, and even small things feel like a big deal. You might feel pressure to meet expectations—yours or your family’s—and you’re starting to wonder if any of it really feels like you. Maybe you feel like you’re constantly performing. Like you can’t ever fully relax. Or maybe you’re starting to ask big questions about your identity, your future, your values—and it’s scary to realize you don’t have all the answers yet. You don’t have to figure it out alone. I work with college students who are high achievers, perfectionists, and deep thinkers—especially those who are struggling with anxiety, depression, people-pleasing, burnout, or questions around identity and family dynamics. In therapy, you can slow down, breathe, and start untangling the pressure from what you really want. We’ll work together to help you feel more grounded, more like yourself, and more in control of your life. Sessions are confidential, affirming, and tailored to who you are—not who others expect you to be. I provide inclusive and affirming care and create a space where you don’t have to explain or defend your experiences. Online sessions available for students in CA & WA. In-person sessions available in Santa Monica, CA. If this sounds like what you need, reach out. Things can be different—and therapy is a good place to start.

I have been working with students and professionals for 8 years, supporting them in engaging in community, guiding them towards more confidence, contentment, and joy in their lives. I have worked with students holding diverse identities, exploring their sexuality, queerness, and gender. I understand the challenges you face from being a high achieving, high functioning, self-aware, and motivated person while finding yourself in an environment that is pushing you to your limits. It is within you to still feel joy, balance, and energy within these walls, and in your body.

Hi, I’m Michelle. I’m a licensed therapist who works well with students who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to handle everything they’re carrying, whether that’s stress, relationship challenges, family pressure, or emotions that feel too big or confusing. My approach is calm, real, and collaborative. I help you understand what’s happening inside, make sense of patterns that no longer serve you, and build clarity and confidence in how you move through your life and relationships. You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting therapy. Just come as you are, we’ll navigate it together.

Hi! My name is Dr. Archita Birla (she/her), and I am a Queer, South Asian American psychologist providing therapy services in Redwood City & throughout CA! I have experience working with teenagers and adults with Autism & ADHD, who are People of Color, and are Queer/LGBTQIA+ with various presenting concerns (anxiety, self-esteem concerns, emotion dysregulation). Particularly, I am passionate about working with BIPOC & Neurodivergent clients navigating self-diagnosis, self-accommodation, perfectionism, and negative self-talk. My own lived experience combined with my professional training in DBT, ACT, Narrative, and Feminist/Multicultural Therapies allow me to support clients using a person-centered approach. I support individuals through challenges - promoting clarity, healing, and values-driven change. I offer a safe and encouraging environment, where you are the expert of your lived experience. My therapeutic style is guided by curiosity, authenticity, and warmth. I recognize the vulnerability of showing up in therapy and commend you for seeking support in this journey. I firmly believe in the importance of a therapeutic relationship, and look forward to getting to know each other to see if we are a good fit!

You don't need to go through this alone. We can be there for you offering support, a second opinion, unconditional care and encouragement while we all learn to live life during this pandemic. We can do this together. Find Your Balance, Center for Growth & Change specialize in anxiety, depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Our passion is to help you create change and live life to the fullest no matter what is going on around you. We can provide services through video conferencing or telephone. Hablas's Español. We are professionally trained in evidenced based practices that will help you maximize your full potential. We will provide you with enthusiastic support, an objective perspective and the insight that you need to feel supported and the best you that you can be. When you feel alone or isolated, I'll be the one to walk with you through your journey while offering support, exploring your strengths and encouraging you to take the steps you need to create the change you want. We won't give up on you. ​

For over 30 years, we have worked with individuals to confront experiences of suffering and conflict through existential psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. Our mission is to help you uncover the meaning behind your struggles and rediscover the passion, love, and joy that may feel elusive. Whether you seek clarity, healing, or growth, we are here to walk with you every step of the way.

You matter! Practical Tools on How to Survive and excel in College! Brief-Solution Focused Therapy to Turn your Life into a Success Story! You can be happy in spite of everything! How to live a long and healthy life. Therapy Reminds us how Brave we are. Licensed for 30 years, I can show you highly effective practical communication tools so you can experience joy, let go of anger and hurt and the disappointment that so often can get in the way of loving relationships. You will find a new level of confidence which will allow you to experience more joy and more happiness in your most important and sometimes confounding relationships. My therapeutic approach will help you overcome day-to-day anxiety, and defeat negative thoughts that too often lead to depression. If you struggle with problems in relationships or within yourself, with addiction, compulsion, or worry, dread and fear, you can call me.

Navigating different life transitions is challenging and often a struggle to work through on your own. it can be difficult to manage emotions, relationships, stress, and other mental health concerns. I want to support you in becoming the best version of yourself and provide a safe space for you to explore your identity. I have experience working with a wide range of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, AD/HD, Autism, family conflict, and social issues. I use a culturally sensitive approach to work with those who are struggling with emotional expression and internal motivation. Through a holistic approach, I aim to help clients in managing emotions and building coping skills to overcome personal challenges. My interventions often focus on identifying and validating feelings, self acceptance, self care, and life balance. My goal is to guide clients in building self confidence and supporting them on their journey. Together, we will use your strengths to make meaningful change in your life. I’m looking forward to supporting your growth and self discovery!

I recognize how challenging it can be to know how to identify and best support your own needs. School, work, relationships, and other life stressors can be overwhelming, sometimes to the point of feeling lost or stuck in our tracks. At times, even our physical, bodily experiences of sadness, anxiety, etc., may feel disconnected from our logical, rational thoughts. During these times, it is helpful to have someone who will work collaboratively and therapeutically with you to help you address your concerns, gain insight into your thoughts and feelings, and restore your sense of balance and "wholeness" back into your life. I believe that it is never too late to be the best versions of ourselves, and we all have the right to live authentically!

I am passionate about supporting clients to heal and thrive in their lives – reaching their goals and a sense of self that brings wellness and fulfillment. I have 15 years of professional experience working in social programs and services – including a diverse range of clients, including veterans, LGBTQI+, seniors, high-achieving professionals, students and young adults. I work with people experiencing PTSD, anxiety, depression, substance use/harm reduction, anger management, severe mental illness, workplace challenges and career goals. I am interested in working with individuals of all ethnicities, faiths, cultural/belief systems, genders, and sexual orientations. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and my Masters Degree from the University of Southern California (USC). I work with clients as experts in their own lives. I focus on collaborating with clients to identify their intrinsic strengths to build resilience and achieve the life they want for themselves. I believe that developing awareness and understanding of one’s thoughts, feelings, and actions develops personal insights and motivation to support optimal mental health. I utilize evidence-based and trauma-informed approaches, combining motivational interviewing, narrative therapy, mindfulness, art therapy, coaching and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to build tools for healthy functioning and overall wellness.

Life can be overwhelming, and asking for help takes courage. Whether you're feeling stuck, disconnected, or simply need support processing life’s changes, you don’t have to do it alone. I offer a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where we focus on your strengths, explore your goals, and move at a pace that feels right for you. Sessions are available in English or American Sign Language to meet your communication needs. I take a collaborative, client-centered approach to therapy, grounded in trust and open communication. We'll set meaningful goals together, and I’ll support you using your strengths while building new skills. You can expect empathy, respect, and a space that truly honors your voice. Let’s connect and explore how I can support you. I offer telehealth sessions to fit your needs and schedule.

As a therapist I believe that all of use can benefit from the use of help at times in managing the struggles brought on by the stresses of daily living, work, or school, life transitions, grief, and past traumas. Therapy may also be the right choice when long-standing feelings of anxiety, unhappiness or shame have hindered you from living your best life. I focus on the whole person: physically, emotionally, mentally, sexually, and spirituality. It is my goal to join with you and together work towards healing and a more meaningful life. The heart of my practice is to empower clients as they journey towards wholeness and health. I provide a safe, respectful, nurturing, and nonjudgmental environment for clients to process and explore concerns that brought them to therapy. Am I a good fit to walk with you on your journey? The best way to find out is to begin with a free phone consultation.

The Norooz Clinic Foundation is a non-profit public service and educational organization established in October of 2012. Norooz is a Farsi word meaning new day and a new beginning. At the Norooz Clinic Foundation, we strive to assist those who walk through our doors with their journey of discovery to find their new day, their rebirth, through mental health and wellness. The Norooz Clinic Foundation focuses on building and maintaining healthy relationships by identifying common struggles and providing new ways to approach them with success. We teach our clients effective skills and tools in order to give them alternative ways to think about daily problems and stressors and overcome them with more ease and balance.

Hello! We provide culturally competent individual therapy and couples counseling. Our focus is to provide you with a space where you feel safe to engage in the therapeutic process. The types of therapy and services we provide include EMDR therapy, therapy for Latin/x/e and BIPOC, therapy for LGBTQ+, therapy for depression and anxiety, and therapy to address relationship issues.

My practice office is a calm space where you can slow down, breathe, and begin making sense of what you’ve been carrying. Life can feel heavy at times, and you don’t have to go through it alone. I offer trauma-informed therapy for teens, young adults, and women navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem, life transitions, and relationship challenges. For those seeking deeper support, we can explore whole-person care that considers spirit, mind, body, and daily life. This may include exploring nutrition, supplements, supportive habits, movement like yoga, and, if desired, Christian-informed therapy as part of your healing process. I also offer parent coaching as a collaborative process to strengthen communication, reduce stress at home, and support healthier family relationships through real-life strategies. If you feel ready, I would be honored to connect with you and explore what support might look like.

I work with adults (age 18 and older) on a variety of mental health concerns, such as trauma, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, acculturation and cultural identity, and career uncertainty/transition. My experience in multiple mental health settings, from community mental health, university counseling centers, and Kaiser Permanente, has provided me with the skills to work with people from diverse backgrounds and presenting concerns. As a first generation immigrant from South-East Asia, I would be able to use my background to empathize with and help minority clients who experience challenges of navigating being a first-generation college student, cultural identity concerns, or racial/cultural insensitivities. My previous profession in software engineering may also help some clients going into the technology field feel connected and understood. I have been trained in insight-oriented (psychodynamic) and cognitive-behavioral (CBT) forms of therapy. I am also a certified clinical trauma professional. My practice aims to help clients develop tools to make the necessary change(s) in their lives. I collaborate with my clients to understand their needs and set goals they want to achieve. My interactions and interventions with my clients are wrapped in cultural consideration, validation, regard, and acceptance of who they are.

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 am licensed in both Oregon and California, and can work with students who often travel between these two states.* When the difficult experiences from your past are still impacting you, it is hard to know what to do. You don’t feel like yourself anymore, and the people in your life are starting to notice. It’s coming out at school, in your relationships, in your mood. You might be thinking “I just want to move on with my life. Why can’t I just get over it already?” But no matter how many times you try to move on, you still feel stuck. You are not alone. I help people who have been through difficult childhood, sexual, and relationship experiences look at how their experiences have shaped them, and explore how to take back their lives from the memories that have burdened them for so long. Together, we will build a trusting relationship where you can feel safe enough to explore what happened in your life, the ways you have survived, and how to get unstuck so you can move toward a life that is ruled by you, and not by the past. I know reaching out to begin therapy can be an overwhelming experience. I offer a free 15-20 minute consultation, where you can share a bit about what you would like to work on, ask me any questions you may have, and we can determine whether I might be a good fit for your needs. Please feel free to visit my website to learn more and schedule a consultation. I'm looking forward to meeting you!

As someone from an underserved population who struggled to connect to resources, I understand how important mental health services are for our overall well-being. I believe it’s vital to challenge the stigma of mental health and create an environment where you feel understood and heard. Life has many challenges and transitions, and I am passionate about supporting others in their healing journey. I provide mental health services for anxiety, depression, and life transitions, as well as interpersonal relationships and challenges. I also value advocacy, an often underutilized tool that can support your life, and help clients connect to community resources and social supports. I believe collaboration is vital in the therapeutic process and I strive to work with clients to provide services that cater to their needs. I aid clients in building skills and tools that will benefit them in their healing journey. Throughout the treatment process, I make sure to aid clients in feeling comfortable communicating as therapy has been seen as a scary process for many. I use humor when clinically appropriate along with working to meet clients where they are and aid clients in understanding clinical issues in relatable terms. I love engaging in my nerdy side; whether it be reading, gaming, or discussing worlds and stories where helping the world is at a far grander and fantastic scale. I love connecting with others about their passions as I love connecting to my own outside of work.

My journey to becoming a psychotherapist began when I was thirteen years old. I remember listening to my radio every night just as I was falling asleep. It wasn’t music I was listening to, but a psychologist who ran a call-in talk program. Troubled listeners would call in seeking the good doctor’s advice and in just a few minutes time, they were soon at ease by her reassuring words. I thought, “What a wonderful job that must be; to help so many people in feeling heard and connected with a caring human being. I’d like to do that too!” The same issues that plagued those callers are still around today; feeling alone, confused, different, unloved, a sense of hopelessness. The list goes on. What inspires me to work in mental health care is my desire to help make the lives of others much easier, less burdened, more worth living. To make certain that my clients feel accurately heard and understood, I check in with them often throughout our sessions. This can be done by sharing with them what I think I heard them say and then by checking in with them to make sure this is fairly accurate or if I was off the mark. I learned long ago that if I don’t get it quite right, my client’s are quick to correct me! This is usually a positive. If I get it wrong and seek clarification, it’s my hope that I convey my genuine interest in my client’s experience and that they are worth the extra effort to be understood. Trust and a strong therapeutic alliance between client and therapist are two aspects of therapy I find to be essential for meaningful work to take place. I do this by starting and ending sessions at our agreed upon time, curating a mutually agreed upon treatment plan and perhaps most of all, relating with all of my clients as my equals. I see ours as a dimly lit journey we’re walking together. Our only difference is, I am carrying the lantern helping us to see ahead. When appropriate, I’ve even been known to share a personal story involving myself if that story will help drive home a particular point.