Therapists for college students near 94132
This time in your life can be one of transitions and transformations. Talking to a professional and processing it all can be very beneficial. You’re not alone. Whether you’re dealing with the stress of academic pressure, social pressures, anxiety, or depression, I’ve helped many individuals sort through these issues that can arise during this time in one’s life.
Are you and your partner disconnected? Have tons of resentment? Feeling like roommates? Having the same conflict over and over again? Constantly met with defensiveness? Feeling like you are always misunderstood? Scared to bring things up because they'll "get upset" or shut down? Don't know where to start? If you are facing any of these challenges, you are not alone. Some conflicts in relationships never fully go away, but they don't have to keep hurting you. We can unpack whats really happening beneath the surface so the conflict stops feeling destructive and we can get the change you've been hoping for. I provide telehealth therapy for couples who want real and structured change, not just a therapist who is a mediator or referee. I use the Gottman Method, which is a research-based intervention with 50 years of research on how couples communicate and connect. I will bring those tools to every session to help you repair your relationship. Healing and change are possible, even when it feels difficult and uncertain. My approach is warm, structured, direct, and collaborative. I’ll help you understand why patterns keep showing up and give you tools you can actually use outside of session. Therapy with me is a space where you can slow down, feel understood, and start making changes that last.
If you feel things in a big way, you are in the right place. You may be highly sensitive, an empath, or feeling the weight of injustices. I work with creative people who feel things deeply. I support in processing trauma, anxiety, life transitions, relationship issues, people pleasing, gender expression, and sexuality. I am committed to social justice and believe mental health does not exist in a vacuum. We are influenced by the society and world around us. My approach to therapy is rooted in values of anti-oppression and acknowledging the systemic factors that impact wellbeing.
My name is Samantha Harrold (she/her) and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Board Certified Art Therapist, Certified in The Trauma Conscious Yoga Method. I provide art and somatic therapies via telehealth to residents throughout the beautiful state of California. I work with highly sensitive persons (HSPs), the LGBTQIA+ community as well as those exploring monogamy or consensual nonmonogamy relationship styles. I specialize in PTSD, Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (c-PTSD) and relational trauma, especially that which shows up as difficulty asserting oneself, an exaggerated sense of responsibility, and exaggerated experience of shame/guilt. I believe that all humans want and deserve to live a life free from suffering. Everyone has innate wisdom and goodness. Sometimes early life experiences and stressful or traumatic life events make it feel as if Anxiety, Fear and Depression have taken over, instead of just being emotions we experience, and parts of ourselves that do not define our whole. Therapy can help us understand that these and other painful emotions will not last forever, and that even though we may not have had control over our past, we do have the ability to build a future of resiliency, compassion and strength- A life you are passionate about.
Hi! I'm Dr. Alice Wong, I have experience in working with diverse cultural backgrounds and understand the struggles one may face in wanting to assimilate while retaining their cultural heritage. Besides prescribing medications when necessary, I am a strong proponent of psychodynamic psychotherapy to process past experiences, understand ourselves better, and achieve the lives we consciously choose. Whether you're seeking relief from family expectations, struggling to integrate your multicultural identity (especially as an Asian American), experiencing the stress of transitions in life, managing symptoms of anxiety/depression/trauma, or feeling lost in your pursuit of a fulfilling life, I'm dedicated to walking this path with you.
College can be viewed as one of the most exciting times in your life yet it can also be filled with stress and pressures not only academically but also socially in friend and intimate relationships. It can be a time to figure out who you are and what you want for your future. Sometimes what stands in the way of figuring these big questions out is difficult experiences that are hard to talk about, self doubt, and anxiety. I create a space to focus on you and empower inner growth in order to make positive change towards the life you want to live.
I specialize working with gender and sexuality, anyone struggling through life transitions and change, folks who identify as highly sensitive people. I also focus on using self compassion techniques and perspectives and provide trauma informed, social justice/feminist oriented, and culturally attuned care. I fully enjoy both of us benefiting from building a meaningful relationship together, because I see it as an honor to be a part of your journey towards self actualization and well-being. I’m personable, transparent, enjoy humor, connection and appreciate depth. I'd honestly love to hear from you!
Heather Ward, MA, LMFT, PMH-C, is a licensed therapist with deep roots in college campus mental health, having provided counseling and wellness support across multiple higher education settings in the Los Angeles area. Trained at the University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education, Heather has worked at Pierce College, West LA College, and California State University, Northridge, where she managed large student caseloads, coordinated care with multidisciplinary campus teams, and developed workshops focused on building healthy relationships and emotional resilience. Heather brings a warm, collaborative style and a nonjudgmental presence to her work with students navigating depression, anxiety, identity shifts, and the pressures of academic life. She draws from attachment-based, psychodynamic, and mindfulness-oriented approaches to help clients build emotional regulation skills and strengthen their sense of self during pivotal life transitions. Earlier in her career, Heather also contributed to campus mental health from an administrative lens, developing and implementing strategic mental health and counseling initiatives at UCLA Extension — giving her a uniquely well-rounded perspective on how students are supported at an institutional level. Heather is committed to culturally sensitive, inclusive care and has experience supporting diverse student populations across community college and university settings.
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with experience supporting college students through anxiety, trauma, relationship struggles, and depression. Whether you’re dealing with academic pressure, family issues, social stress, or just feeling stuck—I’m here to help. Therapy with me is virtual, flexible, and designed to fit your schedule. No commuting, no waiting rooms—just real support when and where you need it. This is a space where you can be yourself, feel heard, and start building tools to manage life more confidently. Together, we’ll explore what’s weighing you down and work toward clarity, healing, and growth—at your pace. Let’s connect. If you're ready to feel more grounded and supported, I offer virtual sessions designed around your life. Reach out today to schedule a time that works for you
My purpose as a therapist is to create a healing container that enables my clients to explore the full scope of their life. Through this exploration, I gently assist my clients to learn how their past life experiences shape and impact their current life experiences and behavior. This process allows my clients to integrate their new deep understanding of themselves as a means to begin living a more fulfilling, satisfying and functional lifestyle. I am passionate about supporting my clients through this process, helping them to see that their past may have shaped them, but does not define their future. Various areas that I specialize in treating consist of; trauma, eating disorders, performance anxiety for competitive sports, and difficulties surrounding faith. “There is healing in the river of life.” This quote by MacPowell demonstrates my belief that faith can be an integral factor towards one’s journey of healing and well-being. Difficult life experiences may have one questioning how they can ever feel whole again. I help my clients to explore their faith and belief systems, and to integrate their faith into their everyday life. For those who seek it, my faith-based approach to therapy helps clients feel safe and supported. I am a certified EMDR therapist and use this approach to help my clients heal from the past and move towards a brighter future.
We specialize in treating anxiety, depression, burnout, and emotional overwhelm in adolescents and adults, often those who are high-functioning but feeling stuck, stressed, or disconnected. Our approach is collaborative and tailored, combining insight-oriented therapy with practical tools to improve emotional regulation, reduce distress, and increase clarity. We help clients identify underlying patterns while building sustainable coping strategies. The goal is greater stability, self-trust, and a more grounded sense of direction in daily life and relationships.
SDTC provides a welcoming and supportive environment for treatment. Our goal is to provide counseling and neurofeedback options for mental health treatment that have been shown to reduce problematic symptoms that have resulted from the trauma and life stressors so that you can live a life free from fear and worry. San Diego Therapy Center is a local Non-Profit in San Diego with a strong mission to help our community.
Whether you are struggling with an eating disorder or any of the issues that come along with one (i.e. anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, perfectionism, guilt, shame, body image distress, or difficulty in relationships), I would love to help you. Sometimes when you’ve felt anxious or burdened for long enough, it can begin to feel as though this is how it is always going to be. You might even find yourself saying that this is just the life you deserve. Maybe you are a Christian who is trying to make sense of how you are feeling while also navigating your faith. I am here to tell you healing is possible! Therapy with me is a place where you can freely be you, without judgement, as we work together to help you to become a healthier, more whole version of yourself. I offer therapy that allows you to bring in your faith (triumphs, struggles, and all). You don't have to figure it all out on your own (thankfully!). If you feel that I might be a good fit for you, please call or email me to schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation or to book your first appointment.
Many of the students I work with feel overwhelmed trying to figure out who they are and what they want, especially in a time that feels uncertain and constantly changing. You might be thinking about your future while also holding awareness of things like climate change, global crises, or instability in the world, which can make everything feel heavier or harder to make sense of. Some students I work with are dealing with habits like skin picking or hair pulling, while others feel burnt out, anxious, or like they’re trying to keep up but struggling internally. I take a relational and systemic approach, looking at both what’s happening internally and the larger context you’re living in, while also offering practical tools to support change. Many of my clients are thoughtful and aware, trying to make sense of themselves and the world around them. Therapy can be a space to slow things down and find ways to move forward that feel more grounded and realistic.
College is a time of tremendous growth, but it can also bring stress, uncertainty, and pressure from many directions. Balancing academics, relationships, family expectations, cultural identity, and planning for the future can feel overwhelming—especially if you're a first-generation, international, or multicultural student trying to navigate different worlds. Therapy offers a space that's truly yours, where you don't have to meet anyone else's expectations or have everything figured out. Together, we'll explore what's weighing on you, gain insight into the patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and develop practical tools to help you manage life's challenges with greater confidence and self-compassion. My goal is to help you reconnect with your authentic self, build resilience, and create a life that feels aligned with your own values rather than the expectations of others.
College is such a roller coaster. You may be feeling overwhelmed, apathetic, anxious, and always just going through the motions. Even though "everything's fine", you can't help but feel like the daily grind of "needing to be productive" could go a bit smoother. Maybe that irritation with that one roommate still lingers throughout our week. Or maybe the thoughts about that one moment during last night's date keep popping into our head as we're trying to concentrate during our morning lab. As a first generational Asian American, I can relate to the pressures of being independent and needing to keep up with school while still trying to have my own life. Schedule slots for yourself during the week to process the things we take on and carry within us. After all, they have a way of harboring and distracting our minds and bodies, clouding our judgement, taking away from our motivations, focus, and keeping us emotionally distant from those around us. If you live in NV or CA, I offer virtual telehealth sessions so that you can benefit from them right from your home or office. With flexible scheduling, my goal is to help you create habits using targeted solution focused therapy. I offer a variety of options, catered to your busy schedule. Integrate the "mental gym" into your week so that you can incorporate the benefits right away. It's better to process through it instead of holding it all in. You can be successful AND feel confident, calm, and in control. Our first session: will be a casual meeting to talk about how I can best help you. We will discuss the areas that you'd like to work on, collaborate and come up with a schedule that best suits you. Therapy can last anywhere from 3 months to a year depending on how consistent our meetings are. Client that I've worked with have experienced improvements within the first few sessions. If you're interested, reach out today to schedule a free consultation with me.
As someone who has experienced mental health both in myself and my loved ones, I feel inspired to provide care that is comforting, compassionate, and free of judgment. I am driven by being a support to those who need it, helping you improve, and guiding you towards fulfillment and your goals. I ensure you feel heard and respected by creating a comfortable environment where, together, we can explore the uncomfortable. I value establishing trust with you and I allow each client to set their own pace while I compassionately move you forward. I practice a talk therapy approach with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, and Acceptance Commitment Therapy influences. I am proud of my ability to establish trust and a strong therapeutic alliance with my clients. I do this by using humor and empowerment while also utilizing a direct approach. I recognize how difficult vulnerability can be so I do my best to create an environment that feels safe and enjoyable. I enter each session without judgment as I want to honor you and your experiences. I prioritize you feeling comfortable while sharing your innermost thoughts so, together, we can put the pieces back together and fortify your mental space.
A lot of the students I work with are used to being the “responsible one”—the one who gets things done, shows up, and keeps it all together. But underneath that, there’s often a lot of pressure, overthinking, and a quiet feeling of “am I actually doing this right?” You might replay conversations in your head, feel torn between what you want and what’s expected of you, or notice it’s hard to relax without feeling guilty. Relationships can feel confusing too—wanting to be close, but also not wanting to be too much or not enough. If you grew up balancing different worlds, cultures, or expectations, you might not even be sure what your voice sounds like yet. In our work together, we make space to sort through all of that—so you can feel more like yourself, trust your decisions, and stop living on autopilot.
I've been in private practice for 25 years and in mental health for nearly 40 years - I see all populations, youth, college, male, female, couples, families, specializing in Relationship Work, Codependency, Anxiety, Depression and Stress Management - my tools are primarily Mindfulness Based Protocol, Emotional Regulation and CBT & DBT
The thing that inspires me most to work in mental healthcare is my desire to help people live the best lives they possibly can. I have always believed that the relationship you have with your clients is the most important foundational part of successful therapy. I foster that by providing a warm, inviting, non-judgmental space for my clients to be open and to feel heard, validated and supported. With my clients, I try to make sure they feel understood and like they know what to expect as we work through the healing process.