Therapists for college students near San Diego State University
Tracy Liljequist
As your therapist, I meet you where you are, taking into account your unique strengths and personal history to help you achieve your goals and desired outcomes. I am deeply committed to my client's growth and take great satisfaction in witnessing their progress throughout the therapeutic process. I provide effective tools and interventions to facilitate meaningful change. I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and a Solution-Focused approach, with treatment goals developed collaboratively. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.
Gabrielle Dillard
I support individuals in high-demand roles, including healthcare workers, athletes, parents, and first responders, in managing stress, emotional exhaustion, and trauma. I specialize in helping mothers navigate postpartum and parenthood in a compassionate space where they feel heard and empowered. My approach blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and EMDR to build resilience, set healthy boundaries, and support healing from burnout and secondary trauma. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.
Luis Espinoza
I am inspired to work in mental health to build rapport with members and to help members identify, process, and heal from mental health symptoms and trauma. I am inspired to help members harness their inner voice and help them to improve self-worth as well as to help them change their narratives to a positive outlook in life. I ensure members are heard by bringing in empathy, demonstrating unconditional positive regard, triaging and creating collaborate treatment goals that members are amenable to work on, employ active listening, and show reflective listening. I build trust with storytelling, to start where the member is at, to not judge member, and to ask clarifying questions to get their lived experiences. I implement miracle questions, Socratic questioning, and provide homework assignments for accountability.
Melissa Nauman Counseling & Psychotherapy
People make the decision to engage in therapy for a multitude of reasons, all of which are valid. Some people may be ambivalent about making changes in their lives, while others might feel eager and ready to start the process. Regardless of where you find yourself on that continuum, I am here to support you. Although my background has mainly been focused around eating and body image, I see clients who are experiencing a variety of concerns: relationship issues, anxiety/depression, life transitions, unhappiness, etc. Prior to private practice, I worked with undergraduate and graduate students at Harvard University Counseling and Mental Health Service, with a specialty in supporting student-athletes and individuals with eating and body image concerns. I have also worked in psychiatric inpatient programs as well as eating disorder treatment programs. My therapeutic style is integrative, which means that our work together will draw on various approaches determined by your concerns and goals. My hope is for us to build a trusting relationship that will allow for honest reflection, helpful challenge, and ultimately positive change so that you may be able to lead a more fulfilling life.
Brandy Gleason
Your mental health journey is more than a clinical experience – it's a unique and meaningful story. I work with college students every day as a professor in a nursing program in addition to working as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. That allows me to have a unique understanding of the challenges you face. It can be tough to balance school, work, athletics, and life in general. It takes courage to access support for your mental health - I look forward to working with you. I offer therapy and medication management for individuals of all ages with concerns such as Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar, ADHD, PTSD, Insomnia, and more.
Tracy Nelson
I take a person-centered approach to therapy, and am warm, interactive, and engaged. As a practicing therapist for 20 years, I have never stopped admiring the courage and strength it takes to seek help, become aware, and illicit change. I like to meet people where they are, identify treatment goals, and help people succeed in making the changes necessary to feel confident, fulfilled, and at peace. My goal is to create a safe, non-judgement space so people feel comfortable opening up and seeking help. I utilize many different therapeutic approaches based on what works best for the person seeking therapy and believe therapy works best when the individual is engaged in their own treatment and progress. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.
Alexa Brozick
I’m a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a Master’s degree from Azusa Pacific University, where I graduated with honors. I began my nursing career in 2019 and have been dedicated to supporting individuals on their mental health journeys ever since. My approach blends clinical expertise with empathy, always aiming to create a safe, supportive space where patients feel truly heard and understood. I believe that everyone deserves to feel heard, valued, and supported. Mental health care allows me to walk alongside people during some of their most vulnerable moments, offering compassion, understanding, and evidence-based tools to help them heal and grow. I’m passionate about breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and creating a safe space where individuals can share their stories and work toward their goals. I believe the most effective care happens when it’s built on true partnership. I make sure to take the time to listen to each individual’s goals, concerns, and values, and together we create a plan that feels both effective and meaningful to them. I make sure to explain treatment options clearly so that they can make informed choices with confidence and as treatment progresses, I remember to stay flexible and responsive, adjusting the approach as needed to ensure that it continues to align with each patient’s preferences and values.
Tracie Tyler
My personal vision of health includes harmony, connectivity, and balance. For true healing to take place, the entire self – physical, mental, and spiritual must be considered. Each person has a unique path and purpose, and it is my goal to accompany my clients on their journey of discovery and to offer my support and encouragement along the way. I believe in meeting people where they are and figuring out the path forward together. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.
Roshanda Roberts
I believe in using your strengths to motivate you and intern assist you in obtaining the positive outcomes you desire. My counseling style is warm and interactive, and can also include a holistic and mindfulness approach. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, while decreasing the negative stigma associated with mental illness. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, solution focus, and client-centered counseling. I will tailor our dialogue and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs while working collaboratively with you it takes courage to seek a more fulfilling life and to take the first steps towards change. If you are ready to take that step, I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.
Caitlin Crandall
I was inspired to become a therapist by a deep belief in the human capacity for transformation. I hold hope for change even in the midst of struggle. Having walked my own journey of growth, I understand the courage it takes to be vulnerable and to trust another person with your story. I honor the sacredness of the therapeutic relationship and approach it with presence, compassion, and integrity. Working together is a collaborative and evolving process. I bring warmth, curiosity, and a nonjudgmental energy into the room. I meet each client as they are — without assumptions — and seek to understand their unique narrative. Trust is built through authenticity, attunement, and consistent care. I believe that when people feel safe and truly heard, they are better able to access their own strengths, heal old wounds, and move toward a more grounded and empowered way of living. My role is to walk alongside you — supporting self-awareness, resilience, and meaningful change at a pace that honors your process. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s Degree in Social Work, concentrating in Mental Health, from the University of Southern California. My work is grounded in a holistic, trauma-informed, and strengths-based approach that honors the whole person — mind, body, spirit, relationships, and lived experience. I believe healing is not just about reducing symptoms, but about reconnecting to one’s inner resilience, wisdom, and capacity for growth. Transformation often unfolds through connection, safety, and feeling deeply seen. I strive to create a therapeutic space that nurtures all three. My work is guided by an intersectional lens and cultural humility. I recognize that each person carries layered identities, experiences, and histories that shape how they move through the world. By honoring these complexities, I collaborate with clients to co-create meaningful, personalized treatment that aligns with their values, culture, and goals.
Karen Aubrey
Becoming the parent of a child with autism was a catalyst that fundamentally reshaped my world. Initially, I attempted to navigate the complexities of raising a neurodivergent child in isolation, drowning in a sea of anxiety, grief, and anger. It wasn’t until I sought therapy and connected with a community of parents on the same emotional rollercoaster that the fog lifted. Therapy — and the support of others who understood — changed everything. That experience led me to this work. From the moment you log on for your telehealth appointment, the space belongs entirely to you. It is a place where you can cry, laugh, and share your highs and lows without fear of judgment. You don’t need to have a plan or know exactly where to start; just being here is the beginning of discovery. You will be seen, you will be heard, and we will take this first step together. I believe therapy works best when we walk the path together. My approach is built on your strengths and tailored to your unique needs. You will always be met with acceptance, empathy, and respect—never judgment. Rather than giving you answers, I am here to help you uncover your own truth and take the lead in your healing. I want you to leave our time together feeling deeply seen, supported, and ready to move forward with confidence. I’ve recently discovered a quiet peace in making soap and candles. There is something beautiful about the way we must melt down solid wax to reshape it, or how we must wait patiently for soap to cure before it is ready. It reminds me so much of therapy. We need time to soften, space to be molded, and patience to let our new insights settle. It has taught me that healing is a craft—one that simply cannot be rushed.
Jordan Gill, AMFT
My first priority is always a strong relationship because I know that the therapeutic process can only thrive when it’s built on authenticity, trust and connection. I draw upon humanistic, psychodynamic, and cognitive/skills-based theories, providing clients with support and tools they can use to move forward and make progress. The therapeutic work centers on navigating the client's present and managing behaviors and thoughts that may be standing in their way. We’ll also explore the arc of their past experiences for relevant information and collaborate on forward-facing goals to remain oriented toward progress.
Exposure Therapy Designs
If someone asked you not to think for 10 minutes how hard would that be? Is overthinking about the “What Ifs” driving you to relentlessly check things over and over again? Are you determined to find certainty in an uncertain world? Do you frequently ask others repeatedly if something or someone is going to be OK? No matter how much you do a task or say a particular thing does peace of mind elude you? Does the compulsion to handwash, re-read, double-check, pray, or re-arrange items never provide lasting relief? Do you find yourself burdened by intrusive thoughts that strike against your will and preoccupy your mind for hours a day? OCD is characterized by unabating obsessions matched with intense mental or behavioral rituals to relieve the anxiety provoked. It is not treated by “talk therapy” but with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Through customized gradual exposures, ERP is an evidence-based method of intervention to reduce the severity of OCD symptoms. Exposure Therapy Designs is a telehealth practice that focuses on providing EMDR and ERP for individuals struggling with OCD and PTSD. Our clinicians offer evidence and strengths-based counseling with multicultural sensitivity. We are solutions-oriented and practice from a Solutions Focused Brief Therapy Model. ERP is a collaborative and creative approach to learning new skills and strategies to become comfortable with uncertainty and more confident in your ability to handle life’s unexpected challenges. My style is compassionate, client-centered, and culturally sensitive. Licensed in California and Massachusetts. Registered Out-of-State Telehealth provider for Florida. Research indicates that approximately 40 to 60 percent of OCD conditions have a trauma onset. Often talking about the trauma(s) can retraumatize a person. For that reason, Eye Movement and Desensitization Response (EMDR) and the Flash Technique are evidence-based treatment interventions utilized to resolve the severity of PTSD symptoms. Our treatment focus is on neurodivergent issues and gifted learners. Therapeutic style is evidenced and strength based, multiculturally sensitive, solutions oriented, client centered, and collaborative. You are the expert on you. Our role is to facilitate and support an awareness of how to implement changes to overcome unhelpful patterns in thinking and decision-making. We strive to see the whole person not just a list of symptoms. Understanding your unique background is key because therapy is not a cookie-cutter approach. Our team includes providers who are Certified Level One Solutions Focused Therapists and received specialized training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Habit Reversal Training (HRT). We also have clinicians who have completed Basic training in EMDR and the Flash Technique. We work with individuals experiencing neurodivergent issues, gifted learners, individuals coping to manage life transitions, women’s mental health issues around shifting roles in family and career, and immigration/re-entry adjustment stressors. We have licensed therapists who can see individuals residing in California, Florida, Massachusetts and Virginia. However our Associate Clinicians are only able to see residents of California at this time. Individuals who have Aetna, Kaiser Permanente, Lyra, SpringHealth, or Sutter EAP benefits are able to use their health plan coverage to pay for sessions with our licensed clinician only. For everyone else we work with Mentaya, a platform that helps clients get money back on out-of-network therapy sessions. If you have out-of-network benefits, Mentaya will file claims and handle the insurance paperwork to make sure you get reimbursed. They charge a 5% fee per claim and have helped people get thousands of dollars back per year. You can sign up using this link: https://app.mentaya.com/register?p=XqKyUZD7e4vJZUJ89P3c Note: Mentaya's goal is to save you time and money. It's completely optional, and as your therapist, I do not benefit in any way from your participation. **Sliding scale rates available on a limited cash pay-only basis with our Associate Clinicians**
Karyn Galindo
You don’t have to carry this alone. If anxiety, depression, or people-pleasing—trying to make others happy—take over, I’m here: open, steady, ready to help. I work with adults facing life transitions, work stress, family conflict, and low confidence. My style is warm, direct, and collaborative. We’ll make sense of what’s happening and build practical skills. Using CBT and DBT, we’ll calm your nervous system, set boundaries, and move forward with clarity. You’ll be met with respect, curiosity, and a plan that fits you. Ready? Reach out—we’ll start where you are. I am a therapist at Octave, a behavioral health practice creating a new standard for mental health care that’s both high-quality and accessible. To learn more about my availability, please reach out to our Client Experience team by emailing or calling.
LKG Psychotherapy & Coaching
College can be exciting, overwhelming, and everything in between. It’s a time of big changes, big questions, and a lot of pressure—about who you are, where you belong, and whether you’re doing “enough.” I work with college students who are navigating anxiety, body image struggles, perfectionism, and that nagging feeling of not measuring up, even when everything seems fine on the outside. If you’re feeling stuck, anxious, or just off, therapy can be a space to slow down and figure out what’s really going on. Together, we’ll explore what matters to you and what helps you feel more like you. My approach is warm, supportive, and down-to-earth. Whether you’re on campus or away, we’ll work together to help you feel more confident, grounded, and connected—both to yourself and the life you’re building.
Healing Paths Therapy Inc
Thank you for considering Healing Paths Therapy as your provider of choice. We are a group practice that was founded by Kemi Alemoh, LCSW in 2022. The practices have associates as well that provides services. At Healing Paths Therapy we offer individualized support for the individual coming in for services. We spend time getting to know your current mental health needs to help you best. We are compassionate and structured at our therapeutic approach. Feel free to reach out for a free 15-minute consultation to discuss services.
Marina Duarte Pulido
Hello, I am a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with experience in both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care. I have an academic foundation in child development and psychology. I earned my Master’s degree in nursing with a focus on clinical nurse leadership. I am driven by my passion for mental health and committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care to support individuals on their journey toward improved mental well-being. After working inpatient/acute care medical floors for several years, I became inspired to work within the field of psychiatry and providing care to those who struggle with mental health issues related to chronic conditions and helping people through difficult stages in their lives. My goal is to meet each patient at whichever stage they are and deliver care that will provide them safety and lead them to a more stable, healthier life. I strive to give each person their best chance at achieving success. Each patient is provided an individualized plan of care. We collaborate to reach the safest and best treatment options for you, including education and appropriate follow-up care.
Empower Youth Therapy
Empower Youth Therapy provides individualized therapy for college students navigating academic pressure, anxiety, relationship stress, identity development, transitions, and trauma. Our approach is warm, validating, and practical — focused on helping students understand themselves more deeply while building real-life coping skills they can use in classes, friendships, and daily routines. We serve students from San Joaquin Delta College, CSU Stanislaus, CSU East Bay, Sac State, and surrounding Central Valley / Bay Area campuses. We offer a non-judgmental space to talk honestly, process what’s overwhelming, and explore who you’re becoming — especially during transitions like moving away from home, choosing a major, or preparing for your next step after graduation. We also support executive functioning, stress management, and strengthening healthy habits. We offer individual therapy for college-age students. We accept insurance and private pay. Free 15-minute consultations are available.
CAPRICORN COUNSELING CENTER
Talk Therapy for Students Are you feeling overwhelmed with schoolwork or are you missing your family and friends back home? Our team is here to help you find the tools and coping skills to get your mind right. Leaving home, starting university, and finding new friends can be some of the most intense pressures and stressors to manage. Our team can help you Discover new coping skills Specialize techniques to manage anxiety and depression, and negative thought loops Increase your support system that will help you manage and decrease stress Talk about your past present or fear of the future Learn new ways to manage trauma Set new goals and follow through! YOU ARE NOT ALONE! College is an exciting time filled with new experiences, opportunities, and growth. However, it can also be a challenging period, particularly for students who may face academic pressure, financial stress, relationship difficulties, or mental health issues. These stressors can quickly pile up and take a toll on a student’s well-being, leading to feelings of anxiety, depression, or burnout. As experienced therapists, we have seen firsthand the unique challenges that college students face. Whether you’re navigating the pressures of academic success, building healthy relationships, or finding your place in the world, college can be a time of intense stress and uncertainty. That’s why we believe that therapy is the most powerful tool for college students who are looking to enhance their well-being and achieve their goals. Our overarching goal is to help students to develop a better understanding of their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and provide them with the tools they need to overcome the challenges they face. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or even relationship issues, therapy can help you to gain a new perspective, improve your coping skills, and increase your overall sense of happiness and fulfillment. Our number one priority is to create a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment where you can freely express yourself and work towards achieving your goals. We know that every college student is unique, and take a personalized approach to therapy, tailoring our methods to fit your individual needs and goals. So, if you’re a college student looking to improve your well-being, increase your self-awareness, and achieve your full potential, we encourage you to consider therapy. We’re here to help.
Liza Auciello
Are you living the life you want? Do your habitual patterns get in the way of you being present in life and relationships? I’ve dedicated my life to helping people find more fulfillment and meaning in their connections with others and in life itself. If you need a life reboot, I can help you to identify the hidden commitments you have with yourself and overcome the blocks that get in the way of you achieving your life priorities. Our work together can help you to heal and nurture your relationship with your body, mind and spirit so you can address challenges more easily and live your life with greater self-confidence and self-love. My approach is tailored to your needs. I use a cognitive behavioral framework and integrate positive psychology, mindfulness, somatically-oriented interventions and brain science. These methods enable you to develop emotional agility and to build a body and mind that supports the positive changes you want to see in your life; changes that allow you to be your best-self! I am a therapist at Octave, a behavioral health practice creating a new standard for mental health care that’s both high-quality and accessible. To learn more about my availability, please reach out to our Client Experience team by emailing or calling.