Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA

There is always HOPE! When you walk out of my office my hope is that you leave with tangible skills, suggestions and a plan to try in real life. While the therapy session is a time of opening up and finding some answers, the real work is done out side of your sessions! My aim is that you walk out feeling supported, equipped and hopeful that change is possible. I never want people to feel stuck in therapy either, my goal is to work with you until you feel ready to tackle life on your own, I feel it's my job to work myself out of a job :) I always remain available after we've completed therapy for check in's or for email exchanges, but I want you to start therapy with the end goal in mind!!!! Please reach out to discuss your particular needs.

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You don't want to be a burden on others, so you keep it all inside, even when you're overwhelmed. Everyone thinks you're fine, but there's part of your story you never say aloud and it feels like you're about to snap. You know you have so much privilege, but what are you supposed to DO with it except feel immobilized by shame? As a bookworm and psychotherapist, I know the power of stories, especially the ones we didn't choose: family secrets, relationship and sexual difficulties, alcohol use, faith transition and deconstruction, burnout in passion jobs, people-pleasing, anxiety, financial wealth, and privileged identities. You want to learn to speak up without it costing you everyone you love. You want to learn how to give without shame or fear of being found out that you have SO MUCH. You want to create in a world that wants you to monetize everything. I get it, and I've been there. Your story won't be the same as mine, but I've helped clients like you make changes that last. I can help you find more peace in your relationships and write your future story.

Many people say that the college years are supposed to be some of the best in your life, yet it doesn't feel this way to you. Somehow you are missing out. Perhaps anxiety has you second guessing everything or your perfectionism or "OCD" has gotten out of hand. Perhaps you doubt yourself, put yourself down, or get the sense that everyone else has it all figured out except for you. Life doesn't have to be this way. I get it. I used to be a college professor and worked a lot with students transitioning to college and "adult life." I also know how hard things are when you are juggling college demands with the rest of "life," which may include a medical, family/friend, or work issue or just figuring out what you want to do with your life. Reaching out to ask for help is sign that you are aware something's not quite right in your life and you hope things can be better. Our time together is focused on helping you achieve your specific goals using treatments that are evidence-based. This means I only use the treatments that we know from research are helpful. I won't waste your time or money with treatments we know don't work. With any patient I work with, my goal is to eventually put myself out of a job. Sounds like a crazy business model, right? That is because my focus is on YOU and what you need. I want you to learn the skills that you need so you can graduate from therapy and live your best life.

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I believe my clients know themselves better than anyone else. I work to help my clients define and achieve their goals in a time-sensitive manner. I do not believe therapy has to take a long time; most of my clients graduate within 3-6 months. In my professional work, my deepest rewards come from seeing my clients become energized and passionate about their lives. I see myself as a coach or guide applying effective cognitive and behavioral techniques to help my clients find their way to mental health and happiness.

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*Serving clients in California, Pennsylvania & North Carolina via teletherapy* I imagine you're looking for help, maybe a kind and guiding mental health professional wherever you are on your healing journey. Perhaps you've felt confused, misunderstood, unseen, overwhelmed with the constant pressures and stresses of this current moment. You may be struggling with shame, self-hatred, a lack of belonging, imposter syndrome. You might feel nervous about asking for help. I welcome the chance to work together in personalized, culturally sensitive, and confidential virtual therapy. As a multicultural and multiethnic cisfemale therapist of color, I seek to understand who you are, your worldview, and your environment. Once you reach out to me, I'll invite you to set up a consultation to discuss your needs, what's going on and how we may work together. We'll get to know each other a little. I'll also invite your questions and perspectives on what you're looking for in a therapist. Together we can help you heal, create a space to honor and respect who you are, and support a life of meaningful connection and empowerment. Contact me or schedule an initial consultation via the secure client portal https://ashleyaclemft.clientsecure.me/!

You feel misunderstood and judged; you worry others view you badly; you feel disconnected and excluded. Relationship feels confusing and frustrating. It feels like nothing you try works, you feel like it's your fault, and you feel empty inside. Your anxiety and loneliness won't go away on its own. Let me help you understand why you feel the way you do, help you gain abilities to truly connected with people, and mental clarity to handle interpersonal exchanges in ways that feels confident, caring, and thoughtful. I will create a safe place to talk about what's going on inside. Together, we will explore the roots of your relationship problems. Often, when you understand where they come from you will start the process of healing. I will help you learn self-love, gain confidence, emotional and relational insights to make more meaningful connections in life. I believe we are born with ability to grow and move toward wholeness. My work is rooted in neuroscience understanding and attachment theory that we as human beings need each other to heal. I want to be the connector for you on your healing journey. Before becoming a therapist, I have 15 yrs tech experience. I have 2 children and also speak Mandarin.

Hello, my name is Lauren and I am a therapist working in private practice in Saratoga. My style is warm, supportive, and collaborative. I have a relational focus and I value how attachment influences each individual and the process of therapy. My clients seek to change what is difficult and what isn’t working in their life. Many struggle with the impacts of trauma interfering with their day to day life. Others may struggle with feeling stuck or emotionally overwhelmed. They may be experiencing a challenging dynamic in their relationships or a lack of connectedness to others. My clients are looking to transform their life, achieve personal growth, and to heal. It takes courage to recognize each of our own unique needs and struggles, and I admire the strength it takes to reach out for support and help. I believe that all individuals have the ability to change, and that personal growth is possible for everyone. If you are ready to take the first step toward your path of healing, please contact me. I am currently offering in person services on Wednesdays.

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Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, depressed or stuck, I recognize the impact it can have on your relationships, goals, self-esteem and how you feel in your mind and body. If you find yourself affected by difficult events, grief, and trauma from your past, I understand how it can interfere with daily life making it difficult to focus mentally, relax physically, and enjoy the things you once loved. You do not have to go through this alone. I am committed to providing compassionate support and guidance as we work together to find clarity, joy and reclaim ease in your mind, body and spirit. Change is possible. Healing is possible. My specialty is working with those who are suffering emotionally & overwhelmed with their past and present. I work with individuals wanting to break out of co-dependency, self-sabotaging, and trauma which can show up as chronic emotional/physical pain and leave you feeling stuck and confused. You don't have to figure this out on your own. The focus of our work will be to understand the cause of your suffering and how it is affecting your mind and body in the present. This allows us to create new ways of thinking and feeling which lead to less suffering. As an MFT and SEP my approach is somatic and insight oriented to support you in finding relief and creating the life you want.

I am a licensed psychologist with strong specialties in treating folks with eating disorders and anxiety. I also have extensive experience working with people with depression and relationship concerns. I am a compassionate, direct therapist. I work collaboratively with my patients to set and achieve their goals. These goals often include increased self-acceptance, as well as changes in mood, thought patterns, and behaviors. My therapy is rooted in empirically based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), psychodynamic theory, and neuroscience research. I develop customized strategies to help my patients manage painful thoughts and emotions, change unhelpful behaviors, and increase motivation. I also help cultivate self-compassion and self-understanding. Self-understanding promotes self-acceptance. When you allow yourself to be who you are, your inner critic has no leverage, and you move more easily toward a meaningful and fulfilling life. For most of my patients, this is the ultimate goal. Please go to my website for more information. My blog describes many of the concepts and strategies I use.

I strongly believe that therapy should be a safe place where anyone can come and talk about their life without judgment or shame. It is a place where everyone can benefit from unconditional empathy, understanding, and grace. I am an outgoing person who is easy to talk to, and I do my best to make the therapeutic process as smooth and understandable as possible. We will go at your pace and create a personalized treatment plan to meet your needs and goals. I strive to help you become self sustaining where you can gain a sense of understanding of what skills you need, why you are utilizing them, and when to utilize the skills learned. I specialize in working with adults and teens with anxiety, depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, substance abuse, PTSD, complex/developmental trauma, grief, chronic pain, health and relationship problems.

How would your life change if you started therapy today? Right now, you have taken your first step towards overall health and personal growth. I offer a highly individualized approach to therapy so you get exactly what you want from therapy. I will not mold you to fit my therapeutic model but will individualize an approach that works best with your personality, needs, and goals. I use the latest technologies and Feedback Informed Treatment (FIT) in order to measure and visualize your progress. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional which allows me to help you work on any unresolved trauma and painful past experiences you may have. Unlike many other therapists, I will work with your individual strengths to not simply reduce symptoms but also increase overall WELL-BEING and happiness. My goal is to help you understand yourself better, identify obstacles on your path, and support you in navigating these obstacles effectively. I can help you find the answers you need and the strength to turn these answers into the life you want. I am looking forward to working with you! I offer a free initial phone consultation.

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Hi, I’m Zirley Macias, LCSW, a bilingual (English | Spanish) therapist who meets with California college students via secure tele-health. For nearly a decade I’ve helped undergrads and grad students untangle test anxiety, academic stress, low mood, social or roommate conflicts, and the identity questions that come with campus life. Sessions feel like a friendly, judgment-free zone that doubles as a launchpad for growth: we blend evidence-based tools—Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Solution-Focused, and strength-based techniques—and, if you wish, faith-informed perspectives. You’ll leave each meeting with a bite-sized practice exercise you can fit between classes and study sessions, turning insight into daily habits. Whether you’re adjusting to dorm life, juggling coursework and part-time work, or simply feeling stuck, I’m here to help you find realistic solutions, stronger boundaries, and a sustainable sense of hope.

I work with students and young adults who feel like they’re figuring life out without a roadmap, whether you are a first-generation, LGBTQ+, or anyone carrying pressure to succeed while quietly feeling lost, overwhelmed, or unsure of their direction. My own path wasn’t traditional; I dropped out of high school due to circumstances beyond my control before finding mentorship, earning my GED, and becoming a first-generation college graduate from UCLA. I know what it feels like to question your purpose, to feel unseen, or to believe everyone else has it together except you. With over 13 years in education as a teacher, counselor, and mental health specialist — and more than 7 years providing psychotherapy to transitional-aged youth and adults, I bring both lived experience and professional training to our work. I created Easy Peasy Counseling because life isn’t actually “easy peasy,” but I believe even the messy, heavy seasons can become meaningful and transformative with the right support. Therapy with me is about partnership, empowerment, and helping you rediscover the resilient, capable parts of yourself that may have been dimmed by anxiety, depression, trauma, or major life transitions. Let's get to work together so you can move forward with clarity, confidence, and self-trust.

I work collaboratively with my clients to develop a deeper understanding of themselves, with this improved understanding we are able to identify and practice healthy and satisfying life strategies. Often my clients come with concerns about self-esteem, relationship challenges, family conflicts and adjustment issues related to college. Together, in a non-judgmental environment, we are able to sort through and make sense of issues that may seem particularly challenging.

I love to work with students and young adults. Many of my clients face mood challenges (anxiety and/or depression), career questions, difficulties with relationships and/or the repercussions of early life trauma. Some are high achievers, but feel held back by self-esteem challenges or imposter syndrome. Others are in the process of individuating from their families of origin and benefit from guidance as they find their way in the world as adults. I have great empathy for the stresses of student life as well as a fundamental optimism in our ability to heal and become stronger and healthier with greater self-knowledge and support.