Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA

I became a therapist because I’ve always been drawn to how people make sense of pain, identity, survival, and the patterns that shape how they relate to themselves and others. Before entering this field, I worked in settings where I supported people in crisis and helped connect them with care and resources. Over time, I realized I didn’t just want to help people stabilize through difficult moments, I wanted to support deeper, longer-term healing, especially around trauma, relationships, and identity. I’ve also become especially interested in couples work and relational patterns—how people affect one another, how cycles of conflict or distance develop, and how repair becomes possible. A lot of emotional pain shows up in relationships, and I’m interested in helping people slow those moments down so they can understand what’s happening underneath reactivity and disconnection. Alongside that, I’m committed to working with neurodivergent clients, including ADHD and OCD, as well as LGBTQ+ individuals and couples. I’m interested in how people navigate differences in attention, regulation, intrusive thoughts, identity, and communication, especially in systems that haven’t always understood or accommodated those experiences. My goal is to create a space where those differences aren’t pathologized, but understood in context. Feeling heard is something we build actively in the room, not something that just happens automatically. I slow the process down when needed so each person has space to fully express what they’re experiencing, especially in moments where emotions are high, communication feels stuck, or patterns start repeating. I listen for both what is said directly and what might be happening underneath needs, fears, protective responses, and the meaning each person is making of the situation. In couples work, I pay close attention to the interaction itself: how cycles form, where disconnection happens, and what each person may be protecting or trying to communicate through their reactions. With trauma, neurodivergence, ADHD, OCD, and LGBTQ+ experiences, I also stay attentive to how past environments may have shaped how safe it feels to speak openly, regulate emotions, or be fully seen. I check in regularly to make sure I’m understanding each of you accurately, and I welcome correction if something doesn’t land right. The goal is for both of you to feel that your experience is taken seriously, even when your perspectives differ. Working together is a collaborative process where we look at what’s bringing you in, what patterns are repeating, and how those patterns show up both individually and between you as a couple. I don’t approach therapy as something I’m doing to you, but as something we’re actively building together over time. Trust develops through consistency, clarity, and responsiveness. I aim to create a structured but flexible space where we can slow things down enough to understand what’s happening beneath conflict, shutdown, or overwhelm. In couples work, that often means tracking the interaction in real time and helping both partners feel understood without losing sight of accountability or impact. With neurodivergence, ADHD, and OCD in particular, I also pay attention to how attention, impulse, certainty, doubt, and regulation affect communication and relationships. With trauma and LGBTQ+ clients, I focus on creating a space where safety, respect, and identity are not assumed or questioned, but actively supported. Throughout our work, I check in about how the process is feeling and adjust as needed so therapy remains useful, grounded, and aligned with what matters most to you. Outside of therapy, I like having creative outlets and noticing small, grounding moments in everyday life. I also spend time with my dog, a Beagle, Frenchie, who has a lot of personality and a strong opinion about absolutely everything. She’s a good reminder that even in deeper work around trauma, relationships, and identity, there’s still space for humor, warmth, and moments that don’t feel so heavy.

I was inspired to be a therapist because of my own experience in therapy. I saw the benefits from my own sessions and worked with my therapist to work towards my goal of getting into graduate school. Now I want to help people the same way my first therapist helped me find what I was passionate in and also help those who might also feel stuck too. My style is one of collaboration and brainstorming together to figure out what solutions will help your unique situation. I always respect that you’re the expert of your life and I am here to help you figure out what clicks. I treat my therapy sessions as a casual conversation space and I use humor and analogies to get my examples and points across. Also as a video game enjoyer I use a lot of examples from that area of my life in creative ways to help emphasize or get certain points across in a different way. I’m a huge nerd so I love all things related to gaming, anime, superheroes, Dungeons and Dragons and card games. I’m a big enjoyer of fantasy and Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings is one of my favorite series that got me hooked into that genre. Currently enjoying Frieren and slowly finishing season 2.

Maybe you are experiencing a lot of anxiety or feeling pretty low with depression. Some days feel like you are barely hanging on. Being in school and going through these emotional hardships is not easy. If you are looking for help I am here to walk with you and help you address your anxiety, depression, or past trauma. You are very brave to seek help and I would love to get connected with you. I offer a free 15 minute consultation to see if we would be a good match. You can call/text me or schedule a consultation directly on my website. I am looking forward to connecting.

I am a bilingual licensed Marriage and Family therapist. I am dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate life’s challenges and build stronger, more resilient relationships. With a warm and non-judgmental approach, I create a safe space for clients to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. I believe in empowering individuals to achieve independence, confidence, and success in their daily lives. Through my education and work experience, I personalize and create interventions with the collaboration of the client. 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.

I provide therapy for adolescents and young adults ages 12-25, supporting them through academic, emotional, and social challenges that come with this stage of life. Together we will explore your goals and strengthen coping skills and create lasting tools for managing stress, relationships, and self-esteem in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment.

Better Mindset Therapy strives to create an authentic, welcoming atmosphere for her clients to explore their lives in a new way. She has experience helping children, adolescents, and adults with anxiety, depression, life transitions, self-esteem, coping skills, and more. Here we use the therapeutic relationship to explore your early life experiences and bring unconscious thoughts and patterns into the conscious awareness.

Are you tired of the same old patterns and anxiety holding you back in life? Perhaps you know what your goals are and you would like to gain some more insight and coping skills as you work towards them. You've been putting a lot of pressure on yourself and now you're wanting support as you figure things out. You’re realizing it’s time to take care of you. You are motivated and ready for a change. I'm here to help - I do my best to understand you and support you along your journey of living intentionally and wholeheartedly. I get that you want to feel confident about yourself and your decisions. You want to let go of unhealthy patterns, regain a sense of control and have some balance in your life. You’re ready to find love, peace, and acceptance, not only with others but with yourself. You want to reconnect with your partner and form an even stronger bond and relationship. I offer a nonjudgmental and safe space to help you work through life’s challenges and achieve your goals. I am passionate about my work in helping individuals and couples. I believe we all have the potential to heal and live our best lives. Reach out for a free phone consultation today- I look forward to hearing from you.

Hi, I’m Rafael Cazares, LMFT. I help college students and young adults navigate anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, overthinking, and stress. Grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), we take a culturally sensitive path to quiet unwanted thoughts, reduce unhelpful behaviors, and increase values-based direction. I also integrate mindfulness, guided exposure, self-compassion, attachment insights, and EMDR to support and promote change. I offer virtual therapy across California (Mon–Thu, 4–8 PM). Connect with me today to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we'd be a great fit.

You don't have to feel alone in any of this anymore. Whether it's everyday life stressors, relationship problems, a loss of something or someone important, either a positive or negative life transition, feeling signs and symptoms of depression or anxiety, or just simply feeling overwhelmed and confused; participating in therapy can provide a safe and supportive space to address, unveil, and tackle any and all of these things that we experience in our lives from time to time. I have specialized training in helping people make health behavior changes, learn the tools and skills needed to increase stress management, and recover from difficult or traumatic past experiences. My hope is to create an empathic and supportive space to allow you to feel the courage to process and work on those things buried deep down that can cause pain and heartache. By doing so, the power and control that those things have had on you can begin to lift and lessen.

My therapeutic approach seeks to help people gain a deeper understanding of themselves, a shift that begins within our therapeutic relationship and progressively extends into daily life. I utilize evidence-based therapies to help people better understand the problems they are facing, and believe therapy is most helpful when customized to meet an individual’s personality and goals. My treatment style is collaborative, and I strive to create an inviting space. 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.

My therapeutic approach is infused with a passion for creating and providing open and interactive dialogue, empowering adults of all ages to meet life’s problems, transitions, and tough decisions with greater confidence and awareness. Utilizing techniques from evidence-based Cognitive-Behavioral, short-term problem-solving therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness practices, I will assist you in identifying challenges and unhelpful patterns, learn new ways of coping, and increase your capabilities to move out of unhealthy habits and empower you to make clear and meaningful choices and changes you desire. I recognize that each individual can benefit from a unique blend of best practices and enjoy engaging effectively and energetically with clients to find that mix. My strong belief in the mind-body connection and the power of supportive relationships and networks will help you uncover new talents and inner resources to focus forward on what matters most. 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.

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.

Exhausted by the way you think about yourself? We are often (if not always) our own worst enemies. Whether this pattern has caused you problems with guilt, shame, anxiety, depression, addiction or you name it - the starting point is generally the same. When we embark on the project of therapy you will be asked to put your painful thoughts and feelings into words. As the process unfolds, the strength and fervor used to overthink and condemn yourself will become accessible to use productively in reaching your goals.

I have over 9 years of experience in the mental health field, working with a wide variety of individuals and assisting them in overcoming their struggles. My topics of specialty are depression, anxiety, communication, relationships, and anger. I utilize different modalities depending on the person and situation, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Informed Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Client-Centered Therapy. Making sure that a therapy plan is individualized is highly important to me, as no two individuals are the same. I hope to make you an active leading role in your own mental health, in order to create the kind of life that you want to live and find happiness in. 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.

I have over a decade of experience serving young adults/adults struggling with issues related to identity, culture, addiction, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and trauma. These issues can greatly impact a person's capacity to manage school and work performance and create interpersonal/relationship difficulties. I have a specialty serving individuals from Asian American/immigrant/people of color communities.

At the end of the day, I want you to see that you can figure out your issues so my focus will be to elicit your strengths and demonstrate that you can eventually do this on your own. Investing your time in therapy is a huge step and a challenging one, especially not knowing what to expect from therapy. My approach to therapy is a person-centered one, where you are the pilot in this journey. I am not the expert here as you are the only expert in your life. My role here is to help guide and support you as you move forward with your journey, like a co-pilot. My main therapeutic background is in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I am an eclectic therapist and will occasionally borrow different techniques and tools from other therapies that I think will benefit your process. 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.

I profoundly believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to create a fulfilling and emotionally healthy life. I help people utilize their inherent strengths, build meaningful support systems, and develop practical skills that promote lasting change and personal growth. I am driven to help individuals overcome generational trauma and break free from cycles of pain and suffering. "I believe in tailoring my approach to meet the unique needs and preferences of each person. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you feel seen, heard and valued. Together, we work towards achievable goals, cultivate resilience, navigate challenges, and foster emotional well-being. I am committed to providing culturally competent and affirming care to all those I serve. In my practice, I find fulfillment in working with a diverse range of communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrant families, and college students. I have had the privilege of supporting individuals from various cultural backgrounds through life transitions and psychosocial stressors. I approach each session with empathy, curiosity and respect towards all experiences. I build trust and a strong therapeutic alliance by collaborating on goals, honoring your pace, and highlighting your strengths as we work through evidence-based strategies.

Hi, I'm Robin, a licensed therapist/clinician. I specialize in supporting individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, relational challenges, and ADHD, to name a few. I have experience in working with children and adolescents, I have worked on a mobile crisis team in the field, and I am currently training first responders on mental health/illness. I have a master's degree in counseling psychology from Cal Baptist University and I have trained in crisis negotiation. When working with clients, I prefer to follow their lead. There is not one particular type of therapeutic modality that I prefer to follow. Just like people, there is not always a "one size fits all" solution, and being able to pull from different modalities is essential for me. As a clinician, I find it an honor to be on this journey with you. I would like to help you find your voice in order for us to set realistic goals for your sessions. I like to create an environment where you feel validated and safe to be open, as these sessions are for you.

Hi, I'm Brandi Walker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and owner of B.O.L.D.L.Y. Therapy. I provide psychotherapy services to California and Oregon residents. I work to help clients obtain and retain quality mental health by providing useful psychotherapy services delivered with empathy, authenticity, flexibility, and professionalism. I provide clients with a safe confidential therapeutic space to discuss concerns, feel valued, and supported.​ I provide supportive psychotherapy services using a solution-focused approach that targets client's immediate needs, while highlighting client's strengths and resources, in efforts to alleviate mental problems and improve their overall life. I will work together with clients to improve their mental health in hopes to create opportunities for clients to learn and grow into the person they want to be. You can learn more about me at my website www.boldlytherapy.com

I am a TELEHEALTH provider with openings:) Do you feel anxious, sad, out of control, or overwhelmed? Do you experience racing thoughts, have trouble sleeping and hardly ever feel at ease? Are you feeling sad, down, as if a dark cloud is over you? Do your feel like you are treated as a number and not as a person when you look for help? I can help you and provide mental health treatment that is tailored to fit your needs. I find joy in seeing my clients feel calm, happier, improve their relationships and feel like themselves again. I aim to help my clients find a medication treatment that is right for them. Everyone deserves to feel well and live to the fullest. I get you. I understand that you may be uncertain about taking medication, or perhaps you may need your medication adjusted. Your treatment plan will be continuously modified to fit your needs.