Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA

Hello, my name is Heather Pederson. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in San Diego and am so glad you are here. Seeking help can potentially feel daunting, exposing, and overwhelming. It can also be our first steps toward repair, healing, and growth. I have found that people are so very strong, courageous, and hard-working, and still need some help when things get hard. I believe therapy can be a unique chance to discover parts of ourselves we forgot about, allow healing for the tender parts, and find new ways of interacting with ourselves and our loved ones that allow for deeper understanding and connection. I work with individuals and couples who often struggle with: a feeling of something between angry, sad, and fear that doesn’t have a name, as well as feelings of overwhelm, worry and stress that gets between them and their preferred lives. I seek to create opportunities in therapy to connect more deeply with the truest parts of yourself so that you can then connect more deeply with your purpose, values, and trusted others. I am trained in Emotionally-Focused Therapy (Externship with Sue Johnson, Core Skills to become Certified in progress), a Certified Prepare/Enrich facilitator, Trauma Informed Care, and a graduate of Bethel Seminary San Diego with an M.A. in Marital and Family Therapy. Please contact me with any questions you might have regarding therapy. I work with college students (extensive experience working on college campuses), couples, individuals, premarital/pre-engagement, relational distress, trauma, and anxiety.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice with expertise in treating a broad range of emotional and behavioral problems via individual, couples, family and group psychotherapy. My treatment approach is integrative, most heavily influenced by evidence-based, cognitive behavioral and humanistic-existential theories. I address unique cultural experiences and various psychological systems that may be contributing to your presenting concerns. My style is empathic and non-judgmental and I tailor treatment to meet each individual's unique needs. Most importantly, I am passionate about working collaboratively with patients, to help you optimize your emotional, mental, and physical health. My research, clinical interests, and areas of expertise include: Behavioral Medicine/ Women’s Health/ Chronic Medical Conditions, Impacts of Racism/ Navigating Multiculturalism from an Intersectional lens, Perinatal Mood Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress and Trauma Recovery, Victims of Destructive Mind Control (Former Cult Members), Grief/ Loss, Couples & Family Therapy, Relationship/ Interpersonal Difficulties, Depression, Anxiety, and Combat Veterans and Active Duty Military. For treatment to be effective, a strong therapeutic relationship is essential. I am dedicated to ensuring we are a good fit, and offer a brief, complimentary phone consultation. Your sense of safety and comfort are my top priorities. If after meeting, we determine I am not the best fit for your needs, I will provide other referrals. I am bilingual and available to treat patients speaking English or Spanish. ​In light of COVID-19: I have immediate openings for tele-therapy (video or phone sessions) and would be honored to support you during this time of uncertainty.

Wellness Therapy of San Diego is committed to providing high-quality, evidence-based psychological services to promote individual growth and relief from distress by providing wrap-around services meeting our clients’ various needs. The clinicians at Wellness Therapy of San Diego specialize in the treatment individuals across the lifespan using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and associated treatments. In addition to psychotherapy, the practice offers expert services in medication management and psychological assessments.

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I’ve always believed in the transformative power of connection. In this field, we have the privilege of working closely with individuals to support them though their struggles. Being able to offer a non-judgmental, compassionate space where someone feels heard and understood is something that inspires me every day. My goal is to establish a compassionate and empowering environment for every individual I have the privilege to work with. The core of my practice is grounded in ensuring a secure and empathetic space for the healing journey. If you’re seeking guidance and support to navigate your current challenges and enhance your overall well-being, I’m here to collaborate with you and provide guidance throughout this process. Building trust starts with creating a safe, welcoming, and non-judgmental space where clients feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and emotions. I prioritize listening actively and attentively, ensuring that clients feel genuinely heard and understood without fear of judgment. Equally important is respecting their autonomy throughout the process. Together, we work to identify goals and strategies that align with their values and needs, fostering a sense of shared ownership in the therapeutic process. By creating a collaborative and transparent relationship, I help clients feel more secure and confident in their journey toward healing.

I specialize in working at the intersection of queerness, neurodivergence, and trauma. I am passionate about working with those who belong to the LGBTQIA2S+ and neurodivergent communities, parents, military/veterans, and those with complex trauma. I lead a queer- and neuro-affirming practice. Many of my clients are trans/non-binary, Autistic, ADHDers, and trauma survivors. I currently see adults, adolescents aged 13 and older, and families and partners, including those in polyamorous/CNM relationships. I know you are the expert on yourself; my role is to hold space, offer tools, and be a guide for your healing journey. I use a combination of evidence-based trauma therapies, yoga/mindfulness, and an understanding of your body's response to trauma. I strive to be aware of the impact of systemic oppression and marginalization on holistic health. I use authenticity, creativity, compassion, and humor to create a space where you can feel connection and validation. My goal is to help you feel comfortable getting a little uncomfortable, in order to move into an experience of healing. I am committed to creating a compassionate, nonjudgmental space for our relationship, where you can engage in self-inquiry and healing in mind and body. I'm always engaging in continued learning so that I can provide the most informed and updated support for you. I look forward to hearing from you and working together!

Therapy is about learning to love yourself and grow despite your mistakes. It is about finding the joy in giving without expecting anything in return. It is about welcoming your struggles with the same strength and enthusiasm that you welcome your victories, for it is through our struggles that we grow. Healthy Minds Counseling Services will help you uncover your true potential and lead a life that is worth celebrating. While we can't change difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and resolve challenges in your life. By applying complementary therapy approaches and techniques, we will unearth long-standing behavior patterns or negative perceptions that may be holding you back from experiencing a more fulfilling and meaningful life. If you're looking for extra support and guidance through a challenging situation or you're just ready to move towards a new direction in your life, we look forward to working with you to achieve your goals. Today you are one step closer to a new you where you feeling empowered to grow and be on a positive path to an overall well-being.

At Affirming Therapy Center, we support and encourage your desire for growth in a completely non-judgmental way, in a space that acknowledges your unique personhood and distinct challenges. You are welcomed and celebrated here. Helping you in understanding, accepting, and embracing your own beliefs, identities, and lifestyles is cornerstone in providing the support and encouragement you need to grow, to bring clarity to your choices, and to enhance your life and relationships. We focus on making you feel safe to explore your feelings and to express yourself. We proudly serve communities of Gender, Sexual, and Relationship Diversity! The therapists at ATC are dedicated to enthusiastically affirming all GSRD identities including, but not limited to, LGBT, Queer, Heterosexual, Kink / BDSM, Fetish, ABDL and Ageplay, Sex Work, Adult Industry, Monogamy, Non-Monogamy, Swinging / Lifestyle, Polyamory, and a Variety of Relationship Dynamics and Family Configurations. Each member of the ATC clinical team is a professionally-trained Psychotherapist, qualified to address topics such as identity, relationship challenges, intimacy concerns, sex and sexual health, anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and personal growth. And each of our clinicians have unique areas of expertise, including advanced specialized training in the areas of Sex Therapy, Gender Affirming Therapy, Eating Disorders, EMDR (for trauma), and Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy. As with everything in life, there are ups and downs, and sometimes you need someone to talk to. Maybe you have inner conflict, questions about how and where you fit in to our kooky world. Perhaps you have wounds that aren’t healing or stories you need to tell. Or perhaps you just want to talk to someone about life and love, talk to someone who understands the challenges you sometimes face, without having to hide any facet of yourself or your life. There is only one “you”, and we at Affirming Therapy Center are here to help you excel at living your best life and being your best “you”. Our therapists are trained to listen, understand, and help guide you on your unique journey. Please visit our Meet the Team page to see each of our amazing therapists’ bios and areas of specialization. https://www.affirmingtherapycenter.com/meet-the-team/ Contact us now to get started: Send an e-mail to Team@AffirmingTherapyCenter.com with a brief description of what’s going on for you and your availability for appointments. One of our friendly therapists will respond to you (in 1–2 business days) to schedule an initial session or a free 10–15 minute phone consultation.

Hella Good Therapy is a California-based Telehealth psychotherapy practice focused on queering and decolonizing the therapeutic process. We specialize in LGBTq+ identities and folks practicing non-monogamy. Most of our clients are "high functioning" but feel like a hot mess inside - dealing with crippling self-doubt, anxiety, and relational distress.

Sometimes life throws us a curve-ball that we just didn't expect. Whatever the curve-ball is, either large or small, it is common to cause anxiety, even if it is something exciting. If your curve-ball is something that isn't so exciting, maybe you feel traumatized. This can happen for any situation that causes disruption to your daily routine, your thinking and ultimately your ability to function at your full potential. Whatever your anxiety or trauma is about, we can help! We are a team of therapists that work extensively with anxiety provoking issues. These could be about relationships, life events, or any negative experience that is holding you back. If you are struggling with moving past a traumatic incident, or finding it difficult to overcome anxiety of any sort, please contact us. We will have one of our experienced therapists contact you as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you!

I have been working in the mental health/social services field since 1996 in varying capacities. I was a social worker with the County of San Diego in Child Protective Services, first as a case manager, where I worked in a specialized unit with long-term foster children who had mental health diagnoses. I became a kind of “specialist” in attachment and bonding, and grief and loss issues, as well as issues with identity, be it racial, gender, or other identifications. After taking early retirement from the County in 2011, I decided to focus on the mental health side of social services. I took a job as a therapist and a discharge coordinator at a mental health crisis house, and then as a care manager for patients at inpatient psychiatric facilities for various insurance companies. In August 2013, I finally achieved a long-term dream and opened up my private practice where I continue to be delighted with the creativity and innovation, as well as the diversity of the people I meet every day.

It can be intimidating to share thoughts and emotions with others. I strive to build a strong trusting relationship with my clients so that they can share without fear of judgment and we can better face the challenges going on in their lives. I work with clients to address major life transitions, family or relationship issues, self-harm, and emotion dysregulation such as depression and anxiety. Having worked extensively with ethnically- and gender-diverse populations, I enjoy helping adults explore their sense of identity and find meaningful roles in their communities. Through a culturally-sensitive lens that incorporates understanding past relationships and behavioral patterns, my goal is to help each client become aware of the obstacles hindering their personal growth and find a clear path forward in line with their own values. If you're curious about how we can work together, I invite you to contact me for a free phone consultation to answer any questions.

Are you feeling stuck or overwhelmed? One key factor to predict positive change is the trust you have with your therapist. That is my goal. I utilize my cultural sensitivity to understand my clients' struggles. I have experience using mindfulness-based techniques and insight oriented approaches. I have worked with college students and older adults. Together, we will create a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs. I truly believe that we can profoundly better ourselves through the moments in our lives where we face challenges by defining how we will see the problem and take action, rather than letting the problem define how we see ourselves. I will work with you, as a member on your team, to help you live better.

I specialize in working with young adults and adults navigating challenges related to addictive processes, substance abuse, relationship and codependency issues, trauma/PTSD, and life transitions. My approach is deeply rooted in guiding you back to yourself — to your innate power and inner radiance. Together, we will explore the external systems and influences that may have caused you to forget your true nature, and uncover the burdens that were never yours to carry. We will also look at how you may have distanced yourself from who you really are. In our sessions, you’ll find a safe, compassionate space to explore your past and unconscious. This process helps you bring the unconscious into awareness, integrating all parts of yourself to create a life of alignment and authenticity. This work not only deepens your self-awareness but enhances your relationships with others. The therapeutic relationship is at the core of our work together. I am here to hold and confront you – while staying consistent and loving – which creates pathways for growth. Over time, you'll carry this connection into your life, building a stronger sense of self. Embracing your wounds with love transforms them, guiding you toward healing and light.

You want to heal your past but you don’t know how to do it alone. You want to be able to talk about what you have been through or are facing now without blame or shame. What would it be like to feel better in your relationship with yourself, with your partner, and with God? I offer the benefit of my professional experience and training combined with compassion and insight from God’s Word. Through counseling I can facilitate healing, improved communication, increase connection, and understanding.

Hello! Our clinic specializes in eating disorders (EDs), PTSD, borderline personality disorder (BPD), anxiety, depression, and emotion dysregulation. We use treatments that have proven efficacy whenever possible and are committed to staying abreast of the latest research in the field. Our director, Dr. Julie Trim, served as Director of the UCSD Adult Eating Disorders program for 11+ years and is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at UCSD. Dr. Trim has directly supervised countless psychology trainees, publishes in scientific journals, gives presentations and trainings, and holds leadership positions in professional organizations. We have extensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and are proud to provide adherent individual DBT, DBT skills groups, and phone coaching. We also provide evidence-based ED treatment, and offer meal support at Gravity Heights (an award-winning restaurant next to our office) for clients who need nutritional support or help with food exposures. While we all try to savor the goodness in life, it's not always easy. There are so many stressors that we face in today's world, so many competing demands. Things that you used to do easily may now be hard, or things others do easily may feel impossible. Whether it's a long-standing problem or a bump in the road, getting professional help can be life-changing.

Pacific Neurobehavioral Clinic, PC, is a leading mental health clinic in San Diego, CA that provides high-quality neuropsychological evaluation and psychological therapy services for adults (ages 18 and up). Our neuropsychologists specialize in traumatic brain injury (TBI), neurodegenerative conditions (Alzheimer’s disease, other dementias), and other acquired neurological conditions (such as strokes/cerebrovascular accidents, multiple sclerosis, brain tumors) in adults. Our psychologists and therapists specialize in working with various health conditions, particularly with chronic pain, and take an integrative approach in the evaluation and treatment of depression, anxiety, somatic symptom disorders, and trauma and stressor-related disorders. Our psychologists are also skilled in performing pre-surgical psychological clearance evaluations for spinal cord stimulator or bariatric surgeries. Several of our clinicians are Spanish-speaking. Telehealth/telepsych services are available to CA residents.

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You’ve Come to the Right Place: Our clinicians are licensed psychologists, post-doctorate fellows, pre-doctoral interns, and/or doctoral- or masters-level clinicians. All of our unlicensed clinicians are supervised by one or more licensed clinical psychologist on staff. Services may be available in other languages. THERAPY Individual, family, and group therapy is available. While we specialize in providing trauma-focused therapeutic services, we also cover a wide range of issues including depression, anxiety, emotion dysregulation, and self-growth. We offer low-cost options so that our services are accessible to all and all of our treatment services are provided on a sliding scale based on income. PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS Neuropsychological and comprehensive psychological testing and educational assessments are available. We also offer a wide range of forensic evaluations listed under our Forensic Services. WHY CHOOSE US? All clinicians at IVAT are trained in various trauma-focused and evidenced-based treatments with specific specialty areas in child abuse and maltreatment, intimate partner violence, and human trafficking. Because IVAT is a resource and training center, our clinicians have access to and participate in the latest mental health research. IVAT’s clinicians participate in continuous training in order to enhance their clinical skills and keep current on emerging mental health issues. We believe that everyone has a right to get help, regardless of financial situation. That’s why we offer an income-based sliding scale for mental health services. “We repeat what we don’t repair.” — Christine Langley-Obaugh

Alex is one of the experienced therapists at SD Zen. He is a licensed clinical social worker with 10 years of experience and helps individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, and trauma. He has dedicated his career to supporting and empowering individuals to overcome their challenges and achieve their goals. Alex utilizes his experience in CBT, psychoanalysis, and family systems theory to guide his patients to their desired goals. Alex has a talent for creating a safe and welcoming space for his clients to share their struggles. He works collaboratively with them to develop personalized treatment plans that meet their specific needs.