Therapists for college students near San Francisco State University

Have you ever found yourself asking “What was I thinking?” or thought, “I should have done this differently!” I get it, and you’re not alone in these thoughts! They are signs that you’re hoping for change. Whether you’re experiencing conflicts in your relationship, cross-cultural challenges, academic concerns, or you’re taking time for self-exploration, you’re likely feeling overwhelmed, scared, anxious, or even depressed through it all. I’m here to work with you in turning these challenges into the freedom you’re pursuing. When working through challenges, it often feels like we're in a never-ending loop with limited options in hand, and I know how exhausting this can feel! I've helped college students and young adults find their way out into a meaningful life. I specialize in individualized care, knowing that what works for some people, may not work for you! I’m here for YOU! At times therapy can feel intense or complex, but just like life, we will also leave room for enjoyment and reward. I will be here with you every step of the way as we use the experience together to head out of that never-ending loop and into the life you have been waiting for. Are you ready for the ride? I’m ready for you.

Warmest welcome! My name is Jacky Tse and I am an Associate Clinical Social Worker. I hold Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Multi-disciplinary Gender Studies from University of Cambridge and Master of Social Work (MSW) from California State University, San Bernardino. I have more than 7 years of social service experience as educator and social worker, closely working with diverse populations including people with developmental disabilities, AAPI populations, LGBTQIA individuals, families in crisis, youths and children. My therapeutic interests include perfectionism, substance use disorder, anxiety and stress management. Having therapy with me is like embarking on an exciting adventure together. We may encounter different twists and turns, ups and downs, or highs and lows, but I will be your guide in this adventure of life. I specialize in utilizing person-centered therapy by exploring your strengths, exercising empathy and motivating for self-actualization. My practice is also LGBTQIA+ affirming through an intersectional lens, and I can conduct sessions in Cantonese and Mandarin. In my free time, I enjoy singing karaoke, spending time in nature, trying out new restaurants, watching reality TV shows and playing Pokemon.

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College and young adulthood can be an exciting but stressful time. People may see you as focused and driven, but inside you feel more scattered and anxious than they realize. Perfectionism and an internal critic run your schedule. School, work, relationships, finding time for yourself—you feel like it's all too much, but you also worry you're not doing enough. You often say "Yes" when you want to say, "No, I can't handle one more thing!" Trying to manage ADHD, trauma, or just your day-to-day mood on top of everything feels extra exhausting. You wish you could feel balanced, confident, more at ease... maybe even kinder to yourself. I can help you navigate the "typical" aspects of young adulthood that are actually more challenging than they look. We'll focus on what's most important to you, whether that's exploring internal dynamics or learning new skills to cope with the daily tough stuff. My therapy style is interactive, collaborative, and inclusive—both tears and laughter are always welcome. I know starting therapy can feel tough, but finding a great therapist shouldn't be. To that end, I'm happy to offer you a free consultation to answer your questions, connect a bit, and see if I'm a good fit for your therapy needs. Please reach out to schedule a call!

I have personal, lived experience with all of my primary areas of focus. I have a wide array of specialties because life presented many unexpected changes that resulted in a fulfilling career. I remember feeling out of place throughout my childhood, but I didn't know how to convey my feelings. My childhood was always unpredictable and chaotic so I was able to recognize those things in others. I didn't understand what I was feeling at the time, but I remember thinking, "how is no one seeing this or saying anything?". From a young age I had a deep sense of connection to the unmet needs of others. I was always told that I was "resilient" but I didn't want to have to be that, it didn't feel fair. Through my own personal growth I learned how to transform my emotional wounds into a way to serve others. We can't undo what was done to us, but we can take charge of how our needs are met from this point forward. I am a Depth psychotherapist and strongly rely upon experiential therapy. This means that you can expect to address the underlying deeper issues. One of the strongest components of the therapeutic process is receiving validation and genuine understanding. This results in a vulnerable and open relationship between the client and the clinician. I have a diverse background and support issues in my practice, that I have personally experienced. I have worked in a variety of mental health, rehabilitation, and addiction settings, including both: in-patient psychiatric hospitals, treatment facilities, residential, and outpatient programs, as well as caregiving facilities for persons experiencing disabilities. I spent the first part of my career as a clinical case manager working with the homeless, veterans, and persons experiencing addiction and acute mental illness. My practice focuses on assisting individuals in establishing a centered approach to their lives by digging up the past and connecting to their core values. Some of the most important aspects in my life include: advocacy, rehabilitation, fostered autonomy, and being in-tune with the needs of a wide variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. I rely on your intuition and guide you to reaching your empowered self. Together we will connect to your mind, body, and unmet emotional needs. I will help you recognize and understand how your emotions impact your thoughts and decisions. I will help you develop awareness of your internal thoughts, foster insight into your body’s responses, and teach you to listen through somatic awareness.

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Are you feeling stressed, overwhelmed, confused, or depressed? Are you feeling disconnected or lost as you navigate your college journey? I would love to support you and empower you to reach your potential. We all deserve to live a rewarding and fulfilling life and sometimes we just need a little help into the right direction. I am honored to help you! In my practice, I strive to combine clinical expertise with empathy and cultural competence to provide effective support and guidance to individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and college adjustment issues. My goal for anyone that I work with is to create a safe and nonjudgmental space for clients to explore their concerns, develop coping strategies, and work towards positive change.

I once heard someone doing a lecture say, “we know what we believe when we hear what we say.” This would definitely inform the kind of therapy you would experience with me. I view the client as the one who has the answers, and we’re working together to solve a mystery. One of my roles is to help my client tell the story, point out clues being overlooked, gently challenge entrenched beliefs, provide unconditional positive regard, and help the client make sense of their difficulties and their world. Our work together would be collaborative. I’m not a “sit, nod, and take notes” therapist. I’m interactive, and socratic, and relational. I view thoughts, feelings, and behaviors from a lens of curiosity; wondering what beliefs are behind them; helping to root out dynamics that help those things persist. Often we are stuck in a distorted comfort in familiar pain and we simply cannot see it without someone reflecting that in the room. I am an integrative (drawing from multiple therapeutic orientations) humanist-existential therapist; an enthusiastic cheerleader. I will bring humor and validation into the session. I’m passionate about brain chemistry. I am social-justice oriented. I am also trauma-informed. While I work in many different focuses of psychotherapy, I find that the most pervasive themes in my work with clients include: adjustment to life changes, problems with alcohol and substance use (and the way that co-occurring mental health issues interact with it), LGBTQIA+ topics, issues of neurodiversity, anxiety and depression, personality disorders, identity & esteem development, and healthy relationships of all shapes and sizes. I am experienced, both professionally and personally, working with a variety of relationship configurations and am highly comfortable talking about issues of sex positivity and non-standard definitions of families and relationships such as polyamory and non-monogamy. I am a licensed therapist, an addiction professional, a bit of a technology geek, and a fellow traveler in recovery. In addition to those things, I am Compliance Officer at an all women’s addiction treatment center where I’ve worked in various capacities ranging from counselor to director since 2010. I have also been an adjunct professor in the Master’s program at Pacific Oaks College, an adjunct professor for Glendale College’s Drug Studies program, and I served on the board of the California Association for Drug/Alcohol Educators (CAADE). I am a member of CAMFT at both the state level and in the San Gabriel Valley chapter.

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.

I'm a psychotherapist based in California committed to helping individuals overcome the impact of trauma and find inner healing and growth. With years of experience and a passion for empowering others, I provide a safe and supportive space for you to explore your emotions, gain insight, and develop effective coping strategies. Whether you've experienced childhood trauma, PTSD, or other challenging life events, I'm here to guide you on your journey towards emotional well-being. Together, we'll navigate through the healing process, unlocking your resilience, and creating a brighter future. Take the first step towards transformation and book a session today. Let's embark on this empowering journey together!

College can be a daunting experience, for many the first time away from home. Imagine feeling in control of your life again and confident in yourself to leave your house, dorm, or apartment and not worry about what others think about you. Like your living space but not your housemates so much suddenly? We can help you learn how to set better boundaries and communicate them to others more adaptively so that you can enjoy your space and those you're living with, again. Imagine feeling able to manage your emotions enough to get through a whole day and not feel controlled by them. Imagine having your life back. It’s possible. One of the hardest things about finding a therapist is the concern about feeling judged for needing help. Know that my role is only in empowering you to remember what you are capable of, and I do so from a very supportive and nonjudgmental approach. Let's explore together what is blocking you from feeling able to fix this on your own. My approach is meant to create a safe space in which you feel comfortable processing the feelings that have been preventing you from achieving your goals for yourself. I help you achieve those short-term goals that bring you here, while planting seeds of empowerment so that one day you will feel self-confident and capable on your own once again. Over the years I've had many clients from a variety of backgrounds let me know they have found me to be the "safest" and "easiest person to talk to" about uncomfortable things, I'm just one human doing my best to help other humans through their own Life journey. Shoot a message or call w/ any questions you may have. Free 15 min ph consults. LBTQIA affirming.

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As a licensed psychologist with over ten years of clinical training and experience, I have had the great fortune of supporting individuals from all walks of life who are working to make peace with their past, to connect with their present, and to build hope about their future. I work with adults of all backgrounds and orientations. My Approach… I strive to provide tailored support for my clients as they address issues like anxiety, depression, addiction, past trauma, communication issues, anger management, symptoms of serious mental illness, adjustment and decision-making issues, and relationship problems. Using an individualized, nonjudgmental approach, I will work with you collaboratively on building support, creating healthy independence, developing self-compassion and self-acceptance, clarifying values, and identifying goals for improving coping, fulfillment, and self-concept.

Welcome! My style of therapy is based on compassion, authenticity, and connection. Collaboration is central to my work. We’ll collaborate during our sessions to set goals and create a path to achieving them. My areas of expertise include depression, anxiety, anger, trauma, grief, and significant life transitions.

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Hi! I'm Hazel. As a queer, trans, and Latinx person, I've experienced my own challenges with finding a therapist who truly listened and understood me. This propelled me to start my journey to becoming a therapist over 10 years ago. Many of my clients are LGBTQIA+, Latinx/e/a/o, BIPOC, college students, academics, artists, and/or activists. They're trying to manage life transitions, identity exploration, family relationships, anxiety, depression, trauma, marginalization, stress, relationship issues, land so much more. It’s my hope that through our work, you will find new pathways of resilience, freedom, growth, pleasure, and balance.

ADHD is more than just "having difficulty focusing," and no, not "everyone has a little bit of ADHD" as many people claim nowadays. The impact of ADHD is pervasive and can keep you from reaching your goals, connecting with others, maintaining a routine despite knowing that it would be helpful, and constantly "masking" for fear that you will not be accepted as you are. Life administrative tasks feel daunting and get postponed repeatedly, and the negative self-talk that ensues as a result takes a further toll and increases avoidance. I can help you understand the brain science of ADHD, incorporate aspects of mindfulness, somatic work, and other modalities to overcome these challenges, and regain your mental energy. You'll learn to work with your neurodivergence, NOT against it. I work from an anti-oppressive, anti-racist, lens and am mindful about how culture, immigration journeys and systemic racism play a role in how someone compensates for their ADHD.

We offer ADHD assessments designed for college students. Our evaluations are clear, efficient, and built to give you what you need: documentation for school or work, clarity for a provider, or just a solid understanding of your brain. No overkill. No filler. Just a real answer to a real question. You may have taken the quizzes, skimmed the clickbait articles, maybe even had a therapist say, "Hmm, have you ever wondered if it's ADHD?" You want answers—but not just any answers. You want clarity you can use: for work, school, medication, or just understanding why life feels harder than it should. Maybe you've always called it ADD-and yes, that's still real. The name changed to ADHD (inattentive type), but the experience is the same. You don't need a $5,000, 45-page-long unreadable report. But a simple screening test isn’t going to be helpful, either, as that is not diagnostic. You need an evaluation and report that are actually helpful. That's exactly what we do—comprehensive evals that give you exactly what you need.

College can be an incredibly stressful time. Whether you are far away from where you grew up, living at home and commuting to school, or living on campus, there is an overwhelming amount of transition that happens once high school ends. Not only are you deciding what you want to do with your life and juggling schoolwork, but you are also figuring out who you are and who you want to spend your time with. This is a time where you may be able to truly be yourself for the first time in your life, where you can have a clean slate to be the person you want to be. With all of these challenges, it can feel very isolating and demanding trying to do this all on your own. It is common for college students to feel very depressed and anxious during this time, and it can also feel hard to reach out to someone to talk to about it all. You don't have to do it alone. Going to therapy is a great way to get the support you need and become the best version of yourself. I can understand why coming to therapy isn't easy though. Why tell a stranger the most personal details of your life? Because by not knowing anything about you or being a part of your life, I can offer an objective and unbiased perspective on your situation while giving you concrete tools and strategies to improve the areas you are struggling in. I've worked with many college students and have seen them make meaningful changes in their lives after going to therapy and believe that you can too. Please feel free to reach out to me and we can discuss any questions you may have, and I hope to hear from you soon!

I understand that asking for help may not come easy and may be a difficult process. Taking that first step is one of many ways I believe can improve your quality of life. I am here to join you on your journey for growth, compassion, and self-love. We will work as a team in achieving your goals and aspirations to improve your life functioning.