Therapists for college students near UCLA

For over 10 years, I’ve had the privilege of supporting children, adolescents, adults, families, and athletes through life’s challenges. From working with at-risk youth and facilitating therapy groups to providing individual psychotherapy and supporting athletes through injury and transition, I’ve witnessed the incredible resilience people carry — even during difficult seasons If you’re feeling disconnected from yourself, navigating identity shifts, recovering from injury, or carrying the impact of past experiences, you’re not alone. As a former collegiate and semi-professional athlete, I understand how deeply identity, performance, trauma, and physical experiences can shape how we see ourselves and relate to our bodies. You deserve a space where all parts of that story are welcome. My specialization is in Somatic Psychotherapy and Exercise and Sport Performance. This approach recognizes the powerful connection between mind and body. Together, we’ll increase awareness of how your body responds to stress and emotion, helping you build trust in your intuition, develop a more compassionate relationship with yourself, and feel more grounded and confident. I aim to create a supportive, collaborative therapeutic space where we work at your pace, build on your strengths, and develop coping strategies aligned with your values. My goal is to help you feel empowered in your healing process and more grounded in your everyday life.

Finding a healthy balance between work and fun can be challenging. Trying to excel in academics, sports, and career goals, while also enjoying the college experience, and life in general might seem out of reach. Stress and burnout affect people of all ages and in any stage of life, career, or sport. I can help you to reconnect with yourself and rediscover meaning. I provide a safe, non-judgmental, and empowering space to explore how. I work with clients aged 17 +. Challenges and topics include burnout, self-esteem, ADHD, high performance/intelligence, perfectionism, grief/loss, relationships, trauma, and self-improvement.

At the Heart is a community counseling center whose goal is to bridge the gap that exists in access to services and to help heal our community, families, and individuals. All members of our community need respect and acceptance. Our counselors provide a caring and non-judgemental environment for clients to get the support and encouragement they need, when they need it. We provide both traditional/secular counseling and Christian based counseling, determined by a client's preference. We meet our clients where they are at and work collaboratively to help each client achieve their individual goals. ​We have several different kinds of providers. We have a Peer or Lay Counseling Division which is an every day person that is passionate and has a heart for helping others, life experience, and has completed a 13 week (40 hour) counseling course through At the Heart. The course addresses depression, trauma, anxiety, suicidality, grief/loss, child abuse, domestic violence, addiction, and mindfulness. These providers could be nurses, teachers, stay at home parents, retirees, and so on. They have an open heart and a willingness to listen and encourage. ​ We have a Professional Division which involves Trainees, Associates/Interns, and Pastors. Trainees are Graduate/Doctoral school students in the field of counseling that need to acquire hours towards graduation and licensure. Associate and Interns are Post-Masters/Doctoral Graduates that are accruing hours towards licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work, or Professional Clinical Counseling. ​All of our counseling staff receive weekly case consultation and supervision by a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist that has special training in supervising non-licensed clinicians. Be assured, you will be provided with quality care and support. It is a team approach. Contact us today to speak with a scheduler who will match you with a counselor who is best suited to meet your needs. ​

I’m a first-generation Latina, with a BA in Psychology from San Diego State and a MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from Western Seminary. I am a member of Growth and Change Counseling and passionate about helping people experience results quickly and meaningfully. At Growth and Change, all therapists implement the same foundational approach that has produced our reputation for effectiveness. I deal with every issue and I am fluent in English and Spanish.

I specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and EMDR. I use these models to treat depression, anxiety and/or others forms of conflict. I incorporate self-care disciplines that involve a holistic healing approach through relaxation, meditative skills and mindfulness practices.

I am passionate about creating a supportive and affirming space where you can explore your story and begin your journey toward healing and growth. I specialize in working with teens, adults, couples, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community who are experiencing anxiety, depression, difficult life transitions, relationship issues, eating disorders, and sexual health concerns. I am dedicated to providing culturally competent and identity-affirming care.

My Background Hello and welcome! I have been helping people heal and live more fulfilling lives for over 20 years. I am just as passionate today as I was when I first began. My formal training began while studying psychology at UC Berkeley where I became interested in learning about the mind, human behavior and emotions, personality and developmental psychology. For several years after undergrad, I helped people with developmental disabilities by providing them with vocational, recreational and social opportunities so they can live their best lives. I later received my Masters in Clinical Social Work from Boston College where I dove deep into understanding human behavior in the context of environment. My post-masters work involved coaching parents on helping their children with autism and behavioral issues express their needs in safe and effective ways; managing a substance use helpline and providing crisis intervention and family therapy for people who were hospitalized due to severe and acute mental health issues. For three years, I provided group, family and individual therapies to clients at an Intensive Out Patient program in a bay-area hospital, teaching mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness skills. My Journey Growing up I was never taught how to appropriately identify and express my feelings or process pain. This caused me to direct any pain I experienced either inward towards myself or outward towards others. This resulted in hurtful and angry outbursts towards those I love or turning inward and experiencing numbness, anxiety, depression and shame. In my own therapy, I came to discover the power of changing the relationship I had with my emotions. I explored past wounds and destructive patterns and as a result, have experienced deep healing and changes that have significantly improved the quality of my life and have allowed me to experience more intimacy, happiness, deeper fulfillment and peace in all areas of my life. The work I have done in therapy has also had a powerful impact on my ability to serve my clients. My Approach I am compassionate, caring, and non judgmental. My clients have told me they appreciate my authenticity, kindness and creativity. I create a safe environment allowing people to feel comfortable discussing even the most sensitive issues. Clients also feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings on my approach to their therapy. This has lead to an open dialogue encouraging meaningful conversations, improving both the therapeutic relationship and outcomes for my clients. About Me A California native, I love spending time in nature, hiking, singing and recording songs, playing guitar, yoga, meditation, reading, traveling and spending time with friends and family. I also enjoy writing and reading about spirituality, psychology and personal development. I currently live in the San Francisco Bay Area.

We’re a team of licensed therapists who actually get what student life is like. Whether it’s anxiety, family stuff, roommate issues, breakups, burnout, feeling lost, or just needing someone to talk to, we’ve got you. We keep it real, non-judgmental, and actually helpful. No stiff, boring therapy vibes. Just practical support that fits your crazy schedule. In-person or online (telehealth) sessions available. You don’t have to carry everything by yourself. Ready to feel better? Come chat with us on Thrive or reach out for a free consultation.

Many people begin therapy feeling emotionally exhausted, stuck, or unsure of where they belong. This can be especially true for those navigating multiple cultures, identities, and expectations at once. When family values, cultural norms, and personal needs don’t fully align, it’s common to feel pulled in different directions—or to quietly lose touch with yourself. Over time, this strain may show up as burnout, anxiety, relationship stress, or a lingering sense that something isn’t quite right, even if everything looks “fine” on the outside. I take a collaborative, culturally responsive approach to therapy that honors the complexity of your lived experience. I don’t believe there is one “right” way to feel, heal, or move forward—especially when identity, family dynamics, and cultural expectations play such a central role in your life. My work integrates evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotion-Focused Therapy, family systems therapy, and person-centered approaches. Together, we will make sense of patterns shaped by your past experiences and relationships while building practical coping skills that support meaningful, sustainable change. I earned my Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of San Francisco. During graduate training, I completed my internship at Gateway Public Schools, where I worked with adolescents ages 11–18. In this role, I supported students navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, identity development, and a wide range of family-related and personal challenges, gaining hands-on experience working within complex systems that impact young people’s emotional well-being. Over time, clients often gain greater emotional clarity, self-trust, and a stronger sense of agency—feeling more empowered to live in ways that feel authentic rather than obligatory. Therapy is a space where you don’t have to choose between parts of yourself—you can bring all of you into the room. My goal is to create a supportive and affirming therapeutic space where you feel genuinely seen, heard, and understood. We will explore how family dynamics, identity development, and cultural influences have shaped your experiences, while also focusing on what matters most to you moving forward. Outside of therapy, I value humor, perspective, and taking meaningful chances in life. One quote that resonates with me is: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky — Michael Scott. This mindset reflects my belief in growth, courage, and the importance of showing up for yourself—even when the next step feels uncertain.

Hello! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker offering full telehealth sessions for the state of California. My training has been focused on unburdening somatic symptoms and upsetting events through Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, connecting mind and body through yoga practices and mind meditation, and using evidenced based trauma treatments such as Somatic Experience Therapy and Internal Family Systems. I would love to connect with you and see how I can best support you during your time in college. This time can be full of so many emotions, events, thoughts, and questions. I am honored to be a witness and sit alongside you as you navigate all of this.

College can feel overwhelming when stress, anxiety, burnout, relationship issues, or life changes start piling up. You may look like you’re managing on the outside while feeling stuck, exhausted, or alone on the inside. I offer a warm, supportive space to help you better understand what’s going on, build healthy coping skills, and move forward with more clarity and confidence.

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!

Hi! I'm Justine Short, MS, LMFT. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California. For over 10 years, I continue to have a passion for helping people in finding their inner strength in order to make positive and lasting life changes. I view my role as a therapist to walk alongside and guide others to reach their full potential. My desire is to help others become self-aware, feel confident, and reach for hope so that they can thrive in their everyday lives.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Welcome! Ahlan Wa Sahlan! I know how difficult it can be to begin this journey, so I'm glad you are here. I focus on providing care for women and femmes, migrants and refugees, children of migrants, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals. I am committed to supporting survivors of traumatic experiences as they navigate their healing journeys. Whether you are coming in with experiences of PTSD, depression, anxiety, OCD, or other trauma-related symptoms, I am delighted to navigate this road with you. I believe each person I work with deserves an approach that is uniquely tailored to them, so my therapeutic approach is an eclectic one. I have received robust training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and somatic psychotherapy. You can expect therapy with me to be open, warm, and curious. That means providing a safe container for all of your thoughts, feelings and experiences without shame. I am also a strong believer that none of us exist in isolation from the many systems we live within. All of your identities are welcome here, and your cultural heritage(s) will be embraced.

Thank you for being here—I'm really glad you're considering taking this step. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply curious about how therapy might support your growth, this could be a meaningful time to explore things more deeply. In our work together, I aim to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can be fully heard and supported. My approach is collaborative and tailored to your unique goals, whether that's managing anxiety, working through past experiences, improving relationships, or simply understanding yourself better. Therapy isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about creating room to ask the right questions. If we decide to work together, we’ll move at a pace that feels right for you. Taking the first step can be difficult. If you have any concerns I’d be happy to answer any questions you might have about the process. Please feel free to reach out when you're ready.

Are you going through a difficult time? Is it tough to get yourself out of bed in the morning and start the day? Feeling overwhelmed, sad, or anxious that it's difficult to concentrate on daily tasks. Please know that you are at the right place. Your life does not have to stay this way and we can work together to get you back in control of your life. The peaks and valleys will not be as drastic anymore. The cloud over your head will no longer follow you throughout the day. Together we will work on controlling your emotions rather than your emotions controlling you. As an Asian American, raised in a culture where mental illness was looked down upon and was not spoken about. My mission as a provider is to help destigmatize mental health and open the door to talk about symptoms related to depression, mood disorders, PTSD, and stress. I am here to help, empathize, and connect with you to take on this journey in confidence.