Therapists for college students near UCLA

Clients that I see in my practice are frequently struggling with life transition, academic stress, family concerns, and issues in their interpersonal relationships, all while trying to succeed as students. I also work with many clients either diagnosed with ADHD (or suspecting that they have it) who are seeking support to improve functioning. My practice is also LGBTQ+ affirming and welcoming.

Heather Ward, MA, LMFT, PMH-C, is a licensed therapist with deep roots in college campus mental health, having provided counseling and wellness support across multiple higher education settings in the Los Angeles area. Trained at the University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education, Heather has worked at Pierce College, West LA College, and California State University, Northridge, where she managed large student caseloads, coordinated care with multidisciplinary campus teams, and developed workshops focused on building healthy relationships and emotional resilience. Heather brings a warm, collaborative style and a nonjudgmental presence to her work with students navigating depression, anxiety, identity shifts, and the pressures of academic life. She draws from attachment-based, psychodynamic, and mindfulness-oriented approaches to help clients build emotional regulation skills and strengthen their sense of self during pivotal life transitions. Earlier in her career, Heather also contributed to campus mental health from an administrative lens, developing and implementing strategic mental health and counseling initiatives at UCLA Extension — giving her a uniquely well-rounded perspective on how students are supported at an institutional level. Heather is committed to culturally sensitive, inclusive care and has experience supporting diverse student populations across community college and university settings.

I am passionate about working with college students! Are you struggling at school? Maybe you're having difficulties in your relationships. Or do you want to feel more confident about yourself? During difficult times, I will help you find new ways of managing your life by teaching you coping skills. Do you beat yourself up? Therapy will teach you how to be kind to yourself. I like to do "what works". I pull from different approaches because every client is unique. My style of relating is warm and empathetic. I currently work with College Students, individuals and teens with issues including: Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, and Substance abuse. Here are are comments from my past clients "Maria is an excellent therapist. She has been instrumental in my recovery." "Maria was helpful especially since I was new to therapy." I am passionate about helping students conquer their fears & improve their self-esteem. My success comes from listening & being present with my clients in order to understand their experiences. I am available to see clients on Sundays!

My practice focuses on treating individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, life transition, and trauma. I value mental health and believe in the importance of getting the necessary care to manage life stressors. In my practice, I utilize a strength-based approach, focused on the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused, Motivational Interviewing, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), to build resilience and empower the BIPOC community. 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.

As your therapist, I meet you where you are, taking into account your unique strengths and personal history to help you achieve your goals and desired outcomes. I am deeply committed to my client's growth and take great satisfaction in witnessing their progress throughout the therapeutic process. I provide effective tools and interventions to facilitate meaningful change. I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and a Solution-Focused approach, with treatment goals developed collaboratively. 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 specialty areas are working with clients who have personally struggled with substance abuse as well as family members of those who struggle with substance abuse. I also specialize in working with clients who experience anxiety, panic, depression and bipolar disorder. My approach to therapy is down to earth, warm yet direct. My primary task is to get to know you, your challenges, strengths, and goals so that together we can find ways to build more joy into your life. I find it helpful to work with clients to understand lifelong patterns and also to seek out specific ways to experience personal growth. 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.

We often find ourselves in a place in our lives where we face challenges or uncertainty, making it hard to move on or cope with stressors. Perhaps it is a difficult job, relationship turmoil, loss of a loved one, or another major life transition. Perhaps you are feeling depressed, anxious, angry, or feeling stuck and unable to find clarity or move forward. This can negatively impact our overall well-being and happiness. Psychotherapy can provide a haven to explore your circumstances and allow for greater insight and progress to move forward with a clearer headspace and intention. I can help you to explore your emotions and understand your experiences, behaviors and thoughts in a nonjudgmental and supportive environment to facilitate growth and change. Through psychotherapy, you can become empowered to take hold of your life. I provide an approach that is individualized and supportive, offering insight and the ability to help you process and understand possible maladaptive coping strategies or patterns in order to help you lead the life you want.

My areas of proficiency are in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, and panic. I am EMDR certified, RLT certified (a form of cognitive behavioral therapy), and have extensive success applying the use of cognitive processing therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance, and commitment therapy, as well as in supporting clients to learn extensive resourcing skills in concert with polyvagal theory for calming a client’s stressed nervous system. I am also an IFS (Internal Family Systems) informed therapist. I have experienced much success in treating clients for depression, anxiety, panic disorder, PTSD, sleep disorders, and even helping people to increase their motivation to succeed or adhere to their diet and exercise programs. 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.

Dr. Brandon Heimberg is a licensed clinical psychologist in California. He specializes in the clinical and forensic neuropsychological assessment of traumatic brain injury, medical conditions and psychiatric conditions. Aside from comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations, Dr. Heimberg provides evidence-based psychological treatment and cognitive rehabilitation services for individuals with attention, memory, other cognitive challenges, and other medical conditions. Dr. Heimberg earned his Master of Science degree in clinical psychology, followed by his Doctorate of Psychology at California Lutheran University. He received advanced training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) under a grant-funded DBT training collaboration between Dr. Jamie Bedics and the creator of DBT, Dr. Marsha Linehan. Dr. Heimberg further honed these skills in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in his externship at Ventura County Behavioral Health, treating and assessing complex psychiatric conditions and leading skills training groups using DBT principles. Dr. Heimberg completed an advanced clinical practica in neuropsychological assessment at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he saw both geriatric and neurooncology patients. Dr. Heimberg then completed a neuropsychology internship at the VA Illiana Healthcare System (APA-Accredited, Division 40), emphasizing outpatient and inpatient neuropsychological assessment and treatment of Vietnam-era Veterans. He returned to UCLA to complete a two-year clinical neuropsychology postdoctoral fellowship at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine within the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, performing neuropsychological evaluations and cognitive rehabilitation for post 9-11 era Veterans for UCLA Operation Mend, as well as complex medical and psychiatric, neuropsychological evaluations in the Medical Psychology Assessment Center (MPAC). Dr. Heimberg has been on various research teams at UCLA within the departments of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neuro-oncology, where he has co-authored papers featured in The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Oxford Press Society for NeuroOncology. Additionally, Dr. Heimberg co-authored the cognitive training manual for UCLA Operation Mend's Balanced Recovery And Integrated Neuroscience (BRAIN) and Substance Abuse intensive treatment programs.

I value the opportunity to support individuals uncover their inner strength, heal from the past, and rediscover hope. I utilize a trauma-informed approach and I am passionate about supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from culturally and gender-diverse communities. I belief that everyone deserves to feel heard, understood, and supported as individuals navigate life’s challenges. Witnessing the resilience and growth of individuals as they overcome obstacles is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work. I ensure individuals feel heard and understood by providing a supportive environment where one can openly share their experiences. I tailor my approach to each individual’s unique needs, drawing from evidence-based techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness and self-compassion. I work closely with individuals throughout your therapeutic journey, encouraging and empowering them to take an active role in your personal growth.

When people are challenged with changes that affect the ability to manage stressors, there comes a time for positive change and support. I am passionate about focusing on the healing process, whether it involves the challenges of exploring maladaptive behaviors or the triggers of trauma. I help my clients, who include children, adults, and families to find healthy coping mechanisms and self-autonomy which will lead to positive perceptions. This, in turn, creates personal identification and self-worth, thus creating healthy relationships. I have been in the field of social services for the past 26 years and practicing therapy for the past 10 years with extensive and diverse work with children and adults. There is not one single approach for each individual, so I have trained in different modalities to tailor to the needs of those seeking help. This includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-focused therapy, Narrative Therapy, background with trauma focused approach, Seeking Safety (modality for trauma and substance abuse) training, anger management, and play therapy for children. The therapeutic relationship is essential in the beginning stages of sessions because my purpose is to assist the individual in therapy to change his or her life for the better. This involves developing trust, respect, and congruence with empathy and genuineness. 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 journey to becoming a psychotherapist began when I was thirteen years old. I remember listening to my radio every night just as I was falling asleep. It wasn’t music I was listening to, but a psychologist who ran a call-in talk program. Troubled listeners would call in seeking the good doctor’s advice and in just a few minutes time, they were soon at ease by her reassuring words. I thought, “What a wonderful job that must be; to help so many people in feeling heard and connected with a caring human being. I’d like to do that too!” The same issues that plagued those callers are still around today; feeling alone, confused, different, unloved, a sense of hopelessness. The list goes on. What inspires me to work in mental health care is my desire to help make the lives of others much easier, less burdened, more worth living. To make certain that my clients feel accurately heard and understood, I check in with them often throughout our sessions. This can be done by sharing with them what I think I heard them say and then by checking in with them to make sure this is fairly accurate or if I was off the mark. I learned long ago that if I don’t get it quite right, my client’s are quick to correct me! This is usually a positive. If I get it wrong and seek clarification, it’s my hope that I convey my genuine interest in my client’s experience and that they are worth the extra effort to be understood. Trust and a strong therapeutic alliance between client and therapist are two aspects of therapy I find to be essential for meaningful work to take place. I do this by starting and ending sessions at our agreed upon time, curating a mutually agreed upon treatment plan and perhaps most of all, relating with all of my clients as my equals. I see ours as a dimly lit journey we’re walking together. Our only difference is, I am carrying the lantern helping us to see ahead. When appropriate, I’ve even been known to share a personal story involving myself if that story will help drive home a particular point.

A lot of the students I work with are thoughtful, driven, and hard on themselves. You might look like you have it together, but inside you’re stressed, burnt out, or quietly questioning everything. In our work together, we’ll slow things down, get curious about what’s going on, and build tools that help you feel more grounded and less overwhelmed. I’m warm, straightforward, and collaborative. Therapy with me is a supportive space to be yourself, feel understood, and make college life feel more manageable.

Who I Work Best With: Most of my clients are people who've gotten really good at functioning — and really tired of it. You've probably figured out how to hold things together, stay busy, keep up. But something isn't working anymore. Maybe you're exhausted in a way you can't explain. Maybe you're finally asking questions you've been pushing down for years — about who you are, what you believe, how you want to love, or why your brain works the way it does. A lot of people I work with are navigating things like anxiety, depression, identity, relationships that don't fit a neat box, or a major life shift — faith deconstruction, a breakup, figuring out you're neurodivergent later in life. Some are just trying to get through the week without falling apart. If that's you, we'd probably work well together. What Working With Me Looks Like: I'm not going to sit quietly and just reflect things back at you. I'm also not the worksheet-and-homework type. My style is pretty collaborative and direct — I'll gently push back when I think it'll actually help, and I'll meet you where you are. I have 15 years of experience working with new parents and kids before becoming a therapist, which means I come in with a lot of real-world, people-first perspective. I also have personal experience with religious deconstruction — so if you're untangling a faith background or questioning things you were raised to believe, I genuinely get it, not just clinically. I work especially well with people who are neurodivergent, queer or questioning, in non-traditional relationships (like polyamory or ENM), or somewhere in the middle of a big life change. You don't have to have it figured out to reach out.

Are you struggling with Fear, Anxiety and Stress due to Coronavirus and have concerns to go into therapy? If you have time during your day you have time for quality solution based therapy to deal with the current situation. As a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, with over 25 years experience, Dr. Devorah Rader is a private practitioner accustomed to working with a diverse range of clientele to make positive changes with a fresh approach. Clients will experience greater satisfaction, meaning, empowerment and balance in life.

Sylvia Sandler, LMFT is an EMDR-trained, bilingual/bicultural psychotherapist offering virtual individual counseling to California residents. Her areas of clinical focus include anxiety and depression, grief, suicide bereavement, immigration-related stress, and caregiver support and burnout prevention. Sylvia draws on her own grief journey, together with professional training from the Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center, to help clients build the confidence to make the changes needed for mental wellness, resilience, and hope. Using EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)-informed interventions, Sylvia helps clients identify and challenge negative beliefs and move toward a more balanced, adaptive perspective on their circumstances. Along the way, clients gain tools to slow down, attune to their bodies, and reconnect with their own sense of empowerment. Sylvia provides virtual sessions exclusively, serving clients throughout California. To learn more or schedule a free phone consultation, visit: www.sylviajsandlerlmft.com.

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.

Are you feeling overwhelmed with school work or uncertain about your career of relationships? Getting help can feel challenging. If you have decided to seek support, then I can work with you through a problem-solving approach. With a foundation of trust, together we can work on formulating goals and explore new solutions for the changes that you want. Together, we can also build solutions to maintain the balance that you need to recharge and have a happy, healthy life. I provide students with a warm, safe, non-judgmental, and confidential space to optimize healthy coping strategies. I do this by empowering students to build upon their skill sets and by incorporating a multicultural perspective. If you have decided it is time to reach out for help, Together, we can work on formulating a plan.

As a bilingual therapist with over a decade of experience, I'm dedicated to guiding individuals through challenges like depression, anxiety, life transitions, and conflict, as well as helping them process daily stressors. My approach is client-centered, believing you're the expert on your own life; I act as a coach, helping you achieve your goals. Our sessions are comfortable yet effective, integrating evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and mindfulness to help you find clarity, peace, and lasting positive change. 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 specialty areas include depression, anxiety, child abuse, neglect, trauma, adjustment issues, divorce and separation, stress management, personal growth, and coping skills. I have experience in working in clinics, community-based outpatients, and detention settings. I have a passion for working with young adults in efforts of assisting them in re-writing their stories and utilizing necessary coping skills to manage and evolve during difficult times. I assist my clients in separating themselves from their problems, giving their stories meaning, helping shape their identity, and discovering their life purpose. I approach therapy with a client-centered perspective in which I focus on genuineness and empathy. 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.