Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA

I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at Everlight Teens, Adults & Family Therapy with over a decade of experience supporting diverse communities. I’ve had the privilege of working with teens, adults, and adolescents, helping individuals and families navigate life’s challenges with compassion, understanding, and evidence-based care. As an Individual Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (ICBT), I help clients understand how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. Together, we’ll identify unhelpful patterns and develop practical strategies to build healthier coping skills and create lasting, positive change. I specialize in supporting clients experiencing anxiety, depression, and trauma. I have extensive experience working with individuals from underserved and diverse backgrounds, those who have faced complex trauma, homelessness, and substance use challenges. My focus is to help each person build resilience, foster healing, and find fulfillment. I bring kindness, compassion, and respect to every session. I view therapy as a collaborative process where we work together toward your goals. My approach is transparent and supportive. I aim to create a safe space where you feel heard, understood, and empowered to grow. Together, we’ll explore what matters most to you and set meaningful, realistic goals that reflect your strengths and values. My goal-setting approach is collaborative, supportive, and focused on helping you create lasting growth and positive change. My passion for this work began with a deep desire to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Over the years, I’ve witnessed the incredible strength and resilience of those who choose to seek help, and I feel honored to be part of that healing process. Our first session is about understanding your challenges and what you hope to change. Together, we’ll set the pace, identify obstacles, and create a clear growth plan, so you feel confident and supported throughout your journey.

The challenges and struggles we face in life can leave us feeling helpless and hopeless. Perhaps you’re overwhelmed with responsibilities. You might be taking care of other people and neglecting yourself. Or you might be struggling hard to make an important relationship work. You’ve tried more traditional kinds of self-help or therapy, and you’re ready for a different kind of therapy which integrates the mind, body and spirit.

Are you struggling with anxiety, depression, feeling unmotivated, burnt-out, or struggling with your intimate relationships? I work with clients wanting to change habitual and painful patterns such as self-criticism, guilt or shame, difficulties in romantic relationships, issues with communication, or struggling to maintain a healthy work/life balance. In our work together, I will help you to see your personal challenges with greater clarity and compassion. We will explore ways to increase self-awareness, mindfulness, and let go of old patterns that are no longer serving you. Our work together will invite you to reconnect to a deeper sense of meaning within yourself and in your daily life. My approach is compassionate, intuitive, direct, and honest. I hold a space for you to feel seen, understood, and emotionally safe. My ultimate goal is to help you reestablish a sense of inner safety, trust within yourself, and show up more fully in your life. Call for a free fifteen minute consultation to see if we are a good fit.

I am a psychologist based in the San Francisco Bay Area, and I have spent the past 10 years working with folks who are excited and curious about how they can learn to best care for themselves. In general, I tend work with clients who are looking for support around their career goals, including transitioning out of or into a career, finding a better work-school-life balance, establishing or refreshing professional skills/communication, or navigating the experience of college/career integration. I have a particular passion for working with clients in "helping" industries or in training, including healthcare, healthcare administration, mental health, and teaching. I also work regularly with clients who are struggling with depression, anxiety, and other mood regulation concerns. I have experience working with students, especially as they are exploring the next phase of their life. Transitions are sometimes moments of great growth and self-discovery, and often accompanied by great pain and confusion. I think addressing both side of the coin honestly and with support can help us navigate the tough stuff with a sense of clarity and hope. I currently work in a private practice clinic, and provide talk-therapy from a variety of clinical orientations. I usually go for a somewhat down-to-Earth approach when first working with someone: taking the time to learn more about what is and isn't working in their lives, thinking collaboratively with them about what some attainable long-term goals might look like, and then allowing us to settle into the process of engaging and tracking areas of growth as our work develops. Therapy is such a unique and personal process. This should work with and for you, even if it's not always easy. I'm open to meeting you and learning more...even if we aren't a great fit. I'm also happy to support your process in finding that next-right-one. I do my best to respond to voicemails and emails within 24 hours during the work week, and follow-up on all weekend inquiries by end of business on Mondays.

Well, hey there—I'm Dr. Bennett, but around here folks just call me Nick (or “mental health wingman” because you don’t have to do it alone). I'm a Licensed Psychologist, Kentucky born with a curious mind and raised on good manners, sweet tea, and the belief that everyone’s story matters. I’m also a pretty decent listener, and the guy who’ll gently call you out when you’re being your own worst enemy (with Southern Grace, of course). I take a no-nonsense, client-centered approach to therapy—meaning we do what works, not just what’s in the textbook. I pull from all kinds of fancy-sounding things like CBT, EMDR (that eye-wiggle therapy that actually helps), mindfulness, and clinical hypnotherapy, but don’t let the big words fool you—I’m not here to confuse you, I’m here to help you get unstuck. Think of it like a mental tune-up with someone who won’t judge you for crying and cussing in the same sentence. I’ve worked with all sorts of folks—teens who'd rather be anywhere else, adults juggling more than they can carry, and elders who've seen more than most of us can imagine. I’ve helped folks through depression, anxiety, trauma, phobias (yes, including critters and public speaking), and life’s lovely little curveballs. I’ve worked with families involved with Child Protective Services, and I’ve spent time supporting folks in nursing homes, where wisdom and sass often come in equal parts. I’ve also had the honor of working with survivors of sexual assault and folks in the LGBTQ+ community—spaces where safety, respect, and a little humor go a long way. Before all this therapy business, I served in the U.S. Army and later, Army National Guard, with two combat deployments. So, if you’re a veteran or military family, know that I speak the language—boots, bureaucracy, and all. After all, camouflage isn’t just a pattern; it’s a lifestyle. Therapy doesn’t have to be stiff and clinical. Sometimes it’s about laughing at the mess while working through it. When it comes to couples therapy, I use tools like the Gottman Method and emotionally focused therapy—basically helping y’all stop talking past each other and start actually hearing one another. I have also run group therapy programs that range from LGBTQ+ support and sexual assault recovery to anger management and domestic violence work. And nope, it’s not just people sitting in a circle saying, “I’m angry.” We get real, and sometimes even have a few laughs. Outside of therapy sessions, I also do psychological evaluations—for everything from disability claims to gender affirmation surgery prep to lawsuit support. It’s serious work, and I take it seriously—but I promise not to make it feel like you're on trial. I earned my PsyD from California Southern University, where my dissertation explored the link between toxic masculinity and sexual violence. (Spoiler alert: masculinity’s not the problem—toxic masculinity is.) My postdoc training happened in the redwoods of California and the hustle of D.C., so I’ve been around the block—and the mountains—and the monuments. If you're looking for a therapist who’ll shoot you straight, bring a little humor to the hard stuff, and treat you like a person—not a project—well then, you’ve found your guy. We’ll laugh, we’ll dig deep, and we might even change your life a little. Let’s get to work, y’all.

Hi and welcome! I’m Scott and I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and a Board-Certified Music Therapist in Pasadena. I am passionate and experienced in working with young adults and college students. Transitioning into adulthood can be an incredibly challenging and confusing time. You are exploring who you are, where you fit and what you value. Juggling the demands of college, jobs and careers, relationships and your own emerging independence can be overwhelming. This can also be a time where underlying mental health challenges, dysfunctional family patterns and past traumas can surface, leaving you chronically stressed, anxious, depressed and without guidance. I understand what this time of life can feel like and draw from many years of specializing with young adults in all levels of mental health care as well as my own personal experiences. I believe in the unique strengths, stories and resiliency of each individual and will partner with you to help you achieve your goals, find true healing and live an authentic life.

How many times a day do you daydream of dropping everything? Only to quickly be overcome with anxiety and frustration thinking of how everyone and everything will fall apart without you. Let’s face it—if you did take a break, the same issues would still be there, and there might be even more waiting for you. This is just one sign, among others, of burnout and a good example of an opportunity to learn the art of setting boundaries and saying “no” to others while saying “yes” to yourself. This is where therapy comes in! Many believe that therapy is only for the broken or the traumatized. False. Therapy is for anyone seeking to live more fully, love more deeply, think more clearly, and feel more like the 'you' you have been missing. In therapy you will have a safe space to reconnect with yourself and learn how to say “no” with confidence. Like my clients, you deserve to put yourself first without worrying about letting down your partner, kids, friends, or boss. Feeling peaceful and fulfilled without the guilt is not out of your reach!

Welcome! I believe the growth, healing and change that occurs through authentic connection is a special kind of magic. Whether it's your first time in therapy, or you are returning, I will meet you where you are at in your journey. As a clinician, my intention is to have your sessions be a time where you are truly heard. Together, we will identify tools, and build skills fostering your goals. I have extensive experience working with people experiencing life transitions, relationship problems, grief, high stress/ burnout, family conflict, school problems, anxiety, body image issues, loneliness, anxiety, addiction, and trauma. My approach to therapy is trauma-informed, relational, warm and when appropriate, humorous. I draw upon evidence based and experiential therapeutic modalities including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Attachment theory, and Narrative therapy. I am passionate about working with individuals with intersectional identities. I specialize in helping clients with developing self compassion. Every person has a unique story, identity and strengths, and therapy can provide the space for embodied exploration and soulful processing, deepening self awareness and empowerment. Feel free to reach out for a free 15 min consultation to see if we would be a good fit.

Hola, Hello! My name is Norma Magaña, I am a bilingual, first-generation licensed therapist who works with first-generation college students and adults struggling with anxiety and self-esteem. I offer services in English and Spanish via telehealth. Clients come to me looking for a therapist who can understand them and help them find relief from negative thoughts patterns. Sessions with me are collaborative, where you identify goals you want to focus on and with my guidance, I help you work towards these goals. Together, we identify patterns and take control of your thoughts. And we always go at your pace, never pushing to a place you don’t feel ready to be. As an experienced anxiety and self-esteem therapist, I believe that working together on increasing positive mindsets and building confidence are essential tools in your journey. You don’t have to continue feeling exhausted and overwhelmed with your thought patterns, and you don’t have to do it alone. I can’t wait to hear from you.

Hello, I’m Alison. I help young adults who are overwhelmed, hopeless or anxious feel more in control and able to manage life's stressors and challenges. Some of the issues young adults have come to see me for include: relationship concerns, feelings of being overwhelmed, struggling to adapt to college or missing home, body image issues, life transitions, questions about gender/sexuality, and personal and family trauma. Trauma can include many things, such as relationship abuse, childhood abuse, illness, death, discrimination, and adoption issues. Using talk and somatic (body-oriented) therapy, as well as the expressive arts, I help clients connect to themselves and access resources to help them feel more at peace and in control of their lives. You will find me to be authentic, caring, and a dedicated support on your journey to healing. I bring compassion, mindfulness, and creativity to my work and consider it an honor to work with my clients. As a lifelong traveler who has lived in many places, I enjoy and value working with people from all walks of life. I look forward to meeting you.

Hello! I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in Newport Beach, practicing teletherapy with adults (19 and over) throughout the state of California. My practice has been focused on enabling individuals like you to go beyond surviving to optimize their well-being. Together, we can work on discovering and leveraging your unique strengths to create positive shifts and reach enhanced levels of your potential.

I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who is passionate about supporting first-generation individuals navigating identity, family expectations, and the pressure to succeed. As a bilingual Latina therapist, I offer therapy in English and Spanish and understand the cultural layers that shape your experience. My goal is to create a warm, welcoming space where you feel heard, validated, and supported as you explore your emotions, strengthen your confidence, and move toward the life you want with clarity and compassion.

Growing up, you learned early on that trusting others could be dangerous. You were taught to rely only on yourself, and that self-reliance has served you well. You’ve achieved so much—your degree, your job, and a comfortable life. Yet, despite these accomplishments, your mind still feels like it’s in survival mode. The nights are restless, your emotions seem unpredictable, and you’ve tried filling the void with drinking, partying, and casual relationships, but it never quite works. You’ve felt frustrated as your emotions are often labeled as angry or aggressive, leaving you feeling misunderstood and isolated. Trusting only yourself has taken you far, but it’s not enough to bring the peace and fulfillment you crave. I recognize how these experiences have shaped your life, affecting your relationships and overall well-being. Together, we’ll work on building trust, setting healthy boundaries, and learning to identify and name your emotions. Let's challenge and unlearn the limiting belief that you’re destined to succumb to the hardships you may face due to your upbringing, gender, or skin color. My goal is to create a space where you can address and work through the tough conversations often avoided in your past, fostering deeper healing and growth.

Aldemar is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), with 25 years of experience in the field of mental health. He also has a degree in Psychology, which compliments his clinical and social work skills to formulate a more comprehensive and wholistic approach to therapy. Additionally Aldemar is a Certified Trauma Professional, and uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as his primary theoretical approach to trauma. He believes that each individual brings into his/her therapy experience a unique set of skills, which he encourages to identify through Narrative Therapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is another modality, which Aldemar often uses with his clients to identify maladaptive behavioral patterns, and replace them with healthy habits to achieve a optimal mental health. Aldemar believes in the human connection., which is the power to positively influence others. He welcomes you to a safe space, where you can become the best version of yourself, and he commends you for taking charge of your life through therapy.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Balancing college with the rest of your life can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. I am here to offer understanding and practical support as you navigate your college or university journey. I believe in a collaborative approach that honors your unique history and individuality, ensuring you feel heard and valued rather than just evaluated. Whether you need formal assessments for test accommodations (for your classes, or high-stakes exams like the GRE, MCAT, or other licensing exams), counseling to manage the stress of increased academic demands or adjusting to being a college student, or executive functioning coaching to handle your growing workloads, I am here to help. Let’s work together to help you better understand your learning style and build a strategy that makes your educational goals achievable.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Are you unsatisfied with one or more areas of your life? I partner with my clients to empower them to make the changes necessary to bring their realities in line with the lives they truly want. In this way, I collaborate with each individual, couple, and family with whom I work to craft their own individualized success plans. To accomplish this, I draw upon years of experience, as well as a very strong foundation of training in a range of techniques and strategies. Perhaps equally important are the personal qualities that I bring, which include intelligence, genuineness, compassion, and a commitment to the highest standards. I offer a range of types of therapies, often combining several, depending on the particular needs of each client. These include short term interventions designed to provide quick symptom relief and behavioral change, as well as longer-term approaches that aim at helping to extend these changes into a fulfilling life. Entrusting another person to help with your most sensitive issues isn't easy. Please know that I will honor you with the level of care, concern, and commitment you deserve. I will always act in your best interest, helping you to overcome those things that are holding you back.

My psychotherapy practice serves Gen Z throughout California using a trauma informed, body based approach to help with the existential anxieties of being a young adult today. My work strives to deepen my client’s relationships with themselves and others, helping them to be more emotionally literate, embodied, clearer where their boundaries are and able to regulate their nervous systems. Together we think about families, cultural and personal trauma and their effects on the body. Our therapeutic relationship is a laboratory to practice relationship. I am a highly sensitive person, a yogi, mindfulness practitioner, a parent, partner, athlete, world traveler, dancer and musician. I draw on all those influences and my compassion to be the ally you need.

Embodied Recovery provides outpatient mental health and addiction treatment services in Los Gatos, California. We offer small group sizes which are ideal for emotional processing work and building the therapeutic relationships necessary for personal transformation. Embodied Recovery facilitates a variety of educational, process-oriented, and evidence-based practices designed to undo unhealthy ways of living and create a life that is rich in meaning and purpose. Embodied Recovery offers 3 levels of care: day treatment, intensive outpatient, and outpatient. Our day treatment program is 5 days per week, for approximately 5 hours per day. Our intensive outpatient program is 4 days per week, for 3 hours per day. Our outpatient level of care combines individual services (addiction counseling, individual psychotherapy, bio-feedback, mind-body practice, and breath work) for 1-3 hours per week.