Therapists for college students near San Francisco, CA
I've been there. I've had days where it's hard to get out of bed.. when you've laid awake yet another night trying to calm your anxieties and racing thoughts. When people tell you "maybe you should talk to someone"... I've been there. Scrolling and looking at tons of therapist profiles to start a journey to find relief or to find a therapist that's a better fit. Yup. Been there. A little bit about me: BA Psychology - University of California Santa Barbara MSW - New York University Over 18 years of experience starting in foster care social work, then onto being an individual, couples, and group therapist. I've also done medical/hospital social work. I specialize in addressing anxiety, depression, grief, and perinatal/postpartum issues. I believe that progress in therapy is 85% the relationship between the therapist and client and 15% therapeutic intervention. Like I said in the beginning, I've been there. I know what it's like to need help, relief, and support. It's possible to feel better and get to where you want to be. When you're ready, I'm here.
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.
Your mind never stops running, yet you still feel “behind.” You're juggling so much—college, career, relationships, identity, or maybe even starting a family. Add in anxiety, the weight of expectations, or ADHD and it can all feel like too much. There is an easier way. Let me help you find it. I’ll provide a culturally affirming, trauma-informed space where we work with who you are—not against it. Together, we'll develop strategies to manage overwhelm, improve focus, and quiet that inner critic. Our work will be collaborative, compassionate, and rooted in curiosity. My goal is to help you experience more calm, confidence, and clarity in your daily life. I'm Nicole Castillo, MA LMFT—founder of MentalPaz, Latina therapist, new mama, and young breast cancer survivor who gets what it's like to balance identity, ambition, and healing. With over a decade of experience, I couldn’t be more passionate about working in solidarity with my clients. Ready to stop figuring it all out alone? Reach out for a free consultation. Let's chat!
I am a bilingual English/Spanish speaker, culturally sensitive therapist who has over 10 years experience working with children and families from a diverse backgrounds. I have extensive experience working with individuals who experience many life stressors, including but not limited to the following, family issues, depression, anxiety, behavioral issues, parenting, and trauma, school stressors and career counseling, and life transitions.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
My goal is to provide you with the support and guidance you need to promote personal growth, uncover your strengths, and make the behavioral changes you're looking for. I have a passion for listening to people, helping them recognize their strengths, and teaching skills. Whether it's addressing behavioral concerns, life transitions, navigating relationship conflicts, or improving communication, I'm here to help. I have extensive experience working with depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, and grief and loss.
“I’m the loneliest girl in the world,” you think to yourself while lying in bed at night. Your parents, partner, and friends are of absolutely no help. In fact, when you go to them with your problems, they only make things worse—offering their BS life advice or making it all about themselves. Ugh. Once again, you feel alone—utterly alone. Your heart breaks when a friend cancels plans and then you criticize yourself vehemently for being “so sensitive” and for expecting so much of others. To comfort yourself, you seek food, booze, or zoning out on Netflix but nothing works. What’s a 20-something girl with her whole life ahead of her to do? It may feel like this is “it” for the rest of your life—a lonely existence—but it’s not. I help women just like you to attain the connection, confidence, and contentment you crave. By working through what lead to your loneliness, feeling “all the feels,” and finding ways to show up for yourself, you will transform from being utterly lonely to simply…happy. You’ve been feeling lonely for far too long. It’s time, sis. Nothing’s worked but therapy will. Pick up the phone and give me a call. I offer a free 20-minute phone consultation for you to ask questions and make sure we have “good vibes.” Next, we will schedule our initial session and officially put an end to your lonely existence.
Dr. Meshi graduated from Wellesley College in Massachusetts and earned her medical degree from the AUC School of Medicine. She then completed a post-doctoral fellowship in neural regeneration and spinal cord injury at the Reeve-Irvine Research Center at the University of California, Irvine before completing her internship in family medicine at Northridge Hospital, affiliated with David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Dr. Meshi went on to complete her residency in general adult psychiatry at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, where she earned the Emory/Pfizer Resident Research Award. She has a strong interest in treating women, focusing on perinatal and reproductive psychiatry. Dr. Meshi is passionate about providing specialized care to women suffering from reproductive-associated mood disorders, including PMS, illness during pregnancy, and the postpartum period. Dr. Meshi has been in clinical practice for over 20 years. She has run her private practice for the last 15 years.
Therapy can be a great tool used to face every day stresses. As your therapist, I want to help you gain a deeper understanding about yourself and your relationships, and help you create the future you want to have. I work with adults, adolescents, and children. With empathy and compassion I pride myself on building a strong relationship with my clients that allows us to dive into the work together. My goals is to support and collaborate with you on your journey through therapy and self- discovery.
As a skilled psychotherapist, my goal is to help you lead the life that you desire through psychotherapy. I pair my training with evidence-based approaches such as EMDR for trauma and use techniques to determine where changes can be made to help you find relief and fulfillment in your life. My practice consists of individuals, couples and families with a variety of issues including (but not limited to) anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. Through a strengths-based lens, my clients learn to improve coping skills, work through issues, as well as develop insight, understanding, and the confidence to improve the journey in their lives
We all want to be happy, belong, and feel loved. Yet at some point in our lives we struggle, get bogged down, and feel stuck. Getting support can help you understand what is going on and help you discover new ways of thinking about yourself and your relationships. My goal is to help bridge the gap of where you currently are and where you want to be. I view my role as empowering you to make those changes in your life and supporting you to make healthy decisions, feel more at peace, and cultivate a happier and more confident self. I specialize working with Asian Americans in their twenties and thirties struggling with depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and relationship difficulties. I am especially interested in supporting individuals work through issues of identity, barriers in cross-cultural communication, and generational family of origin pain. I hope that I could be a support to you in your journey wherever you are. I would love to speak with you today to hear more about your situation and see if we are a good fit in working together.
Relationships are at the core of our lives, and I believe healing and growth often happen within these connections. Whether you are seeking to strengthen communication in your partnership, navigate parenting challenges, or build healthier patterns as a family, I strive to create a space where each voice can be heard and respected. Together, we will focus on fostering connection, trust, and resilience in your most important relationships.
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Living with shame, fear and constant self-doubt can be debilitating and painful. Often times, painful emotions and difficult histories make it hard to cope the way we would prefer to. Or sometimes we think we're coping just fine but family members and loved ones are worried for us and our health. Relationships can suffer, our self-esteem dwindles and we end up feeling lonely and isolated. I help individuals and families to overcome shame, fear and doubt. I specialize in helping those whom struggle with their relationship to food, self and others (Eating Disorders). I am also adept at helping those who struggle with perfectionism, family conflict and relationship problems. You don't have to suffer alone. Whether you're seeking therapy for yourself or a family member, I invite you to contact me to speak over the phone and determine whether you feel I can help you.
Are you someone whose checked many of the boxes in life but have found yourself in a less than ideal relationship? One day it’s all good, and the next day it’s all bad. You feel alone, isolated…like you can’t talk to anyone about what’s going on. You might feel embarrassed or what’s happening might just feel indescribable? You wish you could talk to your partner about it, but his mood is so unpredictable, you’re not sure if that’s even safe. Not to mention, sharing your experience with family or friends could mean having to face their judgment and receive unhelpful advice to "just leave." I specialize in supporting Black women who are struggling with communication and self-doubt in their intimate relationship. You’ll learn to be more assertive, set boundaries and increase confidence. My style is anti-therapist-y. Like talking to one of the girls but with a certain set of skills. Progressive and safe with a sprinkle of woo. You deserve to be supported by someone who’s “been there, done that” and can create a safe space for you to speak freely, learn to show up as your full self and have the peaceful relationship you want and deserve! Visit my website to schedule a free 15-minute call and let's find out if we're a good fit to get started.
What To Expect At Your Visit: Walking Together Down the Path To the Life You Desire Perhaps you're down or anxious - maybe you're unsure about the future of a relationship, or just feel that you aren't living the life you were meant to lead. Whatever your needs may be, we are here to offer support. Therapy is a process of growth and self-discovery, and during sessions I promote behavioral transformation by encouraging the adoption of new attitudes and behaviors to create the outcome YOU desire. We have the tools and professional experience to help you get on your ideal track.
Connected ~ Seen & Heard is a unique space that honors the human need to belong. We are passionate about changing the way we treat ourselves and others, the way we operate in our daily lives, and the way we create a bonded and supportive community. We offer therapeutic services, workshops, and specialized trainings customized to meet your needs. We believe that Connection – an energy between two people where one can feel seen and heard - gives us the courage to express our authentic self, to love ourselves and others without limit. At Connected we offer the concept and experience of connection whether that is individual, family, couples, or group therapy. We weren’t meant to suffer- and we definitely weren’t meant to do it alone. Let us help you feel connected. Let us see you. Let us hear you. Connected, Seen & Heard.
As a therapist and Board-Certified Psychiatrist, I strive to approach each individual with empathy, curiosity, and respect. My extensive work with people from diverse economic, gender, sexual, cultural, and racial backgrounds gives me a unique lens through which I understand the complexities of human behavior, mental health, and healing. Our mental health is not only influenced by individual experiences but also by the broader context of society, culture, and history. This holistic perspective allows me to connect with clients in a meaningful way and offer individualized approaches to the healing journey. I received my Medical Degree from NYU School of Medicine, and completed my residency training in Psychiatry at UCLA-Olive View in Los Angeles. My areas of focus include depression, anxiety, trauma, and stress management. I believe in the power of healing—whether through therapy, medications, or a combination of approaches. While medication is not for everyone, I have seen it play a crucial role in treatment for many people. If we determine that it would be beneficial to try a medication, we will thoroughly discuss the risks and benefits before starting. There will be regular check-ins to ensure it is serving its purpose. And ultimately the decision about whether or not to take a medication I prescribe is yours and yours alone.
Do you feel overwhelmed or struggle to relieve stress, manage anxiety, depression, or build healthy relationships? Are you carrying unprocessed trauma from the past and feeling stuck, yet ready to rediscover a sense of agency and move toward growth and healing? Taking the first step and reaching out for support can feel scary, but it is also an act of courage. Together, we can collaborate to create a life that feels more balanced, meaningful, and fulfilling. Contact me for a free 15 minute consultation.
I specialize in trauma informed therapy with an emphasis on Post traumatic stress disorder as a result of sexual violence, intimate partner violence, family violence and other gender/power and community-based harm. I am passionate about building awareness of our self-healing abilities and building wellness within communities of color. My approach is trauma informed, collaborative with an emphasis on improving resiliency and exploring how to thrive. My clinical experience includes serving clients in university counseling and community-based counseling.