Therapists for college students near 94110

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.

When people come to treatment with problems, it is important to remember that they are trying to cope with them in the best way they can. With that in mind, I offer a reflective and engaging partnership with my clients, working toward the goal of helping them to be autonomous, authentic and compassionate in a world that can be extremely stressful. Although my work is solidly grounded in psychodynamic, cognitive/learning, and systems theories, my approach is client-centered, practical and strengths-based. I bring honesty, warmth, and humor to the therapy relationship. I am LGBTQ affirmative and invested in doing cross-cultural therapy which is culturally sensitive. I have a dog, Bracket, who works with me, and I have been doing AAT since 2002. There is a growing body of research which suggests that AAT (Animal-Assisted Therapy) can be helpful with a range of diagnoses, including Depression, PTSD, and Autistic Spectrum. Many therapists know little about online games such as World of Warcraft and Second Life. They may dismiss it as unimportant, or assume it is a problem. I am a gamer-affirmative therapist, meaning I’m more interested in understanding your in-world experience and activity than pathologizing it.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Many of the students I work best with feel pressure to "have it all together" on the outside—yet inside, they're overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, or past trauma. They may be high-achieving, creative, or deeply caring individuals who feel stuck, disconnected, or unsure how to move forward. In our work together, I provide a warm, grounded space to explore what’s really going on beneath the surface. I use practical, body-based tools along with talk therapy to help you feel more empowered, connected, and aligned with who you truly are. Therapy doesn’t have to be about fixing what’s “wrong”—it can be about reconnecting with your inner strength and learning new ways to care for yourself.

I’m drawn to helping people navigate difficult life transitions and supporting them in developing self-compassion and learning to validate their own experiences. I find it meaningful to walk alongside clients as they make sense of challenges and grow through them. I use humor and metaphors to explore complex or heavy topics in a way that feels more approachable and less overwhelming. I love helping clients find practical tools and unique solutions they can apply in their everyday lives, so they feel more empowered in managing their struggles and creating change. I approach the therapeutic relationship collaboratively and making sure we stay focused on what matters most to you. I’ll regularly check in and invite your feedback so we can adjust along the way and make sure your needs are being met. I utilize active listening, paying close attention to both what you’re saying and how you’re experiencing things. I may reflect things back or ask questions to better understand your perspective. My goal is for you to feel genuinely heard, respected, and supported throughout the process. At the beginning, we’ll talk about what brings you in and what you’re hoping to get out of therapy, and we’ll work together to set goals that feel meaningful to you. I’ll also explain how I work so everything feels clear and collaborative. Building trust is really important to me, so I focus on creating a safe, welcoming space that’s free of judgment and shame. I follow your lead and respect your pace, especially when we’re exploring more difficult topics. I also bring in humor, creativity, and metaphors to make the process feel more engaging and approachable. Over time, consistency, open communication, and mutual respect help us build a strong therapeutic relationship where you feel safe, supported, and empowered. I enjoy bringing a light-hearted demeanor into the therapy space. Therapy is serious work, but I find that humor helps bolster resilience and promote connection. By being able to notice and appreciate small, light moments we can more easily tackle the big ones.

I specialize in therapy focused on recovering from addictions, various traumas such as childhood trauma, religious trauma, and relationship trauma in addition to alleviating anxiety and depression. I have been passionate about helping those suffering with the impact of life's challenges for over 20 years. I have worked in a psychiatric hospital, an intensive outpatient facility, in various schools, a non-profit agency for foster children, and maintained a private practice for over 10 years. I utilize Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Compassion Focused therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction therapy to help people transform their wounds into wisdom so they can live lives of hope, courage, and freedom. My past clients have expressed an appreciation for my unconditional acceptance and compassionate approach that propels them into a state of healing and growth. I am dedicated to being your safe and approachable guide through your healing journey so you can heal from your past and live the fulfilling life you are meant to live. 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 name is Terry Alcántar Nelson and I am a licensed clinical social worker who has been providing counseling for over 25 years. After all this time, I still love my work and am passionate about helping people heal. Every day is a new opportunity for me to join with clients in healing past hurts, traumas, and relationships, and addressing current life stressors and painful experiences. I am privileged to do this work and hope to be doing it for many years to come. I am trained and have expertise in the following modalities: -Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)- a type of therapy that helps to examine negative thinking and long held beliefs which make us feel bad and stuck; it is modality that is particularly helpful for depression and anxiety -Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) which focuses on improving relationships by increasing emotional safety with loved ones, and takes into account past attachment injuries originating in childhood and current and/or past relationships -Mindfulness, which works on increasing our focus on the present by using breath, body and grounding techniques -Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) which uses eye movements and other types of bilateral stimulation to process traumatic experiences and memories I see my role as a mental health provider as a guide to clients who are looking for a path to wholeness and healing. Working with with a therapist should be a collaborative process in which the client feels empowered with every session. I consider successful therapy to be one in which clients says that they feels shifts in behavior, feelings, and life circumstances. I am a proud Latina woman who was born and raised in a small town, but was transplanted many years ago to a big city and I can see the value in both experiences. I have worked with a vast array of ethnicities and cultures and feel comfortable with diversity. I am unique in that I am bicultural, bilingual and come to every client session ready to hold big emotions in compassionate ways. I know trauma and relationship injuries can make us feel very vulnerable and I want my clients to feel safe and emotionally held so that the work of healing brings peace and restorative experiences in all areas of life.

You might be feeling stuck: disconnected from yourself, your relationships, or the kind of life you want to be living. Maybe you're navigating stress from high expectations or caregiving roles, or struggling to feel close to others even when you crave connection. You may carry pain from earlier experiences or feel like you've had to hide parts of yourself just to get by. Whatever brings you here, you're considering the brave and vulnerable work of change, and that is huge. I work with people who are ready to feel more grounded, more connected, and more like themselves. I bring a particular focus on working with LGBTQ+ and multiply marginalized clients navigating the emotional toll of invisibility, hypervisibility, or living in systems not built for them, but enjoy working with clients of all identities who may be feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or stuck in patterns that no longer serve them. I am neurodiversity-affirming, use an attachment-based lens, and provide letters for gender-affirming medical services. You don’t have to go through this alone, and you don’t have to explain your existence before we can get to the heart of things. In addition to individual therapy, I offer CNM-inclusive relationship therapy. I use Emotionally Focused Therapy and an attachment-based lens to help partners feel safer, more seen, and more emotionally connected. We focus on shifting out of reactive cycles and into more secure, responsive ways of relating. I bring a warm, relational, trauma-informed approach that honors your wisdom and your goals. Together, we can explore what’s getting in the way, deepen your emotional insight, and create space for more authenticity, clarity, and intimacy in your life. When you feel safe and seen, amazing things can happen.

I accept most major insurances. Please visit my website to schedule time with me! Hi, I’m Alvaro, a licensed professional clinical counselor based in San Diego. If you are dealing with anxiety, ADHD, stress during big life changes, or trying to make sense of college and everything that comes with it, I can help you sort through it. In our sessions you will get real conversation and practical tools, not just theory. We will look at what is getting in your way and work together on what feels manageable right now. You do not have to handle everything on your own. I have worked with people from many different backgrounds, and your story is welcome here. My goal is to offer a space where you feel heard, supported, and able to grow.

I have been in practice since 2010 in California and comprehensively providing services in both English and Spanish. Types of treatment varies, as approach is client-centered, but include Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic (that which helps process the past), Solution-Focused, Strength-based, Humanistic, Mindfulness and naturally always respectful of cultural preferences and individual experiences. Humility, Kindness and gentle Humor are at the center of my work. 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.

Hey there! As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 10+ years of experience, I'm passionate about helping you connect with yourself, grow, and thrive. I've worked with people of all ages navigating depression, anxiety, and more. My goal is to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can share your story, explore your strengths, and develop strategies for a balanced life.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist who has been working in the Bay Area since 2016. If you are experiencing stress, depression, low self-esteem, career/life transitions, family/relationship issues -- I can help you come up with a personalized plan for getting better by providing a confidential, trusting and supportive environment and sincere, direct and flexible interactions with me. I can also assist with anxiety, obsessions and compulsions, traumatic experiences, and alcohol/drug use. I am particularly attuned to working with both first and second generation immigrants and those balancing multiple cultural identities. We will collaborate to better understand the sources of frustration and discontent in your life, and work towards genuinely expressing your emotions, finding better ways to cope, and understanding and connecting with yourself and others. My aim is to help you develop compassion, forgiveness, and self-awareness, and help you become the best version of yourself. I use therapy techniques that are backed by research and clinical evidence (see my website). Since starting therapy can be difficult, I offer a free phone consultation to get you started. Please email or call me, and I will be happy to help you decide if therapy is the right choice for you. I am fluent in both English and Hindi. I accept both Lyra and Modern Health.

Hi, my name is Haley Kumar and I help individuals experiencing challenges such as anxiety, parenting struggles, trauma, and disordered eating. Whether you're looking to strengthen your innate resilience, reconnect to your values, or navigate the many challenges life can throw our way, I'm here to help you! Think of me as your collaborator, someone supporting you to engage with yourself and your life in a way that feels meaningful to you. As a social worker, I take a “systems approach,” considering how personal, community, and societal environments influence mental health. This perspective allows me to integrate elements of social justice, allyship, and reverence into the way I understand and support my clients’ experiences. Common evidence based practices that I utilize include, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For ARFID (CBT-AR), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), and Family Based Therapy (FBT).

If you feel everything deeply, have been called “too sensitive,” or your mind never seems to turn off, you’re in the right place. You may have spent so much time understanding others and making sense of the world around you, but rarely feel that same care or depth of understanding reflected back to you. As a Highly Sensitive Person, I understand what it's like to experience the world this way. Our work will focus on helping you untangle what’s going on beneath the surface so you can better understand your emotions, trust your instincts, and move through life with more self-trust and clarity. I specialize in Highly Sensitive People, children, Gen Z (teens & young adults), and neurodivergence/ADHD. Together, we’ll explore patterns, past experiences, and the emotional landscape shaping your life. My approach is warm, deeply attuned, and insight-oriented, grounded in a strengths-based, emotionally-focused, and attachment-aware approach. Clients often say I have “big sister energy”: I notice what’s unspoken, help make sense of complicated emotions, and always have your back. If you’re looking for a therapist who understands your depth and can help you turn your sensitivity into a strength, I would be honored to support you. Book a consultation through my website today.

My professional and confidential counseling service offers an opportunity for you to reach your goals and the best version of yourself without leaving the comfort of your home with telemental health counseling. Individuals and Couples can participate in a counseling service that is tailored to meet your individualized needs. I am here to listen, support, encourage, guide and coach. I partner with you to create an effective plan that best fits your needs at a pace that is comfortable for you.

I provide telehealth/video sessions in California, Colorado, and Utah. I have a special interest in working with college students and young adults. As an LCSW I have provided counseling and psychotherapy to adults for over 35 years. I am certified in treating complex trauma and my approach includes teaching coping tools, insight development, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Mindfulness. I have extensive experience helping young adults, including healing from trauma, anxiety, stress management, and chronic & acute health conditions.

Feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of who you really are? College can be exciting—but it can also feel like too much. Maybe you’ve always been the one who holds it all together, gets straight A’s, and never lets anyone see you struggle. But now, you're anxious all the time, you're exhausted from trying to be “on” 24/7, and even small things feel like a big deal. You might feel pressure to meet expectations—yours or your family’s—and you’re starting to wonder if any of it really feels like you. Maybe you feel like you’re constantly performing. Like you can’t ever fully relax. Or maybe you’re starting to ask big questions about your identity, your future, your values—and it’s scary to realize you don’t have all the answers yet. You don’t have to figure it out alone. I work with college students who are high achievers, perfectionists, and deep thinkers—especially those who are struggling with anxiety, depression, people-pleasing, burnout, or questions around identity and family dynamics. In therapy, you can slow down, breathe, and start untangling the pressure from what you really want. We’ll work together to help you feel more grounded, more like yourself, and more in control of your life. Sessions are confidential, affirming, and tailored to who you are—not who others expect you to be. I provide inclusive and affirming care and create a space where you don’t have to explain or defend your experiences. Online sessions available for students in CA & WA. In-person sessions available in Santa Monica, CA. If this sounds like what you need, reach out. Things can be different—and therapy is a good place to start.

Wellness Therapy of San Diego is committed to providing high-quality, evidence-based psychological services to promote individual growth and relief from distress by providing wrap-around services meeting our clients’ various needs. The clinicians at Wellness Therapy of San Diego specialize in the treatment individuals across the lifespan using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and associated treatments. In addition to psychotherapy, the practice offers expert services in medication management and psychological assessments.

Promoting a healthy mental health in society is what inspires me. As a proud Latina Clinical Social Worker, I bring my cultural heritage and professional expertise to empower individuals in their healing journey ensuring they feel seen, understood, and supported. I strive to provide a supportive and affirming environment. I understand that every individual has unique needs. I ensure to assess and explore which modalities and treatment would serve most effective. I believe healing is not linear, but living a life with a better quality can be possible with the right support and direction. Creating a strong therapeutic alliance is of the upmost importance in therapy. Having a strong alliance is like having a strong foundation in a house, with a strong foundation any strong house can be built. I develop trust, rapport, connection and unconditional support striving to be the best therapist for my clients.

I believe that we each hold the solutions to our lives and sometimes we just need support as we figure things out. That’s my role! I get the privilege to walk beside you on your life journey and help you find solutions you already have. We get to do this together via a strength-based and solution-oriented approach that reminds you of your capabilities and just how powerful you truly are. Sessions can be tough as we work through challenges. But you’re not alone and clearly have survived all of your worst days because you are here! I’m excited to watch you grow and achieve your goals while providing you with a supportive environment to explore. I am a therapist at Octave, a behavioral health practice creating a new standard for mental health care that’s both high-quality and accessible. To learn more about my availability, please reach out to our Client Experience team by emailing or calling.