Therapists for college students near 94117

https://care.headway.co/providers/alejandra-arias?utm_source=pem&utm_medium=direct_link&utm_campaign=195190

Life can feel like a lot sometimes. Maybe you're anxious, overwhelmed, burned out, stuck in your head, or putting so much pressure on yourself that it's hard to enjoy anything anymore. You don't have to have everything figured out before coming to therapy. I'm a down-to-earth therapist who believes you don't need to be fixed. You need a space where you can be real. We can laugh, be honest about what's not working, and get to the root of what's keeping you stuck. I'll support you, challenge you when it's helpful, and we'll focus on practical changes that actually make a difference in your daily life. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, relationships, stress, self-esteem, trauma, or just trying to figure out who you are and where you're headed, we'll work together to help you feel more grounded, confident, and like yourself again. We'll do real work that creates real change.

Hi, I'm Natasha! My practice helps college students and young adults navigate anxiety, depression, burnout, relationship challenges, and life transitions with curiosity, warmth, and creativity. My approach blends evidence-based methods with a deep respect for your individuality; I meet you where you are and help you build skills, insight, and resilience at a pace that feels right for you. I specialize in attachment, neurodivergence, and creative approaches to therapy, such as utilizing animal-assisted therapy, art, or other expressive methods in our work together, so we can create a space where you can feel understood, supported, and empowered to make meaningful change in your life.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Are you feeling lost and unsure about yourself and how you are feeling? Are you struggling with anxiety and depression and are weighed down by the societal and social pressures of having to have your life figured out? Being a young adult can be very challenging with all of the pressure to succeed, "be the best" and having to stand out academically and socially. As a therapist with 20 years experience, allow me to explore with you how to become the "best" version of yourself in a safe, warm, and accepting environment. "There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind." -C.S. Lewis

At our practice, we understand that navigating university life while balancing cultural expectations, family dynamics, and identity can feel like a lot to carry. We specifically specialize in supporting Hispanic and Latin students, providing a culturally affirming space where your background is celebrated and understood. Our team of therapists helps students navigate anxiety, academic pressure, life transitions, and generational differences. We are dedicated to breaking the stigma around mental health in our community and offer a warm, bilingual, and judgment-free space where you can feel seen and heard.

I was inspired to become a therapist by a deep belief in the human capacity for transformation. I hold hope for change even in the midst of struggle. Having walked my own journey of growth, I understand the courage it takes to be vulnerable and to trust another person with your story. I honor the sacredness of the therapeutic relationship and approach it with presence, compassion, and integrity. Working together is a collaborative and evolving process. I bring warmth, curiosity, and a nonjudgmental energy into the room. I meet each client as they are — without assumptions — and seek to understand their unique narrative. Trust is built through authenticity, attunement, and consistent care. I believe that when people feel safe and truly heard, they are better able to access their own strengths, heal old wounds, and move toward a more grounded and empowered way of living. My role is to walk alongside you — supporting self-awareness, resilience, and meaningful change at a pace that honors your process. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s Degree in Social Work, concentrating in Mental Health, from the University of Southern California. My work is grounded in a holistic, trauma-informed, and strengths-based approach that honors the whole person — mind, body, spirit, relationships, and lived experience. I believe healing is not just about reducing symptoms, but about reconnecting to one’s inner resilience, wisdom, and capacity for growth. Transformation often unfolds through connection, safety, and feeling deeply seen. I strive to create a therapeutic space that nurtures all three. My work is guided by an intersectional lens and cultural humility. I recognize that each person carries layered identities, experiences, and histories that shape how they move through the world. By honoring these complexities, I collaborate with clients to co-create meaningful, personalized treatment that aligns with their values, culture, and goals.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) with over 10 years of experience. I work with individuals, couples, and families online in the states of California and Florida, and in person in San Jose, CA. My experience has included outpatient treatment, group practice, in-home care services, and higher levels of care. I enjoy working with students and individuals experiencing life transitions, with particular specialties in eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. In addition, I have expertise in working with athletes, those with chronic pain/illness, and faith-based communities. My theoretical orientation is person-centered and psychodynamic. However, I incorporate a variety of techniques depending on my client’s individual needs, including expressive arts therapies, somatic approaches, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). My hope is to come alongside individuals or groups in their healing journey by providing compassionate support, insight, and practical tools to support goal achievement, strengthen relationships, and build a meaningful life. During initial sessions, we will take time to develop a relationship, understand your current challenges and strengths, and establish goals that support forward movement. Session to session, we will process present moment thoughts, emotions, and experiences, as well as discuss overarching themes and treatment targets. As you feel better and increasingly more empowered, we will begin to space out sessions, with the goal of managing symptoms and challenges independently. I applaud you for taking steps to seek support and learn more about yourself!

We specialize in emerging adulthood because this developmental stage requires specific clinical expertise. You're constructing an adult identity, which means the strategies that worked in your family or in school often need updating. The ways you learned to get love, stay safe, or earn approval show up in adult relationships and sometimes constrain you in ways you can see but can't shift alone. Our therapists work psychodynamically to help you understand patterns you didn't consciously choose. We use EMDR to process past experiences that still shape your present, teach DBT skills for managing intense emotions, and apply attachment theory to understand how early relationships become blueprints for later ones. We understand the psychological tasks specific to this stage: becoming your own person while maintaining meaningful relationships, building intimacy based on reality rather than fantasy, tolerating the uncertainty inherent in creating an adult life, and developing a sense of self that can hold complexity. The therapeutic relationship becomes a space where patterns can surface, be examined, and eventually change. You get to practice being yourself without the adaptations you've relied on to get by.

My education, and both lived and serviced experiences have taught me the importance of being honest, open-minded, compassionate, patience, reliable, dependable, and helpful. The reactions, feedbacks, and rewards that I have received from my hard work have always made me want to continue to do what I have been doing. I want to be helpful to others and give a helping hand to others who need it. I care about other people’s feelings and like to help others to be safe, healthy and happy. With such characteristics, I realized that being a Marriage Family Therapist will give me the opportunity to contribute back to our community, assist those who may challenge with difficult challenges. My communication style is calm, accommodating, and personable. I want my clients to feel comfortable talking with me about anything, and I pride myself on my ability to listen without judgment. I will use active and reflective listening, empathetic dialogue, and validation to allow my clients to feel heard, respected, and supported. The first session will be a rapport building and information gathering session where I will engage my clients in a conversation on their current concerns and needs for obtaining therapy. I will work with clients collaboratively to complete the assessment which will consist of gathering information on their background, current symptoms, strengths, and if needed, safety planning, and creating therapeutic goals in moving forward. Individuals will have the opportunity to discuss what they would like to be working on, how successful therapy will look like for them, and the fitness of working relationships. At the end of each session, I will use Session Rating Scale (SRS) to gather my client’s feedbacks in 1-10 rating: 1) Ensure they feel herd, understood, , and respected; 2) They worked on talked about what they wanted to work on and talk about; 3) The therapist’s approach is a good fit for them; and 4) Overall, the session was right for them.

My inspiration of becoming a therapist started at a young age in recognition of the desire to help people in a capacity that was natural and enjoyable to me. I have naturally been a compassionate person that can listen to any person regardless of differences and similarities in dynamics and backgrounds. I practice a warm and welcoming approach when discussing mental health with clients. I support the client to gain successful emotional wellbeing to establish a fuller and more joyous relationship with others and the environment around them. I specialize in supporting individuals who experience a range of mental health challenges including depression, anxiety, adjustment disorders, mood disorders, healthy coping skills, trauma, grief, anger, stress management, relationship issues and healthy conflict skill building. I am guided by primarily Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Attachment Theory and Family Systems Theory while considering the cultural, social and emotional context of the client. I help clients build on their strengths while addressing the concerns and goals. I have professional Social Work clinical experience working in outpatient clinical settings supporting children, adolescents, teens, military veterans and adults within my professional Social Work experience. I follow the lead of the client to develop trust, rapport, support, and empathy for all clients. I create a safe and supportive therapeutic environment to ensure each individual client feels comfortable sharing their lived experiences without judgement. I am patient with each client and take an individualize approach to meet the client where they are.

I became a therapist because I saw the impacts it can have on people to not have a space to feel safe and seen. Life can come with challenges that set us off course, and it can feel isolating to experience those challenges without a roadmap. My hope is to provide a space to navigate life’s challenges safely, and develop a tool kit to manage whatever life may throw your way. Our work together is ultimately a collaboration, we discuss your values and needs and will create goals that align with them. I encourage ongoing feedback during sessions, discussion of what is working and not working, and make sure to provide a space where your needs come first. I acknowledge that it takes time to build trust in any relationship, including a therapeutic relationship. I build trust by focusing on you as a whole person, letting you set the pace and meeting you where you are at. I want to get to know your strengths, interests, and values. I utilize metaphors and examples that break down issues that feel bigger than you can handle to create a sense of safety in our sessions. I have two cats who you may see glimpses of during our sessions, whether it be through a blob stretching in my background or their tail popping in to the frame.

On the surface you have it “all together” but underneath are struggling with constant anxiety & self doubt. Despite being smart, driven, and incredibly hard working, life feels hard. No matter how much you do or accomplish, you never feel good enough. You always put others first and struggle to say no, even when overwhelmed. You want to heal from old wounds and break unhelpful patterns but you aren’t sure how. You’re ready to let go of your inner critic and start taking care of yourself without feeling guilty. You deserve meaningful relationships where you feel supported. You want to feel fulfilled, have balance, and enjoy the life you have worked hard to build. Feeling calm and confident aren’t out of your reach, I’d love to help get you there. I specialize in treating anxiety, self esteem, and trauma in adults utilizing individual therapy and EMDR. I offer in person services in Manhattan near Union Square and virtual sessions for California and New York residents. Reach out to schedule your free 20 minute consultation call today to learn more.

You may be reading this because you’ve experienced a very difficult loss or transition in your life. Maybe you have lost a loved one or a pregnancy. Perhaps you are struggling as you or a relative begin hospice care or approach the end stage of a disease. You might be grieving a beloved pet or the end of a meaningful relationship. Loss, although universal, can feel isolating and unbearable to endure. I can help you cope - you don't need to go through this alone. Through my work helping others navigate hard times, I’ve been described as a “bright light in a time of darkness.” I’m a warm and welcoming therapist with a deep understanding and capability for helping people who are struggling. Therapy with me is informed by five years spent as a hospice social worker and extensive grief and loss training. I am licensed in Illinois, New Jersey, California and Florida for online therapy. I provide therapy through a secure and convenient telehealth platform (online video conferencing). I hope you will contact me for a free 15-minute consultation on how we may work together to support you. Please note, the hours listed on this profile are in Central Time Zone.

As a couple and family therapist, I have a strong conviction in the healing power of healthy relationships.  Connecting to your authentic self and fostering wellness in all relationships in your life is a primary focus of my work.  I provide individual, couple and family psychotherapy for youth and adults of all family and relationship constellations. My holistic approach incorporates body, mind and spirit to help you create your full personal and relational potential.  In my practice, I utilize psychotherapy, EMDR, somatic awareness, meditation and mindfulness practices, movement, and other modalities to facilitate the growth and change you seek.  I would be honored to support you on your journey.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Currently accepting new clients! Do you sometimes feel unheard or want to better navigate your relationships? Are you struggling with stress, self-doubt, or the constant pressure to meet expectations? Maybe you’re adjusting to college life and trying to find balance. If you’re looking for a safe, supportive space, therapy can be incredibly helpful. Whether you’re hesitant or ready to dive in, you’ve already taken an important step by seeking support. My goals are to validate your experiences, offer a safe and judgment-free space, and help you work through whatever you bring into therapy. I support college students from all walks of life with a compassionate and person-centered approach. Many of my clients are navigating relationships, anxiety, depression, OCD, self-doubt, and major life transitions. Together, we’ll identify your goals, explore your feelings, and develop some helpful coping skills.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

We provide comprehensive psychological services, empowering you to improve & protect your mental health. We specialize in providing personalized treatment of eating disorders, trauma, substance use disorders & obsessive-compulsive disorder. We also are experts in guiding young adults through life transitions, relationship difficulties, and identity development. We believe that with the right resources, support, and commitment, anyone can succeed.

Anxiety is a learned behavior and it can be unlearned. Your brain is not your enemy and it isn’t trying to make you worry; it is just repeating unhelpful messages from the past. I’d like to help you retrain your brain to be a source of comfort and positivity. With less anxiety, you can direct your energy towards things you really value instead of worrying all the time. In order to change the way you think and feel, you can change your old habits and practice new skills. There is no more valuable project than your well-being, and it’s worth the effort. I have experience with: anxiety, feeling stuck, breakups, depression, and stress. I have a very strong background in mindfulness practices. My clients describe me as compassionate, easy to talk to, and non-judgmental. I have worked in a wide variety of settings with a very diverse group of clients. My office is a welcoming place for people of all backgrounds and beliefs. Please visit my website for more information. I do not accept insurance. I offer sliding rates for students, retail/service workers, and anyone else who has a financial need.