Therapists for college students near 94117

I am a former 1st-gen student who is passionate about supporting individuals as they navigate higher education. Whether that means breaking out of problematic patterns, having better relationships, or living a more fulfilled life, I am here to walk with folks through that journey. My approach is relational, strengths-based, and eclectic, as I try my best to provide culturally-responsive care that recognizes not just the individual, but the systems and contexts they are living within. I support students experiencing anxiety, depression, grief and loss, perfectionism, self-esteem issues, and more. I specialize in BIPOC and college mental health and provide individual virtual therapy as well as ADHD and Learning Disability testing.

I am licensed in both California (118887) and Pennsylvania (MF001617). I have been in practice for eight years and specialize in emerging and young adults, ages 15-30. I have extensive clinical and research experience helping clients work through body image issues and disordered eating patterns, as well as depression and anxieties associated with life events and transitions. I also have additional training in substance use and abuse treatment in young adults. Using the most recent research in the field of neuroscience, you will learn how to reshape your brain to better align with your goals. My role is to help you restructure unhelpful thought and behavior patterns to strengthen your sense of autonomy, agency, and resiliency. I exclusively offer telehealth services to best accommodate your needs and availability.

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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 enjoy working collaboratively to develop goals that are realistic, meaningful, and lead to positive change. I view therapy as a journey—one that helps you find steadier footing and supports you as you move along your unique path. Although much of my background has been in public service settings working with severe mental illness, acute crises, and trauma, I welcome concerns of any size. No problem is too small or too overwhelming to bring into therapy. I invite you to give the therapy process a chance to work for you! I have been in the behavioral health field for more than 30 years and have been licensed since 2012. I have a practical, down-to-Earth style with an open-minded, solution focused approach. There is likely no issue too complicated or difficult for me to work with. I like to establish a clear treatment path with attainable goals, making it easier for you. I encourage you to give the therapy process a chance to work for you. My goal is to offer steady support and thoughtful guidance as you discover a healing path that truly fits your life. While life can be challenging, you don’t have to navigate it alone—therapy can provide a safe space to find clarity, resilience, and hope.

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Life is full of moving pieces, and maintaining balance, relationships, healthy boundaries, self-esteem, and so many more often feels difficult. I am committed to developing a transparent, safe, and collaborative relationship with my clients. Feeling overwhelmed by current or past trauma(s), depression, anxiety, or a burden you have carried through life can be helped through the therapeutic relationship process. You are the expert on your own life, and I don’t take that for granted. Together, we will find the best path for your therapy journey. I will strive to help you develop new ways of thinking and support you in finding peace and confidence to help you create the life you want and deserve. I’ve spent over a decade working with clients from diverse backgrounds and settings, and it became clear that no one type of therapy fits everyone. I approach relationships with my clients warmly, mindfully, and compassionately. Our life experiences often shape the pattern of our thoughts and behaviors and perspective of adult life. Each of us brings our own stories to therapy, and would be an honor to learn about yours.

I'm a therapist because I've had my own process with therapy. It takes strength to reach out, and I'm so glad you're here. I believe therapy can help, and that weekly sessions are only part of the picture. True growth and healing happens in applying what we talk about to your life outside of sessions. Like recovery, the therapy process is nonlinear, and the road can feel dicey before it starts to even out. I am honored to sit with my clients in the uncertainty and hold space for this, until the light begins to show through. I specialize in helping my clients with connecting to emotions, managing anxiety, life transitions, relationship issues, perfectionism, and trauma. I'd love to chat with you to learn more about what brought you here, and how I can help.

I became a therapist because I believe healing happens in spaces where you feel truly seen, heard, and safe. My approach to therapy is warm, relational, and deeply human. I show up as my authentic self so you can feel free to do the same – without judgment, pressure, or pretense. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected, or unsure of your next step, we will move at a pace that feels steady and supportive for you. Together, we create a space where vulnerability feels safe, growth feels possible, and lasting change feels attainable. Above all, I want you to feel that you don’t have to carry everything alone anymore. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe, respected, and genuinely understood from the very beginning. I approach therapy with warmth, authenticity, and steady presence, helping you feel supported while also empowered to grow. Therapy with me is collaborative and personalized. I draw from evidence-based approaches while tailoring our work to your unique needs and goals. I want you to feel that you are not alone — and that meaningful, sustainable change is possible. I deeply believe in nervous system resets… and I’m usually the first one to step outside for a few deep breaths.

Welcome to Thrive! We are a group practice serving San Diego and the greater CA area as we are now offering online only sessions due to Covid19. We love working with college students and young adults and everyone in our office specializes in this age group. We tend to work with diverse clients in terms of their experiences and needs but always approach our work from a fun, collaborative, and client centered perspective. We focus on building relationships with our clients as our most important goal and then working towards the goals that client chooses. Plus, since there are 6 of us at Thrive, I believe that most students can find a therapist at Thrive who will be a good fit for them!

From the outside, it may look like you have everything under control. You're responsible, capable, and driven. But beneath the accomplishments, your mind rarely slows down. You're constantly thinking about what's next, replaying conversations, second-guessing decisions, or feeling guilty when you try to rest. I specialize in working with driven young adults and professionals struggling with chronic anxiety, perfectionism, and self-imposed pressure. Many of my clients feel exhausted by overthinking, overwhelmed by expectations, and frustrated that success hasn't brought the peace or confidence they hoped for. Together, we'll work to quiet the constant mental noise, build self-trust, and create a healthier relationship with stress and achievement. Therapy is about helping you understand what's keeping you stuck and developing practical tools to move forward with greater clarity and confidence. My approach is collaborative, down-to-earth, and LGBTQ+ affirming. Many clients begin therapy feeling overwhelmed by pressure and responsibility. Over time, they often find themselves carrying less emotional weight, responding to challenges with greater confidence, and creating a life that feels as good on the inside as it looks on the outside. If you're ready to stop carrying it all alone, I'd be honored to connect.

Are you and your partner disconnected? Have tons of resentment? Feeling like roommates? Having the same conflict over and over again? Constantly met with defensiveness? Feeling like you are always misunderstood? Scared to bring things up because they'll "get upset" or shut down? Don't know where to start? If you are facing any of these challenges, you are not alone. Some conflicts in relationships never fully go away, but they don't have to keep hurting you. We can unpack whats really happening beneath the surface so the conflict stops feeling destructive and we can get the change you've been hoping for. I provide telehealth therapy for couples who want real and structured change, not just a therapist who is a mediator or referee. I use the Gottman Method, which is a research-based intervention with 50 years of research on how couples communicate and connect. I will bring those tools to every session to help you repair your relationship. Healing and change are possible, even when it feels difficult and uncertain. My approach is warm, structured, direct, and collaborative. I’ll help you understand why patterns keep showing up and give you tools you can actually use outside of session. Therapy with me is a space where you can slow down, feel understood, and start making changes that last.

Starting college can feel exciting—but also overwhelming. Many students I work with struggle with the transition to greater independence, academic pressures, and the challenge of building new friendships and relationships. It’s common to feel anxious, down, or unsure of how to balance it all. In our sessions, I create a supportive space where you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Together, we’ll work on understanding and managing stress, easing anxiety and depression, and navigating the ups and downs of college life. Whether it’s handling the workload, dealing with homesickness, or managing new romantic and social experiences, my goal is to help you feel grounded, confident, and better equipped for this chapter in your life.

I have been in practice as a marriage and family therapist for nearly a decade, and focus on serving adolescents, college students, and young adults experiencing depression, anxiety, guilt, shame, loss, and co-occurring concerns. I emphasize self-compassion and self-acceptance in my therapeutic work, and tailor my treatment to help people create and live values-based lives that are congruent with their identities and goals. I am passionate about working with API and Indigenous students, and those transitioning to the mainland from Hawaii. Providing culturally competent services is a priority for me, and I take pride in continuously honing my multicultural counseling skillset. Outside of therapy, I enjoy trout fishing, hiking, and playing retro video games. Please note I offer telehealth sessions Monday through Thursday, and offer in-person sessions on Friday. Please contact me directly for in-person availability on Saturday. My telehealth fee is $175 and in-person is $200.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

In our work together, we will strive to clarify and validate your emotional experiences. You will also learn skills to change the thoughts and behaviors that are not serving you. I aim to empower you to take control of your symptoms, foster self-compassion, and grow in ways that are important to you. I am committed to using treatments that work while flexibly adapting to your unique background and goals for therapy. I specialize in the treatment of anxiety disorders, PTSD, depression, and women's reproductive mental health, as well as provide evidence-based skills for coping with stress. In therapy, you may face feared situations, learn how to identify, challenge and create distance from unhelpful thoughts, cultivate acceptance, clarify life values, and practice mindfulness and emotion regulation skills. Therapy will be a collaborative experience. I respect that you are the expert about your life, and I will strive to understand and honor the unique ways in which your identities influence how you experience the world. My goal is to create space for you to be vulnerable and authentic through a warm and empathic style. I look forward to working with you.

Life is a series of changes and transitions that can create roadblocks in our lives. As a Licensed Psychologist, I work with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, perfectionism, procrastination, histories of trauma, grief and loss, AAPI issues, and other life hurdles. In addition, I work on supporting individuals with the unique challenges of juggling life as a student. My practice is grounded in creating a safe, supportive space where clients can feel seen, heard, and empowered to grow. In session, I offer opportunities for introspection wherever one might be in their journey. With empathy and direct clear goals, we will work together on tailoring a plan specifically for you by breaking down larger goals into more manageable steps. Coming from a bicultural background, as an Asian American female, I understand the unique challenges that one faces when straddling two different worlds. I believe in providing therapy that honors multicultural perspectives and diversity. Whether you’re seeking support for yourself, your child, or your relationship, I’m here to walk alongside you with care and intention.

Navigating Rough Waters Therapy is my private practice. I'm Dr. Lara Kennerly, PsyD, a Licensed Psychologist with over two decades of clinical experience helping adults with a wide range of mental health challenges in various treatment settings (e.g. private practice, inpatient/outpatient, College Counseling Center, onsite PSP for Correctional staff & First responders in an active disaster zone), trained in most well-known evidence-based approaches, and am also certified in several other highly specialized approaches (EFIT, CPTSD, ADHD) I offer in-person psychotherapy in Sacramento and virtual therapy sessions for clients throughout California. I work with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, PTSD, CPTSD, people pleasing, social anxiety, interpersonal difficulties, self-esteem struggles, body image issues, ADHD, OCD, perfectionism, Attachment Trauma, unprocessed pain from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE's), and other emotional challenges. My approach to therapy is Trauma-Informed, Psychodynamic, and Insight-oriented. That means we don't just focus on managing symptoms. Instead, we explore the emotional patterns and life experiences that drive how you think, feel, and relate to others. That kind of deeper work leads to real, lasting change. Many clients come to therapy because anxiety, past trauma, or chronic stress has begun affecting their emotional well-being, relationships, or sense of purpose, and are complicating current major life challenges like having to adjust to big changes in their lives or confidently make major life decision about their futures. If you are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure about the next step in your life, therapy can help you gain insight and move forward with greater emotional balance and confidence.

I am a licensed mental health counselor in Tennessee and California, and I provide therapy virtually to students in both states. I work with people who are dealing with things like stress, difficult transitions and circumstances, traumatic events, relationship problems, grief, discrimination, and systemic marginalization. I specialize in working with people seeking recovery from the abuse they experienced in their families, intimate relationships, workplaces, religious and faith communities, and also survivors of cults and other high-demand/control groups. Additionally, I work with those who are living with mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, suicide risk, and post-traumatic stress disorder. I also specialize in working with people seeking recovery from substance use, and I welcome clients who are active substance users. I enjoy working with clients from diverse backgrounds and strive to create a safe, affirming space for the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, disabled individuals, and other marginalized groups. Being a military spouse myself, I am honored to work with active military members, their families, and veterans. Feel free to check out my website to learn more about my experience and specialties. Those who work with me can expect to experience a safe and supportive space. My approach is very down-to-earth, and I aim to use research-backed therapy interventions in a way that’s accessible and helpful. I believe no two people need the same approach. There is no universal formula for creating positive change. Your path is your own. The job of a counselor is to help you find your footing and support you on your unique journey. I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to see if we’re a good fit. Please reach out to get that scheduled, or if you have any questions you’d like to ask first.

Empower Youth Therapy provides individualized therapy for college students navigating academic pressure, anxiety, relationship stress, identity development, transitions, and trauma. Our approach is warm, validating, and practical — focused on helping students understand themselves more deeply while building real-life coping skills they can use in classes, friendships, and daily routines. We serve students from San Joaquin Delta College, CSU Stanislaus, CSU East Bay, Sac State, and surrounding Central Valley / Bay Area campuses. We offer a non-judgmental space to talk honestly, process what’s overwhelming, and explore who you’re becoming — especially during transitions like moving away from home, choosing a major, or preparing for your next step after graduation. We also support executive functioning, stress management, and strengthening healthy habits. We offer individual therapy for college-age students. We accept insurance and private pay. Free 15-minute consultations are available.