Therapists for college students near San Diego State University

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Many people begin therapy feeling emotionally exhausted, stuck, or unsure of where they belong. This can be especially true for those navigating multiple cultures, identities, and expectations at once. When family values, cultural norms, and personal needs don’t fully align, it’s common to feel pulled in different directions—or to quietly lose touch with yourself. Over time, this strain may show up as burnout, anxiety, relationship stress, or a lingering sense that something isn’t quite right, even if everything looks “fine” on the outside. I take a collaborative, culturally responsive approach to therapy that honors the complexity of your lived experience. I don’t believe there is one “right” way to feel, heal, or move forward—especially when identity, family dynamics, and cultural expectations play such a central role in your life. My work integrates evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotion-Focused Therapy, family systems therapy, and person-centered approaches. Together, we will make sense of patterns shaped by your past experiences and relationships while building practical coping skills that support meaningful, sustainable change. I earned my Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of San Francisco. During graduate training, I completed my internship at Gateway Public Schools, where I worked with adolescents ages 11–18. In this role, I supported students navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, identity development, and a wide range of family-related and personal challenges, gaining hands-on experience working within complex systems that impact young people’s emotional well-being. Over time, clients often gain greater emotional clarity, self-trust, and a stronger sense of agency—feeling more empowered to live in ways that feel authentic rather than obligatory. Therapy is a space where you don’t have to choose between parts of yourself—you can bring all of you into the room. My goal is to create a supportive and affirming therapeutic space where you feel genuinely seen, heard, and understood. We will explore how family dynamics, identity development, and cultural influences have shaped your experiences, while also focusing on what matters most to you moving forward. Outside of therapy, I value humor, perspective, and taking meaningful chances in life. One quote that resonates with me is: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky — Michael Scott. This mindset reflects my belief in growth, courage, and the importance of showing up for yourself—even when the next step feels uncertain.

Online or in-person, this is designated for individuals to process and explore their feelings, thoughts and beliefs. Typically, meetings are weekly or bi-weekly. This is a great option if you are struggling with anxiety, depression, or relationship issues. I help millennials and young adults explore the challenges in their life and find ways to more effectively manage feelings that are no longer serving them. I have worked with a lot of different populations in my career but I really love working with young professionals, undergraduate, and graduate students.

I work best with clients who are passionate about self-discovery, social change, and navigating life’s challenges. Many of the individuals I support are exploring identity, facing societal pressures, or advocating for human rights, including LGBTQ+ issues, women’s rights, and other radical movements. College can be a time of immense growth and uncertainty, and I help students manage stress, relationships, and personal identity while balancing academic and social expectations. Whether struggling with anxiety, self-esteem, or navigating systemic injustices, I provide a supportive, affirming space to explore these challenges. My goal is to empower clients to embrace their authentic selves and build resilience in the face of adversity.

We believe that all of us are looking for a sense of fulfillment and well-being in our lives. We experience this well-being as a sense of ease, unrestricted flow of life energy. However, when negative events happen and we perceive ourselves as broken, or not safe, we constrict the flow of well-being, resulting in feelings of pain, fear, anger, grief... The Process Model of therapy helps us to identify our constrictions and release them, allowing our life energy to flow freely again, bringing the sense of relief and re-connection to self, others, and the world around us. Coming into a counseling session is much like going on a tour to explore yourself: how you got where you are today, what you can do to set yourself free, what you can do to change your life. Our counselors are much like guides employed to walk with you on this journey of self-discovery; they invite you to look deeper beyond the story, stay in the present moment and keep the focus on yourself. They are trained to respect, trust, and follow your process into and through your unresolved issues, without judgment or agenda. We are a non-profit and charitable organization incorporated in the state of California since 1982, with a mission to train pre-licenced professionals in the skill and art of psychotherapy. We have many clinicians available to work around your schedule and price range. We are committed to offer therapy to people of all means and backgrounds, and welcome diversity in all its forms.

Hello! I'm Liana Huang (she/her), and I’m a bilingual, bicultural (Cantonese and English speaking) Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW #119082). Growing up as the eldest daughter of Chinese immigrants who left their world in the Pearl River Delta to pursue a more abundant life for their descendants in San Francisco, I can relate to and understand the specific struggles of children of immigrants. It’s not easy navigating the unspoken pressure of repaying our parents for the sacrifices they made, the inevitable miscommunication and misunderstandings that arise as families bridge cultures and languages, and the persistent feeling of falling short of expectations. With a deep understanding of intergenerational trauma and family of origin attachment wounds, I offer a unique perspective to my clients as a therapist who has personally experienced the challenges of growing up with Asian immigrant parents. You won't have to explain what it's like to navigate cultural differences and complex family dynamics because I get it. I became a therapist because I recognize that cultural humility, while important, does not compare to the insights and empathy gained through lived experience. Together, we can work through your struggles and heal from the wounds of the past to create a brighter future. You're not alone in this journey towards healing and self-discovery.

Specializing in working with transgender, gender non-binary clients, and those questioning and exploring their gender identity. Work with people across the lifespan, with a wide range of stressors. I also enjoy working with neurodiverse people.

Feeling overwhelmed by exams, relationships, or just life in general? I've got you covered. I'm Sharon, a licensed therapist, and I'm here to help you navigate the ups and downs of college life. Whether you're dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship drama, or just need someone to talk to, I'm here to listen and support you. In our sessions, you'll find a judgment-free zone where you can be yourself and work through whatever's on your mind. We'll use proven techniques like CBT and ACT to tackle your challenges head-on. Plus, with the flexibility of in-person or online sessions, fitting therapy into your busy schedule has never been easier. Let's work together to make your college experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Ready to get started? Reach out today, and let's chat!

I get it. College can be a lot—new freedom, big decisions, messy relationships, and figuring out who you really are. I’m Jessie, a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, and I help students navigate all the chaos that comes with life, school and everything in between. I work with clients using a warm, direct approach with a dash of humor along the way. Some common topics I work with include: stress management, identity, relationships, self-esteem, sexual development, career / academic roadblocks, communication challenges, inner conflict, anxiety, pressure to succeed, life transitions.

Hi. My name is Dr. Elanna Lazaruk and I am a licensed psychologist in California, Massachusetts, and New York. I specialize in working with teens and adolescents with anxiety, depression, trauma/abuse, relationship issues, academic performance, and self esteem issues. I love developing a deep understanding of my clients and improving their insights into themselves as well as focusing on actionable changes to improve their quality of life. Whether you are looking for insight into yourself, learning new skills, and/or making changes to your life, I am looking forward to working with you. I will help you to determine your goals for therapy and will create a unique and personalized treatment plan to achieve those goals. I have had training in a number of different therapeutic approaches, including psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectic behavior therapy, mindfulness, and crisis intervention. Together we will develop a customized plan that works best for you. People who have worked with me have stated that I am exceedingly empathic, understanding, and supportive. I am very active and flexible during sessions and am very skilled at understanding people and their behavior patterns. Past patient testimonials are available on Google and Yelp. I received my Doctorate and Master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology at Yeshiva University’s Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology and my Bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College. While attending Wellesley College, I worked as a psychology research assistant at both Wellesley and MIT. I completed my clinical training at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Beth Israel Medical Center, JCCA, and SCO Family of Services. Feel free to check out my website at www.lacanadapsychology.com . You can reach out to me by phone at (818) 495-5705 or by email at drlazaruk@lacanadapsychology.com and we can schedule a free phone consultation to make sure I am a good fit for you and answer any questions you may have. I look forward to hearing from you.

Survivor of trauma. Struggling with addiction. Creative. Do at least two of these three describe you? If you're struggling to get sober, you're fearful about the impact sobriety might have on your creativity (and life in general). If you're in early sobriety, you're trying to gain your footing in a new landscape. If you're a trauma survivor, you're confused as to why your insight & sensitivity aren't helping you get to that light at the end of the tunnel. What do you do if your pain is too great to manage on your own? Working with me, you will be accepted & listened to carefully & perceptively. You will feel much more grounded & centered. I adapt my style to fit you and aim to treat you with a balance of gentleness and active encouragement.

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Psychiatrist with more than a decade of experience in psychiatry treating adults and adolescents with a combination of medications and therapy.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I am a licensed professional counselor in California, Arizona, Texas and New Mexico. Currently, I am doing remote counseling only. I have experience in trauma, anxiety, grief/loss, addiction, anger management and life transitions. I am multi-culturally sensitive and LGBTQIA+ affirming. I was born in El Paso, Texas and both my parents are Mexican-American. I am bilingual Spanish/English. I moved to California in 2021 after living in Arizona for 30 years where I was faculty at Phoenix College teaching Psychology, Sociology and Women's Studies. I have Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology (ASU) and an MA in Counseling (OU). I believe life is not about the destination but about the journey. Sometimes we run into rough spots along the way. Let me walk beside you for a while until you get past the rough spots and are able to continue on your own. Counseling is a process that you control by telling me what you want to accomplish and then we work together to get there. Sharing your story with a stranger is sometimes hard. I want to be your ally in therapy and provide a safe space where you can talk and be yourself without fear of judgment. I promise to be honest with you and support you as you explore who you are and who you want to be. I will work to earn your trust and to shine a light on the road ahead as we travel.

Many people come into therapy feeling internally divided — a part of them wants connection while another part pulls away, a part wants change while another part feels scared, overwhelmed, or stuck. My work is centered around helping people understand these different parts of themselves with curiosity instead of shame. I offer short-term, focused therapy that combines deep conversation, nervous system awareness, mindfulness, and medicine-assisted therapy when appropriate. Rather than approaching people as “broken,” I see emotional patterns as intelligent adaptations that once helped someone survive, cope, or stay connected. My approach is influenced by IFS/parts work, attachment theory, somatic therapy, and contemplative practices, while staying grounded, relational, and practical. I tend to work actively and intentionally with clients rather than remaining indefinitely in open-ended therapy. The goal is to help people recognize the patterns that keep repeating in relationships, anxiety, depression, self-criticism, emotional reactivity, or disconnection — and begin relating to themselves with more clarity, compassion, and honesty. Many clients describe the process as both deep and relieving because they begin to experience that they are not one fixed identity, but a complex human being made up of different parts all trying, in their own ways, to protect them.

My training is in both medical and clinical mental health settings where I have gained an expertise in working with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, sleep concerns and insomnia, chronic pain and other chronic illness adjustment difficulties. I also have a passion for working with mothers and women who are pregnant or postpartum and are looking for support through these critical life stages.

Are you looking to make a change in your life? Feeling stuck with behaviors that used to serve you and now seem to weigh you down? Do you have plans and dreams that you never quite get around to enacting? You are not alone. We have all been there at one time or another. I know I have been. In fact, by some estimates, at any given time 80% of people are feeling ambivalent about a significant decision or change they want to make in their lives. It was with this in mind that Time for Change, Psychotherapy Services was born. I offer an approach that is respectful, compassionate and hopeful. I believe you will find me easy to talk to and a place where you can find courage, take risks and be vulnerable. I am humbled and honored when people trust enough to share their personal stories and together we can seek to find a way forward.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Life is difficult. Yet when we accept this reality, our lives change dramatically for the better. Our fear, sadness, and anger is often what is keeping us from facing the vital facts of our lives which need to be addressed. The more effective we are at soothing ourself, the more courageous we become. For it is often overwhelming pain that paralyzes us or leads us to mindlessly react in ways that sabotage our peace and happiness. I teach you how to calm yourself and effectively solve the problems you face. I collaborate with you as you learn how to influence your subconscious mind which is as much as 95 percent of thinking. We work together so you can realize your dreams in your relationships and career.