Therapists for college students near San Diego State University

I’m a licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years of diverse experience in mental health, including work at the VA San Diego Healthcare System and UC San Diego. My career spans roles in clinical practice, research, and education, giving me a broad perspective on mental health challenges and treatment approaches. I have worked extensively with veterans, trauma survivors, and individuals navigating intimate partner violence (IPV) or relationship-related concerns, as well as adults facing anxiety, depression, grief, and life transitions. I provide trauma-informed, evidence-based, and integrative therapy that blends modern psychotherapies with mindfulness and Zen Buddhist principles. This approach helps students build resilience, self-compassion, and clarity. Therapy is tailored to each individual, offering practical tools for managing stress, navigating relationships, and balancing academic and personal demands. I offer secure telehealth sessions across California, making it easy for students to access support alongside their studies. My goal is to create a safe, understanding space where students can explore challenges, develop coping strategies, and strengthen a sense of purpose and well-being during this formative stage of life.

From a young age, I've always loved and been curious about people. I've always felt connected to and interested in others and their experiences. It is a calling for me. After having both positive and negative experiences with therapists in high school, I was confident that this is what I wanted to do - what I was meant to do! I will actively listen to what they're sharing and ask clarifying questions as needed. I will be fully present with them in session, with the intention of understanding as much as possible their emotional experience, inner thoughts, etc. I may summarize and/or reflect back what I heard and ask if it feels accurate for them or if there are things I missed, misunderstood, etc. And lastly, I would simply ask them, "what makes you feel heard and understood? Is there anything that makes you feel misunderstood? How might I be able to tell if you're feeling misunderstood (outside of being told as much)? I see the therapy as a collaborative process, one where I walk alongside the client, not in front or above them. I may not have all the answers, but I am committed to helping in any way that I can. Building trust and a strong therapeutic alliance takes time, but I am patient. I will not rush the process or force you to share something you're not comfortable sharing (now or ever). Trust is build over time and the process will look different for each person, so it is important to consider individual differences, past experiences, interests, preferences, etc. when building the foundational trust and rapport. Lastly, it is imperative to me that I do what I say I will do, keep any promises I make, and if I make a mistake, I will apologize and do whatever I can to rectify it and facilitate repair.

We are a non-profit organization offering affordable and inclusive therapy services by highly trained associates and trainees to individuals, children/adolescents, couples, and families of all communities residing in California.

I help couples and individuals explore the depths of their feelings, calm their anxieties, and find peace for the past so they can improve the quality of their lives and relationships. I’m the type of therapist who helps take your most complicated feelings and guides you to unravel them at your own pace, so you can find peace and simplicity in your life again. My clients come to me with relationship issues (i.e. infidelity, communication, intimacy and trust issues), high anxiety, needing help with current or past traumas, and having problems with their loved ones or peers in a variety of different ways. My specialties include working with couples who have problems with communication, intimacy, infidelity, trust or wanting to build a better connection. I also work with individuals who suffer from anxiety, trauma and PTSD, as well as those who suffer from intergenerational trauma, and cultural identity issues. I will listen to you without bias and judgment, and help you solve any issues you have in your relationships and with yourself. I can teach you the skills you need to calm your anxieties, speak your truth, and explore your emotions and feelings – all in a safe space. I hope to help my clients build and renew hope and create space for growth in their life.

I’m a California-licensed LMFT with 15 years of experience across cultural, community, and non-profit settings. Fluent in Spanish, I offer collaborative, client-centered care using evidence-based methods like CBT, family systems, trauma-focused CBT, and strengths-based strategies to support your unique journey.

I am a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and my work is focused Eating Disorder Therapy, EMDR Therapy, Prenatal and Postpartum mood disorders, anxiety, depression, and trauma. I have extensive experience in both partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient treatment providing eating disorder therapy, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and co-occurring disorders. I have a unique treatment approach to Binge Eating Disorder Therapy as a recovered person and therapist. I deeply understand the struggles of eating disorder recovery and the complexities of treatment.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hi there! I’m Lisa Chung (she/her), a psychodynamic therapist, nature enthusiast, verbose writer, and sweet treat indulger. I believe feeling deeply understood can have a profound effect on our health, well-being, and ability to be in relationship with ourselves, others, and the world around us. My hope for my patients is that we can co-create something that allows you to discover the parts of yourself yet unknown—the strength, talents, resilience, as well as the fears, doubts and grief that make up the entirety of who you are. In doing so, I can help you to come into loving acceptance of the more ingrained aspects of your personality and work on modifying thought patterns and behaviors that are no longer serving you. I recognize that making the decision to come to therapy is a courageous step, and not always easy. I consider it an honor that you would trust me with walking along side you on your recovery path.

Hi there! I’m Terry, an expressive arts therapist who works with college students and young adults navigating life’s ups and downs. College can bring a lot of change—new independence, academic stress, relationships, and family dynamics—and sometimes it can feel overwhelming. I’m here to help you work through anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, identity exploration, family issues, or tough transitions. I also specialize in supporting students who deal with OCD, emetophobia (fear of vomiting), chronic illness/autoimmune challenges, and family or childhood trauma. In our work together, we might use talk therapy, expressive arts (art, movement, writing, music), EMDR, ERP, mindfulness-based CBT, or psychodynamic therapy—always tailored to what fits best for you. My goal is to give you a safe space to better understand yourself, build compassion, and develop tools to handle whatever life throws your way. If you’d like to see if we’re a good fit, please reach out! I provide superbills you can submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement (check with your plan for details).

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Laurén (she/her, they/them) supports people of all ages experiencing a variety of mental health concerns including eating issues & disorders, depression, anxiety, trauma, and problematic sexual behaviors.. Her therapeutic approach is client-centered, trauma-informed, and strength-based. In her work, she uses modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), family based treatment (FBT), emotion focused therapy (EFT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Laurén believes the therapeutic relationship is essential to fostering change, and attends to this connection throughout treatment. She is gender affirming in all of her care, and personally identifies as queer. Professional Experience Laurén’s clinical experience extends across the lifespan, including children, young adults, adults, couples, and families. Laurén spent ten years working in eating disorder treatment centers and supporting eating disorder clinicians in private practice. She approaches therapy with appreciation for each individual’s innate strengths and a desire to partner with them to support attainment of their goals. As a social worker, she is uniquely trained to view the individual from a systems framework, meaning in treatment she accounts for the impact of being a part of their family, community, institution, etc. Laurén believes all people are doing their best with the tools they have. Laurén has a diverse background of work and life experience outside of clinical practice. She has experience as an eating disorder recovery coach which she weaves into her therapy practice when appropriate. She has also worked as a sex educator, which taught her much about the spectrum of sexual behaviors and identities, gender expression, communication and consent, and sexual challenges. Laurén identifies as queer and Health At Every Size aligned, providing an inclusive safe space for all bodies, foods, genders, relationships, and sexualities. In addition to professional background, her personal life has taught her much about resilience and effective coping in the face of adversity. When Laurén’s not working, she enjoys spending time at the beach, gardening, traveling, listening to live music, thrifting, and spending time with her family and pets. Services Provided Laurén provides therapy to individuals, couples, and families residing in California. Supervised my Theresa Chesnut LCSW

Alfreda is dedicated to providing the evidence-based care that patients deserve, and she desires to establish long-lasting relationships with clients. She is a dual-certified Family and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Currently prioritizing preteen, teen, and couple referrals! I believe that everyone has a story and that you are an expert of your lived experience. I enjoy working with preteens, teens, adults, and couples by helping them navigate the complexities of relational distress, trauma, and anxiety. I use trauma-informed approaches, including narrative therapy, internal family systems therapy (IFS), eye-motor desensitization therapy (EMDR), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), emotion-focused therapy (EFT), Gottman, and exposure response prevention (ERP). Every client that I work with is provided collaborative and trauma-informed therapy, and each session is tailored to their specific preferences. In my work with couples, I use EFT and Gottman interventions to help partners better understand each other, reduce unhelpful cycles, and build skills that support a stronger, more connected relationship. With each of my clients, I prioritize providing safe, compassionate, and collaborative therapy tailored to their needs as there is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. Together, we explore patterns, emotions, and experiences in a way that feels mindful and supportive of your pace. My goal is for you to feel seen, heard, and valued.

Here at Rachel Wakeford Therapy, I realize that no two people are the same, and tailor my therapy to meet your specific needs as an individual. I love helping people understand the things that are holding them back with an in-depth approach. After recognizing underlying problems, clients can fully realize their strengths and adjust certain behaviors and thoughts to see things in a different, healthier way.

We are a group of evidence-based psychologists who specialize in the treatment of stress and anxiety disorders. We work with many students in the bay area who are navigating the stresses of academic life, peer difficulties, relationship stressors, and mood and anxiety management.

Have any of these thoughts ever crossed your mind? I don’t have time to take care of myself the way that I’d like to. I just can't keep up. Setting boundaries is hard. I don’t know what I’m feeling or why. These are normal thoughts for humans to experience. I hear these thoughts often and know how to provide support. I utilize evidence-based approaches including CBT & DBT to support clients in reaching their goals. I help you to develop increased self-awareness and have access to tools that you can use in your relationships, to better manage stress and to improve your overall confidence. I'm so glad that you are taking the time to invest in yourself! I provide a free consultation so you can get to know me and determine if we would be a good fit. If for some reason we are not, I will happily provide you with some more appropriate resources!

I would like to first congratulate you on being here and taking that first step towards improving your health and wellbeing. If you are trying to navigate the physical and mental struggles of day-to-day life, want to learn effective ways to cope and manage symptoms, to practice healthy communication with others, improve your outlook on life and lived experiences or even just want someone to listen to your story in a nonjudgmental space, you have come to the right place. Together, we will work towards identifying what goals you have in order to promote balance and help you live your life!

DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC I AM OFFERING VIDEO SESSIONS. I have worked collaboratively with UCSF medical students, doctors, interns, residents, nurses and dental students for over 20 years in both individual and couples therapy. I understand the milieu that you practice and study in. I am an active and collaborative therapist and strive to build developmentally appropriate interventions to meet the needs of clients throughout the lifecycle. About half my practice is dedicated to couples work and half to individuals assisting in all aspects of communication, sexuality, reproductive challenges, parenting and work/life balance. I have expertise in trauma, mood disorders, anxiety, grief and relational issues. Send an email or call for a free 15 minute consultation.

Hello! I'm Jess, and I'm a psychotherapist. I love supporting people in their journeys of self-discovery. Throughout my life, hardships led me to seek healing in various forms. The insights and skills I gained in my own healing journey enable me to support others. My expertise stem from challenges I've worked through or experiences helping other people. I help people who long for a deeper connection to themselves or others but feel stuck between being true to themselves and being who they "should" be. Sometimes, this means conforming to the norm or hiding a part of yourself. Therapy can be a space to reflect on how things got this way and how to create the life you want. I know from my own path to wholeness, that it can feel overwhelming, isolating, or frustrating. I believe that we all have an inner compass and an innate ability to heal and grow. Sometimes we lose our way, and it's hard to move forward. I can walk along this path with you, and we can explore together what is most important to you and the direction you want to go. If you're feeling like something has to change but don't know where to start, please schedule a free consultation, and we can talk about how I might be helpful to you. I work especially well with students who are: - Grappling with growing up in a different country or culture than their parents - Questioning their gender identity or sexual orientation - Struggling with peer pressure and trying new things - Figuring out who they are and what their values, beliefs, and interests are - Managing complicated relationships or friendships - Highly sensitive people

Viva is a multi-state mental health practice with a focus on holistic treatment. We believe health looks different on everyone and work closely with clients to develop therapy sessions that work for them and their individual needs. We take a social justice and culturally competent approach to therapy and provide inclusive, accessible sessions with affordable fees.