Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA

Hello, my name is Lauren and I am a therapist working in private practice in Saratoga. My style is warm, supportive, and collaborative. I have a relational focus and I value how attachment influences each individual and the process of therapy. My clients seek to change what is difficult and what isn’t working in their life. Many struggle with the impacts of trauma interfering with their day to day life. Others may struggle with feeling stuck or emotionally overwhelmed. They may be experiencing a challenging dynamic in their relationships or a lack of connectedness to others. My clients are looking to transform their life, achieve personal growth, and to heal. It takes courage to recognize each of our own unique needs and struggles, and I admire the strength it takes to reach out for support and help. I believe that all individuals have the ability to change, and that personal growth is possible for everyone. If you are ready to take the first step toward your path of healing, please contact me. I am currently offering in person services on Wednesdays.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I believe that we are shaped, known, and grow in relationships. Therapy can help you better understand your thoughts, feelings, and experiences — and find greater freedom, vitality, and meaningful connections with yourself and others. With curiosity and openness, I work to create a supportive and collaborative environment. We will work together to make sense of who you are as a person, including the experiences that shape how you relate to yourself and to the world. We can address your present day concerns, and explore how early life experiences impact current circumstances.

Many young adults—especially first-generation individuals—carry a quiet mix of anxiety, pressure, and unresolved family wounds. You might be navigating cultural expectations, managing everyone’s needs, or trying to break patterns that have been passed down for generations. If you feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure how to move forward, you’re not alone. I integrate Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavior Therapy CBT, attachment-focused work, and culturally affirming practices. As a first-gen, bilingual therapist myself, I understand the pressure of holding multiple worlds at once. My approach is grounded in cultural nuance, deep compassion, and a commitment to creating a space where you don’t have to translate your experience—you can simply be you.

My clinical approach is multi-disciplinary and rooted in psychodynamic theory, attachment theory, and humanistic psychology. I also have a background in integrative health and wellness, which can contribute to a more in-depth perspective on treatment. In addition, my work is relational and informed by the belief and the research that the essence of therapy is the relationship between the client and the therapist. It is this relationship that can encourage true and thorough transformation. My style is genuine, collaborative, interpersonal, direct, and non-judgemental, and I encourage clients to be true to themselves and transparent. Although treatment is based on an individual's needs and goals, primary objectives in treatment are to help clients (re)connect to their confidence and curiosity and to reinforce their capacity and resiliency.

What is it you need the most, in order to feel more satisfied with your life, to grow as a person, to grow closer to others, or to feel less anxious or depressed? We cannot always see ourselves clearly from the inside looking out. It can be very helpful to work with a professional therapist with specialized skill and training to discover, work through, and resolve complex experiences we carry with us that can negatively impact our life in ways that are difficult to comprehend on our own.

I offer straightforward help with anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. It starts by developing a holistic understanding of your situation and history. With that shared perspective, we'll work together to find the best way to resolve your current challenges. Our work together may involve finding a kinder way of relating to yourself and more effective ways of connecting with others and getting their support. If it requires developing new skills, I offer help through mindfulness, breathing practices, biofeedback, relaxation, and thought management. I'm confident that by learning to think and act differently, and addressing obstacles to change, you will gain more control over your life and start feeling better.

Dealing with challenges in life is never easy; nor is deciding to seek professional support with a therapist. As a therapist, I strive to provide a safe and supportive space for you to heal and grow. I am looking forward to working with you together to increase awareness, explore your strengths/identities, and develop new ways to live your life. Witnessing my clients to better connect to themselves, their loved ones, and grow new potential is the most fulfilling part of my work. My approach is integrative, strength-based with an emphasis on psychodynamic, relational, and Jungian psychology principles. Before moving to the US, I worked at National Taiwan University Hospital as a licensed clinical psychologist and a supervisor. My experience of transitioning between and practicing in different countries deepened my passion working with international students, immigrants, children of immigrants, and Asian Americans in multicultural and feminist perspectives. I provide individual therapy in English and Mandarin. I completed pre-doctoral internship at California Pacific Medical Center and postdoctoral residency at Kaiser Permanente, Santa Clara. I specialize in helping preteens(9-12)/teens, adults, and parents on a range of multicultural issues. Let's connect and see if we are a good fit!

Hello, I’m Tessa! I believe that everyone's stories should be heard, their experiences valued, and their strengths recognized. My goal is to create a space where my clients feels safe, understood, and trusted. As a biracial Latinx cisgender woman from a large blended family, my own background influences my approach to therapy. I’ve had the privilege of working with students, parents and families from diverse backgrounds in private practice, community mental health, and school settings. Together, we can navigate challenges related to relationships, family dynamics, life transitions, trauma, loss, identity work, anxiety and depression. Our therapeutic relationship may sometimes look like laughter and smiles, and other times look like facing difficult feelings, delving into your beliefs shaped by cultural and relationships, while honoring your strengths and values that make you, YOU! As your ally and collaborator, I will meet you with compassion, acceptance and empowerment, wherever you are in your journey. We will work together to closely connect you to your goals and preferred sense of self. If you’re interested in working together, please feel free to reach out.

I specialize in sex therapy, which means that I enjoy working with individuals and couples (or people in poly relationships) who may be struggling with any sex-related issues. The types of issues that people tend to see me for include sexual dysfunctions (like problems with orgasm, erection, or sexual pain), intimate relationship concerns, sexual orientation or gender identity, and sexual trauma. I also see folks who are dealing with other issues, such as anxiety or depression. Some of the people I work with have a very specific goal for treatment, while others need more ongoing treatment for deeper, more lifelong concerns. A lot of people struggle with some aspect of their sexuality, but they may find it difficult to talk about their problems, fears, or concerns with anyone. I am very open to hearing whatever is going on in your life and I'm not afraid to talk about sex. As a sex therapist, I know a lot about sex and sexuality and I can use this knowledge to help! It can be really difficult reaching out for the first time, so it's great that you're already looking for professional support with whatever is bothering you in your life. Please reach out to me if you think that we might be a good fit in working together - I am here to hep whenever you're ready!

I meet with individuals one on one to process and work through life's challenges. Whether you have anxiety, depression, trauma, suffer from perfectionism, or have an addiction- it can be helpful to have someone in your corner collaborating with you on your goals. I specialize in trauma therapy and utilize the mind/body connection in my healing practice. My hope is that a safe container is created in our work together. That you can lean into the therapeutic process and explore all aspects of yourself. I am here to be with you and support your unique journey. Overall, I want to be beside you, assisting you in personal empowerment and well-being. Here are some of the issues that clients who come to see me struggle with: -Self esteem issues -Perfectionism -Feeling as if you don't know who you are or what you want/need -Nervousness or anxiety -Not feeling connected to others or the world -Feeling overwhelming sad, depressed, or lost -Experiencing loss and not knowing how to cope -Feeling fear after being assaulted and not wanting to go out in public -Having nightmares -Feeling disconnected from others or the world

I work with adults, college students, and young professionals who are experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, mood changes, or the effects of past traumas. I take a collaborative approach that may include medication management, lifestyle adjustments, or mindfulness-based practices. My goal is to help you feel understood and empowered as we work together to identify what is most effective for you. Our practice also offers a range of therapy and counseling services. When helpful, I’m glad to connect you with a skilled therapist so psychotherapy can be thoughtfully integrated into your care. If you have questions about a specific concern, don't hesitate to reach out.

Whether you're starting college, moving to a new city, exploring career paths, or navigating relationships, this chapter is filled with major transitions. It's a time of asking big questions—about identity, belonging, purpose, and connection. And while this growth can be exciting, it often comes with anxiety, self-doubt, loneliness, or feeling lost along the way. Maybe You’re: -Feeling anxious, unmotivated, or unsure of what you want -Constantly comparing yourself to others and struggling with self-worth -Feeling disconnected from friends, unsure about your relationship, or lonely in a new city -Confused about career direction or struggling to make major life decisions -Navigating identity, sexuality, or finding your place -Afraid of making the wrong choice or not living up to expectations -Dealing with difficult family dynamics or crises -Overwhelmed by the state of the world and unsure how to move forward with purpose My approach is relational, trauma-informed, and non-pathologizing. That means I believe that what you’re experiencing isn’t a personal failing—it’s a natural reaction to the larger systems you’re living within. Together, we’ll unravel where your patterns come from, the ways they’ve protected you, and how you can begin to explore new ways of being. We might: -Get curious about your beliefs around success, identity, and self-worth -Explore how family or cultural expectations have shaped you -Understand the relationship between mind and body -Work through shame, fear, or grief that keeps you stuck -Identify your values and true desires, regardless of external pressures or expectations -Begin to take notice of the patterns that are no longer serving you Whether you’re starting college, building a career, or simply trying to figure out your next -step, you don’t have to do it alone.

Are you experiencing anxiety, overwhelm, meltdowns, shutdowns, “stuckness”, or dissociation? Are you grappling with personal, relational, work/study, social anxiety, or existential stress? Have you been masking for a really long time and now ready to uncover/explore/embrace who you really are? I believe in the power of an authentic therapeutic relationship; I show up as a real person with the tools and experience to work with you on cultivating the life you want to live. I embrace the opportunity to work with out-of-the-box thinkers and processors, neurodivergent or highly sensitive individuals, LGBTQIA+ folx, and creatives (or creative curious) of all kinds. We work with sensory sensitivities, nervous system regulation, improving relationships with ourselves and others, and improving symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma, overwhelm, dissociation and fatigue, and honoring self expression. My therapy practice is grounded in integrative Somatic Psychotherapy, Multicultural Attachment-Based and Systemic therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and expressive arts. In our sessions, we can use evidence-based techniques with a holistic body-mind focus, as well as creative tools and expression, depending on what resonates in our work together.

Theresa Chesnut specializes in the treatment of Eating Disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), issues surrounding athletic performance and anxiety as well as conflicts arising within the family, particularly those pertaining to adolescent growth. Her therapeutic orientation is holistic, strength-based, and grounded in both psychodynamic and Internal Family Systems (IFS) theories. Professional Experience Theresa has worked with adolescents and adults for over 30 years, managing her clients’ challenges with anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorders. Previous to her having formed her own private group practice, she held the position of Clinical Director at The Healthy Teen Project (HTP), an adolescent, eating disorder-specific outpatient clinic. Before her activities HTP, Theresa held many roles over her 13-year stint at a national eating disorder residential treatment center, including Program Director, Lead Individual and Group Therapist, Program Director, Director of Regional Marketing, and supervising master level interns. She was also instrumental in a founder-like role, starting new programs, training new staff, overseeing operations, creating policies and procedures for programs, and expanding existing practices into new geographic locations. Theresa lectures locally and nationally, both in person and virtually, on therapeutic interventions targeting the entire eating disorder recovery process. Over the last 3 decades, Theresa has lectured on college campuses to student counseling staff, coaching staff students and sororities as well as to allied professionals covering the state of the art of symptom identification and eating disorder prevention, therapeutic interventions. Most recently, she has been trained in Family Based Therapy (FBT), Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), and is a certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist and a Level One Trainer. Theresa served as a Board member of the national Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA) from 2009-2017 and held board positions as the Secretary, Vice-Chair, and Chair. Additionally, she sat on several committees including the Conference Committee and Weight Stigma Awareness Week.

We all come into therapy for our own reasons. Whatever may have brought you into the room, you will find a compassion based space for growth, self discovery and inner work. Therapy is a collaborative act, where we can explore both who you are and why. I utilize a non-oppressive and non-judgmental approach. I see the therapeutic relationship as a microcosm of your relationships in other areas. We will discuss the therapeutic relationship, examine rupture, and identify patterns in the therapeutic space. I am engaging, intuitive and open to discuss the latest episode of Love is Blind or True Detective.

My name is Dr. Aparna Atluru, and I am a Stanford trained psychiatrist, am on faculty at UCSF, and specialize in seeing young adults (18-35). I further subspecialize in treating young up and comers in high stress roles: graduate &professional students, residents/physicians and start-up founders/tech employees. I am many things professionally: academic physician, double boarded psychiatrist, skilled psychotherapist, and Harvard MBA. Given my diverse educational, training, and teaching experiences, I am able to understand high achieving young adults from a unique perspective. I feel I am the best fit for young adults who are multi-dimensional, high achieving, and are motivated to make a change. I have a very limited private practice, and only take on patients who are interested in working on their whole self from a mental health perspective. I provide both psychotherapy and medication management (if needed). As a double boarded physician specializing in psychiatry, I have extensive training in both pediatric and adult psychopharmacology. From a psychotherapy perspective, I am trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), psychodynamic psychotherapy and existential psychotherapy. On the personal side, I am originally from Texas, am Indian- American, and enjoy being outdoors, writing fiction and sipping on a good boba tea. My patients tell me I have a witty sense of humor, so if you can handle that, please reach out and lets see if we can work together!

Individual Work: Individual work is core to my practice. I work with adults and adolescents. Together we can explore whatever you feel to be disturbing your experience of life, particularly depression, anxiety, grief, loneliness, spiritual and creative blocks, illness, childhood abuse, trauma or issues related to sexuality, gender expression, and intimacy. Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy: I have extensive training in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, and am a Journey Clinical KAP provider. In addition to traditional psychotherapy, I offer a therapeutic modality called KAP: the use of ketamine as a compliment to psychotherapy. I deliver KAP in my practice in partnership with an organization called Journey Clinical, which has a specialized medical team that determines eligibility for KAP, prescribes ketamine lozenges where appropriate, and supports me in monitoring outcomes. If you are interested in exploring KAP, please contact me to discuss eligibility and next steps. Areas of Specialty Depression, Sadness, Loneliness and Grief Anxiety Career and Life Transitions Men's Issues Business Partner Struggles Sexuality, Intimacy and Relationship Concerns LGBT, Kink and Queer Community Issues Spiritual Exploration Shame HIV and AIDS Compulsive Behaviors Adult Children of Alcoholics End of Life Issues Integration of psychedelic experiences

I am a licensed clinical psychologist more than 20 years of experience with providing individual therapy and psychoeducational, neuropsychological and psychodiagnostic assessment services. I treat adolescents and adults who present with various struggles from normal life issues, stress, transitions, and relationship difficulties to more serious conditions and psychological problems. Some of the conditions and struggles which I treat include depression, anxiety, attention deficit, academic problems, transition/stage of life issues, interpersonal problems, professional struggles, and adjustment problems. I provide neuropsychological and psychodiagnostic assessment services with children, adolescents and adults. I have worked in a number of different clinical settings, providing brief and long-term individual therapy, crisis intervention, and supervision as well as neuropsychological assessment, cognitive functioning screening and psycho-diagnostic assessment. Individual Psychotherapy: I believe in a collaborative approach to therapy and consider the unique qualities and presenting situations of each individual within a larger context. I take an integrative approach to my work with clients, utilizing various principles and strategies that are associated with evidence-based therapy including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This may include mindfulness-based techniques, as well as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) techniques. I match my approach to each individual while providing a safe and supportive environment. I provide practical, direct, and useful strategies in a compassionate manner. I ask for feedback from patients and gather data in order to ensure that you are continually making progress while we are working together. I truly enjoy helping people make improvements to their daily life by assisting them develop strategies to manage their struggles. When we meet for individual psychotherapy, we will work together to develop the best treatment plan for you in therapy with the goal in mind to be able to reduce the frequency of sessions as your symptoms improve. We will use brief assessment measures on a weekly basis in order to monitor our progress working together and we will continually adjust our agenda as needed to meet your needs. Assessment Services: You may be seeking an assessment in order to explain and/or better understand your, or your child/adolescents’ difficulties, provide diagnostic clarification, obtain recommendations for appropriate interventions, receive reasonable and appropriate academic and/or professional accommodations, and to learn practical ways to help you/your child/loved ones function better in daily life. A referring professional, such as a mental health clinician, physician/pediatrician, or learning specialist, may be recommending that you obtain this evaluation. An assessment involves an in-depth clinical interview, school observation (when warranted), collateral contacts, review of records, administration of standardized tests, a comprehensive report, a detailed feedback session, as well as additional feedback to referring providers as needed. When working with an individual while conducting an assessment, I am working with you and collaborating with others (teachers, co-workers, tutors, mental heath providers, medical providers, loved ones, etc.) who know you well, in order to obtain as much information as possible. I then incorporate this knowledge with my expertise in interpreting the test data produced from our in-depth evaluation. This allows me to arrive at appropriate diagnoses, when warranted, and also to provide you with detailed recommendations as to how you may work to improve any areas of weakness. Recommendations for academic or professional accommodations are provided when warranted. Our main goal during the assessment process id to gain a clear and thorough understanding of your or your loved one’s strengths and limitations so that I may provide recommendation as how to improve quality of life.

I understand that asking for help may not come easy and may be a difficult process. Taking that first step is one of many ways I believe can improve your quality of life. I am here to join you on your journey for growth, compassion, and self-love. We will work as a team in achieving your goals and aspirations to improve your life functioning.