Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA

Hi there! When life gets tough or things get busy, we often we sacrifice our mental health, forgetting that being happy & healthy starts from within. Whether you are experiencing feelings of anxiety, depression, are going through a difficult life transition, or are struggling with some aspect of your life, I primarily use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Solution Focused Therapy, but also use an eclectic approach to create a collaborative and empathetic environment where we focus on your strengths & help support you to reach your goals. My goal is to help you feel validated while giving you tools & coping skills to live a better life & handle the challenges that life throws at you. I create a non-judgmental, safe, trusting environment & personalize my approach to help you reach your goals. I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist in California, that is dedicated to helping you reach your goals & build a healthier life with healthier relationships. If you are located in the state of California, I provide online therapy sessions. I look forward to speaking with you!

I work best with folks are looking to gain new tools to use outside of our session and who are willing to apply these practices to their daily life. I focus on body based (somatic) skill building so you can tune in with yourself and tend to your needs in the moment. I have a wealth of experience in addiction, trauma and eating disorders as well as depression, anxiety or feeling a lack of direction. I have specialized training in supporting women and families in the post partum period as well working with intergenerational trauma. I am value authenticity and warmth in my communication, so at times I may say the thing that is hard to hear, but it is from a place of deep care. I look forward to connecting if this sounds like it may be a fit for you on your healing journey.

Welcome! Congratulations on taking a step towards prioritizing yourself through therapy. College can be an amazing time of freedom, self discovery, and growth. It also can be a time of overwhelming change, questioning, and anxiety. Whatever problems you face, I look forward to connecting with you, understanding you, and helping you towards your goals.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

My name is Sheena Bergeron, LMFT. I specialize in trauma-focused therapy using different modalities including TFCBT, EMDR, and DBT. I have been drawn to working as a therapist and combining the desire to help with working with trauma. I have spent most of my career working with children in the CWS system through trauma-focused work. I am driven to continue this path of healing through seeing the changes that happen over time. I meet clients where they are in their therapeutic journey and will work with them to help reach their goals in a nurturing, but firm manner, challenging thoughts when needed. My therapeutic process includes collaboration with my clients in goal setting and the process of reaching those goals.

I specialize in working with young adults and adults navigating challenges related to addictive processes, substance abuse, relationship and codependency issues, trauma/PTSD, and life transitions. My approach is deeply rooted in guiding you back to yourself — to your innate power and inner radiance. Together, we will explore the external systems and influences that may have caused you to forget your true nature, and uncover the burdens that were never yours to carry. We will also look at how you may have distanced yourself from who you really are. In our sessions, you’ll find a safe, compassionate space to explore your past and unconscious. This process helps you bring the unconscious into awareness, integrating all parts of yourself to create a life of alignment and authenticity. This work not only deepens your self-awareness but enhances your relationships with others. The therapeutic relationship is at the core of our work together. I am here to hold and confront you – while staying consistent and loving – which creates pathways for growth. Over time, you'll carry this connection into your life, building a stronger sense of self. Embracing your wounds with love transforms them, guiding you toward healing and light.

We all experience different struggles at one time or another throughout our life. The transition into or out of college is often filled with a lot of uncertainty and stress. This can be with coursework, friendships, roommates, exploring sexuality and independence. Therapy is a way to assist you in embracing your current situation and moving through, rather than getting stuck or spiraling backward. Life can be complex and challenging, it can require extra support to help move through the struggles we may be experiencing. In our first few sessions I will learn more about your current situation and discuss treatment options I feel you may benefit form and what has worked for you in the past. We will work together from there to develop a plan that you are comfortable with and work together to reach your goals. Taking the first step to reach out and ask for help is often the biggest hurdle. Feel free to reach out for a free 15 minute consultation to see if therapy with me is right for you!

As someone who has experienced mental health both in myself and my loved ones, I feel inspired to provide care that is comforting, compassionate, and free of judgment. I am driven by being a support to those who need it, helping you improve, and guiding you towards fulfillment and your goals. I ensure you feel heard and respected by creating a comfortable environment where, together, we can explore the uncomfortable. I value establishing trust with you and I allow each client to set their own pace while I compassionately move you forward. I practice a talk therapy approach with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, and Acceptance Commitment Therapy influences. I am proud of my ability to establish trust and a strong therapeutic alliance with my clients. I do this by using humor and empowerment while also utilizing a direct approach. I recognize how difficult vulnerability can be so I do my best to create an environment that feels safe and enjoyable. I enter each session without judgment as I want to honor you and your experiences. I prioritize you feeling comfortable while sharing your innermost thoughts so, together, we can put the pieces back together and fortify your mental space.

I honor and respect the opportunity I have to help my clients recognize their worth, build trust in themselves and others, and empower them to be their authentic selves. I strive to create a warm, safe, and nonjudgmental space where you feel heard, seen and truly understood. I use a client centered approach while working to build rapport with clients. I use a mix of ACT, CBT, DBT, Solution focused and MI to assist clients in identifying their values, exploring how their thought and behavioral patterns are serving them, increase their distress tolerance, build mindfulness and relaxation skills to help them meet their goals.

As a proud Latina and former teen mom, I bring both professional expertise and lived experience to the therapeutic space. I’m deeply passionate about mental health and the power of healing through connection, understanding, and culturally sensitive care. I specialize in working with individuals navigating trauma, sexual violence, anxiety, and depression. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in empathy and empowerment. I believe every person deserves to feel heard, safe, and supported especially in their most vulnerable moments. In our work together, I aim to create a space where you can begin to unlearn shame, process pain, and rebuild your sense of self with compassion and strength. Healing is not linear, but you don’t have to go through it alone.

I practice therapy as a genuine partnership—collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in evidence. If anxiety, low mood, exhaustion, relationship challenges, or life changes are weighing on you, we’ll co-create practical, values-aligned goals and build skills you can use right away. I practice therapy as a genuine partnership—collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in evidence. If anxiety, low mood, exhaustion, relationship challenges, or life changes are weighing on you, we’ll co-create practical, values-aligned goals and build skills you can use right away. I am trained in a variety of modalities including Problem Solving Treatment (PST), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), CBT, and Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) among others. I also have many years of experience providing clinical supervision to MSW students and Associate Clinical Social Workers working towards licensure. I strive to foster growth and healing through a deeper understanding of your history, relationships, thoughts, feelings, and actions. I believe in human’s innate ability to heal from difficult experiences. You can expect to get something out of every session when you work with me.

Welcome. I’m Carmen, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in California (Lic. #16818). With over ten years of experience in the mental health field, I specialize in helping adults navigate life’s most challenging transitions. Whether you are healing from trauma, managing symptoms of depression or anxiety, recovering from addiction, or simply seeking a sense of peace in the daily grind, my goal is to support you in your journey towards living your most authentic life.

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.

Hi there! I'm glad you're here. Starting therapy takes a lot of vulnerability, and finding the right fit is vital. With over 11 years of experience in the mental health field, I have supported clients in a variety of settings with a wide range of mental health needs. With experience working in a college counseling center, I am particularly passionate about supporting college and graduate students. I have often worked with students around issues such as identity, life transitions/adjustment, academic stress, international student issues, trauma/PTSD, family/relationship issues, and anxiety. I also specialize in perinatal mental health and military/veterans. I use an eclectic approach, integrating a variety of therapeutic styles to customize the approach to best fit your individual needs. I frequently use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as well as pulling from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and I use an attachment-based approach to manage and understand relationship challenges. I tend to use a more open-ended, processing-based style to help build insight, while also suggesting worksheets or concrete exercises from time to time when they might be helpful. I take a warm, gentle, and non-judgmental approach to create a sense of safety and build trust as we get to know each other, and to encourage your autonomy and help you feel empowered in therapy. I greatly value a client-centered and collaborative approach and want you to be in the driver's seat, and will often ask for feedback about our goals together and what approaches and techniques may or may not resonate with you.

College is a time of tremendous growth, but it can also bring stress, uncertainty, and pressure from many directions. Balancing academics, relationships, family expectations, cultural identity, and planning for the future can feel overwhelming—especially if you're a first-generation, international, or multicultural student trying to navigate different worlds. Therapy offers a space that's truly yours, where you don't have to meet anyone else's expectations or have everything figured out. Together, we'll explore what's weighing on you, gain insight into the patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and develop practical tools to help you manage life's challenges with greater confidence and self-compassion. My goal is to help you reconnect with your authentic self, build resilience, and create a life that feels aligned with your own values rather than the expectations of others.

*Accepting New Clients Throughout CA* You keep finding yourself stuck in the same unhelpful thought loops, behaviors, and relationship patterns that make you feel anxious. You’re tired of overthinking your interactions, worrying about disappointing people, struggling to communicate how you truly feel, or being hard on yourself, and you’re ready for a change. A lot of people come to us after being in unhealthy romantic relationships that made them question their reality and themselves, leading to confusion and self-doubt. Many of the people we support also experienced not feeling loved, heard, or valued by their caregivers throughout childhood and adolescence. These experiences can have a lasting impact on your self-esteem, relationships, and the way you feel about yourself. Therapy can help you heal from trauma that gets stored in the mind and body, so you are no longer defined by your past. You can learn to set healthy boundaries, manage anxiety with confidence, and build secure relationships. It can also help you understand yourself better and shed light on subconscious ways of coping with issues in your life that might not be helpful. Our goal is for you to achieve self-love because you deserve to live life fully. We feel confident that we can work with you to nourish the most important relationship of all, the one with yourself! If you live in California and are ready to take the first step in your healing process, please feel free to reach out. We can set up a free consultation to learn more about what you’re looking for and connect you with a good-fit therapist. You deserve to live a life of fulfillment, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

*Accepting New Clients Online Throughout CA* Figuring out who you are and what you want can feel complicated when you’re surrounded by expectations from the people and world around you. You find yourself overthinking your decisions, putting pressure on yourself to get things right, or worrying about disappointing those closest to you. You may find yourself doomscrolling to disconnect, comparing yourself to others, losing sleep, or taking your stress out on people you care about. Or perhaps painful experiences from childhood or in relationships have left you questioning yourself, feeling anxious, or struggling with the belief that you’re not good enough. In our work together, I provide a space away from all the outside noise where you can slow down to better understand yourself and what you need. We can explore how your environment, past experiences, relationships, and social settings have shaped the way you feel about yourself, the decisions you make, and how you show up in relationships today. Together, we can work through past painful experiences and heal the unhelpful relationship patterns that stem from them. We can build healthier relationships and develop greater clarity about who you are and what you want, so you can move through life with more confidence and self-compassion. Starting therapy can feel vulnerable, especially when you’re used to figuring things out on your own. You don’t have to have everything figured out or know exactly what to say. We’ll build trust over time, take things at your pace, and you’ll never be pushed to share something you’re not ready for. I’d be honored to support you and look forward to connecting with you. Experience: Rhea (pronounced: ree-uh) Chowdhary was born in the Bay Area and grew up in Ohio. She attended Ohio State University and earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She later returned to California, where she earned her Master of Science in Counseling with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy from CSU, Fullerton. Throughout her clinical experience, Rhea has worked with adolescents and adults navigating family conflict, relational trauma, attachment wounds, emotional neglect, and the ways these experiences can impact self-esteem, emotional regulation, and relationships. Her approach is trauma-informed and person-centered, with an emphasis on creating a safe, trusting, and supportive relationship where clients can feel comfortable exploring their experiences and working toward meaningful change. More Than Just My Work In my free time, I enjoy baking sweet treats, taking dance classes, watching TV shows/movies, going to concerts, and doing yoga. Fun fact: I’m really into football, and I’m a fan of the San Francisco 49ers.

Hello. For more information about me, please go to my website, www.robertmft.com. I am a CERTIFIED EMDR TRAUMA THERAPIST. As of January 1, 2026 I am currently accepting new clients for weekly VIRTUAL psychotherapy. I am accepting UNITED HEALTHCARE/OPTUM/ANTHEM plans only or private pay clients. I do offer a sliding scale for students. Thank you. Robert Norgaard LMFT www.robertmft.com

Do you experience stress, worry, or panic? Does anxiety interfere with your pursuit of personal and academic/professional goals? I can help you overcome your fears and help you live a more meaningful and fulfilling life. My goal is to provide a compassionate environment in which my clients can learn strategies to attain greater life satisfaction and well-being. My areas of expertise include Anxiety Disorders (generalized anxiety and worry, social anxiety, panic disorder, agoraphobia, and specific phobias), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors (compulsive hair pulling and skin picking). I also support parents who are experiencing anxiety or OCD during the perinatal period. I will collaborate with you to develop a treatment approach that meets your needs. Through evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), we'll work together to reduce your distress, build healthy coping skills, and restore a sense of balance in your life.

There is always HOPE! When you walk out of my office my hope is that you leave with tangible skills, suggestions and a plan to try in real life. While the therapy session is a time of opening up and finding some answers, the real work is done out side of your sessions! My aim is that you walk out feeling supported, equipped and hopeful that change is possible. I never want people to feel stuck in therapy either, my goal is to work with you until you feel ready to tackle life on your own, I feel it's my job to work myself out of a job :) I always remain available after we've completed therapy for check in's or for email exchanges, but I want you to start therapy with the end goal in mind!!!! Please reach out to discuss your particular needs.