Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA

We work with adults throughout California via telehealth. If you’re experiencing things like anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, grief, life transitions, or chronic stress, we may be a good fit. If you’re not sure, reach out anyway — we can talk through it during the intake call.

I am passionate about healing and deeply committed to helping you cultivate a sense of inner freedom, safety, wholeness, and connection with yourself. I view challenging emotions and experiences as powerful portals for self-exploration, healing, and growth and it’s my joy and privilege to help you navigate them. I bring warmth, curiosity, openness, compassion, and deep trust to my work with clients. Through thoughtful inquiry, consistent engagement, and a focus on your needs, I strive to cultivate a safe and supportive environment where true growth and self-discovery can flourish. I welcome all of you into the session including parts that hurt or can be hard to be with alone and really work to support you in navigating these parts in a non-judgmental and compassionate way. I see therapy as a collaborative journey, where we work together to craft a plan with strategies to help you meet your goals and navigate the complex territory of being human. I believe in the transformative power of therapy, not just for the individual, but also for the relationships and communities we touch and show up for differently by choosing to heal and grow. I’m a big believer in making space for joy, connection, and beauty in our lives as ways to resource ourselves. I find this a lot in nature and am an avid hiker and lover of national parks.

Hi, and welcome — I’m really glad you’re here. Seeking therapy can feel overwhelming, especially when you or your relationship are carrying the weight of anxiety, trauma, disconnection, identity questions, or cultural pressures that are hard to name. I work with young adults and couples navigating emotional and relational challenges — including trauma, identity development, communication struggles, family conflict, neurodiversity, and learning disabilities. Whether you’re adjusting to college, career transitions, independence, or partnership changes, we’ll focus on building clarity, confidence, and steadier coping skills. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based practices such as CBT, Narrative Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, ACT, DBT, and EMDR. I tailor each session to meet you where you are, helping you build awareness, resilience, and stronger, more secure connections. I bring deep respect for the cultural identities, values, and lived experiences that shape each person and relationship. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe, understood, and supported — where therapy isn’t just about symptom relief, but about fostering authenticity, self-trust, and growth. This is your journey, and you don’t have to walk it alone.

If you need help navigating your emotional experiences and building emotional resiliency around your responses to stress, trauma, anxiety, and relationships, then you’re in the right place. In my sessions, we clarify thought processes, analyze your body's responses to triggers and work towards confronting difficult emotional experiences that may be negatively affecting your life. I specialize in working with college students, young professionals, graduate students, adults, and couples, and have experience working with panic disorder, anxiety, depression, PTSD, grief, and more. I specialize in EFT and work from a process-oriented Attachment-Based framework to help people understand their behaviors, emotions, and ways of relating.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hi, I’m Ali! I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) based in Fresno, California, and working with clients statewide via telehealth. I provide individual therapy to adults (ages 18+) who struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, or grief. I also provide couples therapy for those seeking assistance with relational or attachment based issues. I love my job because I get to support individuals in learning to live a more genuine and fulfilling life while also helping couples have more satisfying relationships with one another. I truly believe that nothing else could be this rewarding! The path to healing can be a difficult one, but you are not alone. If given the opportunity, I would be honored to be a part of your healing journey!

Do you think about what kind of person you'd like to be, but feel uncertain, nervous, lost, or overwhelmed about how to make the change? College is an exciting time to explore your identity, learn how to build meaningful relationships, and to find a purposeful career. If you're hoping to feel more confident in who you are, feel more certain about your direction in life and live up to your potential, you've come to the right place. Dr. Grace specializes in asking these "big questions" in life. She marries the wisdom of Buddhist practices with the science of psychology to deepen clients' self-awareness and exploration, and uses a multiculturally sensitive lens to identify how our environments may have shaped our beliefs, motivations, and behaviours. Clients often say that sessions with Dr. Grace feel productive, with a balance between insight and action. Her presence is calming and non-judgmental, encouraging clients to maximize their growth. She is a MSU alumni, having previously worked at CAPS, and offers fully virtual services in both English and Mandarin. Evening hours available.

Hi, please call me Simone. I'm glad you're here! Is your family or culture unsupportive of therapy? Do you expect yourself to handle everything on your own? Or do you fear what therapy can uncover? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions and are ready to do the work, then you are at the right place. I believe that seeking therapy is not a sign of weakness, but a courageous step toward growth. I combine person-centered therapy with cognitive behavioral techniques to help clients navigate issues of diversity, identity, intimate partner violence, and racial trauma. As a queer woman and BIPOC clinician, I recognize the profound impact that our identities have on our experiences and patterns in life. Thus, I approach therapy through an intersectional lens, paying close attention to the unique components of your identity—including ethnicity, age, gender, ability, sexual orientation, acculturation status, spiritual affiliation, and socioeconomic status. I was a client long before I became a therapist, so I understand how intimidating and vulnerable therapy can be. Know that if you feel overwhelmed, you don’t have to face life's obstacles alone. We will collaborate to find a path to wellness. I will be your biggest cheerleader and unconditionally supportive, but I will also gently challenge you, encouraging growth and healing. Change will not come overnight, nor is it linear. I'm here to provide a welcoming, safe, and compassionate space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings openly. Reach out, and together we can create a path toward healing, self-discovery, and an ultimately more fulfilling life!

I'm Brooke Sundin, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and the owner of Light Minds Child and Family Therapy, a private practice based in Brentwood, Los Angeles. I work with college students and young adults adjusting to new responsibilities and the growing pressures of adulthood. The clients I work with are often dealing with anxiety, OCD, depression, self-esteem struggles, and the life transitions that come with this stage: starting or finishing college, moving to a new city, figuring out relationships, choosing a path, or grieving the version of life you thought you'd have by now. Some of what we work on is symptom-focused. A lot of it is bigger than that, like building a clearer sense of who you are and what you actually want. My approach is collaborative, interactive, and warm. Therapy can be a vulnerable space to step into, and I'm here to cheer you on along the way. I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all model, so I adjust my approach based on what you actually need. I draw on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and mindfulness. I'm also certified in SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) through the Yale Child Study Center, which I use when parents want to be part of the support system. I'm licensed in California, Florida, Utah, and Tennessee, and I see all clients via secure telehealth, which tends to work well for college students juggling class schedules, internships, and a life that doesn't sit still. Reaching out for support is one of the hardest steps, so thank you for considering me. If it seems like we could be a good fit, I'd be honored to learn more about your story and welcome you to the Light Minds family.

What inspires me to work in the field of mental health care is the incredible resilience and potential I have witnessed in clients over the years. With over 10 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how people can grow, adapt, and persevere through challenges. It’s truly motivating to witness the transformative power of therapy, as it serves as the spark or stepping stone that helps individuals create lasting change in their lives. I am inspired by the strength we all possess as human beings and the opportunity to be part of that transformative process, guiding clients toward a better future. To ensure that clients feel heard and understood in sessions, I focus on creating a safe and trusting environment where they can express themselves freely. I approach each session with cultural humility, recognizing that my norms and experiences may not align with those of the client. By leading with curiosity and empathy, I aim to foster a space where clients feel valued and understood. Additionally, I take a client-centered and trauma-informed approach, prioritizing the individual’s unique needs and experiences. I build trust and a strong therapeutic alliance by working collaboratively with clients to process difficult experiences. Together, we identify core beliefs and unhelpful thinking patterns that may be limiting their growth. By helping clients break free from these outdated beliefs and patterns, I create a space of support and empowerment, allowing them to move forward in a healthier, more constructive way. This collaborative approach fosters trust and a sense of partnership in the therapeutic process.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

We all need a space where we can safely explore life’s many stressors, what feels heavy, experiences with anxiety, overwhelm, trauma, loss, relationship challenges, depression, neurodiversity. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I recognize everyone deserves a safe, supportive space where they can show up as their genuine self to process and sort through internal conflicts, battles, life’s challenges. I see therapy as a trusting partnership rooted in curiosity and safety, where we focus on strengthening your mental health and building on the strengths you already have. Therapy is a safe place to gently process what feels heavy, make sense of your lived experiences, and strengthen your overall mental health and well-being. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and guided by your goals, your pace and felt safety in sessions, and your lived experiences. I provide affirming, culturally responsive care for LGBTQI+ and BIPOC communities, as well as individuals across all life stages and backgrounds.​ I find daily morning and evening routines are incredibly helpful to maintaining my personal wellbeing and daily lived experiences. When I find myself struggling with life’s challenges, I turn to outlets such as nature, walks, music, writing to process, simple self care acts, spending time with those I love and care for, and snuggles with my pet.

Dr. Amanda Perry is a licensed psychologist with over ten years of experience, integrating various evidence-based therapeutic approaches, such as trauma-informed models like Internal Family Systems (IFS), cognitive-behavioral (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT). She provides individual, family therapy, parent training, and couples therapy. It takes an incredible amount of courage to admit our own insecurities and difficulties. To seek help through therapy requires even more determination and strength. Therefore, I strive to create a safe and non-judgmental environment and work together collaboratively to achieve your mental health goals. My clinical training and personal experience as a first-generation immigrant have made me mindful of the numerous risk factors unique to ethnic minorities and recognize the importance of providing culturally-sensitive care. I also specialize in treatment for those who struggle with both psychological and medical illnesses.

**Welcoming New Clients in CA and TX** Adulting is already hard enough; throw in infertility, postpartum depression/anxiety, pregnancy following loss (heIlo, anxiety!), loss/grief, trauma, relationship/communication issues and family conflict and now you've got discomfort, unpleasant feelings, disconnection and stress. While we may not be able to change all of the obstacles in your life, we can definitely work together to adjust expectations, reinforce coping skills, strengthen resilience, improve communication skills, set boundaries and elicit clarity and direction. We work collaboratively to support clients (after all, you are the expert on your own life) to utilize the strengths you already possess, identify obstacles and challenge unhelpful thoughts or patterns. We specialize in pregnancy following loss, infertility, miscarriage/infant loss, bereavement, trauma, anxiety, depression, family conflict, relational issues. Change is so hard! It can be overwhelming to consider what life would feel like without distress and uneasiness. However, you are more courageous than you give yourself credit for- you've made it this far, after all! Together, we can have candid conversation about your feelings and concerns and support your shift toward clarity, balance and stability.

I see adults, adolescents, and couples experiencing high levels of stress, interpersonal conflict, difficult family dynamics, and chronic pain or illness. In treatment, I attune to the ways culture, attachment, and trauma influence a person's life. I often work with people who feel "different" and who have experienced deep feelings of otherness. I aim to create a safe space that invites curiosity and creativity, where talking about emotionally-painful topics doesn't feel so unbearable. If you'd like to explore the possibility of working together, please contact me to schedule a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation.

The world is in upheaval but I believe in the common thread of humanity and I think acknowledging the agency we have over our own lives is one of the most important tasks we all share right now which we often need help with. Most of us have found ourselves vulnerable to the anguish of uncertainty in our lives, and it is my privilege as a therapist to help others work on living more directed, conscious & meaningful lives. My role as a therapist is to facilitate a safe space that embraces vulnerability and is accountable, honest, and authentic. I encourage feedback while embracing a non-judgmental approach, and believe in the power of the therapeutic alliance to affect deep and abiding change. My intention is to humbly hold a safe space for my clients and to utilize the skills, education, and training I have to offer them alternative ways of assessing, defining, and managing the various challenges in their lives. I believe in the lived experiences of my clients and make an effort to build trust in open and non-intrusive ways. I am a proponent of seeking self-regulation through nature and enjoy spending time outside to find balance in my daily life. This aligns with my therapeutic approach, which recognizes the profound impact of the environment on mental well-being and utilizes grounding techniques inspired by the natural world to help reduce stress, depression, and anxiety.

Feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of who you really are? College can be exciting—but it can also feel like too much. Maybe you’ve always been the one who holds it all together, gets straight A’s, and never lets anyone see you struggle. But now, you're anxious all the time, you're exhausted from trying to be “on” 24/7, and even small things feel like a big deal. You might feel pressure to meet expectations—yours or your family’s—and you’re starting to wonder if any of it really feels like you. Maybe you feel like you’re constantly performing. Like you can’t ever fully relax. Or maybe you’re starting to ask big questions about your identity, your future, your values—and it’s scary to realize you don’t have all the answers yet. You don’t have to figure it out alone. I work with college students who are high achievers, perfectionists, and deep thinkers—especially those who are struggling with anxiety, depression, people-pleasing, burnout, or questions around identity and family dynamics. In therapy, you can slow down, breathe, and start untangling the pressure from what you really want. We’ll work together to help you feel more grounded, more like yourself, and more in control of your life. Sessions are confidential, affirming, and tailored to who you are—not who others expect you to be. I provide inclusive and affirming care and create a space where you don’t have to explain or defend your experiences. Online sessions available for students in CA & WA. In-person sessions available in Santa Monica, CA. If this sounds like what you need, reach out. Things can be different—and therapy is a good place to start.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who provides support for individuals and families. Throughout my career, I have supported individuals experiencing a wide range of emotional challenges. I specialize in working with anxiety, depression, identity, relationship issues, self-esteem issues, stress management, trauma, and life transitions. I am passionate about creating a collaborative relationship to support and empower people to achieve their goals and strengthen their innate resilience. I understand the importance of creating a space where you feel safe and heard. My style is interactive, experiential, and adaptable; guided by the following post graduate trainings/certifications: ACT, EMDR, and motivational interviewing. I work collaboratively with you and support you in finding a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you. You’ll be met with warmth and curiosity. I intend to get to know you - your story, your hopes, your needs, and your goals. It takes courage to seek therapy, and I look forward to supporting you.

Feeling scared, overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of who you are? Not sure who you are, how you fit in to this confusing world, or how you'll survive get these weird times? You’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. As a therapist, I specialize in supporting LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent folks. I help with navigating a neurotypical world, identity exploration, complex trauma (CPTSD), life transitions, & more. Whether you're untangling childhood wounds, exploring your identity, or the feeling that the world that wasn’t built with you in mind, therapy can be a space to slow down, take a breath, and begin healing. As a relational therapist, I care a lot about the connection between us. Think "bestie on FaceTime" - but with real clinical training to help you! I'm person centered, which means you're the boss! I use a feminist approach because your identities matters. I'm direct (but kind!), which means I'll give you my opinion or a gentle nudge when appropriate too! I also incorporate parts work and feminist therapy into my work and enjoy using play (even with adults!). No matter where you are with your mental health, I'm ready to offer you a helping hand and listening ear. Healing and growing are ongoing journeys, I'd love to walk along side you through yours. Let's connect!

I became a therapist because I deeply believe in the power of healing, growth and change. Through my own experiences, I have come to understand the value and profound impact that compassionate support and a safe, nonjudgmental space can have on someone’s well-being. I knew I wanted to provide that for others—whether it’s through offering guidance, a listening ear, or the tools needed to overcome difficult moments. My approach to therapy is rooted in deep empathy, active listening, and respect for your unique experience. I am here to truly hear you—without judgment, without rushing to solutions. I believe in meeting you where you are, and I will always create a safe, open space where you feel comfortable expressing your thoughts and feelings. At the same time, part of feeling truly understood sometimes means gently challenging patterns or thoughts that may not be serving you or guiding you to the life you want to live. It’s my belief that this balance of listening deeply and challenging constructively is key to creating lasting change. Working together will be a collaborative partnership. I will be here to offer support and understanding, but also challenge you in ways that help you move forward. It’s a journey of mutual respect, trust, and deep care, and I’m committed to patiently walking alongside you through every step.