Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA

I love working with young adults. Life inevitably brings challenges and difficult times. Deciding to begin therapy is a sign of strength, but it can also feel intimidating. My style is warm, supportive, and interactive. We will work together to help you build a life that is meaningful, healthy and balanced no matter what challenges you may face in your personal life or in your relationships. Please reach out via phone, text or email. My favorite session is the first session, when I get to meet you!

Hi, I am Reina Baez, a bilingual (English /Spanish) licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and I believe that healing happens in connection—with ourselves, with others, and with the narratives we carry. I am licensed in California, Georgia, and Missouri. My work is rooted in empathy, curiosity, and the belief that change is always possible, even when we feel stuck or without hope. It is my job to hold onto hope until you can feel hope for yourself. I work with individuals and couples, specializing in ADHD, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, trauma, and the parts of life that feel messy or overwhelming. My goal is to create a space where you can heal and create new, empowering narratives for your future. Therapy is a brave step and lasting change is possible.

Greetings and welcome to my professional profile. I am committed to providing exceptional care with a focus on individual needs. My medical career has spanned the challenging environment of acute psychiatric care to the compassionate realm of family health services. As a Nurse Practitioner, my approach involves a comprehensive understanding of your health. I meticulously compile your medical history and conduct thorough examinations to ensure we address all aspects of your well-being. Interpreting laboratory tests and devising customized care plans are among my core competencies. My proficiency extends to minor surgical procedures and advanced diagnostic evaluations, collaborating with physicians to deliver seamless care. My capabilities also include remote consultations for an array of healthcare institutions, where I oversee laboratory analyses, medication management, and coordinate referrals to specialists as necessary. I am adept at performing in-depth health assessments during home visits, ensuring continuity of care and clear communication with your primary healthcare provider. My nursing experience encompasses both the fast-paced medical-surgical settings and the intensive care required in psychiatric wards, where I have provided direct patient care and leadership to healthcare teams. Reflecting on my earlier career in the Philippines, I gained valuable experience in anesthesia and served as a proactive community health officer, implementing vital health initiatives and providing direct patient care. I am dedicated to imparting knowledge that empowers you to make informed decisions regarding your healthcare. Patient safety is my foremost priority; I am vigilant in identifying potential risks and implementing necessary interventions without delay. I invite you to consider me as your healthcare ally. Let us collaborate professionally to achieve optimal health outcomes for you.

As an immigrant who identifies as Chinese/Chinese American, I understand the challenges and nuances of growing up bicultural and have helped individuals/families navigate these issues. I am committed to understanding each client’s unique experiences with various identities (e.g., culture, race, ethnicity, gender), as well as the intersectionality of these identities, family values, and belief systems. As a result, I view my clients as whole people, rather than just focusing on diagnoses and symptoms. I approach each client with curiosity and am committed to helping you connect with yourself and others, nourish your growth, and flourish in all areas of your life. My approach is warm, collaborative, direct, open, and honest. I have worked with the following: ASD, ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, academic stress, emotion regulation issues, life transitions, identity development, gender/racial/sexual identity, family conflict, and LGBTQ+ issues. I utilize an integrative approach, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), mindfulness, and other evidence-based treatments when warranted.

Having worked in hospitals, behavioral/mental health, and in the homes of the elderly and disabled for the past 21 years, I will bring a depth of knowledge and experience to your therapy journey. My friendly down to earth, and “strengths based” approach helps clients balance their goals, wishes and desires with options. I can help you find new ways to cope, to handle life’s challenges, to connect with others and have happy, secure friendships and relationships. It may not be easy, and it may not happen overnight, but I assure you that the ability to change and grow is within yourself!

We are a practice that specializes in trauma, grief & loss and anxiety. All clinicians are EMDR trained and utilize this modality to get to the core root of issues. We utilize a trauma-informed, client-centered approach to treatment. This is expressed during sessions in our ability to understand the difference between the words a client may express and what they really mean to help clients get to the core root of the problem. Simultaneously, we also utilize solution-focused therapy to aide clients in reaching the next step of life.

Hi, I’m Michelle. I’m a licensed therapist who works well with students who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to handle everything they’re carrying, whether that’s stress, relationship challenges, family pressure, or emotions that feel too big or confusing. My approach is calm, real, and collaborative. I help you understand what’s happening inside, make sense of patterns that no longer serve you, and build clarity and confidence in how you move through your life and relationships. You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting therapy. Just come as you are, we’ll navigate it together.

I believe therapy should feel safe, collaborative, and empowering. Supporting emotional healing and identity development is deeply meaningful to me. My goal is to help you build self-understanding, strengthen self-worth, develop healthy relationships, and feel more grounded and confident in your life.

The human mind is a fascinating place. I am constantly in awe of how deeply intricate and nuanced it is. I know that for many of us it doesn’t always feel this way. The hardships of life can, over time, make the mind into an unpleasant, stressful, and even terrifying place. My goal is to help make therapy, and the journey of exploring and understanding your mind, a less daunting process. I want to join you and guide you in peeling back the layers, making sense of the chaos, and finding safety and peace in your mind. For me, the key ingredient to effective therapy is curiosity. I want you to not only feel that I am listening to you, but that I am interested in what you have to say. I work to create a therapeutic environment where you feel that we are working collaboratively to understand the difficulties in your life, and to identify what you need to feel more capable and fulfilled. My style of therapy focuses on accessing and exploring the wisdom that already exists in your mind and nervous system, and interpreting it in the context of your past and present experiences. Nothing is more important in the therapy process than the relationship between therapist and client. Little can be accomplished in terms of exploring and understanding your mind unless you feel some degree of trust and safety with your therapist. I understand that trust needs to be earned, and that a sense of safety takes time to develop. I strive to nurture these by prioritizing consistency and honesty in all of our interactions. I want you to know and feel, above all, that I am on your side, and to have a clear understanding of the work we are doing together.

Being a college student can be a lot. Between classes, exams, relationships, family expectations, and the pressure to figure out "what's next," it's easy to feel stretched thin, anxious, or unsure if you're doing any of it right. It can also feel hard to focus on your own life when world events feel heavy or overwhelming. You might be questioning a relationship, feeling disconnected from friends or family, or wondering who you are outside of what everyone expects of you. You deserve a space that's just for you, where you don't have to have it all figured out. Together, we'll work through the stress and anxiety of this season of life. We'll untangle relational patterns that feel stuck and get curious about what you actually want. Along the way, you'll walk away with practical tools to manage stress and anxiety so you can feel more grounded day to day. Getting clearer on your values and who you are can make the uncertainty feel a lot less overwhelming. My style as a therapist is authentic to who I am in everyday life. I show up with warmth, kindness, patience, and humor, and I want you to feel like you can be fully yourself in our sessions. We'll shape the work around what you need, blending honest self-reflection with practical steps forward. If this sounds like what you're looking for, I'd love to connect.

I have a special interest and experience with treating college and graduate students as well as young adults. Some common concerns include adjustment to the university environment, academic and career stress, anxiety, perfectionism, loneliness, and identity exploration. In my three years of working in the university mental health setting, I provided therapy to a diverse student population and understand the unique stressors that students face. I also provide individual therapy to adults who are looking for support for anxiety, depression, relationship and family concerns, life transitions, and grief. I invite you to contact me to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation and to answer any questions you may have. You can also directly schedule a consultation on my Alma profile: https://secure.helloalma.com/providers/emily-breyer/ I bring a warm, authentic, and engaging style to therapy. My approach to therapy is collaborative and client-centered: I tailor the therapy to your personal needs and goals. I welcome clients of all identities and backgrounds and value a culturally-informed approach to treatment. I obtained my doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) from the Wright Institute in Berkeley, California. I completed my Postdoctoral Fellowship and Doctoral Internship at the University of San Francisco's Counseling and Psychological Services where I provided therapy services to undergraduate and graduate students. I also have experience providing therapy to adults and adolescents in community mental health and school settings.

Why do we get in our own way? If anxiety, perfectionism, or self doubt is coming up for you, therapy can help you understand why those parts are getting in the way of finding happiness and meeting your goals. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over twenty years of experience. I use mindfulness-based practices and Internal Family Systems (IFS), an approach that helps you better understand where your challenges come from and how to meet yourself with more compassion. I specialize in working with Highly Sensitive People (HSPs), who often underestimate their own strengths. As an HSP myself, I bring lived experience, genuine empathy, and deep respect for the sensitivity, insight, and resilience that HSPs often carry. I also support LGBTQIA+ students navigating identity, stress, relationships, family dynamics, and major life transitions. In addition, I work with couples who want to move past patterns that get in the way of communication, connection, and intimacy. When you begin to relate to yourself with curiosity and compassion instead of criticism, so much energy is freed up. You can begin to experience more joy, self-trust, and a greater sense of being on your own side. Let’s start with a free 20-minute consultation to see if we’re a good fit. I’d love to connect. “I learned a long time ago the wisest thing I can do is be on my own side.” — Maya Angelou

Hi! We are compassionate about helping young adults with life transitions. Change is hard and stressful. Managing classes, work and a social life can be a real challenge. Life transitions and change leave us feeling anxious/depressed...and struggling to feel ourselves. We are here to help you find balance again.

My journey to becoming a psychotherapist began when I was thirteen years old. I remember listening to my radio every night just as I was falling asleep. It wasn’t music I was listening to, but a psychologist who ran a call-in talk program. Troubled listeners would call in seeking the good doctor’s advice and in just a few minutes time, they were soon at ease by her reassuring words. I thought, “What a wonderful job that must be; to help so many people in feeling heard and connected with a caring human being. I’d like to do that too!” The same issues that plagued those callers are still around today; feeling alone, confused, different, unloved, a sense of hopelessness. The list goes on. What inspires me to work in mental health care is my desire to help make the lives of others much easier, less burdened, more worth living. To make certain that my clients feel accurately heard and understood, I check in with them often throughout our sessions. This can be done by sharing with them what I think I heard them say and then by checking in with them to make sure this is fairly accurate or if I was off the mark. I learned long ago that if I don’t get it quite right, my client’s are quick to correct me! This is usually a positive. If I get it wrong and seek clarification, it’s my hope that I convey my genuine interest in my client’s experience and that they are worth the extra effort to be understood. Trust and a strong therapeutic alliance between client and therapist are two aspects of therapy I find to be essential for meaningful work to take place. I do this by starting and ending sessions at our agreed upon time, curating a mutually agreed upon treatment plan and perhaps most of all, relating with all of my clients as my equals. I see ours as a dimly lit journey we’re walking together. Our only difference is, I am carrying the lantern helping us to see ahead. When appropriate, I’ve even been known to share a personal story involving myself if that story will help drive home a particular point.

As a therapist I believe that all of use can benefit from the use of help at times in managing the struggles brought on by the stresses of daily living, work, or school, life transitions, grief, and past traumas. Therapy may also be the right choice when long-standing feelings of anxiety, unhappiness or shame have hindered you from living your best life. I focus on the whole person: physically, emotionally, mentally, sexually, and spirituality. It is my goal to join with you and together work towards healing and a more meaningful life. The heart of my practice is to empower clients as they journey towards wholeness and health. I provide a safe, respectful, nurturing, and nonjudgmental environment for clients to process and explore concerns that brought them to therapy. Am I a good fit to walk with you on your journey? The best way to find out is to begin with a free phone consultation.

Hi, I am passionate about supporting BIPOC students, particularly first-gen college students who are navigating daily life struggles along with the complexities of intersecting identities, navigating systemic oppressions and college/career stressors. I work from a decolonial-Liberation, mujersita framework and utilize my training and experience to support and challenge you to grow in the direction you choose. I have vast experience working with college students. The first part of my career I worked in college counseling centers in both universities and community colleges. I also supervise students in training to be therapists.

Dr. Johnson offers a supportive and approachable therapy experience that blends real-world strategies with expert care. Her warm, down-to-earth style helps students feel comfortable while working through challenges like anxiety, stress, and depression. With over 15 years of experience using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Dr. Johnson focuses on practical tools and personalized support to help each student build confidence, manage emotions, and navigate college life more effectively.

People make the decision to engage in therapy for a multitude of reasons, all of which are valid. Some people may be ambivalent about making changes in their lives, while others might feel eager and ready to start the process. Regardless of where you find yourself on that continuum, I am here to support you. Although my background has mainly been focused around eating and body image, I see clients who are experiencing a variety of concerns: relationship issues, anxiety/depression, life transitions, unhappiness, etc. Prior to private practice, I worked with undergraduate and graduate students at Harvard University Counseling and Mental Health Service, with a specialty in supporting student-athletes and individuals with eating and body image concerns. I have also worked in psychiatric inpatient programs as well as eating disorder treatment programs. My therapeutic style is integrative, which means that our work together will draw on various approaches determined by your concerns and goals. My hope is for us to build a trusting relationship that will allow for honest reflection, helpful challenge, and ultimately positive change so that you may be able to lead a more fulfilling life.

We are an online telehealth group therapy practice committed to promoting mental health and well-being for college students. Understanding the unique pressures and challenges faced in this pivotal stage of life, our team is skilled in addressing stress management, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and personal growth. Our expertise extends to trauma and age-specific therapy tailored to young adults navigating academics, social life, and career planning. We blend traditional therapeutic techniques with innovative practices, focusing on strategies that resonate with the dynamic and diverse needs of college students. Our online sessions are designed to fit seamlessly into the demanding and fast-paced college lifestyle, offering the flexibility and convenience necessary to prioritize mental health without compromising academics or social commitments. Our practice stands on a rich foundation of professional expertise, empathetic care, and a commitment to helping students navigate the complex terrain of college life. With personalized, high-quality care in a confidential and secure online setting, we make mental health services more accessible and relevant than ever. Join us in a collaborative journey towards self-discovery, resilience, and a fulfilling college experience.

My main inspiration for becoming a therapist is to help people, from all walks of life. I have been working in the fields of substance abuse and mental health since 2006, and specialize in treating clients with Co-Occurring Disorders. Prior to entering the MSW program at San Jose State University, I studied Sociology at UC Santa Cruz, and received my BA degree in 2005. I have a solid background in social theory, and I apply social theory as part of my clinical approach, thus enhancing the therapeutic process. I am continuously working towards my ongoing professional development to help my clients using cutting-edge techniques. Therapy is more than a career, it is a passion and it is my life’s work. My empathetic approach, in which I actively listen to clients and reflect their goals, values, and struggles, fosters understanding and clarity. If I were to summarize what it is like to work with me, I would say “collaborative.” am committed to collaborative relationships with clients to maximize their capacity for growth and their ability to become resilient-to the many speed bumps and potholes along life’s path.”