Therapists for college students near San Francisco, CA

From the very first meeting, I approach each client with a deep respect for their lived experience and an understanding that beginning therapy can feel both vulnerable and courageous. My intention in that initial session is to create a space that feels grounded, collaborative, and nonjudgmental, where clients can begin to share at their own pace. I focus on listening carefully, asking thoughtful questions, and gaining a holistic understanding of what brings them in, while also attending to their strengths, values, and hopes for change. Establishing a sense of safety and trust is central, as I view the therapeutic relationship itself as a meaningful foundation for growth. My path toward becoming a therapist was shaped by a longstanding curiosity about human behavior, emotional resilience, and the ways people make meaning of their experiences. Over time, this curiosity evolved into a commitment to supporting others through life’s challenges in a purposeful and compassionate way. I have been particularly inspired by witnessing how individuals can develop insight, shift patterns, and reconnect with their sense of agency when provided with the right support. This work continues to be deeply meaningful to me, as it allows me to walk alongside clients as they navigate change, cultivate self-understanding, and move toward greater well-being. I approach the development of trust and a strong therapeutic alliance as an intentional, ongoing process grounded in consistency, transparency, and genuine attunement. I prioritize active listening and strive to understand the client’s experience from their perspective, reflecting both content and emotion to communicate empathy and validation. I am mindful to move at a pace that feels comfortable for the client, recognizing that trust develops over time and cannot be rushed. Ultimately, I view the therapeutic alliance as the foundation of effective therapy, and I remain committed to fostering a relationship in which clients feel seen, heard, and empowered throughout their process. One personal detail I sometimes share is my appreciation for incorporating music into my daily routine as a way to feel grounded and centered. I find that music can be a simple yet meaningful way to regulate mood, create a sense of calm, and reconnect with the present moment.

I hold certification for integrative psychiatric care and ADHD treatment. I hold a Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Psychiatric-Mental Health from State University of New York Upstate Medical University where I received comprehensive training in both the theoretical and practical aspects of psychiatric care. My education equipped me with knowledge of mental health disorders, advanced clinical skills, and evidence-based treatment approaches. This rigorous academic background, combined with hands-on clinical experience across diverse settings, has prepared me to offer compassionate and effective care to individuals with a wide range of mental health needs.

Navigating the challenges of college and young adulthood can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. I specialize in supporting college students, young adults, and children as they work through anxiety, depression, life transitions, self-esteem struggles, and relational challenges. My goal is to create a warm, safe, and judgment-free space where you can explore your emotions, gain clarity, and build the tools you need to thrive. Together, we’ll work at a pace that feels comfortable to you, helping you move toward greater confidence and well-being.

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.

Hello and welcome! I am a licensed clinical social worker with 14 years of experience working with children and adults struggling with the impact of trauma, depression, anxiety and other issues. I always work from a strength based perspective. I believe that therapy can be a place were a person can feel safe and work through life's challenges. I take a humanistic approach to therapy. I like to have a good understanding of who a person is and how things impact them day today so we can work together to fins solutions or relief to whatever may be going on.

I am a Stanford trained Physician with a specialization in Psychiatry. I have advanced training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy or "CBT." CBT is a very well researched form of counseling that is highly effective for depression, anxiety, insomnia and many other conditions. I love what I do and previously served as the Director of Evidence Based Practice and Ongoing Education in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Behavioral Medicine. I conducted research, taught, and saw patients at Stanford for more than a decade and I received numerous awards for excellence in these areas. I was trained for more than ten years with a person named Stewart Agras, and another named David Burns - they are pioneers in Behavioral Medicine and CBT. I was very blessed to have excellent mentors and training. I have extensive experience sharing this experience with those students I have consulted with in higher education at Stanford and in the University of California. I have worked all of my career with undergraduate, graduate, law, and medical students and believe that these formative years are critical times in the formation of a person, and they are often challenging times. I am warm, friendly and approachable. I laugh frequently (and often cry) with my patients. My family is from Italy where sincerity and the authentic sharing of emotions is valued and respected. Parlo un 'po l'italiano ma non molto bene! (I speak a little Italian but not very well!) I am very conservative with respect to use of medications and prefer to help students develop skills in managing life stressors by getting trained in CBT. This art is disappearing sadly in my field as brief medication checks are much more lucrative to clinics but there is a cost to the patient in this reductionist approach! I am very comfortable and prefer to help persons manage stress with CBT alone without medications as it can provide a lot of sophisticated and lasting protections that are well supported in the scientific research literature. As professionals, we should do what is right and not what is most profitable as we take the Hippocratic oath to defend our patients. I can add medications if they are indicated and supported by good research when CBT is not helping on its own as I am a physician trained in all scientifically supported modalities of providing support. I respect my patients' values in this. If we can work through though times without medicines, I really try to encourage that, and, for many persons willing to grow through stress, it is definitely achievable, and strongly supported by randomized controlled trials (fancy studies used to test treatments for effectiveness). There is substantial evidence that suggests that this approach is very important in reducing risk for relapse in the long term. I love helping students build confidence in themselves when the circumstances are really challenging and have many, many patients who have reached out to me over many years thanking me for the times we spent together getting through the roughest of times. I don't have a lot of material wealth. The pictures and post cards of so many smiling, happy, and good persons graduating, getting married, getting started in their careers, and getting started with their families and overall being in a good, secure place are the real treasures that I have collected in my career. I am a practicing Catholic and am very comfortable incorporating faith in treating my patients. Many persons are referred to me when seeking a caring Catholic Psychiatrist who is highly trained in using Cognitive Behavior Therapy to promote resilience and virtue when life becomes really challenging. I am sadly quite familiar with the pain of having lost very precious persons in my life including my own dear wife to devastating metastatic cancer at an extremely young age. That was tough and occurred shortly after we lost our infant daughter. I have two beautiful college aged children who are doing very well despite all of the things our family was beset with. We came together and got through. Faith, family and fellowship can be crucial sources of support when things feel really overwhelming. I was highly trained in CBT and combining this with the above made all of the difference. I will encourage you also to protect yourself with these types of resources when all seems lost. Note that I do not manage ADD or ADHD or prescribe habit forming medications or perform evaluations for these conditions or autism spectrum disorder. I do see students who need to use their insurance through Headway and MyCatholicDoctor at the links below: Headway: https://care.headway.co/providers/anthony-mascola-m-d?utm_source=pem&utm_medium=direct_link&utm_campaign=201271 MyCatholicDoctor.com https://mycatholicdoctor.com/resources/doctors/anthony-mascola-md/ Accepting insurance in private practice in Psychiatry is unfortunately not very common. The majority of the most highly qualified Psychiatrists and Psychologists forego seeing patients with insurance as it is really tough to manage coordinating insurance in a small practice and does not reimburse well. This does not feel right to me as when life is hardest, finances are tight. My Italian family were poor and commercial fishermen and I am sworn as a Catholic to help persons when they don't have a lot of resources. The portals above are trying to help persons who are seeking help who don't have a lot of money to get connected to really good care. If you are going through a tough time and looking for someone who is both qualified and kind to support and encourage you, then don't wait any longer. Don't go through this alone! Please reach out and call me. I have spent all of my life training to help you! I promise I will support you and push you to find strength that you don't even realize you have. You can't realize it when you are stressed and often working with a professional person can help. Be prepared to work though, as sometimes this means facing a fear you'd rather avoid, or examining uncomfortable patterns of thoughts and behavior. I need a willing collaborator and promise you that I want ask you to do more than you can. I know from a lot of my own life experience how devastating stress can be but I also want to be honest and real and genuine and effective. I don't see passive treatment reduce suffering effectively in the long run. I don't want my students to suffer their whole life. I want my students to grow and recover, just like a good coach or teacher. You are smart, you have a good head on your shoulders and if we can learn from the circumstances that evoke stress we will be able to overcome stress in the future. Those who do not train in CBT are often on medications for years and suffer a great deal with a very high rate of relapse. Taking time to train in CBT is a more challenging treatment but it can develop powerful skills that will help you for your whole life! If while reading this you get a good feeling inside, then please schedule a free fifteen-minute visit to see if it is a good fit for you. If you are looking for a really caring Psychiatrist who is warm and kind, highly qualified, who really enjoys helping persons find their strength with a healthy, proactive, evidence based and highly effective approach to dealing with stress, you will not be disappointed!

If you are struggling, please contact me right away. As a therapist with over a decade of experience, I specialize in counseling college students and adults in the community who are navigating complex relationships or experiencing depression, shame, or trauma. You are not alone in struggling with profoundly difficult things in your life. You need a place to talk about whatever it is that is troubling you with somebody who can actually help. My counseling approach involves individual one-on-one appointments in a safe and confidential space. In our sessions, I will guide you through processing whatever it is you are struggling with. Through this work you can reach peace, better understand yourself, and find rewarding relationships. There is hope.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Life has a way of asking more of us than we feel prepared to give, and rarely does anyone hand us a guidebook for navigating life’s most difficult moments. Whether you’re a child learning to express big emotions, a teenager navigating life’s pressures, or an adult facing relationship challenges, family conflict, or unexpected transitions, you deserve a space where you don’t have to have it all together. Although many people begin therapy during difficult seasons of life, it can also be a place to slow down, reflect, and invest in your well-being. Reaching out for support takes immense courage, and healing often begins when we feel truly seen, heard, and understood. My goal is to create a warm, supportive environment where you can show up authentically, free from judgment, and feel empowered to move toward the life you want to create. Whether you’re seeking support for yourself, your child, or your family, I am committed to creating a space where growth, resilience, and healing can flourish. You don’t have to wait until life falls apart to ask for support. Wherever you are in your journey, I would be honored to walk alongside you.

Valencia Counseling is a culturally sensitive private practice providing comprehensive mental health services via telehealth in the state of California. Valencia Counseling is committed to assisting children, adults and families achieve their goals.

Are you surviving — or actually thriving? I became a therapist so I could help people thrive instead of just surviving. I am a bilingual (English/Spanish) Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 13 years of experience helping adults heal from trauma, manage ADHD, break painful relational patterns, and reconnect with who they truly are. I specialize in working with the BIPOC community, college students, first-generation professionals, women navigating major life transitions, high-achieving adults who feel stuck despite their success, and adults with ADHD who are tired of being misunderstood. I am also one of the few LCSWs certified in financial social work — bringing a unique understanding of how money stress, financial trauma, and ADHD intersect with mental health. My approach is warm, collaborative, and tailored to you. I draw from trauma-focused therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), CBT, ACT, and psychodynamic therapy — always meeting you where you are. Reaching out is the first act of self-care. I offer telehealth exclusively, serving adults in California, New York, New Jersey, and Florida. ¡Se habla español!

Hi, I am a first generation Latina and the first to graduate from college in my family. I decided I wanted to be a therapist when I took my first sociology class in community college at Pasadena City College, where my life changed thanks to the support and guidance I received from my counselor and the PUENTE Project. I am now a proud private practice owner who has two children who have taught me more than any school program could. Both of my kids have learning disabilities and one is autistic. I have dedicated most of my time to learning how to navigate the educational system and advocating for their educational needs. Because of my personal experiences with my children, I am dedicated to supporting autistic individuals through neuro-affirming therapy and have guided many people in discovering and embracing their own neurodivergence. I have worked with many clients to help them access school and work accommodations and to develop personalized sensory self-care strategies. If you feel under a lot of stress, like you are working harder than the average student only to play catch up, feel burnt out no matter how you take care of yourself, and constantly feel disconnected even from friends and family, I am here to help you figure things out, one thing at a time. If you are a student who is under a lot of stress and is experiencing anxiety and/or depression, I am here to help. Or who feels alone and disconnected from others, I am here to help.

Meet Jessica T. Kreidt, MA LPCC NCC CCTP, a dedicated and compassionate counselor with a strong commitment to healing and growth. Jessica earned her Master’s in Counselor Education with a focus on Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Toledo and holds a BA in Clinical Psychology from California State University San Bernardino. She began her career in community mental health, supporting children and adolescents through a wide range of challenges. In 2019 she founded JTG Counseling LLC, where she specializes in treating PTSD and trauma. As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Jessica offers supportive and evidence-based care to individuals working through trauma and emotional pain. Fluent in English and Spanish, she values working with clients from diverse backgrounds and creates a welcoming space for all. Her approach is person-centered and tailored to each individual’s unique path, whether they are dealing with anxiety, ADHD, relationship issues, or trauma. Jessica is now part of the team at Julia Burrow MD and Associates, where she continues to guide clients toward healing and meaningful change.

College is a major life transition. It is a particularly vulnerable time, with immense changes and pressures from family, peers, school, work, and society in general. Sometimes it may be hard to recognize that you need help because anxiety, depression, grief can show up as low motivation, procrastination, social isolation, physical complaints, poor academics or relationship problems. It can be very overwhelming and lonely to have to figure it all out on your own. I understand how hard it can be to navigate so many demands from school, work, family, friendships and relationships. You do not have to do it alone. I provide a safe, non-judgmental space for you to be yourself and talk about the intense emotions and experiences you are going through. I will work collaboratively with you to identify the roots of your struggles and ways to regain a sense of control and create a healthier more balanced life. I can teach you practical coping tools to address anxiety, depression, stress, uncertainty, procrastination, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, lack of motivation and time management. Our work can also include developing more effective communication skills, resolving identity crisis, setting healthy relationship boundaries and improving your personal relationships. Many students do not realize that part of their struggles could be related to having unresolved grief. I help students identify and move through the pain of grief, makes sense of their loss and rebuild their connections while honoring their loss. A big component of therapy for me is teaching my clients self-compassion and simple ways to self-care. My goal is to get to know you as an individual and your specific unmet needs, so I can best help you. Our therapeutic relationship is just as important as the work of therapy. My approach is empathic, direct and solution focused. I will provide interactive feedback and I will gently nudge you when there is opportunity for growth but I will not ever push you to talk about something you are not ready to talk about. You get to set the pace of therapy. I provide telehealth sessions in CA and NC. If you would like to learn more about how I can help you, please contact me to schedule an appointment. I look forward to working with you.

If you feel everything deeply, have been called “too sensitive,” or your mind never seems to turn off, you’re in the right place. You may have spent so much time understanding others and making sense of the world around you, but rarely feel that same care or depth of understanding reflected back to you. As a Highly Sensitive Person, I understand what it's like to experience the world this way. Our work will focus on helping you untangle what’s going on beneath the surface so you can better understand your emotions, trust your instincts, and move through life with more self-trust and clarity. I specialize in Highly Sensitive People, children, Gen Z (teens & young adults), and neurodivergence/ADHD. Together, we’ll explore patterns, past experiences, and the emotional landscape shaping your life. My approach is warm, deeply attuned, and insight-oriented, grounded in a strengths-based, emotionally-focused, and attachment-aware approach. Clients often say I have “big sister energy”: I notice what’s unspoken, help make sense of complicated emotions, and always have your back. If you’re looking for a therapist who understands your depth and can help you turn your sensitivity into a strength, I would be honored to support you. Book a consultation through my website today.

My goal as a therapist is to empower clients by working collaboratively and to help them learn and find the tools and skills to help themselves reach success. I aspire to provide compassionate and culturally competent care and support clients in reaching their goals. I do my best to ensure clients feel heard and understood in sessions by providing a safe and non-judgmental space for them to explore and process their thoughts feelings and emotions. As a therapist my goal is to be present and grounded in the moment to provide whatever support is needed. I believe that in order to build trust there needs to be understanding and connection. Finding common ground and being curious are integral parts of my work.

Are you someone who on the outside everyone sees you as put together and accomplished but internally, you’re breaking. The overthinking, self- doubt & feelings of unworthiness are overwhelming. You are tired of feeling anxious, like you don’t measure up. You are ready to feel confident and whole in your own skin and at ease in your body. Many of my clients identify as overachievers, people pleasers and perfectionists. Are you tired of trying to please others and just want to find a way to hear your own voice and connect with your true self? You are insightful and want a deeper understanding of yourself and your past experiences and are ready to step into your power. You are not alone & have come to the right place. My focus as a therapist is to help my clients heal from past traumas, uncover their authentic selves, increase self-worth, discover their inherent resiliencies, strengthen their personal relationships, increase relational self-awareness, and build a lifelong toolkit of healthy, effective coping strategies for whatever challenges life may bring. Therapy has the potential to be transformative, empowering you to navigate life's challenges with newfound strength & resilience. I invite you to reach out for a complimentary 15-minute consultation, where you can gain clarity on my approach and how it aligns with your goals. I'm honored to accompany you on this journey towards positive change.

Hi! My name is Dr. Ben Ross, & I’m a clinical psychologist (PSY32948). I practice individual and couple psychotherapy in Orange County, CA. I work with people 14+ struggling with a range of difficulties including but not limited to anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, phase of life issues, relationship concerns, mood instability, individuation and identity formation, and personality disturbances. I'm also interested in supporting members of the LGBTQ+ community, artists and creatives, musicians struggling with music performance anxiety, and young adults forging their path in life. I strive to foster a relational therapeutic environment in which my patients have an outlet to express parts of their mind that they have not yet put to words. Expression of these inner thoughts and feelings can facilitate relief from stress that can otherwise manifest in painful psychological and physiological symptoms. This process can make way for meaningful transformations to occur.

I believe that you are a unique individual. You have your own path of growth and your own set of challenges. In therapy, I will deeply respect your feelings about your life and your situation. I am an empathetic and caring therapist. Clients have told me that I have a gift for putting myself in their shoes and really feeling what they feel. I use techniques such as Internal Family Systems therapy (IFS) and Energy therapy to help people heal from trauma, whether the trauma occurred early in life or more recently. You really can heal from trauma! We can greatly reduce or eliminate the multiple effects it has on your emotions, your behavior, and your relationships. I also apply these techniques to depression, anxiety and other difficulties. I care very much about the people I work with, and I will apply my professional skills and experience to your unique situation. I will help you develop new, more successful methods to handle the difficult issues you are dealing with. I may help you find strengths that you didn’t know you had. In my 20 years of practicing psychotherapy, I have helped people from all walks of life with many different backgrounds. My experience includes working with ADHD and helping people deal with complex family relationship issues, as well as with marital or partner relationship issues. I look forward to meeting you and beginning our work together.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.