Therapists for college students near San Diego State University
Laurén O’Brien
Laurén (she/her, they/them) supports people of all ages experiencing a variety of mental health concerns including eating issues & disorders, depression, anxiety, trauma, and problematic sexual behaviors.. Her therapeutic approach is client-centered, trauma-informed, and strength-based. In her work, she uses modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), family based treatment (FBT), emotion focused therapy (EFT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Laurén believes the therapeutic relationship is essential to fostering change, and attends to this connection throughout treatment. She is gender affirming in all of her care, and personally identifies as queer. Professional Experience Laurén’s clinical experience extends across the lifespan, including children, young adults, adults, couples, and families. Laurén spent ten years working in eating disorder treatment centers and supporting eating disorder clinicians in private practice. She approaches therapy with appreciation for each individual’s innate strengths and a desire to partner with them to support attainment of their goals. As a social worker, she is uniquely trained to view the individual from a systems framework, meaning in treatment she accounts for the impact of being a part of their family, community, institution, etc. Laurén believes all people are doing their best with the tools they have. Laurén has a diverse background of work and life experience outside of clinical practice. She has experience as an eating disorder recovery coach which she weaves into her therapy practice when appropriate. She has also worked as a sex educator, which taught her much about the spectrum of sexual behaviors and identities, gender expression, communication and consent, and sexual challenges. Laurén identifies as queer and Health At Every Size aligned, providing an inclusive safe space for all bodies, foods, genders, relationships, and sexualities. In addition to professional background, her personal life has taught her much about resilience and effective coping in the face of adversity. When Laurén’s not working, she enjoys spending time at the beach, gardening, traveling, listening to live music, thrifting, and spending time with her family and pets. Services Provided Laurén provides therapy to individuals, couples, and families residing in California. Supervised my Theresa Chesnut LCSW
Wellspace SF
Wellspace SF is an integrative practice of psychotherapists, certified coaches, and holistic health practitioners dedicated to a common goal: guiding, inspiring, and empowering individuals to live more authentic, happy and healthy lives. From navigating personal and professional roadblocks, to achieving optimal health and wellness, our mission is to provide individualized and innovative support centered on the whole person. Therapist specializations include: Gen Z and Millennials, "quarterlife crises" and life transitions, trauma, self-esteem, anxiety, social anxiety, OCD, depression, imposter syndrome, gender, racial and sexual identity, dating + relationships, career indecision, disordered eating, body image, children of emotionally immature parents, sleep disorders, and more. Our integrative services also include health and nutrition coaching, life and relationship coaching, and career coaching. We offer complementary consultations with all of our clinicians, in-person + virtual appointments, and a convenient downtown SF location for our local clients.
Shawn Barry, LMFT
I was born and raised in the Bay Area and know how much pressure comes with going to school in CA. I had mental health challenges that started in high school and continued through college. I was worried my self-worth, mood, and grades wouldn't recover, but working with a therapist helped a ton to get myself feeling like myself again. I offer an optimistic, collaborative approach to mental health. I believe you're the expert on your own life and experiences. I'm here to help you build confidence in your own intuitions and expand on what's possible from there. Like a sculptor carving out a work from stone, we start with the raw materials. In our case, it begins with unfiltered venting and time to feel. From there, we chisel away at the frustration and pain to find what these experiences are really telling you about your needs and who you are. Then, we make a plan to act with integrity. It's hard work, but it's empowering to remember the agency you have over your own life.
Danielle Vonoch
Welcome, I’m so glad you’re here. For many of us, our early adulthood is filled with self-doubt and questions of where do we belong. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, or challenges in relationships, I am here to support you. I specialize in identity development and have firsthand experience at how much a difference a solid sense of self can make in a person's life. Regardless of what you're bringing to therapy, I see you as the expert in your own life; if we're walking into the depths of your mind, you're leading and I'm merely holding the lantern. I believe in a holistic, trauma-informed, and systems-based approach, understanding that the struggles we encounter are often connected to the larger picture of our lives. My goal is to create a safe, supportive environment where you feel empowered to explore the challenges that are holding you back, and together, we can work toward meaningful growth and healing.
Deborah Cluff
I love to help students succeed academically while keeping life balance. Do you have habits that block you from achieving your potential? As a PhD, I can attest to the challenges students face and I've learned highly effective strategies for addressing adademic stessors. We can all break unhelpful, unconscious patterns and replace them with new models for happiness and success. Working with me, you will learn to recognize your feelings as valuable information and organize your mind so that you can empower your life. I have served clients for over 10 years as a professional coach and therapist. My experience backed by a Doctorate in Depth Psychotherapy, a Master’s in Clinical Psychology, and certifications as a Hypnotherapist and Master Practitioner of Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP).
Samir Shah
As a therapist and Board-Certified Psychiatrist, I strive to approach each individual with empathy, curiosity, and respect. My extensive work with people from diverse economic, gender, sexual, cultural, and racial backgrounds gives me a unique lens through which I understand the complexities of human behavior, mental health, and healing. Our mental health is not only influenced by individual experiences but also by the broader context of society, culture, and history. This holistic perspective allows me to connect with clients in a meaningful way and offer individualized approaches to the healing journey. I received my Medical Degree from NYU School of Medicine, and completed my residency training in Psychiatry at UCLA-Olive View in Los Angeles. My areas of focus include depression, anxiety, trauma, and stress management. I believe in the power of healing—whether through therapy, medications, or a combination of approaches. While medication is not for everyone, I have seen it play a crucial role in treatment for many people. If we determine that it would be beneficial to try a medication, we will thoroughly discuss the risks and benefits before starting. There will be regular check-ins to ensure it is serving its purpose. And ultimately the decision about whether or not to take a medication I prescribe is yours and yours alone.
Ali Turetzky
My practice is infused with warmth, care, and heart. Since childhood, I've held a deep curiosity for the relationships that make up our world. I greatly admire and honor these connections - whether between caregivers and children, friends, romantic partners, or animals we see in nature. This curiosity led me to become a relational therapist, where I now have the privilege of walking alongside individuals and couples on their journeys, creating an environment that brings to light the connection that has always existed between us and guiding relationships toward deeper, more resilient roots together. Integrative and relational in nature, the therapeutic work I do incorporates somatics, person-centered therapy, and mindfulness practices. I hold the belief that we all carry our own innate wisdom, and as such, I create space in the therapeutic relationship for my clients to be the experts on themselves and to articulate their needs, wants, and experiences in a safe, nurturing environment. The focus within my work is less on fixing and more on accompanying your human-ness. In addition to the work I do with couples, I am passionate about providing care to those navigating the journey to parenthood. This love for the perinatal space and supporting future and new parents started when I was a child and would spend a great deal of time caring for young children in my community and connecting with their caregivers. Since, this passion has expanded through advocacy work in the paid parental leave space and training I’ve completed as a Postpartum Doula. This beautiful time of transition into parenthood brings about inevitable change, and it is a true joy and privilege of mine to hold a nurturing space for people to process these changes, cultivate connection during a time when community is needed, and heal. I'm not a parent myself at this stage in my life, yet I feel deeply called to this meaningful work of supporting individuals and couples as they navigate these profound life transitions.
Anne Gustafson
Feeling alone, gripped in anxiety and despair and other painful emotions, you might not think that anyone could possibly understand or help. As an experienced mental health professional, I know how to listen to your unique story and how to help you disentangle from the symptoms that are holding you back. Using intuitive listening skills and coming from a place of deep empathy, I will work with you, teaching you how to integrate new thinking and being skills into your life. Using Acceptance and Integration Training and depth psychotherapy, along with my extensive experience with a wide variety of people, I will help you feel better and get back on your feet towards living the life you want. I aim to help you discover your own unique inner wisdom, building awareness and emotional health for life. I work with each client individually and collaboratively to create long-term and short-term goals. For many clients the goals often include disentangling from anxiety and depression symptoms. This includes building new skills and habits that can be used on a daily basis to feel good and to prevent the symptoms from reoccurring. My clients report feeling peaceful, powerful, whole, hopeful and grounded after a session of Acceptance and Integration techniques.
Jessica Deitch
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Collective Mental Health
Dr. Vargas specializes in the treatment of depression, emotion dysregulation, trauma, and anxiety among teens and adults. She provides Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based therapies. She works with people experiencing the consequences of minoritization, including racial trauma, acculturative, and minority stress. She is an LGBTQ+ affirming provider. Provee terapia en español. Dr. Vargas completed her postdoctoral training at UCLA and predoctoral clinical internship at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. She received her PhD and MPH from the University of Southern California and her BA from McGill University.
Alexa Wagner
Welcome! I’m Alexa, an associate marriage & family therapist committed to helping individuals, families, and couples feel more embodied, present, and authentic. My practice includes cognitive behavioral therapy, attachment-based therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, psychodynamic, and trauma-informed care to support each client’s process. My approach is collaborative and tailored to the specific needs and goals of each client. I am experienced in working with individuals navigating addiction, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, self-esteem issues, and effects of trauma. As someone with lived experience in overcoming addiction and eating disorders, I understand how difficult it can be to navigate life with ineffective coping skills and am open to sharing my experience with clients when appropriate or helpful. I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University in Los Angeles. Over the past several years, I’ve worked in various mental health and substance use treatment settings, supporting individuals and their families navigating addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. Additionally, I have experience collaborating with other mental health professionals to ensure comprehensive support throughout the therapeutic process.
Jill Schwerin
The first step, asking for help, can be the hardest. You might be asking, what will I encounter in psychotherapy? In the beginning, we build a safe, caring, and collaborative therapeutic relationship. Together we discover your therapeutic goals. In time, you process difficult emotions and develop coping methods so that you can make well-informed decisions regarding your life path.
Stephanie Chassman
Hello! I am a licensed clinical social worker in California with 3 years of professional work experience. I also recently earned my PhD in social work. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started! I utilize cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients better understand the relationship between thoughts and feelings. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment.
Zachariah Cooney
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist that has experience with ages 17-60+. The issues I work well with are anxiety, depression, substance use, college and academic related issues, and relationship and familial issues. I am a direct, hollistic, and empowering therapist, that understands and empathizes at my core. I offer Virtual Telehealth sessions only. I accept insurances that are listed on my profile. I also accept out of pocket payments, which in this case, would be disclosed before the start of first session.
Juliet Tran
Even baddies get saddies — and anxiety, right? I get it as I’ve been there and it’s no fun trying to figure things out yourself. Therapy with me isn't about finding a band-aid to make your feelings go away. We’ll take time to understand why you feel, experience, and express emotions the way you do. Don't worry, we’ll go at a pace you feel comfortable with, if/when you're ready to go there. Finding ways to deal with the worries, sadness, stress, burnout, and self-doubts is another important part of therapy and isn’t one-size-fits-all. We’ll take time to unpack everything and tailor things to what your needs are. There are probably things, like old memories and experiences, that have stuck with you for some time. They might impact your self-esteem, your relationships, and how you move about in your life on a daily basis. We’ll work through any obstacles to help you move forward by taming that self-judgy voice of yours and so much more. If any of this sounds relatable at all, let’s schedule a brief phone or video call to see if we'd vibe together. You could tell me more about what you’ve been dealing with and what you're hoping to get out of therapy. I'll share with you how we could work towards your goals together.
Jennifer Gross
Welcome! Our childhood experiences can have a lasting impact on how we function as adults both independently and within relationships. By attending therapy, do you hope to: Process trauma? Reduce dissociations? Improve boundaries? Become more independent? Reduce negative self-talk? Enhance self-care? Feel supported and accepted? I specialize in single-event PTSD, complex PTSD, survivors of emotional and psychological abuse, and adult children of narcissistic parenting. Even if you don't fall into these categories, I welcome you to reach out to see if we're a good fit. I provide hope, knowledge, compassion and unconditional acceptance of who you are and where you are on your journey. I honor your life experiences and work humbly with you without taking an expert position in your life. Our work will be customized to meet your unique needs and you will be actively involved in our work together. Ubuntu is an African philosophical term that means: I am, because we are. Humanity cannot exist in isolation; we are our best selves when we are in healthy relationships. You do not have to travel alone on your journey towards healing and growth. Together we will work in the present to heal your past and move toward your ideal future.
Gwendolyn DaShiell, LCSW
Anxiety, sadness, loneliness, low self-esteem, self-doubt, distress, difficulty sleeping and discomfort in our bodies are indicators that we need support. I am passionate about helping clients navigate difficult transitions, using these challenges as catalysts for healing and growth. With over 25 years of experience in various therapeutic modalities, I provide client-centered and trauma-responsive therapy grounded in compassion and empathy. It is a privilege to guide clients in processing and integrating past and present experiences. I employ Internal Family Systems (IFS) "parts work" (an approach that helps us understand and heal from past experiences by identifying and addressing different parts of our psyche), attachment theory, EMDR and Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT).
Daybreak Counseling Center
Daybreak Counseling Center provides compassionate, evidence-based psychotherapy for adults, couples, and families in Long Beach, Cerritos, and throughout California via telehealth. Our experienced therapists support clients with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, and life transitions in a respectful, non-judgmental environment. We accept Cigna, Health Net, Health Net Medi-Cal, MHN, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and Optum, as well as private-pay clients. Evening appointments are available. Our care team is here to help you find the right therapist for your needs Our Cerritos location address is: 17315 Studebaker Rd. #209 Cerritos CA. 90703
Reilly Plaisance, AMFT, APCC
I am a registered associate marriage and family therapist and associate professional clinical counselor who offers in in person (Los Angeles) and virtual psychotherapy (California). I specialize in working with adolescents and young adults navigating eating disorders and their underlying emotional experiences, as well as anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, identity and sexuality exploration, life stressors and transitions, acculturation, neurodivergence, and self-esteem. College can be an overwhelming time, but you don't have to be all alone. Through collaboration and support, I aim to create a warm, supportive space for clients to take a moment for themselves, explore their experiences, and deepen self-understanding. My practice is specifically tailored to each client's needs and goals. I utilize trauma-aware, systemic perspectives with skill-based teachings of CBT and DBT. My approach to psychotherapy is grounded in 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming care.
Under the Ginkgo Tree
Our lives are full of trauma, loss, and challenge. It is easy to get overwhelmed by these experiences and fall into habits that don't serve our greater goals. I will help you find the path to the life you want. I work from a trauma informed, strengths based perspective. I have a special interest in attachment, neurology, trauma processing, and mindfulness. I have personal ties to the LGBTQ+ community and I am proud to serve individuals and families navigating identity challenges. Every person comes to therapy when the time is right for them. On this journey you will find new strengths, develop new behaviors, and reorganize you thoughts. When you are ready, I look forward to walking that path with you.