Therapists for college students near San Diego State University

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.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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.

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.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of early adulthood? College pressures, family expectations, and your own evolving identity can create a perfect storm of stress and uncertainty. If you're struggling with: -Anxiety or depression that interferes with your daily life -Balancing academic demands with your mental wellbeing -Family tensions as you establish your independence -Uncertainty about your chosen degree or career path -Finding your authentic self amid others' expectations Our work together will help you access those inner resources and build the confidence to chart your own path forward—one that honors both your needs and your potential. Schedule a consultation today and discover how therapeutic support can help you thrive during this transformative time in your life.

I view therapy as a brief snapshot into a person's experience. I take an active and collaborative approach where together we will first determine the behaviors, thoughts, and feelings that are most distressing to you, how they impact your day-to-day, and then together brainstorm various coping strategies that we can try so that you can live the life that you want. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.

Medical training can be deeply meaningful—and relentless. High expectations, long hours, constant evaluation, and responsibility for others can make it difficult to maintain perspective, extend yourself the same compassion you offer patients, or stay connected to the people and parts of life that matter to you. I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT) with extensive experience integrating the arts into psychotherapy. Expressive arts practices offer a way to step outside habitual thinking, gain perspective, and reconnect with creativity, self-compassion, and balance. No artistic experience is needed. Together, we can address perfectionism and self-criticism, anxiety or low mood, relationship challenges, or simply the difficulty of feeling like yourself within a demanding environment. I spent fourteen years at UCSF, where I integrated creative approaches into treatment for people experiencing moderate to severe mood symptoms. I also hold a credential in perinatal mental health. I offer online psychotherapy throughout California and walk-and-talk sessions in San Francisco parks. My goal is to help you find some space around what feels difficult, reconnect with what matters to you, and enjoy more of the life you’re working so hard to build.

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a degree in Mindfulness-based Transpersonal Counseling from Naropa University, in Boulder, Colorado. Mindfulness informs all aspects of my work, including my emphasis on creating a space of compassion and curiosity in which we can explore, experiment, and journey together. You can't do anything "wrong" in therapy; everything that happens can be mined for wisdom. I have primarily worked with people to address issues related to anxiety, depression, self-concept, and life transitions. I see therapy sessions as a balance between processing and skill-building, in which there is enough open space to explore and also enough direction to come away with concrete action steps to create the desired change. In addition to mindfulness, I have training in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). I frequently guide my clients in getting to know and work with "parts" of themselves. I bring a trauma-informed approach to all sessions, in which safety, empowerment, and self-compassion are held paramount. For trauma-specific work, I utilize my training in EMDR therapy to provide targeted interventions designed to desensitize and reprocess traumatic experiences in the brain. Above all else, I hold a steadfast hope for the ability of each and every person to heal and grow. It is truly an honor and privilege to join my clients in that journey.

Experienced in working with relationship issues, mood issues, trauma, and immigration mixed culture situation.

Meitri Collaborative is a psychiatric and psychotherapy practice in San Francisco, CA. We believe in warm, excellent, and personalized care. We want to help you live the life you desire and address the obstacles in your way.

I understand the challenges college and grad students face: Academics and work have been keeping you so busy and the overwhelm is starting to catch up to you fast. Perfectionism and imposter syndrome have been a real annoyance in your life. Your thoughts are constantly racing. You feel the weight of the world sitting on your chest. You speak pretty harshly to yourself. It’s really hard to communicate your needs to others, and big emotions are hard to shake. You’re feeling more and more disconnected in life. I've been working with college & grad students at various universities throughout the country for the past 14 years. I also have had the honor of supporting people in their early career journey, from graduating, to passing various exams required by their profession, to getting their first job and transitioning into that new chapter. I approach therapy in a thoughtful, comprehensive, evidence-based, and holistic way that is tailored to meet each person’s unique needs. I’ve been told that the work I do is approachable, that our time together feels safe, that I understand the experiences that Gen Z and Millennials bring in, and those that I work with experience big changes in their lives in a relatively short amount of time. You are welcome here!

I have been working with people that are negotiating changes in their lives for over 30 years. I believe that when people are at a crossroads in life, or suffering from depression, anxiety, trauma, or a loss, it can feel very overwhelming. I believe it takes courage to reach out and seek support, and my goal is to create a safe space to help people open up and find ways to approach issues that are causing distress. My therapy approach is warm, interactive, and engaged. I utilize many different therapeutic modalities based on what works best for the person seeking therapy. I utilize evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I also use Mindfulness Training and values exploration in my work. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.

Are you preoccupied with thoughts about food? Are you stuck in a cycle of dieting, bingeing, purging, or exercising and having trouble figuring out how to stop? Are you ashamed about your eating? Hating your body? You can break the cycle, achieve peace with food and your body, and get your life back. We provide treatment aligned with an anti-diet approach called Health At Every Size (R). We specialize in providing research-proven treatments for eating disorders, anxiety, and depression.

Heather Ward, MA, LMFT, PMH-C, is a licensed therapist with deep roots in college campus mental health, having provided counseling and wellness support across multiple higher education settings in the Los Angeles area. Trained at the University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education, Heather has worked at Pierce College, West LA College, and California State University, Northridge, where she managed large student caseloads, coordinated care with multidisciplinary campus teams, and developed workshops focused on building healthy relationships and emotional resilience. Heather brings a warm, collaborative style and a nonjudgmental presence to her work with students navigating depression, anxiety, identity shifts, and the pressures of academic life. She draws from attachment-based, psychodynamic, and mindfulness-oriented approaches to help clients build emotional regulation skills and strengthen their sense of self during pivotal life transitions. Earlier in her career, Heather also contributed to campus mental health from an administrative lens, developing and implementing strategic mental health and counseling initiatives at UCLA Extension — giving her a uniquely well-rounded perspective on how students are supported at an institutional level. Heather is committed to culturally sensitive, inclusive care and has experience supporting diverse student populations across community college and university settings.

BECERRA FAMILY THERAPY, APC IS A PSYCHOTHERAPY GROUP PRACTICE THAT SERVES A DIVERSE RANGE OF CLIENTS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IN PERSON AND THROUGH TELEHEALTH. Becerra Family Therapy is a woman-owned, Latinx-run therapeutic space formed to serve the wider community. We understand that specialized treatment is important in the healing process, and we strive to meet your needs. Becerra Family Therapy was founded from the vision of training and providing bicultural and multilingual therapists, as well as therapists who are well-versed with LGTBQIA+ needs. We want our clients to be confident in knowing that any therapist at Becerra Family Therapy will understand them. Our therapists are highly trained and understand the sensitivity and beauty of a different culture. One of the most important aspects in therapy is that you connect with your therapist so that together you can work toward your therapeutic goals. We strongly believe that with the right support, anyone is capable of healing. We are here to support you in your process, help you to grow, and to provide a variety of specialties to assist with your journey.

Life can be overwhelming and challenging at times. College can be a time of discovery and big questions about who you are and how you hope to live your life. I offer a warm and compassionate space to safety explore these curiosities as well as any past traumas, recent losses, and emotional challenges. I find symptoms often lead us to a deeper understanding of ourselves and believe therapy can be a place to find the road back to our center. I enjoy working with young adults as they navigate their personal journey of self-discovery or as they experience deep suffering in life. With dedication and commitment, therapy can be a space of growth and resiliency. Please feel welcome to reach out for a free consultation call or to schedule a session. I see clients online and in person in Petaluma, CA.

My goal is to partner with you to elevate your life state, expand your coping skills, develop healthy strategies, reduce suffering, maladaptive, and destructive behaviors, and provide presence for the softest landing possible that leads to the best interests of your very best self with your integrity intact. My therapeutic style is above all relational, meaning that my relationship with my clients is of utmost importance in developing the trust needed to address life's challenges, stressors and suffering. It is in this initial rapport building where I come to know each client's particular life situation, culture, needs and goals. I have worked for over 34 years in a broad range of settings, providing services to clients over the entire life span. I am a white, queer woman, and have provided services for over 30 years to the BIPOC and queer community. I hold your wellness in high regard and respect the very difficult life decisions that we all must make to have a life worth living. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.

Theraperspectives Counseling supports students and emerging adults navigating anxiety, burnout, identity exploration, neurodivergence, relationship concerns, life transitions, and the challenges of balancing competing responsibilities. We offer a collaborative and supportive space to better understand yourself, build resilience, and move through life’s complexities with greater clarity and confidence.

I am passionate about helping people be the best versions of themselves. I am excited to help people find the tools to reach their personal goals along with processing the events and situations that come up in life as they arise. I have worked with clients from all walks of life and in low to high acuity environments. The tools that I support clients with can save lives and dramatically change people’s quality of life. I try to meet every client where they are at in each session, exploring the things that matter to them. I want every client that I work with to feel seen and validated from their own perspective. Trust with my clients is built through consistency and collaboration. I want everyone that I work with to feel like I am a part of their team and support network to help them navigate life’s challenges together.

At The San Francisco Center for Compassion-Focused Therapies, we provide individual, couple, family, and group therapies for adults in California online, and in-person. Our clinicians apply effective and evidence-based psychotherapy methods that are reputable for addressing emotion regulation related challenges, and facilitating self-compassion. Besides providing therapy, we also conduct practice-informed research focusing on compassion and betterment of psychotherapy. Our Center is a place where psychotherapy, training, and research strive on the foundation of one another.