Therapists for college students near San Diego State University
Elisha Galaif
I work with my clients to create an open, trusting and safe environment where anything can be shared. My approach to therapy is to work collaboratively with clients to build a strong therapeutic alliance. In my practice, I use different therapeutic approaches depending on what works best for the client, including client-centered therapy (being congruent with the client, providing unconditional positive regard, and empathic understanding), a biopsychosocial approach, and/or Solution Focused Therapy. I believe that clients want to change, are the experts in their own desires and goals, and have the resources and inner strengths to overcome their mental health issues. My goal is to assist clients to move towards a future that they want by successfully addressing any issues that they might be facing or having difficulty resolving. 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.
Aeri Schwartz
You may understand your patterns—people-pleasing, self-criticism, or struggles with food—but still feel stuck. I help you work through the deeper patterns driving these experiences so you can feel less shame and build a stronger sense of self-worth.
Sunset Momentum Therapy
Physically in California (San Francisco for those looking for in person) and able to meet with folks in Massachusetts (long story), I've been in practice for 11 years! I think therapy should be an empowering, straightforward, and welcoming experience. Forget the old-fashioned, “misty magical” and old sage men and women with glasses nodding and asking, “Hmm, hmm, okay…..and how do you feel about that?” I want our work together to be full of self-reflection and action with you in the driver’s seat. I view my role to be one of support and encouragement, but by no means do I have all the answers. I’ll be active in the room (or screen!) but I don’t view myself as “the expert” in your experience or your future. You are the star of your show; my role is to help you attain a way of life that’s better than it is now. The core values that guide my therapy work are kindness, autonomy, self-respect, and compassion. I believe we need to have respect for ourselves and compassion for others and that people have the agency and autonomy to make those decisions and do good to one another. When we respect ourselves and each other, I believe that breeds kindness. I aim to provide care to my clients by supporting them in their journeys rather than laying the path of bread crumbs out for them. Why would I interrupt and take away from your power? I believe that you are an expert on your life and have many strengths and skills, likely more than you realize. I see my job as helping you discover and start using these skills more effectively to have positive impacts on your life.
Jade Jhon
I am a dedicated and compassionate, board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). The majority of my nursing career has been in high-acuity psychiatric settings, including psychiatric emergency, crisis stabilization, and inpatient behavioral health. I initially started in the Emergency Department as a new graduate nurse, where I realized that what truly resonated with me was the mental health aspect of patient care. Throughout my psychiatric nursing career, I’ve worked with diverse populations from pediatrics to geriatrics, managing complex psychiatric and co-occurring disorders, emergency crisis situations, and facilitating stabilization through comprehensive and therapeutic interventions tailored to each patient’s unique needs. What inspires me to work in mental health is the resilience of the people I’ve cared for, many of whom have faced immense stigma, systemic barriers, or trauma. I’ve seen how transformative it can be when someone feels genuinely heard and respected, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, including LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, foster youth, immigrants, and those struggling with disabilities or homelessness. Mental health is the foundation to overall health and quality of life. The ability to support someone in their most vulnerable moments and witness their transformation is what continually inspires my commitment to this field. My approach is person-centered, intentional, non-coercive, and collaborative care. I strive to meet each patient exactly where they are, emotionally, culturally, and developmentally, and aim to prioritize their autonomy. I offer compassionate, evidence-based guidance, especially in medication management, to ensure that each treatment plan aligns with the patient’s values, readiness, and recovery goals. My goal is to support patients in building lives that are not just symptom-free, but fulfilling, meaningful, and self-directed.
Darin Conway
Working with individuals who feel they need some extra support to tackle challenges that life throws at them is my passion. I believe that through the relationship and work between client and therapist, behaviors can be adjusted, relationships can be mended, unhealthy coping skills can be identified and reworked, and healthy change can occur. I create a safe, comfortable therapeutic environment where individuals can succeed in making positive growth in their lives. Taking a straightforward, honest, relaxed and empathetic approach to supporting clients frees clients to open up, discover their strengths and make the most of therapy.
Emily Reeder
My role as a therapist is to support you in exploring your personal story and observing your inner experiences. I offer a safe, non-judgmental space using warmth, humor and gentle awareness for you to feel accepted and understood. I use narrative, solution focused, and mindfulness techniques to collaborate with you. This approach allows you to reauthor your story with compassion and insight, drawing from your strengths and values to cultivate resilience.
Mary Kocman
Hi! My name is Mary and I am a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist and Somatic Experiencing practitioner based in Southern California. Are you struggling with your emotions in a chaotic world? Unsure of how to support yourself through a life transition? Or just wanting support to find your full potential? Let me meet you where you are at in your journey to help you understand how to support yourself through difficult and complex times. I work with individuals of all ages in the therapy space. If you are searching for the best version of yourself, no matter your background, you are supported in this space to make that discovery. I have a special focus on women's issues and how mental health and physical health go hand in hand to find a balance. My journey to becoming a therapist started many years ago with an introduction to Jungian psychology and working with my own dreams to understand who I was becoming as a person. It has inspired me to be a more curious individual and to impart that knowledge to my clients in the therapy space.
Ruth Schettini
As a first-generation Latina, I know the experience of first gen and I understand how big a role culture plays in our interactions, relationships, and even how we view ourselves. I also understand the anxiety of being first gen, POC and struggling to find your voice. I want to help you find that voice. I have extensive experience working with anxiety in adults and adolescents. I also have experience and training with working with individuals who work in ministry and live more faith-based lives. There are genuine barriers and systems we all face every day along with the stigma our communities may place on us. You will find a safe and open space here. I try to approach everyone in a way where I am meeting them where they are at, creating a safe space, and being honest and realistic about the barriers you may be facing and how you can start to overcome them. I have been trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Socio-Emotional Relationship Therapy (SERT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Relationship Therapy, and Experiential Therapy (Satir). I am currently being trained in Trauma Therapy. Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions! 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.
Ashley Hamilton
Welcome, I'm glad you made it. I am a psychotherapist specializing in individual work around emotional awareness, attachment, relationships, anxiety and depression. I work within a specific model of therapy called AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy), which is informed by the latest research on neuroscience, attachment, relationships, emotion, and how change happens in therapy, through the relationship and within the nervous system and the brain. I choose to receive weekly consultation from an expertly trained AEDP therapist who helps me to help you. I am constantly learning and expanding my knowledge and skill base as a therapist. My clients experience a deeper sense of safety, security and confidence in themselves, their relationships and the world. My clients often decrease their anxiety, depression, or unwanted worry by learning to recognize, and be with feelings in a way that feels tolerable and leads to positive feeling states of relief, calm, clarity, self-understanding, growth and compassion. If there is any part of you that has felt like you are too much or not enough, I think I can help. I look forward to connecting to you if it's feeling right.
Kendall Ponce
I am here to help you negative life’s ups and downs with understanding, practical tools, and care because I understand what it means to struggle and need that person along your journey. Whatever you’re facing, I’d be honored to walk alongside you as you find your way. My approach is all about balance. I focus on understanding your emotions and unique journey, while also helping you take meaningful steps forward. I believe in creating a safe, welcoming space where you can feel heard and supported as you rediscover your strengths and sense of agency. I’m mindful of all aspects that make you who you are, and I’m here to help you find clarity, connection, and confidence on your path.
Dustin Weissman, PsyD
Dr. Weissman Psychology is a group practice consisting of the husband and wife duo that is Dr. Dustin Weissman and Dr. Ellen Weissman. Both Drs. Weissman are Licensed Clinical Psychologists. Dr. Weissman Psychology provides individual, family, and group therapy to adolescents (12-17) and adults (18+). With a wide array of experience between both Drs. Weissman, this duo is equipped with the therapeutic techniques and skills to help a diverse population of people.
Free Association Clinic
For over 30 years, we have worked with individuals to confront experiences of suffering and conflict through existential psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. Our mission is to help you uncover the meaning behind your struggles and rediscover the passion, love, and joy that may feel elusive. Whether you seek clarity, healing, or growth, we are here to walk with you every step of the way.
Michelle Colarusso
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Kayleigh Watters
I am a licensed psychologist specializing in the treatment of PTSD, complex trauma, and traumatic invalidation. I provide evidence based treatment approaches that have been supported by research, while tailoring treatment to meet the unique needs of each client. My therapeutic approach is collaborative and I work with each client to clarify their goals to develop an individualized treatment plan. My approach to therapy is open, flexible and empathic. I offer Prolonged Exposure (PE), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Written Exposure Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. I am a certified provider in CPT. For more information about private practice, please check out my website: summitpsychotherapycenter.com. Please call or email to set up a free 15-minute consultation to determine whether I may be a good fit. I look forward to working together!
Tamara Savage
If you want to see the universe laugh, tell it your plans.” In my 30 years of practicing psychology, this is perhaps one of my most favorite client quotes. Life is a meandering, unpredictable adventure with fulfilling, joyous times and also some unexpected and difficult challenges included. It’s not always easy to create the life and relationships that will bring fulfillment and happiness. Sometimes it’s difficult to even imagine your goals, understand what’s going wrong and think of solutions to overwhelming problems. Whether you are struggling with depression, anxiety, relationship issues, low self-worth or just a general sense of dissatisfaction and unhappiness, therapy can help you gain insight into your feelings, clarify your life’s direction and help you create a life worth living by maximizing your true potential. I strive to create a safe, supportive, non-judgmental environment where we can collaboratively explore, understand and clarify your feelings as well as find more adaptive ways to cope and problem solve the issues in your life. I believe that you can’t really understand someone’s present world without understanding their past experiences and how that is negatively or positively impacting their life now. In therapy I can help you break out of old patterns that are not serving you well anymore, improve coping alternatives and psychological flexibility while concurrently providing you concrete strategies for managing overwhelming feelings in the moment and the support and empathy you need to move forward. Life is hard for everyone at some point, but in considering therapy now, you have demonstrated the courage to strive for more and take the first step towards healing and growth. Together we will create the life you’ve always wanted by exploring what is holding you back, getting in your way and answering the questions you were previously too afraid to consider. I have been practicing psychology/therapy for the past 30 years since receiving my PhD in 1993 from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. I recently retired from my job of 21 years in university counseling so that I could start my own private practice and better serve the clients with whom I work. I am a “true generalist” in every sense of the word and have experience and comfort in working with many different types of individuals, couples and issues. Some of my areas of expertise are: *Transitional aged youth ages 18-35, * Relationship and Interpersonal issues * Rape/Sexual assault *Relationship Abuse *Depression *Anxiety *Couples Therapy *Sports Psychology/Performance Enhancement *Processing Childhood Emotional and Physical Abuse. *Life Transitions *Parenting Issues I am eager to join you on your journey towards happiness and fulfillment so please reach out for a free consultation and take the first step toward a better and more powerful you. I offer Telemental Health Treatment to all of California.
Clay Crosby, MFT
Are you feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected? Want to connect with a human being rather than an AI bot? I help highly creative people with relationship issues, depression, anxiety, trauma and PTSD, life transitions (bereavement, loss of relationship, career change, etc.) and the challenges of creative careers. Many of my clients are performers, writers, musicians and visual artists. In addition, I practiced in Europe for 6 years and have broad experience working with expats, immigrants, and cross-cultural couples.
Stacy Heiser
Hi, I’m Stacy, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who works with neurodivergent adults, especially those with ADHD. I help clients learn how to manage executive functioning challenges, emotional regulation, and relationship struggles with more confidence and self-compassion. As a late-diagnosed neurodivergent adult, I bring both professional and lived experience to my work with clients. Together, we’ll explore how your past experiences and environments have shaped the way you see yourself and the world. Then we'll create a plan that works with your brain and utilizes your strengths. My style is warm and conversational. My approach integrates Adlerian priniciples and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Adlerian therapy helps individuals understand how early experiences shape beliefs like shame or "being lazy." ACT adds tools to manage overwhelm, relate differently to difficult thoughts, and take values-based action. Finding the right therapist is important. If you think I may be a good fit, please feel free to reach out.
Weaving Clarity
Weaving Clarity therapists specialize in trauma-focused care with a background in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). We help treat social anxiety and finding your authentic identity. We aid in facing relationship difficulties such as fear of commitment or being abandoned. We also assist in healing feelings of "I'm not enough and I'm too much." We help with finding a balance within the relationship dance of feeling the loss of autonomy and the fear of truly being seen.
Yvonne Perez-Sallaberry
Yvonne Perez-Sallaberry, LMFT is a bilingual (English/Spanish) therapist who supports students in navigating anxiety, trauma, stress, and life transitions. She uses evidence-based approaches like CBT and strengths-based practices to help clients build coping tools and reach their goals. With experience working with both adolescents and adults—and over 15 years in education—Yvonne understands the unique challenges of academic life and the pressures that come with high-stakes environments.
Courtney Spencer
Through a collaborative, strengths-based approach, clients identify places where they feel stuck and learn and practice skills that support their therapy goals. I'm passionate about being a therapist and believe that the therapeutic process is instrumental in helping clients address and navigate difficult life experiences. I believe in making therapy both accessible and enjoyable so that clients walk away with an understanding of the challenges they face and a readiness to embrace a more fulfilled life. I am a therapist at Octave, a behavioral health practice creating a new standard for mental health care that’s both high-quality and accessible. To learn more about my availability, please reach out to our Client Experience team by emailing or calling.