Therapists for college students near San Diego State University
Matthew Schauer
In therapy, I utilize evidence-based treatment modalities and specialize in family therapy, couples therapy, addiction, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. My approach incorporates a variety of evidence-based therapeutic approaches tailored to the needs of each client. My goal is to develop a therapeutic relationship where trust, vulnerability, and safety can be experienced, allowing each client to grow at their level of comfort. 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.
Samantha Mero, LCSW, EMDR Certified (EMDRIA), PMH-C
I work with people-pleasing millennials who want to heal from past emotional wounds and stop self-sabotaging.
Janel Guinane
I am and have always been inspired to work in the mental health field because I believe everyone should have the opportunity to be happy and free from hindering and sometimes debilitating mental health symptoms. I started my adult life working in the corporate world and not too many years later realized that it was not my calling or my passion. It was then that I pursued furthering my education in order to be in a position to help others find their purpose, freedom, serenity, and happiness. Being a good listener is an extremely important skill and I believe a gift of mine. I believe that individuals are the experts in their own lives and therefore have a wealth of information to transmit. This is why listening is a major key in the therapeutic process. I am one to guide, not to dictate instructions for your life. I believe in being a partner in the process of recovery, healing, and well-being. A strong therapeutic alliance begins with the therapist’s ability to listen and empathize. It builds upon mutual respect and open-mindedness. A non-judgmental presence that exudes a sort of transparency and authenticity is vital in this process as well. Being flexible and modifying therapeutic modalities to fit the client’s needs are essential.
Leslie Klein Ph.D.
Starting college or graduate school —or navigating your way through them—can be both exciting and overwhelming. Many students find themselves facing stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, identity questions, academic pressure, or major life transitions, often for the first time. You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. I specialize in working with college students and young adults, and I understand the unique pressures of university life—from managing expectations and finding your place, to coping with self-doubt, loneliness, or burnout. Whether you’re struggling or simply wanting to better understand yourself and grow, therapy can be a space where things begin to feel more manageable and more hopeful. My approach is warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental. I believe that meaningful change happens in a strong, trusting therapeutic relationship, where you feel safe to be yourself and explore what’s really going on beneath the surface. Together, we’ll work at your pace to better understand your experiences, build resilience, and develop tools that help you move forward with greater confidence and clarity. I have over 15 years of experience in the mental health field, including working in university counseling centers, where I supported students through many of the challenges you may be facing now. I’ve worked with individuals from diverse backgrounds and identities, and I am committed to creating an inclusive, affirming space where you feel seen and respected. I also have experience working with international students, students with disabilities and chronic health conditions, Deaf and hard of hearing students, and those navigating complex family or cultural dynamics. Reaching out for support can feel like a big step—but it can also be the beginning of feeling more like yourself again. You deserve support, understanding, and a space to grow. I would be honored to be part of that process with you.
Serena Galloway, PhD at GPS.Inc
Hi, I'm Dr. Serena. I help clients who are struggling with anxieties and self-doubt by exploring what's getting in the way, where the fears are coming from, and how your existing strengths can help shift you out of feeling stuck. This might look like mix of using what is working for you with creating new strategies. I also consider how family expectations, values, and culture play a role in how you are trying to show up at school as well as in your relationships. I use my experience in providing couples therapy to help individuals figure out what they want, how to communicate that effectively, and navigate conflict so that you can feel seen and supported by the people in your life. Want to see if we are a good fit? Schedule a 15min consultation call on my booking website: https://serena-galloway.clientsecure.me . I'll answer your questions and we can set up virtual sessions that fit your schedule. I look forward to hearing from you 🌻
Susan Farber
College can feel like a lot. You may be dealing with stress, anxiety, pressure to perform, relationship issues, or just feeling overwhelmed and not like yourself. I’m Susan Farber, a licensed marriage and family therapist with more than 25 years of experience. I work with college students to help you feel more in control of your thoughts, emotions, and reactions so you can function better day to day. My approach is practical and supportive. I use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) along with mind–body techniques to help you manage anxiety, improve focus, and regulate stress. You’ll learn tools you can actually use—whether it’s getting through exams, handling social or relationship stress, or dealing with burnout. You don’t have to have everything figured out to start therapy. If something feels off, overwhelming, or too much to carry on your own, this is a space to sort it out and get back to feeling more like yourself. I offer in-person sessions in Santa Barbara and Solvang, as well as telehealth throughout California.
Michael Perez
I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) specialized in treating mood, anxiety, cognitive, trauma-related, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. I graduated from University of California, San Francisco, where I obtained a Master of Science in Nursing as a PMHNP. Prior to this, I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from University of California, San Diego, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from California State University, Fullerton. I have a long-held a passion for mental healthcare and have worked with individuals of all ages in a variety of settings within psychiatry, including inpatient, outpatient, PHP/IOP, mobile healthcare and research. My interest in mental health care began during my high school years simply as a fascination with psychology and neuropsychological processes. As I progressed through my education, this grew into a desire to be part of a field that seeks to increase awareness of and decrease stigma surrounding an often-overlooked, but vital, part of health. I value taking a collaborative approach with clients to create a thorough, individualized, and evidence-based treatment plan that best meets their specific needs and goals. I am a strong proponent of the philosophy that health is multifactorial, made up of physical, psychological, emotional, social and spiritual facets, and believe the emphasis needed on any one of those facets is unique to each individual. All psychiatry providers at Foresight have specialized experience in treating a wide range of common mental health conditions, including but not limited to ADHD, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, depression, and PTSD. In addition, I specialize in the following areas: academic stress, behavior addictions (shopping, sex, etc), deprescribing, holistic approaches to psychiatry, somatic symptoms disorders, trauma-informed care, anger management, dissociative disorders, first responders, grief, men’s issues, racial identity, self harming (non-suicidal self injurious behavior), transgender care
Taisia McMahon
My educational, professional, and personal experiences, combined with a profound desire to help people heal and grow, are the foundation of my work as a psychotherapist. I provide a space where you are free to explore and share yourself. I strive to create an environment that allows you to safely discuss, reflect, uncover, and change. My ability to help people feel safe, accepted and welcome has been the cornerstone of my success as a psychotherapist. You may come as you are to address the things that are affecting you today.
Cecilia Spero
I’m a therapist with an overall strength-based perspective, certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I believe people function and perform their best when they learn to identify, value, and utilize their natural strengths as part of a plan towards overcoming barriers in life. While I typically draw from a variety of research-based modalities, depending on each client’s unique situation, I find CBT to be a very empowering form of therapy for clients that are motivated to take a proactive role in their treatment. As a therapist, my own biggest strengths are my education & training in evidence-based practice, paired with a creative mindset, from which I draw some unique perspectives & strategies to offer my clients. I have genuine respect for people seeking help for themselves and I truly enjoy working with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. 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.
Mike Pugh
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Gena Richcreek
Are you feeling lost and unsure about yourself and how you are feeling? Are you struggling with anxiety and depression and are weighed down by the societal and social pressures of having to have your life figured out? Being a young adult can be very challenging with all of the pressure to succeed, "be the best" and having to stand out academically and socially. As a therapist with 20 years experience, allow me to explore with you how to become the "best" version of yourself in a safe, warm, and accepting environment. "There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind." -C.S. Lewis
Daniela Paolone
As a therapist with chronic pain and chronic illness, I have incorporated my experiences with my clinical training so that I can provide you with tools, resources, and education. My therapeutic approach is interactive. We will work together so that the approaches and methods we explore will match what you are looking for. We will focus on your strengths and your current ways of coping and use that as a foundation to build upon and create an action plan. It is normal to experience those emotional ups and downs. It is my hope to have the opportunity to help you in this process in learning to manage and reduce those symptoms so that you feel more resilient and prepared to handle whatever stressors come your way. 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.
Isabel Rothschild Bartel
I specialize in anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and relationship issues. I have experience working with veterans, children, families, adolescents, and adults struggling with substance abuse. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I provide a safe therapeutic environment with a focus on developing lifelong skills. Working together, we will formulate attainable goals and strive towards greater self-acceptance. I will invite you to work with a kind curiosity on the journey of self-discovery. My theoretical orientation is primarily through a humanistic lens using strength-based and solution-focused interventions. I believe every individual has specific needs that can be tailored in a collaborative process through treatment. I incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy into my treatment plan, as well as aspects of Psychodynamic Therapy, Positive Psychology, and Mindfulness. 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.
Jehan Helmi
Dr. Jehan F. Helmi is a psychiatrist in Cleveland, Ohio and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Highland Springs Hospital and Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare-Northfield. She received her medical degree from King Abdulaziz University College of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. She has expertise in treating bipolar disorder, among other conditions - see all areas of expertise. She specializes in child and adolescent psychiatry. Education & Experience Medical School & Residency University of Miami/Jackson Health System Residency, Psychiatry, 2014-2017 King Abdulaziz University College of Medicine Medical School University of California (Irvine) Fellowship, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2018-2020 Certifications & Licensure CT State Medical License Active through 2027 CA State Medical License Active through 2027 FL State Medical License Active through 2027 OH State Medical License Active through 2026
Sharyl Ratkovic
I have had the honor of working as a therapist for 30 years in various settings such as a battered women’s shelter, Child Abuse Reunification programs and the Private Sector. My style as a therapist is calm, empathic and compassionate while using my training, experience and humor to assist my clients on their journey of growth and healing. My practice is focused on helping individuals and couples live a more connected and authentic life, overcoming trauma, managing anxiety and depression, and creating a life that they have always dreamed of. I specialize in working with women and young adults who are moving away from a negative relationship or who are in transitional stages of their lives. I work collaboratively with the client to explore the patterns in their life that are inhibiting them from living the life they desire. I focus on the whole person, mind body and soul to heal the pain from the past and create new and more effective means of communicating with others and in the world in which they live. In my practice I utilize Solution Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness Cognitive Therapy and Visualization to provide the most effective ways to regain balance and mental health.
Tamekia Flanngan
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Sam Naimi, psychoanalyst, LCSW
I help people understand themselves with profound depth, not just with symptom management. If you're ready to look at patterns, relationships, and what keeps you stuck, this work is for you. Can you dream of a life no longer haunted by your past? Are you feeling limited in your relationships? Contemporary psychoanalysis offers a unique space to understand not only what has happened to you, but how your history continues to shape your inner world, often outside of conscious awareness. I help people understand themselves with profound depth; not just with symptom management. If you're ready to look at patterns, relationships, and what keeps you painfully stuck, this work is for you. Therapy is an emancipatory undertaking: the aim is not to help you become better adjusted to what has constrained you, but to help you become less beholden to it in the long run. I bring warmth, candor, and sustained attention to the room. My specialties include contemporary dream interpretation; dissociation; depression; and trauma, in all its forms.
Allied Psychological Services
We provide psychological testing and therapy to ages 1 and up. Specialize in ADHD and anxiety for all ages. Use mostly evidence based approaches.
Gabriel Arroyo
Hello my name is Gabriel Arroyo and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist located in Southern California. My specialties in treatment focus on couples/relationship counseling to help improve relationship dynamic with better communication, trust, and intimacy. I also work with individuals that struggle with anxiety and depression by learning healthy effective coping strategies. In therapy I like to work in a collaborative approach to strength your existing strengths as well as learn new effective skills. My approach is direct with balanced sensitivity and compassion to help achieve your goals in an effective and efficient manner. If you are interested in working with me, please feel free to contact me for a free consultation call.
Danielle A Haynes
I partner with individuals offering compassionate, trauma-informed care that promotes healing and personal growth. Partnering as a relational helper, I hope to expand from problem-focused stories to those of strength and resilience, matched with empowerment and a clearer sense of agency, working together to create the desired changes. I have experience working with individuals, from diverse backgrounds. My areas of work have included but are not limited to struggles around anxiety, depression, identity concerns, self-esteem issues, trauma, life transitions, relational issues, and daily stressors. I use an eclectic approach, drawing from various practices such as relational therapy, narrative therapy, client-centered therapy, attachment theory, some features of dialectical behavioral therapy, psychodynamic framework, and I approach therapy through a mindfulness, justice-orientated, culturally sensitive, queer-affirmative and a trauma informed lens. I believe in a relational process in which finding a therapist that is a "good fit" as the groundwork for a supportive, transformative process. I believe that every individual can examine their life's journey and own their story; all while strengthening self-compassion and working to navigate who and how to be in relationships. Stepping into the therapeutic process is the first movement towards self-discovery and growth! "Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do" -Brene' Brown