Therapists for college students near San Francisco State University
Kirsten Bonaventura
I work frequently with young adults as they manage increasing independence, college and work. I understand the challenges involved with balancing academic requirements, personal stressors and self care. Additionally, I am experienced in helping clients who are wanting to change their relationship patterns and behaviors, and those struggling to find effective ways to deal with symptoms related to depression, anxiety, and codependency. As a clinical psychologist, I assist my clients in meeting their goals and improving their relationships. Therapy is used to improve communication, coping skills and problem solving. One of my areas of expertise is in helping clients who are working through a particularly challenging time in their lives, and having difficulty moving forward from their experience. By encouraging self expression, increased insight and problem solving in therapy, I work collaboratively with clients to facilitate positive changes. Improving self esteem through greater understanding and acceptance of oneself is part of that work.
Gema Diaz, LMFT
Many young adults—especially first-generation individuals—carry a quiet mix of anxiety, pressure, and unresolved family wounds. You might be navigating cultural expectations, managing everyone’s needs, or trying to break patterns that have been passed down for generations. If you feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure how to move forward, you’re not alone. I integrate Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavior Therapy CBT, attachment-focused work, and culturally affirming practices. As a first-gen, bilingual therapist myself, I understand the pressure of holding multiple worlds at once. My approach is grounded in cultural nuance, deep compassion, and a commitment to creating a space where you don’t have to translate your experience—you can simply be you.
Rebecca Carron
Hello! Welcome! I'm glad you are on this journey to self-discovery and healing. I come from a relational perspective and believe relationships to be incredibly healing. As such, I am authentic, empathetic, and warm. Your goals are our focus and I am here to be with you in the process and learn skills to support your goals.
The Intersectional Therapist
The origins of many psychotherapeutic approaches come from a Eurocentric and Male perspective. The very history of psychology as well as current diagnostic criteria are guided by Eurocentric standards. Intersectionality challenges the history of psychology, the therapeutic approaches, as well as the DSM (the therapist "bible") by encouraging a clinician to take a step back and look at all the identities that present with each and every client. Intersectionality in therapy allows for a more well rounded and appropriate form of treatment that takes into account the impact of discrimination on our emotional well being as well as the resiliency and strength that can come with our identities
Maria Solis-Espinoza
I am a bilingual licensed Marriage and Family therapist. I am dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate life’s challenges and build stronger, more resilient relationships. With a warm and non-judgmental approach, I create a safe space for clients to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. I believe in empowering individuals to achieve independence, confidence, and success in their daily lives. Through my education and work experience, I personalize and create interventions with the collaboration of the client.
Dexter Mai
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your emotions? Have you experienced childhood, family, or identity trauma that has left you feeling stressed and anxious? Or perhaps you're simply looking to understand yourself better and lead a happier life. If any of these resonate with you, I can help. I have five years of experience working in various clinical settings, including suicide hotlines, community mental health, sexual health clinics, and hospitals. Through my experiences, I have developed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals seeking mental health care, especially with AAPIs, young adults, immigrants, and the LGBTQ population. As a Taiwanese American who immigrated to America at 12 years old, I have firsthand experience of the challenges individuals from immigrant communities face. I also understand the unique challenges faced by the LGBTQ population, and I'm committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all of my clients. In my work, I view my clients from a social justice lens and address systemic issues that impact mental health. I utilize a range of therapeutic approaches to help my clients achieve their goals. As a trauma-informed therapist, I recognize that the effects of trauma can be pervasive and long-lasting, and I work collaboratively with my clients to develop a treatment plan that is tailored to their unique needs. I also incorporate Brainspotting and EMDR into my work to support clients in processing their trauma. I also offer video games and virtual reality (VR) therapy to help you explore your strengths, manage your moods, and devise solutions to overcome your challenges. These innovative approaches can be especially helpful for clients who are seeking a more interactive and immersive therapy experience. Together, we can work towards building a happier and more fulfilling life. So if you're ready to take the first step, I encourage you to schedule a 15-minute phone call with me today.
Peace and Purpose Therapy
"Since 2019, Peace and Purpose Therapy has offered compassionate psychotherapy to adults and teens throughout San Luis Obispo County. Located in Arroyo Grande, this dedicated practice specializes in trauma-informed care, including EMDR, alongside expert support for relationship dynamics, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Their experienced team provides a safe, nurturing environment for individual, couple, and family counseling, tailoring every approach to foster healing, growth, and lasting well-being. Peace and Purpose Therapy is excited to announce that we are now accepting Cencal Insurance."
Dr. Kennison
Hello and thank you for stopping by! I received my Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from California Southern University (2019) and my Master of Social Work degree from the University of Southern California (2010). I am a faith based therapist who works with high functioning individuals, youth/adolescents, adults in college and the work force, people with health challenges, and those facing various issues, such as improving communication, enhancing relationships, gaining clarity, and feeling stuck. My specialties include adjustment difficulties, spirituality, loss and grief, life stressors, relationship issues, first generation, school issues, attachment and immigration trauma. I adapt my treatment approach to each individual client, and though I often use a psychodynamic approach with cognitive behavioral interventions, and stress reduction techniques, I frequently use techniques from family systems, object relations, humanistic therapy, narrative therapy, and client-centered. I'm a good match for individuals longing to connect with themselves, partners figuring out how to be true to themselves in a committed relationship, and parents wanting to be more conscious parents. I offer therapy sessions in English and Spanish via telehealth only. Please note that I am a self-pay practice. I am not an in-network provider with any insurance, nor do I work directly with insurance companies. Being a self-pay practice helps maintain the utmost level of privacy for my clients. I find it essential to let you know that insurance companies require a formal diagnosis to apply for reimbursement. The insurance company may also request your therapy records. The diagnosis would stay in your insurance records without the possibility to amend or change it, even after the circumstances in your life improves. Self-pay provides and allows the provision of services without the restrictions of insurance regulations, insurance adjusters, or their third party adjusting agencies. I am currently a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California: LCSW # 79259
Melanie Payne
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Diane Morelos
The backbone of my work is relational – meaning, the relationship between us is at the core of therapy. My training and experience have led me to believe that therapy is not "one size fits all", nor is it one therapist fits all. I will approach your situation, open to discovering what kind of therapeutic relationship will work for you at this time. I have training and experience in the following methods: CBT, Trauma Focused CBT, PCIT, and Narrative Therapy. After a thorough assessment, I typically like to collaborate with clients on the method that would work best considering the symptoms. In a typical session, clients can expect to feel heard and validated while tackling goals towards a happier life.
Dalise Marbury
The students I work best with are often going through big changes in life that feel overwhelming—like starting at a new school, dealing with pressure at home, or feeling unsure about friendships. Many of them feel anxious, stressed, or sad, and sometimes find it hard to talk about what’s really going on. They usually want a safe space where they can share their thoughts without being judged, and where someone really listens and helps them make sense of their feelings. Some of my students want support with building confidence, finding healthy ways to cope, or learning how to manage tough emotions when they show up at school, at home, or with friends. If you’ve ever felt like no one really understands what you’re going through, or like you have to hide how you feel, then you’re the kind of student I can support. Together, we’ll work on helping you feel more comfortable in your own skin and finding strategies that actually fit your life.
Coastal Therapy & Wellness
How would your life change if you started therapy today? Right now, you have taken your first step towards overall health and personal growth. I offer a highly individualized approach to therapy so you get exactly what you want from therapy. I will not mold you to fit my therapeutic model but will individualize an approach that works best with your personality, needs, and goals. I use the latest technologies and Feedback Informed Treatment (FIT) in order to measure and visualize your progress. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional which allows me to help you work on any unresolved trauma and painful past experiences you may have. Unlike many other therapists, I will work with your individual strengths to not simply reduce symptoms but also increase overall WELL-BEING and happiness. My goal is to help you understand yourself better, identify obstacles on your path, and support you in navigating these obstacles effectively. I can help you find the answers you need and the strength to turn these answers into the life you want. I am looking forward to working with you! I offer a free initial phone consultation.
Jill Pittman
**I offer Telehealth** *Sliding scale based on income** Hi! My name is Jill Pittman and I am an alumni of SCU (undergrad & grad). Therapy Sucks. It’s time-consuming, uncomfortable, and to some, it feels like a sign of weakness. Who wants to show their ugly scary part to a stranger? The reality is – if you are seeking out therapy, it means that you are strong enough and brave enough to be willing to admit that we could all use some help navigating through painful or confusing times. It is a basic human need to have other humans witness our pain, problems, joys, and successes. I'm real. I'm approachable. I may or may not have a potty mouth. And I don't think therapy should be some stale, clinical, sterile experience. In our sessions, I'll show you how to be vulnerable and genuine by being that way myself. Let me be real with you, so you can be real with me. I'll laugh at your jokes if you will laugh at mine. I might even drop some f-bombs if you are lucky. You can even show me your favorite cat video(s) or we can listen to your favorite song. I welcome diversity including all body sizes, races, sexual orientations, gender identities, religions, sexual preferences, and especially those who may feel less welcome or accepted in other settings. I am LGBTQIA affirming, Kink Aware, and Poly Friendly. Call me today to discuss how I can be a support to you.
Katherine Gonzalez
I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who is passionate about supporting first-generation individuals navigating identity, family expectations, and the pressure to succeed. As a bilingual Latina therapist, I offer therapy in English and Spanish and understand the cultural layers that shape your experience. My goal is to create a warm, welcoming space where you feel heard, validated, and supported as you explore your emotions, strengthen your confidence, and move toward the life you want with clarity and compassion.
Rachael Gay
I am a licensed clinical social worker with many years of experience working with adults, adolescents, children, and families. I know that change is hard and seeking support is brave. It is a privilege to be alongside you in your journey towards becoming the person you want to be and living the life you want to live. Our therapy will be a space where it is okay to show up as your authentic self and share your feelings. We will collaborate to identify and work towards the changes you want to see in your life, brainstorm ways to overcome patterns you may feel stuck in, and support you in gaining the insight needed to foster progress. I have experience supporting clients with anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, perfectionism, school and work stress, self-esteem, attachment, and interpersonal and family relationships. My approach aims to be relational, strength-based, and trauma-informed. I strive to bring empathy, humor, and a nonjudgmental approach to the therapy space to support you in your journey. I use an integrative, holistic approach that pulls from different therapeutic specialties that we will tailor specifically to your identified wants and needs - such as narrative therapy, family systems, mind-body connection, solution-focused, and emotion and person-centered.
Dr. Tal Leead
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Transformational Counseling
Transformational Counseling was established to provide services that seek to empower the client to respond to variable life circumstances. Treatment follows a process that includes a thorough biopsychosocial assessment, practical behavioral treatments backed by research, and creating new rhythms with the aim of sustaining growth that not only seeks to alleviate temporal distress but also to invest into the individual for long-term thriving independent of circumstances. Find out how we can help you.
Viridiana Rodriguez
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Joanna Rogers
My style is warm , down-to-earth, and creative, and I strive to provide a welcoming and safe environment for my patients to express themselves. I have a passion for working with individuals who are seeking a meaningful life and see value in deepening their self-awareness. I weave traditional and esoteric psychology, and work mainly from the transpersonal perspective. This encompasses the deepest dimension of who we are, seeing life as part of an unfolding journey toward being a more whole and complete human being.
Venita Ninemire PMHNP
Venita Ninemire, APN is a caring and skilled practitioner, certified in both family practice and in psychiatry and mental health. Venita has over 7 years of practice experience and provides trust in caring for patients and families of all ages throughout their lifespan. She seeks to develop trust and rapport with the people she serves and is able to communicate openly and honestly to develop and build a good rapport. Her primary goal in your care is to help nurture patients' overall health and wellness issues considering all aspects of "being human", like success, failure, and coping with life issues, as well as taking action to address those areas where all people sometimes need some gentle guidance. Venita works with all facets of mental health including depression, anxiety, children's behavioral problems, sleep problems, mood disorders, and bipolar disorder. Outside of her work, she enjoys cooking and baking, entertaining friends, occasionally catering events, and most of all, spoiling her 3 grandchildren. She knows and understands the stresses of today's busy families and lives. She understands what it is like to be that busy mom or father with kids traveling all over participating in various sports events, and school activities, while trying to take classes, work full-time, and maintain a balance in family life. She is committed to providing excellence in mental health care for you and your loved ones.