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Therapists for college students near San Francisco State University

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Nathan Villarante

Marriage & Family Therapist
Online
San Francisco, CA

I have a background in crisis counseling in a hospital setting as well as with working professionals in the community for several years, working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, substance use issues, chronic stress/burnout, relationship issues, and trauma. I help clients to learn skills oriented towards reducing the impact and influence their difficult situations are holding over their lives. Do you find yourself uncontrollably spiraling with your thoughts at the most inconvenient times? Does it feel like you are completely at the mercy of overwhelming emotions due to a difficult situation? Our work together will involve reducing the impact and influence these difficult experiences are holding over you while learning how to hold steady in the midst of an emotional storm. There is an inherent amount of pain and difficulty that comes with life: a strained relationship, a stressful job, or the loss of a loved one for instance. How we respond to that pain and difficulty is where much of our work is. We look at ways that you might be artificially increasing that pain by identifying and changing unhelpful behaviors. The aim isn't necessarily to make the unwanted experience go away per se. Together we will identify behaviors and practice skills that set you on a values-driven path towards a rich and meaningful 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.

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Noah Buchanan

Pre-Licensed Professional
Online
Berkeley, CA

I became a therapist because I’ve always been drawn to how people make sense of pain, identity, survival, and the patterns that shape how they relate to themselves and others. Before entering this field, I worked in settings where I supported people in crisis and helped connect them with care and resources. Over time, I realized I didn’t just want to help people stabilize through difficult moments, I wanted to support deeper, longer-term healing, especially around trauma, relationships, and identity. I’ve also become especially interested in couples work and relational patterns—how people affect one another, how cycles of conflict or distance develop, and how repair becomes possible. A lot of emotional pain shows up in relationships, and I’m interested in helping people slow those moments down so they can understand what’s happening underneath reactivity and disconnection. Alongside that, I’m committed to working with neurodivergent clients, including ADHD and OCD, as well as LGBTQ+ individuals and couples. I’m interested in how people navigate differences in attention, regulation, intrusive thoughts, identity, and communication, especially in systems that haven’t always understood or accommodated those experiences. My goal is to create a space where those differences aren’t pathologized, but understood in context. Feeling heard is something we build actively in the room, not something that just happens automatically. I slow the process down when needed so each person has space to fully express what they’re experiencing, especially in moments where emotions are high, communication feels stuck, or patterns start repeating. I listen for both what is said directly and what might be happening underneath needs, fears, protective responses, and the meaning each person is making of the situation. In couples work, I pay close attention to the interaction itself: how cycles form, where disconnection happens, and what each person may be protecting or trying to communicate through their reactions. With trauma, neurodivergence, ADHD, OCD, and LGBTQ+ experiences, I also stay attentive to how past environments may have shaped how safe it feels to speak openly, regulate emotions, or be fully seen. I check in regularly to make sure I’m understanding each of you accurately, and I welcome correction if something doesn’t land right. The goal is for both of you to feel that your experience is taken seriously, even when your perspectives differ. Working together is a collaborative process where we look at what’s bringing you in, what patterns are repeating, and how those patterns show up both individually and between you as a couple. I don’t approach therapy as something I’m doing to you, but as something we’re actively building together over time. Trust develops through consistency, clarity, and responsiveness. I aim to create a structured but flexible space where we can slow things down enough to understand what’s happening beneath conflict, shutdown, or overwhelm. In couples work, that often means tracking the interaction in real time and helping both partners feel understood without losing sight of accountability or impact. With neurodivergence, ADHD, and OCD in particular, I also pay attention to how attention, impulse, certainty, doubt, and regulation affect communication and relationships. With trauma and LGBTQ+ clients, I focus on creating a space where safety, respect, and identity are not assumed or questioned, but actively supported. Throughout our work, I check in about how the process is feeling and adjust as needed so therapy remains useful, grounded, and aligned with what matters most to you. Outside of therapy, I like having creative outlets and noticing small, grounding moments in everyday life. I also spend time with my dog, a Beagle, Frenchie, who has a lot of personality and a strong opinion about absolutely everything. She’s a good reminder that even in deeper work around trauma, relationships, and identity, there’s still space for humor, warmth, and moments that don’t feel so heavy.

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Susan Walters

Marriage & Family Therapist
Online
San Francisco, CA

Life changes, trauma, ongoing anxiety and depression can all pop up and prevent you from experiencing joy and satisfaction in your life. I'm here to help. Let’s fix this. I’m here to help you restore joy and to support you in being present with yourself and in your relationships. Together we can build your sense of well-being and develop an understanding of what is limiting you. You’ll learn coping strategies to help you through these challenges, increase your mindfulness and put aside the distorted beliefs that are holding you back. It takes wisdom and courage to reach out for help. Thank you for being brave and taking this first step. Let’s do this together! 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.

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Christie Schnur

Marriage & Family Therapist
Online
Berkeley, CA

I am inspired to work in the field of mental health care to support and validate individuals who maybe having a difficult time navigating through the stressors of life. I want individuals to live not just to exist. Active listening and validation is important for every individual in a therapy session. I not only practice active listening but ensure that I have heard not only the words but the emotion and intent from the client. I believe a strong therapeutic relationship starts with active listening and empathy. I want the individual to understand that therapy at times may bring up strong and difficult emotions and I will be there through this journey. Therapy is a safe space to explore the past, present and future without judgement.

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Cathy Thompson, PhD - Deeper Than Color

Group practice
Online
Oakland, CA

I enjoy working with folks who need support in managing a wide variety of issues from self-esteem and identity concerns to the stress of dealing with multiple roles, relationships, and life demands (as students, partners, friends, parents, new professionals, family members, community activists, etc.) My clinical interests include multicultural and women's issues, racial/ethnic identity development (especially among biracial/multi-racial/ethnic/cultural individuals), sexual and gender identity development, adjustment and transition issues, and building healthy relationships through assertive communication and positive self-esteem. I enjoy working with folks who need support in managing a wide variety of issues from self-esteem and identity concerns to the stress of dealing with multiple roles, relationships, and life demands (as students, partners, friends, parents, new professionals, family members, community activists, etc.) My clinical interests include multicultural and women's issues, racial/ethnic identity development (especially among biracial/multi-racial/ethnic/cultural individuals), sexual and gender identity development, adjustment and transition issues, and building healthy relationships through assertive communication and positive self-esteem. I identify as a queer, Biracial (Black/White), Feminist Multicultural Psychologist and I am passionate about diversity, equity, and social justice. I believe that it is important to understand individuals within a social context as we cannot separate our strengths and challenges from our environment, culture, and social location. My approach is integrative and incorporates humanistic, dynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and multicultural feminist approaches that encourage positive coping and resilience.

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Jordan St. Pierre

Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Online
Oakland, CA

I have extensive experience working with adults experiencing persistent and severe mental health disorders and substance use disorders. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, bipolar, schizophrenia, paranoia, relationship issues, couples issues, communication issues, trauma, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), grief and loss, substance use, and personality disorders. I have also helped many clients who have experienced physical, emotional, verbal, and sexual abuse. During my years of practice, I have identified the benefits of focusing on client's self-esteem in order to improve within themselves, specifically focusing on ""the here and now"". I am highly trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical behavior Therapy (DBT) which I have utilized within individual, group, and family therapy sessions as as well as solution focused therapy and motivational therapy. My therapy style is warm and nonjudgmental as I want all of my clients to feel they are in a safe environment when working with me. I believe in treating everyone as an individual and meeting my clients where they are during sessions. I also work with my clients in identifying their individual goals and completing unique and specific treatment plans. 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.

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Kayleigh Swetland

Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Online
South San Francisco, CA

I come from a trauma-informed theoretical orientation. I believe that attachment is often the root of many challenges. I work from a cognitive-behavioral lens with a narrative approach. I am informed by psychodynamic and social-emotional developmental models (Piaget, Erickson, Freud, Maslow). I also use techniques and interventions integrating art, worksheets, media, and psychoeducational books or articles. I have training in motivational interviewing, adoption competency certification, ASIST suicide training, cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, psychodynamic, art, and narrative therapies. Ultimately though, rapport and relationship are the building blocks of a strong therapeutic alliance and identifying the client’s theory of change and providing treatment through the lens that they most identify with is the approach I take and why I have an eclectic therapeutic repertoire. 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.

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Carrie Bican

Marriage & Family Therapist
Online
Oakland, CA

I have experienced the complexities of family relationships, stress and anxiety, grief and loss, phase of life changes, work-related issues, motivation, self-esteem, adjustment disorders, and of course persistent diagnoses as well such as depression. I am compassionate about how we experience the world as an individual and as a collective. I am a person-centered therapist who uses an integrated approach to therapy. Even though I pull knowledge from all theories and practices, I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused-Brief Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy Mindfulness Practices and some Family Systems Therapy. 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.

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Fanay Loiselle

Marriage & Family Therapist
Online
Oakland, CA

If you are anxious, depressed, have been through a traumatic experience, or just feel stuck and hopeless, you need someone to understand you and provide the professional support and expertise to help you feel good again. Sometimes life can be difficult and we can get stuck in ways that keep us from achieving our full potential. Many people stay too long in a place of unhappiness and despair. I am trained in traditional, evidence-based methods, however, my goal is to provide personalized and customized care that will fit your particular needs. I believe that therapy is not a "one size fits all" approach. I will provide special attention to your areas of need to help you achieve your best self. 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.

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Natalie Vides-Boelke

Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Online
San Francisco, CA

I help clients learn coping skills to help individuals reach their full potential, and be able to cope with painful moments. Additionally, I love to help individuals stay in the moment and get away from rumination, over-planning, and worrying. You, as a client, will help guide our sessions and goals. We will track if we are successful in our goals and treatment. We will always be able to talk about your feelings about the treatment and our therapeutic alliance. 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.

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Dominga (Mia) Needham

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Online
Berkeley, CA

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 5 years of experience in the psychiatric field. I have practiced nursing in a variety of mental health settings, which has allowed me to provide clients with individualized, comprehensive, and holistic care. By incorporating evidence-based practices, I aim to provide a safe space in which clients can feel understood and empowered to foster healing and growth within themselves. I am driven by a passion to support others in being their best and most authentic selves. I find fulfillment in building meaningful relationships with clients and being part of their healing journey. My goal is to work together to achieve their mental health goals while providing compassionate, empathetic, and effective care. I enjoy working with a variety of clients and addressing their unique needs with compassion and respect. In my practice, I focus on comprehensive, culturally competent, and holistic care. I incorporate evidence-based practices, education, and supportive psychotherapy and partner with clients to reach their mental health goals. This approach ensures that treatment is personalized and addresses the physical, emotional, and cultural needs of each client. 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, holistic approaches to psychiatry, trauma-informed care, first responders, grief, veterans care

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Crystal Schmidt

Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Online
South San Francisco, CA

I also work with individuals who struggle with gender identity concerns, abuse and trauma (sexual, verbal, physical, emotional), PTSD, depression, anxiety, women's and men's issues, and sexual desire/intimacy/dysfunctions. I work to provide a non-judgmental atmosphere and safe space to work through a vast array of potentially difficult and stigmatizing issues. Using evidence-based practices, I strive to support, encourage, educate, and empower my clients. The basis of using a more eclectic therapeutic style is in my understanding that everyone is different and therapy is not a "one size fits all" practice, and I strive to be sensitive to each person's individual needs. I'm experienced in working with individuals who are active in polyamory/open/casual relationships. 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.

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Nuria Lopez

Marriage & Family Therapist
Online
Oakland, CA

Emphasizing uniqueness, I utilize an integrative approach in your treatment through the use of various modalities while applying diverse techniques and interventions. This will help you become more in touch with your whole self and recover from any trauma or adverse life experiences and the psychological distress produced by it. Beginning therapy is like commencing a journey within oneself, and it is essential to find the therapist that is right for you to assist you along the way. You already possess the innate wisdom to help resolve maladaptive patterns, behaviors, and relationships that are creating obstacles in reaching your full potential and self-realizing. The therapeutic process will assist you in obtaining your goals and living a healthy, fulfilling life. Because I believe we are mind, body, and soul, I have a holistic approach in my practice. We are each unique individuals with different problems, needs and wants and therefore require a personalized and individualized treatment to resolve symptoms and conflicts. Through life's struggles and moments of darkness, we are given the gift of strength, resilience, and the opportunity to better understand our genuine selves. My goal as your therapist is to help guide you in this process by holding a safe space in your healing. 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.

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Diamond McMillian

Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Online
San Pablo, CA

Hello my name is Diamond McMillian. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I offer therapeutic services that are non-bias, compassionate, and accepting of who you are. My goal is to help you identify problem areas and patterns that are causing you distress and ensure it’s a journey where you feel safe, heard, and validated. I am passionate about accompanying individuals, and couples manage and overcome trauma and on their journeys to self-development. I know firsthand the challenges of accessing support. I am open to answering any questions and addressing any fears, concerns or hesitancy.

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Ly Franshaua Pipkins, PsyD

Psychologist
Online
Oakland, CA

For first-generation college graduates, imposter syndrome doesn’t just come from internal self-doubt. It’s inherited. It’s cultural. It’s systemic. TO SCHEDULE A FREE 15 MINUTE CONSULTATION VISIT: https://blackwomantherapist.me/request-a-consultation-1 You worked hard to “make it”—but deep down, part of you still feels like you arrived somewhere your nervous system was never taught to fully belong.When you’re the first in your family to move through colleges, graduate programs, and other institutional spaces that were unfamiliar to those who raised you, the pressure rarely stays confined to earning the degree. THERAPY CAN HELP: Together, we’ll quiet the doubt So you can feel at home in your own success. Through relational-cultural therapy and nervous system-based care (such as Brainspotting), we will work together to shift you from a place of persistent self-doubt to deep, grounded self-trust. Using a culturally responsive lens, I help first-gens move from harsh self-criticism to authentic self-compassion—providing a space where you never have to explain or defend your lived experience. TO SCHEDULE A FREE 15 MINUTE CONSULTATION VISIT: https://blackwomantherapist.me/request-a-consultation-1

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Pedro Bañuelos, LSCW

Group practice
Online
San Francisco, CA

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.

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Geoff Bressington

Marriage & Family Therapist
Online
Oakland, CA

As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I believe we must take into account one’s mental health, physical health, culture, community, family, and recreation, and how this affects quality of life and the ability to live life to its fullest potential. I primarily use a strength-based, solution-focused approach utilizing Cognitive Behavior Therapy techniques to activate change. I have been in the mental health field as a therapist for over 18 years. A focus or passion of mine has been how our thoughts or cognitions affect our motivations, actions, and how we feel on a daily basis. I also feel it is very valuable to be aware of the situations or moments that occur and savor as many moments as we can of each day in order to reduce the stress of tomorrow and take care of ourselves both mentally and physically. I am committed to collaborating with you and respecting your concerns and goals as we work together to improve your mental well-being. 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.

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Rebecca Grayzel

Psychologist
Online
Oakland, CA

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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Amanda Madrid

Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Online
South San Francisco, CA

My clinical practice includes everything from complex mental health diagnoses to people going through a difficult time. I use a person-centered, relational style, and my framework is based on a Psychodynamic approach with an emphasis on family systems. I believe in building relationships in therapy that free people to find balance in their own lives. As a therapist, I focus on you. I want to understand your thoughts and feelings and guide you towards your life goals. 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.

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Alan Dean

Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Online
Oakland, CA

I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and graduated from USC in 2014. In my practice, I support people healing from trauma, including those living with C-PTSD/ PTSD, dissociation, depression, and anxiety. I often work with clients who identify as LGBTQ, neurodivergent, or disabled, and those navigating the impact of systemic oppression.

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