Therapists for college students near San Diego State University

Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or like something just isn’t right inside—even if you can’t explain why? You’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. I’m a trauma therapist who understands what it’s like to feel broken, lost, or stuck after going through tough experiences—whether that’s childhood trauma, bullying, abuse, or just the weight of everyday pressure and expectations. I’ve been there myself, and I know healing is absolutely possible. If you’re struggling with anxiety, anger, depression, PTSD, or even feeling disconnected from who you really are, I offer a safe space to unpack what’s going on—and begin to heal. I specialize in helping students like you who are trying to balance life, emotions, school, relationships, and maybe even past pain that hasn’t been fully processed yet. My approach is focused on helping you get results, not just vent. We’ll explore what matters to you—your values, goals, strengths—and figure out how to start building the life you want. I also offer energy healing and spiritual guidance if you’re open to deeper, more holistic support (but only if that resonates with you—this space is always about you, not my agenda). If you’re ready to feel supported, heard, and guided toward real change, I’m here. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to take that first step.

If you’re looking for a therapist who values curiosity, empathy, and an ongoing commitment to social justice, I might be the person you’re looking for. My clients come to therapy with a variety of concerns, including healing from trauma, chronic pain, stress, and anxiety. Others are looking for support around relationships and intimacy. Many of my clients identify as queer, disabled, non-monogamous, or women in STEM. I have specialized experience supporting students who have experienced interpersonal violence, such as sexual assault or domestic violence. I use a somatic, mind-body approach in my work, and view therapy through a liberatory, intersectional lens. If that sounds like a good fit, I invite you to book a free, 20-minute consultation with my practice to learn more!

If you are having difficulty in your personal life or with school, give a call or send an email so we can talk about what you are looking for. I have been in private practice for 40 years, have extensive experience and training, and I know how to help. If you want to know more about me and how I can help you, click on the link to my website below. I look forward to talking with you.

Hi, my name is Yu-Nien (Pulinda). I am a board certified Licensed Clinical Social Worker (APU '21) who's worked with individuals from diverse backgrounds and across a wide range of ages. I enjoying working with clients from various walks of life. My clients are often experiencing difficulties coping with emotions, feeling confused about their distress, desiring a space for authenticity and warmth, and a nonjudgmental environment. I welcome all who are experiencing various struggles in life and will support you on taking the first step towards healing. My approach is integrative and tailored to each client's unique circumstances and life experiences. The therapeutic modalities I commonly draw from include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Grief Therapy, Mindfulness-Based approaches, and Psychodynamic Therapy. As a Taiwanese bilingual (English and Mandarin) social worker, I believe in meeting clients where they are and honoring their unique experiences. Through our journey together, I will walk alongside you as you build resilience, deepen self-understanding, and develop practical tools for lasting growth and healing. 您好，我是妤寧(Pulinda)，持有加州認證Licensed Clinical Social Worker執照。在我的臨床工作經驗中，我曾與來自不同背景及各年齡層的個案合作，因此特別關注每一位來談者的獨特性，也享受了解個案不同的人生歷程與生活經驗。我發現許多個案前來尋求協助，是因為他們正在面對情緒調適上的困難、對自身的情緒困擾感到困惑，或渴望擁有一個能夠真誠表達自我、被理解、並感受到溫暖與接納的空間。我希望能提供一個不帶批判且安全的環境，讓個案能自在地探索自己的經驗與內在世界。在壓力源無處不在的世界，我們可以一起溫柔的面對焦慮、憂鬱、創傷及失去，一起消化，找到跟練習適合您的情緒穩定方法，強大您的心理能量。 我的治療取向採整合式方法，並依據每位個案獨特的處境、需求與生命經驗量身調整。我常運用的治療模式包括接納與承諾治療（Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, ACT）、認知行為治療（Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT）、悲傷與失落治療、正念取向介入，以及心理動力治療（Psychodynamic Therapy）。我相信有意義的改變建立於治療關係中的平等關係，因此我會與個案密切合作，確保治療方向符合其目標、價值觀與需求。我也特別著重找回每個來談者的自我共情（self-compassion），這也是更能療癒自己的方法之一。 我來自台灣，所以能夠流利的用英文及國語跟您合作。但我也在其他不同國家生活及移民過，所以我體會過在不同文化環境跟關係中適應和尋找自我的過程。我會考量到每位個案所處的人生階段及困擾，並尊重其獨特的生命經驗。如果我們有緣合作，我將陪伴在您身旁，協助您建立心理韌性、深化自我理解，並找到實用的，以促進持續的成長與療癒。我歡迎所有正面臨人生挑戰的人，並願意陪伴您踏出療癒旅程的第一步。

I identify as Xicano and was born and raised in Los Angeles (Tongva territory) by migrant parents from Michoacán (Purépecha territory), Mexico. I earned my Masters degree in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Community Mental Health from the California Institute of Integral Studies in 2012. I have worked in various settings as a therapist, lead clinician, supervisor and program manager prior to starting my private practice. These include Instituto Familiar de La Raza, La Familia Counseling Service, the Community Mental Health Certificate Program at City College of San Francisco and Kaiser Permanente. I am currently a member of the Council of 13 for the Institute of Chicana/o/x Psychology and am a member of the Latinx Therapist Action Network. I also teach in the Department of Counseling at San Francisco State University. My work is culturally responsive, rooted in social justice, trauma-informed, strength-based and centered in re-indigenizing and liberation psychology. I utilize humor and focus deeply on the healing relationship. I incorporate multiple approaches including narrative processes and trauma healing modalities such as EMDR. ​ I honor and recognize my mentors and teachers along the way beginning with my mother and older sisters whom have taught me lessons in strength, resiliency and humility. As a therapist, my mentors include Maestra Concha Saucedo, Dr. Sal Nuñez and Tio Samuelin Martinez whom have all showed me what it's like to work from a place of authenticity and love. I have apprenticed with Dr. Sal Nuñez in Medicinal Drumming Praxis and have been trained in Chicanx Affimative Therapy, EMDR, and Somatics and Trauma from Generative Somatics. I am a Mexica Mitotiani and Huehuetero (Mexica Dancer and Drummer) with Calpulli Nanahuatzin. I am a husband and father to a young Huitzin (hummingbird).

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

You are smart, capable and aware. But life just feels… hard. If you could figure it out on your own, you would. That's where we come in.

The world is in upheaval but I believe in the common thread of humanity and I think acknowledging the agency we have over our own lives is one of the most important tasks we all share right now which we often need help with. Most of us have found ourselves vulnerable to the anguish of uncertainty in our lives, and it is my privilege as a therapist to help others work on living more directed, conscious & meaningful lives. My role as a therapist is to facilitate a safe space that embraces vulnerability and is accountable, honest, and authentic. I encourage feedback while embracing a non-judgmental approach, and believe in the power of the therapeutic alliance to affect deep and abiding change. My intention is to humbly hold a safe space for my clients and to utilize the skills, education, and training I have to offer them alternative ways of assessing, defining, and managing the various challenges in their lives. I believe in the lived experiences of my clients and make an effort to build trust in open and non-intrusive ways. I am a proponent of seeking self-regulation through nature and enjoy spending time outside to find balance in my daily life. This aligns with my therapeutic approach, which recognizes the profound impact of the environment on mental well-being and utilizes grounding techniques inspired by the natural world to help reduce stress, depression, and anxiety.

We are a team that values quality and effective treatments to treat various disorders. My team has a variety of experience and specialty. The treatment modalities that we use is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. We treat complex trauma or single case trauma, parenting issues, anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, and relational issues.

I am a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner who has been in practice since 2015. I received my Bachelors Degree in Psychology from UC Berkeley in 2008. I completed my training to become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at Columbia University in 2014. I am inspired by positively impacting leaves in an area that is often overlooked by my clients. I like to provide members with options so that they feel empowered with the choices they are making.

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.

If you are struggling, please contact me right away. As a therapist with over a decade of experience, I specialize in counseling college students and adults in the community who are navigating complex relationships or experiencing depression, shame, or trauma. You are not alone in struggling with profoundly difficult things in your life. You need a place to talk about whatever it is that is troubling you with somebody who can actually help. My counseling approach involves individual one-on-one appointments in a safe and confidential space. In our sessions, I will guide you through processing whatever it is you are struggling with. Through this work you can reach peace, better understand yourself, and find rewarding relationships. There is hope.

Have you ever found yourself juggling a million tasks while speeding through life, or that happiness is just a fleeting emotion? Maybe you've developed some bad habits like drinking too much, and it's impacting your fullest potential. I’ve been there before, and that’s what drives me to help people find peace of mind and improve their lives. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I am dedicated to helping individuals and couples overcome challenges related to substance abuse, depression, and anxiety. As a therapist, I encourage honest reflection, application of change and skills, and fostering new understanding. My specialties include, CBT, DBT and Psychodynamic therapy. The goal is to help people figure out why they do what they do, what they need to fix it, and how to live a happier and healthier life through a change in perspective and application. Together, we can explore what hurts the most and find resolution around what happened, what could have been, and hope in what can be. Times might be difficult and situations may be trying, but that doesn’t mean we can’t live a happy life. Together we can find new ways of navigating the world that work best for you! Let's journey together, one step at a time.

Is heavy stress and anxiety making it hard to feel steady, present, and focused as you move through the semester? You might get stuck in loops of overthinking about grades, deadlines, money, or the future, while your body stays tense and on edge. For some students, social anxiety can be its own grind, making you skip gatherings or spend too long replaying conversations afterward. Sometimes anxiety doesn’t just make you worry—it forecasts disaster and turns choices into landmines. Left running in the background, it can spill into perfectionism, stress-eating, zoning out, or leaning on weed or alcohol to take the edge off. You deserve support that helps you function and feel better. Not just pushing through, but building a foundation of well-being that lasts beyond the semester. In our work, we’ll address the anxiety and help you feel like yourself again with clearer thinking, a steadier mood, and more ease in your body. I’ve spent 13 years helping people with anxiety, and I know the unique pressures of college life. Together, we’ll find practical, compassionate ways to feel more grounded and zoned-in. My style is gentle and collaborative, yet active in guiding the work. You don’t have to power your way through alone. Take the first step toward change and book a free intro call on the calendar section of my website.

I am here as a safe and inviting collaborator, let’s work together to address life difficulties nonjudgmentally. My role is to assist you in your process, supporting you in navigating your experiences and empowering you to apply the insights gained in therapy to your life. I am passionate about wellness and plan to join you with genuine curiosity and address any difficulties with mental health symptoms, shame and guilt, phases of life, relationships, grief, sense of self, disconnection, decision-making, anxiety, depression, and more. I offer sessions in-person in nature-based settings in Long Beach or via telehealth video. I'm available most weekdays and in the evenings.

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.

I help women explore the complexities of mental health, womanhood, and modern life. I provide a safe space for women to share their challenges, triumphs, and experiences. I provide a range of psychotherapy services that empower women to take control of their mental health. I am committed to helping women reach their highest potential and live their best lives.

I offer in-person sessions in two locations: Employed by Havenly Counseling Collective in Los Gatos, CA Supervised by Melinda Olsen, LMFT 111165 Employed by Leela Mental Health in Palo Alto, CA Supervised by Moitreyee Chowdhury, LMFT 121934, LPCC 9238 I also offer teletherapy throughout California. I support those who are looking to understand both themselves and their relationship to the world and others more deeply. I am a queer, Chinese American woman with Hong Kong roots living with a chronic health condition in a world shaped by many systems that create barriers for people like me. My mission is to challenge those systems and empower my clients to do so as well by helping them discover their individual needs and find meaning along the way. I believe healing is not linear, and I aim to support you in finding comfort within discomfort by exploring creative approaches that align with your unique needs. I want to do therapy with you. The therapist-client relationship can feel new and vulnerable and I recognize that safety is ultimately co-created. Together, let’s discover ways we can gently bring back genuine, meaningful play and color into life again. I emphasize the present moment, always through a multicultural, feminist, and queer-affirmative lens. I also bring my diverse background in nonprofit museums and education to my practice, integrating creative and science-backed perspectives.

Have you ever wondered if life could feel less stressful or more fulfilling? Whether you’re in school, starting your career, or navigating life as a first-generation adult, I’m here to support you. Together we’ll find practical ways to handle challenges, build coping skills, and help you feel more confident and resilient, one step at a time. During our sessions, you’ll have a caring, judgment-free space where your story matters. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and other proven approaches to help you shift negative patterns, tap into your strengths, and make meaningful progress toward your goals. Ready to find out if we’re the right fit? Reach out for a free 15-minute consultation. I accept insurance and sliding scale. I offer flexible telehealth so starting therapy is convenient and accessible. Let’s connect and take your next step forward together.

I work best with those who are committed to their healing and wellbeing journey. My practice is holistic focused with a body-mind-spirit connection. I work from an Energy Psychology framework and include Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT/Tapping) to support healing in the energy body system. I have a passion for the integration of indigenous practices into modern psychology. I offer a free 20 min phone initial consultation. Please refer to my website for more information.