Therapists for college students near San Francisco State University

As a therapist and Board-Certified Psychiatrist, I strive to approach each individual with empathy, curiosity, and respect. My extensive work with people from diverse economic, gender, sexual, cultural, and racial backgrounds gives me a unique lens through which I understand the complexities of human behavior, mental health, and healing. Our mental health is not only influenced by individual experiences but also by the broader context of society, culture, and history. This holistic perspective allows me to connect with clients in a meaningful way and offer individualized approaches to the healing journey. I received my Medical Degree from NYU School of Medicine, and completed my residency training in Psychiatry at UCLA-Olive View in Los Angeles. My areas of focus include depression, anxiety, trauma, and stress management. I believe in the power of healing—whether through therapy, medications, or a combination of approaches. While medication is not for everyone, I have seen it play a crucial role in treatment for many people. If we determine that it would be beneficial to try a medication, we will thoroughly discuss the risks and benefits before starting. There will be regular check-ins to ensure it is serving its purpose. And ultimately the decision about whether or not to take a medication I prescribe is yours and yours alone.

Life can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. At Starlight Family Therapy, we offer compassionate, individualized support for teens and young adults. Whether you're facing anxiety, working through a life transition, or simply trying to make sense of your story, we're here to help you feel grounded, seen, and supported every step of the way!

Attending college can be an incredible new experience, but it can also bring with it a whole host of new challenges and stressors. In my practice, I consider all facets of your life that contribute to your unique perspective and experience. I provide a safe, nonjudgmental environment in which to set goals, identify and process emotions, learn and practice healthy communication skills, deepen insight, expand your sense of self, and affect positive change in your life. We will collaborate and tailor your therapy sessions to fit your individual needs; I have experience working with individuals, couples, and groups on issues such as depression, anxiety, relationships, adjustment disorders, self-esteem, and trauma. I have a warm, practical style and am particularly oriented to helping you adjust to new stressors and life changes, both big and small.

Keeping up with expectations, family dynamics, social life, relationships... It's easy to feel disconnected from what we want out of life when we're just trying to get through the day. Many people who seek out therapy with me struggle to take time for themselves and set boundaries. I help adults overcome anxiety and people pleasing so they can feel empowered to live authentic, intentional lives. I support my clients in processing emotions, untangling the past, and gaining insight. Together we challenge those patterns that are no longer serving while building new ones. I'm passionate about helping my clients achieve more balance and fulfillment. You've already taken the first step- I invite you to reach out for a free consultation today.

I’m Dr. Abu-Rus, a clinical psychologist available to see patients anywhere in California. I know reaching out for therapy can feel strange—like acknowledging something’s wrong when you’ve spent so much energy trying to hold it together. As a mom, USAF Veteran, and psychologist, I work with people navigating trauma, new parenthood, or depression that doesn’t always make sense on the surface. You might feel irritable, numb, anxious, or unsure of who you are anymore. You’re not too much. You’re not broken. And you don’t have to carry this alone. I specialize in trauma, postpartum stress, and depression that feels heavy or hard to explain. I use proven therapies like CPT, PE, ACT, and IPT to help you feel safer, more grounded, and more in control. My approach is structured but deeply human—tailored to what matters most to you. If you’re feeling stuck, disconnected, or just ready for something to shift, I offer a free 15-minute consultation so we can see if we’re a good fit. Therapy doesn’t have to be overwhelming, I’ll walk you through the next steps. Send a message or email to get started. Or schedule directly into my calendar! Click on my website to see availability.

Hi there! I'm glad you're here. Starting therapy takes a lot of vulnerability, and finding the right fit is vital. With over 11 years of experience in the mental health field, I have supported clients in a variety of settings with a wide range of mental health needs. With experience working in a college counseling center, I am particularly passionate about supporting college and graduate students. I have often worked with students around issues such as identity, life transitions/adjustment, academic stress, international student issues, trauma/PTSD, family/relationship issues, and anxiety. I also specialize in perinatal mental health and military/veterans. I use an eclectic approach, integrating a variety of therapeutic styles to customize the approach to best fit your individual needs. I frequently use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as well as pulling from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and I use an attachment-based approach to manage and understand relationship challenges. I tend to use a more open-ended, processing-based style to help build insight, while also suggesting worksheets or concrete exercises from time to time when they might be helpful. I take a warm, gentle, and non-judgmental approach to create a sense of safety and build trust as we get to know each other, and to encourage your autonomy and help you feel empowered in therapy. I greatly value a client-centered and collaborative approach and want you to be in the driver's seat, and will often ask for feedback about our goals together and what approaches and techniques may or may not resonate with you.

Are you feeling lost or disconnected from yourself or the world around you? Is everything changing and you don’t know where to find stability? Are you struggling to cope with your past and want to get back to who you truly are and what lights you up? I support women of all ages and young adults who are experiencing some kind of life transition, healing from trauma, or grieving a loss. So often we feel lost trying to cope with this wild ride we call life, but you are not alone. I work from a trauma informed and nature based perspective to help you deeply connect with the person you want to be. Together we can heal the past and shift the inner criticism that may be holding you back from living fully & confidently.

Many people say that the college years are supposed to be some of the best in your life, yet it doesn't feel this way to you. Somehow you are missing out. Perhaps anxiety has you second guessing everything or your perfectionism or "OCD" has gotten out of hand. Perhaps you doubt yourself, put yourself down, or get the sense that everyone else has it all figured out except for you. Life doesn't have to be this way. I get it. I used to be a college professor and worked a lot with students transitioning to college and "adult life." I also know how hard things are when you are juggling college demands with the rest of "life," which may include a medical, family/friend, or work issue or just figuring out what you want to do with your life. Reaching out to ask for help is sign that you are aware something's not quite right in your life and you hope things can be better. Our time together is focused on helping you achieve your specific goals using treatments that are evidence-based. This means I only use the treatments that we know from research are helpful. I won't waste your time or money with treatments we know don't work. With any patient I work with, my goal is to eventually put myself out of a job. Sounds like a crazy business model, right? That is because my focus is on YOU and what you need. I want you to learn the skills that you need so you can graduate from therapy and live your best life.

Anxiety, depression, and overwhelming feelings can weigh you down. Quite frankly, it can feel like a real B-Word sometimes! I hear you. Many times, overwhelming feelings can pull you away from living your best life and living to your potential.  Hello, I am Alexann Masiko-Meyer, I am an eclectic counselor that would be filled with gratitude to support you.  I am an LCMHC (Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor) providing services in North Carolina, New Jersey, Canada, England, United Arab Emirates, Japan, China, New Zealand.... and growing ​ Lets get back to living life unapologetically! SPECIALTIES Stress, Anxiety Depression Self esteem Adjustments / Life Changes Military Transitions Teens & Young Adults ​ I also have experience in LGBTQ, Relationship issues, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Anger management, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes Years of Experience: 5 I expect nothing less than being held to professional standards.  However, in full disclosure, I don't take myself too seriously, and I wholeheartedly feel that being a bit goofy, and being quirky, and maybe a bid different is okay!  Many times, it is more than ok, and what makes us more of an individual, helps on the journey to wellness, being unapologetically yourself, putting a laugh out there to the universe and finding the good things in life along the way. Humor and levity may be evident and incorporated into the therapeutic process.   I feel that everyone should have the ability to access mental wellness support and counseling.  As a military spouse, and moving all over the country for 18 years, allthewhile working in the helping profession, I have grown to recognize the cultural apprehension, inability to access and equity issues that surround access to counseling.   ​ Summer Sessions Counseling is founded on the belief that mental wellness support should be accessible by everyone without stigma, physical access and transportation barriers, without requiring a diagnosis, to access one's best self. What is therapy like?  What can I expect from my first session? ​ The first session is typically a review of information you supplied on your intake form and address concerns that you may have. As you progress in your therapeutic journey, you will get into the real nitty gritty, strategies & processing activities, psychotherapy, counseling activities, art therapy, journaling and carving a new path to your ultimate goal.

At Clarity CBT & DBT Center, expert therapists provide exceptional treatment for youth, young adults, and their families facing mental health challenges such as mood and anxiety disorders, ADHD, selective mutism, self-harm, and more. Clarity’s approach is rooted in science and flexibly delivered. Through collaborative efforts with patients, Clarity’s team uses scienced-backed methods to help patients achieve a meaningful life. Clarity CBT & DBT Center offers services in California, Colorado, Florida, and Rhode Island.

You’re insightful, self-aware, and driven—but the same old patterns keep taking over, no matter how much you try to change. Maybe you overanalyze relationships, struggle with a relentless inner critic, or overwork to outrun self-doubt. On the outside, you appear capable and accomplished, but beneath the surface you feel anxious, burned out, or stuck in patterns that haven’t shifted. You’re skilled at intellectualizing your problems, yet connecting with your body and deeper emotions feels harder. Part of you wants to be seen and understood, while another part holds back, unsure if it’s safe to express what you truly need. I specialize in working with young adults and creatives who want to move beyond insight and create deep, lasting change. Using Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, we’ll explore the protective “parts” within you so the patterns driving anxiety, burnout, and relational struggles can finally begin to shift. Healing at the root is possible. Together, we’ll work to break the cycles that keep you feeling stuck so you can move toward greater clarity, self-trust, and freedom in your life and relationships. If this resonates with you, I invite you to reach out to schedule a free consultation.

Niña Aguirre is a seasoned mental health professional with over 15 years of experience and is licensed in California. She has worked extensively as both a therapist and court liaison, serving diverse populations including adolescents, adults, incarcerated individuals, and older adults. Niña is passionate about promoting mental well-being and believes deeply in the power of human connection to foster healing and personal growth. Her approach is rooted in providing personalized, thorough care that enhances self-awareness, helping clients explore past traumas and understand their impact on current behaviors and relationships. Niña’s therapeutic style is flexible and tailored to meet each client’s unique needs. While she primarily practices client-centered and solution-focused therapy, she adapts her modalities to ensure a personalized approach. Her goal is for clients to feel heard, validated, and comfortable enough to freely process their emotions. Whether a session yields small insights or significant breakthroughs, Niña ensures each experience is meaningful. She is trained in CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), interpersonal therapy, trauma-focused therapy, crisis intervention, and mindfulness, drawing on these methods to support her clients’ healing journeys and help them achieve their treatment goals.

Do you feel like something is wrong with you? Are you wishing you could just "stop"? Do you always feel like adults don't understand? My practice is based around what happened to us, not what is wrong with us. My goal is to create a safe, collaborative, interactive and fun space where you feel understood, empowered, and equipped with practical tools to meet your goals. Together we will learn, build on your strengths, and celebrate your wins. I am here to support & guide you through this process, together.

My therapeutic approach deals with stories, and I am interested in including modern ways of storytelling into the work we do through digital media, technology, and even video games. I believe that stories are created through a variety of mediums that include art, play, and experience. I encourage the people I work with to explore all of the ways they have to come to know the world around them to make our time together even more fun, engaging, and relevant to you. In my practice, my goal is to collaborate with my clients in better understanding how they’ve storied their lives, challenging dominant narratives and systems of oppression, and exploring more preferred ways of being. The theories that inform my work include: narrative therapy, collaborative therapy, solution-focused therapy, play therapy, motivational interviewing, and strength-based therapy. Someone who might be interested in working with me is open and willing to explore the different ways that therapy can "be"! I invite collaboration and exploration in the work we do together, so feel free to bring the passions that drive you along with the obstacles you are facing into the room. Music, art, games, movies, even the people in your life are all resources to bring to therapy that can help to better understand the person you want to be and the story you want to tell. My experience as a queer, 1st generation Filipino-American is what inspires me to support others in their identity development. Navigating the endless messages and oppressive narratives that make up the modern, cultural milieu can be overwhelming and limiting. My hope is to create a non-judgmental space where the people I work with can challenge these dominant social narratives that attempt to tell them who they are or who they should be and begin crafting their own unique, preferred sense of self. I believe in challenging the notion that therapy is apolitical. I believe that the work that we do in attempt to better ourselves as individuals undoubtedly impacts and is impacted by those arounds us whether it's friends, loved ones, neighbors, or strangers across the globe. This is why I use social justice framework in my practice as I hope to promote total wellbeing not just for the client but for the larger communities and systems we are a part of.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I specialize in the treatment of anxiety, depression, life-transitions, parenting or relationship concerns, adjustment difficulties, body image issues, self-esteem building, racial & cultural identity, academic/work challenges, trauma, family of origin issues, and stress management. I am passionate about providing services to a diverse community, specifically those who may feel marginalized or struggle to access services. I provide an environment that is non-judgmental, utilizing a caring and collaborative approach to help clients feel heard, supported, and empowered. Taking the first step to seek therapy can be scary and challenging, yet exciting and hopeful too.

I became a therapist because I believe everyone deserves a space where they can feel truly seen and heard, without judgment. Life’s challenges can leave us feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or uncertain about our path. My goal is to provide a space where you can show up exactly as you are, knowing you are supported and understood. I ensure that clients feel heard and understood by working collaboratively with them to stay on track with their goals. I invite regular feedback during sessions to ensure we are meeting their needs and addressing any concerns they may have. This ongoing communication helps me tailor the therapeutic process to their individual needs, fostering a sense of partnership and understanding. I build trust and a strong therapeutic alliance by prioritizing a safe and welcoming space in virtual therapy, free of judgment and shame. I use humor, creativity, and metaphors to help clients connect with deeper parts of themselves, making the process more engaging and meaningful. Additionally, I follow their lead and respect their pace when addressing difficult issues, which helps create a sense of safety, respect, and partnership in our work together. I’m a big believer in small, everyday rituals, whether that’s my morning coffee routine or my daily walk in nature. It often opens the door to conversations about balance, structure, and the importance of simple habits that support well-being.”

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.

When you're struggling with an eating disorder, anxiety, or depression, the idea of opening up and trusting another person can be HARD. I know that you've likely heard so many messages throughout your life about what you should do and who you should be, but I don't think that "shoulds" have a place in therapy. Who do you WANT to be? How do you WANT to feel? That is way more important than any shoulds, and I would be honored to walk alongside you as you start to find answers to these questions over time. Together, we can unravel those expectations - what you've been told it means to be healthy or successful or fill in the blank - and get to the heart of what really matters to you and what you need. Being a human is messy, and as your therapist, I'll be right there in that space with you as a human first, therapist second. Let's explore what it means to be humans in a world that expects perfection (which doesn't exist!) and pushes you to grind until you're too burned out to do the things you actually want to do. Whether you realize it today or not, you deserve peace. I have many tools in my toolbox to support you, but to me the most important thing I can do is to provide you a safe space to explore your experience in its entirety at your own pace - to build a connection that is strong enough for you to know that I won't judge you or make you bad or wrong for how you are feeling or for using certain behaviors to cope. It's what you've known to do up to this point, so let's put our heads together and find the ways that this has made sense so we can look at it from a place of compassion instead of judgment. This is a shame-free space! I hold a special place in my heart for those who are working towards eating disorder recovery who feel like they aren't sick enough because their body size, race, sexuality, or gender identity don't match what they are seeing on social media under the eating disorder hashtags. All identities are welcome here, and no matter what your circumstances, your concerns are valid, you ARE sick enough, and you deserve compassionate, equitable care. If anything I've said here makes you think "I like her vibe," please don't hesitate to reach out. I would love to chat further about what it would look like for us to work together.

I obtained my masters from Pepperdine University and I began my career in community services. My approach is straight forward and empathic. I identify as a first gen, cis gender Latina of Mexican descent. I offer EMDR, and also incorporate somatic interventions, a systemic framework, attachment theory, and CBT strategies. I love equipping clients with tools and honoring what comes to surface in our sessions together. I love working with adolescents, complex trauma, early adults transitioning in life and adults who struggle with anxiety, trauma, sexual abuse and depression. I work with clients to provide a safe space to explore their current life challenges and work collaboratively with clients. I work with clients to help them find tools they can use to navigate their daily life in a positive and healthy way. I believe you’re the expert of your experience - no one knows your life better than you. Together, we can create a deepened awareness around what’s working, what’s not & what strengths you already have that need nurturing. I work with clients to consider and name how various systems at play impact the life you live and the work we do. I take the role of earning your trust very seriously, and find it an honor to be part of your journey.