Therapists for college students near University of Southern California

At Affirming Therapy Center, we support and encourage your desire for growth in a completely non-judgmental way, in a space that acknowledges your unique personhood and distinct challenges. You are welcomed and celebrated here. Helping you in understanding, accepting, and embracing your own beliefs, identities, and lifestyles is cornerstone in providing the support and encouragement you need to grow, to bring clarity to your choices, and to enhance your life and relationships. We focus on making you feel safe to explore your feelings and to express yourself. We proudly serve communities of Gender, Sexual, and Relationship Diversity! The therapists at ATC are dedicated to enthusiastically affirming all GSRD identities including, but not limited to, LGBT, Queer, Heterosexual, Kink / BDSM, Fetish, ABDL and Ageplay, Sex Work, Adult Industry, Monogamy, Non-Monogamy, Swinging / Lifestyle, Polyamory, and a Variety of Relationship Dynamics and Family Configurations. Each member of the ATC clinical team is a professionally-trained Psychotherapist, qualified to address topics such as identity, relationship challenges, intimacy concerns, sex and sexual health, anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and personal growth. And each of our clinicians have unique areas of expertise, including advanced specialized training in the areas of Sex Therapy, Gender Affirming Therapy, Eating Disorders, EMDR (for trauma), and Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy. As with everything in life, there are ups and downs, and sometimes you need someone to talk to. Maybe you have inner conflict, questions about how and where you fit in to our kooky world. Perhaps you have wounds that aren’t healing or stories you need to tell. Or perhaps you just want to talk to someone about life and love, talk to someone who understands the challenges you sometimes face, without having to hide any facet of yourself or your life. There is only one “you”, and we at Affirming Therapy Center are here to help you excel at living your best life and being your best “you”. Our therapists are trained to listen, understand, and help guide you on your unique journey. Please visit our Meet the Team page to see each of our amazing therapists’ bios and areas of specialization. https://www.affirmingtherapycenter.com/meet-the-team/ Contact us now to get started: Send an e-mail to Team@AffirmingTherapyCenter.com with a brief description of what’s going on for you and your availability for appointments. One of our friendly therapists will respond to you (in 1–2 business days) to schedule an initial session or a free 10–15 minute phone consultation.

Mental health therapist specializing in eating disorders, trauma, anxiety and perfectionism.

Hi, I’m Madison Steele, LMFT, specializing in eating disorders and related challenges. Since 2019, I’ve worked with individuals across various settings, supporting them at different life stages. I recognize that disordered eating often intertwines with broader emotional issues, and my approach is client-centered and judgment-free. I collaborate with registered dietitians to provide comprehensive care tailored to your needs. As a BIPOC therapist, I understand the diverse experiences that shape our relationships with food and self. I’m here to meet you where you are and support your journey to holistic well-being.

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Welcome, here's a short synopsis of some of the challenges I help navigate with clients. I work with navigating times of change, pressure, or uncertainty. Some are feeling overwhelmed by school, relationships, or expectations—from others and themselves. Others are struggling with anxiety, burnout, low mood, or feeling like they’ve lost touch with who they are. You don’t need a diagnosis to seek support—just a sense that something’s off and a willingness to explore that together.

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Looking for help with medicines and/or therapy? We've got you! Our group of psychiatrists is dedicated to helping you while you're away at school. We see folks in CA, IL, MA, NY, and TX. There are appointments available right away - no 6 month wait. Send us a message and we'll figure out how to help.

Many times people are taught to "suck it up", and often people compare their lives to others and think "it could be worse." However these lessons and these thoughts do not often result in feeling better. Often I work with people who put on a mask that they feel they are not allowed to take down in front of others. We work together to realize that strategies that have taken you this far, tend to stop working at some point. I do not give advice, because at the end of the day, you are in charge of where you want to go and what steps you want to take. But what I can promise, is that I'm willing to walk along side you, you can test the water out and if it does not feel safe you do not have to go in, but if it's something that you want to slowly explore, we can create a space together to do so. Asking for help is a strength, although it is not always told to us. You've made it this far! Feel free to send me an email or give me a call and you can share what has been going on and we can see if you want me to join you on your walk.

With a holistic training, I encourage balance and perspective to ease the stress of transitions, overwhelming feelings and situations. Shifting away from judgment about our emotions is often the key to helping us move through them and heal, instead of feeling stuck. We can grow your capacity and confidence to manage the challenges of life.

I am here to support you step into your authentic self. The individuals, couples, and family constellations I work with are committed to making real changes in their lives. I will meet you with an unconditional, warm, empathetic environment to soften into while we face and process some of the things that hurt, bewilder, or confuse you the most. By doing so, the goal is to release that which is no longer yours to carry and align with the most authentic version of yourself. Our work includes making meaning of your experiences and relationships. Through our work, patterns and struggles become illuminated and change can come in.

What To Expect At Your Visit: Walking Together Down the Path To the Life You Desire Perhaps you're down or anxious - maybe you're unsure about the future of a relationship, or just feel that you aren't living the life you were meant to lead. Whatever your needs may be, we are here to offer support. Therapy is a process of growth and self-discovery, and during sessions I promote behavioral transformation by encouraging the adoption of new attitudes and behaviors to create the outcome YOU desire. We have the tools and professional experience to help you get on your ideal track.

Have things started to feel harder than they used to? This is a good sign. It's time to take care of you in a more meaningful way than you've experienced before. I work with clients who report feeling dismayed by their reactions to work stress, school stress, and/or relationship stress. I'm a deeply empathetic, yet directive therapist. I draw from multiple research-backed approaches to address your needs and goals. I have extensive experience working with overwhelm, stress, and depression, as well as PTSD, with adults, children and families. I feel honored to work with clients in what I consider to be a sacred process. Most of my clients report that they feel relief and hope within the first session. Clients see continued improvement as we process challenging experiences together and honor the natural wisdom and sense of personal power that arises from the work. Over time, experiences of reactivity, as well feelings such as anxiety, anger, sadness, and joy all become meaningful and helpful when we hold them with curiosity and compassion. And despite my education and training, I want you to know that I won't ever be 'done' finding parts of myself that need more love, or areas of my life that stretch me when I least expect it. It's because I lead a truly human life, combined with experience and support, that I know the courage and hard choices it takes to make this step toward healing.

If you are in need of counseling, coaching, or support as you address your relationships, I would love the opportunity to help you understand where you are at and assist you in getting where you want to go. I have been counseling individuals and couples for many years and have seen many make significant progress in their lives. I would enjoy meeting and working with you! Clients find "life coaching" allows them to explore their passion & to experience progress in their life now. I use tools like life mapping, passion testing, etc. to help you explore your life and future. Different from the work of a psychologist, coaching focuses on what you are called to do & how to get about it. Relationships can be challenging and sometimes you need help in developing skills to enhance communication, resolve conflict, etc. I have over 20 years experience of working with couples & individuals in helping relationships.

People-pleaser, perfectionist, anxious, passive. If any of the above phrases or words describe you, guess what? You're reading the right profile. If you're ready to break-out of unhelpful patterns; if you're motivated to start using your voice; even if you're ready to start therapy to see where it takes you - I can be the therapist to help move you in a different direction. If you're looking for someone who is very structured, that's not me. I offer no-frills sessions and am not afraid to (gently, mind you) challenge or question you. I operate collaboratively and conversationally. Anxiety, people-pleasing, all those things I named above are my specialties. If you're a first timer to therapy - I can also help with that! Look, I get it - it's hard to pick someone whom to tell your innermost thoughts. I understand the feeling of uncertainty and the frustration of finding the "right" therapist. If you're willing to reach out to see if we're a good fit, let's talk!

Brief, solution-focused therapy in San Francisco.

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I help clients deal with an array of life problems such as; depression, anxiety, IPV, trauma, assault, chemical dependency, co occurring conditions, maternal and postpartum, infertility, grief, etc. Previous clients have expressed therapy sessions with me have led to; better relationships, solutions to specific problems, and reduction of feelings of stress. My approach to therapy is meeting the client where they are and allowing clients to explore which therapy approach works best for them. Therapy can create some discomfort for both patients and people close to them. This is because therapy can involve change. I used a plethora of treatment modalities; CBT, DBT, gestalt, solution focused, EMDR, and many more. I feel clients are the experts of their lives and my job is not to judge or tell a client what to do. But to be a helpmate to assist a client to get where they're trying to go.

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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

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