Therapists for college students near 94132

I am a mother of two boys and a wife with over 10 years of experience in psychiatry. My training spans various settings, including inpatient care, crisis units, the mother-baby unit, and academia as a lecturer. I have a particular interest in working with children, adolescents, and the perinatal population. What inspires me most in my work are the patients and their stories—helping individuals make progress and improve their quality of life. I believe in meeting each patient where they are, holding space for them, and listening to their needs as part of the healing process.

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.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

We are a vibrant psychology practice in Palo Alto and San Francisco, where we provide action-oriented, solution-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in a conversational, compassionate, and interactive format. If you are ready to take action, then we will be a good match! We have experience with: Anxiety, depression, stress, relationship, and family dynamics Families with a relative in treatment (e.g. wilderness therapy, residential, rehab.) LGBT issues in individuals, relationships, and family systems Technology industry workers managing stress, employment dynamics, and career issues Relationship and communication issues for couples, including LGBT and Poly relationships Asexuality (Ace) identified individuals, in group and individual counseling Psychological testing for memory, learning issues, ADHD, executive functioning, personality traits

We are trauma therapists who provide trauma-focused therapy through EMDR therapy, relational trauma therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), AEDP, and IFS. We work with BIPOC & AAPI students and international students who have a history of trauma or PTSD. If you are a student who is struggling with past or ongoing difficult family dynamics, a history of eating disorders, substance use issues, sexual assaults or abuse in childhood, or struggling with intimate relationships, friendships, and social relationships, please reach out. We can help! We help you process what happened so you are no longer stuck in the past or in pain.

Hi there, I’m Dr. Andy Nguyen. I tend to see the overworked and overwhelmed. Maybe you reached the top of the mountain only to ask, now what? An adamant voice says there is no life worth leading unless you are exceptional. Or you manage things on the surface seamlessly only to feel empty behind closed doors. It would make so much sense. Our environment has demanded more in recent times—be more, do more, have more—all at once. It is not by chance we exist in the age of superheroes and social media. There are bigger shoes for us to grow into yet not enough room to play or tend to the inner person. I offer intensive, relational psychotherapy as a form of a reset—what does that mean? We absorb so much in our environment that it becomes difficult to decipher what is ours and what belongs to those tasked to take care of us. We learned ways to survive that have become rote without our conscious awareness—most of us are even rewarded for it. Perhaps these no longer serve us. My job is to uncover these patterns and gently make room for experiences that bring more inner life. Naturally, this expands into fuller work, school, and relationships. This can take place in one-on-one therapy or a group format in real-time. I am a transplant who immigrated from Southeast Asia at a young age. My story offers me a unique sensibility in making contact with adolescents and adults when their world is in upheaval, no matter how universal. I invite folks from various spectrums and backgrounds who do not feel reflected nor understood in our mainstream collective to reach out and have an initial meeting. My style is adaptive. I am oftentimes honest yet reassuring with kindness and a sense of humor.

Many of the people I work with come to therapy because they are feeling stuck or overwhelmed, seeking relief from anxiety or depression, needing support as they adjust to a new life circumstance, or are wanting to develop a better understanding of themselves. During therapy, I frequently look at the relationship between your thoughts, behaviors, and emotions and how they affect your daily experiences. I can help you identify key thoughts and specific barriers or behaviors that are interfering or impacting your quality of life. As we work together, I can offer tools and concepts that may be helpful for coping with difficult emotions, improving relationships, and changing unhelpful patterns. I offer a free, 20-minute phone consultation to prospective clients. This provides an opportunity for us to determine if we might work well together. We can talk about what is leading you to seek therapy and I can provide you with more information on my approach to treatment and answer any questions you may have.

For the past 35 years, I have been helping people explore and work through barriers to living and loving well. If you are feeling stuck or overwhelmed, therapy can provide space to understand and experience ourselves in a new way. I work with people to change the way they think about and experience the challenges they face, to effect positive change and resilience. I can work with you to navigate the ups and downs of anxiety and depression, the hopes and fears of life transitions, the joys and challenges of creative pursuit, the pain of grief and loss, and the wounds of trauma, abuse, and oppression. I work with adults and young adults and people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. I have particular interest and experience in working with people in the helping professions and people going through transitions such as career, parenthood and relationship (e.g. divorce) transitions. In addition, I also work with people to help resolve and move through creative blocks, including those who struggle with the question of whether they are or can be creative and those struggling with questions of spiritual identity and practice. My approach is warm, compassionate, and collaborative. I believe in creating a therapeutic experience responsive to your unique needs and life situation and respectful of your strengths. We can work to help you understand yourself better, identify and shift patterns that no longer serve you, and develop ways to increase your sense of well-being.

As a compassionate, board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, my commitment to enhancing patient outcomes is at the forefront of my practice. By providing a safe and nonjudgmental environment, encouraging open communication, and individualizing care aimed to fit specific and unique needs and goals; my commitment to individuals is patient-centered and genuine. I have comprehensive experience with a wide range of psychiatric disorders and believe that creating a collaborative relationship while utilizing the most up to date, evidence-based research recommendations is what will propel individuals to attain a life of fulfillment. I have experience in both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings, assisting a wide range of diverse populations across the lifespan. I have experience working with the underserved population, veterans and active duty military members. Helping others has always been deeply rooted into who I am as a person, as a mother, a wife, a friend, and now as a provider. Mental health was an area that I was initially drawn to after walking into a psychiatric hospital as an inexperienced nurse years ago. I was unsure of what to expect at the time, and to be frank; I was intimidated. What I saw walking through the hallways of this psychiatric hospital stayed with me and continued to influence the type of care, understanding, and at times companionship that I provided to individuals. What I saw was sadness in their faces, a loss of hope, limited resources and support, a lack of direction. However, it quickly became apparent that those same individuals just wanted the same things I did; fulfillment, a sense of purpose, meaningful relationships, happiness. My work in mental health is inspired by my innate need to inspire change, recovery, to instill hope, to build an alliance and assist clients who are struggling and ready to make a positive change. Mental illness is treatable and recovery is possible. I emphasize psychoeducation, ensuring that clients are well-informed to pursue treatment options that align with their priorities and goals. My philosophy is to always allow clients to make educated decisions regarding their care, communicating my professional recommendation, while still facilitating autonomy of care. 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, benzodiazepine tapering, BIPOC mental health issues, deprescribing, holistic approaches to psychiatry, LGBTQIQ2s+ mental health, personality disorders, sexual dysfunction, addiction psychiatry/dual diagnosis, eating disorders, first responders, grief, men’s issues, sex-positive, kink allied, veterans care

Living in your body may feel exhausting, unfamiliar, or even unsafe. Trauma, relationship harm, health changes or chronic illness, and struggles with body image and eating can leave us feeling disconnected and stuck between overwhelm and shutdown. I offer a warm, grounded presence where you can feel seen and begin cultivating a deeper sense of self-trust and wholeness - a space to explore lived experiences and learn supportive wellness practices. I work with busy students who are carrying the weight of stress, trauma, and grief while navigating immense transitions and responsibilities. Many of my clients are healing from sexual violence, emotional relationship harm, chronic/invisible illness and health-related changes (migraines, endometriosis, PCOS, POTS, cancer), and concerns around relationship with body and food, including disordered eating. I've supported students and young adults for over a decade, with many years of experience working in a college specialty counseling clinic. I use a mind-body approach that blends somatic (body-based), cognitive, and mindfulness practices including Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT Tapping). This helps us understand ourselves with compassion, cope with emotional overwhelm and physical body discomfort, heal from trauma, and reconnect to relationships and activities that nourish us. I find great joy in serving multicultural and multi-faith communities while providing a weight-inclusive, culturally-affirming, and trauma-informed space where all parts of you are welcome.

I specialize in working with 1st and 2nd generation immigrants on issues such as anxiety, school stress, intergenerational trauma, and cultural identity issues. I tend to be very active and engaged in session with my clients and enjoy discussing practical tools that may be helpful. I want to learn how your unique environment and experiences have shaped who you are today and the challenges that may occur as a result. One of my passions is working with clients from bicultural backgrounds. Having navigated this landscape myself, I can really empathize with the journey. If you want to hear more about me and my work, please visit my website below to self-schedule a free consult.

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.

I worked in the field as a mental health RN for 13 years before continuing my education to become a PMHNP. I believe that mental health plays a significant role in a person’s overall well-being including physical health, emotional health, and ability to navigate life’s often challenging hurdles that many silently face. I aspire to continue offering hope and support to anyone seeking to improve their overall well-being using the most up-to-date traditional and holistic practices tailored to meet my client’s needs. My core philosophy is based on a humanistic approach, which focuses on finding each person’s unique potential and ability to overcome their difficulties through positive personal growth. I use this patient-centered approach to help my clients meet their individual goals by empowering them to focus on their strengths rather than shortcomings. I also encourage my clients to participate in therapy and lifestyle modifications in conjunction with medication management as this has proven to be the most effective method to long-term stability. I work closely with each client to ensure they can access any helpful resources that may benefit their treatment. I use a patient-centered care approach to help my patients meet their individual goals by empowering them to focus on their strengths rather than shortcomings. 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, benzodiazepine tapering, CBT-I, holistic approaches to psychiatry, trauma-informed care, eating disorders, first responders, women’s issues (PMDD, PCOS, perimenopause, menopause, etc.)

Note: I offer easy-to-use and secure remote video sessions. We all need help from time to time, and as a licensed psychotherapist I’m here to help you make things better. If you’re having problems that are tough to solve all by yourself, I’m here to share what I know, to help you figure out how you got here, and to work with you to change things. I specialize in an approach called Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, or “CBT.” Your experience of therapy will be as practical and “user-friendly” as possible, so that you’re always clear about how we see the problem and how and why we’re making changes. We want to help you feel better as soon as possible, and stay that way.

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'm an integrative therapist, which means I pull from several different theoretical orientations. I utilize elements of humanistic, psycho-dynamic, attachment theory, and family systems. As an integrative therapist, I view each of my clients as an individual rather than a diagnosis. My style is direct, warm, and collaborative. I believe in the importance of the therapeutic alliance between therapist and client. The relationship that emerges between therapist and client is a powerful healing tool. I bring safety, empowerment, compassion, and a non-judgmental atmosphere to the therapeutic process, which allows you to explore all parts of yourself within a safe container.

As a youth, I recall many instances when I experienced intense anxiety, depression, even suicidal thoughts, – but I did so in isolation, without adequate support. Mental health services were not available and not commonly accessed in my community. As a young woman I used dance and movement, and other forms of creative expression (such as writing and singing), as my means to manage emotions. I became a psychotherapist to ensure that I could be supportive to those in similar situations – to help support people in not feeling alone with the difficult aspects of life and relationships. No one should have to fight their mental health battles alone. The integration of somatic (body-focused) psychotherapy has allowed me to support others while giving them the gift that I have discovered through a life of movement – the gift of understanding the role of the body in allowing for healing. Through the use of the body in psychotherapy clients can learn how to find balance in their mind while finding peace in their emotional landscape. I believe I support clients in feeling heard and understood through using a deep curiosity to delve into each aspect of their lives. I use a collaborative approach to support clients from exactly where they are starting from. I listen intently for new ways of hearing the shared information, the client’s story. In this process, I ask questions to weave together the thread of their thoughts and concerns as it creates a path towards their progress and growth. I hold the larger picture of who they are to support the process of highlighting insights into ways of getting from where they are to where they want to be. In this way, I am deeply understanding their process of growth while empowering them to make changes in their life. I use a warm and engaging process of building connection with clients. I find it is important to face and embrace our emotional selves, allowing ourselves to be fully authentic to cultivate growth. I foster an environment that supports this authenticity and growth through using my own eccentric and eclectic approach. From within the safety of this relationship I am able to challenge clients with humor while creating space for depth. I am able to flow with what is relevant in the moment while holding their expanded story to support.

Honestly I’ve known from an early age that I wanted to be a therapist. I’ve always been very sensitive and empathetic to people’s experiences. Also growing up in a very dysfunctional family affected by alcoholism had a part to play as well. I know how important it is to feel seen and heard. I will communicate my understanding of your experience, not in the same words, but in a way that you will have the experience of me understanding. Part of this is also being open to you communicating that I didn’t get it and having the space to try again until I do. I build trust by really valuing the creation of a safe, trusting container in which I continue to get more and more understanding of your experience. This container comes from you being able to be honest with me, and feel like you can communicate what is needed in the moment no matter what it is.

I'm here as you navigate a challenge that has arisen for you. Perhaps, there is a specific situation you want to sort through, or maybe it feels more nebulous. You may be coping in ways that aren't wholesome or sustainable. There is hope! Together, we will figure out how to find more balance, more authenticity and more joy in your life again.

Struggling with navigating life, managing in a world that may feel overwhelming, and still managing to get up every day, looking to better yourself and your relationships? You may struggle with anxiety or depression, confusion or stress due to a whole host of reasons. Infidelity, infertility, body image, low self-worth, lack of confidence, existential crises, unhealthy coping mechanisms, narcissistic moms, everyday stressors and life transitions. Anything sound familiar? You may feel isolated and alone. Don’t worry. You’re not! You are unique, but you are not alone. Many many people struggle with these things and come to learn how to live differently.