Therapists for college students near San Diego State University

Many of the students I work best with seem like they’re keeping up on the outside, but inside feel anxious, overwhelmed, or burned out. You might be juggling academic pressure, relationships, or big life decisions while feeling stuck or unsure of how to move forward. Many have tried to push through or talk things out, but still feel caught in the same patterns. If you’re looking to better understand yourself and feel more balanced, supported, and grounded, we may be a good fit.

College can feel like a rollercoaster, exciting one moment and overwhelming the next. Many of the students I work with are juggling the pressures of academics, relationships, and figuring out their future. You might be feeling stressed, stuck, or like you're falling behind, but you're not alone. I provide a safe, supportive space to help you sort through these challenges, build confidence, and find balance. Together, we'll work on making college and life feel a little less heavy and a lot more manageable.

I specialize in working with women and teens who have endured trauma. Trauma can cause you to feel stuck, hinder your relationships, and your ability to function in daily life activities. I want to help you change that. I will help you sort out the pieces, find healing, and find yourself again. I can also provide a faith based perspective to therapy if you desire that. Being a therapist and getting to hold space for people in their most broken moments is one of the greatest honors of my life. Every person’s story is one-of-a-kind, and that means your care should be too! When we team up, think of us as partners on this adventure together. I want you to feel heard, respected, and comfortable enough to share what's on your mind. I'll be here to listen, to nudge you out of your comfort zone when needed, and to cheer you on every step of the way. We’ll kick things off with an introductory session, where you get to tell your story and share what you’re hoping to achieve in therapy. Don’t worry – we’ll figure it out together! My goal is to create a cozy, welcoming space where you feel safe enough to open up, be vulnerable, and still feel grounded. After that, we'll roll up our sleeves and dive into making your goals a reality, one session at a time.

Transformational Counseling was established to provide services that seek to empower the client to respond to variable life circumstances. Treatment follows a process that includes a thorough biopsychosocial assessment, practical behavioral treatments backed by research, and creating new rhythms with the aim of sustaining growth that not only seeks to alleviate temporal distress but also to invest into the individual for long-term thriving independent of circumstances. Find out how we can help you.

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.

Are you feeling stuck, struggling to identify or make progress toward goals, or constantly fighting with critical self-talk? Are difficulties with executive functioning, motivation, or attention keeping you from reaching your potential and showing up in the way you want to with others? Are anxious thoughts or feelings getting in the way of the life you want for yourself? I help clients identify what matters most to them and support them along their path toward making intentional and meaningful changes. My therapy approach aims to help you better understand yourself, build skills for success, and develop greater confidence and self-compassion. I use an evidence-based, strengths focused approach to support clients struggling with anxiety, perfectionism, relationships, boundary setting, body image concerns, OCD, depression, and life transitions. I also provide psychoeducational and psychological testing for ADHD, Learning Disorders, executive functioning challenges, and emotional concerns. Reaching out for support can be a big step and I look forward to helping make the process as easy and personalized as possible.

Hey! I’m Afshin — pronounced “of-sheen,” like the glimmer in your eye when you realize you're allowed to feel your feelings and still be funny about it. Looking for someone who’s real, queer, neurodivergent-friendly, and actually shows up in the room with you? I’m really glad you’re here. I work with new parents running on crumbs and caffeine, teens navigating identity and pressure, young adults facing messy transitions, and LGBTQIA+ folks tired of translating their experience for people who just don’t get it. I pull from Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic, DBT, CBT, and Solution-Focused approaches — but mostly, I bring curiosity, honesty, humor, and a human-first vibe. I don’t believe in “one-size-fits-all” healing. Some weeks we’re untangling trauma; other weeks, we’re celebrating tiny wins — like eating a real meal or setting a boundary without the shame. My core values? Radical kindness, transparency, and the belief that being “too much” is a damn superpower. If you’re craving therapy that feels like a mix between a grounding conversation and a gentle push toward who you actually want to be — let’s talk. I’m here when you’re ready.

I have always found it easy to be in tune with emotions and I feel like I can provide a non-anxious presence that can help guide. I believe two of my biggest strengths are being an empathetic and understanding person, and as cheesy as it sounds, I truly take pleasure in knowing that I can utilize these strengths to offer support to my future clients during some of their most challenging times. I also have experience working with many different people in different settings and that has allowed me to widen my understanding and it has positively impacted how I practice. I make sure to be visibly engaged through validating thoughts and feelings as well as utilizing reflective listening skills. I recognize I am human and if I do not understand something I am courageous enough to ask questions and gain insight on my client’s perspective, background, culture, faith, etc. It is not lost on me that it is a privilege to work with people at such a vulnerable level. I always aim to provide a safe, empowering, yet warm environment for all of my clients. And I am also not afraid of big emotions, on the contrary I welcome them. I believe the hour we have together is your time to be able to freely express your most inner thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment.

Are you currently facing challenges that make each day feel like a struggle, leaving you uncertain about the possibility of improvement? Do you wonder how you arrived at a point where life seems beyond your control? Whether you're dealing with anxiety, depression, or lingering trauma, I am here to guide you in uncovering and overcoming the factors that have led to your present circumstances. In my role as a therapist, I specialize in assisting individuals to navigate the complexities of anxiety, depression, and trauma. My practice is dedicated to establishing a nurturing environment where clients can embark on their path to healing with support and understanding.

You don't want to be a burden on others, so you keep it all inside, even when you're overwhelmed. Everyone thinks you're fine, but there's part of your story you never say aloud and it feels like you're about to snap. You know you have so much privilege, but what are you supposed to DO with it except feel immobilized by shame? As a bookworm and psychotherapist, I know the power of stories, especially the ones we didn't choose: family secrets, relationship and sexual difficulties, alcohol use, faith transition and deconstruction, burnout in passion jobs, people-pleasing, anxiety, financial wealth, and privileged identities. You want to learn to speak up without it costing you everyone you love. You want to learn how to give without shame or fear of being found out that you have SO MUCH. You want to create in a world that wants you to monetize everything. I get it, and I've been there. Your story won't be the same as mine, but I've helped clients like you make changes that last. I can help you find more peace in your relationships and write your future story.

College can be a time of deep change and self-discovery, but it can also feel overwhelming, isolating, or uncertain. You might be navigating anxiety, grief, family challenges, creative blocks, or a sense of being stuck. Maybe you feel disconnected from yourself or unsure of your path. If you’re carrying a lot but don’t know where to put it, therapy can be a place to set things down, breathe, and figure out what comes next. I specialize in working with students who are introspective, creative, and thoughtful—those who feel things deeply and want to make sense of their experiences. Whether you’re struggling with self-doubt, life transitions, perfectionism, or the weight of unspoken emotions, I offer a space to explore, heal, and reconnect with your inner wisdom. My approach is warm, down-to-earth, and collaborative. Together, we work at your pace, uncovering patterns that no longer serve you and finding ways to move forward with clarity and self-trust. Our work may include mindfulness, creative expression, or simply meaningful conversations that help you feel more grounded.

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Hi. These are particularly complicated and stressful times. You may be feeling anxious and or depressed. Repetitive dysfunctional patterns of behavior may be tripping up your relationships, perhaps your job, as well as your overall self-esteem. It's imperative to first understand "why I do what I do." When aware of dysfunctional patterns of behavior, you will want effective "tools" to take on behaviors that either no longer work for you, or perhaps never did. Through empathic exploration as to the "why am I the way that I am" questions, I will work with you to find and explore these important answers. I look to provide you tools that will help enable you to deal with, cope, and place your self-critical demons in their proper place going forward. I offer you helpful, practical tools viewed through a wider lens to help broaden your perspective. Change can then manifest. I have a well-rounded understanding of the complexities involved in navigating very different worlds. I have owned and operated businesses. I've worked creatively, as both a professional actor and writer in the entertainment industry. I have deep passion and an empathic approach toward helping others shift out of, and away from, long-standing negative patterns of behavior that have gotten in your way. Working safely together, we will examine what these patterns have been for you and why, with the ultimate goal of creating new freedoms, leading to a more authentic and fulfilling life. MORE INFO ABOUT MY PRACTICE My professional career prior to entering the field of psychology began after I graduated from Boston University's School of Management, earning a BSBA in Finance, with honors. I then worked in a number of different business ventures, and have owned and operated businesses while based in New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles. I have also had a separate creative career as both a stage and film actor, and as a writer in Theatre and Film, working in both New York City and Los Angeles. One of the constants of my differing past careers has been the pleasure of communicating and connecting with people, exploring lives in depth, the complexities of the human condition and getting to what matters. My past experiences have informed my life and now enable me to help others with theirs. I am here to help you. Therapy is not a "one size fits all" situation. I have experience working with people from diverse backgrounds and very different life experiences. I am here to help...you! And I want you to feel comfortable in working with me as your therapist. I offer a free 15-30 minute initial consultation, wherein we can get a sense of one another, and I can learn a little as to what is going on with you. From there, I look to help you solve these deeper issues, even if, for now, we do so by TeleHealth.

Hi, I'm Dr. Monica. I know that life can sometimes feel overwhelming – whether it's the weight of anxiety, navigating grief, or dealing with the unexpected. With over 25 years of clinical experience, I offer compassionate, direct, and unstuffy support to help you feel more grounded and less stuck. I specialize in anxiety, pet loss and grief, and trauma, but also work with clients on relationship challenges, stress, and major life transitions. Therapy with me feels like having a real conversation – no judgment, just understanding. Together, we’ll untangle the thoughts that keep you up at night and work toward finding more calm, clarity, and even a little humor along the way. If you’re unsure about starting therapy, I offer a brief 15-minute consultation to help you decide if I’m the right fit for you. You're not alone in this, and I’d be honored to walk alongside you. I am authorized to provide virtual therapy in CA, TX and all PSYPACT participating states (Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands).

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 believe change, growth, and healing are possible when we better understand ourselves and the patterns in our lives. Especially with the state of the world right now, it would make sense if your goals were to feel less anxious, less stressed, more secure, more connected, and/or safer. Through our collaborative exploration, curiosity, and empathy, I believe we can find opportunities for healing, challenge old patterns that no longer serve you, and develop a greater sense of control over your life.

Hi I'm Sara a LCSW in both CA and CT. I became a therapist because of a genuine desire to help others thrive. I believe that therapy should feel like a safe and supportive space—one where you can show up exactly as you are, without judgment. My goal is to motivate you towards the changes and self-discovery that you want for your life while also gaining a deeper understanding of self.

I am a Marriage & Family Therapist who uses a strength-based approach rooted in authenticity, compassion, and understanding. My approach is informed by Attachment Theory, Family Systems Theory, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. These theories guide me to help clients get unstuck from problematic relational patterns, nurture secure attachment bonds, develop more satisfying relationships, and work through challenges such as trauma, anxiety, and depression. I enjoy working with a variety of concerns including relational distress in families & couples, emotional & behavioral issues in children & adolescents & healing from past trauma. I place a high value on building a trustworthy collaborative therapeutic relationship with my clients. I believe therapy is most effective when clients know that their therapist respects, understands, and values them. I make it a priority to ensure my clients have this experience with me in therapy. I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with you and if you would like to explore the possibility of working together, I offer a free 15-20-minute consultation by phone. Please call or email me, and I will get back to you within 24-48 hours.

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Hello, I'm Amber. I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) offering sessions virtually and in-person. I am passionate about the outdoors, animals, music, art, and new adventures and I try to blend this into my therapy as much as possible. I view therapy as a collaborative effort and work to build a strong relationship that allows me to be direct and challenge you to grow, while always holding respect for your process and empowering you from a judgement free space and a personalized integrative approach. I know our world can be a scary place to exist; therapy should be a space to be authentically you and to feel safe to explore yourself uncensored. Looking at this page is already a big step and I am here to support you. Feel free to contact me to schedule a consultation either through this platform or my website.