Therapists for college students near San Diego State University

I help teens and young adults seeking help with depression, anxiety, stress management, self-criticism/perfectionism, and improving communication and relationships. I apply multiple techniques including CBT and mindfulness practices.

Hi there, I'm Alison. Are you finding that you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, depressed and in need of a lifejacket? Sometimes life can be very challenging, and I can offer guidance, compassion, and understanding without judgment. I work with others to help them discover their hidden strengths and resources, to truly create a life worth living. Whether you're dealing with depression, anxiety, relational issues, addiction, and stressors that make you feel overwhelmed, I am here to help! Seeking therapy can feel scary but you're making the right choice. I believe in creating a safe space that will allow you to heal and grow. Many of my clients are trauma survivors, adolescents, LGBTQIA+, and creative adults who seek deeper connection and meaning in their lives. Let's work together to help you find more balance and fulfillment! Our first session includes establishing a therapeutic alliance based on trust and safety and establishing some treatment goals that fit your needs. I utilize a variety of evidence-based modalities that are tailored specifically to your symptoms to help you feel better and feel a sense of renewed hope. I specialize in helping people learn ways to cope more effectively with their emotions and find ways to better self-regulate when feeling life stressors. I also have over 10 years in the field of Addiction Medicine and can help those in need of support in becoming sober or maintaining sobriety.

I'm a former CAPS therapist (SCU, UCSC, & CU Boulder) who loves working with students! I specialize in support for women of color, 1st and 2nd gen immigrants, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. My clients are often struggling with work-school-life balance and burnout, family and relationship issues, and the challenges of straddling two or more cultural environments and expectations. I strive to take an intersectional, inclusive approach in my work because I know how much our outside world influences our mental health—for better and for worse. (AKA, therapy is political, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!)

With 13 years of experience as a licensed psychotherapist, I enjoy the opportunity to create a safer space for people to explore personal growth, discover ways to thrive with unique challenges and give themselves permission to live at their own pace. I specialize in Trauma informed care, EMDR and Process arts. I come from a person centered approach. I enjoy helping people work through traumas such as auto accidents, sexual trauma, assaults, medical trauma and abuse. I help people find ways to manage and navigate bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, chronic illness, chronic pain and psychosis. I have specialized training and volunteer in spaces to support the LGBTQ, kinky, poly and disabled populations.

Change Within Reach specializes in culturally sensitive, deeply personalized therapy for individuals, couples, and families seeking meaningful transformation, with a strong focus on addressing anxiety alongside complex life transitions, identity, and relationship dynamics. Change Within Reach is committed to providing an inclusive, client-centered environment where clients from diverse backgrounds feel seen, heard, and supported. With therapists skilled in blending cultural insights and therapeutic expertise, Change Within Reach offers services in multiple languages, helping clients address challenges that intersect with cultural expectations, self-identity, and mental health.

Hi, I’m Kendal McDowell and I've been working in the field since 2019. I'm licensed in both CA and PA and I work specifically with college students and college athletes. Having been a college athlete myself, I'm familiar with the joys and stressors of collegiate life. College can be an exciting and eye opening experience, but sometimes it can also open our eyes to some things within ourselves or those around us we may not have noticed before. Together we’ll work to pin point what’s really going on. We’ll look deeper into areas that range from: relationships, anxiety, and depression. I’m here to help discover what’s causing symptoms or distress, and what we can do about it. We’ll spend time getting to know who you are and what could be missing, to bring more joy and happiness to life. Not sure yet? Reach out to set up a free 15-minute consult- no need to commit to a scheduled appointment right away! You can text/call (717-769-5510), or send me an email (kmcdowellcounseling@gmail.com) to set something up.

From the first time we meet to the end of our work together, you can expect a holistic focus on you and what has brought you into therapy as well as, a focus on what you want to get out of therapy. There will be both warmth and directness focused on finding what you would like to see change for yourself and how we can get there. Whether it's in person as your therapist in Fresno, Ca, or as your online therapist in California, we'll work together to see that the person you’ve been fighting so hard to find has been there all along — underneath the overwhelm, beneath the guilt, still waiting to come up for air.

Life may not be what you are expecting. Maybe you feel unworthy, stuck, and feeling anxious. Are you struggling with anxious thoughts, insecurities, and trauma that are robbing you of your values, dreams, and living the life you want? If you feel like your fears are out of control, your mind is racing, and you are left feeling hopeless, you have come to the right place. I can help you navigate your path toward living a more clam and present life. My approach to therapy is unbiased, client-centered, and collaborative. I truly value diversity and its impacts and utilize a Gestalt and CBT therapy approach, emphasizing self-compassion. I have advanced training in Domestic Violence and Moral Recognition Therapy (MRT), Domestic violence, abuse, and self-compassion. I like to use my clinical counseling experience, ecotherapy and a christian counseling lens to help you navigate your path toward living a more calm and present life. The tools I'll provide you with can help you with identifying anxious patterns and bring awareness to where you feel stuck.

The challenges and struggles we face in life can leave us feeling helpless and hopeless. Perhaps you’re overwhelmed with responsibilities. You might be taking care of other people and neglecting yourself. Or you might be struggling hard to make an important relationship work. You’ve tried more traditional kinds of self-help or therapy, and you’re ready for a different kind of therapy which integrates the mind, body and spirit.

Experienced in working with relationship issues, mood issues, trauma, and immigration mixed culture situation.

I am here to help you negative life’s ups and downs with understanding, practical tools, and care because I understand what it means to struggle and need that person along your journey. Whatever you’re facing, I’d be honored to walk alongside you as you find your way. My approach is all about balance. I focus on understanding your emotions and unique journey, while also helping you take meaningful steps forward. I believe in creating a safe, welcoming space where you can feel heard and supported as you rediscover your strengths and sense of agency. I’m mindful of all aspects that make you who you are, and I’m here to help you find clarity, connection, and confidence on your path.

Great to meet you! As a therapist, I believe that healing begins with understanding the full context of who we are—our cultures, identities, and lived experiences. I approach therapy through an intersectional and culturally responsive lens, recognizing how overlapping identities shape our challenges and strengths. In my work, I take a collaborative approach, partnering with clients and their support systems to foster meaningful and sustainable growth. My goal is to create an environment of trust, safety, and comfort, where you feel seen and supported as you explore your personal goals. Show more A bit about my approach to therapy My practice is grounded in evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), attachment theory, and somatic strategies that integrate mind and body awareness. I work with individuals navigating life stage transitions across the lifespan, helping them adapt, heal, and thrive through periods of change. What you can expect from our first session In our first meeting we will spend some time getting to know one another. After I've begun gaining an understanding of your goals and reasons for coming to therapy, we will work together to create a plan for how to approach those goals. We will define and refine them together, until you have a clear idea of what comes next! I am always open to feedback and collaboration, so I try to keep this process dynamic. Nothing is set in stone. We will work together to try to get you where you want to be.

You’re the strong one — the responsible one — the one who learned early how to hold it together. You navigate different spaces, code-switching when needed, carrying family expectations while trying to build relationships that feel healthy and secure. You’re self-aware, but old attachment patterns still show up. You’re ready to understand what shaped you and create connection that feels safe, mutual, and authentic. I provide trauma-informed, attachment-focused therapy for Black and Brown Millennials and Gen Z adults and couples. Using EMDR and relational therapy, we process generational and relational wounds so you can shift patterns at their root — not just manage the symptoms. You don’t have to keep carrying everything alone. Many of your patterns were learned for survival — they make sense. Therapy offers space to unlearn what no longer serves you and build something healthier. If you’re ready for intentional, culturally responsive depth work, I invite you to reach out.

Do you… worry you’re disappointing the people you love? feel pulled between your own needs and everyone else’s expectations? wonder who you’d be if you stopped trying so hard to get everything right? You may have spent years adapting, achieving, and taking care of others. But beneath the anxiety, and doubt, there’s a quieter question waiting to be heard: What would it look like to let go? The idea of being your authentic self terrifies you, but part of you knows… something needs to change. Perhaps… • You’ve recently been diagnosed with ADHD or autism and are making sense of yourself in a new way. • You identify as an immigrant or third-culture adult trying to reconcile different cultures, values, and expectations. • You’ve spent much of your life battling anxiety, perfectionism, or the pressure to always do more. If you’re tired of coping and want to start living, I’m here for you.

Welcome to the private practice of Dr. Brandon F. Heimberg, a licensed clinical psychologist in California and New York, specializing in neuropsychological assessment and treatment. His expertise encompasses a broad spectrum of conditions, including traumatic brain injuries, neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, learning disorders, various medical conditions, and psychiatric disorders. Dr. Heimberg combines a depth of knowledge with extensive experience to offer comprehensive and compassionate care. His extensive training encompasses Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and a comprehensive APA Division-40 neuropsychology internship at the VA Illiana Health Care System. Moreover, Dr. Heimberg has honed his expertise through advanced clinical practica and a two-year clinical fellowship/residency in neuropsychological assessment at the prestigious UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine, ensuring adherence to the highest standards of neuropsychological training. Dr. Heimberg currently holds hospital privileges at the Motion Picture & Television Fund. Dr. Heimberg's services are available to residents across California and New York, accommodating the needs of his patients through both in-person consultations (CA) and HIPAA-compliant telehealth options (CA and NY). Whether you're seeking support for yourself or a loved one, Dr. Heimberg is committed to providing exceptional care tailored to each individual's unique circumstances.

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.

My journey to becoming a psychotherapist began when I was thirteen years old. I remember listening to my radio every night just as I was falling asleep. It wasn’t music I was listening to, but a psychologist who ran a call-in talk program. Troubled listeners would call in seeking the good doctor’s advice and in just a few minutes time, they were soon at ease by her reassuring words. I thought, “What a wonderful job that must be; to help so many people in feeling heard and connected with a caring human being. I’d like to do that too!” The same issues that plagued those callers are still around today; feeling alone, confused, different, unloved, a sense of hopelessness. The list goes on. What inspires me to work in mental health care is my desire to help make the lives of others much easier, less burdened, more worth living. To make certain that my clients feel accurately heard and understood, I check in with them often throughout our sessions. This can be done by sharing with them what I think I heard them say and then by checking in with them to make sure this is fairly accurate or if I was off the mark. I learned long ago that if I don’t get it quite right, my client’s are quick to correct me! This is usually a positive. If I get it wrong and seek clarification, it’s my hope that I convey my genuine interest in my client’s experience and that they are worth the extra effort to be understood. Trust and a strong therapeutic alliance between client and therapist are two aspects of therapy I find to be essential for meaningful work to take place. I do this by starting and ending sessions at our agreed upon time, curating a mutually agreed upon treatment plan and perhaps most of all, relating with all of my clients as my equals. I see ours as a dimly lit journey we’re walking together. Our only difference is, I am carrying the lantern helping us to see ahead. When appropriate, I’ve even been known to share a personal story involving myself if that story will help drive home a particular point.

I am a dedicated and compassionate, board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). The majority of my nursing career has been in high-acuity psychiatric settings, including psychiatric emergency, crisis stabilization, and inpatient behavioral health. I initially started in the Emergency Department as a new graduate nurse, where I realized that what truly resonated with me was the mental health aspect of patient care. Throughout my psychiatric nursing career, I’ve worked with diverse populations from pediatrics to geriatrics, managing complex psychiatric and co-occurring disorders, emergency crisis situations, and facilitating stabilization through comprehensive and therapeutic interventions tailored to each patient’s unique needs. What inspires me to work in mental health is the resilience of the people I’ve cared for, many of whom have faced immense stigma, systemic barriers, or trauma. I’ve seen how transformative it can be when someone feels genuinely heard and respected, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, including LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, foster youth, immigrants, and those struggling with disabilities or homelessness. Mental health is the foundation to overall health and quality of life. The ability to support someone in their most vulnerable moments and witness their transformation is what continually inspires my commitment to this field. My approach is person-centered, intentional, non-coercive, and collaborative care. I strive to meet each patient exactly where they are, emotionally, culturally, and developmentally, and aim to prioritize their autonomy. I offer compassionate, evidence-based guidance, especially in medication management, to ensure that each treatment plan aligns with the patient’s values, readiness, and recovery goals. My goal is to support patients in building lives that are not just symptom-free, but fulfilling, meaningful, and self-directed.

I am a licensed mental health counselor in Tennessee and California, and I provide therapy virtually to students in both states. I work with people who are dealing with things like stress, difficult transitions and circumstances, traumatic events, relationship problems, grief, discrimination, and systemic marginalization. I specialize in working with people seeking recovery from the abuse they experienced in their families, intimate relationships, workplaces, religious and faith communities, and also survivors of cults and other high-demand/control groups. Additionally, I work with those who are living with mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, suicide risk, and post-traumatic stress disorder. I also specialize in working with people seeking recovery from substance use, and I welcome clients who are active substance users. I enjoy working with clients from diverse backgrounds and strive to create a safe, affirming space for the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, disabled individuals, and other marginalized groups. Being a military spouse myself, I am honored to work with active military members, their families, and veterans. Feel free to check out my website to learn more about my experience and specialties. Those who work with me can expect to experience a safe and supportive space. My approach is very down-to-earth, and I aim to use research-backed therapy interventions in a way that’s accessible and helpful. I believe no two people need the same approach. There is no universal formula for creating positive change. Your path is your own. The job of a counselor is to help you find your footing and support you on your unique journey. I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to see if we’re a good fit. Please reach out to get that scheduled, or if you have any questions you’d like to ask first.

Are you facing changes that feel overwhelming, uncertain, or just plain exhausting? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to navigate it alone either. Through my work, I help support individuals and families through the inevitable shifts life brings—whether it’s welcoming a new baby, coping with divorce, relocating, transitioning into a blended family, or adjusting to a new phase of life like, going to college, getting a new job, or caring for aging parents. Transitions can be challenging and unsettling, but they also carry opportunities for growth, healing, and new beginnings. I offer a compassionate and collaborative space where you're seen as whole, already holding the wisdom to heal and grow. My approach invites you to reconnect with your resilience, explore the stories that shaped you, and discover the ones where your strength shines through—so you can reclaim your voice and choose what comes next. In seasons of change, feeling lost or unsure is completely human. I offer a nurturing space where your stories can unfold. As we uncover the strengths within you, we’ll begin to reshape your experience of belonging and safety. Growth often begins in the quiet moments of reflection, where trust can take root and new patterns of connection can bloom.