Therapists for college students near San Diego State University

Great to meet you! As a board-certified licensed therapist, I work with adolescents, young adults, and adults with a variety of backgrounds. My primary goal is to create an authentic connection with each of my clients to ensure everyone feels safe and comfortable. I believe that our past influences our present, especially when faced with challenging life experiences. Together, within our built safe space, we will explore how your past experiences influence your current thoughts and behaviors - to improve your awareness and identify areas for positive change. I believe in balancing validation and empathy with a directive, solution-focused approach that offers specific strategies to enact change. I treat anxiety, depression, trauma/PTSD, self-harm/suicidal ideation, substance use, anger management, grief, low self-esteem, relationship and family issues, identity development, and life transitions. I utilize a variety of therapeutic approaches because it is important to me to adapt my style to honor the current needs of each of my clients. I always begin our work together with an introductory session, when you’ll have the opportunity to share your story and what you hope to achieve through therapy. We’ll work together, collaborate on your goals and create a plan that feels most comfortable to you. Building trust is important to our therapeutic relationship, and will take our time easing into processing your thoughts and experiences. I will remain committed to supporting and guiding as we work together to make your goals a reality.

My name is Blanca Martinez Walter and I am a licensed Latina holistic and spiritual therapist, living in Denver, Colorado. I am licensed in both the state of California and Colorado. The fancy title I have earned is Licensed Clinical Social Worker, but I prefer the other title (spiritual therapist). I blend my experience working with Latinx in psychotherapy with my deep interest in spirituality and the mind, body, and soul connection. My therapeutic approach is holistic, incorporating intuition, signs that universe sends you, body awareness, inner child work, and a comprehensive understanding of your past and present experiences to understand how you came to be. In my practice I work with first generation latinas/latinos seeking change, wanting to get more attuned to their intuition, open to looking at past patterns and being challenged, all the while doing so with a therapist that has a cultural background similar to theirs. Common issues addressed in my practice include the effects of childhood parentification, perfectionism, self-care issues, life transitions, grief, relationship challenges, and other issues unique to the first-generation experience. As your therapist, I will be your cheerleader and I will also be that person that challenges you and disagrees with you, because without discomfort there is no growth. I balance both humor, gentleness and disagreement in my therapeutic sessions. And yes, I speak Spanglish. I offer a free 15 min consultation to determine what your needs are going to be, what you are looking for in treatment and with that determine whether we would be a good match. I can offer a special rate for college students of $90 for 45 minutes. *If you are dealing with suicidal thoughts, it may be determined that telehealth is not the option.

Hello My Name is Bettina ! I started my career in the S.F Bay Area where I worked with diverse populations in different mental health settings. I treat ages 15 and up, and focus on the life span. My Goal is to assist in the restoration and healing of mental health "" I believe in a holistic approach, and will focus on you being a better you "". I am compassionate about mental health. - Sometimes we have to get uncomfortable to get back comfortable

As a clinician, Dr. Lee primarily sees high-achieving BIPOC clients working in Big Tech and in the creative industry. He was heavily involved in San Francisco’s AAPI community clinics, including acting as the mental health lead for Asian American Recovery Services and helped train counselors at North East Medical Center, one of the first non-profits to serve the medically-underserved AAPI population in the nation. Most of his clients are members of the APIDA community, who are dealing with anxiety, depression, ethnic identity formation, life transitions, and racial/intergenerational trauma. He is in-network for those with access to Lyra, and you can schedule your session at liminalspace.io.

I am a certified eating disorder specialist with over 10 years of experience working with individuals who struggle with their relationship with food, body image, and self. College can often be a time that increases these struggles with the demands of academics, sports performance for athletes, more independence and social pressures. My work is to help you create a better relationship with your body and food that can help lead to a more satisfaction in life. I also work with individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, grief, and the life transitions. Together we will create coping strategies to navigate through the mess and sometimes just to hold space to sit in the messiness that can be life. My work is collaborative. I am not here to tell you what to do but instead meet you where you are at and guide you to your goals that you want to meet in therapy. I bring warmth, compassion and of course some humor into our work together.

Life can be challenging and certainly has its ups and downs, it is my passion to come alongside individuals during difficult times and strive to meet you where you are, providing support and encouragement to overcome the challenges in life. I strive to assist clients to gain awareness, understanding and control over their thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Through exploration, self reflection and insight I work with clients and provide the space that is necessary to process past traumas in a safe manner and allow clients to heal in a healthy way. My approach is collaborative and client centered, I strive to establish an attentive relationship and tailor my approach to each of my clients needs and personality. Based on client needs some of the modalities I utilize include CBT, SFT, Narrative Therapy, TF-CBT, EMDR or a combination. My goal is to provide a safe environment in which you can feel heard and genuinely supported. I work to assist clients identify and draw upon their strengths. I look forward to hearing from you and working with you towards a brighter future!

Alfreda is dedicated to providing the evidence-based care that patients deserve, and she desires to establish long-lasting relationships with clients. She is a dual-certified Family and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

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My passion is in helping my clients see themselves as innately whole, healthy, and resilient. I work in partnership with my clients to identify their goals and together we collaborate to work toward these goals. I am an EMDR certified therapist and I provide IFS-informed EMDR therapy in addition to other talk therapy modalities. I have found EMDR to be an especially powerful therapy, effective in healing PTSD/trauma, and helpful in addressing anxiety, depression, addictions, phobias, present or future fears, and distressing life experiences. I have been inspired by infusing IFS with EMDR, an approach that I use to guide my clients through internal complexities. With this therapeutic approach, I can help you in working through the barriers that may be holding you back. Your core beliefs as to how you see yourself and the world have the capacity to shift. What may feel heavy can become lighter. It is possible to experience a sense of relief. For more information, my website is www.annasolomontherapy.com.

Feeling overwhelmed by exams, relationships, or just life in general? I've got you covered. I'm Sharon, a licensed therapist, and I'm here to help you navigate the ups and downs of college life. Whether you're dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship drama, or just need someone to talk to, I'm here to listen and support you. In our sessions, you'll find a judgment-free zone where you can be yourself and work through whatever's on your mind. We'll use proven techniques like CBT and ACT to tackle your challenges head-on. Plus, with the flexibility of in-person or online sessions, fitting therapy into your busy schedule has never been easier. Let's work together to make your college experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Ready to get started? Reach out today, and let's chat!

My approach to therapy is one that focuses on connection and sharing. I combine "humanistic" and "CBT" technique; to put it simply, I want you to feel heard and understood and I want to help you enhance your ability to go inward, examine your thoughts, and tolerate your emotions. Other modalities I pull from are IFS, EMDR and DBT. I specialize in treating trauma and eating disorders. *I am EMDR trained by an EMDRIA approved training facility

We now offer an Intensive Outpatient Mental health program! This program is 3 days each week and currently serves individuals who are 18+. We utilize a lot of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to teach our patients tools they can utilize in their daily lives. Program is currently virtual. Ocean Psychiatry provides additional types of mental health services. Individual therapy, family and couples therapy, psychiatry, TMS and Spravato.

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I have a passion for working with people who want to live more fulfilling lives with a more genuine connection to themselves and others. My clients feel more empowered in their actions and relationships instead of letting their unhelpful thoughts and behaviors take over, while growing a more accepting and compassionate perspective towards themselves. It’s always a good session when my clients feel challenged and motivated to work towards their goals between sessions. I believe that much of the therapy work is completed between sessions just as much as it is in the hour minutes we will spend together each week. As a therapist, I’m not afraid of bearing witness to your pain and fear while finding ways to recognize joy and hope. I truly believe in each of my clients’ ability to grow and change. As an Exposure-based therapist, I’ll encourage you to take steps to approach your fears and reclaim your life. As a woman of color, I am sensitive to the ways that identity and mental health intersect and impact each other. I take an action-oriented and direct approach. Therapy is an investment in YOU, and I value all that my clients put into this work. I aim to “work myself out of a job” with each client, because I know that the goal isn’t to stay in treatment forever– it’s to live happier and healthier lives.

If someone asked you not to think for 10 minutes how hard would that be? Is overthinking about the “What Ifs” driving you to relentlessly check things over and over again? Are you determined to find certainty in an uncertain world? Do you frequently ask others repeatedly if something or someone is going to be OK? No matter how much you do a task or say a particular thing does peace of mind elude you? Does the compulsion to handwash, re-read, double-check, pray, or re-arrange items never provide lasting relief? Do you find yourself burdened by intrusive thoughts that strike against your will and preoccupy your mind for hours a day? OCD is characterized by unabating obsessions matched with intense mental or behavioral rituals to relieve the anxiety provoked. It is not treated by “talk therapy” but with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Through customized gradual exposures, ERP is an evidence-based method of intervention to reduce the severity of OCD symptoms. Exposure Therapy Designs is a telehealth practice that focuses on providing EMDR and ERP for individuals struggling with OCD and PTSD. Our clinicians offer evidence and strengths-based counseling with multicultural sensitivity. We are solutions-oriented and practice from a Solutions Focused Brief Therapy Model. ERP is a collaborative and creative approach to learning new skills and strategies to become comfortable with uncertainty and more confident in your ability to handle life’s unexpected challenges. My style is compassionate, client-centered, and culturally sensitive. Licensed in California and Massachusetts. Registered Out-of-State Telehealth provider for Florida. Research indicates that approximately 40 to 60 percent of OCD conditions have a trauma onset. Often talking about the trauma(s) can retraumatize a person. For that reason, Eye Movement and Desensitization Response (EMDR) and the Flash Technique are evidence-based treatment interventions utilized to resolve the severity of PTSD symptoms. Our treatment focus is on neurodivergent issues and gifted learners. Therapeutic style is evidenced and strength based, multiculturally sensitive, solutions oriented, client centered, and collaborative. You are the expert on you. Our role is to facilitate and support an awareness of how to implement changes to overcome unhelpful patterns in thinking and decision-making. We strive to see the whole person not just a list of symptoms. Understanding your unique background is key because therapy is not a cookie-cutter approach. Our team includes providers who are Certified Level One Solutions Focused Therapists and received specialized training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Habit Reversal Training (HRT). We also have clinicians who have completed Basic training in EMDR and the Flash Technique. We work with individuals experiencing neurodivergent issues, gifted learners, individuals coping to manage life transitions, women’s mental health issues around shifting roles in family and career, and immigration/re-entry adjustment stressors. We have licensed therapists who can see individuals residing in California, Florida, Massachusetts and Virginia. However our Associate Clinicians are only able to see residents of California at this time. Individuals who have Aetna, Kaiser Permanente, Lyra, SpringHealth, or Sutter EAP benefits are able to use their health plan coverage to pay for sessions with our licensed clinician only. For everyone else we work with Mentaya, a platform that helps clients get money back on out-of-network therapy sessions. If you have out-of-network benefits, Mentaya will file claims and handle the insurance paperwork to make sure you get reimbursed. They charge a 5% fee per claim and have helped people get thousands of dollars back per year. You can sign up using this link: https://app.mentaya.com/register?p=XqKyUZD7e4vJZUJ89P3c Note: Mentaya's goal is to save you time and money. It's completely optional, and as your therapist, I do not benefit in any way from your participation. **Sliding scale rates available on a limited cash pay-only basis with our Associate Clinicians**

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.

Michelle Kennedy Welcome. Take a moment to acknowledge you've taken the first step towards bettering your mental health because, let's be honest - starting therapy can be empowering, confusing, or scary, all at the same time. Hello, my name is Michelle Kennedy, I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and I work with Couples. Have you been feeling uneasy around your partner? Do you feel like you're constantly on edge and moments from an argument? Unfortunately, many people learn to avoid all conflicts in their relationships instead of dealing with them. This avoidance can lead to resentment between partners, which can cause more frequent fighting and lead to long-term problems.

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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.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed — by anxiety, school, grief, trauma, or just trying to hold it together — I want you to know you don’t have to navigate it all alone. Whether you’re a teen, a parent, or someone trying to support a loved one, I’m here to walk alongside you with compassion and care. I’m a social worker with over 10 years of experience supporting individuals and families through some of life’s most difficult moments. My path has taken me through schools, nonprofit organizations, and community-based programs, where I’ve worked with people facing a wide range of challenges. Most recently, I’ve been providing therapy and social-emotional support to high school students with IEPs—helping them work through anxiety, school refusal, complex trauma, and the everyday pressures of growing up. I have also worked with their parents to plan and implement optimal care. I earned my Master’s in Social Work from California State University, Northridge in 2017. During that time, I had the opportunity to develop an animal-assisted therapy program at a juvenile detention center, which really deepened my belief in creative, holistic approaches to healing. My background also includes working closely with survivors of domestic violence and supporting neurodivergent individuals and their families. My approach is trauma-informed, neuro-affirming, and client-centered. I’ll meet you exactly where you are. I believe healing happens in safe, supportive relationships, and I strive to create that kind of space in our work together. Whether you’re looking for practical tools, emotional support, or simply someone who gets it, I’m here to help you move toward healing and lasting growth. Please reach out if you would like to schedule a free, 15-minute phone consultation to see if I am the right fit for what you need.