Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA
Are you stuck? Your journey towards empowerment and freedom starts now. You will build the skills to overcome your personal struggles and with those you love. Everyone has capacity for positive growth. You will be provided with a genuine, empathic, and safe space to allow you to tap into your innate power for growth and development. Our early childhood experiences and attachment styles shape our personality and behavior. Working on your past relationships will help you gain insight into your current situation, then use that insight to reduce daily stress and find your way. My experience includes working with a diverse group of children, adults, and adolescents in the areas of relationships, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, anger management, coping skills, and emotional regulation. I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) which is a very effective way to heal from traumatic memories or events.
I work best with students who feel overwhelmed, anxious, or stuck in their own head. Many of the students I support struggle with overthinking, self-doubt, stress, past experiences that still affect them, or feeling pressure to hold everything together. They’re often high-functioning on the outside but feel exhausted or disconnected inside. I offer a calm, supportive space to help students feel more grounded, understand what they’re going through, and build skills to feel better over time.
Hey there! I understand that it’s probably taken a lot to get here: emotional pain, depression, anxiety, grief and maybe even existential crises. I want you to know that you are not alone and it does get better over time as corny as that may sound. I’m a board-certified psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and artist who specializes in helping college students struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, ecological and spiritual distress find inner peace. I combine traditional modalities such as psychotherapy and medications with holistic approaches such as purpose, creativity, and spirituality. I’m proud of you for taking the first steps on your journey of healing and would be honored to humbly walk alongside you on the journey integrating the wisdom of your mind, body and soul for transformation. This is a big deal! It takes lots of courage and strength AND you are doing it! You are on your way to living a deeply meaningful and fulfilling life and I’m here to help. Finding a good fit is one the most important things for feeling better. Please check out my website to learn more about my unique approach and fill out the interest form on my website to request a Free Intro Call.
Life happens. Everything is running smoothly in our lives and then something occurs that throws us off balance: a relationship breakup, the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, divorce, or a trauma. Instead of a single event, it can also be the buildup of stress or the accumulation of various life experiences. Sometimes we just want to learn more about ourselves. It can even be a wound from our past from which we have difficulty healing. All of us experience obstacles in our lives that can become overwhelming. With whatever difficulties you may be facing, we can work together to achieve your therapeutic goals, whether they be to lessen the experience of unpleasant feelings or to better understand what you are going through. It is my goal that you feel more empowered so that you can live a more balanced and fulfilling life.
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 specialize in general, integrative, and functional psychiatry with medication and non-medication healing recommendations for anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, and much more. Client-centered care is my top priority. I believe in a holistic view and collaborative approach to mental healthcare. Every client is approached thoroughly to determine the best care. I value integrative and complementary therapies and will offer these options alongside medication when needed or desired by the client. I am nationally board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). I am licensed to practice as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). I am committed to providing you with the care you deserve.
If you’re feeling tired of patterns that no longer serve you and ready to face what’s been holding you back, you’re not alone. Many people reach a point where they want more than survival—they want clarity, peace, rest, and a healthier relationship with themselves/equipped to thrive in relationships with others. Therapy can be a space to move forward mindfully, let go of unhelpful coping strategies, and begin building a life that feels more aligned, balanced, and authentic. Therapy can also be a space where your faith based values can be honored to enrich your experience. I support women & teen girls navigating ADHD, body image concerns, anxiety, depression, and disordered eating—areas that often overlap more than people realize. Sessions are holistic (seeing you as a whole person), thoughtful and collaborative, focused on understanding root patterns while building insight, self-compassion, and practical tools for change. Reaching out for support takes courage, and you don’t have to do it alone. If what you’ve read resonates, I invite you to schedule a free 20-minute consultation through my website. This is a chance to connect, ask questions, and see if working together feels like the right next step.
Are you looking for a way to find peace in the midst of pain? Ready to heal your wounds and come through stronger than before? I help adults with depression, anxiety, or trauma to reconnect with themselves and develop resilience, even when they feel they have already tried everything. Clients have described me as warm, compassionate, and genuine. I create a space where you can feel safe and understood, but also feel empowered to take risks and sometimes stretch beyond your comfort zone. I believe in every person’s ability to create the life they envision. I am a licensed clinical therapist specializing in the treatment of depression and anxiety; and early attachment/relationship problems. I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as well as other client-centered approaches to help my clients build psychological flexibility and become more in touch with their values. I am fluent in English, Tagalog, and Visayan/Cebuano. As a Filipino American, I am sensitive to immigrant and multicultural issues. I understand the emotional struggles and complexities of immigrating to a new country. My office in downtown Vallejo is accessible to disabled clients and can be reached by bus or car, with ample parking.
Asking for help and opening up can be a difficult process but allowing yourself to share troubling and stressful experiences can help you to regain control over your life. Learning to improve safe coping skills can help one to release stress and anxiety and better deal with life circumstances in a more positive way. Releasing hurt and pain is a healing process and promotes growth which can improve relationships and overall life satisfaction. The 1st step to healing is building a therapeutic relationship where one feels accepted & can feel safe being honest. I have specialized training in crisis counseling, CBT and solution focused therapy in a variety of settings over the past 16 years. I can assist you in improving your anxiety and depression by helping you increase safe coping skills. Please feel free to call or email me to determine if I am accepting new clients. I look forward to the opportunity to help you reach your full potential and to bring greater meaning to your life.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
I use a somatic (body-based) approach through which we enter into our inner landscape through the body rather than just through the mind. We uncover patterns and ways of being which may be stuck and not moving, and we build our capacity to move with them or out of them. There is no fixed diagnosis or “fix” here, there is movement toward a fuller expression of you within your own life experience. In addition to my lived and learned experience, what I offer to you as a client is this: an invitation to try on moving more fully with your own lived experience (trauma and pain, joy and celebration, mental health/ illness, intersectional identities, and oppressive systems) in your own body, at your pace, and with choice points.
I graduated from UMass Medical school and was trained in adult psychiatry at Cambridge Health Alliance, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital. Prior to going to medical school I received a Masters in Teaching from Boston University and worked as a teacher. This unique background affects my approach to psychiatry. I believe that a good psychiatrist should work with you to help you learn about yourself and your mental health. I am trained in a variety of therapeutic styles including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), psychodynamic therapy, supportive therapy, and Gottman style couples/relationship therapy. During my time at CHA I worked extensively with the Gender and Sexuality Clinic to serve patients of diverse sexual and gender identities. I also co-lead a group therapy for individuals in polyamorous and non-monogamous relationships. I have taught at the American Psychiatric Association’s specialized rotation for HIV Psychiatry, including lectures on how to provide effective telepsychiatry, and I have presented at a national meeting on teaching providers how to better work with patients to prescribe medications. I am a licensed physician in Massachusetts, New York, and California. I offer in person appointments in Somerville, MA as well as secure telehealth appointments to those residing in Massachusetts, New York, and California. In addition to medication management I offer individual and relationship/couples therapy.
Our practice is a good fit for people who are intelligent, curious, and open to self-exploration. We provide individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and ADHD assessments. Through these services we encourage empowerment, self-discovery, and resiliency. We value inclusiveness and have consciously created a space where all can seek help and self-discovery. Our clients come in a variety of races, sexualities, genders, religions, body sizes, and relationship structures.
Do you struggle with feelings of not being enough, self-doubt and self-criticism? Do you have difficulty expressing your feelings, communicating your needs or setting boundaries? Do you stay in relationships that make you feel unloved, unseen and unheard? Are you constantly worried or overthinking, making it difficult for you to make decisions, take risks or try new things? You're feeling stuck and not sure how to move forward in life. Starting therapy is the first step. “Everything starts with and how you feel about yourself. Start feeling worthy, valuable and deserving of what life has to offer". -Unknown. Call today! I provide a safe space where you can be yourself, be vulnerable and share your struggles without being judged. Together we will work on helping you gain a better understanding of yourself by identifying triggers and behavior patterns that are impacting your life and relationships. I will provide you with tools to help you learn how to better manage symptoms. Call today to schedule your complimentary 15-minute consultation. During the call, I will answer any questions you may have to help you determine if I am a good fit for you. Virtual Only (Daytime and Evening Availability).
Human sexuality is an endless source of self-knowledge through which we tap into our subconsciousness. In most people it is suppressed and hidden from our conscious minds due to the rigid cultural and religious belief systems along with our personal beliefs. Learning about ourselves through our sexual expressions will help some of us obtain wisdom and knowledge about who we are. Most of non-sexual issues stem from unhealthy self-perceptions, specifically from denying our own sexuality and freedom to express ourselves sexually. Ability to fully realize ourselves comes from expanding our consciousness through exploring our sexuality and sensuality.
Forbes Individual and Family Therapy is a group psychotherapy practice based out of Newport Beach, CA. At ForbesIFT, we’re very committed to helping our clients experience the positive change and life transformation they’re looking for. Our clinicians specialize in trauma, anxiety disorders, depression, college transition/life transitions, and addiction. ForbesIFT is a depth-oriented psychotherapy practice, which means that all of our clinicians are interested in helping their clients achieve true change in their lives. Each clinician brings their own unique approach, however, all of the clinicians at ForbesIFT are united by their sincere care for their clients and a serious commitment to helping their clients flourish. See our website for more information on each therapist.
I help thoughtful, driven students break old patterns to build more connected lives: where impact & soul align. As a former tech leader, Stanford student-athlete, and experienced therapist, I know how achievement can hide inner conflict, and that lasting growth happens when we feel both secure and challenged. In therapy, we explore the pull between ambition and ease, connection and distance, and deeper healing.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
My approach to therapy is rooted in a belief that change is possible. Most of my clients come to me because something in their lives isn't working. Whether the problem is familial, romantic, professional, emotional, or even existential, I find it usually comes down to a matter of relationship. How are we relating to the things that cause us to suffer? When we understand these relationships and the parts we play in them, we are free to make different choices, and to experience our lives, ourselves, and our loves in richer, more fulfilling ways. While I see clients with a wide range of presenting issues, I have a high level of expertise in family conflict, childhood trauma, addiction, codependency and eating disorders. I also have a passion for helping artists of all kinds to overcome the self-limiting beliefs that lead to creative blocks. I have additional training in EMDR (an evidence based model for trauma therapy), mindfulness practice, and family systems, and I hold an MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University.
Welcome! I’m Alexa, an associate marriage & family therapist committed to helping individuals, families, and couples feel more embodied, present, and authentic. My practice includes cognitive behavioral therapy, attachment-based therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, psychodynamic, and trauma-informed care to support each client’s process. My approach is collaborative and tailored to the specific needs and goals of each client. I am experienced in working with individuals navigating addiction, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, self-esteem issues, and effects of trauma. As someone with lived experience in overcoming addiction and eating disorders, I understand how difficult it can be to navigate life with ineffective coping skills and am open to sharing my experience with clients when appropriate or helpful. I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University in Los Angeles. Over the past several years, I’ve worked in various mental health and substance use treatment settings, supporting individuals and their families navigating addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. Additionally, I have experience collaborating with other mental health professionals to ensure comprehensive support throughout the therapeutic process.