Therapists for college students near New York University

College brings a mix of new freedom, academic pressure, shifting relationships, and questions about who you want to become. If you are struggling with anxiety, perfectionism, mood changes, relationship stress, or the challenges of adjusting to college life, you deserve support that helps you feel understood and steady again. I offer a warm and collaborative space where you can talk openly about what you are experiencing while feeling supported to grow in ways that are both meaningful and sustainable. My goal is to understand you fully, help you reconnect with your strengths, and work with you to create a life that feels more manageable and more aligned with who you want to be. My approach is grounded in evidence-based care. I integrate DBT-informed treatment, CBT, relational therapy, and mindfulness-based strategies to help you understand the patterns and experiences that shape you while also building practical skills. Together, we focus on emotional regulation, coping tools, communication, boundary setting, academic stress management, and the internal pressures that often surface during college. Therapy is flexible, collaborative, and tailored to your needs so you can make real and lasting change. I have extensive experience working with adolescents and young adults in settings where emotional well-being and academic demands overlap. Alongside my private practice, I work at a specialized therapeutic high school where I support students managing stress, perfectionism, identity development, and transitions into college and adulthood. In this role, I coordinate DBT programming, provide training and consultation to faculty, and oversee the integration of skills into the broader school culture. I also supervise doctoral trainees, which reflects my commitment to high-quality, evidence-based care and to training the next generation of clinicians.

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The students I work best with are often juggling a lot—classes, exams, relationships, family expectations, jobs, and the constant pressure to “have it all figured out.” If you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, stuck, unmotivated, or just not like yourself lately, you’re not alone. College can be exciting, but it can also be lonely and stressful in ways people don’t always talk about. In our sessions, you’ll have a space where you can be real—no judgment, no pressure, just honest conversations about what’s going on and practical tools to help you cope. Whether you’re struggling with stress, burnout, confidence, friendships, or big life decisions, my goal is to help you feel more grounded, clear, and in control. If you’re ready for support that actually fits your life as a student, I’d love to help you take that next step.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a private practice in midtown Manhattan. When I decided to go back to school for a master’s degree, I chose social work because I felt strongly about its foundational belief that focus should be on both a person and their environment. During graduate school at Fordham University I saw many appealing paths I could continue on after graduation. While both macro and micro levels of practice are extremely important, I felt best suited for work with individuals on a deeper level. I wanted to further my education and went on to complete the four-year postgraduate training program in Adult Psychoanalysis and Comprehensive Psychotherapy from The National Institute for the Psychotherapies. Prior to private practice I worked with a diverse population in various clinics throughout New York City. In addition to private practice I have been guest faculty at the Training Institute for Mental Health and taught a course on Eating Disorders. In March 2020, I completed a post master’s program in Spirituality and Social Work at New York University.

Our team of licensed therapists, are hired, trained, and supported to provide the best possible care for you and your unique needs. Dedicated therapists are thoroughly vetted through clinical review, case studies, and background checks, emphasizing clinical excellence and social justice. Our team engages in unparalleled mentorship, supervision, and professional development to ensure mastery of the issues that most commonly face young professionals and it is well-versed in the latest technology to serve clients in remote settings.

I work with college students, young adults, and adults who are navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, grief, and the stress that can come with school, relationships, identity, and uncertainty about the future. I’m especially passionate about supporting young adults through the often-overwhelming transition from college to the “real world” — whether that means coping with job-search stress, navigating career pressure, adjusting to new responsibilities, or trying to make sense of who you are outside of school. I also help clients process loss of identity during major life changes, such as graduating, stepping away from athletics, changing roles, or leaving behind a version of themselves that once felt familiar. I also specialize in supporting expats and individuals living abroad who may be facing loneliness, culture adjustment, and the emotional complexity of feeling caught between worlds. My approach to therapy is holistic, collaborative, and personalized. I draw from mindfulness and wellness-based strategies when helpful, and I tailor the work to each client’s goals, needs, and lived experiences. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected, burnt out, or simply unsure of what’s next, I strive to create a space where you feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow.

My clients are often deep feelers, over thinkers, and high achievers such as students, clinicians, creatives, adoptees, BIPOC, and first generation individuals who are navigating identity, relationship dynamics, responsibilities, anxiety, depression, overwhelm, burnout, trauma, or systemic stressors. They are often masking or silencing parts of themselves to meet expectations. Many are seeking a space where they do not have to explain their identities or experiences, where they can feel heard and seen without judgment or fear. They want support, clarity, and autonomy to show up fully both in therapy and in their everyday lives. I offer unique understanding of intersectionality rooted in lived experience and aim to provide culturally and trauma-informed care. I've supported youth and families in schools, camps, and community centers facing trauma, crisis, abuse, neglect, grief, loss, immigration issues, displacement, and second language challenges for over a decade. I've trained clinicians, staff, and supervised interns in crisis intervention, SEL, and case management. With a long-standing dedication to human development, attachment theory, and a gathered knowledge of specific cases, treatments, and approaches, I am committed to client-centered care tailored to each individual's needs. I understand how overwhelming it can feel to carry so much while trying to hold it all together. I offer a compassionate, supportive space where your full self, voice, and unique form of expression are honored. If you’re looking for a space to make sense of things in your own way, you’re welcome to connect with me and discover what therapy can mean for you. I offer free 15-minute consultations, feel free to reach out and connect further via email or my official website.

I help young adults navigating depression, bipolar disorder, and intergenerational trauma feel more grounded through medication and person-centered care. If you're in your 20s, trying to figure out who you are and how you're supposed to live, you're not alone. Maybe you're overwhelmed by constant decisions about your career, your relationships, or your future. You might feel pressure to have it all together while quietly wondering why everything feels so hard. I work with people navigating identity, stress, and mood shifts, including persistent depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, especially those carrying intergenerational trauma, cultural expectations, or the weight of being the first in their family to pursue something different. I know how heavy it can feel to carry things that didn't start with you, especially if you're part of an immigrant family. I'm passionate about consulting and treating intergenerational trauma, and I've found it powerful to offer both validation and education throughout the healing journey. Therapy with me isn't about judgment or quick fixes; it's about creating space to understand what shaped you and figuring out what you want to carry forward. Whether we're talking about depression, bipolar disorder, or feeling like you've lost touch with yourself, I'll meet you where you are. We'll move at your pace, ask questions that help you reconnect with your values, and make space for your story on your terms. Outside of work, I guard my sleep, feed myself warm meals, and stay close to people who feel like home. I know that longevity comes from the small things we choose every day. I'm passionate about helping people, especially young adults, protect their energy, reconnect with their values, and feel more grounded in who they are. If you're feeling disconnected, unsure, or just plain tired, therapy can help. You don't have to figure it all out before getting support.

Colorful Mind Psychotherapy is a compassionate team of licensed psychotherapists with years of experience serving Asian American communities. Many of us share lived experiences of immigration, bicultural identity, intergenerational conflicts, overt racism, and microaggressions. These experiences deeply inform our work and strengthen our commitment to supporting the emotional, cultural, and systemic challenges that members of the Asian community often face. Our practice offers tailored therapy for children, families, and adults. Our approach is rooted in trauma-informed care that honors the diverse cultural and personal backgrounds of each client.

I have particular experience working with people with religious trauma, which involves processing unhealthy patterns from high-control religious settings and coming into new ways of relating to oneself. I also work with people experiencing grief, anxiety and depression, as well as supporting people who just need to process everyday stressors. I'm deeply honored to come alongside people on their life's journey and support them through whatever they may be struggling with. I also believe that people, even when they are struggling with their mental health, are doing a lot to support themselves, and find great value in supporting and empowering people in our work together. My therapeutic style is eclectic, meaning I draw from multiple approaches and methodologies to best meet each patient's unique needs. While I maintain an eclectic approach, my work tends to lean into the psychodynamic approach, meaning I believe the past affects the present and that when we understand past relationships and patterns, we can better improve our present-day mental health. I also have particular experience with motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and the task-centered approach.

Whether you’re struggling with past trauma, adjusting to life transitions, or seeking guidance in the face of adversity, I offer a safe, supportive environment to explore your experiences and work towards your goals. I am passionate about providing a space where healing can begin, and personal growth is always possible. If you're ready to take the first step toward understanding and overcoming life's obstacles, I am here to guide and support you every step of the way.

I believe that therapy is a space to tell your unique story, where your lived experience will be received, honored, and validated without judgment. By diving into that story together, I can help guide you in understanding yourself and charting a course for future growth. As we walk this path together, we will work toward self-acceptance, empowerment, and joy. I support clients through a variety of challenges, such as exploring identity, navigating transitions, strengthening relationships, processing trauma, and coping with stress. As a queer, gender non-binary therapist, I am particularly passionate about providing sexuality- and gender-affirming therapy to queer and trans clients of all ages. I prioritize queer joy and gender euphoria in the therapeutic space, and strive to create a safe haven for clients to explore their identities beyond heteronormative sexuality and binary gender. My therapeutic approach is tailored to the individual client, and incorporates a variety of techniques and approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and anti-oppressive practice. My therapeutic style is goal-oriented and client-centered, and I prioritize collaboratively constructing a set of goals to bring intentionality to my work with clients. I strive to bring warmth, empathy, and patience to my work, and I encourage clients to identify and leverage their unique strengths and capabilities. My practice is informed by queer theory and critical race theory, and I strive to help clients explore how their lives have been influenced by social structures of oppression and inequality. In my free time, I love spending quality time with family and friends and finding new favorite spots to eat in my neighborhood. On the weekends, you can find me exploring Astoria Park and fawning over every dog I meet.

My therapeutic style is collaborative, creative, and grounded in both trauma-informed and person-centered care. I believe that therapy works best when clients feel safe, heard, and understood. Building trust and genuine connection is at the core of my approach, and I strive to meet each client with empathy and curiosity rather than judgment. I draw from evidence-based modalities while tailoring treatment to the individual. This means our work together may include strategies from CBT, psychodynamic therapy, DBT, mindfulness, or strengths-based frameworks. I highly value your voice in the process and view therapy as a shared space where we can explore challenges, deepen insight, and build tools for healing and growth. I am especially passionate about supporting LGBTQ+ individuals and others navigating identity, anxiety, depression, life transitions, and relational stress. Together, we’ll work at a pace that feels right for you, and make sure to honor your strengths and resilience every step of the way.

For me, therapy is a privilege: I have the opportunity to foster healing, growth, and genuine relationships. If you are experiencing stressful events, unpredictable challenges, and important transitions in life, I am here to assist you explore your goals, navigate your routes, and equip you with knowledge and skills. If you feel overwhelmed by some emotional and mental disturbance, I am here to help you explore the root of the issue, and practice skills to achieve mind-body balance. I appreciate the uniqueness of each client and work to create individualized psychotherapy experiences. I accommodate a variety of therapy modalities in my sessions with empathy, humor, and critical thinking. My space is safe and non-judgmental for you to feel comfortable and be your true self. It is impressive that you took the first step to seek resources and professional assistance. I would be honored to accompany you on this journey. If you think we would be a good match, please reach out by email or phone for a complementary call/appointment with me.

At Karras Psychological Services, our goal is to empower you with the skills you need to live your best life. We use evidence-based techniques to help you identify and understand the reasons behind your roadblocks and work with you to overcome them. Whether you're struggling with an eating disorder, anxiety, depression, relationships issues, we're here to support you.

You have made the right decision to start your search for inner peace. Whatever the reason for your search; sadness, worry, anger, difficult relationships, life changes, substance use- I will join you where you are in order to assist you to get to where you want to be. When you are ready to begin, connect with me, and we can go together.

I'm so glad you've started this journey to improve your mental wellbeing. I know how difficult beginnings can be—I’ve worked with a number of first-time and returning therapy clients from backgrounds as diverse as New York City itself. I particularly enjoy working with LGBTQIA+ clients and people with disabilities and neurodivergences. I do my best to honor your cultural experience as we tackle some of life’s biggest challenges together: depression and anxiety, trauma and grief, chronic illness and medical issues, relationship difficulties and life transitions, and problematic drug use or other behaviors that may no longer be serving you. My own career began in worker organizing, then moved into community social work and social policy research. I have a deep appreciation for how relationships and social realities impact mental health and prioritize a relational and social change-oriented approach. Disability justice, racial justice, and gender justice are core tenets of my practice. My work is also influenced by my own experiences as a therapy client: I strive to be as transparent as possible about what we’re doing and why, so you can be a full partner on the journey and never feel left in the dark. Above all, I am person-centered: I start by learning who you are as an individual, your strengths and challenges, and then figure out which clinical approaches can work best for you. I often draw from Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and am pursuing further training in these modalities. I very much look forward to meeting you and taking this journey together!

Whether you're looking to cope with big changes or working through life-long relationship challenges, I'm here for you. Our sessions will help you gain insight into your experiences, find relief from painful feelings, and learn valuable skills. It's possible to have more stability, ease, and joy in your life and to build more fulfilling relationships where you get to be your whole self. As the co-author of "Secrets and Lies in Therapy," I also have special expertise in helping you feel comfortable trusting you can share with me about what really matters - even if that's been hard in the past. Your experience of feeling deeply accepted by me will translate into developing healthy, secure relationships in your life. I specialize in working with: -grad students and professionals who struggle with self-doubt, overthinking, or imposter syndrome -men who are craving space beyond the limits of traditional masculinity -people pleasers who are learning to set boundaries and take up more emotional room -anyone looking to explore or make changes to their substance use -anybody who is new to therapy Like any relationship, therapy works best when it's the right fit. You deserve to feel comfortable in this process. I offer a free 15 minute phone consultation to make sure we're a good match and to answer any questions you have. To get started, please call or email me at drmelanielove@gmail.com and we can find a time to talk. I look forward to hearing from you.

When you make the decision to attend therapy, you are making the decision to prioritize your wellbeing in a fundamentally unique way. Therapy is something that can be challenging, but also transformative– Especially for those who have not been listened to, believed, or had the freedom to pause and practice introspection due to the demands of life. Knowing the challenges of finding a therapist who can understand your life experiences, I prioritize working with communities with whom I share personal experience. This includes, but is not limited to: LGBTQIA+, polyamorous/ENM, BDSM/kink, sex worker, SA/DV survivors, neurodivergent, chronically ill & disabled communities. My work is grounded in Relational-Cultural Therapy, which emphasizes the importance of the relationship between therapist and client as an essential part of the therapeutic process. I aim to minimize power dynamics in the room between therapist and client, and firmly believe you are the expert of your life. Rather than an authority in the room, I see my role as a collaborator in helping you achieve your therapy goals. For those who wish to know my social location: I am a Black, queer, disabled, neurodivergent, polyamorous, non-binary therapist in my 30s. I come from a middle-class background in a mixed race household, am a US citizen, and was raised Catholic but am not religious. I approach therapy as a team effort grounded in trauma-informed, anti-racist, fat liberatory, sex & kink positive, and feminist ideals. My therapy practice is eclectic, borrowing from multiple modalities in order to find the best approach for each individual client, couple, or polycule. Common approaches I incorporate include: EFT (emotion focused therapy), IFS (internal family systems), Sex Therapy, and Attachment Theory. I work with clients on a variety of topics, but special interests include: Unpacking attachment wounds using IFS; Transition stages in Poly/ENM; Freedom from shame regarding sex & kink; Impacts of disability; Relationships to health, disordered eating, and/or fatness from a fat liberatory and body neutrality lens. If you are curious about working together, please email lowell@expressyourselftherapynyc.com to set up a free consultation.

Isabella Cuellar (she/her) is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Isabella’s experiences as a special education teacher and outpatient psychiatric medical assistant drove her interest in trauma-informed counseling, advocating for client needs, and the importance of a multicultural approach to counseling. As a therapist, she values building trusting relationships with all clients and creating a supportive, non-judgemental therapeutic environment where individuals feel nurtured. Isabella integrates different styles of therapy to cultivate change within her clients, including a psychodynamic approach and evidence-based practices like dialectical behavioral therapy. She has experience working in a college counseling center where she supported a diverse student population in managing anxiety, depression, interpersonal relationships, LGBTQ+ issues, and adjustment to college life. Isabella believes in a holistic approach to wellness and implements her background as a yoga instructor and former D1 athlete into her role as a counselor. If you’re looking to begin a journey toward becoming the best version of yourself, schedule a session with Isabella!