Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA

Hello, my name is Dr. Kristine Pickwith, and I work with adults diagnosed with chronic illness or coping with grief related to a break-up or death of a loved one.

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I once heard someone doing a lecture say, “we know what we believe when we hear what we say.” This would definitely inform the kind of therapy you would experience with me. I view the client as the one who has the answers, and we’re working together to solve a mystery. One of my roles is to help my client tell the story, point out clues being overlooked, gently challenge entrenched beliefs, provide unconditional positive regard, and help the client make sense of their difficulties and their world. Our work together would be collaborative. I’m not a “sit, nod, and take notes” therapist. I’m interactive, and socratic, and relational. I view thoughts, feelings, and behaviors from a lens of curiosity; wondering what beliefs are behind them; helping to root out dynamics that help those things persist. Often we are stuck in a distorted comfort in familiar pain and we simply cannot see it without someone reflecting that in the room. I am an integrative (drawing from multiple therapeutic orientations) humanist-existential therapist; an enthusiastic cheerleader. I will bring humor and validation into the session. I’m passionate about brain chemistry. I am social-justice oriented. I am also trauma-informed. While I work in many different focuses of psychotherapy, I find that the most pervasive themes in my work with clients include: adjustment to life changes, problems with alcohol and substance use (and the way that co-occurring mental health issues interact with it), LGBTQIA+ topics, issues of neurodiversity, anxiety and depression, personality disorders, identity & esteem development, and healthy relationships of all shapes and sizes. I am experienced, both professionally and personally, working with a variety of relationship configurations and am highly comfortable talking about issues of sex positivity and non-standard definitions of families and relationships such as polyamory and non-monogamy. I am a licensed therapist, an addiction professional, a bit of a technology geek, and a fellow traveler in recovery. In addition to those things, I am Compliance Officer at an all women’s addiction treatment center where I’ve worked in various capacities ranging from counselor to director since 2010. I have also been an adjunct professor in the Master’s program at Pacific Oaks College, an adjunct professor for Glendale College’s Drug Studies program, and I served on the board of the California Association for Drug/Alcohol Educators (CAADE). I am a member of CAMFT at both the state level and in the San Gabriel Valley chapter.

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As a therapist and Board-Certified Psychiatrist, I strive to approach each individual with empathy, curiosity, and respect. My extensive work with people from diverse economic, gender, sexual, cultural, and racial backgrounds gives me a unique lens through which I understand the complexities of human behavior, mental health, and healing. Our mental health is not only influenced by individual experiences but also by the broader context of society, culture, and history. This holistic perspective allows me to connect with clients in a meaningful way and offer individualized approaches to the healing journey. I received my Medical Degree from NYU School of Medicine, and completed my residency training in Psychiatry at UCLA-Olive View in Los Angeles. My areas of focus include depression, anxiety, trauma, and stress management. I believe in the power of healing—whether through therapy, medications, or a combination of approaches. While medication is not for everyone, I have seen it play a crucial role in treatment for many people. If we determine that it would be beneficial to try a medication, we will thoroughly discuss the risks and benefits before starting. There will be regular check-ins to ensure it is serving its purpose. And ultimately the decision about whether or not to take a medication I prescribe is yours and yours alone.

mindfulSF supports students, teens, young adults, couples, and professionals in building resilience, navigating life transitions, and strengthening their mental well-being so they can thrive academically, professionally, and personally. We offer individual therapy and couples counseling both in person and online throughout California. Our clinicians use evidence-based treatment approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness, and Self-Compassion practices. Our areas of focus include OCD, ADHD, autism, generalized and social anxiety, phobias, panic disorder, body-focused repetitive behaviors, depression, trauma, life and work stress, and parenting and postpartum concerns. We are a queer woman–owned practice committed to providing culturally responsive, inclusive care, with a special dedication to serving BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals. We embrace and celebrate multicultural diversity and intersectional identities, and strive to create a space where clients feel respected, affirmed, and understood. mindfulSF is a private pay practice with session fees beginning at $200, varying by clinician. If mindfulSF sounds like it may be a good fit, we invite you to visit our website to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with our intake coordinator to learn more about our services. You can also learn more about our therapists at mindfulSF.com.

Trinette, a dedicated Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), emphasizes collaboration with her patients in treating psychiatric disorders and managing medications. She partners with them, integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and supportive and talk therapy to meet their unique needs. Together, they explore CBT techniques, where Trinette guides patients to identify and reframe distorted thoughts—say, tackling anxiety-driven fears—co-creating strategies that empower them to cope. In MI, she works alongside patients, sparking their motivation to embrace treatment plans, like sticking to meds or therapy for depression, ensuring their voice drives the process. Through supportive talk therapy, Trinette and her patients jointly unpack emotions, building trust as they process challenges like trauma, reinforcing their resilience as a team. In medication management, collaboration shines: Trinette assesses symptoms and histories with patient input, designing psychopharmacological plans together. She explains options—perhaps adjusting an antipsychotic for bipolar disorder—while they monitor effects and tweak dosages as a unit, balancing efficacy and comfort. For instance, a patient with OCD might co-develop a plan blending CBT for obsessions and a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, refining it based on shared feedback. This partnership fosters ownership, as patients feel heard and respected. By merging these therapies with tailored medication, Trinette and her patients collaboratively address mind and body, paving the way for sustainable mental wellness through mutual effort and understanding.

My name is Horace Liang and I am a Mental Health Trainee currently pursuing my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy at Alliant University. I offer free 15-minute phone consultations. Please reach out via email or phone to schedule a call. My goal in therapy is to foster a safe space for all individuals to express who they truly are and discover their life values. I approach therapy with a curious mindset and encourage others to tell me their stories. I am particularly fascinated with Attachment Theory where early relationships with caregivers can influence an individual’s development. I work with individuals of various ages, backgrounds, ethnicities, and life experiences. I am currently amidst a career change after 8 years in the biotech industry. When not working, I can be found motorcycling on mountain roads, inhaling food, and playing with my three fur babies, Creme, Brulee & Buddy.

I help people understand themselves with profound depth, not just with symptom management. If you're ready to look at patterns, relationships, and what keeps you stuck, this work is for you. Can you dream of a life no longer haunted by your past? Are you feeling limited in your relationships? Contemporary psychoanalysis offers a unique space to understand not only what has happened to you, but how your history continues to shape your inner world, often outside of conscious awareness. I help people understand themselves with profound depth; not just with symptom management. If you're ready to look at patterns, relationships, and what keeps you painfully stuck, this work is for you. Therapy is an emancipatory undertaking: the aim is not to help you become better adjusted to what has constrained you, but to help you become less beholden to it in the long run. I bring warmth, candor, and sustained attention to the room. My specialties include contemporary dream interpretation; dissociation; depression; and trauma, in all its forms.

Hello, and welcome! I offer Telehealth video sessions for all CA clients, as well as in-person, or telehealth/in-person hybrid for San Francisco Bay Area clients. Much of our wounding is experienced in relationship, and so our healing needs that too. I offer a compassionate, collaborative home base that responds to what you bring. Face your challenges with skilled support. I move at a pace that's attuned to each client, balancing qualities of relief with growing edges. Together we can work to help you be in better relationship and balance with yourself and others, build resources, connect to your rich inner life and greater clarity, create an intentional path. Reach out! I offer a FREE 20-minute phone consultation. My office is in the Inner Richmond, SF. I'm a certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP). A trauma-informed modality that builds awareness around & resilience in the body & nervous system. We'll inquire into, respond to your thoughts, feelings, sensations. What your unique life or trauma have split off, disavowed in you, or disconnected you from, this work can help reintegrate, reconnect, heal. I offer primarily SE Sessions, if you are seeking that focus and modality only, as well as Psychotherapy Sessions. I’m also trained in SE Touch, which is an optional add-on. I came to this therapeutic work through my own mid-life awakening, discovered through uncovering my essential self in my own psychotherapy, so I bring a strong passion to this work, and a fearlessness to be with you in the hard stuff. I welcome diversity of all kinds, couples/triads, LGBTQQIA. It would be a privilege to walk this path with you.

Hi there, I'm Marianna! My name is Marianna Birdsong. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Southern California and working with clients statewide via telehealth. I work with the adult population and specialize in anxiety, stress, and life changes, using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Client-Centered Therapy to help my clients make progress and start feeling better.

My interest in mental health began from a desire to understand how our experiences shape who we are. This curiosity grew into a passion for helping others explore these influences, gain deeper insight, and create healthier ways of relating to themselves and the people around them. The more we understand ourselves, the more we can understand others. Whether you’re coming to therapy during a difficult time or seeking support for accountability and personal growth, what matters most is simply showing up for yourself. That act of showing up can be one of the hardest things we do. Yet it is also essential, not only for your own well-being, but for your ability to show up more fully for the people and things you care about. I view therapy as an act of kindness toward yourself, an intentional pause to check in, look inward, and take meaningful steps toward becoming your best self. Over time, this process can create a ripple effect of growth, both within yourself and across all areas of your life.

Greetings! I'm a dedicated and empathetic Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with a rich background spanning over two decades in the healthcare industry. My passion for mental health and well-being has been the driving force behind my extensive career. I've honed my skills to provide comprehensive and personalized care to individuals seeking support. I earned my advanced degree to address better the nuanced needs of those grappling with mental health challenges. My qualifications and commitment to ongoing professional development ensure that I stay abreast of the latest advancements in psychiatric care. I completely understand the struggles of those advancing their profession and, at times, battling mental health. Please Know, YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

I'm glad you're here! My work is firmly rooted in existential humanism, meaning the search for meaning and self-realization is central to our work together. I believe you are the expert on yourself and your experience, and it is my great honor to walk with you on your path. I specialize in providing LGBTQ+ competent psychotherapy for individuals, couples, and families. The relationship we will build collaboratively in session will aid you on your healing journey. I am skilled at creating a non-judgmental environment and accepting you where you are, no matter where that is, as we work to shine a light on what once seemed too dark to face.

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I specialize in supporting college students who feel overwhelmed by the challenges of campus life—from managing academic pressure and navigating new social environments to handling personal transitions and stress. I understand that many students share common experiences such as balancing coursework, part-time work, and relationships, while also grappling with uncertainty about the future. Who I Help My approach works best for students who: Feel anxious about their studies or future career choices. Struggle with balancing social life, academics, and personal well-being. Are navigating significant life transitions (e.g., moving away from home, starting new relationships). Need a supportive, non-judgmental space to talk through their challenges. How I Work I use clear, everyday language to explain ideas and strategies—no confusing jargon here. Whether you're dealing with stress, low self-esteem, or just need someone to listen, my goal is to help you understand your situation better and build practical steps toward a healthier, more balanced life. Why This Might Be Right for You If you’re a student looking for a compassionate professional who understands the unique pressures of campus life, we might be a great fit. I’m here to help you explore your feelings, develop strategies to manage stress, and set you on a path toward personal growth and success.

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Hello! We are a non-profit organization providing low-cost mental health therapy and free case management services. At Entwine, we work with clients of all backgrounds who cannot afford regular therapy fees or are in need of case management support for the following services: - Low-fee, virtual Individual, couple, and family therapy services for individuals who are aged 13 and up and reside in California: Individual, couples, and family therapy services are offered virtually. Art therapy sessions are available virtually and in person at our Manhattan Beach office for individuals aged ten and up. Sliding scale and limited pro-bono services are available based on financial needs. - FREE, virtual case management services for adults residing in the U.S.: We offer advocacy and support with accessing services and resources for adults aged 18 and up. We provide adulting skill coaching for individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 to develop life skills, such as job application, budgeting, time management, interpersonal communication, goal setting, stress management, and more. - Please visit our website at https://entwinecommunity.org for more information about group services. While we accept clients of all backgrounds, we are an LGBTQIA+ affirming organization with a special focus on serving Asian, Asian American, and multicultural communities. Our services are available in various languages, including English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Portuguese, and Armenian. You could learn more about our diverse team of clinicians by visiting https://entwinecommunity.org/providers. To learn more about our services or schedule a session, please contact us at info@entwinecommunity.org or 213-254-5676 or submit an inquiry form at entwinecommunity.org/schedule. For more information about our organization and services, please visit our website at entwinecommunity.org. We look forward to hearing from you!

I enjoy helping college students and adults who suffer from mental health and/or substance abuse problems. I am a highly effective leader who personalizes the care of each client. I offer my clients a highly personalized approach which typically includes spiritual, Buddhist, Mindfulness, and/or secular, Western, approaches (ACT, CBT, DBT) of therapy. I am extremely well versed in 12 Step and SMART approaches to recovery from alcohol and drugs. Clients needing help with managing emotions, relationships, and meeting their goals through private, individualized care and goal setting will find me most helpful. I work, live and volunteer in San Diego and throughout CA.

Our lives are full of trauma, loss, and challenge. It is easy to get overwhelmed by these experiences and fall into habits that don't serve our greater goals. I will help you find the path to the life you want. I work from a trauma informed, strengths based perspective. I have a special interest in attachment, neurology, trauma processing, and mindfulness. I have personal ties to the LGBTQ+ community and I am proud to serve individuals and families navigating identity challenges. Every person comes to therapy when the time is right for them. On this journey you will find new strengths, develop new behaviors, and reorganize you thoughts. When you are ready, I look forward to walking that path with you.