Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA
I graduated with a BA in Psychology from University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou). I earned an ADN from Santa Monica College, Masters in Nursing Education from Phoenix University and PMHNP Post Masters Cert from Maryville University. I worked inpatient for about 3 years then switched to education. I have been an LVN instructor and director of nursing. I developed the Mental Health course for the ADN program. I taught ADN students and later became the Director of Nursing. I finished my PMHNP certificate while I was the ADN director then switched to working at Foresight full-time. I am inspired to work in mental health to improve others’ quality of life. I collaborate with my patients to come to a mutually accepted treatment plan. All psychiatry providers at Foresight have specialized experience in treating a wide range of common mental health conditions, including but not limited to ADHD, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, depression, and PTSD. In addition, I specialize in the following areas: first responders, men’s issues, veterans care, binge eating disorder
Kate Rifkin, LMHC (pronouns she/her/hers) offers individual mental health counseling sessions for adults (18+) to provide a safe space where folks are able to freely explore their thoughts, feelings, concerns, and goals in a non-judgmental space. She takes an individualized, holistic, and integrative approach to therapy, that draws upon cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, and multicultural-based therapies. Kate has expertise and interest in working with athletes, young professionals, college students, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Through a warm, mindful, and compassionate approach to therapy, I aim to foster a welcoming and safe space for you to explore your journey to meaningful healing and self-discovery. Welcome, my name is Vi! I hold different marginalized identities as a woman of color, an immigrant from Việt Nam, a former international student; and have lived experience with anxiety, depression, trauma, racism, and oppression. I also hold privileged identities: able-bodied, cisgender, straight, Christian, and grew up in a middle-class family. These identities allow me to discover life through these intersectional lenses, and I am grateful for all of them. Through my own healing journey, I instantly learned clinicians with similar identities and cultural backgrounds who could fully facilitate a space of growth in my identity as an Asian immigrant woman was lacking. This disheartening experience fueled my passion to provide a space to highlight and honor immigrant and AAPI experiences through my work as a licensed clinical psychologist. It is a privilege and blessing for me to be able to provide the space that was previously unavailable, and to collaborate with international students, immigrants, and AAPI-identified folks, as well as individuals who occupy an intersection of their identity that is marked by marginalization and oppression.
Psychology is a fascinating field and I am passionate about helping people achieve their best selves. I have been practicing therapy for many years and in that time it has been a joy for me to see people find their joy and hope, and thrive! I believe in a collaborative working relationship and thus I approach therapy with a curious mind as we explore and discuss. I like to encourage self-empowerment, agency and independence and I like to check in with clients to confirm what I hear and give them the final say over their choice and life; I am merely the guide. I believe in practicing therapy collaboratively, working together where we will explore and discover the roadblocks and difficulties that brought them into therapy, and introducing new perspectives that will assist them in finding new ways to resolve their challenges. This is a recovery journey and I am merely the guide to assist each client in finding their best selves.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by life stressors or struggling with confusing emotions? Has stress or anxiety started to affect the way you think, feel, or interact with the people around you? Maybe you’re facing ongoing pressure from family or relationship conflicts and need support coping. I specialize in helping individuals navigating the impact of stress, anxiety, adjustment challenges, communication difficulties, and relationship conflicts. I also support individuals experiencing burnout, depression, substance use, or the effects of trauma. I strive to create a safe, non-judgmental space where we can explore and process emotions, thoughts, and behaviors together. I work with individuals wanting to: >Develop a more balanced relationship with themselves and others >Challenge old patterns and create new, healthier ones >Embrace changes that have or will occur >Learn and Apply practical tools and strategies to cope with ongoing stressors My Approach: My approach combines relational, holistic, and practical strategies to give you tools for short-term relief while also creating lasting change. We’ll explore how your environment and past experiences have shaped you, and find new ways to cope, regulate emotions, and express your needs. Together, we’ll build on your strengths and clarify the goals that matter most to you—working at a pace that feels right for you.
As an active listener, I provide individualized treatment utilizing a nonjudgmental approach through medication management and supportive therapy. Let’s start!
You wonder what it may look and feel like to trust and know yourself better, especially with recent life events or transitions, like college and young adulthood! You seek guidance to overcome recurrent self doubt, passive-aggressive, or avoidant behaviors- familiar patterns in your family and past relationships. For the past 18 years, I have provided compassionate, person-centered therapy to adults (college/20's, middle age, and older adults) navigating life transitions, relationship changes and challenges, and mood disorders. Clients appreciate my ability to listen and support them with kindness, cultural understanding, and non-judgment, while offering feedback and resources. Whether you’ve tried therapy before or this is new to you, understanding yourself and being supported through life changes and challenges builds your resilience and confidence! Being a 1st generation Asian American immigrant, parent, spouse, and social worker has shaped my capacity to appreciate and support clients with navigating complex seasons of change.
My name is Diadra Smith. I am an licensed clinical therapist and I use she/her pronouns. I am a clinician who identifies as black, queer, and neurodivergent. I believe all of these intersections has given me the opportunity to see myself in these communities who are often overlooked and underserved in the field of mental health. Why I got into this field was to create a space that is safe, brave, and encourages you to help find your most authentic self. I believe in abolishing and decolonizing what therapy is “supposed” to look like and who it is "supposed" to be for. I view relationships with my clients as a collaboration, asking you for your expertise on your life while I provide guidance through empowerment and advocacy. I am drawn to working with adolescents, adults, and families. I have a passion for working with BIPOC, neurodivergent folx, and LGBTQIA+ communities. My mission is to help to heal complex traumas, environmental inequities, and address intersections of identity unique to our experiences. If reaching out for help feels scary or shameful, I’d like to offer the idea that you are on the verge of change. Acknowledging what isn’t working today is a big first step to making the changes you'd like to see tomorrow. You’re coming at just the right time. However you found your way here, I am honored to be considered to walk with you on your journey.
"Since 2019, Peace and Purpose Therapy has offered compassionate psychotherapy to adults and teens throughout San Luis Obispo County. Located in Arroyo Grande, this dedicated practice specializes in trauma-informed care, including EMDR, alongside expert support for relationship dynamics, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Their experienced team provides a safe, nurturing environment for individual, couple, and family counseling, tailoring every approach to foster healing, growth, and lasting well-being. Peace and Purpose Therapy is excited to announce that we are now accepting Cencal Insurance."
Life can be overwhelming and bring challenges that seem bigger than ourselves. This can lead us down rocky terrain. If you find yourself exhausted, unmotivated, anxious, depressed, feeling helpless or hopeless, know that it is okay to seek help. You can change your path. As a therapist it is my goal to meet my clients where they are on their path, to assist them in learning how to access their inner strengths, to practice self-compassion, and learn to overcome harmful narratives developed from past traumas. I work collaboratively with my clients to help them achieve their goals and live a more fulfilled life. Change can be uncomfortable but with a strong therapeutic relationship and support it can feel more manageable, empowering, and exciting. The core of my practice is a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, self compassion work, and mindfulness. I am also a registered art therapist allowing for therapeutic exploration through art for clients who are interested.
As a recent college graduate, I know how hard it is to not get behind or feel burnt out while trying to go to school and deal with daily life stressors at the same time. I am here to help clients navigate through their struggles, learn about themselves, and grow into the best versions of themselves. I am here to tend to each client's unique needs and help them on their journey of bettering themselves.
Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or stuck? You’re not alone. I work with many college students—both in person and through telehealth—to help manage anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, overthinking, and stress related to school, roommates, and the future. Whether you’re navigating academic pressure, social challenges, or just feeling stuck in your own head, you’re in the right place. I’ve helped hundreds of students understand their anxiety and develop tools to move forward with confidence. I also offer Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) as an option for deeper healing. Reach out today for a free consultation—let’s talk about how therapy can support you.
Seeking out therapy is a sign of strength and you deserve a safe place for discovery. Ultimately therapy is a journey of exploration. I strive to create a therapeutic environment where you genuinely feel understood, heard, and seen in a compassionate, non-judgmental space. Our work together can explore and navigate through your concerns to reach a more meaningful and fulfilling life while reaching your extraordinary potential.
I have been working with students and professionals for 8 years, supporting them in engaging in community, guiding them towards more confidence, contentment, and joy in their lives. I have worked with students holding diverse identities, exploring their sexuality, queerness, and gender. I understand the challenges you face from being a high achieving, high functioning, self-aware, and motivated person while finding yourself in an environment that is pushing you to your limits. It is within you to still feel joy, balance, and energy within these walls, and in your body.
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I was born and raised in the Bay Area and know how much pressure comes with going to school in CA. I had mental health challenges that started in high school and continued through college. I was worried my self-worth, mood, and grades wouldn't recover, but working with a therapist helped a ton to get myself feeling like myself again. I offer an optimistic, collaborative approach to mental health. I believe you're the expert on your own life and experiences. I'm here to help you build confidence in your own intuitions and expand on what's possible from there. Like a sculptor carving out a work from stone, we start with the raw materials. In our case, it begins with unfiltered venting and time to feel. From there, we chisel away at the frustration and pain to find what these experiences are really telling you about your needs and who you are. Then, we make a plan to act with integrity. It's hard work, but it's empowering to remember the agency you have over your own life.
I understand the challenges college and grad students face: Academics and work have been keeping you so busy and the overwhelm is starting to catch up to you fast. Perfectionism and imposter syndrome have been a real annoyance in your life. Your thoughts are constantly racing. You feel the weight of the world sitting on your chest. You speak pretty harshly to yourself. It’s really hard to communicate your needs to others, and big emotions are hard to shake. You’re feeling more and more disconnected in life. I've been working with college & grad students at various universities throughout the country for the past 14 years. I also have had the honor of supporting people in their early career journey, from graduating, to passing various exams required by their profession, to getting their first job and transitioning into that new chapter. I approach therapy in a thoughtful, comprehensive, evidence-based, and holistic way that is tailored to meet each person’s unique needs. I’ve been told that the work I do is approachable, that our time together feels safe, that I understand the experiences that Gen Z and Millennials bring in, and those that I work with experience big changes in their lives in a relatively short amount of time. You are welcome here!
Anuri Health and Wellness specializes in personalized care, combining medication management, and lifestyle interventions to empower our clients in their journey towards improved quality of life. Witnessing our clients navigate the challenges of ADHD, finding the right treatment, and undergoing a transformative journey toward improved quality of life is deeply profound. We also treat diverse mental health conditions, we consider it a privilege to be part of our clients' progress, seeing their resilience, hope, and determination shine through as they overcome obstacles and embrace a brighter, more fulfilling future.
Graduate school strains every internal system you have. The pressure to produce, the unspoken competition, the isolation, the feeling that everyone else is coping better than you—these are not small stressors. They shape how you see yourself, how you work, and how you relate to the people around you. Bay Psychology Group works with the parts of this experience that don’t show up on intake forms: the private self-doubt, the stalled motivation, the fear of failing publicly, the difficulty sustaining relationships while carrying a heavy intellectual load, the exhaustion of managing family expectations, cultural pressures, or the reality of being far from home. Our approach is slow, steady, and built for depth. We look closely at the patterns that keep you stuck—how you respond to stress, how you manage ambition, how you treat yourself internally—and we do this in a consistent therapeutic relationship where those patterns can actually shift. Many of our patients are international students, first-generation professionals, scientists, artists, doctors, and LGBTQIA students who carry layers of complexity no short-term model can address. We offer the kind of work that helps you understand why you feel the way you do, not just how to get through the next deadline. Therapy is available in English and Mandarin. In-person sessions take place in Oakland; telehealth is available throughout California.