Therapists for college students near San Diego State University
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) with over 10 years of experience. I work with individuals, couples, and families online in the states of California and Florida, and in person in San Jose, CA. My experience has included outpatient treatment, group practice, in-home care services, and higher levels of care. I enjoy working with students and individuals experiencing life transitions, with particular specialties in eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. In addition, I have expertise in working with athletes, those with chronic pain/illness, and faith-based communities. My theoretical orientation is person-centered and psychodynamic. However, I incorporate a variety of techniques depending on my client’s individual needs, including expressive arts therapies, somatic approaches, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). My hope is to come alongside individuals or groups in their healing journey by providing compassionate support, insight, and practical tools to support goal achievement, strengthen relationships, and build a meaningful life. During initial sessions, we will take time to develop a relationship, understand your current challenges and strengths, and establish goals that support forward movement. Session to session, we will process present moment thoughts, emotions, and experiences, as well as discuss overarching themes and treatment targets. As you feel better and increasingly more empowered, we will begin to space out sessions, with the goal of managing symptoms and challenges independently. I applaud you for taking steps to seek support and learn more about yourself!
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.
I help people learn how to take care of themselves. In our sessions, you will develop the skills to navigate family dynamics, understand your needs, communicate boundaries, and build self-trust and self-esteem. So, whether you identify as a conflict avoider, people pleaser, overachiever, perfectionist, or anxious attacher, I can help you figure out who you are, what you want, and who you want to be.
I am most passionate about helping people from various cultural backgrounds, young adults, college students, and teens because I believe these populations are often unseen and struggling with depression, anxiety, life transitions, and intergenerational trauma. Asian Americans from immigrant families hits close to home! I believe therapy is for you if you are seeking healing and personal growth, feeling lost, burnt out, and alone, or even if you have thought about trying therapy and you are unsure if you need it. I aim to help you improve your life and regain control over your mental health. I use primarily Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to empower you to gain tools, new coping skills, and to challenge your inner critic that shows up in everyday situations so you can have a more fulfilling life. We will explore origins of negative core beliefs and process your unique struggles. My therapeutic style is tailored to your specific needs and emphasizes genuine interactions, lighthearted humor, compassion, and collaboration. If you feel alone in what you're going through, I am here to listen to you and provide you support every step of the way. I encourage you to schedule a free 15 minutes call/video consultation with me to get an idea of how I might help and work with you. I believe it is important for you to find a good fit which is vital for more effective therapy.
Starting college — or just trying to get through it — can bring up a lot: Am I doing this right? Do I even belong here? Who am I becoming? I’d love to help you figure it out. Together we can work through the stress of adjusting to a new place, academic and social anxiety, career uncertainty, drinking or eating patterns that feel hard to shake, or trauma that’s still asking to be understood. I especially enjoy working with students nearing graduation who are wrestling with what comes next — career direction, next steps, and the identity shift that comes with leaving college behind. Before becoming a therapist, I spent years as a professor, and my research focused on identity and belonging — so I have a real passion for working with students exploring who they are, especially those navigating race, class, gender, or sexuality, or who just feel like they’re on the outside looking in. I bring both that academic background and genuine warmth to our work together.
I'm passionate about helping adults and teens heal emotional wounds, nurture healthy relationships, and enhance self-esteem. If you tend to overthink, feel unmotivated, or simply struggle to enjoy the present moment, I'm here to help. I provide a space where you can express and sort through unhelpful thoughts and emotions that you may not feel able to process elsewhere. I am dedicated to helping you rediscover confidence and peace within yourself and in your relationships.
College can be overwhelming; between the demands of classes, figuring out your future, family expectations, friendships, dating, and finding yourself, it’s a lot. If you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or just not like yourself, you’re not alone. I specialize in working with college students navigating identity, family pressures, mental health challenges, and cultural expectations. I have particular expertise in working with Asian American and BIPOC students, helping them explore the unique experiences that come with balancing cultural identity, family expectations, and personal well-being. Whether it’s anxiety, depression, trauma, or communication struggles, I provide a space where you can be heard, understood, and supported. Therapy isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about exploring what’s going on, gaining tools, and feeling more at ease. If you’re ready to talk, I’m here to help.
Meitri Collaborative is a psychiatric and psychotherapy practice in San Francisco, CA. We believe in warm, excellent, and personalized care. We want to help you live the life you desire and address the obstacles in your way.
My approach relies on a warm and trusting therapeutic relationship where we can safely engage in healing work. We will navigate the pains and challenges of today, while fostering an understanding of how the past has played a role - all while inclining toward a meaningful future. I will provide tools for immediate relief as needed to support this process. I often work with folks who are highly sensitive, feel different or misunderstood, have overwhelming emotions, struggle with relationships, have low self-esteem, are queer or questioning, or are seeking to develop identity, purpose, and meaning in life. I would love to talk to you more about how I work, hear about your goals for therapy, and answer any questions you might have. I look forward to hearing from you!
My professional and confidential counseling service offers an opportunity for you to reach your goals and the best version of yourself without leaving the comfort of your home with telemental health counseling. Individuals and Couples can participate in a counseling service that is tailored to meet your individualized needs. I am here to listen, support, encourage, guide and coach. I partner with you to create an effective plan that best fits your needs at a pace that is comfortable for you.
I became a therapist because I believe everyone should have access to a safe space where they can feel truly heard and seen. Life’s challenges may have you feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or wondering why certain patterns keep repeating. My goal is to provide a safe, collaborative, and non-judgmental space where you can feel supported and understood. I strive to ensure that clients feel heard by providing a non-judgmental perspective and supporting them in reconnecting with themselves in a deeper and more compassionate way. I also regularly encourage clients to share feedback and discuss any concerns they may have about the therapy process. In sessions I work to build trust and a therapeutic alliance by providing a warm and welcoming space and stressing collaboration and the client’s role as the expert in their life. I’m passionate about working with individuals navigating life transitions, anxiety, depression, stress and burnout, relationship challenges, and identity related concerns. I use humor, warmth, cultural sensitivity, and curiosity to help clients gain insight into their experiences and make deeper connections with parts of themselves that they have been struggling to access. I enjoy sharing my belief in the power of routines and spending time in nature when possible, even if it’s just sitting by your window or in your yard or patio and soaking up the sun because these small habits can help alleviate at least some of our day to day stress. This often helps clients become aware of things they are already doing or may have done in the past that can have a positive effect on their well-being.
Hola, and welcome! As a bilingual Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I strive to create a safe, supportive space where college and university students can openly share their experiences and focus on their mental health. Whether you're dealing with academic pressure, life transitions, relationships, or feelings of stress, anxiety, or depression, you don’t have to go through it alone. Reaching out for help can be one of the hardest steps—especially as a student balancing so much—so I want to recognize the courage it takes to be here. Over the past 13 years, I’ve worked in community mental health supporting young people and adults through life’s challenges. My goal is to meet you where you are and work alongside you so you can feel supported, understood, and empowered throughout your journey—in school and beyond.
Find Your Balance, Center for Growth & Change Inc. Real support for real life—because college isn’t easy. Balancing school, work, relationships, and your future can feel overwhelming—and you don’t have to figure it out alone. At FYBC, we provide therapy that meets you where you are, whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, burnout, relationship challenges, or just feeling “off” and not sure why. We make getting started simple, with flexible scheduling, insurance options, and a team that truly understands the pressures students face today. Whether you need short-term support or a space to grow long-term, we’re here to help you build clarity, confidence, and balance in your life. You don’t need to wait until things get really bad to talk to someone. If something feels off, that’s enough. Please feel free to contact us directly for any questions at 818-927-0478 and send your referrals to this link: https://www.findyourbalancecenter.com/referral
Being the first in your family to navigate college and professional settings is filled with excitement, growth, transition, and joy. It can also be lonely, confusing, and stressful. Do you feel caught between two worlds (family and work/school)? Do you underestimate your value or worth in places where you experience prejudice and discrimination? Are you struggling to define or accept who you are and what you value based on tensions with family or your culture? When you are First Gen, there are often challenges in both your professional and personal life that are hard to understand and cope with but you don’t have to do it alone. Working together, we will be able to gain clarity on how your experiences are impacted by your personal and family history, your communities, and society as a whole. We will shine a spotlight on your strengths, build your confidence, and help you lean into how amazing you are. We will explore how to manage the sad, frustrating, uncomfortable, and anxious parts of your life in a way that builds you up and grounds you in your values. Existing in two worlds doesn’t have to mean separating your life. You can be your full self with anyone, anywhere. If you are ready to get started on the next stage of your First Gen journey, contact me today!
As a queer therapist, I believe there is no one “right way” to live our lives. This is the same for therapy, there is no “right way.” I believe we all have the power to harness our strengths and find the path that gives us the most meaning and purpose. Clients are the experts in their own lives – each person has the tools and skills to solve their problems, though sometimes may need some outside help to find those tools and learn those skills. Together we can create a therapeutic alliance that is conducive towards self-discovery, growth, and fulfilling your potential while honoring your history, resiliency, values, and beliefs. I completed my Masters in Social Work at Loyola University Chicago. I am working towards being a Certified Sex Therapist (CST) through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). I specialize in working with the LGBTQ+ community, gender diverse, the consensual non-monogamy (CNM) community, and I am kink/BDSM-affirming.
At Full Vida Therapy, we work with college students who feel overwhelmed, anxious, stuck, or unsure of who they are or where they’re headed. Whether you're struggling with academic pressure, relationship stress, anxiety, trauma, or life transitions, we’re here to support you. Many of our clients are navigating big changes—new independence, identity shifts, burnout, or the feeling that they’re “supposed to have it all figured out.” Therapy with us is a place to slow down, make sense of what you’re feeling, and build real tools for coping, communication, and confidence. We offer online therapy across California, making it easy to get support from wherever you are—no commute, no judgment, just a supportive space to be yourself and grow.
Providing thoughtful psychiatry for children, adolescents, and adults.
For years I navigated the fast-paced world of tech, a path that provided stability but left a nagging sense of yearning. Through attending therapy myself, I began a long journey of self-discovery to finally recognize the person I truly wanted to be. This wasn’t just about a career change; it was about uncovering the voice I’d kept hidden and the connections I craved. Now, my passion lies in helping clients embark on their own journey to become their most authentic self. My goal is to create a supportive, non-judgmental environment in which clients can explore their thoughts and feelings freely. Whether you are contending with overwhelming emotions, seeking to improve your relationships, or struggling with a difficult life transition, I am here to help guide you towards greater understanding and resilience. With a compassionate and evidence-based approach, I am confident that we can work together to help you achieve your goals and lead a more fulfilling life. As a therapist, I leverage Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to empower clients to manage their emotional and behavioral struggles. During sessions, we will collaboratively identify unhelpful thinking patterns that contribute to negative emotions or problematic behaviors. We will then explore the evidence for and against these thoughts, fostering a more balanced and realistic perspective. My approach is grounded in meeting each individual where they are on their journey toward healing and growth. My background in traditional work environments allows me to uniquely connect with professionals and students facing work stress, burnout, or career dissatisfaction. Being a former video game developer who stays current on the latest trends, I also find that I easily connect with kids, young adults and teens.
Today you are one step closer to a new you where you feel empowered and on a positive path to growth and well-being. As a solution-focused therapist, my goal is to help you uncover your true potential and lead a life that is worth celebrating. While we can't change difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and resolve challenges in your life. By applying complementary therapy approaches and techniques, we will unearth long-standing behavior patterns or negative perceptions that may be holding you back from experiencing a more fulfilling and meaningful life. If you're looking for extra support and guidance through a challenging situation or you're just ready to move in a new direction in your life, I look forward to working with you to achieve your goals. Please call or email me for an individual therapy consultation today. I work with clients through telemedicine using video visits and phone calls.