Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA

My path to becoming a therapist was shaped by a deep curiosity about human behavior and a genuine desire to support others through life’s challenges. I’ve always been drawn to understanding how our experiences, relationships, and inner worlds shape who we are. Over time, this evolved into a passion for helping people feel less alone, more understood, and more empowered in their lives—especially during vulnerable seasons like the perinatal period or times of emotional overwhelm. I strive to create a space where you can show up exactly as you are—without fear of judgment. I listen with intention, reflect with care, and ask thoughtful questions to truly understand your experiences. By integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, and somatic approaches, I help you connect not just with your thoughts, but also with your emotions and body. My goal is for you to feel seen, validated, and supported every step of the way. Working together is a collaborative process. We’ll move at your pace, focusing on what feels most important to you. In our sessions, we’ll explore patterns, build coping skills, and develop practical tools you can use in your daily life. Trust is built through consistency, openness, and respect—I show up authentically, and I invite you to do the same. Over time, this creates a strong therapeutic relationship where growth and healing can unfold naturally. Outside of my work, I’m someone who deeply appreciates the little things—whether it’s a good cup of coffee, time in nature, or moments of quiet reflection. I believe that small joys can have a big impact on our well-being, and I try to bring that same sense of balance and presence into both my life and my work.

Have you ever found yourself juggling a million tasks while speeding through life, or that happiness is just a fleeting emotion? Maybe you've developed some bad habits like drinking too much, and it's impacting your fullest potential. I’ve been there before, and that’s what drives me to help people find peace of mind and improve their lives. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I am dedicated to helping individuals and couples overcome challenges related to substance abuse, depression, and anxiety. As a therapist, I encourage honest reflection, application of change and skills, and fostering new understanding. My specialties include, CBT, DBT and Psychodynamic therapy. The goal is to help people figure out why they do what they do, what they need to fix it, and how to live a happier and healthier life through a change in perspective and application. Together, we can explore what hurts the most and find resolution around what happened, what could have been, and hope in what can be. Times might be difficult and situations may be trying, but that doesn’t mean we can’t live a happy life. Together we can find new ways of navigating the world that work best for you! Let's journey together, one step at a time.

I work with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and relationship struggles. I have a special focus on athletes, performers, and creatives hitting walls, performance blocks, creative freezes, and the trauma quietly running the show from backstage. If you know you're capable of more but something keeps getting in the way, that's exactly where we dig in. I'm mindfulness-based, DBT-informed, and solution-focused, and certified in Brainspotting and Play Therapy. These two approaches reach places that talk therapy alone sometimes can't. Think of them as secret passageways to what's already inside you. My approach is collaborative, grounded, and completely tailored to you: no therapy-speak, just honest conversation, real tools, and a little humor when it helps. Whatever you're carrying, we'll figure out together, building on your strengths at your pace.

I'm a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community who helps Queer people feel less stressed, more fulfilled, and live their best lives. Therapy is normal and healthy, and I would love to partner with you on your mental health glow-up. Reaching out is the hardest part, but you can do this! You can get started by scheduling your free, no pressure consultation through proudcounseling.com (linked at the bottom of my profile) so we can meet and see if I might be a good fit for your mental health glow-up

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from the University of Washington. With years of experience in outpatient and residential mental health settings, I specialize in medication management and psychotherapy for individuals across the lifespan. I have a strong background in treating substance use disorders, implementing Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), and leading innovative programs such as ketamine therapy. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and rooted in evidence-based care, aiming to empower patients on their mental health journey. I am passionate about breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and helping individuals lead fulfilling lives. My experience in inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care has reinforced my belief in the power of comprehensive, patient-centered treatment. I am especially inspired by the resilience of my patients and the opportunity to provide them with support, tools, and interventions that improve their well-being. I take a holistic and individualized approach, considering each patient’s unique needs, background, and goals. I engage in shared decision-making, providing education about treatment options and working collaboratively to develop a plan that aligns with their values. I integrate medication management with supportive psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications to ensure well-rounded care.

Hola-Welcome! My name is Prisma Martinez, I am a first-generation Mexican, daughter of Immigrants, and a Spanish speaking Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. My mission is to provide a compassionate space where teens, young adults, parents, and professionals can access culturally sensitive mental health support as they prepare for and navigate life. My work is inspired by curiosity, creativity, and courage to cultivate a world where each unique individual has the confidence, tools, and hope they need to break cycles, heal, and thrive without shame, blame, or doubt holding them back. I offer free consultations to explore the possibility of working together to help you Cultivate the life you deserve & overcome stressful life transitions such as Adolescence, College Life, Adulting, and Parenting. All services are provided virtual at the convenience of your comfort space.

Hi, I’m Shannon Boe, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) dedicated to supporting college students and adults as they navigate life’s transitions. Whether you’re managing anxiety, overcoming depression, or seeking clarity during a new life chapter, I’m here to help. At Eras in Bloom Therapy, I offer a compassionate and collaborative space for growth. While talk therapy is central to our work, I also utilize EMDR as an additional modality when it aligns with your goals. Together, we’ll create a path toward a more fulfilling and balanced life.

My inspiration to work in the mental health field is to meet the individuals I serve where they are at in their mental health journey. My drive is to provide understanding, empathy, and knowledge to the individuals I work with and to empower them to improve their quality of life. I hope to impact those I serve in a positive way, help them find their strengths, talents and learn to love themselves. Before I was a therapist, I was a certified nurse assistant. As a certified nurse assistant, I saw many of my clients in their most vulnerable state, and alone. I came to find out through my experience that even though I helped my clients with their daily activities, the most important aspect of my job was listening to my clients with an empathetic ear and being by their side during their hardest times. Once I realized I made more of a difference by just listening to my client’s feelings and being there for them, I realized my purpose was to become a therapist. I enjoy building trust and a strong therapeutic alliance with my clients by meeting the client where they are at in their recovery, by utilizing humor and providing a safe and empathic environment for clients to share. The methods, approaches and philosophies I use in treatment to build trust with clients are motivational interviewing, crisis interventions, cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused-based therapy, narrative therapy, role-play therapy, strength-based approach, behavioral theory, system theory, empowerment theory, and social theory. I have had the honor to build trust and work with all ages, 0-99 years old. I enjoy working with all people from all backgrounds. I have a background working with children and teens in the foster care system, aging adults in skilled nursing home facilities, individuals in mental health stabilization care, and in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. I am someone who truly values life and believes in making the most of every opportunity to grow and learn. I enjoy learning new things and continuously expanding my knowledge, both personally and professionally. Staying active in my community is very important to me, especially when it comes to advocating for and supporting the people I serve. I take pride in being involved, listening to others’ needs, and working to help create positive change. My passion for helping others, combined with my love for learning and community involvement, motivates me to continue growing and making a meaningful impact wherever I can.

Hi, I am Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in California. I have been practicing since 2006 and have experience in both intense community mental health and private practice. I help individuals who experience issues with trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, life transitions, and self-worth. I use evidence-based practices, particularly Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and EMDR, then tailor these approaches to suit your unique needs to help you face the future with new coping strategies and with a stronger sense of self.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hi, I’m Caitlin, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW and LICSW) and founder of Tiny Cottage Therapy. I offer online therapy for college students and young adults across California and Washington who are navigating anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, and cultural or family expectations. College can bring a lot of pressure: to do well, to meet expectations, to have everything figured out. I provide a space where you don’t have to hold it all together. Together, we’ll work on understanding what’s been feeling heavy, learning tools to manage stress, and building more balance and self-trust. I take a warm, collaborative approach and focus on what feels most important to you. We’ll start where you are. My goal is to help you feel more grounded, confident, and connected to yourself as you move through this season of life. Most of the students I work with share a few things in common: they care deeply, try their best, and often feel pressure to keep it all together — even when they’re exhausted. They might overthink things, struggle to set boundaries, or feel torn between their own needs and what’s expected of them. Many of my clients identify as Asian American, AAPI, mixed-race, or multicultural, and are trying to balance family, culture, and school while figuring out who they want to be. Others are high achievers or caretakers who want to learn how to slow down, manage anxiety, and build a healthier relationship with themselves. If you’ve ever felt like you’re “too much” or “not enough,” or like you’re living your life on autopilot, therapy can be a place to pause, make sense of things, and start finding your own rhythm again.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, licensed in both California and Idaho. I specialize in supporting individuals who are navigating challenges such as anxiety, depression, stress, and other emotional or life difficulties. Evening and weekend appointments available. Free initial consultation. My approach to therapy is collaborative, personalized, and recovery-oriented. I believe therapy should feel both supportive and practical, and I strive to create a warm, collaborative environment where clients feel safe exploring challenges, developing coping skills, and working toward meaningful and lasting change. Through telehealth services, I work with people experiencing concerns such as anxiety, stress, depression, relationship difficulties, and life transitions. My goal is to help clients feel heard, understood, and empowered as they build resilience, gain insight, and move toward greater emotional well-being.

There's something magical about working with you, a student, that has your whole life ahead of you but yet you may feel like your not functioning at your best. I want to help you be the best version of you; whether it's alleviating anxiety, depression, trauma or OCD symptoms, you deserve that. I have 25 years of experience working with your age group and can't wait to get started. Have a look at my website that is based in trauma informed care ('cuz who doesn't have some kind of trauma that they've experienced in their lives)?

Embark’s Virtual IOP will guide you through a DBT and Trauma Focused CBT curriculum where you can gain skills like emotional regulation and mindfulness to help you navigate the stress of college. Our therapists and specialists help young adults struggling with issues like depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We are serving young adults (18-26) in nine states: California, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Georgia, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland (including Washington, D.C.). Our program includes group therapy, individual sessions, and as needed, family counseling, while also providing psychiatry and medication management support. Our team of highly experienced clinicians lead a virtually-curated intensive outpatient program that focuses on individualized treatment goals and objectives with therapeutic alliance and outcomes-focused approach taking the forefront. Our young adult programming is engaging, focusing on TF-CBT and DBT modalities, and we offer an OCD-specific track that brings exposure therapy to life. Reach out to learn more!

Becoming a therapist felt like a natural path for me, where my curiosity about the human experience and my desire to help others could come together. I value the opportunity to walk alongside my clients as they gain insight, work through challenges, and create meaningful change in their lives. I also believe that having a supportive, nonjudgmental space to reflect and be heard can be incredibly powerful, and it’s meaningful for me to be able to offer that to people. I value creating a supportive, collaborative and warm environment where clients can feel seen and safe to be themselves and open up. My goal is to help you develop insight, strengthen coping skills, work to build emotional resilience, reclaim calm and feel more confident in navigating life’s challenges with greater clarity and confidence. My work is guided by compassion, curiosity, and respect for each client’s unique life experience. I believe that everyone has the capacity for growth, and I am honored to be part of that process. By integrating evidence-based, trauma-informed care with practical tools, I help clients move from surviving to thriving. I invite you to reach out for a consultation to explore how we can work together to build a more empowered future. I strongly believe in practicing what I encourage in my clients-prioritizing intentional self-care in everyday life, whether that means attending my favorite Zumba class, enjoying a good book, or soaking up the sun while on a walk with my two chihuahuas.

Feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of who you really are? College can be exciting—but it can also feel like too much. Maybe you’ve always been the one who holds it all together, gets straight A’s, and never lets anyone see you struggle. But now, you're anxious all the time, you're exhausted from trying to be “on” 24/7, and even small things feel like a big deal. You might feel pressure to meet expectations—yours or your family’s—and you’re starting to wonder if any of it really feels like you. Maybe you feel like you’re constantly performing. Like you can’t ever fully relax. Or maybe you’re starting to ask big questions about your identity, your future, your values—and it’s scary to realize you don’t have all the answers yet. You don’t have to figure it out alone. I work with college students who are high achievers, perfectionists, and deep thinkers—especially those who are struggling with anxiety, depression, people-pleasing, burnout, or questions around identity and family dynamics. In therapy, you can slow down, breathe, and start untangling the pressure from what you really want. We’ll work together to help you feel more grounded, more like yourself, and more in control of your life. Sessions are confidential, affirming, and tailored to who you are—not who others expect you to be. I provide inclusive and affirming care and create a space where you don’t have to explain or defend your experiences. Online sessions available for students in CA & WA. In-person sessions available in Santa Monica, CA. If this sounds like what you need, reach out. Things can be different—and therapy is a good place to start.

College can be exciting, overwhelming, and everything in between. It’s a time of big changes, big questions, and a lot of pressure—about who you are, where you belong, and whether you’re doing “enough.” I work with college students who are navigating anxiety, body image struggles, perfectionism, and that nagging feeling of not measuring up, even when everything seems fine on the outside. If you’re feeling stuck, anxious, or just off, therapy can be a space to slow down and figure out what’s really going on. Together, we’ll explore what matters to you and what helps you feel more like you. My approach is warm, supportive, and down-to-earth. Whether you’re on campus or away, we’ll work together to help you feel more confident, grounded, and connected—both to yourself and the life you’re building.

Treating mental illness requires innovation, compassion, flexibility, and focus. Pacific Mind Health integrates evidence-based treatments into a customized health plan that optimizes mental health outcomes. Pacific Mind Health practitioners are here for patients who need help managing a myriad of mental health issues: • TMS- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation • Anxiety • Depression • Substance Abuse • Mood Disorders • Addiction • Panic Disorders • Sleep Disorders • Coping with Dementia • Behavioral Disturbances • Coping with Chronic Illness • Life Transitions • ADD & ADHD • Schizophrenia • Bipolar Disorder Pacific Mind Health was founded in 2017 by Dr. Joshua Flatow, a board-certified psychiatrist with specialized training in innovative therapies, including Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for treatment-resistant depression. With his team of providers, Pacific Mind Health treats patients across California with in-person and telepsychiatry appointments, making continuity of care readily accessible.

We live in a culture that constantly pushes us to do more, work harder, and question whether we’re ever “enough.” For many students, that pressure leads to stress, anxiety, and burnout. But thriving isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about finding balance, clarity, and a stronger sense of who you are and what you need. This work often extends into your relationships, your identity, and your sense of direction. I offer a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you can slow down, explore what’s weighing on you, and develop a more grounded, sustainable way forward.

Anise Health is a culturally-attuned digital mental health platform for the Asian community. Our therapists specialize in addressing unique cultural stressors such as pressure to achieve, bicultural tension, Asian family dynamics, and racial trauma. To start care, submit a short intake form (>5min) and you'll be instantly matched to therapists: https://patient.anisehealth.co/onboarding.