Therapists for college students near UCLA

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Dr. Marcia Nimmer is a clinical psychologist (PSY31404) and licensed clinical social worker. She received her doctorate from Pacifica Graduate Institute, where she specialized in depth psychology. Dr. Nimmer also completed advanced training at the Wright Institute Los Angeles, where she received certification in psychoanalytic psychotherapy. She is known for her warmth and intuitive style. As a clinician, she enables individuals of all ages to make emotional contact with their authentic inner experience, allowing for growth and transformation.

I often work with adults and couples who are navigating anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, trauma, grief and loss, and substance use or habits that feel hard to manage. My approach is depth-oriented, compassionate and direct, and I aim to create a space that feels supportive, and non-judgmental. Together, we'll work to ease distress through insight and practical steps, helping you understand patterns that may be keeping you stuck. This will help you to move towards growth, connectedness, and a more satisfying and fulfilling relationship with yourself and others.

We are a psychotherapists in Santa Monica, specializing in anxiety, trauma, and relationships. Using a strengths-based approach, we are dedicated to supporting progress through warmth and understanding. We are eager to help clients with a variety of issues such as anxiety, depression, relationships, OCD, self-esteem, and chronic illness. From helping teens with trauma and high-risk behaviors to teaching parents mindfulness strategies, we are passionate about making individuals and families feel stronger. Based on research and experience, we believe in the power of brain-body-based therapies and “focusing on the present” to improve your day-to-day life. Our passion is to help individuals grow through awareness and connection. We strive to meet you where you are and help you get to where you want to be. Together we can use your personal strengths to cope, connect with others, and handle life's many issues. Whatever challenges you are facing, we hope to create a safe environment to support you.

Anxiety, stress and burnout are among the most common struggles people face, yet so many continue to carry them in silence. For those living with it, the pain is very real. It is waking up each morning already feeling trapped in your own thoughts, your body locked in a constant fight or flight state you cannot seem to shut off. It is lying down at night desperate for rest, only to wake up the next day still exhausted, as though no amount of effort ever brings true relief. If this feels familiar, know that you are not alone. These experiences are more than symptoms, they are part of the weight you have been carrying every single day. I help college students and young adults break free from the relentless grip of anxiety and stress by creating highly personalized, evidence-based programs that guide them toward clarity and control. In therapy, you will uncover what is happening in your body, understand why it occurs, and learn to use a range of effective tools so anxiety no longer controls your life. If you are ready to take charge of your anxiety and begin living life on your own terms, I encourage you to reach out for support. Therapy can be the turning point you’ve been searching for, offering tools to navigate stress, burnout, and overwhelming thoughts so you no longer have to face them alone or accept them as your reality.

Our clients come from all walks of life, but tend to have one thing in common when they reach out to set up an initial appointment: they’ve realized they want more out of life. More joy, more freedom, greater emotional and relational health – in short, a more abundant life. In your first few sessions with us, it’s typical to breathe a sigh of relief – as you realize that there’s finally a space where you can be completely, authentically yourself. We start by processing your story – where you’ve been, where you are now, where you want to be. Stephen Covey writes that “to touch the soul of another human being is to walk on holy ground.” Being invited to be a witness to your story – in all the pains and triumphs and tragedies and victories – this is not an honor I take lightly. As our work together progresses, we unpack what hasn’t been working – self-defeating beliefs, unprocessed events and emotions, stale relational patterns… and we explore and process and practice new ways of being. Over time, the “ah ha” moments start to add up into the “I can’t believe how far I’ve come” moments as we reflect on your journey toward healing and abundance.

I specialize in anxiety, depression, body image issues, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder & college adjustment/ academic stress. My therapeutic approach is practical and flexible, grounded in psychodynamic psychotherapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and exposure therapy. I find that people often assume that they “should” know how to approach therapy. In reality, the process may not be quite so simple and may feel confusing. Thus, I frequently have conversations with my clients about how to use sessions and ongoing dialogues about our work together.

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Hi. These are particularly complicated and stressful times. You may be feeling anxious and or depressed. Repetitive dysfunctional patterns of behavior may be tripping up your relationships, perhaps your job, as well as your overall self-esteem. It's imperative to first understand "why I do what I do." When aware of dysfunctional patterns of behavior, you will want effective "tools" to take on behaviors that either no longer work for you, or perhaps never did. Through empathic exploration as to the "why am I the way that I am" questions, I will work with you to find and explore these important answers. I look to provide you tools that will help enable you to deal with, cope, and place your self-critical demons in their proper place going forward. I offer you helpful, practical tools viewed through a wider lens to help broaden your perspective. Change can then manifest. I have a well-rounded understanding of the complexities involved in navigating very different worlds. I have owned and operated businesses. I've worked creatively, as both a professional actor and writer in the entertainment industry. I have deep passion and an empathic approach toward helping others shift out of, and away from, long-standing negative patterns of behavior that have gotten in your way. Working safely together, we will examine what these patterns have been for you and why, with the ultimate goal of creating new freedoms, leading to a more authentic and fulfilling life. MORE INFO ABOUT MY PRACTICE My professional career prior to entering the field of psychology began after I graduated from Boston University's School of Management, earning a BSBA in Finance, with honors. I then worked in a number of different business ventures, and have owned and operated businesses while based in New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles. I have also had a separate creative career as both a stage and film actor, and as a writer in Theatre and Film, working in both New York City and Los Angeles. One of the constants of my differing past careers has been the pleasure of communicating and connecting with people, exploring lives in depth, the complexities of the human condition and getting to what matters. My past experiences have informed my life and now enable me to help others with theirs. I am here to help you. Therapy is not a "one size fits all" situation. I have experience working with people from diverse backgrounds and very different life experiences. I am here to help...you! And I want you to feel comfortable in working with me as your therapist. I offer a free 15-30 minute initial consultation, wherein we can get a sense of one another, and I can learn a little as to what is going on with you. From there, I look to help you solve these deeper issues, even if, for now, we do so by TeleHealth.

Struggling to achieve a semblance of work-life balance while juggling the demands of a heavy academic courseload, and research, training, teaching, and employment opportunities? It is a privilege to work together with college and graduate students on increasing a sense of well-being and actualizing potential. I typically work with clients who are looking to live their best life in both the personal and academic realms, often focusing on goals related to academic success, career/post-college life decisions, dating, and relationships. I earned my doctorate from Fordham University in New York, and have had a wide variety of clinical experiences throughout my training and career, including work in community mental health clinics, and public and private schools. My experiences working with college and graduate students in a college counseling center in Brooklyn, NY, and my own experiences as a college and graduate student, sparked my enthusiasm for providing quality and compassionate therapy for those on an academic journey. I aim to partner with you on building upon strengths while creating a manageable action plan to help you explore the solutions you seek, and improve outcomes and quality of life. I offer in-person sessions at my office in West LA, as well as via telehealth.

I specialize in working with young adults, teens, caregivers, and families navigating overwhelm, transitions, chronic stress, and challenging relationship dynamics. I provide therapy to help restore stability and trust for those who have experienced trauma or relational wounds such as loss, chronic invalidation, coercive control, neglect, and abuse. I also work with athletes and performance-driven individuals whose ambition, discipline, and high standards fuel their lives yet may conceal pain. I integrate a sports psychology lens when achievement pressure intersects with self-concept, trauma, or burnout. I support high-level performers facing intense demands, competitive dynamics, setbacks, identity shifts, and life beyond sport, drawing on my experience as a former Division I collegiate athlete. Seeking support is a meaningful step. From the start of our work together, we will create a space that feels grounded, intentional, and deeply human, with open and honest communication at its foundation. I invite you to reach out for a free consultation call to explore whether we are a good fit.

The clients I work best with are often navigating significant life transitions, managing mood disorders, or healing from past trauma. Many of them feel stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about the path forward, whether due to anxiety, depression, or challenges in their personal or professional lives. I specialize in psychological testing, not just to diagnose conditions like ADHD but to help individuals gain a deeper understanding of themselves—their strengths, struggles, and the patterns that shape their experiences. My approach is collaborative and supportive, helping clients make sense of their emotions and challenges so they can move forward with clarity and confidence.

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Survivor of trauma. Struggling with addiction. Creative. Do at least two of these three describe you? If you're struggling to get sober, you're fearful about the impact sobriety might have on your creativity (and life in general). If you're in early sobriety, you're trying to gain your footing in a new landscape. If you're a trauma survivor, you're confused as to why your insight & sensitivity aren't helping you get to that light at the end of the tunnel. What do you do if your pain is too great to manage on your own? Working with me, you will be accepted & listened to carefully & perceptively. You will feel much more grounded & centered. I adapt my style to fit you and aim to treat you with a balance of gentleness and active encouragement.

Foresight Mental Health’s integrated team of professionals includes licensed therapists, nutritionists, and psychiatric providers dedicated to working with clients to provide individualized and personal care. We believe in providing care that is accessible and affordable, which is why we are in network with most major insurers and provide both telehealth and in-person services. We all experience life differently, so we don’t subscribe to a one-size-fits-all approach. We offer a culture of connection that embraces and cares for people of all races, genders, sexual orientations, religions, ethnicities, education levels, and abilities. You deserve the kind of care that helps you feel confident about who you are and optimistic about where you’re headed.

Whether you’re starting fresh, returning to school, or trying to find your footing again, support is needed. I’ve been there myself, and I understand how demanding and overwhelming this stage of life can feel. Your schedule is constantly changing, relationships can feel uncertain, and even when this is “supposed” to be the best time of your life, it can still feel like too much. Many of the students and young adults I work with come to therapy carrying pressure from school, family expectations, relationships, work, or simply trying to keep up with life. My goal is not to add to that pressure, but to create a space where you can slow down, process what you’re carrying, and build practical tools to manage stress, anxiety, overwhelm, and life transitions. Together, we work on building coping skills, managing stress and anxiety, improving self-understanding, and finding healthier ways to navigate the demands of everyday life. I support college students, young adults, and returning students in creating more balance while still making space for who they are outside of school, work, and expectations.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

College is a time of growth, change, and sometimes a lot of pressure. If you’re feeling depressed, anxious, stuck, overwhelmed, or just not like yourself, therapy can help you create space to reflect, reset, and move forward with intention. We begin by building trust, so you can explore what’s coming up for you and build tools to feel more grounded and confident.

Heart Theory focuses on emotion-focused therapy as an overarching gateway into and through the work. We work with individuals, couples and families helping them navigate through past traumas, symptoms of need, and developing a meaningful process through conceptualizing the problem story.

If you’re navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationship struggles, I’m here to support your journey toward healing and self-understanding. Therapy is a process, and I’m committed to helping you build resilience and stronger connections every step of the way.