Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA

Hi! I’m Jen, a therapist living & working in Santa Monica, CA. I offer in-person and virtual therapy for teens, adults, and couples, with a special focus on supporting college students navigating life’s big transitions. College can feel like a constant pressure to have it all figured out, like keeping up with classes, planning your future, maintaining relationships, becoming independent. It’s easy to go on autopilot and miss the internal struggles happening under the surface. In our work together, we’ll take a closer look at the patterns, beliefs, and experiences shaping how you move through the world - not with judgment, but with curiosity. That might mean noticing how the past shows up in the present, tuning into what actually feels good (which often gets overlooked), or learning how to ask for what you need with more confidence and empathy. I know firsthand what it’s like to seem “fine” on the outside while feeling overwhelmed inside. My own experiences navigating high-pressure environments, family dynamics, and personal growth have shown me how powerful it is to have a space for reflection, connection, and honest support. My approach is insight-driven, relational, and strength-based. This means we'll work on understanding why you do what you do, not to label it, but to learn from it, and build on the strengths you already bring to the table. The relationship we build in therapy becomes a space to practice things like vulnerability, setting boundaries, and getting your needs met, so that over time, the changes you make here can ripple into your everyday life — in classes, friendships, dating, and beyond.

Lynn Yudofsky, MD is a board certified psychiatrist who offers personalized, integrative treatments, including psychotherapy, medication management, and a wide range of lifestyle interventions via telehealth/video visits to patients throughout California. She trained at Yale, Baylor College of Medicine and UCLA and worked at Stanford University. She specializes in treating numerous conditions such as anxiety, stress, depression, sleep issues, ADHD, burnout, panic attacks, OCD, overweight, obesity, and relationship problems for example. Call today to book an appointment!

Do you struggle with feeling inferior or plagued with self-doubt? Is anxiety or stress making it difficult to feel motivated and be productive? Take the first step with me - a supportive space to feel heard and acknowledged. Find the hope you have been looking for to make growth and positive change in your life! My approach is rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) which involves exploring the beliefs, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors causing distress and using healthy strategies to regulate the emotions and respond effectively. I also incorporate a trauma-informed, strength based approach, and mindfulness. If you are interested in learning more about what to expect with therapy or want to see if we would be a good fit, please call or email me to set up a free 15 minute consultation call! I look forward to meeting you!

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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.

You have to be strong all the time. You feel stuck. You can’t sleep. You feel your heart racing. There’s tension in your back and tightness in your body. And it feels so heavy. Sometimes you may even cry when you’re alone and have feelings you want to let out, but hide them in fear you will be judged. You’re exhausted. But life feels so busy it's hard to slow down. You find you are having doubts about yourself and abilities. Maybe you are repressing parts of who you are. You are struggling to say “no” and taking on more responsibilities that leave you feeling burnt out. Perhaps there are parts of you that desire personal growth. You deserves to slow down, prioritize yourself and heal. In therapy you can be you, rebuild and grow. This is your time! You are taking the first step by seeking therapy. You will have a space to feel safe and free from judgement. We can navigate your struggles together. You are worth the time and work. It would be my honor to guide you through this journey of personal growth and healing. You already have everything inside you to live the life you want. Let’s bring it out together. Contact me to schedule a FREE consultation. Si tienes preguntas contactame para una consulta GRATIS. *A few Reduced fee slots of $90 available.

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.

My goal in sessions is for clients to feel self-aware, empowered, and grounded in who they are to better connect with the person they want to become. This kind of therapy leads you toward a happier home life, better communication with family/friends, feeling accomplished and relaxed at the end of the day, or feeling confident in your ability to tackle roadblocks. I am committed to creating an environment for clients to feel safe and comfortable to open up about difficult topics. This safe space is where we can honor those feelings and experiences, gain a sense of acceptance, and work together to create a journey forward towards a purpose-filled path. My areas of focus are trauma, anxiety, grief, behavioral issues, anger management, social skills, self-esteem, family dynamics, personal growth, high-stress environments, and more.

Hello and welcome! My name is Carlton Hemphill, a 34-year-old Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the state of Illinois who is also board certified (NCC). I received my Master’s degree from Roosevelt University in Clinical Psychology-Counseling Practice, with a concentration on child and family dynamics. I have been working in the field since 2015 and practicing as an independent clinician in my own private practice since June 2023. My therapeutic approach is grounded in behavioral and cognitive theories, focusing on how your recent experiences, environment, and thought patterns shape your current emotions and behaviors. Together, we’ll explore how these elements influence your present life, helping you make meaningful changes and move forward with confidence. I also integrate existential perspectives to help you explore your purpose, values, and fulfillment. I provide a warm, supportive environment where we focus on what’s happening in your life right now. Through direct, thought-provoking questions and unbiased feedback, I’ll help you gain clarity and make informed decisions. This process is centered on your insights, growth, and goals, and I’ll respect your pace and direction as we work together.

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Katherine is a warm and engaging therapist who values honesty and transparency in her interactions with clients. She is passionate about helping her clients achieve their goals and find joy in their lives. She believes that therapy is a collaborative process and works closely with clients to create a customized treatment plan that meets their unique needs. Having recovered from her own eating disorder, Katherine is able to bring a unique level of empathy and understanding to every session. Clients can expect to feel heard and validated but also pushed to confront their thoughts and behaviors in a supportive environment. Her encouraging approach helps clients feel comfortable opening up and sharing their feelings, and her humor adds a refreshing, lighthearted touch to the therapeutic process. Katherine earned her undergraduate degree in Sociology and Women and Gender Studies from Furman University and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of North Carolina. She has worked in all levels of care from outpatient to residential and most recently was the Program Director of a telemedicine Intensive Outpatient Program for Eating Disorders and the Director of Behavioral Health for a national telemedicine company. Katherine has over a decade of experience treating a wide range of issues including eating disorders, trauma, mood disorders, anxiety, personality disorders and substance use disorders. She holds independent licenses to practice Social Work in 15 states and is currently pursuing her Eating Disorder Specialist certification through the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals.

I specialize in working with college students and adults who are navigating anxiety, breakups, low self-esteem, stress, ADHD, life transitions, and grief. We’ll talk about what brought you to therapy, what you’d like to work on, and what you hope to get out of our time together. I’ll also ask some questions about your history, current challenges, and what has or hasn’t worked for you in the past. We will create your treatment plan based on your goals for therapy. My goal is to help you reconnect with your strengths, challenge unhelpful patterns, and move forward with clarity and purpose. Together, we’ll work toward meaningful self-improvement, grounded in the belief that we have power over our minds and the freedom to live authentically. I use a blend of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Schema Therapy to help you understand patterns, build new skills, and create lasting shifts in your thinking and behavior. I tailor each session to your unique needs.

Melanie invites you to explore and embrace all the parts of who you are, recognizing that your intersecting identities shape your experiences and the way you interact with the world. She takes a thoughtful, down-to-earth, and at times, direct approach that blends working toward meaningful goals with staying present. With warmth, honesty, and just the right dose of humor, she creates a space where you feel safe enough to risk vulnerability. You might benefit from working with Melanie if: - You're facing a big change, like a breakup, a move, a new job, or a loss, and feeling untethered. - You've achieved a lot, but continue to be plagued by anxiety, depression, burnout, and self-doubt. - You're an athlete, artist, or high performer, whose inner life doesn't match your outer success. - You're processing trauma or childhood experiences that still impact you today. - You want support managing stress, emotion dysregulation, and executive dysfunction. - You're tired and frustrated by not getting what you want out of your relationships. - You wish you could set appropriate boundaries, find the words to articulate the internal workings of your mind, and have the confidence to express your needs.​

I am a licensed mental health counselor in Tennessee and California, and I provide therapy virtually to students in both states. I work with people who are dealing with things like stress, difficult transitions and circumstances, traumatic events, relationship problems, grief, discrimination, and systemic marginalization. I specialize in working with people seeking recovery from the abuse they experienced in their families, intimate relationships, workplaces, religious and faith communities, and also survivors of cults and other high-demand/control groups. Additionally, I work with those who are living with mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, suicide risk, and post-traumatic stress disorder. I also specialize in working with people seeking recovery from substance use, and I welcome clients who are active substance users. I enjoy working with clients from diverse backgrounds and strive to create a safe, affirming space for the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, disabled individuals, and other marginalized groups. Being a military spouse myself, I am honored to work with active military members, their families, and veterans. Feel free to check out my website to learn more about my experience and specialties. Those who work with me can expect to experience a safe and supportive space. My approach is very down-to-earth, and I aim to use research-backed therapy interventions in a way that’s accessible and helpful. I believe no two people need the same approach. There is no universal formula for creating positive change. Your path is your own. The job of a counselor is to help you find your footing and support you on your unique journey. I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to see if we’re a good fit. Please reach out to get that scheduled, or if you have any questions you’d like to ask first.

Mental wellness is a process. Often, life encourages us to put our resources into our outer world, from how we look to where we work. As important as this can be, this is often at the expense of investing in our inner world. Let me help empower you to develop your mental wellness and enrich your wellbeing from the inside out. I'm Dr. Dakari, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with expertise in treating a variety of mental health concerns. My therapeutic style involves creating a warm and supportive environment for you to process life complexities and learn practical skills to progress towards your mental wellness goals.

* I'm licensed in Louisiana and California and would love to work with you virtually by FaceTime, Zoom, or phone. Reach out at 504-261-4443 (text) * I am in-network for many health plans for students from California through Headway Therapy. You only pay your copay through the portal. Start here: https://headway.co/providers/lisa-tahir-3?utm_source=pem&utm_medium=direct_link&utm_campaign=63753 * I am a Tulane Alum and teach in the Glass Art Department. * Check out my podcast, "All Things Therapy" on Spotify and iTunes * I've written a book on self-forgiveness and empathy endorsed by His Holiness The Dalai Lama, "The Chiron Effect: Healing Our Core Wounds through Astrology, Empathy, and Self-Forgiveness." Give me a text to 504-261-4443 to start your healing journey!

I’m Dr. Tanya Diaz, a licensed clinical psychologist, first-generation bilingual Latina, mother, and the founder of my private practice. I’m passionate about providing culturally responsive, evidence-based therapy to adults of all ages, with a special focus on those experiencing anxiety or recovering from trauma. You’re doing your best, but still feel disconnected, anxious, or on edge. From the outside, it may look like you have everything together. You show up for others, are responsible, and can point to accomplishments in your life. But inside, something doesn’t feel quite right. You overthink decisions, say yes when you really want to say no, or feel pressure to take care of everyone else before yourself. Over time, this can take a real toll and cause tense muscles, stomach discomfort, poor sleep, fatigue, or a lingering sense of dissatisfaction that’s hard to explain. Many of our emotional reactions and patterns happen outside our awareness. Therapy creates space to slow down, stay curious, and better understand what's happening beneath the day-to-day surface. It's an opportunity to get to know a deeper self, and with that often comes feeling more grounded, connected, and aligned with yourself. Many of the women and men I work with are thoughtful, responsible, and used to being the ones others depend on. Therapy with Dr. Diaz can be a place of support, and where you don't have to carry it all yourself. She'll provide guidance and warmth as she helps you get to the root of your concerns.

Do you have endless energy for your hobbies, but find yourself putting off assignments? Do you write your best essays at the last minute, fueled by adrenaline? Do you get frustrated at yourself for doing these things and swear you’re gonna start that project early next time? Do you feel uncomfortable in social situations but you’re not sure why? I help people with neurodivergent brains understand themselves better and learn to be nicer to themselves. I most often work with Autistic and ADHD folks and welcome anyone questioning if they might be neurodivergent. My background is in educational psychology and psychotherapy because who can pick one career to do forever? (Hint: not me) I help folks with areas such as: executive functioning, emotional regulation, stress, anxiety, attention, sensory sensitivities, relationship issues, identity, sexuality, gender, and so much more! Check out my college late diagnosis group starting in March!

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.