Therapists for college students near San Francisco State University
I am a licensed clinical psychologist who has lived in the Conejo Valley area since I was 10 years old and attended the public schools of Las Virgenes Unified School District. In my clinical practice, I work collaboratively and emphasize the importance of creating a space free of judgment and shame. I was inspired to work as a clinical psychologist after experiencing positive change for myself while in therapy as an adolescent. I am married with three elementary aged children. In my free time, I enjoy traveling with my family, coaching youth sports, camping, the outdoors and spending time with my many pets
I once heard someone doing a lecture say, “we know what we believe when we hear what we say.” This would definitely inform the kind of therapy you would experience with me. I view the client as the one who has the answers, and we’re working together to solve a mystery. One of my roles is to help my client tell the story, point out clues being overlooked, gently challenge entrenched beliefs, provide unconditional positive regard, and help the client make sense of their difficulties and their world. Our work together would be collaborative. I’m not a “sit, nod, and take notes” therapist. I’m interactive, and socratic, and relational. I view thoughts, feelings, and behaviors from a lens of curiosity; wondering what beliefs are behind them; helping to root out dynamics that help those things persist. Often we are stuck in a distorted comfort in familiar pain and we simply cannot see it without someone reflecting that in the room. I am an integrative (drawing from multiple therapeutic orientations) humanist-existential therapist; an enthusiastic cheerleader. I will bring humor and validation into the session. I’m passionate about brain chemistry. I am social-justice oriented. I am also trauma-informed. While I work in many different focuses of psychotherapy, I find that the most pervasive themes in my work with clients include: adjustment to life changes, problems with alcohol and substance use (and the way that co-occurring mental health issues interact with it), LGBTQIA+ topics, issues of neurodiversity, anxiety and depression, personality disorders, identity & esteem development, and healthy relationships of all shapes and sizes. I am experienced, both professionally and personally, working with a variety of relationship configurations and am highly comfortable talking about issues of sex positivity and non-standard definitions of families and relationships such as polyamory and non-monogamy. I am a licensed therapist, an addiction professional, a bit of a technology geek, and a fellow traveler in recovery. In addition to those things, I am Compliance Officer at an all women’s addiction treatment center where I’ve worked in various capacities ranging from counselor to director since 2010. I have also been an adjunct professor in the Master’s program at Pacific Oaks College, an adjunct professor for Glendale College’s Drug Studies program, and I served on the board of the California Association for Drug/Alcohol Educators (CAADE). I am a member of CAMFT at both the state level and in the San Gabriel Valley chapter.
Dr. Troy Kurz MD, MS is a board-certified child & adolescent psychiatrist, specializing in psychopharmacology, ketamine treatment, integrative psychiatry and psychotherapy. He sees patients of all ages, but has a keen interest in children and adolescence. He cares for a patients with a wide range of mental disorders, including depression, anxiety, bipolar, PTSD and personality disorders. Pertaining to pediatrics and adolescents—he concentrates on autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, LGBTQIA+ health, trauma, and mood disorders. Dr. Kurz received his medical degree from Creighton University and completed his general psychiatry training as well as child and adolescent psychiatry specialty training at the University of California Riverside. He is also certified in ketamine treatment through the Integrative Psychiatry Institute. Dr. Kurz brings a holistic and individualized approach to the diagnosing and treatment of patients. He applies up-to-date, evidence-based treatments with focus on each patient’s unique life experiences. He incorporates integrative psychiatry into the treatment of all patients.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
I’m a first-generation South Asian American therapist who works with students navigating anxiety, academic pressure, identity exploration, perfectionism, and cultural or family expectations. College can feel overwhelming—especially when you're trying to meet high standards or carry the weight of multiple identities. I offer a compassionate, culturally aware space to slow down, be heard, and reconnect with your true self. My approach is holistic and mindfulness-based, blending evidence-based therapy with tools from yoga, meditation, and Eastern psychology. I offer virtual sessions in CA and IL, and in-person sessions in Ventura, CA.
I like to work with motivated and intelligent clients who want to grow and excel. I take a strength-based approach and focus on identifying themes and patterns in your life and coming up with a concrete action plan.
Hi, I’m Jennie Denney, AMFT — and I’m really glad you’re here! College can be overwhelming—especially when you’re carrying more than just school stress. If you’re dealing with self-harm, anxiety, identity questions, religious trauma, or just trying to hold it all together, you don’t have to figure it out alone. I specialize in working with teens and young adults who feel stuck, misunderstood, or disconnected from themselves or the people around them. My therapy style is warm, honest, and collaborative. I won’t sit back and nod—I’ll show up with you, offer tools, ask questions, and help you make sense of your story. In our work together, you can expect a space where nothing is “too much,” and where your experiences are taken seriously. Healing isn’t about being perfect—it’s about getting curious, finding your voice, and learning how to care for yourself in new ways.
Are you interested in exploring personal relationships, identities, or sexual issues from an open-minded and culturally sensitive perspective? When you allocate time to speak freely about issues such as; academic pressure, cultural expectations, learning disabilities/neurodivergence, gender identity/sexual orientation, sexual assault/trauma, life transitions, peer relationships, family conflict, and beyond (!) ... you empower yourself to navigate any negative patterns or relationship dynamics from a place of clarity, compassion, and curiosity - instead of criticism. We will collaborate on the best way to unpack and understand your story from a growth mindset that is sustainable + strength-based! If you're looking for a therapist who is clinical, creative, and culturally humble, please reach out for a free consultation to see if my therapeutic style suits your needs! I am a firm believer that one size does NOT fit all and I aim to approach each client with a customized treatment plan that speaks to your unique experiences & inherent strengths.
Chelsea Sterling is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). She holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of San Diego. Her clinical experiences include providing individual therapy, group therapy, crisis counseling and psychosocial assessments through work in short-term acute residential treatment (START) programs, outpatient mental health clinics and an alcohol treatment facility. She is a certified Domestic Violence Counselor. Chelsea has expertise in the following modalities: cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing and eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR).
Jamie’s greatest passion and inspiration in life is walking alongside someone during their journey. Jamie carries a deep commitment to learning about everyone she works with and their needs, which helps Jamie better understand each client’s motivation for change and want for a better future. With that understanding, Jamie and her clients are able to craft a therapeutic journey that is warm, fulfilling, and empowering.
Your mind never stops running, yet you still feel “behind.” You're juggling so much—college, career, relationships, identity, or maybe even starting a family. Add in anxiety, the weight of expectations, or ADHD and it can all feel like too much. There is an easier way. Let me help you find it. I’ll provide a culturally affirming, trauma-informed space where we work with who you are—not against it. Together, we'll develop strategies to manage overwhelm, improve focus, and quiet that inner critic. Our work will be collaborative, compassionate, and rooted in curiosity. My goal is to help you experience more calm, confidence, and clarity in your daily life. I'm Nicole Castillo, MA LMFT—founder of MentalPaz, Latina therapist, new mama, and young breast cancer survivor who gets what it's like to balance identity, ambition, and healing. With over a decade of experience, I couldn’t be more passionate about working in solidarity with my clients. Ready to stop figuring it all out alone? Reach out for a free consultation. Let's chat!
Restore Family Therapy is a private practice dedicated to the treatment of eating disorders and co-occurring mental health issues. If food, body image or movement is causing worry and chaos in your or a family member’s life, we are here to help.
We often face difficult hurdles in life where we are unsure of what path to take next. Life is not to be navigated alone and it takes bravery to ask for help. I believe finding the right therapist you are comfortable with is essential for growth and healing. My approach focuses on compassion and self-reflection as we navigate through some of those difficult life hurdles. I believe that therapy should be designed to help each individual based on their needs. Therefore, each session will be designed especially for you as we focus on your treatment goals. I have worked with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and military members and their families, in a range of settings including psychiatric in-patient facilities, individuals incarcerated by law enforcement, foster care agencies, Child Welfare Services, and in homes / communities. My areas of focus include adjustment, mood disorders, personality disorders, PTSD, trauma, relationship issues, suicidal thoughts and feelings, self-harm, life transitions and parenthood. As a military veteran, former foster youth, and now a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, I have learned that everyone experiences pain and feelings differently and with the right support and skills, therapeutic goals can be met. I am committed to supporting my clients toward a path of empowerment, self-awareness, understanding, and compassion to my clients while helping them to identify and reach their therapeutic goals.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Hello/Saludos! I welcome you to the start of your therapy journey and your desire to heal and learn about yourself. At times, navigating our lives and relationships can be hard, and we might feel sad, angry, or overwhelmed. Therapy can be one way to get the support you need to feel better, grow, and thrive in your life and relationships. I will happily help you achieve that. I really love working with college students and was very fortunate to do so during both my internship at the counseling center at Ohio University, and my postdoc at the counseling center UC Merced. Your psychotherapy journey with me will be collaborative, where you lead the way, and I will serve as your co-pilot. I work from an integrative, multiculturally centered, and tailored approach to meet your needs. I will support you from a compassionate, non-judgmental, and caring stance. Our work together will highlight areas in your life needing attention and care, and identify behaviors no longer serving you, so you feel relief from anxiety, conflict, emotional fluctuations, frustration, low mood, sadness, and stress. You will notice improvements in your self-esteem and relationships. I look forward to working with you and providing support to help you thrive and feel better. I love being a therapist and witnessing the transformation that can happen in therapy. I am a bilingual therapist and offer therapy in both English and Spanish. I want you to live your best life, as they say/como dicen. Sería un placer trabajar con usted y apoyarle para que prospere en su vida.
I appreciate your courage and effort in reaching out! If you are looking to alleviate anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress or to learn healthy coping and relational skills, I would be honored to serve you! I provide a safe and nonjudgemental atmosphere for us to work together to assess and come up with a therapeutic plan that uniquely fits with your present needs. I believe in neuroplasticity and in our innate ability to heal and thrive!
College students I work best with are often balancing a lot at once and feeling overwhelmed trying to keep it all together. You might be dealing with anxiety, low motivation, relationship stress, or feeling unsure about your direction. On the outside, it can look like you are managing, but inside it feels heavy or exhausting. Many of the students I support are ready to understand themselves on a deeper level, even if they do not have all the answers yet. You may be tired of repeating the same patterns or feeling stuck in your thoughts. In our work together, we focus on building clarity, confidence, and practical tools so you can feel more in control of your life and decisions.
You may feel stuck, anxious, depressed, or hopeless. However, just the courage to take the first step in knowing you want to experience your life differently takes strength. I work with my clients to expand that strength in a safe environment. When struggling with a family or friend relationship, or when experiencing increased stress from some changing circumstances in life, often unhealed issues start to surface. Now we really need support. These times are actually the ones where the most healing can occur. I provide a space that is safe for all the feelings, thoughts, issues, and fears to be brought forth so that there can begin to be healing. I help clients decide on goals they'd like to achieve in treatment, and with compassionate suggestions, help them make the changes they are looking for. If you want to understand yourself on a deeper level, if you believe you may have formed some distortions in the ways you talk to yourself, I will help you create a new narrative, one that promotes self compassion, peace and joy. I believe we all need help sometimes to move towards a life that is full and thriving. Please call for a free consultation!