Therapists for college students near University of Southern California

"There are more things in heaven and earth ... than are dreamt of in your philosophy" Hamlet. As a depth psychotherapist, my intention is to help you navigate your personal depths; look beyond cultural expectations and all of the shoulds that have cluttered your life. Together we can work to unravel the defenses that have been unconsciously built to protect your heart and soul from feeling, and have kept you out of the present. By assiduously listening and freely playing, we will unearth who you really are and investigate what may be holding you back from experiencing a more fulfilling and meaningful life. My intention is to provide a safe environment that nurtures a trusting relationship between my clients and me. This relationship is the basis for all of the work. From this foundation we can invite the unconscious into the room and begin the healing process. There are many ways to access the unconscious: dreams, drawing, poetry, images, meditation, and somatic reactions are a few. Listening may the most important. So many of us just need to be heard. All of these activities are in the service of discovering how to unravel the unconscious knots that have tied up your spirit.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

My clients struggle as you do. Despite being kind, highly driven, and expert problem-solvers, life is hard. When they first come in, they are anxious and burned out from helping, fixing, caretaking, and peacekeeping. They’re acutely perceptive of others’ needs, but struggle to put themselves first. They usually feel overly responsible for others' feelings and needs, trying to control what is outside their control. They have abandoned themselves and grapple with the feeling that their only worth is in caretaking for others. They are exhausted from constantly walking on eggshells with others, worrying about what they say and do. They are paralyzed by self-criticism, perfectionism, and people-pleasing as they try to prove their self-worth and earn others’ love and approval. They feel they’ve lost themselves. All these years of self-sacrifice and making themselves small for others has left them wondering, “Who am I if I'm not taking care of everyone else?” Their desire to fix and hold everyone else’s pain gets in the way of the life they want in so many ways. They aren’t the kind of person they want to be. They feel like they’re failing as a partner, friend, and family member. And their confidence at work is tanking. Before they came to see me, they thought they could never say “no” and would go on doing everything for everyone while feeling empty inside. They worried they would never be the person they wanted to be. And they were pretty certain they would live with constant fear of never being “good enough.” Like my clients, you deserve to know that you are “enough” just as you are. Your worth is not predicated on caretaking for others. You want to step into the vibrant person you know you are and can be. Reclaiming yourself and discovering who you truly are is not out of your reach. If you want to stop feeling small and not feel terrified to be your authentic self, I’d love to help you get there. You don’t have to suffer. I can help. Give me a call to start our conversation.

Hi and welcome! I’m Scott and I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and a Board-Certified Music Therapist in Pasadena. I am passionate and experienced in working with young adults and college students. Transitioning into adulthood can be an incredibly challenging and confusing time. You are exploring who you are, where you fit and what you value. Juggling the demands of college, jobs and careers, relationships and your own emerging independence can be overwhelming. This can also be a time where underlying mental health challenges, dysfunctional family patterns and past traumas can surface, leaving you chronically stressed, anxious, depressed and without guidance. I understand what this time of life can feel like and draw from many years of specializing with young adults in all levels of mental health care as well as my own personal experiences. I believe in the unique strengths, stories and resiliency of each individual and will partner with you to help you achieve your goals, find true healing and live an authentic life.

Natalie Moore is a licensed therapist, speaker and consultant based in Pasadena. She helps ambitious, creative Gen-Zers and millennials increase their emotional resiliency and transform limiting patterns to create the life, love and career of their dreams. Natalie incorporates holistic modalities like mindfulness, somatic psychology and breathwork into her therapy work to support the natural healing process. She offers online secure tele-therapy to California resident adults. Check out her website for more information.

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.

Hi. My name is Dr. Elanna Lazaruk and I am a licensed psychologist in California, Massachusetts, and New York. I specialize in working with teens and adolescents with anxiety, depression, trauma/abuse, relationship issues, academic performance, and self esteem issues. I love developing a deep understanding of my clients and improving their insights into themselves as well as focusing on actionable changes to improve their quality of life. Whether you are looking for insight into yourself, learning new skills, and/or making changes to your life, I am looking forward to working with you. I will help you to determine your goals for therapy and will create a unique and personalized treatment plan to achieve those goals. I have had training in a number of different therapeutic approaches, including psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectic behavior therapy, mindfulness, and crisis intervention. Together we will develop a customized plan that works best for you. People who have worked with me have stated that I am exceedingly empathic, understanding, and supportive. I am very active and flexible during sessions and am very skilled at understanding people and their behavior patterns. Past patient testimonials are available on Google and Yelp. I received my Doctorate and Master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology at Yeshiva University’s Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology and my Bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College. While attending Wellesley College, I worked as a psychology research assistant at both Wellesley and MIT. I completed my clinical training at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Beth Israel Medical Center, JCCA, and SCO Family of Services. Feel free to check out my website at www.lacanadapsychology.com . You can reach out to me by phone at (818) 495-5705 or by email at drlazaruk@lacanadapsychology.com and we can schedule a free phone consultation to make sure I am a good fit for you and answer any questions you may have. I look forward to hearing from you.

Feeling triggered, dissociated, anxious, or stuck in patterns like people-pleasing or avoidance? Lost, confused, or frustrated as you navigate big questions about your identity, relationships, or future? You don’t have to figure it all out alone—I’m here to help. Your 20s are tough—full of transitions, uncertainty, and unexpected challenges. It can feel like a lot to handle on your own, but with the right support, you can move forward with clarity, confidence, and peace of mind. I specialize in helping emerging adults like you navigate this transformative decade. My approach is holistic and inclusive, and I have expertise in supporting individuals who have experienced trauma. I go beyond traditional talk therapy by incorporating a somatic approach, which helps you tune into what your body is holding onto. This not only alleviates symptoms like anxiety and depression but also helps you feel safer in your body, build confidence, uncover unconscious emotions and beliefs, set healthy boundaries, communicate effectively, and cultivate healthier relationships. Together, we’ll work to reduce overwhelm, boost focus and energy, and help you feel more alive, creative, and connected.

How would your life change if you started therapy today? Right now, you have taken your first step towards overall health and personal growth. I offer a highly individualized approach to therapy so you get exactly what you want from therapy. I will not mold you to fit my therapeutic model but will individualize an approach that works best with your personality, needs, and goals. I use the latest technologies and Feedback Informed Treatment (FIT) in order to measure and visualize your progress. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional which allows me to help you work on any unresolved trauma and painful past experiences you may have. Unlike many other therapists, I will work with your individual strengths to not simply reduce symptoms but also increase overall WELL-BEING and happiness. My goal is to help you understand yourself better, identify obstacles on your path, and support you in navigating these obstacles effectively. I can help you find the answers you need and the strength to turn these answers into the life you want. I am looking forward to working with you! I offer a free initial phone consultation.

College can be exciting, stressful, confusing, and really lonely all at the same time. Between classes, jobs, and figuring out who you are, it’s easy to feel isolated, stuck or disconnected from yourself. I’m a genderqueer therapist who works with lgbtqia+ students and those navigating loneliness, depression, identity, relationships, and feeling unseen or unheard. I take a gentle and explorative approach, noticing how your thoughts, emotions, and body show up in the moment. I love to support folks in figuring out their identity, managing perfectionism or “people-pleasing,” or healing from family or religious harm. Therapy with me is collaborative, grounded, playful, and sometimes funny (jury's still out on that one...). You don’t have to have it all figured out - you just need to feel ready to show up for yourself. And I'm here to show up alongside you. I also support folks seeking gender affirming care and write free letters for care services. 5 weekly sessions are required before a letter can be written.

Hi there! I’m Terry, an expressive arts therapist who works with college students and young adults navigating life’s ups and downs. College can bring a lot of change—new independence, academic stress, relationships, and family dynamics—and sometimes it can feel overwhelming. I’m here to help you work through anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, identity exploration, family issues, or tough transitions. I also specialize in supporting students who deal with OCD, emetophobia (fear of vomiting), chronic illness/autoimmune challenges, and family or childhood trauma. In our work together, we might use talk therapy, expressive arts (art, movement, writing, music), EMDR, ERP, mindfulness-based CBT, or psychodynamic therapy—always tailored to what fits best for you. My goal is to give you a safe space to better understand yourself, build compassion, and develop tools to handle whatever life throws your way. If you’d like to see if we’re a good fit, please reach out! I provide superbills you can submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement (check with your plan for details).

I am interested in working with motivated students who are willing to invest themselves in the therapeutic process. I provide a safe place to talk and a supportive place to address what "hurts", "what's really hard and stressful in their life". Therapy is a relationship based on team work and a willingness to invest attention and time from me as well as from the client. Some issues are resolved quickly while others require more attention and time to resolve.

If you are neurodivergent or queer, you may feel like you have to hide your true self in fear of being rejected by others. You often mimic others to fit in, hide your true self, and strive for perfection to gain acceptance. Simply for being yourself, you're labeled as "weird," "strange," or "different," leading to deep feelings of isolation. If you're figuring out your differences or struggling with your needs, there is a way to go from just getting by to doing well. Clients come to me for help understanding their autism, ADHD, or queer identity. They value my knowledge in neurodivergence and LGBTQ+ issues. I strongly support you in embracing and discovering your true self, standing by you throughout your journey. The right therapist for you listens without judgment or projecting normative expectations. Working together, you'll release long-suppressed tears and gain 'aha!' insights into your past and present. Email me for a free 15-minute consultation to see if I'm the right fit for you!

I get it. College can be a lot—new freedom, big decisions, messy relationships, and figuring out who you really are. I’m Jessie, a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, and I help students navigate all the chaos that comes with life, school and everything in between. I work with clients using a warm, direct approach with a dash of humor along the way. Some common topics I work with include: stress management, identity, relationships, self-esteem, sexual development, career / academic roadblocks, communication challenges, inner conflict, anxiety, pressure to succeed, life transitions.

I am a board-certified Adult, Child, Adolescent, Psychiatrist focusing on neurodivergence, ADHD, anxiety, OCD, and depression. I use a holistic approach when working with patients and work closely with therapists. By collaborating with patients and families, I incorporate therapeutic strategies to complement medication management. I earned a BA in Molecular Biology at Princeton University before attending medical school at Tulane University. I went on to complete my psychiatry residency and child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Louisiana State University New Orleans. Before moving to Los Angeles, I was a faculty member at Louisiana State University where I served as the child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship training director.

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.

Hello! I am an Asian-American therapist and I work with young adults dealing with anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, self-esteem, relationship difficulties, identity exploration, navigating adulthood, and intergenerational and multi-cultural experiences. If you’ve struggled with any of these, 1) you’re a human being, and 2) you’ve arrived at the right place. I am here to welcome you and all of your humanness! As a therapist, I can teach you the skills to navigate how to address these struggles. I want to create a safe space so that you can explore your life without worry of judgment. I aim to bring warmth and humor into the therapy room, as well as a deep commitment to getting to learn about you and work towards your life goals! You and I will be a team. You are the expert in your life, and I will act as a guide to help you on the path that you want to take towards healing. I want you to feel empowered to learn more about your inner workings so that you can take on the world!

Being a young adult can feel scary right now. Even in these times, I believe deeply in our innate capacity to heal, grow, and transform. Society doesn’t make that process easy- we face inequality, get stuck, and sometimes feel overwhelmed by the weight of it all. There is a path forward, but it’s not always easy to find. A big part of my work is helping you blaze this trail and collaborating with your success. Using a combination of warmth, mindfulness, brain/body science, creativity and sharing knowledge, I help keep your process moving toward living the life you want. Over the past 15 years, I’ve specialized in working with teen girls, young adults in their 20s and 30s, and those navigating life transitions, school, trauma, or relational challenges. This life stage can feel intense- you're shaping your career, defining your values, and building relationships that matter. Together, we can explore those big questions while tending to the deeper layers beneath them. I’m also an EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Certified Therapist™, and I use this powerful tool to help clients heal from distressing experiences, integrate their stories, and access new ways of being. EMDR can be our central focus or one approach among many, depending on your needs. As a Puerto Rican-American therapist, I bring a culturally responsive, decolonized lens to this work. I understand that our struggles aren’t just internal, they’re shaped by larger systems that impact how we live, relate, and find belonging. If you're navigating second-generation or multicultural identity, I’ve got you. My goal is to create a space that honors your complexity and supports your power. Whether you’re seeking support for anxiety, identity exploration, trauma recovery, or simply a space to connect with yourself, I’d be honored to work with you.

Young adulthood is a time of growth, self-discovery, and life transitions. Whether you're in college, starting your career, or navigating relationships, therapy can provide guidance and tools for coping. Together we can discuss things such as relationship difficulties, values, identity, coping with anxiety or depression, body image struggles, connection to oneself and others, and patterns you are maybe starting to notice as you grow. My goal as a young adult therapist, which is similar to that of a teen therapist, is to create a safe relationship for exploration. A place where you can show up without preparation and as exactly who you are.

Joanna has 20 years of professional experience as a school psychologist and most currently as a licensed educational psychologist providing in-depth psychological, educational, socio-emotional, and behavioral support to children, adolescents, young adults, families, educators, professionals, and para-professionals in both the public and private sectors. Since 2001, she has served as a psychologist across Los Angeles and Orange County providing detailed, comprehensive assessments & evaluations, trainings, consultation, and counseling for individuals and groups.