Therapists for college students near University of Southern California

Anxiety, sadness, loneliness, low self-esteem, self-doubt, distress, difficulty sleeping and discomfort in our bodies are indicators that we need support. I am passionate about helping clients navigate difficult transitions, using these challenges as catalysts for healing and growth. With over 25 years of experience in various therapeutic modalities, I provide client-centered and trauma-responsive therapy grounded in compassion and empathy. It is a privilege to guide clients in processing and integrating past and present experiences. I employ Internal Family Systems (IFS) "parts work" (an approach that helps us understand and heal from past experiences by identifying and addressing different parts of our psyche), attachment theory, EMDR and Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT).

I am a certified eating disorder specialist with over 10 years of experience working with individuals who struggle with their relationship with food, body image, and self. College can often be a time that increases these struggles with the demands of academics, sports performance for athletes, more independence and social pressures. My work is to help you create a better relationship with your body and food that can help lead to a more satisfaction in life. I also work with individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, grief, and the life transitions. Together we will create coping strategies to navigate through the mess and sometimes just to hold space to sit in the messiness that can be life. My work is collaborative. I am not here to tell you what to do but instead meet you where you are at and guide you to your goals that you want to meet in therapy. I bring warmth, compassion and of course some humor into our work together.

Welcome! I’m a therapist committed to helping adults tackle anxiety, stress, panic, and overwhelm. Life can feel intense with school, work, relationships, and the added layer of cultural expectations. If you’re stuck in cycles of worry or feeling drained, know that you’re not alone. We’ll explore the roots of your struggles and tap into your strengths to find coping strategies that feel right for you. We all face moments where worry, stress, and self-doubt creep in, impacting focus, connection, and enjoyment. Adjusting to new roles, handling responsibilities, and dealing with imposter syndrome can make things feel even heavier. That’s why I’m here—to offer a safe, inclusive space where you can express yourself without judgment. Let’s work together to break through barriers and create a more empowered, authentic version of you. Together, we’ll challenge unhelpful thought patterns, manage anxiety, build healthy boundaries, and prioritize self-care. You deserve to feel in control of your mental health and embrace who you are. Let’s start this journey together, centering your experiences, values, and strengths every step of the way.

Weekend Therapy Psychological Services, Inc. is a group practice (est. 2023) offering a variety of appointment times including nights and weekends. Populations served include individual children, teens, and adults, as well as couples, families, and groups. The practice is experienced in working with a diverse group of clienteles, including various races and ethnicities, military service members and veterans, and the LGBTQ+ community. Specialty areas include Anxiety, Behavioral Issues, Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Grief, LGBTQ+, Life Transitions, Marital and Premarital, Men’s Issues, Parenting, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Racial Identity, Relationship Issues, School Issues, Self-Esteem, Sleep or Insomnia, Stress, Trauma, Women’s Issues, and Work Issues. The practice also offers merit evaluations (for plaintiffs in sexual abuse cases) and evaluations for those seeking gender affirming surgeries. Treatment modalities include Attachment-Based, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), EMDR, Existential, Family/Marital, Gottman Method, Hypnotherapy, Mindfulness-Based (MBCT), Motivational Interviewing, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Trauma-Focused. Weekend Therapy Psychological Services, Inc. is a Veteran and LGBTQ+ owned business.

Danielle Cooper, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of the Center of Behavioral Therapy and Consultation for OCD and Anxiety. Dr. Cooper has unique expertise in evidence-based cognitive-behavioral treatments for OCD, PTSD, and anxiety-related disorders, having trained and worked alongside internationally recognized leaders in the field as a former Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. She has extensive experience working with college students struggling with anxiety and perfectionism. Drawing upon her clinical expertise, research knowledge, and experience, Dr. Cooper provides the most potent and effective treatments available for OCD, PTSD, and anxiety. She also specializes in brief evidence-based cognitive behavioral interventions for insomnia and nightmares. Dr. Cooper currently offers telehealth appointments to patients in PA, NJ, and CA. Prior to founding CBTCOA, Dr. Cooper was an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at the world-renowned Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety (CTSA) in the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. Cooper also established and was the Director of the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for OCD. While at CTSA, she was involved in clinical work, administration, supervision, teaching, research and consultation. Dr. Cooper received her B.A. in Psychology from Bucknell University and M.A. in Psychology from Boston University working at the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders (CARD). She then worked as a clinical research coordinator at the Boston VA. Dr. Cooper obtained her M.S. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Ohio University. She completed her clinical internship at the Ann Arbor VA and her post-doctoral fellowship at CTSA. Dr. Cooper has worked in various clinical settings, such as in an academic medical center, a university counseling center, a community mental health center, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, multiple VA medical centers, and private practice. She has received extensive training from leading experts in the field on the assessment and treatment of OCD, PTSD, and anxiety-related disorders. She is a certified clinician, consultant, and supervisor in Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) for PTSD and Exposure and Response Prevention (EXRP) for OCD.

Hi I'm Sara a LCSW in both CA and CT. I became a therapist because of a genuine desire to help others thrive. I believe that therapy should feel like a safe and supportive space—one where you can show up exactly as you are, without judgment. My goal is to motivate you towards the changes and self-discovery that you want for your life while also gaining a deeper understanding of self.

If you feel stuck, overwhelmed, hopeless, or always on edge, you’re not alone. You may experience worries that keep you up at night, or keep you from enjoying your life. Or you may feel like your life will never be the same again after experiencing something traumatic. You might also be feeling hesitant to ask for help because no one else in your life seems to feel the way you do, and can’t understand your struggle. I see you and understand your struggle. I will help you feel comfortable in sharing your worries, your concerns, your problems, your challenges. I use a gentle and personal approach to build a warm and trusting relationship, and ensure that your autonomy is preserved in treatment decisions. You can expect a collaborative relationship from day one. I use a person-centered and strengths-based approach in therapy, and rely on evidence based strategies to help you reach your goals. I will help you to strengthen your ability to cope with and manage challenges, teach you how to communicate with others, and help you to build confidence and self-esteem. Therapy won’t solve all your problems, but I can help you in building the skills you need to face those problems.

My perspective on wellness involves the whole person. The approach I take may involve the realms of physical, psychological, emotional, and social wellness, not just the alleviation of symptoms. We, as a team will work together to ensure your goals are met. Modalities towards wellness may expand beyond the office, to include being surrounded by nature, incorporating exercise, or facing new fears together. Always, with your success in mind. I work with children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples. I also conduct psychological evaluations and ADHD evaluations that may help to uncover issues and guide treatment. I am a Certified ADHD Professional, and have specialities in the areas of anxiety, sports performance, and I am also a certified personal trainer. Being born and raised in Hawaii, I value aloha and family. Whether you or someone you love may be going through a difficult time, I am here to help and will welcome you with open arms, just as I would my own family. I look forward to the opportunity to speak with you!

Hello! I am a trauma-informed therapist serving clients in California & Colorado. I have over 10 years of experience working with young adults and their families. I specialize in dating/relationship issues, anxiety, depression & trauma related to childhood/family of origin. I am trained in EMDR and CBT.

Many of the students I work best with seem like they’re keeping up on the outside, but inside feel anxious, overwhelmed, or burned out. You might be juggling academic pressure, relationships, or big life decisions while feeling stuck or unsure of how to move forward. Many have tried to push through or talk things out, but still feel caught in the same patterns. If you’re looking to better understand yourself and feel more balanced, supported, and grounded, we may be a good fit.

Hi, I’m Jazmin, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in California. I specialize in supporting young adults as they work through anxiety, eating disorders, and the everyday stressors that come with school, relationships, and self image. College can be an exciting but overwhelming time, and I’m here to offer a safe, supportive space where we can work together to understand your emotions and develop healthier coping strategies. Reach out today to schedule your free 15-minute consultation. I’d love to connect and see how I can support you. You can email me at JazminAlarconLCSW@gmail.com or text me at (909) 670-2966.

I meet clients virtually to quiet negative self-talk and build resilience in their nervous systems using a patent pending somatic processing tool. With a stronger nervous system, it’s easier to not be overwhelmed, in fact your baseline becomes calm, less triggered, and more balanced. Clients routinely report resolution of panic attacks; resolving the underlying causes of the negative self talk; resolving the root causes of anxiety, depression, rage, and numbness; having better relationships; and understanding their emotions better. This transformative work addresses the nonverbal impact of stressful/traumatic experiences including feelings, sensations, emotions, muscle tension, numbness and dissociation; the areas where talking is not effective. Benefits typically begin with the first session. We use CBD, medical cannabis, or ketamine assisted virtual sessions to activate brain areas that facilitate safely processing emotions, and make new brain cell connections (associated with learning and working around blocks) among many other benefits. Many patients complain about the emotional numbness and other symptoms caused by their psych medications. Because I am a medical doctor, as patients improve I am able to help wean them off of their meds when appropriate. Insurance is not accepted, but sliding scale payments are. Learn more at: http://www.slipflowtherapy.com/patients

Hi, I am Anna McDonald. I am a licensed clinical social worker specializing in assisting individuals and couples to work through life's conflicts. I do so through a multi-faceted approach, focusing first on the unique strengths of my clients and then collaborating with them to be empowered and move through these challenges. Therapy with me is more than just, “How does that make you feel?” and nodding my head. Instead, I am an individual working to empower my clients with research-based knowledge to improve their life conditions.

ADHD is more than just "having difficulty focusing," and no, not "everyone has a little bit of ADHD" as many people claim nowadays. The impact of ADHD is pervasive and can keep you from reaching your goals, connecting with others, maintaining a routine despite knowing that it would be helpful, and constantly "masking" for fear that you will not be accepted as you are. Life administrative tasks feel daunting and get postponed repeatedly, and the negative self-talk that ensues as a result takes a further toll and increases avoidance. I can help you understand the brain science of ADHD, incorporate aspects of mindfulness, somatic work, and other modalities to overcome these challenges, and regain your mental energy. You'll learn to work with your neurodivergence, NOT against it. I work from an anti-oppressive, anti-racist, lens and am mindful about how culture, immigration journeys and systemic racism play a role in how someone compensates for their ADHD.

Hello! We are so grateful that you've embarked on this journey of self-discovery, growth, & healing. We are a group practice based out of California and collectively, we have over a decade of experience in the helping profession, assisting children, teens, and adults. Our approach involves viewing situations through a multicultural lens, enabling us to comprehend your unique needs through active listening, empathy, and a non-judgmental perspective. We specialize in EMDR, CBT, Brainspotting, Solution-Focused Treatment, & Mindfulness. We bring extensive expertise in treating trauma, anxiety, stress, depression, mindfulness, and grief. Our EMDR-based approach focuses on desensitizing and reprocessing negative beliefs, allowing for deep healing without the need for unnecessary re-traumatization.This process involves sharing minimal details while still creating lasting, transformative change. We are a team of EMDR trauma therapists committed to reducing barriers to mental health care. To support this mission, our practice operates entirely online via a HIPAA-secure video platform, allowing us to create a strong therapeutic relationship while focusing on both your short-term and long-term goals in each session.

College can feel overwhelming — even when you “look” like you’re handling it. I work with students who struggle with anxiety, overthinking, people-pleasing, relationship stress, academic pressure, and big identity questions. You might find yourself comparing, replaying conversations at night, or feeling disconnected from who you used to be. I also specialize in perinatal mental health and support young women navigating fertility stress, pregnancy, postpartum changes, and major life transitions. In therapy, you don’t have to have it all figured out. We’ll slow things down, understand your patterns, and help you feel more grounded and confident in yourself. I offer virtual therapy for students across California.

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!

Hi, I’m Melissa, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in trauma-focused therapy. I believe healing begins when we feel truly seen, heard, and supported. At The Reflection Room, I offer a calm, non-judgmental space where you can move through difficult memories at your own pace. I support individuals healing from childhood and relationship trauma, PTSD and complex trauma, anxiety, shame, and patterns rooted in the past. My approach is gentle, grounding, and centered on helping you understand your story.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Using a compassionate and client-centered approach, I support each person in working toward their goals at a pace that feels right for them. I prioritize understanding what you want to get out of therapy and I work with you to develop a plan to get there. Insight is an important part of therapy, and I balance this with helping you find ways to actually see changes in your life and relationships. Working with me will feel like we are actually "getting somewhere". I describe my style as open-minded, warm and empowering. I also like therapy to feel like a natural conversation and my personality is naturally grounded and down to earth. Clients often share with me that I'm able to accurately capture and reflect how they are feeling, and they also appreciate my willingness to challenge their stuck points. My approach is all about supporting you in gaining a deeper understanding of yourself, while also finding the courage to change old patterns that are no longer serving you.