Therapists for college students near San Diego State University

Hello there! My name is Baochau (I go by Bao). I am a Vietnamese American therapist who is based in Southern California. I primarily work with children, adolescents, and adults, and I specialize in treating clients who struggle with depression, anxiety, generational & family trauma, Asian American & BIPOC issues, and identity & cultural stress. I like to use various therapeutic approaches to tailor to each client’s individual needs, but some of the approaches I like to use in my practice stem from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Strength-Based Therapy, and Client-Centered Therapy. More importantly, my goal is to help you feel seen and heard in your experiences as we work together towards your growth and healing. In addition to working with clients from different ages and mental health backgrounds, I also provide therapy for clients from diverse populations, particularly those who are from Asian American and BIPOC communities. As a therapist who is also a woman of color, I strive to provide culturally sensitive and affirming care for my clients.

What inspired me to become a therapist is a deep curiosity about people, healing, and how change happens through connection and experience. My work has been shaped by an integrative background that includes Depth Psychology, trauma-informed care, Polyvagal Theory, CBT, ACT, Positive Psychology, Family Systems work, and experience with somatic and experiential approaches, including equine-assisted work and the arts. I’ve also been influenced by academic and lived experiences exploring culture, creativity, and recovery, including work on trauma, addiction recovery, and meaning-making after distress. I aim to make sure you feel heard by really slowing down and staying present with both your words and your emotional experience. I tend to check in often to make sure I’m understanding you correctly and that we’re capturing what feels most important to you. My approach is grounded in attunement, curiosity, and creating a space where your experience is taken seriously without judgment or rushing toward solutions. Working together is a collaborative and relational process that unfolds over time. I draw from somatic, experiential, and trauma-informed frameworks, and we focus on building safety, consistency, and trust first. I often integrate mind-body awareness, reflective dialogue, and practical strategies depending on your needs. My background also includes teaching dance, mindfulness, yoga, and meditation to veterans, as well as exploring nonverbal communication and relational dynamics through equine work and movement-based practices. All of this informs how I help clients feel grounded, understood, and supported as they move toward meaningful change at their own pace. I earned my first degree at UW Madison. Sometimes to break the ice with couples, I will let them know that I taught ballroom dancing though mini courses and the University extension to help pay college living expenses. In those days, I often wore combat boots to teach.

Sylvia Sandler, LMFT is an EMDR-trained, bilingual/bicultural psychotherapist offering virtual individual counseling to California residents. Her areas of clinical focus include anxiety and depression, grief, suicide bereavement, immigration-related stress, and caregiver support and burnout prevention. Sylvia draws on her own grief journey, together with professional training from the Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center, to help clients build the confidence to make the changes needed for mental wellness, resilience, and hope. Using EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)-informed interventions, Sylvia helps clients identify and challenge negative beliefs and move toward a more balanced, adaptive perspective on their circumstances. Along the way, clients gain tools to slow down, attune to their bodies, and reconnect with their own sense of empowerment. Sylvia provides virtual sessions exclusively, serving clients throughout California. To learn more or schedule a free phone consultation, visit: www.sylviajsandlerlmft.com.

For first-generation college graduates, imposter syndrome doesn’t just come from internal self-doubt. It’s inherited. It’s cultural. It’s systemic. TO SCHEDULE A FREE 15 MINUTE CONSULTATION VISIT: https://blackwomantherapist.me/request-a-consultation-1 You worked hard to “make it”—but deep down, part of you still feels like you arrived somewhere your nervous system was never taught to fully belong.When you’re the first in your family to move through colleges, graduate programs, and other institutional spaces that were unfamiliar to those who raised you, the pressure rarely stays confined to earning the degree. THERAPY CAN HELP: Together, we’ll quiet the doubt So you can feel at home in your own success. Through relational-cultural therapy and nervous system-based care (such as Brainspotting), we will work together to shift you from a place of persistent self-doubt to deep, grounded self-trust. Using a culturally responsive lens, I help first-gens move from harsh self-criticism to authentic self-compassion—providing a space where you never have to explain or defend your lived experience. TO SCHEDULE A FREE 15 MINUTE CONSULTATION VISIT: https://blackwomantherapist.me/request-a-consultation-1

I tailor treatment using the approach that best fits your needs, including using somatic awareness, EMDR, CBT and insight oriented approaches. I work with Individuals, women, new mothers, young families, parents and young children. My work is deeply attuned to family of origin challenges, existential anxieties and BIPOC challenges, recognizing the profound impact on individuals and families. By exploring the ways these issues and past traumas shape present-day experiences, I will support you in breaking free from unhelpful patterns to foster healing across generations.

We are a non-profit organization geared towards serving the community. HOH offers a variety of services from individual, couples, to group therapy. In addition, we are a training site for graduate level students offering supervision and clinical skills training.

Whether you are coping with loss, relationship challenges, emotional neglect, abuse, or systemic stress, you do not have to navigate healing alone. I strive to create a compassionate, supportive space where clients can build autonomy, strengthen coping skills, and develop emotional resilience. My goal is to help my clients better understand how chronic stress impacts emotional well-being and to develop the skills to create meaningful, lasting change. The part I love about this field is seeing my clients transform into the person they've fought hard to become. I have witnessed the impact of mental health needs within my community, therefore, I will support you no matter your class, population, or race. If you've made it this far, thank you for your time. I hope I am a good fit for you! Regards A. LCSW

Life can feel like a lot sometimes. Maybe you're anxious, overwhelmed, burned out, stuck in your head, or putting so much pressure on yourself that it's hard to enjoy anything anymore. You don't have to have everything figured out before coming to therapy. I'm a down-to-earth therapist who believes you don't need to be fixed. You need a space where you can be real. We can laugh, be honest about what's not working, and get to the root of what's keeping you stuck. I'll support you, challenge you when it's helpful, and we'll focus on practical changes that actually make a difference in your daily life. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, relationships, stress, self-esteem, trauma, or just trying to figure out who you are and where you're headed, we'll work together to help you feel more grounded, confident, and like yourself again. We'll do real work that creates real change.

I am passionate about joining others on their journey towards healing and growth. Through my own experiences overcoming adversity and managing personal struggles, I became dedicated to pursuing a career as a therapist so that I can help others navigate their own difficulties. My goal is to create a non-judgmental and safe atmosphere in which you will feel comfortable exploring your own thoughts, emotions, and life experiences. I use a multi-model holistic approach, uniquely tailored to each individual. I am skilled in helping people cope with issues related to anxiety, depression, trauma, mood disorders, and adjustment to life stressors. I have experience working with clients from a variety of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as the LGBTQ+ community. As a therapist, I prioritize your own personal goals and needs as you choose to express and address them. I have the utmost respect for the right of one’s self-determination. I provide undivided attention, thoughtful feedback, and hold a safe space for you to process whatever you would like to address. I am constantly aiming to ensure you feel empowered and comfortable to openly express your thoughts and emotions. This includes any changes that you would like from me and/or treatment. I consider rapport and therapeutic alliance as possibly the most important aspect of therapy and its effectiveness. I will meet you where you are at and proceed at your own pace. I am also transparent and welcome questions. I am open-minded, genuine, accepting, and deeply empathetic. I read each individual and explore whether you want to be challenged, given suggestions and ways to cope, or simply heard and validated. Therapy is an interactive experience in which you are the leader.

Reaching out for help is often the most difficult step. We may think “Why wasn’t I strong enough to deal with this on my own?” or “What is wrong with me?”. We may even downplay our experiences, thinking “There are others who have it worse” or “I’m just being dramatic.” It’s okay to have these thoughts, and it’s okay to realize that we can’t do it all on our own. As your therapist, I am here to support you in all aspects of the human experience – especially the ones that make us question ourselves. Whether it be feelings of shame, grief, inadequacy, or something else that is challenging to name, I will be there to guide you gently through. I utilize empathy, compassion, and gentle curiosity in the therapy room. As a collaborator in your process, I will help you to explore and discover while always allowing you to set the pace for your own journey. As a companion, I will be by your side when difficult emotions arise – guiding you through coping mechanisms, providing resources, and strengthening support systems. I believe that everyone has within themselves exactly what they need to live their most satisfying life. My role is to help you uncover that which is already within. In this way, I utilize a Solution-Focused approach to highlight strengths and identify small steps towards healing and change. I also integrate techniques from Emotionally Focused Therapy, CBT, DBT, and IFS in order to tailor therapy specifically to each person’s needs. As a Latina and descendent of immigrants myself, I am passionate about intergenerational healing and breaking cycles. I take an inclusive approach to therapy, taking into account social, political, cultural, and economic contexts when considering family stories and histories. I specialize in working with individuals, families, and couples navigating the stressors associated with living in different cultures and mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, and trauma. Reaching out for help is an act of courage. I am glad you are here.

College can be a period of life, and it can suck. My goal is to help it be a great experience! I mostly work with students dealing with depression, anxiety, or trauma. Maybe you're having difficulty finding motivation to complete work, or feel like you're lost at sea and overwhelmed with the ton of responsibilities you have to take on. Or it could be figuring out who your are, who your people are, and what's your greater meaning in life. My goal is to help people build positive relationships and habits to bring joy and meaning to their lives. If you're looking for some support and guidance as you go through college or are looking into the future (it's some scary/awesome stuff!), please reach out for a free 15-minute consult. You can contact me via text, phone, or schedule a consultation on line. Also I'm a queer therapist, using a trauma-informed and intersectional lens in my work. If that vibes with you, sweet!

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Life has a way of asking more of us than we feel prepared to give, and rarely does anyone hand us a guidebook for navigating life’s most difficult moments. Whether you’re a child learning to express big emotions, a teenager navigating life’s pressures, or an adult facing relationship challenges, family conflict, or unexpected transitions, you deserve a space where you don’t have to have it all together. Although many people begin therapy during difficult seasons of life, it can also be a place to slow down, reflect, and invest in your well-being. Reaching out for support takes immense courage, and healing often begins when we feel truly seen, heard, and understood. My goal is to create a warm, supportive environment where you can show up authentically, free from judgment, and feel empowered to move toward the life you want to create. Whether you’re seeking support for yourself, your child, or your family, I am committed to creating a space where growth, resilience, and healing can flourish. You don’t have to wait until life falls apart to ask for support. Wherever you are in your journey, I would be honored to walk alongside you.

College is often a time of growth and change. Some days feel fun and exciting while at other times you may feel lonely and overwhelmed. Students are adjusting to living with roommates and trying to balance studies with socializing. Homesickness is common, as are sadness, stress, and sleep disturbances. College often allows young people to embrace their true selves and start anew. Please join me in a therapeutic, non-judgmental space to explore and process your feelings as you navigate this important time in your life. No topic is off-limits. I enjoy and feel privileged to work with this population and welcome the opportunity to connect soon.

I do this work because I am committed to liberation for all people. I believe that none of us are free until ALL of us are free. I am a queer and nonbinary therapist who brings a queer and intersectional lens to my work. I specialize in holding space for life transitions and know how to act as a guide to your personal revelations. I prioritize trauma informed care, and I have been told that I know how to hold a strong container for clients to discover their own inner wisdom and knowing. As survivor of trauma and Intimate Partner Violence, I specialize in helping clients find and trust their own intuition. I have lived experience as a queer and nonbinary person who came out later in life. I am trained in Internal Family Systems (Level 1) and EMDR. I've been doing my own IFS work for 4 years and firmly believe that at the core of every human being is the desire to heal. Fat-friendly, kink and polyamory informed. You already know the way! You have innate wisdom born out of your experiences and intuition. I'm here to help you learn to trust yourself and to be a compassionate witness to your self-discovery. However you show up in session is ok: you don't have to mask or sit still. I meet clients where they are with warmth and curiosity.

Weaving Clarity therapists specialize in trauma-focused care with a background in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). We help treat social anxiety and finding your authentic identity. We aid in facing relationship difficulties such as fear of commitment or being abandoned. We also assist in healing feelings of "I'm not enough and I'm too much." We help with finding a balance within the relationship dance of feeling the loss of autonomy and the fear of truly being seen.

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.

Do you think about what kind of person you'd like to be, but feel uncertain, nervous, lost, or overwhelmed about how to make the change? College is an exciting time to explore your identity, learn how to build meaningful relationships, and to find a purposeful career. If you're hoping to feel more confident in who you are, feel more certain about your direction in life and live up to your potential, you've come to the right place. Dr. Grace specializes in asking these "big questions" in life. She marries the wisdom of Buddhist practices with the science of psychology to deepen clients' self-awareness and exploration, and uses a multiculturally sensitive lens to identify how our environments may have shaped our beliefs, motivations, and behaviours. Clients often say that sessions with Dr. Grace feel productive, with a balance between insight and action. Her presence is calming and non-judgmental, encouraging clients to maximize their growth. She is a MSU alumni, having previously worked at CAPS, and offers fully virtual services in both English and Mandarin. Evening hours available.

You may be feeling pressure with the challenges of college and what the future holds, difficulty adjusting to new adult roles, and responsibilities. You might feel frustrated with the social norms of dating, friends, and family. I help young adults transition from adolescence to adulthood by gaining self-awareness and figuring out their calling and purpose in life. I specialize in working with young adults who struggle with anxiety, grief, sport performance anxiety, healthy relationships, dating issues, and self esteem. My approach to therapy is to create a space where young adults can be open to discuss and identify new values and beliefs and be confident going into adulthood. Through young adult therapy, I help emerging adults have self-compassion to go through those trial and errors with acceptance and forgiveness. Therapy is a good opportunity to explore who you want to be, set goals for the future, and create strong meaningful relationships. If you want to be more confident with living on your own and creating your new future, contact me today to schedule your first appointment.

My practice office is a calm space where you can slow down, breathe, and begin making sense of what you’ve been carrying. Life can feel heavy at times, and you don’t have to go through it alone. I offer trauma-informed therapy for teens, young adults, and women navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem, life transitions, and relationship challenges. For those seeking deeper support, we can explore whole-person care that considers spirit, mind, body, and daily life. This may include exploring nutrition, supplements, supportive habits, movement like yoga, and, if desired, Christian-informed therapy as part of your healing process. I also offer parent coaching as a collaborative process to strengthen communication, reduce stress at home, and support healthier family relationships through real-life strategies. If you feel ready, I would be honored to connect with you and explore what support might look like.