Therapists for college students near San Diego State University

My path to becoming a therapist was shaped by a deep curiosity about human behavior and a genuine desire to support others through life’s challenges. I’ve always been drawn to understanding how our experiences, relationships, and inner worlds shape who we are. Over time, this evolved into a passion for helping people feel less alone, more understood, and more empowered in their lives—especially during vulnerable seasons like the perinatal period or times of emotional overwhelm. I strive to create a space where you can show up exactly as you are—without fear of judgment. I listen with intention, reflect with care, and ask thoughtful questions to truly understand your experiences. By integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, and somatic approaches, I help you connect not just with your thoughts, but also with your emotions and body. My goal is for you to feel seen, validated, and supported every step of the way. Working together is a collaborative process. We’ll move at your pace, focusing on what feels most important to you. In our sessions, we’ll explore patterns, build coping skills, and develop practical tools you can use in your daily life. Trust is built through consistency, openness, and respect—I show up authentically, and I invite you to do the same. Over time, this creates a strong therapeutic relationship where growth and healing can unfold naturally. Outside of my work, I’m someone who deeply appreciates the little things—whether it’s a good cup of coffee, time in nature, or moments of quiet reflection. I believe that small joys can have a big impact on our well-being, and I try to bring that same sense of balance and presence into both my life and my work.

Sunpath Wellness provides compassionate, comprehensive mental health care for all ages. We offer therapy, medication management, and specialized services including EMDR, IFS, and music therapy. Our approach integrates evidence-based psychiatric care with psychotherapy to support children, teens, adults, and families on their path to wellness.

Many students have mental health concerns from time to time. We feel stuck or face certain challenges. Sometimes we know what’s wrong and other times, we have the nagging sensation that something feels “off.” It can be stress, anxiety, depression, or academic pressures. When we understand the causes of your troubles, we can alleviate your symptoms. And, when we do, you’ll feel renewed and be a better student, friend, romantic partner, son or daughter. When your desire for your own welfare overrules your limiting beliefs and negative self-talk, what you aspire to starts flowing into your lives—be it a relationship, academic success. Your manifestations become effortless, without internal strife and resistance.

I am inspired to work in the field of mental health care because of my passion for fostering meaningful change in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. My dedication to helping individuals build on their strengths and navigate challenges allows me to empower them to heal, grow, and thrive. Guided by empathy, I aim to create a space where people can feel understood and supported in their journey toward better mental health. To ensure clients feel heard and understood in sessions, I create a safe, non-judgmental space where they can express themselves openly. I approach each session with empathy, active listening, and cultural humility, tailoring my support to honor the unique experiences of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including LGBTQ2+ individuals, low-income families, children, adolescents, and trauma survivors. By validating their feelings, recognizing their strengths, and fostering trust, I help clients feel truly understood and supported throughout their journey. I build trust and a strong therapeutic alliance by creating a warm, non-judgmental, and compassionate environment where clients feel safe to share their experiences. I honor each client’s unique strengths, values, and goals, fostering a sense of partnership and mutual respect. This approach helps establish a strong foundation for meaningful growth and healing, allowing clients to feel supported and understood throughout the therapeutic process.

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.

I am a licensed psychologist with 30yrs. experience in general practice. I help people who seek relief from dealing with life's challenges (e.g., anxiety, depression, stress, stress management, relationship difficulties, etc.) and life transitions. I also specialize in Medical Psychology and work with people who are struggling with health issues(e.g., adjusting to a medical diagnosis, managing an illness or chronic pain, coping with a loved one who suffers with an illness). Please contact me for a free phone consultation to discuss your specific situation and goals.

I specialize in providing psychological services to children and adolescents. These include neuropsychological assessment and psychotherapy. Assessments can be invaluable tools that provide diagnostic clarification, treatment recommendations, and the basis for academic accommodations. The therapeutic interventions I provide to young clients can be used to address a range of common challenges including, but not limited to emotional dysregulation and behavior problems. Based on the client, therapy may take various forms and could entail a talk or play-based approach. I regularly integrate parent or family sessions when appropriate.

Hi, I'm Robin, a licensed therapist/clinician. I specialize in supporting individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, relational challenges, and ADHD, to name a few. I have experience in working with children and adolescents, I have worked on a mobile crisis team in the field, and I am currently training first responders on mental health/illness. I have a master's degree in counseling psychology from Cal Baptist University and I have trained in crisis negotiation. When working with clients, I prefer to follow their lead. There is not one particular type of therapeutic modality that I prefer to follow. Just like people, there is not always a "one size fits all" solution, and being able to pull from different modalities is essential for me. As a clinician, I find it an honor to be on this journey with you. I would like to help you find your voice in order for us to set realistic goals for your sessions. I like to create an environment where you feel validated and safe to be open, as these sessions are for you.

I specialize in working with College students who are struggling with anxiety, depression, identity, relationships, and the meaning of it all. I spent 13 years working in Student Affairs and understand the pressures of campus life. My clients appreciate the safe and comfortable atmosphere where they can heal from childhood trauma, gain a new perspective, feel connected, build confidence, learn practical skills, and change unhealthy patterns. I am LGBTQ+ affirming.

My name is Betel, and I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist providing telehealth services to individual adults, adolescents, couples, and families living anywhere in the state of California. I practice a humanistic and existential form of therapy, in which the art of nonjudgmental self-awareness is central. Through a process of sustained, open curiosity, my clients learn to renew contact with what they have exiled within. This experience of returning to one’s whole human nature brings increased choice, responsibility, spontaneity to their lives. As a guide, I also use depth and process-oriented techniques from gestalt, somatic, and mindfulness traditions. Therapy is a relationship and a dialogue. I show up with a style that is gentle but honest, and full of reverence for all the light & shadow that make up a human life. I especially welcome those that are pursuing matters related to identity, creativity, or major life transitions.

Who I Work Best With: Most of my clients are people who've gotten really good at functioning — and really tired of it. You've probably figured out how to hold things together, stay busy, keep up. But something isn't working anymore. Maybe you're exhausted in a way you can't explain. Maybe you're finally asking questions you've been pushing down for years — about who you are, what you believe, how you want to love, or why your brain works the way it does. A lot of people I work with are navigating things like anxiety, depression, identity, relationships that don't fit a neat box, or a major life shift — faith deconstruction, a breakup, figuring out you're neurodivergent later in life. Some are just trying to get through the week without falling apart. If that's you, we'd probably work well together. What Working With Me Looks Like: I'm not going to sit quietly and just reflect things back at you. I'm also not the worksheet-and-homework type. My style is pretty collaborative and direct — I'll gently push back when I think it'll actually help, and I'll meet you where you are. I have 15 years of experience working with new parents and kids before becoming a therapist, which means I come in with a lot of real-world, people-first perspective. I also have personal experience with religious deconstruction — so if you're untangling a faith background or questioning things you were raised to believe, I genuinely get it, not just clinically. I work especially well with people who are neurodivergent, queer or questioning, in non-traditional relationships (like polyamory or ENM), or somewhere in the middle of a big life change. You don't have to have it figured out to reach out.

Deeper Than Color is a team of therapists who offer psychotherapy addresseing oppression, discrimination, and marginalization. We work to empower Black, Asian, Pacific Islander, Latino (Latine/x), Indigionous and Native American, and other People of Color as well as LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, performer, educator, and professional clients. We focus on your goals and create safe spaces where you can share without judgment. We work with you to heal trauma, embrace identity, and improve relationships. We also help you cope with stress, overcome barriers, and achieve your aspirations. We are here to support you.

Throughout my career I have worked directly with people in a variety of settings including; child welfare, home health and hospice, crisis intervention, aging and working with adults with disabilities. Working with crisis clients in a community mental health setting inspired me on my path to supporting individuals in their healing journey. In session I strive to be present, attentive, curious and non-judgmental to learn about each person’s unique life experiences. Being a trauma survivor myself, I believe in the strength and resiliency that exists in each and every one of us. I will work collaboratively with you to help you identify strategies and solutions to address any of your challenges. My therapeutic approach is trauma-informed, client-centered and relationship-based; focusing on empowering client’s to make positive changes in their lives, developing their own tools and coping skills. I tailor my approach to the individual needs of each client, combining evidence-based practices with creative solutions to address each person’s individual unique life challenges.

I love being able to combine my passions for helping others, creativity, and understanding why people think, feel, and behave as they do! I believe therapy should be a collaborative relationship where we are working together on an issue, rather than me being The Expert. Instead, you are the expert on what it is like to be you in your life. I may share my perspective on what I believe may be going on and ask you to reflect on its accuracy and relevance to your experience. I take my job in the helping profession seriously. Consistent studies on why psychotherapy works indicate that the therapeutic relationship is the most important variable determining therapeutic outcomes. I relate to you as a regular person with education, training, and experience that I am eager to share with you to help you feel safe and understood. I occasionally will share relevant experiences either from past anonymous clients or from personal experience to normalize, validate, and help you feel that you are not alone in your pain.

I'm Coley Woodward, LMHC, founder of Psyberspace Center for Psychedelic Therapy. I help high-achieving individuals and couples break free from trauma, anxiety, and burnout using evidence-based approaches that go beyond traditional talk therapy. As a Certified EMDR Therapist and Consultant-in-Training, I specialize in complex PTSD, attachment wounds, addiction, and relationship repair. I integrate EMDR, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) to create lasting change — not just insight. My style is direct, warm, and relational; I meet you where you are while gently challenging patterns that keep you stuck. Whether you're in New York, New Jersey, California, or Georgia, I offer virtual sessions nationwide and in-person care in Manhattan.

As an active listener, I provide individualized treatment utilizing a nonjudgmental approach through medication management and supportive therapy. Let’s start!

People make the decision to engage in therapy for a multitude of reasons, all of which are valid. Some people may be ambivalent about making changes in their lives, while others might feel eager and ready to start the process. Regardless of where you find yourself on that continuum, I am here to support you. Although my background has mainly been focused around eating and body image, I see clients who are experiencing a variety of concerns: relationship issues, anxiety/depression, life transitions, unhappiness, etc. Prior to private practice, I worked with undergraduate and graduate students at Harvard University Counseling and Mental Health Service, with a specialty in supporting student-athletes and individuals with eating and body image concerns. I have also worked in psychiatric inpatient programs as well as eating disorder treatment programs. My therapeutic style is integrative, which means that our work together will draw on various approaches determined by your concerns and goals. My hope is for us to build a trusting relationship that will allow for honest reflection, helpful challenge, and ultimately positive change so that you may be able to lead a more fulfilling life.

Hi there! Feeling overwhelmed by the whirlwind of transitions, anxieties, and "what ifs" that come with this exciting, yet sometimes challenging, chapter of life? You're not alone. I'm Ronna, an LCSW with 18+ years of experience supporting women like you through the ups and downs of adjusting to college life. From homesickness and relationship hiccups to career-path stress and future worries, I've seen it all, and I'm here to help you navigate it with confidence and clarity. ✨ My approach is all about you and your unique journey. We will work together to identify your strengths, understand your challenges, and develop personalized strategies for managing stress, enhancing interpersonal relationships, and making confident decisions about your future. My solution-focused style empowers you to identify practical coping skills and strategies that actually work, paving the way for the positive change you can see and feel. I offer a safe and supportive space where you can explore your experiences without judgment. I am here to be your guide, your cheerleader, and your partner in progress as you navigate towards a fulfilling college experience and a bright future. Remember, you've got this, and I'm here to help. Reach out today and let’s start building your brighter future together! My areas of expertise include: • Adjustment to college life • Stress management and anxiety reduction • Building healthy relationships • Managing academic pressures and career exploration • Fostering self-compassion and resilience

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 partner with individuals offering compassionate, trauma-informed care that promotes healing and personal growth. Partnering as a relational helper, I hope to expand from problem-focused stories to those of strength and resilience, matched with empowerment and a clearer sense of agency, working together to create the desired changes. I have experience working with individuals, from diverse backgrounds. My areas of work have included but are not limited to struggles around anxiety, depression, identity concerns, self-esteem issues, trauma, life transitions, relational issues, and daily stressors. I use an eclectic approach, drawing from various practices such as relational therapy, narrative therapy, client-centered therapy, attachment theory, some features of dialectical behavioral therapy, psychodynamic framework, and I approach therapy through a mindfulness, justice-orientated, culturally sensitive, queer-affirmative and a trauma informed lens. I believe in a relational process in which finding a therapist that is a "good fit" as the groundwork for a supportive, transformative process. I believe that every individual can examine their life's journey and own their story; all while strengthening self-compassion and working to navigate who and how to be in relationships. Stepping into the therapeutic process is the first movement towards self-discovery and growth! "Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do" -Brene' Brown