Therapists for college students near UCLA

I’ve always believed in the transformative power of connection. In this field, we have the privilege of working closely with individuals to support them though their struggles. Being able to offer a non-judgmental, compassionate space where someone feels heard and understood is something that inspires me every day. My goal is to establish a compassionate and empowering environment for every individual I have the privilege to work with. The core of my practice is grounded in ensuring a secure and empathetic space for the healing journey. If you’re seeking guidance and support to navigate your current challenges and enhance your overall well-being, I’m here to collaborate with you and provide guidance throughout this process. Building trust starts with creating a safe, welcoming, and non-judgmental space where clients feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and emotions. I prioritize listening actively and attentively, ensuring that clients feel genuinely heard and understood without fear of judgment. Equally important is respecting their autonomy throughout the process. Together, we work to identify goals and strategies that align with their values and needs, fostering a sense of shared ownership in the therapeutic process. By creating a collaborative and transparent relationship, I help clients feel more secure and confident in their journey toward healing.

I know it can be daunting reaching out for therapy - to let in support, to try to find the right fit, to allocate the resources & time. When I was a senior in college, therapy truly saved my life - but I so remember how long it took for me to be able to make that first call. So props to you for exploring! If we end up working together, you will likely share a lot about you. So here’s a little bit about me: I’m a white (French, British, and German heritage), queer, cis-woman from a middle-class background who is able-bodied (with some lived experience of chronic illness). I’m often dreamy, sensitive, irritable, passionate, anxious, patient, funny. I love humor, music, sour gummy worms, Rihanna, poetry, shoes, crying, and books. I’m passionate about social justice and art. I grew up in a coastal town so the ocean feels like home. I startle easily. I love singing and songwriting. Some of the big themes I’ve grappled with during this lifetime are: grief & loss; sexuality & sexual orientation; gender; body image and eating disorders; depression; anxiety; addiction and relationships with family members struggling with addiction; containment; perfection; co-dependence & attachment; sexual trauma; disconnection from creativity; betrayal, infidelity, & trust; monogamy & ethical non-monogamy; suicidality. And here's a bit about my therapy practice: I offer therapy for individuals & partners experiencing a broad range of life challenges. And, I have extensive experience in supporting folks as they navigate the following content areas: communication & relationship issues; grief & loss; identity; trauma; sexual orientation, sexuality & sensuality; creativity; systems & lived experiences of oppression; anxiety & fear; depression; co-dependence; addiction; infidelity, betrayal & trust; and inner-child work. I’m sex-positive, queer, and poly- & kink-affirming, and welcome all ethnic & racial identities & positionalities. The therapy that I offer is depth-oriented and strongly rooted in Gestalt & somatic modalities, as well as intersectional feminism. It is trauma-informed and client-centered. For those that are interested, I also enjoy using intuition, creativity, and the imaginal realms (imagery, visualization, experiential exercises, art, dreamwork, etc.) to support our explorations. If none of that means anything to you (understandable!), here's a *hopefully* less-jargon-y description of how I approach my work as a therapist: I fervently believe that you (and only you) are the authority of your experience. I am here to offer my curiosities, intuition, and reflections — in dialogue with you — to help you explore and discover your truth. I am interested in meeting you wherever you are in the present moment, supporting you to increase your awareness. It is my belief that only by increasing our awareness can we increase our felt experiences of agency and choice…which in turn allows us to live a more empowered, aligned, compassionate, and enlivened life. I care deeply about creating a safe container in our therapeutic relationship — to respect boundaries, to always track for consent and choice, to unambivalently welcome all parts of you, to fervently support both your safety and aliveness. I am passionate about and invested in exploring power, positionality, and privilege. I welcome and support difference, and am committed to efforts to not perpetuate authoritarian and oppressive systems in the therapeutic relationship. I honor & trust the massively creative and adaptive survival strategies that you have developed to keep you safe. And, I also honor the ways that the habitual enacting of those survival strategies may no longer be serving you — that your circumstances and capacities may have outgrown these mechanisms, and that you may need some support in this vulnerable re-emergence into the world. I will sit with you in your suffering. I’m not afraid of the darkness, or of your shadow. I will go to the depths with you. And stay there, in the underworld, with you for as long as you need…until you emerge anew on the other side. I believe that, together, we can co-create a homecoming for you. That our work can guide you home to your innate nature — to your authentic expression of your many parts of self. To your passion and presence and joy. To your aliveness. To feeling deeply nurtured and nourished. A return to self in which you come to truly and intimately know yourself for the first time. I so looking forward to hearing from you & seeing if we might be a good fit to work together, should you choose to reach out!

Life is difficult. Yet when we accept this reality, our lives change dramatically for the better. Our fear, sadness, and anger is often what is keeping us from facing the vital facts of our lives which need to be addressed. The more effective we are at soothing ourself, the more courageous we become. For it is often overwhelming pain that paralyzes us or leads us to mindlessly react in ways that sabotage our peace and happiness. I teach you how to calm yourself and effectively solve the problems you face. I collaborate with you as you learn how to influence your subconscious mind which is as much as 95 percent of thinking. We work together so you can realize your dreams in your relationships and career.

From the outside, everything seems great. However, you are paralyzed by fears and worries. Your inner critic is constantly telling you what you can and cannot do, leading to indecision. Always feeling like you should be doing more and nothing is ever good enough. Every day you go through the motions, yet desire for change. That change is possible. My goal is to help you achieve the results you want and to improve your quality of life. My approach is direct yet compassionate, goal oriented, and collaborative. You want to stop second guessing yourself. You want to tame your inner critic so that you can feel confident and relaxed without always wondering what others think. You want to prioritize yourself without feeling guilty. I can help you get there by offering an alternative perspective, providing support, and encouraging you to step outside your comfort zone. I offer weeknight availability to fit into your busy schedule. I look forward to empowering you on your journey towards meaningful change and a more fulling life. I welcome you to visit my website (www.oscarescobarphd.com) for more information and contact me for a free 30-Minute Phone Consultation to determine if we may be a good fit in working together.

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Monique Dozier, LCSW is a licensed therapist and founder of Journey to Genesis Mental Health Services. She has worked as a social worker for over a decade, and after years of supporting clients at various hospitals and nonprofits is redirecting her talent and experience to where her passion truly resides: her own community. She directly relates to the first-hand struggles of Black women, and especially Black mothers, face every day. As a mother to 2 vibrant, empowered girls, she also understands how necessary it is to build ourselves up higher than the world could ever tear us down. Monique created Journey to Genesis as a haven for the women tired of explaining themselves, the women tired of code-switching, and most importantly, the women tired of fighting to be heard.

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Are you someone whose checked many of the boxes in life but have found yourself in a less than ideal relationship? One day it’s all good, and the next day it’s all bad. You feel alone, isolated…like you can’t talk to anyone about what’s going on. You might feel embarrassed or what’s happening might just feel indescribable? You wish you could talk to your partner about it, but his mood is so unpredictable, you’re not sure if that’s even safe. Not to mention, sharing your experience with family or friends could mean having to face their judgment and receive unhelpful advice to "just leave." I specialize in supporting Black women who are struggling with communication and self-doubt in their intimate relationship. You’ll learn to be more assertive, set boundaries and increase confidence. My style is anti-therapist-y. Like talking to one of the girls but with a certain set of skills. Progressive and safe with a sprinkle of woo. You deserve to be supported by someone who’s “been there, done that” and can create a safe space for you to speak freely, learn to show up as your full self and have the peaceful relationship you want and deserve! Visit my website to schedule a free 15-minute call and let's find out if we're a good fit to get started.

***Currently serving individuals in California and Oregon*** Hello! My name is Carlota, and I am a social justice advocate; a believer in science; a fierce and overly-obsessed dog mom to two wacky pups; an immigrant; and steadfast in my conviction that we have a fundamental obligation to help one another if we have the means and capacity to do so. I am a licensed clinical social worker, and have been in practice since 2013. I completed my undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley in 2008, and received my Master of Social Work (MSW) in 2013 from the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis. I embrace evidence-based and research-supported therapies, while also honoring the power of the therapeutic relationship and process. I specialize in trauma and PTSD, depression, Bipolar Disorder, anxiety and panic, grief and loss, interpersonal difficulties, and life transitions. I am a trained teacher of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and am certified in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD and Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depression (IPT-D). I also have extensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) for Bipolar Disorder, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for the treatment of PTSD in children and teens. Why might I be a good fit for you? Because I get it, and I am whole-heartedly with you on this journey. I know that coming to therapy is a profound undertaking, and that what I will ask of you in this process is not easy. Introspection, change, and confronting avoidance are hard, and so I strive to provide a safe, authentic, and collaborative environment that honors your story, experience, and identity with compassion and without judgment; I strive to be worthy of bearing witness to your story. ***Sirviendo a personas ubicadas en California y Oregón*** ¡Hola! Mi nombre es Carlota, y soy amante de la justicia social; una creyente en la ciencia; una mamá de dos perritos excéntricos; una inmigrante; y firme en mi convicción de que tenemos la obligación de ayudarnos unos a otros si tenemos los medios y la capacidad para hacerlo. Soy una trabajadora social, y he estado en práctica desde 2013. Me gradué de UC Berkeley en el 2008, y recibí mi Maestría en Trabajo Social (MSW) en el 2013 de la Universidad de Washington en San Louis. Acepto las terapias basadas en la evidencia y respaldadas por la investigación, al mismo tiempo que honro el poder de la relación y el proceso terapéutico. Me especializo en trauma, depresión, el trastorno bipolar, ansiedad y pánico, duelo y pérdida, dificultades interpersonales, y transiciones de vida. Soy una maestra capacitada en Reducción del Estrés Basado en Mindfulness (MBSR), y estoy certificada en Terapia de Procesamiento Cognitivo (CPT) para el trastorno de estrés postraumático y Psicoterapia Interpersonal para la Depresión (IPT-D). También tengo una amplia entrenamiento en Terapia Dialéctica Conductual (DBT), Terapia Interpersonal y de Ritmo Social (IPSRT) para el trastorno bipolar, y Terapia Cognitiva Conductual Centrada en el Trauma (TF-CBT) para el tratamiento del trastorno de estrés postraumático en niños y adolescentes. ¿Por qué podría ser una buena opción para ti? Porque pongo todo mi corazón para estar contigo en este viaje. Sé que venir a terapia es una empresa profunda y que lo que te voy a pedir en este proceso no es fácil. La introspección, el cambio, y la confrontación de la evitación son difíciles, y espero proveer un entorno seguro, auténtico, y colaborativo que honre su historia, experiencia, e identidad con compasión y sin juzgar; me esfuerzo por ser digno de ser testigo de tu historia.

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I am a 1st generation, Belizean-American who was raised in Los Angeles, CA. I received BA from UC Riverside, c/o 2008 and MSW from USC, c/o 2010. I have over 10 years experience working with individuals, families, children and couples addressing mild to moderate-severe mental health challenges. I enjoy using a person-centered approach and meeting my clients where they are using various treatment modalities which include: cognitive behavior therapy, narrative therapy and solution-focused therapy. As well incorporating spiritual and holistic practices within my treatment as well!

Feeling overwhelmed by academic pressure, social anxiety, or navigating big life changes? As an online therapist specializing in women's wellness, I understand the unique challenges you face. Whether it's stress about grades, relationship drama, finding your identity, or just feeling constantly on edge, you don't have to go through it alone. My approach is all about helping you find your footing and thrive during these formative years. I offer a deeply compassionate space, but I'll also gently challenge you to explore what's truly going on, fostering genuine growth and lasting change. I integrate somatic techniques (connecting mind and body) with other holistic modalities and talk-therapy to help you build resilience, manage stress, and feel more grounded. We'll work on practical coping tools, strengthening your boundaries, and cultivating self-compassion so you can navigate college life with more ease and confidence. Imagine feeling more present in your classes, more connected in your friendships, and more aligned with your authentic self. You deserve a college experience that feels nourishing and empowering. As a California Telehealth Therapist, I provide convenient and accessible online support, fitting into your busy schedule. Let's work together to help you thrive, not just survive, your college journey. Reach out for a free consultation to see how we can make your college years your best years yet!

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Individual Work: Individual work is core to my practice. I work with adults and adolescents. Together we can explore whatever you feel to be disturbing your experience of life, particularly depression, anxiety, grief, loneliness, spiritual and creative blocks, illness, childhood abuse, trauma or issues related to sexuality, gender expression, and intimacy. Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy: I have extensive training in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, and am a Journey Clinical KAP provider. In addition to traditional psychotherapy, I offer a therapeutic modality called KAP: the use of ketamine as a compliment to psychotherapy. I deliver KAP in my practice in partnership with an organization called Journey Clinical, which has a specialized medical team that determines eligibility for KAP, prescribes ketamine lozenges where appropriate, and supports me in monitoring outcomes. If you are interested in exploring KAP, please contact me to discuss eligibility and next steps. Areas of Specialty Depression, Sadness, Loneliness and Grief Anxiety Career and Life Transitions Men's Issues Business Partner Struggles Sexuality, Intimacy and Relationship Concerns LGBT, Kink and Queer Community Issues Spiritual Exploration Shame HIV and AIDS Compulsive Behaviors Adult Children of Alcoholics End of Life Issues Integration of psychedelic experiences

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I believe that therapy can heal, but I also know that telling a stranger about your deepest pain can be a strange feeling. Perhaps you've been feeling sad, depressed or worried, and hopeless that anything in your life can change. Or maybe you aren't sure what you would even want help with. You know you feel bad, but if someone were to ask you "How can I help?", you aren't sure what you would say. These problems can feel permanent and unsolvable. After all, something feels broken and unfixable, so how could you not feel that it takes all the energy you have just to get up in the morning and go about your day? Depression or anxiety can also feel isolating, as if nobody else could possibly understand. You may have even received advice from people who you feel mean well but can't understand what you're going through. Depression and anxiety are not permanent or unfixable, and therapy can help. Imagine feeling peace of mind, and excited about life and its possibilities. It starts by learning about you and going at your pace. As a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with over 16 years experience working with adults and teens, I've seen therapy work, and I feel lucky that I get to be part of that journey for others. I work with adult individuals of any age, with a special focus on young adults.

Do you ever feel like no matter what you do, it’s never enough? Maybe you’re caught in cycles of people-pleasing, anxiety, or perfectionism—always showing up for others but still questioning your own worth. On the outside you may look like you’re holding it together, but inside you’re exhausted. If you long for authentic relationships and the confidence to feel secure in yourself, therapy can help. Our work together is deeper than surface-level talk therapy. Through IFS and a warm, supportive approach, I’ll help you uncover the root of what’s keeping you stuck. Clients often say I bring a calming, compassionate presence while also gently challenging them to see things in new ways. I specialize in helping high-achievers in Bakersfield and across California heal the roots of shame, anxiety, and people-pleasing. My goal is for you to feel more confident, connected, and at peace with yourself. If you’re ready to take that first step toward lasting change, I’d be honored to walk alongside you.

I want to acknowledge the courage it takes to seek out a therapist. As social beings, we all need support and at certain times we need it more than ever. Speaking to someone you can open up to and trust, knowing you will not be judged, can really make a difference in navigating emotional turmoil, relationships, stress, anxiety, processing trauma, and making our way through major life transitions. At times we may struggle with larger life questions such as, "Who am I?" and "What is my purpose in life?" I am here to help. My approach is warm, compassionate, and collaborative. I support clients in healing and overcoming obstacles that prevent them from living freely, authentically, and with deep fulfillment. I have helped people struggling with depression, life-transitions, anxiety, childhood trauma, ADHD, self-esteem, and spiritual/existential concerns. My holistic approach incorporates depth-work, spirituality, and learning new strategies to effectively navigate life. I am certified in Existential-Humanistic Psychotherapy, which facilitates genuine and life lasting changes through a powerful process of self-discovery rooted in compassion and presence. I am a certified Enneagram Facilitator and Yoga Teacher.

Relationships are the most rewarding and often the most difficult parts of our lives. If you're struggling in your romantic relationship, friendships, family or even in your relationship with yourself...you're not alone. Negative thoughts and feelings can keep you from the life you want with the people you love. Counseling can give you the support and encouragement you need to help move forward and find new, better ways to communicate and connect. It can be difficult to know who to trust with the things you're going through. Therapy offers you a confidential, comfortable place to talk about the things in your life that are hard to share with others. Together, we can uncover your strengths and use them to create a plan to give you relief from the uncomfortable place you're in today.

Navigating this world as a woman of color provides me with insight of a wide range of life experiences such as difficulty with change, inequalities, traumas, toxic relationships, workplace exploitation, managing a society that values binary labels and much more. Seeking therapy can be complex and multi-layered, so finding a therapist you connect with is essential. I believe in a working partnership with clients and strive to utilize client strengths to help with each intervention. Rather than work from any one theoretical orientation, I create interventions to match the specific needs of each unique individual, based on my years of accumulated knowledge and experience. The range of evidence based therapeutic modalities I utilize to help achieve goals include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, EMDR, motivational interviewing, solution-focused, narrative, and psychoeducation. Allow me to join your journey of individual or group healing!