Therapists for college students near Los Angeles, CA

The human mind is a fascinating place. I am constantly in awe of how deeply intricate and nuanced it is. I know that for many of us it doesn’t always feel this way. The hardships of life can, over time, make the mind into an unpleasant, stressful, and even terrifying place. My goal is to help make therapy, and the journey of exploring and understanding your mind, a less daunting process. I want to join you and guide you in peeling back the layers, making sense of the chaos, and finding safety and peace in your mind. For me, the key ingredient to effective therapy is curiosity. I want you to not only feel that I am listening to you, but that I am interested in what you have to say. I work to create a therapeutic environment where you feel that we are working collaboratively to understand the difficulties in your life, and to identify what you need to feel more capable and fulfilled. My style of therapy focuses on accessing and exploring the wisdom that already exists in your mind and nervous system, and interpreting it in the context of your past and present experiences. Nothing is more important in the therapy process than the relationship between therapist and client. Little can be accomplished in terms of exploring and understanding your mind unless you feel some degree of trust and safety with your therapist. I understand that trust needs to be earned, and that a sense of safety takes time to develop. I strive to nurture these by prioritizing consistency and honesty in all of our interactions. I want you to know and feel, above all, that I am on your side, and to have a clear understanding of the work we are doing together.

I went into psychology to address what I believe is a growing imbalance of work/life stress and personal guilt in modern day society. I want to help clients struggling with this both individually and as couples or families. Experiences from past careers has given me an appreciation for diverse learning methods and cultural attitudes, as well as how to be flexible and creative in my coaching with clients of all ages. Managing the ups and downs of any chronic condition is the unacknowledged full-time job of millions of people, and yet there is little credit given for it. I am here to be supportive, inventive, encouraging, and sympathetic to clients struggling with the ongoing stress of managing their lives, and help them lead an enjoyable life no matter what they may be handling. I believe that when people connect, lives get better. I have always been an advocate for others’ growth, and enjoy helping people gain insight into themselves and their world. As a marriage and family therapist, I help individuals address elements of their lives and themselves that are interfering with their relationships. As an individual therapist, I focus on unlocking and identifying core motivations and strengths in clients that are unique to them, and which often provide clients with the direction or guidance they are seeking. My psychotherapy practice is tailored to give clients exactly the kind of supportive opportunity they need to focus inward, realign with their personal needs, and heal from stress as they learn to manage it. I have a warm communication style that clients describe as encouraging, analytical, and direct. I use a Cognitive Behavioral approach, with elements of Emotionally Focused Therapy to explore deeper memories, and Solution-Focused principles to create measurable progress between sessions.

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.

I am inspired to work in mental health to build rapport with members and to help members identify, process, and heal from mental health symptoms and trauma. I am inspired to help members harness their inner voice and help them to improve self-worth as well as to help them change their narratives to a positive outlook in life. I ensure members are heard by bringing in empathy, demonstrating unconditional positive regard, triaging and creating collaborate treatment goals that members are amenable to work on, employ active listening, and show reflective listening. I build trust with storytelling, to start where the member is at, to not judge member, and to ask clarifying questions to get their lived experiences. I implement miracle questions, Socratic questioning, and provide homework assignments for accountability.

What inspires me to work in the field of mental health care is the incredible resilience and potential I have witnessed in clients over the years. With over 10 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how people can grow, adapt, and persevere through challenges. It’s truly motivating to witness the transformative power of therapy, as it serves as the spark or stepping stone that helps individuals create lasting change in their lives. I am inspired by the strength we all possess as human beings and the opportunity to be part of that transformative process, guiding clients toward a better future. To ensure that clients feel heard and understood in sessions, I focus on creating a safe and trusting environment where they can express themselves freely. I approach each session with cultural humility, recognizing that my norms and experiences may not align with those of the client. By leading with curiosity and empathy, I aim to foster a space where clients feel valued and understood. Additionally, I take a client-centered and trauma-informed approach, prioritizing the individual’s unique needs and experiences. I build trust and a strong therapeutic alliance by working collaboratively with clients to process difficult experiences. Together, we identify core beliefs and unhelpful thinking patterns that may be limiting their growth. By helping clients break free from these outdated beliefs and patterns, I create a space of support and empowerment, allowing them to move forward in a healthier, more constructive way. This collaborative approach fosters trust and a sense of partnership in the therapeutic process.

I became a therapist because I know what it is like to need extra support through life’s many curveballs. I became a therapist to give back, and am driven by the honor of getting to be a part of someone’s healing journey. I enjoy celebrating successes with my clients! I believe you are the most reliable narrator in your own story, and work with clients to promote empowerment in their own therapeutic experience. I work to create an authentic therapeutic space by utilizing humor, warmth, and collaboration. I empower clients to find answers within themselves and identify solutions that work to relieve their personal stressors. I guide clients to explore underlying thoughts and challenge themselves by emphasizing compassion and safety. I allow time for clients to ask any of their own questions they may have about myself or therapy in general and welcome feedback to ensure clients are receiving the best support possible. Outside of the therapy room, I’m a hobby ballerina! I also play Dungeons&Dragons. I am a firm believer in the importance of honoring our inner child through interests and play.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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.

Call 818-927-0478 for a same day intake appointment with our office and therapy appointment in as little as 3 days. We are professionally trained in evidenced based practices that will help you maximize your full potential. We will provide you with enthusiastic support, an objective perspective and the insight that you need to feel supported and the best you that you can be. Our Mission at Find Your Balance Center At Find Your Balance, Center for Growth & Change, our mission is simple but powerful: to create a world where mental health is prioritized and accessible to all. ​We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to heal, grow, and thrive — regardless of their background or financial circumstances. That’s why we proudly accept a variety of health plans, including Medi-Cal, ensuring that quality mental health care is not a privilege, but a right. ​​Because when care is accessible, communities grow stronger. When mental health is prioritized, lives transform. Together, we’re building a culture where seeking help is a sign of strength — not limitation. We have over 45 clinicians to choose from. www.findyourbalancecenter.com

Hi, I'm Jessica Taylor Vara, LMFT, a Certified EMDR Therapist and EMDRIA Approved Consultant. On paper, your life might look pretty good. You're responsible. Capable. The person everyone turns to when they need help. But underneath it all, you're exhausted. Maybe you're constantly overthinking, struggling with anxiety, second-guessing yourself, or feeling like you're never quite enough no matter how hard you try. Maybe you're stuck in unhealthy relationship patterns, carrying the weight of childhood experiences you thought you should be over by now, or finding yourself overwhelmed by stress, perfectionism, and self-doubt. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. I help college students, graduate students, young professionals, and adults heal from anxiety, trauma, low self-esteem, people-pleasing, relationship difficulties, and the lasting impact of difficult life experiences. Many of my clients are thoughtful, high-achieving people who have spent years trying to understand themselves but still feel stuck repeating the same emotional patterns. My approach is warm, collaborative, and deeply compassionate. I integrate EMDR therapy and traditional talk therapy to help clients move beyond insight and create real, lasting change. Together, we'll work to heal the root causes of your struggles, build healthier relationships, strengthen your confidence, and help you feel more grounded, resilient, and connected to yourself. You don't have to keep carrying everything on your own. I provide online therapy for residents of California and Florida.

Have you ever wondered if life could feel less stressful or more fulfilling? Whether you’re in school, starting your career, or navigating life as a first-generation adult, I’m here to support you. Together we’ll find practical ways to handle challenges, build coping skills, and help you feel more confident and resilient, one step at a time. During our sessions, you’ll have a caring, judgment-free space where your story matters. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and other proven approaches to help you shift negative patterns, tap into your strengths, and make meaningful progress toward your goals. Ready to find out if we’re the right fit? Reach out for a free 15-minute consultation. I accept insurance and sliding scale. I offer flexible telehealth so starting therapy is convenient and accessible. Let’s connect and take your next step forward together.

Navigating different life transitions is challenging and often a struggle to work through on your own. it can be difficult to manage emotions, relationships, stress, and other mental health concerns. I want to support you in becoming the best version of yourself and provide a safe space for you to explore your identity. I have experience working with a wide range of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, AD/HD, Autism, family conflict, and social issues. I use a culturally sensitive approach to work with those who are struggling with emotional expression and internal motivation. Through a holistic approach, I aim to help clients in managing emotions and building coping skills to overcome personal challenges. My interventions often focus on identifying and validating feelings, self acceptance, self care, and life balance. My goal is to guide clients in building self confidence and supporting them on their journey. Together, we will use your strengths to make meaningful change in your life. I’m looking forward to supporting your growth and self discovery!

I am a LMFT who is passionate about providing excellent care for my clients. Although I have a diverse range of experience, I l specialize in working with anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, trauma, domestic violence and abuse, and other emotional/behavioral interpersonal issues. I work well with teens, young adults, adults, couples, families, and group therapy. My approach is often client-centered as I adapt my approach depending on the client I am working with, but I tend to work from an existential/humanistic, CBT/DBT, and psychodynamic approach.

A lot of the students I work with are thoughtful, driven, and hard on themselves. You might look like you have it together, but inside you’re stressed, burnt out, or quietly questioning everything. In our work together, we’ll slow things down, get curious about what’s going on, and build tools that help you feel more grounded and less overwhelmed. I’m warm, straightforward, and collaborative. Therapy with me is a supportive space to be yourself, feel understood, and make college life feel more manageable.

Sarah Emmanuelle Mairesse is a trilingual (English/Spanish/French) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist focused on healing mind, body and spirit. Sarah has been working in the mental health field since 2011 and earned her Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University and her undergraduate degree in Child Development from Cal State Los Angeles. Sarah began her clinical training at Hollywood Sunset Free Clinic serving the Silver Lake community working with adults, adolescents, couples, children and their families, helping them through various psychological struggles including Anxiety, ADD/ADHD, PTSD, Trauma, Loss, Depression, Insecure Attachment, Addictions, and using a variety of modalities including Inter family, Gestalt, Psycho-dynamic and Mindfulness CBT. Sarah is a trained trauma therapist that incorporates EMDR treatment which has been proven to help clients that are feeling stuck and want to reduce and deconstruct their underlying negative thoughts and feelings to more positive and adaptive ones. Sarah uses a humanistic, client centered approach and works in collaboration with her client’s to identify problems and explore issues interfering with their ability to feel fulfilled while supporting solutions that will improve their over all well being and unlock their innate highest potential. Sarah has worked with a range of cultures and backgrounds and is comfortable exploring issues of sexual, race and gender diversity/fluidity.

I believe that you are a unique individual. You have your own path of growth and your own set of challenges. In therapy, I will deeply respect your feelings about your life and your situation. I am an empathetic and caring therapist. Clients have told me that I have a gift for putting myself in their shoes and really feeling what they feel. I use techniques such as Internal Family Systems therapy (IFS) and Energy therapy to help people heal from trauma, whether the trauma occurred early in life or more recently. You really can heal from trauma! We can greatly reduce or eliminate the multiple effects it has on your emotions, your behavior, and your relationships. I also apply these techniques to depression, anxiety and other difficulties. I care very much about the people I work with, and I will apply my professional skills and experience to your unique situation. I will help you develop new, more successful methods to handle the difficult issues you are dealing with. I may help you find strengths that you didn’t know you had. In my 20 years of practicing psychotherapy, I have helped people from all walks of life with many different backgrounds. My experience includes working with ADHD and helping people deal with complex family relationship issues, as well as with marital or partner relationship issues. I look forward to meeting you and beginning our work together.

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

Dr. Brandon Heimberg is a licensed clinical psychologist in California. He specializes in the clinical and forensic neuropsychological assessment of traumatic brain injury, medical conditions and psychiatric conditions. Aside from comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations, Dr. Heimberg provides evidence-based psychological treatment and cognitive rehabilitation services for individuals with attention, memory, other cognitive challenges, and other medical conditions. Dr. Heimberg earned his Master of Science degree in clinical psychology, followed by his Doctorate of Psychology at California Lutheran University. He received advanced training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) under a grant-funded DBT training collaboration between Dr. Jamie Bedics and the creator of DBT, Dr. Marsha Linehan. Dr. Heimberg further honed these skills in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in his externship at Ventura County Behavioral Health, treating and assessing complex psychiatric conditions and leading skills training groups using DBT principles. Dr. Heimberg completed an advanced clinical practica in neuropsychological assessment at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he saw both geriatric and neurooncology patients. Dr. Heimberg then completed a neuropsychology internship at the VA Illiana Healthcare System (APA-Accredited, Division 40), emphasizing outpatient and inpatient neuropsychological assessment and treatment of Vietnam-era Veterans. He returned to UCLA to complete a two-year clinical neuropsychology postdoctoral fellowship at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine within the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, performing neuropsychological evaluations and cognitive rehabilitation for post 9-11 era Veterans for UCLA Operation Mend, as well as complex medical and psychiatric, neuropsychological evaluations in the Medical Psychology Assessment Center (MPAC). Dr. Heimberg has been on various research teams at UCLA within the departments of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neuro-oncology, where he has co-authored papers featured in The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Oxford Press Society for NeuroOncology. Additionally, Dr. Heimberg co-authored the cognitive training manual for UCLA Operation Mend's Balanced Recovery And Integrated Neuroscience (BRAIN) and Substance Abuse intensive treatment programs.

Starting therapy can be an exciting and daunting process. Working with a therapist allows you to have an unbiased third party listen to your story, validate your feelings and emotions and help foster and provide insight and support. Therapy can help you learn new strategies and techniques to help you better tolerate distress and view thoughts, feelings and situations differently. My goal as a therapist is to provide a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental space where we can work together to identify and process issues you have been facing. Together we can reflect on previous thinking patterns and behaviors that have led to distress and discuss new options and possibilities.

Are you feeling worried, stressed and/or overwhelmed on a regular basis? Do you often put other people's wants and needs before your own? Do you experience self-doubt or struggle with low self-esteem that leads you to feel like your thoughts, feelings and opinions are not important? If this sounds like you, you are probably also experiencing burn-out, imposter syndrome, disconnection with your body/emotions, and/or significant life-changes. You want to feel a sense of calm and assurance that you can move through your day with ease. I would be honored to walk this journey alongside you. To hold space for you, to support you and remind you that you have all the tools to lead the life you envision for yourself. If this resonates with you, please feel free to reach out!