Therapists for college students near Los Angeles, CA

Having trained at the University of Notre Dame (Ph.D., M.A.), UC Berkeley (APA-accredited internship) and Stanford (post-doctoral fellowship), I bring rigorous scientific expertise into my clinical work with college students. In fact, I worked at the University Counseling Centers at all three of these schools and have continued to develop a specialized private practice that focuses almost exclusively on college students. I also teach for Pepperdine University in their Graduate School of Education & Psychology. I help clients with a range of concerns including: anxiety, depression, career and academic concerns, ADHD, relationship concerns (situationships, am I right? :) ), body image and eating disorders, perfectionism, college/life transitions, as well as family of origin challenges (let's say it together, boundaries...). I often work with high-achieving students who often are managing academically but struggling internally. My clients often put others first and themselves last. By the time they come to therapy, concerns have been going on for some time and they've reached a breaking point. They may feel they "should" be able to handle things on their own. As a recovering perfectionist and someone who was riddled with anxiety throughout college, I get it. It wasn't until my own training in CBT that I learned how destructive such thought patterns were. It inspired my clinical approach, as well as three clinical workbooks I've published on Solution-Focused Therapy, CBT, and Positive Psychology with the top mental health publishers. Many of my clients who have been to therapy before often remark how "easy" I make the process. We laugh, we learn, and talk like old friends. Therapy doesn't have to be stuffy or stressful. It's about feeling respected, validated and heard. Learning to take care of yourself, set appropriate boundaries, and thrive! I'd LOVE to work with you! Please feel free to book a complimentary 15 minute consultation at my website below so we can connect!

Stress, Anxiety, Overwhelm, and Uncertainty. How long can we go on like this? What happens when it gets to be too much? Living like this can push you past your limits. I notice that people tend to seek help for "mental health" when the symptoms of stress that affect their "physical health" worsen. My approach to helping clients is rooted in my understanding that mental, physical, and emotional health are all inextricably intertwined. I work with Highly Sensitive Persons (see the self questionnaire at: www.hsperson.com) who struggle to cope with the fast paced, overwhelming and uncertain environment our lives have become. I also work with many people who recognize their childhoods as having been painful or traumatic.I am trained in EMDR. Therapy can help develop the tools you need to create the life you want to live.

Are you feeling stuck, burned out, or overwhelmed by the everyday stresses of life? Perhaps anxiety, depression, or relationship challenges are weighing you down. Seeking meaningful change but finding it hard to move forward? Are you a member of a BIPOC community or other resilient community who is feeling isolated, overwhelmed and desiring a safe space to heal? My practice is warm, compassionate, and strength focused, emphasizing true collaboration. I prioritize creating a secure, welcoming setting where every client feels heard, seen and respected—a vital foundation for addressing deeply personal issues. I believe this is the foundation of a good working relationship to address such sensitive personal matters. Drawing from evidence based modalities—including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, psychodynamic work, multicultural frameworks, and mindfulness—I tailor my approach to each person’s unique story, identities, and challenges. By honoring your individual experience, we can work together toward lasting well being and the changes you envision.

High achievers are often their own worst critics. This can lead to anxiety, depression, and relationship problems. As I help my clients to develop greater self compassion, they experience amazing changes in many aspects of their lives. Email me and we can set up a free 20 minute consult to talk about working together. I conduct secure video sessions with clients in CA and FL. I am an HSP specialist (Highly Sensitive Person), and I use IFS (Internal Family Systems) strategies and mindfulness techniques to help people to more deeply understand themselves.

I am a CA-based therapist providing virtual therapy for LGBTQ+ teens and young adults with depression. I take an individualized and depth-based approach, following each client's lead and exploring how past relationships and experiences impact the present and future. I excel with first-timers to therapy, as well as folks who have been in therapy before and found the worksheet- and skills-based approaches unhelpful.

I love being a Mental health Therapist. I have been licensed as a Marriage and family child therapist, since January, 5 1985. I have worked in private practice and with Medical groups to provide the best mental health care available to each individual and to our community. I enjoy working with individuals, families, and with adolescents to improve daily functioning and improved mental health. I see each client as an individual with past experiences that only they can share their own history. It is very important to listen to what the client has experienced and to share their history. Trust and an empathetic relationship is paramount to have the client feel heard and safe.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

My approach to therapy is collaborative, working with you to achieve your unique goals. I draw from evidence-based approaches such as Collaborative Therapy, Mindfulness- Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Narrative Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy (SFT). Outside of my passion for helping clients build fulfilling lives and meaningful connections, I’m a dog lover, enjoy doing yoga, spending time in nature, and cooking.

Hi welcome to the world of Therapy! This step can be daunting to start but rest assured that this can be the beginning of something beautiful. If you are experiencing overwhelming feelings that are hard to explain, you're in the right place. Here, you have the free space to share your thoughts and feelings without feeling judged through the process. Here you get to learn about the most important person in the room, YOU. Being a student, learning about adulting, trying to make ends meet at the end of the month, working during your "free" time and finding time to manage a social life needless to say, trying to make a relationship work is a lot! You're not alone. I can be here with you through the process. There is no shame in knowing we need help. This is the first step of adulting, knowing we can't do life on our own. We need our tribe. Feel free to contact me for your free 10-minute phone consultation where you can ask me any questions or concerns you may have about the therapeutic process. I look forward to meeting with you!

My goal is to help you develop healthier ways of thinking, feeling, and relating. My style is warm, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based practice. I draw from interpersonal, cognitive-behavioral, and acceptance and commitment therapy approaches to create a space that feels safe, compassionate, and tailored to you. Together, we’ll work to understand your experiences, develop new coping strategies, strengthen your resilience, and help you move toward the life you want. I believe therapy works best when it’s a partnership—one where you feel seen, heard, and empowered.

Feeling scared, overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of who you are? Not sure who you are, how you fit in to this confusing world, or how you'll survive get these weird times? You’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. As a therapist, I specialize in supporting LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent folks. I help with navigating a neurotypical world, identity exploration, complex trauma (CPTSD), life transitions, & more. Whether you're untangling childhood wounds, exploring your identity, or the feeling that the world that wasn’t built with you in mind, therapy can be a space to slow down, take a breath, and begin healing. As a relational therapist, I care a lot about the connection between us. Think "bestie on FaceTime" - but with real clinical training to help you! I'm person centered, which means you're the boss! I use a feminist approach because your identities matters. I'm direct (but kind!), which means I'll give you my opinion or a gentle nudge when appropriate too! I also incorporate parts work and feminist therapy into my work and enjoy using play (even with adults!). No matter where you are with your mental health, I'm ready to offer you a helping hand and listening ear. Healing and growing are ongoing journeys, I'd love to walk along side you through yours. Let's connect!

I am passionate about helping 20 and 30 year olds navigate life’s unexpected curve balls. Being a human can be challenging and complex, but I believe that support, coping skills, and self awareness can make things easier. College and adulting means facing a lot of "firsts" and new transitions. My goal is to help you move through life with more ease and confidence. I am human-centered therapist and believe you are the expert on you. In my office, therapy is a team effort and a journey we go through side by side. We work together by drawing on your unique lived experiences and building on your strengths. I use various elements of DBT, cognitive behavioral therapy, and strengths-based therapy to help my clients meet their individual goals. Let’s work together to embrace your strengths and tackle life's challenges.

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

Seeking feminist, body-neutral, LGBTQIA+ celebrating depth therapy? Society, culture, family, school are all imperfect & most of us have some stuff to unpack, process, & heal. Maybe you’ve come to a point where you know these old narratives aren’t serving you & you want to create more joy, freedom, and liberation in your life & community moving forward. Culture, race, ethnicity, gender, sex, & sexuality all impact the stories we are told about who we can be, should be & are. These narratives affect how we think about ourselves & require time, attention & care to unpack, process & heal. Life has been coming at us all at hyper-speed for the past few years, and it's normal to need some help. You may be feeling stuck, stressed, depressed, exhausted, unworthy, guilty, lost & not knowing why you don’t feel better yet. I use a collaborative approach that includes interventions from ACT, SFT, CBT, and MBSR through a feminist narrative lens to foster safety, skills & resilience. I aim to provide an environment of curiosity where your whole self can be recognized, affirmed, and celebrated. My work is affirming of enm, poly, kink, & bdsm. If this resonated with you we are probably a great fit & you’re in the right place :) Please get in touch via phone or email to arrange a 15-minute consultation and we’ll make sure it’s great fit, I’ll answer any questions you may have, & if its not I’m happy to help guide you through the process of finding someone who is. ** You can directly book a consult call via my website www.LaurenMatern.com **

I am inspired to work in mental health to help people and help them feel like they are not alone in the world. I listen intently. I not only reflect on what my patients say verbally and on what their intention is even silently but also hear and provide a holding space for their anxieties to create hope and assurance. I create a welcoming and safe space without judgement or shock and I create a place where they are listened to. This can be a special place just for them to be who they truly are. I use eye contact and intentional questions that guide them to a gentle space to explore.

I became a therapist because I’ve always been drawn to how people make sense of pain, identity, survival, and the patterns that shape how they relate to themselves and others. Before entering this field, I worked in settings where I supported people in crisis and helped connect them with care and resources. Over time, I realized I didn’t just want to help people stabilize through difficult moments, I wanted to support deeper, longer-term healing, especially around trauma, relationships, and identity. I’ve also become especially interested in couples work and relational patterns—how people affect one another, how cycles of conflict or distance develop, and how repair becomes possible. A lot of emotional pain shows up in relationships, and I’m interested in helping people slow those moments down so they can understand what’s happening underneath reactivity and disconnection. Alongside that, I’m committed to working with neurodivergent clients, including ADHD and OCD, as well as LGBTQ+ individuals and couples. I’m interested in how people navigate differences in attention, regulation, intrusive thoughts, identity, and communication, especially in systems that haven’t always understood or accommodated those experiences. My goal is to create a space where those differences aren’t pathologized, but understood in context. Feeling heard is something we build actively in the room, not something that just happens automatically. I slow the process down when needed so each person has space to fully express what they’re experiencing, especially in moments where emotions are high, communication feels stuck, or patterns start repeating. I listen for both what is said directly and what might be happening underneath needs, fears, protective responses, and the meaning each person is making of the situation. In couples work, I pay close attention to the interaction itself: how cycles form, where disconnection happens, and what each person may be protecting or trying to communicate through their reactions. With trauma, neurodivergence, ADHD, OCD, and LGBTQ+ experiences, I also stay attentive to how past environments may have shaped how safe it feels to speak openly, regulate emotions, or be fully seen. I check in regularly to make sure I’m understanding each of you accurately, and I welcome correction if something doesn’t land right. The goal is for both of you to feel that your experience is taken seriously, even when your perspectives differ. Working together is a collaborative process where we look at what’s bringing you in, what patterns are repeating, and how those patterns show up both individually and between you as a couple. I don’t approach therapy as something I’m doing to you, but as something we’re actively building together over time. Trust develops through consistency, clarity, and responsiveness. I aim to create a structured but flexible space where we can slow things down enough to understand what’s happening beneath conflict, shutdown, or overwhelm. In couples work, that often means tracking the interaction in real time and helping both partners feel understood without losing sight of accountability or impact. With neurodivergence, ADHD, and OCD in particular, I also pay attention to how attention, impulse, certainty, doubt, and regulation affect communication and relationships. With trauma and LGBTQ+ clients, I focus on creating a space where safety, respect, and identity are not assumed or questioned, but actively supported. Throughout our work, I check in about how the process is feeling and adjust as needed so therapy remains useful, grounded, and aligned with what matters most to you. Outside of therapy, I like having creative outlets and noticing small, grounding moments in everyday life. I also spend time with my dog, a Beagle, Frenchie, who has a lot of personality and a strong opinion about absolutely everything. She’s a good reminder that even in deeper work around trauma, relationships, and identity, there’s still space for humor, warmth, and moments that don’t feel so heavy.

Welcome! Please see my website or contact me for more information about my practice.

Helping you get unstuck from Anxiety, OCD and Trauma and learn to live a more fulfilled life. Are you feeling overwhelmed and stuck obsessing? There is hope and you are not alone. ERP, CBT, EMDR and Mindfulness Skills are treatment methods used to help you live a more fulfilled life. Therapy can help you get freedom over issues that are holding you back from your true potential and goals in life. With over 14 years of experience I can help and guide you to learn to break free from old patterns and negative thoughts to tune into our true resilience.

Hello, and welcome! I specialize in working with individuals, complex relationship issues (sexual dysfunction, intimacy, infidelity), and the impacts of Narcissistic Personality Disorder on relationships. I work closely with individuals struggling with different forms of mental disorders and help my clients forge a new path forward toward healing and wholeness. My passion is in therapy, and I am humbled and grateful when people invite me to play a meaningful role in their lives. I view relationships as the source of people's greatest joys and pains. I want all clients to have the experience of being treated with honesty, respect, and care. Trust in the therapeutic alliance is of the upmost importance to me, and I will always do my best to establish a setting you feel comfortable sharing your most vulnerable moments. Through passionate discussion, we can begin by making the first steps toward positive change and chart a new path of hope for your life. I believe that therapy should be emotional, creative, lively, and intense, and I promise to bring my full heart to the relationship we build.

Claudia is a dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive experience working across diverse age groups, including children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Holding both a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and a Master’s Degree in Social Welfare (MSW) from UCLA, Claudia is licensed in California and Colorado and is fluent in both English and Portuguese. Her expertise encompasses various evidence-based practices, including Family Structural Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), and Managing and Adapting Practice (MAP). Specializing in addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, adjustment disorders, relationship challenges, low self-esteem, parenting, and the stresses of daily life, Claudia is committed to fostering positive transformation in the lives of her clients. Grounded in the belief that everyone possesses unique gifts and talents, Claudia encourages her clients to tap into their potential to effect change in their lives, communities, and beyond. Embracing the mantra, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world,” Claudia guides individuals to discover and empower themselves, enabling them to craft the fulfilling life they aspire to achieve. With a profound understanding of the human condition and genuine compassion, Claudia is dedicated to supporting her clients on their journey toward self-discovery and empowerment, ultimately helping them realize their full potential.