Therapists for college students near San Francisco State University

I’ve always cared deeply about people, especially those who feel misunderstood or overlooked. Growing up, I saw how much it meant when someone took the time to listen without judgment. That stuck with me. Over time, I realized I wanted to be that kind of support for others, someone who helps people feel safe, heard, and valued. Becoming a therapist felt like the most natural path for me, and it’s a privilege to walk alongside people as they navigate life’s challenges and reconnect with their inner strength. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe and free to be yourself. I’ll listen not just to what you say, but also to the feelings and experiences behind your words. I want to understand what truly matters to you, and I’ll check in often to make sure I’m hearing you the way you want to be heard. This space is yours, as we work through what’s most meaningful to you. Building trust is a process that occurs over time, and I view it as a two-way interaction. In our work together, I’ll show up consistently, be honest with you, and create a space where you can speak freely without fear of being judged. I’ll go at your pace, and we’ll talk about what feels helpful to you. I’ll also ensure our work feels safe and supportive. I want you to feel heard, respected, and genuinely understood as we work together toward your therapy goals.

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As a mental health provider, I am driven to provide quality care for patients. I hope my previous knowledge and experience, along with my desire to learn and grow, can help people meet their treatment goals. I enjoy meeting clients where they are in life, building rapport, and providing support. I hope to help patients bolster insight and awareness along with skills building “homework” to help enhance the therapeutic experience. My main approaches derive from DBT, CBT, and psychodynamic theories. I enjoy working with many populations and communities. My background working with active-duty, veterans, lgbtq+, children, couples, families, and individuals has provided me with a variety of experience. I am a transracial adoptee who lived in several countries growing up, which helped formulate some of my life views and goals. I have thoroughly enjoyed engaging in and reflecting on experiences with adoptees. I have thoroughly enjoyed every organization that I have worked for because they have all helped me learn and grow. Words cannot describe the joy and admiration I feel toward our active-duty servicemembers and veterans. I am forever grateful that I was able to provide services on a military base and out at sea. Individuals, couples, children, and families have helped me gain insight and awareness into different systems. I respect and appreciate every patient and wish everyone successful treatment.

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.

Asking for help is a sign of strength and therapy is one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself. Whether you are going through a life transition, experiencing relationship difficulties, struggling with low self-esteem, overwhelmed with day-to-day life, or just needing a place to talk to someone who will listen, I am here for you. I am a licensed clinical social worker with over 11 years of experience who has helped many students just like you deal with the ups and downs of college life. My specialties include grief and loss, relationship issues, depression, and anxiety. Eclectic in approach, I use a range of treatment modalities. My focus is on creating an authentic connection based on compassion and understanding. I am available for evening and weekend appointments and offer a 30-minute consultation to see if we are a good fit for each other. Finding the right therapist is a very important decision, I look forward to hearing from you and seeing if I can help.

Starting college can feel exciting—but also overwhelming. Many students I work with struggle with the transition to greater independence, academic pressures, and the challenge of building new friendships and relationships. It’s common to feel anxious, down, or unsure of how to balance it all. In our sessions, I create a supportive space where you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Together, we’ll work on understanding and managing stress, easing anxiety and depression, and navigating the ups and downs of college life. Whether it’s handling the workload, dealing with homesickness, or managing new romantic and social experiences, my goal is to help you feel grounded, confident, and better equipped for this chapter in your life.

My ideal client struggles with low self-esteem, self-doubt, and negative self-talk, often rooted in past experiences. These internal blocks keep them from reaching their potential in personal, professional, or creative areas. They deeply desire to feel empowered, build confidence, and take meaningful action toward their goals. They seek support to overcome limiting beliefs, develop resilience, and create a life they feel proud of—one where they trust themselves and feel in control.

Hi there! My name is Marisa and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT 136357) based in San Diego, California. I offer individual mental health therapy to folks in their 20s navigating relationship challenges such as relationship anxiety, people-pleasing, self-doubt, breakups, and anxious attachment. Relationships can be complex. Whether you are looking for support with managing feelings about your family or romantic relationships, setting boundaries, addressing your people pleasing behaviors, or navigating new independence, I'm here to support! It is my hope that I can provide you with a safe space to be heard, navigate these emotions and challenges, and feel empowered both independently and within your relationships. My approach to therapy is an encouraging, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive approach blended with humor and creativity that ideally allows space for you to explore emotions, feel encouraged, and develop new insights. In my free time, I enjoy running along the beach at sunrise or sunset, having a cozy day in, spontaneous picnics in the park, and am currently on the hunt for the best matcha latte in San Diego! You're welcome to reach out for a free 15 minute call to see if we're a good fit. I look forward to hearing from you!

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from the University of Washington. With years of experience in outpatient and residential mental health settings, I specialize in medication management and psychotherapy for individuals across the lifespan. I have a strong background in treating substance use disorders, implementing Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), and leading innovative programs such as ketamine therapy. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and rooted in evidence-based care, aiming to empower patients on their mental health journey. I am passionate about breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and helping individuals lead fulfilling lives. My experience in inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care has reinforced my belief in the power of comprehensive, patient-centered treatment. I am especially inspired by the resilience of my patients and the opportunity to provide them with support, tools, and interventions that improve their well-being. I take a holistic and individualized approach, considering each patient’s unique needs, background, and goals. I engage in shared decision-making, providing education about treatment options and working collaboratively to develop a plan that aligns with their values. I integrate medication management with supportive psychotherapy and lifestyle modifications to ensure well-rounded care.

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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.

I'm so glad you're here! I’m a clinical therapist in California, where I help women like you cultivate confidence and become the best version of yourself. I primarily work with young women who are struggling with: overwhelming worry, sadness, people pleasing, feeling unlovable or like you're not enough, the pattern of being attracted to emotionally unavailable people, or challenges related to relationships or family. I also have specialized clinical training in treating complex trauma, grief or loss, and sexual abuse. In our initial sessions, you can expect a warm, supportive exploration of your story, where we’ll build trust and collaborate on a healing plan that's tailored to your particular needs and goals. By combining evidence-based therapy practices with creativity, intuition, and a little humor, we'll shift the patterns holding you back so you can experience the kind of life and relationships you've always dreamed about. I know it can be a challenging process to find a new therapist, but I am here to support you and make it as easy as possible. You can reach out today for a free 15-minute consultation by emailing me or clicking on my website link to schedule. If for any reason I'm not the right fit for you, I'll help you find someone wonderful who is because I want you to receive the best possible care.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I have been working with CU Grad and Undergrad students since 2019 and have really enjoyed my work. I specialize in trauma recovery work (Somatic Experiencing) and am PACT trained Couples Counselor as well. Please have a look at my website for more info: trinarbrown.com. Please feel free to contact me by phone or email. Prices for couples work are different than individual. Please let me know if you are interested.

My journey to becoming a psychotherapist began when I was thirteen years old. I remember listening to my radio every night just as I was falling asleep. It wasn’t music I was listening to, but a psychologist who ran a call-in talk program. Troubled listeners would call in seeking the good doctor’s advice and in just a few minutes time, they were soon at ease by her reassuring words. I thought, “What a wonderful job that must be; to help so many people in feeling heard and connected with a caring human being. I’d like to do that too!” The same issues that plagued those callers are still around today; feeling alone, confused, different, unloved, a sense of hopelessness. The list goes on. What inspires me to work in mental health care is my desire to help make the lives of others much easier, less burdened, more worth living. To make certain that my clients feel accurately heard and understood, I check in with them often throughout our sessions. This can be done by sharing with them what I think I heard them say and then by checking in with them to make sure this is fairly accurate or if I was off the mark. I learned long ago that if I don’t get it quite right, my client’s are quick to correct me! This is usually a positive. If I get it wrong and seek clarification, it’s my hope that I convey my genuine interest in my client’s experience and that they are worth the extra effort to be understood. Trust and a strong therapeutic alliance between client and therapist are two aspects of therapy I find to be essential for meaningful work to take place. I do this by starting and ending sessions at our agreed upon time, curating a mutually agreed upon treatment plan and perhaps most of all, relating with all of my clients as my equals. I see ours as a dimly lit journey we’re walking together. Our only difference is, I am carrying the lantern helping us to see ahead. When appropriate, I’ve even been known to share a personal story involving myself if that story will help drive home a particular point.

You Don’t Have to Navigate College Alone College can be an exciting time of growth and possibility, but it can also bring unexpected stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and major life transitions. Sometimes, the experience of adjusting to college can feel even more complicated when you’re balancing the expectations and values of your culture, family, and community with the person you’re becoming. I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who specializes in supporting individuals through life transitions, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. I understand that college is more than academics—it can be a time of figuring out who you are, where you belong, and how to create a life that feels authentic to you. My approach is collaborative, culturally responsive, and centered on you. I meet clients where they are and create a space where you can explore your experiences without judgment. Together, we can identify what matters to you, understand the experiences that may be affecting you, and work toward goals that you choose. Whether you’re struggling to adjust to college, feeling overwhelmed by expectations, navigating your cultural identity, coping with past experiences, or simply feeling stuck, therapy can be a space to slow down, make sense of what you’re experiencing, and reconnect with your sense of agency. You don’t have to have everything figured out before reaching out. Therapy can be a place to start.

California Prime Recovery is a substance use and mental health PHP/IOP/OP located in Orange County, CA. We offer in-person and virtual group and individual therapy, psychiatry and case management. Hours range from 6 hours per day to 1 hour per day, depending on the needs of the individual.

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.

We specialize in emerging adulthood because this developmental stage requires specific clinical expertise. You're constructing an adult identity, which means the strategies that worked in your family or in school often need updating. The ways you learned to get love, stay safe, or earn approval show up in adult relationships and sometimes constrain you in ways you can see but can't shift alone. Our therapists work psychodynamically to help you understand patterns you didn't consciously choose. We use EMDR to process past experiences that still shape your present, teach DBT skills for managing intense emotions, and apply attachment theory to understand how early relationships become blueprints for later ones. We understand the psychological tasks specific to this stage: becoming your own person while maintaining meaningful relationships, building intimacy based on reality rather than fantasy, tolerating the uncertainty inherent in creating an adult life, and developing a sense of self that can hold complexity. The therapeutic relationship becomes a space where patterns can surface, be examined, and eventually change. You get to practice being yourself without the adaptations you've relied on to get by.

We are here to help you cope through stressors of social life, academic pressures, adjusting to new place and culture, anxiety of majors, careers, peer pressures, sexual identity and feeling lost and lonely. You really do not have to do this alone.