Therapists for college students near UCLA

I’m passionate about working with children and young adults, especially those who are queer, neurodivergent, and/or Asian American. College is a major life transition, and I'm here to help ease the stress and anxiety that tends to come with it! In our work together, I will draw on play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and traditional psychotherapy approaches to best fit your treatment needs and goals. I practice from a trauma-informed, anti-carceral framework where the most important thing is that you are your own expert. I hope to foster growth in emotional regulation, self-awareness, and self-esteem so you can express yourself freely and live as you want to be seen.

I’m a therapist who values honesty, reflection, and meaningful change. I go beyond surface-level work, helping you understand the patterns, beliefs, and experiences that shape how you show up in your life. My approach is supportive yet direct. I’ll help you identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck—like perfectionism, people-pleasing, or self-criticism—while creating a space where you feel respected and not judged.

I specialize in working with children, families, couples, and individual adults of all ages, addressing a variety of issues including ADHD, behavioral disruption, developmental concerns, anxiety, trauma, depression, parenting, relationship challenges, and school/career support.

As a compassionate, board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, my commitment to enhancing patient outcomes is at the forefront of my practice. By providing a safe and nonjudgmental environment, encouraging open communication, and individualizing care aimed to fit specific and unique needs and goals; my commitment to individuals is patient-centered and genuine. I have comprehensive experience with a wide range of psychiatric disorders and believe that creating a collaborative relationship while utilizing the most up to date, evidence-based research recommendations is what will propel individuals to attain a life of fulfillment. I have experience in both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings, assisting a wide range of diverse populations across the lifespan. I have experience working with the underserved population, veterans and active duty military members. Helping others has always been deeply rooted into who I am as a person, as a mother, a wife, a friend, and now as a provider. Mental health was an area that I was initially drawn to after walking into a psychiatric hospital as an inexperienced nurse years ago. I was unsure of what to expect at the time, and to be frank; I was intimidated. What I saw walking through the hallways of this psychiatric hospital stayed with me and continued to influence the type of care, understanding, and at times companionship that I provided to individuals. What I saw was sadness in their faces, a loss of hope, limited resources and support, a lack of direction. However, it quickly became apparent that those same individuals just wanted the same things I did; fulfillment, a sense of purpose, meaningful relationships, happiness. My work in mental health is inspired by my innate need to inspire change, recovery, to instill hope, to build an alliance and assist clients who are struggling and ready to make a positive change. Mental illness is treatable and recovery is possible. I emphasize psychoeducation, ensuring that clients are well-informed to pursue treatment options that align with their priorities and goals. My philosophy is to always allow clients to make educated decisions regarding their care, communicating my professional recommendation, while still facilitating autonomy of care. All psychiatry providers at Foresight have specialized experience in treating a wide range of common mental health conditions, including but not limited to ADHD, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, depression, and PTSD. In addition, I specialize in the following areas: academic stress, benzodiazepine tapering, BIPOC mental health issues, deprescribing, holistic approaches to psychiatry, LGBTQIQ2s+ mental health, personality disorders, sexual dysfunction, addiction psychiatry/dual diagnosis, eating disorders, first responders, grief, men’s issues, sex-positive, kink allied, veterans care

I was born and raised in Montana and have a genuine passion for nature and the outdoors. I received my Bachelors in Psychology at Montana State University in 2001. I then pursued my Masters of Social Work degree and graduated in 2008 from the University of Montana. This graduate program had a focus on providing a social justice and integrated practitioner perspective. I have an eclectic style that can be tailored to each unique individual. My primary therapeutic methods include Mindfulness Based, Holistic, Exposure, Narrative, Cognitive and Behavioral, Strengths Based & Solution Focused Therapies. Amy provides a non-judgmental and compassionate environment that often helps people feel comfortable. A true passion of mine is structuring therapeutic activities for clients to express, process, increase self-awareness, and de-stress from life’s challenging and developmental experiences. My past work experiences have been in several areas. I have worked in healthcare with the geriatric population, provided school based mental health to kids from grades kindergarten through 12th grade, substance abuse counseling to college aged kids, crisis intervention with the armed forces and a private practice providing therapeutic services to a wide range of people, families and couples that include helping folks who struggle with Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders and life transitions/changes.

You're not happy.  You're not really sure when it all began, but slowly you find your life less fulfilling.  You can't find the motivation to get anything done, you're struggling to concentrate at work, and nothing interests you anymore.  It's like you're slipping into some black hole, and every day you sink just a little further. Sometimes, it's the anxiety that bothers you.  You're worried all the time, and it's making it hard just to function. You feel like you just can't take this insanity anymore. And then, this thought crosses your mind, "Maybe it would be better if I just didn't exist anymore." And this thought scares you... Imagine feeling better, enjoying your family, and getting back into living a happy and peaceful life! This craziness that you find yourself stuck in- the anxiety, the depression, the anger, the stress; you don't have to suffer from it anymore. There's a way out of the darkness and into a life that feels balanced and emotionally at peace. Let me help you find that new life. With a decade of experience & specialized training in evidence-based practices, I'm uniquely qualified to help you on this journey. For new clients, I offer a free, 15-minute phone consultation to help you decide if I'm the right fit for you. Visit my website to learn more or call me to schedule your first appointment now.

Catherine O'Brien is a licensed marriage and family therapist, author, speaker, educator and college professor. She has dedicated her life's work to helping new and expecting parents navigate the challenges of parenthood. As a mother of two children, Catherine understands the overwhelming nature of parenting and wants to help couples thrive during this transition instead of just surviving. She founded HappyWithBaby.com to provide counseling and coaching services for new parents and offers courses to help parents manage expectations of parenthood and understand the developmental milestones of infants and children. As a college professor, Catherine's perspective on parents' challenges while juggling multiple responsibilities is unique and valuable. Her life's work is about enabling parents to look at their own lives with the same compassion and unconditional love they generously give to their families. Take advantage of the counseling, coaching, and courses that Catherine offers. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience that can help you navigate the challenges of parenthood while also pursuing your academic goals.

We are a team of highly specialized clinicians who offer in-depth, psychological services in a safe & comfortable setting. We accept many insurances, offer sliding fee scale, evening/weekend availability, & have both in-person sessions, as well as Telehealth appointments. Please visit our website for more information: DrSawires.com.

My ideal client is someone that’s ready to delve deeper. This person may be struggling to get out of bed or may be overwhelmed by their thoughts. Perhaps these habits impact their motivation or energy levels. This person may notice that their self-doubt interferes with their goals and overall meaning in life. My specialties include depression, and anxiety. My goal is to create a safe and non-judgmental space so that you can learn to cope with difficult feelings, and develop a sense of confidence in yourself. I have successfully worked with athletes and their performance anxiety. One of my favorite parts about working with clients is seeing their own resilience, their ability to witness their own capabilities. It's meaningful to work alongside my clients and to provide them with the skills to work through whatever challenges come their way. If you feel as though my approach fits with you, I'd love to chat over the phone. My therapeutic approach is psychodynamic and relational, meaning that my focus is not on symptom-reduction. Instead, our work together is long-term, delving deeper into childhood wounds and how these present themselves today. This work might take two to three years. Of course, this may vary from individual to individual. Because psychotherapy is based on trust, meeting on a weekly-basis is key. I am excited that you are open to making this commitment to yourself and to the therapeutic process. Groups Offered: Setting Boundaries With Others, Mindfulness For Those Who Are Skeptical About Meditation, Identifying & Expressing Emotions.

Navigating the wild ride of your 20s? I feel you. College throws all sorts of challenges our way, right? The anxiety, stress, and those moments where it feels like life is one big question mark. Well, guess what? You're not alone in this journey. Imagine a space where you can kick back, share your thoughts, and not worry about judgment. That's what our therapy sessions are all about. We get that being in your 20s isn't all Insta-worthy moments. Sometimes, it's about figuring out who you are, dealing with the adulting stuff, and handling emotions that seem to come out of nowhere. So, let's make this journey a bit more manageable. In our sessions, we'll dive into the messiness together, finding clarity, resilience, and maybe even a bit of humor along the way. Because your 20s are a ride, and you deserve a co-pilot. Ready to chat? Cheers to navigating the chaos!

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.

I am a Harvard-trained, Harvard-affiliated, board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist. I strongly believe that the best psychiatric care is centered on the whole person, not just on a diagnosis or a specific medication. I provide weekly therapy and work with patients to determine if medications can be of help. I do not believe that everyone needs a medication, but they can be useful in treating particular psychiatric symptoms; I will work with you in order to find the best treatment modality that meets your goals and needs. My training in psychotherapy includes psychodynamic psychotherapy, play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), Exposure/Response Prevention (Ex/RP) and Prolonged Exposure (PE). I provide psychotherapy for children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. In order to offer comprehensive treatment, I do not accept insurance in my private practice. I am currently conducting sessions via telemedicine only. Please feel free to send me an email to set up a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation so I can answer any questions and see if I can be of help.

Since I could remember, I knew that I wanted to be in a field that would give me the opportunity to help others. I chose to be a psychology major for many reasons but one of them is because I found psychology very interesting and fascinating. I also discover that being genuinely interested in people, wanting to help and having the ability to easily connect with others were strengths that would help me in my journey of being able to help others. I have a passion for helping clients enhance their personal strengths, develop coping skills for them to thrive during difficult times, life transitions and needed change. One of the most important thing for me as a therapist is on providing a safe environment to my clients. I do it by being genuine, empathetic and compassionate. I also use actively listening to really understand the client’s perspective on their situations, and also what they want out of treatment. One question that I found important is to ask my client about their previous experiences in therapy and what was something that they did not like or liked in order to understand more what they might need from out therapeutic relationship. I like working collaboratively with my clients to build healthier relationships with themselves and others. I truly believe that people are the experts of their lives. Using compassion, active listening, kindness and a collaborative approach has helped my clients feel safer in our sessions while working together. When leaving our sessions, clients will have a roadmap for their healing and personal development journey. Through out our work together, clients will feel empower, motivate and hopeful that they can improve and achieve their treatment goals.

Congratulations in starting this journey! Initially reaching out for support is often one of the most challenging steps of treatment. I love working with clients who have found the courage to take on that first obstacle and started looking for help. I believe in people where they are at in terms of their emotional lives and working to guide them where they want to be. I love working with people who are willing to put in effort to reduce their own suffering and lead a more authentic life.

If you are sensitive, creative, trying to do it all for yourself and for others, but lonely and stuck about how to resolve the paradox, my practice is for you. Does the following sound familiar? "I will just do everything myself. I can want others, but I mustn’t truly need them…or upset them.” I do my best work with those who can want deeper human contacts in life but who feel uncertainty or conflict about opening up fully and about serving themselves. Your gifts might include: sensory, aesthetic, and emotional sensitivity, intellectual curiosity, desire for fairness and justice, creative and spiritual / philosophical interests, teaching / writing, having ideals, enthusiasm (when interested), and a good first impression (when you feel safe and well). Still, you may have slipped into people-pleasing, social anxiety or reluctance, uncertainty about dependency and safety, disappointed or resentful exhaustion, under-assertion, quiet envy / jealousy, variable or confused boundaries, withdrawal after setbacks, perfectionism, procrastination, or unexplained body symptoms If the above sounds like what you have been feeling and trying to cope with, get in touch with me for some knowledgeable, understanding help in a safe-yet-engaging environment. I am patient, intently listening, insightful about subtleties, and gently persistent. I have faith you can develop a healthy interdependence with life and others. I am here to hang in with you as you make the time to digest help and faith and then make some new moves. It will be worth it!

Hello, I’m Tessa! I believe that everyone's stories should be heard, their experiences valued, and their strengths recognized. My goal is to create a space where my clients feels safe, understood, and trusted. As a biracial Latinx cisgender woman from a large blended family, my own background influences my approach to therapy. I’ve had the privilege of working with students, parents and families from diverse backgrounds in private practice, community mental health, and school settings. Together, we can navigate challenges related to relationships, family dynamics, life transitions, trauma, loss, identity work, anxiety and depression. Our therapeutic relationship may sometimes look like laughter and smiles, and other times look like facing difficult feelings, delving into your beliefs shaped by cultural and relationships, while honoring your strengths and values that make you, YOU! As your ally and collaborator, I will meet you with compassion, acceptance and empowerment, wherever you are in your journey. We will work together to closely connect you to your goals and preferred sense of self. If you’re interested in working together, please feel free to reach out.

mindfulSF supports students, teens, young adults, couples, and professionals in building resilience, navigating life transitions, and strengthening their mental well-being so they can thrive academically, professionally, and personally. We offer individual therapy and couples counseling both in person and online throughout California. Our clinicians use evidence-based treatment approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness, and Self-Compassion practices. Our areas of focus include OCD, ADHD, autism, generalized and social anxiety, phobias, panic disorder, body-focused repetitive behaviors, depression, trauma, life and work stress, and parenting and postpartum concerns. We are a queer woman–owned practice committed to providing culturally responsive, inclusive care, with a special dedication to serving BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals. We embrace and celebrate multicultural diversity and intersectional identities, and strive to create a space where clients feel respected, affirmed, and understood. mindfulSF is a private pay practice with session fees beginning at $200, varying by clinician. If mindfulSF sounds like it may be a good fit, we invite you to visit our website to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with our intake coordinator to learn more about our services. You can also learn more about our therapists at mindfulSF.com.

For first-generation college graduates, imposter syndrome doesn’t just come from internal self-doubt. It’s inherited. It’s cultural. It’s systemic. TO SCHEDULE A FREE 15 MINUTE CONSULTATION VISIT: https://blackwomantherapist.me/request-a-consultation-1 You worked hard to “make it”—but deep down, part of you still feels like you arrived somewhere your nervous system was never taught to fully belong.When you’re the first in your family to move through colleges, graduate programs, and other institutional spaces that were unfamiliar to those who raised you, the pressure rarely stays confined to earning the degree. THERAPY CAN HELP: Together, we’ll quiet the doubt So you can feel at home in your own success. Through relational-cultural therapy and nervous system-based care (such as Brainspotting), we will work together to shift you from a place of persistent self-doubt to deep, grounded self-trust. Using a culturally responsive lens, I help first-gens move from harsh self-criticism to authentic self-compassion—providing a space where you never have to explain or defend your lived experience. TO SCHEDULE A FREE 15 MINUTE CONSULTATION VISIT: https://blackwomantherapist.me/request-a-consultation-1

Do you often feel unheard, unseen, or unimportant within your relationships? Maybe you identify as hyper-independent or a people-pleaser, finding it hard to prioritize your own needs and often overthinking interactions. These patterns can feel isolating and deeply anxiety-provoking, and they often have roots in complex trauma, such as childhood abuse or growing up in environments where emotional needs were minimized or unmet. Perhaps you already “logically” connected these dots, yet you still feel stuck. That’s because complex trauma lives in the body and nervous system, not just the logical brain. I specialize in trauma-processing therapy, including EMDR, to help you safely process traumatic experiences and release the emotional burdens that come with them. I also integrate Narrative Therapy to help you reconnect with a sense of identity that reflects your true values, voice, and strengths. Therapy with me feels collaborative, safe, meaningful, and relieving. As a fourth-generation Japanese American therapist, I understand how cultural expectations around family, responsibility, and respect can make healing feel complicated. I help clients explore ways to preserve their emotional well-being, while still honoring the relationships and values that matter most to them. If you’re ready to break old patterns, feel more confident in yourself, and strengthen your relationships, I hear you and I see you. You don’t have to navigate these challenges alone.

I worked in the field as a mental health RN for 13 years before continuing my education to become a PMHNP. I believe that mental health plays a significant role in a person’s overall well-being including physical health, emotional health, and ability to navigate life’s often challenging hurdles that many silently face. I aspire to continue offering hope and support to anyone seeking to improve their overall well-being using the most up-to-date traditional and holistic practices tailored to meet my client’s needs. My core philosophy is based on a humanistic approach, which focuses on finding each person’s unique potential and ability to overcome their difficulties through positive personal growth. I use this patient-centered approach to help my clients meet their individual goals by empowering them to focus on their strengths rather than shortcomings. I also encourage my clients to participate in therapy and lifestyle modifications in conjunction with medication management as this has proven to be the most effective method to long-term stability. I work closely with each client to ensure they can access any helpful resources that may benefit their treatment. I use a patient-centered care approach to help my patients meet their individual goals by empowering them to focus on their strengths rather than shortcomings. All psychiatry providers at Foresight have specialized experience in treating a wide range of common mental health conditions, including but not limited to ADHD, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, depression, and PTSD. In addition, I specialize in the following areas: academic stress, benzodiazepine tapering, CBT-I, holistic approaches to psychiatry, trauma-informed care, eating disorders, first responders, women’s issues (PMDD, PCOS, perimenopause, menopause, etc.)