Therapists for college students near UCLA

I was inspired to become a therapist as a young child, with the value of wanting to help others. Early in my career I had many mentors who encouraged me to become a therapist, they believed in me. In some moment, I realized I wanted to help people believe in themselves and to see their own possibilities. Validation is one of the most important tools I value as a therapist and as a person. I use the phrase, validate the other person’s reality that may be different from your own. I teach clients to self validate, to know what you experienced is true and real. I value the process of creating this safe space where one can see themselves just as they are. I ask for feedback to see if how I respond through validation fits for the client, if they felt heard and validated. My first response is over time. I think trust is built with consistency. I tend to follow a consistent pattern in session, I try to have a beginning, middle and end to every session. The beginning can be more of a welcoming and social experience. The middle can be sharing and revealing the deeper part of a person and what they are going through. This can feel emotional and intense at times. The end, is closure. I will help a client have some closure at the end of every session. I talk to the client about next steps, how will you spend the time after the session, and confirm when we will meet next.

As a couple and family therapist, I have a strong conviction in the healing power of healthy relationships.  Connecting to your authentic self and fostering wellness in all relationships in your life is a primary focus of my work.  I provide individual, couple and family psychotherapy for youth and adults of all family and relationship constellations. My holistic approach incorporates body, mind and spirit to help you create your full personal and relational potential.  In my practice, I utilize psychotherapy, EMDR, somatic awareness, meditation and mindfulness practices, movement, and other modalities to facilitate the growth and change you seek.  I would be honored to support you on your journey.

I was inspired by my mother who was always there for me. She spent time talking, guiding, supporting, encouraging, and nurturing me. She helped me get through difficult times in my life. She was a positive role model and cared and guided others. I know how one person can make a drastic difference in someone’s life. I have always wanted to help others and that is why I went into a helping profession. I am a good listener and utilize empathy. I validate your life experience and understand how that may impact your life. My goal is to help you feel understood and guide you on how to understand your thoughts and behaviors so you can make changes to improve your life. I like to start where the client is. I collaborate with client on identifying treatment goals that they want to work on. Respect, open communication, and self-determination is important in building trust in relationships. My goal is to help you feel safe, heard, and understood.

Being able to help others learn how to thrive, not just survive, in their lives and find fulfilment are just a few of the reasons I love my job! Change can feel like hard work and I‘m honored to be able to help make change more accessible to those wanting to grow into their potential. I strive to provide a safe place to empower and encourage members in finding and growing into your best you. My techniques are highly strength-based and I use collaboration with members to reach their goals. You are the expert of you and I am here to help you build awareness and skills that fit for you and your needs. I specialize in an eclectic mode of therapy which means I like to create a session that is unique to you, your needs, and your goals. I use evidence-based skills and practices from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Humanistic or Person-Centered Therapy. I am a believer in the holistic treatment of the mind-body-spirit connection and a strong advocate for self-care and awareness. I work with individual adults with many experiences and life circumstances such as medical or chronic health and pain issues, burnout (work or personal), ethical non-monogamous relationships, and much more.

Anxiety is taking up more space in your life than you’d like. On the outside, things look successful—people rely on you, and you generally handle what’s in front of you. But internally, it can feel very different. Your mind replays conversations late at night. You hold yourself to impossibly high standards. That critical inner voice is quick to point out what you should have done better. Even when you accomplish something meaningful, it rarely feels like enough. You may be someone who was labeled “gifted” or high-achieving early on. You’re thoughtful, capable, and used to performing well under pressure. Yet the constant drive to get it right can leave you exhausted. You might notice tension in your body that never quite goes away, difficulty truly relaxing, or moments when your reactions feel stronger than they should. You understand your patterns—you may have even done therapy before—but insight alone hasn’t fully created the change you’re looking for. In our work together, we move beyond simply talking about the problem. I integrate EMDR and somatic-informed approaches to help your nervous system process experiences that may still be driving anxiety, perfectionism, or emotional intensity beneath the surface. When the body has a chance to settle, the mind often follows. Therapy becomes less about “figuring it out” and more about creating meaningful, embodied change. Our sessions are collaborative, focused, and respectful of your time and intelligence. I provide a calm, professional space where you can slow down without losing momentum. Together, we clarify what matters most to you and work toward a life that feels grounded, balanced, and genuinely fulfilling—not just successful on paper. If you’re ready for therapy that goes deeper than insight alone and supports lasting change, I’d be glad to connect. I invite you to schedule a free consultation through my website.

I find inspiration in helping others that are struggling with mental health problems. My clients have my attention, support, and feel heard and validated. I also collaborate with them to address their problems or distress. As a registered therapist, I strive to meet the client where they are at in life and help them move forward in their individual goals. I work with people from all age groups, religious and cultural backgrounds, states of life (pregnancy), and the LGBTQ population. I have experience working with individuals suffering from a wide range of mental health disorders, grief and loss, trauma symptomatology, medical conditions, and dual diagnoses. I have a passion for reaching out, connecting and relieving mental suffering. I have specialized training working in the following areas: CBT, DBT, Clinical Sexology training in Florida, and TRAUMA training in SEP (Somatic Experiencing Practitioner), EMDR. I have worked with couples using the Gottman method, attachment issues and communication skills. My PhD is in international psychology and I enjoy working with people from all backgrounds.

We are a group of Psychotherapists who provide treatment for an extensive range of mental and emotional disorders using psychological techniques aimed to improve a person’s overall psyche. We work with adults of all ages, adolescents and children as young as four. All of our Psychotherapists are Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists with extensive training in counseling psychology.

Balancing the intense pressures of university life, personal growth, and relationships can easily leave you feeling overwhelmed, self-critical, or emotionally stuck. I provide a collaborative, secure, and entirely non-judgmental virtual space designed to help students and young adults step out of old, survival-mode loops and restore internal harmony. My approach combines the deep, transformative framework of Internal Family Systems (IFS) with the practical, everyday tools of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Instead of just analyzing what is wrong, we work together to understand the different 'parts' of who you are—like the inner critic that drives anxiety, or the defensive patterns that complicate relationships. I also specialize in relational work for couples looking to build safe, vulnerable communication. Whether you are managing difficult life transitions, coping with academic burn-out, or exploring issues of identity and belonging, our work will be practical, compassionate, and tailored to your unique history. Fully bilingual services are proudly available in both English and Spanish (Ofrezco psicoterapia en español). To view my real-time openings or instantly schedule an initial insurance consultation via Headway, please click the link to visit my website.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I offer individual therapy for people recovering from unhealthy relationships and interpersonal trauma. I also provide gender affirming therapy and WPATH letters for gender affirming surgeries. I create a supportive space in which you can feel seen, understood, and accepted, and in which your lived experience and your values are centered. I offer in-person therapy sessions in Portland, Oregon, and telehealth sessions throughout California and Oregon. I admire the bravery it takes to begin therapy. For those of us who have been harmed in relationships, it takes time to build trust. Together, we'll decide on a pace and process that feels safe and supportive. Visit flourishauthentically.com for more info and to request a free 15-minute call so you can decide if I'm the best fit for your healing journey. My experience and how I work: My work has been dedicated to serving survivors of unhealthy relationships and interpersonal trauma (e.g. intimate partner violence, sexual assault, community violence, immigration trauma, intergenerational trauma, and systemic and historical oppression). I’ve specialized in supporting people living with HIV/AIDS, complex health issues, chronic pain, and substance use in relationship to trauma. I’ve worked extensively with gender-expansive (Transgender, Gender Nonconforming, Genderqueer, etc.) clients and provided WPATH assessments/letters for gender affirming surgeries. I am a compassionate, experienced, and affirming therapist, working from a feminist and liberatory framework. I identify as a white, queer, cisgender able-bodied woman with lived experience relevant to my work. I think about identity, suffering, and healing in the context of the oppressive systems that impact peoples’ lives (e.g. patriarchy, white supremacy, homophobia, transphobia, racism, xenophobia, fatphobia, ableism, etc.), and understand that healing ourselves in turn benefits our loved ones and communities. I create a supportive space in which you can feel seen, understood, believed, and in which your lived experience and your values are centered. I am aware of the power dynamics that exist in a therapeutic relationship, especially when our identities differ, and welcome this often-avoided issue into the room. No need to perform or edit yourself. This is a chance to show up as your full brave self.

College students are going through transitional times in their lives. They are learning how to navigate life on their own while balancing new responsibilities, changes in relationships, and the building of their adult identities. Many find themselves feeling anxious, depressed, stuck, or lost when unforeseen challenges come their way, their life expectations aren’t met, or childhood wounds become harder to ignore. I support clients with coping with current life stressors, overcoming perfectionism and people-pleasing, and processing grief and trauma from the past.

College is often a time of growth and change. Some days feel fun and exciting while at other times you may feel lonely and overwhelmed. Students are adjusting to living with roommates and trying to balance studies with socializing. Homesickness is common, as are sadness, stress, and sleep disturbances. College often allows young people to embrace their true selves and start anew. Please join me in a therapeutic, non-judgmental space to explore and process your feelings as you navigate this important time in your life. No topic is off-limits. I enjoy and feel privileged to work with this population and welcome the opportunity to connect soon.

What inspired me to become a therapist was my own personal experience with therapy as a young child. I wanted to help other people with their journey to become mentally healthy, mindful, and self-aware for a new lifestyle that is encouraging and fulfilling to them. My goal is to create a safe space for clients during sessions by being an observant, nonjudgmental, and an empathetic therapist. My philosophy is “Aim Small to Hit Big”, which means to be present in the moment and set small attainable goals for yourself to build upon your successes and celebrate accomplishments one goal at a time.

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.

We support college and graduate students navigating stress, anxiety, mood concerns, burnout, and major life transitions. Our clinician-led team offers compassionate, evidence-based mental health care in a collaborative and nonjudgmental space, helping students build coping skills, resilience, and confidence as they balance academics, relationships, and personal growth.

Other than helping others create change and learn to love themselves because they deserve to, I want to help others understand themselves on a deeper level. In my professional experience, I see how much clarity and knowledge about ourselves can foster our relationships within ourselves and with others. I ensure that my client feel heard and understood by providing an affirming, open minded, and empathetic approach. I find it important to actively listen to my clients and paraphrase or summarize what they had said to make sure I heard them right. I create a non-judgmental and encouraging space that allows for my clients to open up and express themselves authentically.

I enjoy working collaboratively to develop goals that are realistic, meaningful, and lead to positive change. I view therapy as a journey—one that helps you find steadier footing and supports you as you move along your unique path. Although much of my background has been in public service settings working with severe mental illness, acute crises, and trauma, I welcome concerns of any size. No problem is too small or too overwhelming to bring into therapy. I invite you to give the therapy process a chance to work for you! I have been in the behavioral health field for more than 30 years and have been licensed since 2012. I have a practical, down-to-Earth style with an open-minded, solution focused approach. There is likely no issue too complicated or difficult for me to work with. I like to establish a clear treatment path with attainable goals, making it easier for you. I encourage you to give the therapy process a chance to work for you. My goal is to offer steady support and thoughtful guidance as you discover a healing path that truly fits your life. While life can be challenging, you don’t have to navigate it alone—therapy can provide a safe space to find clarity, resilience, and hope.

We are Waves, a trans and queer centered group practice. We offer trauma informed and anti-racist, EMDR, yoga therapy, and talk therapy to support our clients, ages 11 and up with a special focus on college and graduate students. We are a neurodivergent - affirming practice. After all, our founder, that's me, Abi, is an ADHDer. Abi Weissman, Psy.D. (they/she) is a psychologist and a Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist who is back in school to further her yoga therapy skills. They focuses on EMDR and yoga therapy, helping clients understand themselves and find their joy in their fabulousness. Abi has a special focus on ADHD, queer and trans-ness, and Judaism. Camilla Williams, Ph.D., (she, her, hers) psychologist, is a whiz with college students, having worked in a college counseling center for many years and teaching at a post-bac psychology program (outside of her work at Waves). She is also a first generation college student herself. She is fluent in ASL and is a CODA (adult child of a Deaf adult). Plus, she's just awesome and easy to communicate with.

I work with adults and couples experiencing anxiety, depression, burnout, trauma, PTSD, self-esteem challenges, and relationship difficulties. I am especially passionate about supporting first-generation individuals and high-achieving clients who feel pressure to meet family, cultural, academic, or professional expectations while trying to stay connected to themselves. I welcome clients from all backgrounds and create a space where your experiences, values, and identity are genuinely respected and understood.

Cyti Psychological means Care You Trust In. We are an innovative group of therapists who provide tele-health and in-person therapy services offering individual, couples and family therapy. We have hundreds of licensed therapists across California, Oregon and Washington State who provide traditional outpatient therapy to all ages, 5 and over. We can serve a wide variety of clients with mild – moderate mental health symptoms and we are continuously calibrating our capacity, which allows our therapists to see clients within days, as opposed to weeks or months of your request. Our specialties include, but are not limited to, EMDR, DBT-informed care, ADHD, LGBTQ+ Affirming Care, Eating Disorders, Marriage/Couples Counseling, Teens, Trauma (PTSD), Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Family/Parenting, Substance Use Disorders, Sleep disorders / Insomnia, and First Responders. Cyti Psychological partners with health plans to make therapy affordable and accessible for all and we pride ourselves on being a traditional model with innovative access. Our website, www.CytiClinics.com allows clients to browse through a variety of therapists with various specialties, schedule an appointment directly from the website or complete a form to allow our team to match them to the right therapist for them. You can get started with your first appointment anytime, anywhere. Our Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Goals We work hard to establish a diverse and inclusive group practice with therapists who deliver culturally sensitive therapy offering services in 15 languages. We offer a space that welcomes individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or ability. We also work to eliminate discrimination and bias in all aspects of our services, including, but not limited to assessment, treatment planning and therapeutic interventions. Cyti Psychological proudly promotes and offers cultural competence training, consultations, and workshops for all of our therapists.