Therapists for college students near San Diego State University

Viva is a multi-state mental health practice with a focus on holistic treatment. We believe health looks different on everyone and work closely with clients to develop therapy sessions that work for them and their individual needs. We take a social justice and culturally competent approach to therapy and provide inclusive, accessible sessions with affordable fees.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

“What’s next?” is often a question we ask ourselves when we feel stuck, lost, disconnected, grieving, or navigating life’s changes. I am here to help you explore those uncertain and unfamiliar places. My goal is to create a safe, calm, and compassionate space where you feel truly seen and heard, so you can move forward in your personal growth journey. Healing can feel scary and uncertain, an it can also be deeply empowering and rewarding. You don’t have to do it alone. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with years of experience in mental health and child development. I have worked with children, adolescents, adults, and families, supporting them in their journey toward healing and empowerment.

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!

Hey! I’m Afshin — pronounced “of-sheen,” like the glimmer in your eye when you realize you're allowed to feel your feelings and still be funny about it. Looking for someone who’s real, queer, neurodivergent-friendly, and actually shows up in the room with you? I’m really glad you’re here. I work with new parents running on crumbs and caffeine, teens navigating identity and pressure, young adults facing messy transitions, and LGBTQIA+ folks tired of translating their experience for people who just don’t get it. I pull from Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic, DBT, CBT, and Solution-Focused approaches — but mostly, I bring curiosity, honesty, humor, and a human-first vibe. I don’t believe in “one-size-fits-all” healing. Some weeks we’re untangling trauma; other weeks, we’re celebrating tiny wins — like eating a real meal or setting a boundary without the shame. My core values? Radical kindness, transparency, and the belief that being “too much” is a damn superpower. If you’re craving therapy that feels like a mix between a grounding conversation and a gentle push toward who you actually want to be — let’s talk. I’m here when you’re ready.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I work best with the misfits: geeks & nerds, punks, skaters, artists, musicians, writers, and activists. . . those who "rage against the dying of the light." My area of expertise consists in helping with difficulties in social relationships. Such difficulties include finding and sustaining healthy intimacy, healing from a painful break-up or divorce, school-related problems, recovering from major loss, and growing up in difficult circumstances. I am particularly suited to helping those who have cultivated their intellects and creativity but would now like to develop a greater awareness of their emotional world. Psychoanalytic thought informs my approach, but I'm far from being the silent, blank therapist. I think the psychoanalytic tradition provides the richest and most sophisticated exploration of how we love, work, and play.

The challenges and struggles we face in life can leave us feeling helpless and hopeless. Perhaps you’re overwhelmed with responsibilities. You might be taking care of other people and neglecting yourself. Or you might be struggling hard to make an important relationship work. You’ve tried more traditional kinds of self-help or therapy, and you’re ready for a different kind of therapy which integrates the mind, body and spirit.

I specialize in general, integrative, and functional psychiatry with medication and non-medication healing recommendations for anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, and much more. Client-centered care is my top priority. I believe in a holistic view and collaborative approach to mental healthcare. Every client is approached thoroughly to determine the best care. I value integrative and complementary therapies and will offer these options alongside medication when needed or desired by the client. I am nationally board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). I am licensed to practice as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). I am committed to providing you with the care you deserve.

I specialize in supporting young adults through life transitions—starting college, changing careers, managing relationships, becoming a parent, or navigating new independence. Your twenties and thirties (and beyond) can feel exciting, overwhelming, and uncertain. If life feels messy, you’re not alone. I’m here to help you make sense of your experiences, explore who you’re becoming, and move forward with clarity, confidence, and self-compassion.

College should be about growth, not just survival. If you're struggling with unpredictable mood swings, overwhelming worry, lots of sadness, or using substances to cope, or climate anxiety, I'm here for you. I work best with students who experience intense emotional ups and downs, find themselves caught in cycles of productivity followed by inability to function, or use alcohol or other substances to manage difficult feelings and thoughts, or those who are preoccupied with climate-related grief or anxiety. I offer a space where you don't need to hide your challenges or pretend to have it all together. We'll focus on getting to know each other, creating a safe space to open up, and increasing coping strategies, such as recognizing early warning signs, building supportive routines, navigating academic pressures, developing genuine connections without relying on substances, and handling the climate crisis with more ease. Whether you're facing mood swings, anxiety, depression, substance use challenges, climate distress, or all of these, there's a path forward. Reach out today to take the first step towards change, growth and stability.

People-pleaser, perfectionist, anxious, passive. If any of the above phrases or words describe you, guess what? You're reading the right profile. If you're ready to break-out of unhelpful patterns; if you're motivated to start using your voice; even if you're ready to start therapy to see where it takes you - I can be the therapist to help move you in a different direction. If you're looking for someone who is very structured, that's not me. I offer no-frills sessions and am not afraid to (gently, mind you) challenge or question you. I operate collaboratively and conversationally. Anxiety, people-pleasing, all those things I named above are my specialties. If you're a first timer to therapy - I can also help with that! Look, I get it - it's hard to pick someone whom to tell your innermost thoughts. I understand the feeling of uncertainty and the frustration of finding the "right" therapist. If you're willing to reach out to see if we're a good fit, let's talk!

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I serve clients across California through secure and convenient telehealth visits bringing personalized care to you, wherever you are. My goal is to make psychiatric care feel accessible, judgment-free, and genuinely supportive. I specialize in working with adults navigating anxiety, depression, and mood disorders. My approach is integrative — combining medication management with education, mindfulness, and supportive therapy. I take time to understand the whole picture using a bio-psycho-social lens: looking at how biological factors (like vitamin deficiencies or hormonal imbalances), psychological stressors (like trauma or burnout), and social dynamics (like school or work pressure) all impact mental health. Before becoming a nurse practitioner, I spent several years as a registered nurse, and I’ve worked extensively in both inpatient psychiatry and as a clinical consultant. My training and experience allow me to treat each person as a whole not as a list of symptoms, and to create care plans that are practical, empowering, and tailored to you. Outside of work, I love traveling and spending time with my son and family. These connections remind me of the importance of balance, joy, and meaningful relationships — values I bring into my work every day. Here, you're not just receiving treatment — you're being seen, heard, and supported as a whole person. My mission is to help you move from just surviving to truly thriving.

Do you struggle with feelings of not being enough, self-doubt and self-criticism? Do you have difficulty expressing your feelings, communicating your needs or setting boundaries? Do you stay in relationships that make you feel unloved, unseen and unheard? Are you constantly worried or overthinking, making it difficult for you to make decisions, take risks or try new things? You're feeling stuck and not sure how to move forward in life. Starting therapy is the first step. “Everything starts with and how you feel about yourself. Start feeling worthy, valuable and deserving of what life has to offer". -Unknown. Call today! I provide a safe space where you can be yourself, be vulnerable and share your struggles without being judged. Together we will work on helping you gain a better understanding of yourself by identifying triggers and behavior patterns that are impacting your life and relationships. I will provide you with tools to help you learn how to better manage symptoms. Call today to schedule your complimentary 15-minute consultation. During the call, I will answer any questions you may have to help you determine if I am a good fit for you. Virtual Only (Daytime and Evening Availability).

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Many of the people I work with are Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) who are struggling to navigate multiple areas of their life like work, school, family, relationships, or the intersectionalities of their identities. Many talk about often feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or stuck. This then kicks off to what feels like a never ending cycle of confusion, frustration, depression, and anxiety. Therapy is an opportunity to find clarity and work through these obstacles to help people get their life back on track. My clients and I work together to develop more mindful behaviors to help lead a more meaningful and healthy life. People develop certain attitudes and perspectives based on their early life experiences to survive when they were younger. But these attitudes and perspectives are not helping now which is part of the reason why people might feel stuck. By looking at these attitudes and perspectives closely, people can learn to change how they talk to themselves, how they react to their emotions. and take more thoughtful actions to move forward towards a more authentic and fulfilling life. My practice integrates several evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) that encompasses principles of person-centered, recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, multiculturalism, and strength-based values. With my compassionate, collaborative, non-judgmental, and down-to-earth style, therapy can address the things that are getting in the way of people’s life so that they can move forward. COMMON EXPERIENCES THAT I WORK WITH PEOPLE ON: - It feels like your mind is playing tricks on you - It feels like your eyes or ears are playing tricks on you - It feels like something odd is going on or hard to explain - Confused at times whether something is real or imaginary - You feel suspicious or mistrustful of others - It feels like you have little control over your thoughts - It feels like others can hear your thoughts or read your mind - Having thoughts or beliefs that you or others find strange - Race-related identity, culture, and intersectionality - Cultural and systemic trauma and oppression

I help individuals grow toward healing and health through integrative therapy. Throughout the lifespan, many things can happen to interfere with our relational health- addiction, body image, trauma, depression, just to name a few- and I have experience guiding my clients through them all. Together, we will work towards you and/or your relationships becoming their most empowered and functional.

I believe that therapy can heal, but I also know that telling a stranger about your deepest pain can be a strange feeling. Perhaps you've been feeling sad, depressed or worried, and hopeless that anything in your life can change. Or maybe you aren't sure what you would even want help with. You know you feel bad, but if someone were to ask you "How can I help?", you aren't sure what you would say. These problems can feel permanent and unsolvable. After all, something feels broken and unfixable, so how could you not feel that it takes all the energy you have just to get up in the morning and go about your day? Depression or anxiety can also feel isolating, as if nobody else could possibly understand. You may have even received advice from people who you feel mean well but can't understand what you're going through. Depression and anxiety are not permanent or unfixable, and therapy can help. Imagine feeling peace of mind, and excited about life and its possibilities. It starts by learning about you and going at your pace. As a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with over 16 years experience working with adults and teens, I've seen therapy work, and I feel lucky that I get to be part of that journey for others. I work with adult individuals of any age, with a special focus on young adults.

BECERRA FAMILY THERAPY, APC IS A PSYCHOTHERAPY GROUP PRACTICE THAT SERVES A DIVERSE RANGE OF CLIENTS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IN PERSON AND THROUGH TELEHEALTH. Becerra Family Therapy is a woman-owned, Latinx-run therapeutic space formed to serve the wider community. We understand that specialized treatment is important in the healing process, and we strive to meet your needs. Becerra Family Therapy was founded from the vision of training and providing bicultural and multilingual therapists, as well as therapists who are well-versed with LGTBQIA+ needs. We want our clients to be confident in knowing that any therapist at Becerra Family Therapy will understand them. Our therapists are highly trained and understand the sensitivity and beauty of a different culture. One of the most important aspects in therapy is that you connect with your therapist so that together you can work toward your therapeutic goals. We strongly believe that with the right support, anyone is capable of healing. We are here to support you in your process, help you to grow, and to provide a variety of specialties to assist with your journey.