Therapists for college students near San Diego State University

I’ve been in private practice for almost 20 years. Something that sets me apart from a lot of other therapists is my strong commitment to having a good match between therapist and client. If I’m not the right match, I will try and help you find someone who is. I work collaboratively with my clients to form a relationship that feels supportive, while at the same time, helping to stretch their capacity in whatever area(s) they may be wanting to work on. I am warm and kind and non-judgmental, and also very honest and real.

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Clients who have experienced trauma, substance abuse and family issues. Struggling with depression and anxiety. Career and college challenges are all important to process. I use various research-based modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Motivational Interviewing, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) . I offer a safe, non-judgmental space to process emotions and traumatic experiences. I consider all aspects of an individual and implement a bio-psycho-social-spiritual, culturally-sensitive and client-centered approach with individuals, couples, and families.

I work with individuals and couples offering virtual sessions throughout California and New York working with grief, trauma and living with acute and chronic illness. My style is nurturing, dynamic and radically present. I adapt my approach based on what you might need drawing from Relational, Mindfulness and Somatic based methods and incorporating EMDR when indicated. My work focuses on supporting people in their relationships to feel empowered and connected, being curious of what gets in the way of that connection. I work with individuals of all orientations, abilities, and racial, cultural, or identity groups. I look forward to meeting you.

It would be an honor to be with you on your journey, whether it is to deepen self understanding and acceptance, explore relationships or manage anxiety and depression. It is your journey and your space so we will work together to find the best path and the most useful tools for you. I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 15 years experience working with a diverse and amazing variety of people. I spent many years working with teens and young adults in supportive housing, emergency shelters, schools and in private practice. The backbone of my training and the way I work is Psychodynamic Therapy. I believe finding the root of any issue is important for one to be able to grow and thrive. I also use many tools that incorporate mindfulness and body awareness. I have also completed an extensive training on providing trauma informed care and strive to make my practice safe and supportive for all. I am committed, as a provider, as a woman, and as a citizen of the world to creating a safe, inclusive space for all who I work, live, and play with.

Ally Counseling and Therapy is a women owned practice. Our practice focuses on developing relationships with our clients and our community. We value being connected to our neighbors, community partners, and our natural environment. Our practice is safe, culturally sensitive and inclusive for all people to participate in psychotherapy. We are affirming of all LGBTQIA+ and gender diverse individuals. We are dedicated to teaching and empowering people to understand, improve, and take responsibility for their own emotions, relationships and intimacy. ​ Services at Ally Counseling and Therapy focus on cultural adjustment issues, racial identity concerns, trauma-focused treatment, women's issues, parenting struggles, parental mental health, anxiety and depression, the identification and treatment of psychosexual and relationship problems, infidelity, LGBTQIA+ issues and more. ​ We focus on innovative interventions such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Sex Therapy, Ericksonian Hypnotherapy, Mindfulness-Based (MBCT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Expressive Arts Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment therapy, Life Coaching and animal assisted therapy. We are strength-based and solution-focused. Our practice is located in Chelsea and Long Island City NYC. We warmly welcome people all over the world to be a part of our community through Telehealth services.

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My clients struggle as you do. Despite being kind, highly driven, and expert problem-solvers, life is hard. When they first come in, they are anxious and burned out from helping, fixing, caretaking, and peacekeeping. They’re acutely perceptive of others’ needs, but struggle to put themselves first. They usually feel overly responsible for others' feelings and needs, trying to control what is outside their control. They have abandoned themselves and grapple with the feeling that their only worth is in caretaking for others. They are exhausted from constantly walking on eggshells with others, worrying about what they say and do. They are paralyzed by self-criticism, perfectionism, and people-pleasing as they try to prove their self-worth and earn others’ love and approval. They feel they’ve lost themselves. All these years of self-sacrifice and making themselves small for others has left them wondering, “Who am I if I'm not taking care of everyone else?” Their desire to fix and hold everyone else’s pain gets in the way of the life they want in so many ways. They aren’t the kind of person they want to be. They feel like they’re failing as a partner, friend, and family member. And their confidence at work is tanking. Before they came to see me, they thought they could never say “no” and would go on doing everything for everyone while feeling empty inside. They worried they would never be the person they wanted to be. And they were pretty certain they would live with constant fear of never being “good enough.” Like my clients, you deserve to know that you are “enough” just as you are. Your worth is not predicated on caretaking for others. You want to step into the vibrant person you know you are and can be. Reclaiming yourself and discovering who you truly are is not out of your reach. If you want to stop feeling small and not feel terrified to be your authentic self, I’d love to help you get there. You don’t have to suffer. I can help. Give me a call to start our conversation.

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We have a number of clinicians that specialize in working with college age students. Some of the issues we treat (including, but not limited to) school stressors, sexual abuse, physical abuse, impact of covid-19, anxiety, depression, dissociative disorders and more. We also offer approaches such as EMDR, Brainspotting, Somatic Experiencing, Internal Family Systems, and more. We appreciate how challenging it can be to find a therapist, and we are here to help the process be as smooth as possible. We are dedicated to making sure we help find the right fit for your needs.

If you've found this page, life has likely taken an unexpected turn. You’re realizing that the way you've gone through life is not working for you anymore, and you don’t know why. Maybe it’s hard to describe how you feel, but you know that you need to make some changes. I help individuals and couples unpack and release unhelpful beliefs or burdens that keep them stuck. People come to me seeking someone who is highly trained, kind, and honest—someone who's done their own work and can help compassionately guide them through theirs. I switched careers to become a psychologist because therapy has been so transformative for me. You CAN create peace, authenticity, and a life that you are proud of. My expertise is in addiction issues, relationship challenges, childhood trauma, depression, and burnout. I also provide Christian counseling for clients who want that form of help. In our sessions, you can expect to feel safe, understood, and free to show up as your true self. If any of this resonates with you, I am so glad that you're here. Taking this step towards seeking help is a courageous and kind choice and it is my passion to help you on this journey. Schedule a free consultation today.

For over 10 years, I’ve had the privilege of supporting children, adolescents, adults, families, and athletes through life’s challenges. From working with at-risk youth and facilitating therapy groups to providing individual psychotherapy and supporting athletes through injury and transition, I’ve witnessed the incredible resilience people carry — even during difficult seasons If you’re feeling disconnected from yourself, navigating identity shifts, recovering from injury, or carrying the impact of past experiences, you’re not alone. As a former collegiate and semi-professional athlete, I understand how deeply identity, performance, trauma, and physical experiences can shape how we see ourselves and relate to our bodies. You deserve a space where all parts of that story are welcome. My specialization is in Somatic Psychotherapy and Exercise and Sport Performance. This approach recognizes the powerful connection between mind and body. Together, we’ll increase awareness of how your body responds to stress and emotion, helping you build trust in your intuition, develop a more compassionate relationship with yourself, and feel more grounded and confident. I aim to create a supportive, collaborative therapeutic space where we work at your pace, build on your strengths, and develop coping strategies aligned with your values. My goal is to help you feel empowered in your healing process and more grounded in your everyday life.

My practice is infused with warmth, care, and heart. Since childhood, I've held a deep curiosity for the relationships that make up our world. I greatly admire and honor these connections - whether between caregivers and children, friends, romantic partners, or animals we see in nature. This curiosity led me to become a relational therapist, where I now have the privilege of walking alongside individuals and couples on their journeys, creating an environment that brings to light the connection that has always existed between us and guiding relationships toward deeper, more resilient roots together. Integrative and relational in nature, the therapeutic work I do incorporates somatics, person-centered therapy, and mindfulness practices. I hold the belief that we all carry our own innate wisdom, and as such, I create space in the therapeutic relationship for my clients to be the experts on themselves and to articulate their needs, wants, and experiences in a safe, nurturing environment. The focus within my work is less on fixing and more on accompanying your human-ness. In addition to the work I do with couples, I am passionate about providing care to those navigating the journey to parenthood. This love for the perinatal space and supporting future and new parents started when I was a child and would spend a great deal of time caring for young children in my community and connecting with their caregivers. Since, this passion has expanded through advocacy work in the paid parental leave space and training I’ve completed as a Postpartum Doula. This beautiful time of transition into parenthood brings about inevitable change, and it is a true joy and privilege of mine to hold a nurturing space for people to process these changes, cultivate connection during a time when community is needed, and heal. I'm not a parent myself at this stage in my life, yet I feel deeply called to this meaningful work of supporting individuals and couples as they navigate these profound life transitions.

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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 am passionate about supporting individuals navigating grief and loss, anxiety, life transitions and work related stress/burnout. In addition to private practice, I have worked in school based mental health for many years and enjoy supporting students. I honor the mind-body-spirit connection through the use of talk therapy, EMDR, walk and talk therapy, mindfulness, and spirituality. My approach is warm, authentic and holistic. I see myself as a guide walking alongside you on your journey toward well being. Along the way, we will explore areas where you feel blocked and identify the tools you need to feel confident and empowered. My hope is that you leave sessions feeling supported and empowered.

I’m Rachel Benjamin, and I help individuals and couples navigate life’s challenges to build more authentic, connected, and empowered lives. Together, we’ll identify the patterns and barriers that have been holding you back and work toward lasting change around your strengths and values. If you are thinking about starting therapy, or returning after some time away, but feeling unsure, you’re not alone. Taking that first step can bring up a mix of emotions. If you’re wondering whether now is the right time, it likely means you’re ready to begin exploring meaningful change. You may be feeling stuck, disconnected, or uncertain about your next steps. Perhaps your relationships, career, or daily routines no longer feel fulfilling. You might notice a tendency to prioritize others’ needs over your own, or find yourself longing for a deeper sense of purpose and connection. Therapy is a process of self-discovery and growth. It’s not always easy especially if you’ve spent years living according to others’ expectations but you don’t have to navigate it alone. I’m currently accepting new clients for both individual and couples therapy. If you’re curious about how therapy might support you, I invite you to reach out.

I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and graduated from USC in 2014. In my practice, I support people healing from trauma, including those living with C-PTSD/ PTSD, dissociation, depression, and anxiety. I often work with clients who identify as LGBTQ, neurodivergent, or disabled, and those navigating the impact of systemic oppression.

Hello! I am here to help you overcome life's challenges and live a happier and more fulfilling life. My style is to work with you collaboratively to identify your goals and empower you to achieve them. I have helped clients decrease and overcome anxiety, depression, substance use, coming out, sexual identity and gender transitioning as well as improving relationships with romantic partners, family members and co-workers. Together, we can look at your life story and rewrite your narrative to increase your self-confidence, happiness, love and joy! The best way to reach me is to call or txt me at 917-922-2650

My Background Hello and welcome! I have been helping people heal and live more fulfilling lives for over 20 years. I am just as passionate today as I was when I first began. My formal training began while studying psychology at UC Berkeley where I became interested in learning about the mind, human behavior and emotions, personality and developmental psychology. For several years after undergrad, I helped people with developmental disabilities by providing them with vocational, recreational and social opportunities so they can live their best lives. I later received my Masters in Clinical Social Work from Boston College where I dove deep into understanding human behavior in the context of environment. My post-masters work involved coaching parents on helping their children with autism and behavioral issues express their needs in safe and effective ways; managing a substance use helpline and providing crisis intervention and family therapy for people who were hospitalized due to severe and acute mental health issues. For three years, I provided group, family and individual therapies to clients at an Intensive Out Patient program in a bay-area hospital, teaching mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness skills. My Journey Growing up I was never taught how to appropriately identify and express my feelings or process pain. This caused me to direct any pain I experienced either inward towards myself or outward towards others. This resulted in hurtful and angry outbursts towards those I love or turning inward and experiencing numbness, anxiety, depression and shame. In my own therapy, I came to discover the power of changing the relationship I had with my emotions. I explored past wounds and destructive patterns and as a result, have experienced deep healing and changes that have significantly improved the quality of my life and have allowed me to experience more intimacy, happiness, deeper fulfillment and peace in all areas of my life. The work I have done in therapy has also had a powerful impact on my ability to serve my clients. My Approach I am compassionate, caring, and non judgmental. My clients have told me they appreciate my authenticity, kindness and creativity. I create a safe environment allowing people to feel comfortable discussing even the most sensitive issues. Clients also feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings on my approach to their therapy. This has lead to an open dialogue encouraging meaningful conversations, improving both the therapeutic relationship and outcomes for my clients. About Me A California native, I love spending time in nature, hiking, singing and recording songs, playing guitar, yoga, meditation, reading, traveling and spending time with friends and family. I also enjoy writing and reading about spirituality, psychology and personal development. I currently live in the San Francisco Bay Area.