Therapists for college students near San Diego State University

I work with clients of all ages, including students using a variety of modalities including cognitive-based strategies, somatic therapeutics and EMDR trauma reprocessing. I've worked in student affairs, was a clinical supervisor for graduate students for 10 years and now have a private practice where I love supporting students. I have a sliding fee scale to make therapy more affordable. I specialize in supporting LGBTQI+ students, reducing anxiety, supporting those managing illness or illness with a loved one, and when it fits, incorporating yoga, meditation and somatics. I'm a mix of east-coast-straightforwardness with California-anything-is-possible. My style is approachable, down to earth, and solutions-focused.

In my case, it was both personal experiences and deep interest in the understanding of people. I have always been interested in how we navigate life’s challenges and how we can grow from them. Early on, I saw how powerful it can be to have someone listen with empathy and help make sense of difficult situations. That really sparked my desire to pursue therapy-to be that support for others. I ultimately believe that everyone deserves a space to be heard, understood, and empowered to make positive changes. I understand how very important it is to feel heard and understood, and I am committed to creating that space with you. I will listen without judgment and make sure I clearly hear your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. I will ask questions to further that understanding and reflect back what I hear so that you know I’m with you in this process. What I want for you is to feel heard and understood, and at any time if something feels misunderstood, please let me know because it is important to me that you feel validated and respected throughout this process. We go at your pace, and I am transparent regarding the process, goals, and any obstacles. Trust means I’m here for you with no judgments and that I truly care about your well-being. Our work together will be a collaboration in which we explore your thoughts, feelings, and challenges. Honesty is the best policy-if something isn’t working, I encourage you to let me know so that we can make an adjustment. Most importantly, this is a safe space where you are heard, respected, and valued for your unique experiences.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

“I didn’t find therapy, therapy found me.” I believe my own journey through various stages of life, as a teacher, coach, confidant, and parent, provided me a deep calling and inspiration to serve and support people from all walks of life as a therapist. I thoroughly enjoy the therapeutic process and empowering clients to reach their goals and beyond. It’s imperative that as a therapist, I am curious to know my client and give them the nonjudgmental space to express their issues, concerns, emotions, etc. I am an attentive listener who inspires the client to take the steering wheel of where they want to go. Through collaborative work together and keeping an open mind, I will be there for the client to explore what will work best for them and how they will get there. I approach therapy as client-centered, every person has their own story, their own experiences in life. With an empathetic ear and through the client’s self-exploration and goals in mind, I like to practice an integrative perspective that may intertwine the client’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Creating a safe and supportive environment will allow for a positive therapeutic environment and promote growth.

We work with adults throughout California via telehealth. If you’re experiencing things like anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, grief, life transitions, or chronic stress, we may be a good fit. If you’re not sure, reach out anyway — we can talk through it during the intake call.

We try to make scheduling as convenient as possible for our clients. The quickest and easiest way is to register as a new client under "schedule today" from our website www.psychserves.com. Once, you're in your patient, then you'd be able to send an appointment request to your preferred therapist. If there's any questions, email us at info@psychserves.com or call us as 213-373-6647. We look forwarding to helping you!

Everyone has a story. Do you ever find yourself feeling overwhelmed by thoughts that bring fear, leading to a cycle of overthinking? Do you tend to be tough on yourself, which can result in feelings of sadness, loneliness, or isolation? Are there times in your relationships when you feel unheard, leaving you frustrated and unsure? Have you considered that things could get better? Just remember, you're not alone in this. There’s hope! Many people go through similar struggles with relationships, challenging thoughts, and a mix of emotions.

College is often a time of growth, transition, pressure, and uncertainty — and at times, it can feel overwhelming trying to manage everything on your plate. Trying to balance school, relationships, family expectations, work, social life, and your own mental health can feel like a lot. You may be feeling more anxious than usual, struggling in relationships, finding it harder to stay motivated, or feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of yourself. Maybe things don’t feel as okay as they look from the outside. Sometimes having a space to talk openly and make sense of what you’re feeling can make a meaningful difference. Therapy can offer a space to slow down and reconnect with yourself. At Lumenate, we offer a warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you can better understand what you’re experiencing and feel supported in the process. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, identity questions, stress, or life transitions, therapy can help you feel more grounded, connected, and confident in yourself and your relationships.

You wonder what it may look and feel like to trust and know yourself better, especially with recent life events or transitions, like college and young adulthood! You seek guidance to overcome recurrent self doubt, passive-aggressive, or avoidant behaviors- familiar patterns in your family and past relationships. For the past 18 years, I have provided compassionate, person-centered therapy to adults (college/20's, middle age, and older adults) navigating life transitions, relationship changes and challenges, and mood disorders. Clients appreciate my ability to listen and support them with kindness, cultural understanding, and non-judgment, while offering feedback and resources. Whether you’ve tried therapy before or this is new to you, understanding yourself and being supported through life changes and challenges builds your resilience and confidence! Being a 1st generation Asian American immigrant, parent, spouse, and social worker has shaped my capacity to appreciate and support clients with navigating complex seasons of change.

As a youth, I recall many instances when I experienced intense anxiety, depression, even suicidal thoughts, – but I did so in isolation, without adequate support. Mental health services were not available and not commonly accessed in my community. As a young woman I used dance and movement, and other forms of creative expression (such as writing and singing), as my means to manage emotions. I became a psychotherapist to ensure that I could be supportive to those in similar situations – to help support people in not feeling alone with the difficult aspects of life and relationships. No one should have to fight their mental health battles alone. The integration of somatic (body-focused) psychotherapy has allowed me to support others while giving them the gift that I have discovered through a life of movement – the gift of understanding the role of the body in allowing for healing. Through the use of the body in psychotherapy clients can learn how to find balance in their mind while finding peace in their emotional landscape. I believe I support clients in feeling heard and understood through using a deep curiosity to delve into each aspect of their lives. I use a collaborative approach to support clients from exactly where they are starting from. I listen intently for new ways of hearing the shared information, the client’s story. In this process, I ask questions to weave together the thread of their thoughts and concerns as it creates a path towards their progress and growth. I hold the larger picture of who they are to support the process of highlighting insights into ways of getting from where they are to where they want to be. In this way, I am deeply understanding their process of growth while empowering them to make changes in their life. I use a warm and engaging process of building connection with clients. I find it is important to face and embrace our emotional selves, allowing ourselves to be fully authentic to cultivate growth. I foster an environment that supports this authenticity and growth through using my own eccentric and eclectic approach. From within the safety of this relationship I am able to challenge clients with humor while creating space for depth. I am able to flow with what is relevant in the moment while holding their expanded story to support.

If you feel everything deeply, have been called “too sensitive,” or your mind never seems to turn off, you’re in the right place. You may have spent so much time understanding others and making sense of the world around you, but rarely feel that same care or depth of understanding reflected back to you. As a Highly Sensitive Person, I understand what it's like to experience the world this way. Our work will focus on helping you untangle what’s going on beneath the surface so you can better understand your emotions, trust your instincts, and move through life with more self-trust and clarity. I specialize in Highly Sensitive People, children, Gen Z (teens & young adults), and neurodivergence/ADHD. Together, we’ll explore patterns, past experiences, and the emotional landscape shaping your life. My approach is warm, deeply attuned, and insight-oriented, grounded in a strengths-based, emotionally-focused, and attachment-aware approach. Clients often say I have “big sister energy”: I notice what’s unspoken, help make sense of complicated emotions, and always have your back. If you’re looking for a therapist who understands your depth and can help you turn your sensitivity into a strength, I would be honored to support you. Book a consultation through my website today.

I’m so glad you’re here. Taking the first step toward therapy can feel daunting. Maybe you feel misunderstood, overwhelmed, or like you have to handle everything on your own. Whatever you’re carrying, I want you to know that you don’t have to navigate it alone. I’m here to support you as you step outside your comfort zone and move toward growth, self-discovery, and healing. As someone who was once a student myself, I understand how challenging it can be to manage anxiety, depression, perfectionism, shifting relationships, grief, trauma, and everything in between—on top of trying to keep up with school and the pressures of “figuring it all out.” I work with college students at all stages—whether you’re adjusting to campus life, pushing through to the next break, preparing for graduation and the uncertainty ahead, or returning to school after time away. Whoever you are, this is a space where you can show up exactly as you are, without judgment. As a child of immigrants, I’ve personally navigated the complexities of balancing cultural expectations, identity, and belonging. My own journey has deepened my empathy and passion for helping others find clarity, self-acceptance, and peace in their own stories. Students come to me for all kinds of reasons—managing stress, navigating friendships and relationships (yes, even situationships), figuring out what’s next, or simply having a space to process it all. Whatever brings you to therapy, we’ll approach it with curiosity, compassion, and maybe even some laughter along the way. Whether this is your first time in therapy or you’re continuing your journey, I’m honored to support you every step of the way. Registered Associate Marriage and Family therapist at the Center for Mindful Psychotherapy. - Supervised by Monica Ramil, LMFT #108945 -

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of early adulthood? College pressures, family expectations, and your own evolving identity can create a perfect storm of stress and uncertainty. If you're struggling with: -Anxiety or depression that interferes with your daily life -Balancing academic demands with your mental wellbeing -Family tensions as you establish your independence -Uncertainty about your chosen degree or career path -Finding your authentic self amid others' expectations Our work together will help you access those inner resources and build the confidence to chart your own path forward—one that honors both your needs and your potential. Schedule a consultation today and discover how therapeutic support can help you thrive during this transformative time in your life.

Hi! My name is Mary and I am a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist and Somatic Experiencing practitioner based in Southern California. Are you struggling with your emotions in a chaotic world? Unsure of how to support yourself through a life transition? Or just wanting support to find your full potential? Let me meet you where you are at in your journey to help you understand how to support yourself through difficult and complex times. I work with individuals of all ages in the therapy space. If you are searching for the best version of yourself, no matter your background, you are supported in this space to make that discovery. I have a special focus on women's issues and how mental health and physical health go hand in hand to find a balance. My journey to becoming a therapist started many years ago with an introduction to Jungian psychology and working with my own dreams to understand who I was becoming as a person. It has inspired me to be a more curious individual and to impart that knowledge to my clients in the therapy space.

​My undergraduate focus was in math and science. However, through the years I decided that relationships were more important and realized that most individuals don't have the tools to form good marriage, family, and friendship connections. Much of this is the result of poor parenting that leaves an individual fearful, without confidence, and having no idea how to navigate life's challenges. Children are precious and deserve to feel loved and secure. This is difficult if their parents weren't nurtured and shown how (primarily by example) to have a loving marriage. We deserve love in marriage, and our children need that example. My graduate studies at the University of Southern California were in sociology (sex and gender focus) and marriage and family therapy. I have years of experience in parenting, responding to domestic violence, treating pornography addiction, and helping clients who are depressed and/or anxious.

As a therapist with both a personal and professional understanding of trauma, military service, and the LGBTQIA+ community, I’m well aware of the strength required to overcome hardships. That’s why I’m so inspired by my clients’ resilience and their commitment to healing. It’s an honor to stand beside them as they face the tough work of processing adversity, healing trauma and practicing a new way to fight through life’s challenges. I approach therapy with a no-nonsense, trauma-informed, and inclusive mindset. My goal is to create a space where clients feel safe, but also pushed to dig deep and face their realities. I listen closely to their stories, and together, we confront the hard truths. We reshape self-narratives, understanding that the way we speak and think about ourselves, others and the world shapes the way we live. I believe trust in the therapeutic relationship is built through respect. There is no hierarchy in therapy, but rather two people working together for change. I believe in giving clients the space to lead, while collaborating with them to confront patterns and beliefs that no longer serve them. My hope is that every client takes ownership and control over their own healing, with each step being a move toward real, lasting growth.

Feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of who you really are? College can be exciting—but it can also feel like too much. Maybe you’ve always been the one who holds it all together, gets straight A’s, and never lets anyone see you struggle. But now, you're anxious all the time, you're exhausted from trying to be “on” 24/7, and even small things feel like a big deal. You might feel pressure to meet expectations—yours or your family’s—and you’re starting to wonder if any of it really feels like you. Maybe you feel like you’re constantly performing. Like you can’t ever fully relax. Or maybe you’re starting to ask big questions about your identity, your future, your values—and it’s scary to realize you don’t have all the answers yet. You don’t have to figure it out alone. I work with college students who are high achievers, perfectionists, and deep thinkers—especially those who are struggling with anxiety, depression, people-pleasing, burnout, or questions around identity and family dynamics. In therapy, you can slow down, breathe, and start untangling the pressure from what you really want. We’ll work together to help you feel more grounded, more like yourself, and more in control of your life. Sessions are confidential, affirming, and tailored to who you are—not who others expect you to be. I provide inclusive and affirming care and create a space where you don’t have to explain or defend your experiences. Online sessions available for students in CA & WA. In-person sessions available in Santa Monica, CA. If this sounds like what you need, reach out. Things can be different—and therapy is a good place to start.

Dr. Aundrea helps people navigate life changes and relationship challenges so they can thrive.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

* I'm licensed in Louisiana and California and would love to work with you virtually by FaceTime, Zoom, or phone. Reach out at 504-261-4443 (text) * I am in-network for many health plans for students from California through Headway Therapy. You only pay your copay through the portal. Start here: https://headway.co/providers/lisa-tahir-3?utm_source=pem&utm_medium=direct_link&utm_campaign=63753 * I am a Tulane Alum and teach in the Glass Art Department. * Check out my podcast, "All Things Therapy" on Spotify and iTunes * I've written a book on self-forgiveness and empathy endorsed by His Holiness The Dalai Lama, "The Chiron Effect: Healing Our Core Wounds through Astrology, Empathy, and Self-Forgiveness." Give me a text to 504-261-4443 to start your healing journey!