Therapists for college students near San Diego State University

Hello! I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with years of experience working with individuals and families who have dealt with a variety of difficulties ranging from depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, and much more. I welcome the uniqueness that each person brings into the counseling relationship. When working with my clients, I am ultimately headed towards creating a trusting environment that is conducive to exploring and decreasing emotional distress, maladaptive behaviors and increasing personal emotional wellness. I embrace cultural competency, and I am committed to understanding the importance of my client's worldview, which I believe is vital to the therapeutic process. I also believe the instillation of hope is fundamental in order to acquire the motivation needed to make change.

Hi, my name is Yu-Nien (Pulinda). I am a board certified Licensed Clinical Social Worker (APU '21) who's worked with individuals from diverse backgrounds and across a wide range of ages. I enjoying working with clients from various walks of life. My clients are often experiencing difficulties coping with emotions, feeling confused about their distress, desiring a space for authenticity and warmth, and a nonjudgmental environment. I welcome all who are experiencing various struggles in life and will support you on taking the first step towards healing. My approach is integrative and tailored to each client's unique circumstances and life experiences. The therapeutic modalities I commonly draw from include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Grief Therapy, Mindfulness-Based approaches, and Psychodynamic Therapy. As a Taiwanese bilingual (English and Mandarin) social worker, I believe in meeting clients where they are and honoring their unique experiences. Through our journey together, I will walk alongside you as you build resilience, deepen self-understanding, and develop practical tools for lasting growth and healing. 您好，我是妤寧(Pulinda)，持有加州認證Licensed Clinical Social Worker執照。在我的臨床工作經驗中，我曾與來自不同背景及各年齡層的個案合作，因此特別關注每一位來談者的獨特性，也享受了解個案不同的人生歷程與生活經驗。我發現許多個案前來尋求協助，是因為他們正在面對情緒調適上的困難、對自身的情緒困擾感到困惑，或渴望擁有一個能夠真誠表達自我、被理解、並感受到溫暖與接納的空間。我希望能提供一個不帶批判且安全的環境，讓個案能自在地探索自己的經驗與內在世界。在壓力源無處不在的世界，我們可以一起溫柔的面對焦慮、憂鬱、創傷及失去，一起消化，找到跟練習適合您的情緒穩定方法，強大您的心理能量。 我的治療取向採整合式方法，並依據每位個案獨特的處境、需求與生命經驗量身調整。我常運用的治療模式包括接納與承諾治療（Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, ACT）、認知行為治療（Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT）、悲傷與失落治療、正念取向介入，以及心理動力治療（Psychodynamic Therapy）。我相信有意義的改變建立於治療關係中的平等關係，因此我會與個案密切合作，確保治療方向符合其目標、價值觀與需求。我也特別著重找回每個來談者的自我共情（self-compassion），這也是更能療癒自己的方法之一。 我來自台灣，所以能夠流利的用英文及國語跟您合作。但我也在其他不同國家生活及移民過，所以我體會過在不同文化環境跟關係中適應和尋找自我的過程。我會考量到每位個案所處的人生階段及困擾，並尊重其獨特的生命經驗。如果我們有緣合作，我將陪伴在您身旁，協助您建立心理韌性、深化自我理解，並找到實用的，以促進持續的成長與療癒。我歡迎所有正面臨人生挑戰的人，並願意陪伴您踏出療癒旅程的第一步。

My approach is helping you identify your strengths and help you become aware of new ways of thinking and navigating issues. I believe in practicing new skills that will reinforce your desired goals. Our sessions will be a space that is safe and unique to you. Congratulations on seeking help at this challenging moment. Your space; your journey.

My work is grounded in supporting individuals through challenges such as anxiety, depression, relationship conflict, and grief and loss. I also have a strong passion for working with women navigating life transitions, including academic stressors, body | self-esteem issues, shifts in identity, and intimacy-related concerns. These experiences can feel so isolating, and I strive to create a space where you feel understood, supported, and not alone.

Charlie Health is a virtual behavioral health program for adolescents and young adults with moderate or severe mental health concerns or co-occurring substance use or eating disorders. Designed to meet the needs of those who require more than weekly therapy, our program combines curated group therapy, individual therapy, and family therapy into personalized treatment programs. We are helping to serve those who are in crisis, or have been historically underserved, by eliminating the most significant treatment barriers: geographical and financial access. We work with nearly all commercial insurance nationwide and have no waitlist, thereby helping people access quality, evidence-based care regardless of insurance, location, or other barriers.

I am a licensed professional counselor with over 10 years of experience providing quality mental health care and career counseling services. I value supporting clients and the communities I serve by providing individual therapy for LGBTQ+ concerns, anxiety, body image concerns & disordered eating, ADHD, and career development concerns. My approach focuses on exploring what makes each individual thrive, providing empathy and understanding, free from judgment and societal expectations.

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I work with students who feel overwhelmed, anxious, burned out, or like they’re barely keeping up even if they’re still functioning on the outside. You may be juggling school, work, relationships, family pressure, and big life transitions, while internally feeling exhausted, stuck, or constantly behind. Many students I work with are high-achieving on the outside but struggling privately with anxiety, depression, overthinking, procrastination, self-doubt, or feeling disconnected from themselves. Others are navigating relationship stress, identity questions, or the lingering impact of past experiences that still affect how they show up in daily life. Therapy with me is a space where you don’t have to hold it all together or figure it out alone. Together we slow things down, understand what’s underneath the stress, and start building clarity, steadiness, and emotional relief in a way that actually feels manageable in student life. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in both emotional insight and practical tools to help you feel more regulated, confident, and connected to yourself.

Hi, and welcome — I’m really glad you’re here. Seeking therapy can feel overwhelming, especially when you or your relationship are carrying the weight of anxiety, trauma, disconnection, identity questions, or cultural pressures that are hard to name. I work with young adults and couples navigating emotional and relational challenges — including trauma, identity development, communication struggles, family conflict, neurodiversity, and learning disabilities. Whether you’re adjusting to college, career transitions, independence, or partnership changes, we’ll focus on building clarity, confidence, and steadier coping skills. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based practices such as CBT, Narrative Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, ACT, DBT, and EMDR. I tailor each session to meet you where you are, helping you build awareness, resilience, and stronger, more secure connections. I bring deep respect for the cultural identities, values, and lived experiences that shape each person and relationship. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe, understood, and supported — where therapy isn’t just about symptom relief, but about fostering authenticity, self-trust, and growth. This is your journey, and you don’t have to walk it alone.

Hello, and Welcome! If you are navigating the unique pressures of student life, you know that this pivotal chapter comes with an incredible amount of stress. It is a time of massive growth, but it can also feel deeply overwhelming. Many of the students who find their way to my practice share very similar struggles, and you are not alone in navigating them. You might find that we are a great fit to work together if you are experiencing any of the following: Anxiety and Overthinking: Your mind rarely takes a break. The constant pressure to excel, maintain your GPA, or secure the next big opportunity has left you feeling completely burnt out, anxious, or like you are never doing "enough." Depression and Low Energy: You are feeling unmotivated, disconnected, or weighed down by the sheer volume of responsibilities, making it hard to show up for your classes or yourself. Navigating ADHD in School: You struggle with focus, procrastination, or time management, and the unstructured nature of college life is making it incredibly difficult to stay on top of everything. Peer Relationships and Social Pressure: Managing roommates, family expectations, friendships, or dating while trying to maintain your own identity and boundaries feels increasingly complicated. Career Counseling and "What's Next?": You are feeling lost or stressed about your future career path, major choices, or transitioning into the professional world after graduation. How We Will Work Together Therapy with me isn't about rigid clinical checklists or more assigned "homework." It is a collaborative, down-to-earth space where you can let your guard down and just be yourself. Together, we will look at what is currently draining your energy and figure out practical, realistic ways to help you feel more grounded, focused, and in control of your life. You don't have to navigate the weight of this chapter entirely on your own.

Are you feeling lost and unsure about yourself and how you are feeling? Are you struggling with anxiety and depression and are weighed down by the societal and social pressures of having to have your life figured out? Being a young adult can be very challenging with all of the pressure to succeed, "be the best" and having to stand out academically and socially. As a therapist with 20 years experience, allow me to explore with you how to become the "best" version of yourself in a safe, warm, and accepting environment. "There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind." -C.S. Lewis

I treat individuals who are experiencing symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and related conditions of anxious rumination and Binge Eating Disorder. My treatment approach primarily uses the gold-standard of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) while also addressing issues of trauma and family dynamics. I approach the treatment of emotional eating with a skills based DBT approach, emphasizing emotional regulation, mindfulness, and distress tolerance.

My role as a therapist is to support you in exploring your personal story and observing your inner experiences. I offer a safe, non-judgmental space using warmth, humor and gentle awareness for you to feel accepted and understood. I use narrative, solution focused, and mindfulness techniques to collaborate with you. This approach allows you to reauthor your story with compassion and insight, drawing from your strengths and values to cultivate resilience.

Hi, and welcome! My name is Katelyn, I am a therapist with a background working in university counseling centers. I enjoy supporting students, through the unique challenges of college life. Now in private practice with CoCal Counseling, I continue to help students navigate stress, anxiety, relationships, and life transitions through online sessions. My goal is to create a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you can gain insight, build resilience, and find strategies to thrive both academically and personally. Let’s work together to help you feel more confident, connected, and grounded. You don’t have to navigate this season of your life alone.

I am a bilingual therapist helping individuals dealing with trauma, depression, anxiety, behavioral issues, life-stage transitions, and other debilitating situations. My work is client-centered and culturally sensitive. I use evidence-based practices to provide focused treatment and positive outcomes. I incorporate solution-focused, narrative, cognitive-behavioral, and family systems techniques. Through talk therapy, I guide clients to overcome issues affecting their everyday lives. I work with individual adults addressing depression, anxiety, and trauma, and their effects on mood, functioning, and relationships. I focus on your strengths, thoughts, feelings, and dynamics for a healthier you. I also work with the LGBTQ community on youth-at-risk issues, coming-out, and exploring the lifestyle you want to create.

A lot of the students I work with are used to being the “responsible one”—the one who gets things done, shows up, and keeps it all together. But underneath that, there’s often a lot of pressure, overthinking, and a quiet feeling of “am I actually doing this right?” You might replay conversations in your head, feel torn between what you want and what’s expected of you, or notice it’s hard to relax without feeling guilty. Relationships can feel confusing too—wanting to be close, but also not wanting to be too much or not enough. If you grew up balancing different worlds, cultures, or expectations, you might not even be sure what your voice sounds like yet. In our work together, we make space to sort through all of that—so you can feel more like yourself, trust your decisions, and stop living on autopilot.

“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly—what is essential is invisible to the eye” (The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry). As a therapist, I work to see people with my heart and hold a hopeful space of unconditional compassion and empathy. As a trauma survivor with personal experiences in therapy, I’m aware of how vulnerable and uncertain starting with a new therapist can be. I honor the courage and openness it takes to begin any healing process. Creating safety in the therapeutic relationship is essential to me. I believe everyone has the capacity for healing already within them, and I work to empower people to connect with themselves and their unique strengths. I believe we are relational beings, and our different experiences with attachment can have profound effects on us. I value flexibility and creativity in my therapeutic style, and I draw from and integrate diverse approaches to discover what resonates with each different person. It is important to me to be intentional and considerate when holding space for culture and how different forces of marginalization affect mental health, and I work to be culturally responsive and attuned. My approach is continuously curious and trauma-informed, and one of my many passions is affirmatively supporting people around intergenerational trauma and attachment wounds. As a therapist and a human being, I try to embody a tree. This means moving slow, breathing deep, and being grounded enough to nourish connection. My favorite place on earth is the old growth forest! I also love to surf and meditate, and I appreciate breathwork and somatic/body-based techniques along my own healing path. I’ve been working in mental health for about thirteen years. I received my bachelor’s degree in English from University of California, Santa Barbara, and I finished my master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at California State University, Long Beach, where I also started writing poems for people on an old typewriter. I view therapy as a poetic process where someone gets to tell their story and shape its continuation to best honor their soul. We all need to be heard, seen, and believed in, and as a therapist, I work to cultivate this heartfelt connection.

Worried you haven't done enough? Experiencing indecision and disappointment in your relationships? If you're struggling to manage anxiety, now might be the time to connect. I’m a first generation Latinx/e, bilingual, and LGBTQ+ affirming therapist creating space for clients to experience radical self-compassion and express themselves fully. My style is warm and authentic, with some humor. I sit with clients as they experience difficult emotions, listen to what others have not been able to hear, and guide clients to connect with their self-worth and contend with the realities of life. Therapy is your time to think and feel with my support. Clients can expect a genuine interest in understanding them. I provide virtual therapy in CA for adults only, focusing on anxiety, perfectionism, stress, relationships, generational differences within Latinx/e communities and beyond. I draw from emotion-focused, psychodynamic, existential, and humanistic theories and therapy. Book your free consultation today. *Note: In the event of a medical or psychiatric emergency or an emergency involving a threat to your safety or the safety of others, do not call/email me to schedule a consultation call. See resources below: *Dial 9-1-1 for emergency assistance, Go to nearest hospital/emergency room  *Call or Text 9-8-8 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline *Text HOME to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line (Available for all types and levels of crises) *Dial 877-854-3594 for Human Options, a domestic violence resource *Dial 714-842-6600 for Huntington Youth Shelter, Dial 800-914-2272 for Casa Youth Shelter  *Dial 2-1-1 for additional information about local resources closest to your area

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I am a trauma therapist who specializes in supporting individuals through difficult events. I work with people throughout California virtually and in person in Santa Barbara, CA. I specialize in trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. My primary therapeutic approach is psychodynamic, with a focus on helping people gain deeper insight into their inner world and life experiences. However I integrate EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) into my work as needed and/or desired. I am in-network for CenCal insurance