Therapists for college students near 94132

Hi, I'm Alyssa! I help people who are feeling stuck, disconnected, or overwhelmed get to the root of the problem and find practical solutions to feel better. While I've worked with a variety of mental health concerns, I'm particularly passionate about working with relationship problems, life transitions, anxiety, and depression. My approach is down-to-earth, warm, and nonjudgemental. We'll explore the patterns that may be keeping you stuck while building on the strengths you already have. I want my clients to feel understood, supported, and comfortable enough to be gently challenged when needed. I truly love this work and the meaningful relationships I get to build with clients! Reaching out for therapy can feel vulnerable, but it says a lot about your desire to feel better and become the best version of yourself. Whatever it is you're working towards, I'm glad you're considering taking this step.

Dr. Cawkwell is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry. Having been trained at several elite institutions including UPenn, NYU, Harvard/MGH, and Stanford, Dr. Cawkwell has a specific interest and expertise in ADD/ADHD, Executive Functioning, Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD), Bipolar Disorder, and Early Psychosis (Schizophrenia/Schizoaffective Disorder).

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.

Being the first in your family to navigate college and professional settings is filled with excitement, growth, transition, and joy. It can also be lonely, confusing, and stressful. Do you feel caught between two worlds (family and work/school)? Do you underestimate your value or worth in places where you experience prejudice and discrimination? Are you struggling to define or accept who you are and what you value based on tensions with family or your culture? When you are First Gen, there are often challenges in both your professional and personal life that are hard to understand and cope with but you don’t have to do it alone. Working together, we will be able to gain clarity on how your experiences are impacted by your personal and family history, your communities, and society as a whole. We will shine a spotlight on your strengths, build your confidence, and help you lean into how amazing you are. We will explore how to manage the sad, frustrating, uncomfortable, and anxious parts of your life in a way that builds you up and grounds you in your values. Existing in two worlds doesn’t have to mean separating your life. You can be your full self with anyone, anywhere. If you are ready to get started on the next stage of your First Gen journey, contact me today!

I enjoy working with those who are struggling with social and general anxiety, adjusting to major transitions in life (like starting college, changing majors, planning graduation), and identity. I am LGBTQIA+ affirming.

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"Commit to loving yourself completely. It's the most radical thing you will do in your lifetime" - Andrea Gibson I am a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 20 years of experience helping individuals through transition and personal growth. After growing up in Colorado and graduating from the University of California, Santa Barbara, my professional journey started with a passionate commitment to community building, leadership development, and health and wellness advocacy. I embarked on a profound exploration of autonomy and a deepening understanding of myself through working with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in Mexico and then as a Director of an Environmental Educational program in Hawaii. Following my move to the Bay Area, my deep-seated desire to make a positive impact on individual lives motivated me to pursue and successfully earn a Master's in Counseling Psychology from Dominican University. Throughout my mental health professional journey, I have worked as a psychotherapist, consultant, supervisor, counselor and Founding Director of a New Parent Support Center, each contributing to my diverse skill set and holistic approach to well-being. With a firm belief in the transformative power of self-discovery, I specialize in working with emerging adults/college age individuals with their unique challenges and opportunities faced at different stages of life. My focus is helping my younger clients build inner strength, explore their identities, establish independence, and navigate important life decisions. My integrative approach utilizes my extensive training in research-based interventions as well as clinically efficacious modalities such as developmental psychology, attachment theory, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Somatic, and Mindfulness-Based Psychotherapy. By combining these methods, I provide a tailored and holistic therapeutic experience while recognizing each individual as the expert of their own life. I am certified in Parent-Based Treatment for Childhood Anxiety at the Yale Child Study Center, a certified Gottman Educator, a certified Parent Coach as well as a Girls Leadership educator. I have completed trainings in Surf Therapy, Somatic Experiencing as well as Nature-Informed therapy. I enjoy surfing, hiking and exploring the outdoors and live with my husband and two teenagers in Encinitas, CA. Lic# MFT 51396 “You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf." Jon Kabat-Zinn Specialties College Students Women's Issues Identity Development Life Transitions Stress Management Relationship Concerns Anxiety and Worry Depression Attachment Theory Mindfulness and Somatic Based Therapy Parts Work

My practice is dedicated to working with people who are seeking emotional emancipation. They desire to claim or reclaim their lives after traumatic experiences or relational struggles that have left them feeling down, anxious, lonely, confused or scared and often don't really know how to begin to be different in the midst of all of these feelings. Working with me means exploring together the experiences that make you who you are by looking both at what your life is like today and how your past is informing that life. From this vantage, you can learn to make choices for yourself, freeing the yourself to engage in a life of your own making. I offer a free consultation and my fee is $300.

I am inspired to work in the field of mental health because I want to offer support and strategies during a challenging time. I understand how difficult it can be to reach out for help. I want to work with you to improve your circumstances. I work on being nonjudgmental so that you feel comfortable and safe enough to share your experiences with me. I welcome feedback so I can continue to offer more of what might be needed so that I can best support you. I want to meet you where you are at and pace our work together. I respect all parts of your experience and want to make sure that you feel empowered to speak up if you ever feel worried about your care.

Life can be overwhelming, and asking for help takes courage. Whether you're feeling stuck, disconnected, or simply need support processing life’s changes, you don’t have to do it alone. I offer a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where we focus on your strengths, explore your goals, and move at a pace that feels right for you. Sessions are available in English or American Sign Language to meet your communication needs. I take a collaborative, client-centered approach to therapy, grounded in trust and open communication. We'll set meaningful goals together, and I’ll support you using your strengths while building new skills. You can expect empathy, respect, and a space that truly honors your voice. Let’s connect and explore how I can support you. I offer telehealth sessions to fit your needs and schedule.

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Dr. Ray and her team of therapists are committed to providing their clientele with support AND direction to help cultivate real changes in their lives, and they work together as a community to create an atmosphere of positive growth and change. The overall value of this company is to assist each client in a way that it has a lasting impact on bettering the overall community in which we live. ​Let Advanced Health Care join with you to create a healthier, happier, and more productive life. Whatever YOUR goals may be, let US help you to achieve them. Whether you dream to be a happier person, to have better relationships, to feel less anxious, to be a better parent, to stop an unhealthy habit, or to simply understand yourself better, we are here for you. Whatever YOUR goals may be, our team can help you to achieve them.

I’m drawn to helping people navigate difficult life transitions and supporting them in developing self-compassion and learning to validate their own experiences. I find it meaningful to walk alongside clients as they make sense of challenges and grow through them. I use humor and metaphors to explore complex or heavy topics in a way that feels more approachable and less overwhelming. I love helping clients find practical tools and unique solutions they can apply in their everyday lives, so they feel more empowered in managing their struggles and creating change. I approach the therapeutic relationship collaboratively and making sure we stay focused on what matters most to you. I’ll regularly check in and invite your feedback so we can adjust along the way and make sure your needs are being met. I utilize active listening, paying close attention to both what you’re saying and how you’re experiencing things. I may reflect things back or ask questions to better understand your perspective. My goal is for you to feel genuinely heard, respected, and supported throughout the process. At the beginning, we’ll talk about what brings you in and what you’re hoping to get out of therapy, and we’ll work together to set goals that feel meaningful to you. I’ll also explain how I work so everything feels clear and collaborative. Building trust is really important to me, so I focus on creating a safe, welcoming space that’s free of judgment and shame. I follow your lead and respect your pace, especially when we’re exploring more difficult topics. I also bring in humor, creativity, and metaphors to make the process feel more engaging and approachable. Over time, consistency, open communication, and mutual respect help us build a strong therapeutic relationship where you feel safe, supported, and empowered. I enjoy bringing a light-hearted demeanor into the therapy space. Therapy is serious work, but I find that humor helps bolster resilience and promote connection. By being able to notice and appreciate small, light moments we can more easily tackle the big ones.

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.

At our practice, we understand that navigating university life while balancing cultural expectations, family dynamics, and identity can feel like a lot to carry. We specifically specialize in supporting Hispanic and Latin students, providing a culturally affirming space where your background is celebrated and understood. Our team of therapists helps students navigate anxiety, academic pressure, life transitions, and generational differences. We are dedicated to breaking the stigma around mental health in our community and offer a warm, bilingual, and judgment-free space where you can feel seen and heard.

During my clinical training at a college counseling center, I worked closely with students navigating anxiety, self-doubt, emotional overwhelm, relationship difficulties, trauma, academic pressures, and major life transitions. I also currently serve as a clinical supervisor for doctoral trainees in a graduate psychology program. As a contributing author in a Cambridge Scholars Publishing volume exploring the transcultural unconscious, I am especially attentive to the ways psychological suffering can emerge across emotional, relational, somatic, cultural, ancestral, and intergenerational layers—particularly for individuals navigating between multiple cultural worlds, identities, or systems of meaning. In addition to my clinical work, I draw insight from four decades of lived experience across business, music, holistic practices, and cross-cultural traditions, which continue to inform my understanding of psychological resilience, creativity, identity, and the complexity of human experience. Many of the individuals I work with appear highly capable on the outside while privately struggling with a persistent sense of disconnection from themselves or uncertainty about who they are beyond achievement and external expectations. If you are trying to meet academic, familial, cultural, or social demands while also struggling with questions of identity, self-worth, meaning, or belonging, therapy can offer a space where your inner life is approached with greater curiosity and depth rather than reduced to productivity or performance. Therapy may also help you develop the psychological flexibility to hold the tension between external expectations and your own emerging questions about identity, meaning, and authenticity without forcing one side of yourself to disappear. I work particularly well with students and young adults who are psychologically curious and interested in understanding the deeper patterns shaping their emotional lives. This may especially resonate if you tend to organize your inner life and external world primarily through thinking, analysis, and intellectual understanding. The capacity to reflect, reason, and make meaning from complexity can be a profound strength that supports resilience, creativity, and achievement. At the same time, thinking can sometimes become a way of creating distance from emotional or somatic experience, especially when vulnerability or relational life once felt difficult to navigate. You may genuinely enjoy ideas, self-reflection, and intellectual exploration, while also sensing that certain emotional experiences remain difficult to access, articulate, or fully feel. Together, we may explore how early relational experiences, unconscious dynamics, cultural and family histories, and internalized expectations influence your self-esteem, relationships, perfectionism, emotional regulation, and sense of meaning or purpose. My approach is psychodynamic and depth-oriented while also integrating evidence-based trauma treatment, including EMDR. Therapy is not only focused on symptom reduction, but also on helping you develop a more reflective and compassionate relationship with yourself. I value both the importance of making practical progress in daily life and the longer process of psychological development that unfolds as your inner and outer worlds begin to come into deeper dialogue. For many young adults, this stage of life involves more than adapting to social expectations—it can also become an important period of questioning, identity formation, and emotional integration. Therapy can provide a space for you to think deeply, process difficult experiences, and cultivate a more grounded and genuine sense of self.

More information can be found on my Nourish profile here: https://www.usenourish.com/providers/bryan-lian?referralSource=Nourish+dietitian&referralName=Bryan+Lian&utm_source=Nourish_dietitian&utm_term=Bryan_Lian

Welcome! Working with a diverse population for many years widen my appreciation toward everyone I encounter in the therapy room. My new clients often ask me, “What is your approach or therapy model?” Learning from years valuable experience, I do not take a blueprint or “one-size-fits-all” approach for clients. Every client has an individualized curriculum. You may be feeling distressed, facing difficulties in your personal or professional relationships, contemplating a major life transition, or navigating a health crisis. No matter what challenge brings, I will help you in resolving conflicts and strengthening your relationships. I will explore your options in a collaborative way while taking into consideration the hopes, expectations, values, and preferences that are significant to you. Using clinical sophistication and expertise I incorporate humility, kindness, and passion to create a caring environment. My life experience encompasses living in the Eastern hemisphere and Western hemisphere; also working in East coast and West coast of the U.S. It enriches me to carefully examine things in different angles and not “boxing people in” with narrowly defined categories. I also provide supervision for all learning stages. I look forward to meeting you!

We help young adults find clarity, confidence, and lasting relief as they navigate trauma, grief, and the big life changes to build a grounded, fulfilling life.

Working in metal health for over a decade, I realized I would ask more questions about the person than I was trained to know what to do. I knew I wanted to help people more and decided to further my education to be able to do that. Clients need to feel heard and understood. I would initially ask how they would like to feel heard and understood. I would naturally reflect back on what clients have stated to ensure I heard their words correctly. I would also ask if I understood their words correctly to confirm. Working together is collaborative. Building trust looks like me asking questions to see the client’s experience and what support looks like to them. It is listening to their stories and hearing what the client would like to work on as far as goals and supporting them to do so.