Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA

Deeper Than Color is a team of therapists who offer psychotherapy addresseing oppression, discrimination, and marginalization. We work to empower Black, Asian, Pacific Islander, Latino (Latine/x), Indigionous and Native American, and other People of Color as well as LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, performer, educator, and professional clients. We focus on your goals and create safe spaces where you can share without judgment. We work with you to heal trauma, embrace identity, and improve relationships. We also help you cope with stress, overcome barriers, and achieve your aspirations. We are here to support you.

If your life had a resumé, “chameleon” would be at the top. You’re so good at figuring out others’ needs, they’d never suspect that you have them too. If you were honest with yourself, though, you’d admit how stressful it is to live for other people. You’re terrified you’ll lose relationships if you speak up or say no. Your energy is drained or you feel resentful. You’re exhausted from wondering if others like you or approve of you. If you make choices that disappoint others, you feel guilty and selfish. Your whole identity is about pleasing others, & you want to feel comfortable being your authentic self, but you have no idea how. If this sounds like you, I’ve got you! We’ll shift your story so you'll see your sensitivity to others as a strength. You’ll be a boundaries badass who feels confident with your decisions. You’ll take your perfectionism head on and feel able to live in the present. And you’ll have action steps that feel good, because they’re finally in line with YOUR goals. I specialize in treating Highly Sensitive People and recovering perfectionists & people-pleasers. I see clients online through a convenient video platform, so that therapy can work seamlessly with your busy life. Contact me for a free 20-minute consultation to determine if I’m the right therapist for you! I look forward to speaking with you!

Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck in your head, struggling in relationships, or questioning who you are and where you're going, you’re not alone. College can bring a lot of pressure—academically, socially, and internally. I offer a warm, confidential space where you can slow down, make sense of what you're going through, and feel more like yourself again. Together, we’ll work to understand patterns that may be holding you back, build tools to manage stress and anxiety, and support you in developing a stronger sense of identity, confidence, and direction. My goal is to help you feel more grounded, more connected, and more able to navigate your life with clarity and self-trust.

I support clients who are navigating ADHD, OCD, anxiety, and depression, and I integrate practical strategies for emotional regulation, motivation, and executive functioning. Sessions with me may include skill-building, mindset shifts, medication support when beneficial, and space to process your experiences at your own pace.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hi, this is Michael Courter, founder of Free At Heart Online Therapy. I personally am exceptionally happy with and humbled by the skill, warmth and intuition of these therapists and I’m sure we have a clinician perfect for you. Combined with highly technical training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and many other treatments, these therapists are capable of having a remarkably positive impact in the lives of their clients and in our community. Like my fellow therapists at Free At Heart Online Therapy, I continue to research and study the most impactful psychological theories available. It is this focus on our continuing studies and comprehensive training that allows our therapy clinic to offer exceptional and varied mental health services. In addition to offering full scope DBT, we are pleased to offer Internal Family Systems Therapy, where the goal is to permanently heal your trauma and completely transform your mental health symptoms. ​ So in the spirit of healing, I would like to officially welcome and invite you to participate with Free At Heart Online Therapy and/or refer those persons in your life that would benefit from a friendly, supportive, creative, consistent, and non-judgemental ear. Kind Regards, - Michael Courter

The impact that we can make in an individual’s or family’s life, such as seeing them interacting in a positive manner, becoming resilient, and having better, healthier relationships with others is what inspires me. I enjoy working with families, infants, children, couples and adults who feel ready to make changes in their lives. I am a provider that is there to support and guide clients through the challenges that life brings and the healing process. It is like driving a car, I am there to the co-pilot; listen, provide a supportive environment, provide the tools and guidance through the journey. But, as an effective co-pilot, I ask my clients not to place me in the trunk of your car, as I will not be able to help and do not place me in the back seat of your car, where I cannot be effective and support you. But if you are ready to heal, I will be there with you thought this journey in the passenger seat.

We all need a space where we can safely explore life’s many stressors, what feels heavy, experiences with anxiety, overwhelm, trauma, loss, relationship challenges, depression, neurodiversity. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I recognize everyone deserves a safe, supportive space where they can show up as their genuine self to process and sort through internal conflicts, battles, life’s challenges. I see therapy as a trusting partnership rooted in curiosity and safety, where we focus on strengthening your mental health and building on the strengths you already have. Therapy is a safe place to gently process what feels heavy, make sense of your lived experiences, and strengthen your overall mental health and well-being. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and guided by your goals, your pace and felt safety in sessions, and your lived experiences. I provide affirming, culturally responsive care for LGBTQI+ and BIPOC communities, as well as individuals across all life stages and backgrounds.​ I find daily morning and evening routines are incredibly helpful to maintaining my personal wellbeing and daily lived experiences. When I find myself struggling with life’s challenges, I turn to outlets such as nature, walks, music, writing to process, simple self care acts, spending time with those I love and care for, and snuggles with my pet.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Through a warm, mindful, and compassionate approach to therapy, I aim to foster a welcoming and safe space for you to explore your journey to meaningful healing and self-discovery. Welcome, my name is Vi! I hold different marginalized identities as a woman of color, an immigrant from Việt Nam, a former international student; and have lived experience with anxiety, depression, trauma, racism, and oppression. I also hold privileged identities: able-bodied, cisgender, straight, Christian, and grew up in a middle-class family. These identities allow me to discover life through these intersectional lenses, and I am grateful for all of them. Through my own healing journey, I instantly learned clinicians with similar identities and cultural backgrounds who could fully facilitate a space of growth in my identity as an Asian immigrant woman was lacking. This disheartening experience fueled my passion to provide a space to highlight and honor immigrant and AAPI experiences through my work as a licensed clinical psychologist. It is a privilege and blessing for me to be able to provide the space that was previously unavailable, and to collaborate with international students, immigrants, and AAPI-identified folks, as well as individuals who occupy an intersection of their identity that is marked by marginalization and oppression.

I became a therapist to welcome everyone so they feel safe and can be heard without judgement. My goal is for my clients to feel supported, heard and feel connected to someone they trust. I ensure that clients feel they are heard and understood by helping them stay on track with their goals and life experiences. I invite feedback during our sessions so that their needs and concerns are addressed. I build trust and a strong therapeutic alliance by prioritizing a safe and welcoming space in remote therapy. My approach is to use humor, creativity and metaphors to help the clients connect. I want to make the process of therapy more engaging and meaningful. I enjoy family life. I run every day first thing in the morning to feel connected and balanced. I also enjoy watching college basketball – especially when my team wins.

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.

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.

I work with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and relationship struggles. I have a special focus on athletes, performers, and creatives hitting walls, performance blocks, creative freezes, and the trauma quietly running the show from backstage. If you know you're capable of more but something keeps getting in the way, that's exactly where we dig in. I'm mindfulness-based, DBT-informed, and solution-focused, and certified in Brainspotting and Play Therapy. These two approaches reach places that talk therapy alone sometimes can't. Think of them as secret passageways to what's already inside you. My approach is collaborative, grounded, and completely tailored to you: no therapy-speak, just honest conversation, real tools, and a little humor when it helps. Whatever you're carrying, we'll figure out together, building on your strengths at your pace.

I work with adults and couples experiencing anxiety, depression, burnout, trauma, PTSD, self-esteem challenges, and relationship difficulties. I am especially passionate about supporting first-generation individuals and high-achieving clients who feel pressure to meet family, cultural, academic, or professional expectations while trying to stay connected to themselves. I welcome clients from all backgrounds and create a space where your experiences, values, and identity are genuinely respected and understood.

Hi, I’m Ellie, and I’m so excited to meet you! :) College can be a time of growth and excitement—but also stress, pressure, and uncertainty. Maybe you’re feeling anxious in social settings, overwhelmed by academic expectations, unsure about your future, or stuck in a loop of perfectionistic thinking. You might be on the edge of burnout—constantly doing but never feeling like it’s enough. Or perhaps you’re navigating challenges in your relationships—feeling disconnected, misunderstood, or unsure how to communicate what you need. If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to navigate it on your own. I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California, and I specialize in helping preteens, teens, college students and young adults navigate generalized anxiety, social anxiety, performance-based anxiety, perfectionism, relationship stress, and academic/career or life transitions. Together, we’ll create space to explore what’s going on beneath the surface and build strategies to help you feel more grounded, confident, and in control of your life. My approach is warm, relational, and collaborative. I primarily draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you understand the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors—and make practical, meaningful shifts. I also integrate techniques from mindfulness, attachment-based, and relational approaches so therapy feels personalized to you. In our first few sessions, I’ll take time to get to know you and understand what’s bringing you in. You can expect a calm, supportive space where you’re free to be real—no judgment, no pressure. We’ll move at your pace, and I’ll check in regularly to make sure therapy is meeting your needs. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure where to start, that’s okay. Reaching out is a strong first step—and I’d be honored to support you from here. Feel free to call/text me at (949)490-2819 or email me at ellie.mourey@gmail.com. You can also schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation directly through my website, whatever feels easiest for you :)

Hi, my name is Esma. Clients come to my practice looking for a therapist who can get to the root of their problem. I specialize in working with sensitive, high-functioning people who look fine on the outside but feel stuck on the inside. My practice is integrative, trauma-informed, and centered around helping clients navigate trauma, complex PTSD, anxiety, relationship challenges, and attachment wounds. I draw from Brainspotting, IFS, ACT, CBT, and other holistic approaches depending on each client’s individual needs and goals. I’m not afraid of hard conversations, and I won’t tiptoe around the things that matter. Clients appreciate that I’m both caring and direct. I’m not cold or overly clinical, but I also won’t sugarcoat things or avoid difficult conversations. I help clients get underneath the surface and start making real changes. I also use humor naturally in session because sometimes humor creates the exact amount of honesty, perspective, and relief people need to finally let their guard down. Therapy can be deep and challenging without feeling rigid or performative. I’m both caring and straightforward. I bring warmth and honesty into the room equally. You’ll feel supported, but you’ll also be held accountable. I believe both are necessary for growth. I offer both in-person and online therapy services in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego. I especially enjoy working with young adults and creating flexible, accessible options for support. Some of the services I currently offer include: • Brainspotting Group Therapy — Self-Love & Secure Attachment (weekly with flexible attendance) • Brainspotting Group + occasional individual therapy as needed • As-needed therapy (individual or couples) • Weekly therapy (individual or couples) • Every-other-week therapy (individual or couples) • Therapy intensives (individual or couples)

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Hi! I'm Dr. Alice Wong, I have experience in working with diverse cultural backgrounds and understand the struggles one may face in wanting to assimilate while retaining their cultural heritage. Besides prescribing medications when necessary, I am a strong proponent of psychodynamic psychotherapy to process past experiences, understand ourselves better, and achieve the lives we consciously choose. Whether you're seeking relief from family expectations, struggling to integrate your multicultural identity (especially as an Asian American), experiencing the stress of transitions in life, managing symptoms of anxiety/depression/trauma, or feeling lost in your pursuit of a fulfilling life, I'm dedicated to walking this path with you.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.