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Therapists for college students near University of Southern California

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Martha Cervantes
Marriage & Family Therapist
San Leandro, CA

Starting therapy can feel intimidating, especially if you’ve spent much of your life being strong for others. I specialize in working with members of the Latino community across generations, including immigrants, first- and second-generation individuals, and monolingual Spanish speakers. Many of my clients are navigating family expectations, identity exploration, acculturation stress, and the challenge of balancing multiple cultural worlds while managing anxiety, depression, relationship stress, parenting concerns, or major life transitions. I provide a warm, supportive, nonjudgmental space using a behavioral and systemic approach. As a bilingual Latina therapist, I help clients build coping skills, strengthen relationships, navigate immigration and adjustment stress, and explore how culture and family shape their experiences. Evening, Saturday, and limited sliding scale spots available. I understand the deep importance of culture, family, and identity, and I am passionate about helping clients feel seen, heard, and supported in ways that honor their lived experiences. You deserve a space where you can show up fully, heal at your own pace, and begin creating meaningful change.

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Kamal Ahmed
Marriage & Family Therapist
Sacramento, CA

Thanks for stopping by! I specialize in working with the following: Teen/Young Adult Issues- I help teens/young adults learn valuable skills that help them make sense of their thoughts, feelings, and values; this helps them be better equipped and empowered to make better decisions in their relationships, school, and work. Counseling with me can help teens and young adults build their confidence, bounce back from setbacks, focus on their goals, manage stress, and have healthy relationships. Men's Issues- Often, men appreciate practical tools that they can utilize to improve their lives right away. I like men to think of me as a mental personal trainer, rather than a traditional therapist. I support men with the following: anxiety, self-esteem, work performance, stress management, trauma/ptsd, and relationship issues. Athletes- As an avid athlete myself, I understand the importance of having a strong and healthy mental health when it comes to sport performance. I work with athletes who struggle with the following: measuring up with team mates, pre-game anxiety, substance use and coping, handling setbacks, injuries, balancing sports and life (ie. school, relationships).

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Jenny Werba
Pre-Licensed Professional
Corte Madera, CA

Hi! I’m Jenny, and I help individuals and couples like you: ones that have it within them to put themselves back in the driver seat, but just need the support to get there. I help my clients find peace and acceptance by equipping them with the tools they need to give voice to their experience, while building their community of support. I am dedicated to helping people feeling supported during what can be one of the most stressful and overwhelming chapter in their lives. My training in perinatal therapy means I have the expertise you need and deserve during your familihood transition - no matter what stage you are in. But at the end of the day, you want to know you’re working with someone who “gets” what it means to be a person struggling with this season of life, right? I get it because I lived many of the challenges of this time in my own journey to becoming a mother. As I faced these challenges and became a parent, I dedicated much of my career to working with other women and couples facing similar challenges. I know that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and alone in this journey. So when we work together, you won’t just get an experienced therapist. You’ll get someone who truly understands what you’re going through.

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Poya Lai
Pre-Licensed Professional
San Francisco, CA

Many people begin therapy feeling emotionally exhausted, stuck, or unsure of where they belong. This can be especially true for those navigating multiple cultures, identities, and expectations at once. When family values, cultural norms, and personal needs don’t fully align, it’s common to feel pulled in different directions—or to quietly lose touch with yourself. Over time, this strain may show up as burnout, anxiety, relationship stress, or a lingering sense that something isn’t quite right, even if everything looks “fine” on the outside. I take a collaborative, culturally responsive approach to therapy that honors the complexity of your lived experience. I don’t believe there is one “right” way to feel, heal, or move forward—especially when identity, family dynamics, and cultural expectations play such a central role in your life. My work integrates evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotion-Focused Therapy, family systems therapy, and person-centered approaches. Together, we will make sense of patterns shaped by your past experiences and relationships while building practical coping skills that support meaningful, sustainable change. I earned my Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of San Francisco. During graduate training, I completed my internship at Gateway Public Schools, where I worked with adolescents ages 11–18. In this role, I supported students navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, identity development, and a wide range of family-related and personal challenges, gaining hands-on experience working within complex systems that impact young people’s emotional well-being. Over time, clients often gain greater emotional clarity, self-trust, and a stronger sense of agency—feeling more empowered to live in ways that feel authentic rather than obligatory. Therapy is a space where you don’t have to choose between parts of yourself—you can bring all of you into the room. My goal is to create a supportive and affirming therapeutic space where you feel genuinely seen, heard, and understood. We will explore how family dynamics, identity development, and cultural influences have shaped your experiences, while also focusing on what matters most to you moving forward. Outside of therapy, I value humor, perspective, and taking meaningful chances in life. One quote that resonates with me is: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky — Michael Scott. This mindset reflects my belief in growth, courage, and the importance of showing up for yourself—even when the next step feels uncertain.

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Jannet Grau
Marriage & Family Therapist
Oxnard, CA

Hi there! The population I typically see are individuals who would like to overcome disturbing events in their life that may be causing them depression, anxiety or low self-esteem to name a few. To treat this, I use a technique called EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). EMDR uses bilateral stimulation via tapping chest/arms/knees or eye movements while processing past disturbing events. I make sure to follow your pace and that you feel safe enough to take this step. If you do not wish to do EMDR, I can offer you a safe space to talk about any issues you may have. I have been treating clients since 2014. My private practice is established in Oxnard, CA and I serve clients through tele-health and in-office. Safety allows for exploration. Come on, let's explore together. I offer a free 15 min. phone consultation to see if I would be a good fit for you. Hablo Español.

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Rajiv Joshi
Marriage & Family Therapist
Irvine, CA

Hi there, I'm Rajiv, a trusted marriage and family therapist proudly serving Orange County, CA, and currently affiliated with Uram Family Therapy. My journey in this field includes invaluable experience gained at the UCI Child Development School, where I taught social skills and emotional regulation through the UCI Department of Pediatrics. My passion lies in supporting individuals, couples, and families as they navigate through challenges such as depression, anxiety, and life changes. I bring a diverse set of skills to the table, incorporating proven methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help my clients achieve their goals. I firmly believe that no matter what life throws at you, with the right guidance, you can transform challenges into valuable learning opportunities. I'm dedicated to creating personalized therapy plans that reshape attitudes, empowering you to confidently navigate life's transitions. My commitment to community service knows no bounds. As a child at heart, I love delving into the emotions that define us. Outside of work, you'll catch me engaging in sports activities and playing video games, elements I seamlessly integrate into the therapeutic environment. I'm a family guy through and through, finding immense joy in exploring the world with my wife and son. On a lighter note, I'm a dog lover and proud owner of two adorable canines, Chewie and Charlie. Spending quality time outdoors with them is a regular part of my routine. If you're looking for someone to talk to or seeking guidance through life's difficulties, I'm here to lend a helping hand. My goal is to help you feel capable in adversity, embrace life's changes, discover your hidden strengths, and learn to bounce back from challenges with courage. Let's embark on this transformative journey together.

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Gabriela Sanchez
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Encinitas, CA

As a proud Latina and former teen mom, I bring both professional expertise and lived experience to the therapeutic space. I’m deeply passionate about mental health and the power of healing through connection, understanding, and culturally sensitive care. I specialize in working with individuals navigating trauma, sexual violence, anxiety, and depression. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in empathy and empowerment. I believe every person deserves to feel heard, safe, and supported especially in their most vulnerable moments. In our work together, I aim to create a space where you can begin to unlearn shame, process pain, and rebuild your sense of self with compassion and strength. Healing is not linear, but you don’t have to go through it alone.

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Valerie Roberts
Psychologist
San Francisco, CA

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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Christine Tomasello
Marriage & Family Therapist
San Diego, CA

College students have to cope with a lot of life stressors and have limited support on campus. I have worked in a college counseling center in the past and have helped students address the unique life changes that they experience while in school. Whether it's anxiety, depression, stress and overwhelm, or challenges with life transitions, I can help you develop the coping skills to navigate those difficulties and remove things that are holding you back from reaching your potential at school.

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George Nicol
Marriage & Family Therapist
Petaluma, CA

Welcome! My style of therapy is based on compassion, authenticity, and connection. Collaboration is central to my work. We’ll collaborate during our sessions to set goals and create a path to achieving them. My areas of expertise include depression, anxiety, anger, trauma, grief, and significant life transitions.

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Hope Harmony Healing Therapy Services
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
San Luis Obispo, CA

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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Nikita Bangera
Pre-Licensed Professional
Riverside, CA

I became a therapist to offer the kind of space I often needed growing up, where emotions can be messy, stories are honored, and healing means reclaiming parts of yourself that were silenced. I bring a warm, grounded presence to my work, and collaborate with each client to shape therapy around their pace and needs. I specialize in supporting BIPOC and LGBTQ+ clients navigating anxiety, depression, grief, identity struggles, intergenerational trauma, and the stress of living in systems that weren’t built to support them. As a South Asian therapist, I know what it’s like to feel torn between cultural expectations and your own sense of self. Whether you're questioning your place in the world, or working to feel at home in your body or identity, I offer a space where all parts of you are welcome. I’m not here to fix you or rush you. I’m here to walk alongside you as you build a deeper sense of self-trust, clarity, and possibility. If you're looking for a therapist who sees the full picture, including your inner world and the systems you're navigating, I’d love to connect.

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Ali Turetzky
Pre-Licensed Professional
San Francisco, CA

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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Rachel Benson
Marriage & Family Therapist
Lakeside, CA

Are you feeling stressed, overwhelmed, confused, or depressed? Are you feeling disconnected or lost as you navigate your college journey? Wondering if you may have impostor syndrome? Are you procrastinating and cannot find any motivation to study? Having family conflicts? Relationship issues? Boundary issues? You are not alone! I have experience working with people from all walks of life. I am here to support and collaborate with you to meet your needs and develop new skills to help you feel happier in life. There is no one-size-fits-all counseling approach. I have always used person-centered and integrated therapy approaches to help my clients, such as Cognitive-behavioral therapy, Solution-focused therapy, Narrative therapy, Play therapy, EMDR therapy, Brainspotting, Gottman Couple therapy and Art therapy. I have found that we are all unique individuals who have similar experiences but unique details in life. Since I began counseling, each modality and approach has its pros and cons; we cannot always rely on one modality or approach to handle every situation. Sometimes, being creative and flexible can help my clients better understand themselves. I have had many counselors in my life, from academic counselors to mental health counselors, and they all have brought me wisdom to help me identify my issues and have helped me realize nothing is more important than our health. Having healthy communication skills and learning about others’ cultures and practices can reduce anxiety between both parties. We often have various unique obstacles to face, but if we can be flexible to adapt to our challenges and find alternatives and resources, this can be our key to problem-solving and a huge step to our success.

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Jose Quirarte
Pre-Licensed Professional
Rancho Cucamonga, CA

I specialize in supporting LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC college students through life’s challenges. Whether you're navigating academic pressures, adjusting to life away from home, or exploring your identity, I’m here to help. My practice is inclusive of all experiences, with a focus on working with LGBTQIA+ individuals, first and second-generation immigrants, and neurodivergent students. Together, we’ll create a space where you can feel understood and empowered. Life can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. I am currently a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (#143062) under the supervision of Kameryn Rose LMFT #119932. I offer Telehealth sessions only for individuals, couples, and families through Wombat Mental Health Services.

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MaKalia Zinn
Licensed Professional Counselor
Sacramento, CA

If you’re feeling tired of patterns that no longer serve you and ready to face what’s been holding you back, you’re not alone. Many people reach a point where they want more than survival—they want clarity, peace, rest, and a healthier relationship with themselves/equipped to thrive in relationships with others. Therapy can be a space to move forward mindfully, let go of unhelpful coping strategies, and begin building a life that feels more aligned, balanced, and authentic. Therapy can also be a space where your faith based values can be honored to enrich your experience. I support women & teen girls navigating ADHD, body image concerns, anxiety, depression, and disordered eating—areas that often overlap more than people realize. Sessions are holistic (seeing you as a whole person), thoughtful and collaborative, focused on understanding root patterns while building insight, self-compassion, and practical tools for change. Reaching out for support takes courage, and you don’t have to do it alone. If what you’ve read resonates, I invite you to schedule a free 20-minute consultation through my website. This is a chance to connect, ask questions, and see if working together feels like the right next step.

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Jordyn Hudson
Marriage & Family Therapist
Huntington Beach, CA

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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Performance Psychology Center
Psychologist
Santa Rosa, CA

The Performance Psychology Center provides therapy to adolescents and adults with concerns across the spectrum of mental health. The Center specializes in providing therapy to individuals with athletic and competitive performance backgrounds. Further, tele-mental health services (video and phone meetings) offer clients throughout the state of California a way to bring the therapy and sport psychology services to them, whether they have a tight schedule, do not have access to a trained profesional or just want to skip the traffic.

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Sonia Blumberg
Pre-Licensed Professional
Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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Kacey Mather, LMFT
Marriage & Family Therapist
San Diego, CA

I specialize in working with young adults and adults navigating challenges related to addictive processes, substance abuse, relationship and codependency issues, trauma/PTSD, and life transitions. My approach is deeply rooted in guiding you back to yourself — to your innate power and inner radiance. Together, we will explore the external systems and influences that may have caused you to forget your true nature, and uncover the burdens that were never yours to carry. We will also look at how you may have distanced yourself from who you really are. In our sessions, you’ll find a safe, compassionate space to explore your past and unconscious. This process helps you bring the unconscious into awareness, integrating all parts of yourself to create a life of alignment and authenticity. This work not only deepens your self-awareness but enhances your relationships with others. The therapeutic relationship is at the core of our work together. I am here to hold and confront you – while staying consistent and loving – which creates pathways for growth. Over time, you'll carry this connection into your life, building a stronger sense of self. Embracing your wounds with love transforms them, guiding you toward healing and light.

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