Therapists for college students near University of Southern California

I’m a therapist who values honesty, reflection, and meaningful change. I go beyond surface-level work, helping you understand the patterns, beliefs, and experiences that shape how you show up in your life. My approach is supportive yet direct. I’ll help you identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck—like perfectionism, people-pleasing, or self-criticism—while creating a space where you feel respected and not judged.

College can be overwhelming; between the demands of classes, figuring out your future, family expectations, friendships, dating, and finding yourself, it’s a lot. If you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or just not like yourself, you’re not alone. I specialize in working with college students navigating identity, family pressures, mental health challenges, and cultural expectations. I have particular expertise in working with Asian American and BIPOC students, helping them explore the unique experiences that come with balancing cultural identity, family expectations, and personal well-being. Whether it’s anxiety, depression, trauma, or communication struggles, I provide a space where you can be heard, understood, and supported. Therapy isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about exploring what’s going on, gaining tools, and feeling more at ease. If you’re ready to talk, I’m here to help.

Welcome! What is a mosaic? It is little imperfect pieces of glass or tile that come together to form beautiful art. How can we create a mosaic within ourselves and in our lives? All the broken pieces of glass or tile can represent trauma, experiences, life journeys, and parts of our self that we sometimes don’t necessarily know how to understand them to incorporate them into our sense of self. I have a passion for working with people to help them to understand these broken pieces, and help them to put these pieces together in a way that creates the beautiful mosaic that is YOU! I have 18 years of experience, specializing in working with transition-aged youth (ages 16-24), adults, and people of color that struggle with trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, among other life challenges that people may face. I also strive to understand what your needs are and work with you in a way that can meet those needs to best assist you in therapy. Please contact me if you are interested in taking a step forward in your life journey that can lead to discovering and understanding the beautiful mosaic of you!

Oh, planet Earth — the training ground for love, loss, hope, heartbreak, comparison, change… again, and again, and again. For teens and emerging adults, life often asks: Who am I? What do I want? Where do I belong? How will I know? When will I feel better? I work with ages 13–30s to support this powerful season of becoming. These are years of identity, relationships, independence, purpose, pressure, possibility, and learning how to hear your own voice. In a world that can make you question your worth, courage, and vision, my work is to help you recognize what is possible within yourself — and to help parents and caregivers see what may be possible for their family. My approach blends evidence-based mental health care with creativity and self-expression because not everything can be understood through words alone. Together, we meet at the intersection of the heart and mind to go beneath the surface, strengthen self-trust, reconnect with intuition, and honor your wisdom and worthiness of care. There is no perfect place to begin. Arrive as you are! I offer virtual therapy sessions for clients located in California, Indiana, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. I am available for a free 15-minute phone consultation, and I invite you to reach out. I look forward to connecting.

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Are feeling overwhelmed or stressed from school, work, extracurriculars, finances, and everything else? I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California, and I specialize in helping college women manage stress and heal from trauma with compassionate, evidence-based care. With a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Azusa Pacific University, I bring experience from residential treatment centers, school-based programs, and nonprofit organizations. I provide therapy for trauma, anxiety, depression, and life transitions, always with a trauma-informed and culturally responsive approach. I incorporate evidence-based therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Faith-Based Therapy for clients seeking a spiritual lens. I’m also trained in EMDR therapy for clients looking to process and heal from traumatic experiences.

I currently work with individuals pursing post high school education by providing individual/group therapy and workshops. These mental health services address mental well being (adjustment to school, anxiety, depression, uncertainty about career, financial stress, advocacy, boundaries etc). The goal is to address your areas of concern, barriers or challenges to be your best self.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of work experience across a variety of treatment settings including community based agencies, schools and medical facilities, with individuals and groups across the life span. Prior to becoming a licensed therapist, I worked for over a decade as a Medical Social Worker providing therapeutic interventions to patients with chronic illness who were dealing with the challenges of everyday life compounded by the weight of their illness. It was with this experience that I discovered my passion in helping clients struggling with depression and anxiety and that which propelled me into clinical practice. My therapy style is client-centered and strengths-based as well as collaborative and experimental. I use a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, and Psycho-education in my approach with clients. I look forward to partnering with you to help you through the difficult transitions in your life.

Welcome! I’m Jill. If you haven’t been feeling like yourself and want to feel better, then I’m glad you’re here. Together we can explore what may feel difficult–anxiety, life changes, boundaries and relationships. I enjoy teaching clients coping skills to help manage mental health symptoms. If you’d like to learn more about my approach, please visit my website. Thanks, I hope to meet you.

I am a licensed psychologist specializing in the treatment of PTSD, complex trauma, and traumatic invalidation. I provide evidence based treatment approaches that have been supported by research, while tailoring treatment to meet the unique needs of each client. My therapeutic approach is collaborative and I work with each client to clarify their goals to develop an individualized treatment plan. My approach to therapy is open, flexible and empathic. I offer Prolonged Exposure (PE), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Written Exposure Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. I am a certified provider in CPT. For more information about private practice, please check out my website: summitpsychotherapycenter.com. Please call or email to set up a free 15-minute consultation to determine whether I may be a good fit. I look forward to working together!

Hello! Thank you for taking the first steps in finding a therapist who will be a good fit for you. Making changes can be difficult (and scary!), and my job is to help support you on that journey. I view therapy as a collaborative endeavor in which the client and therapist are partners working towards a common goal. As the process unfolds, clients develop skills and learn strategies that they can apply not only to their current challenges, but to future difficulties that might present. Eventually, therapy is no longer needed, because clients have the tools they need to move forward on their own. I look forward to meeting you, and I hope that I can help you improve your life in the ways that you are seeking.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hi, my name is Brandon Waugh and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based out of San Diego California and working with clients statewide via telehealth. I work with adults and specialize in anxiety, stress and depression using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Person Centered Therapy and a whole system perspective to help my clients work toward their mental health and life goals. My approach varies based on the needs of each of my clients. I most frequently use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Person Centered Therapy while maintaining a whole system perspective. This approach helps the client better understand their internal experiences both as influenced by their own history and beliefs as well as the environment in which they live. I have found that my approach works best with adults living with the experience of anxiety, stress and depression. We often work to cope with the stress of daily life, relationship difficulties or working toward a goal of creating a better life. My communication style is calm, accommodating, and personable. I want my clients to feel comfortable talking with me about anything, and I pride myself on my ability to listen without judgment. We will work together to explore the direction in which our time together will take. We will take the time to discover what we would like to accomplish and begin to explore the path toward these goals. In our first session together we will take the time to get to know one another. We will work to better understand the needs and goals being brought into our space together. We will also begin to explore some of the options to move forward in our journey toward these goals. I have always aspired to be a calming and helpful presence to those with whom I spend time. I feel nourished by the experience of aiding others on their path toward their goals and am looking forward to working with you in the near future.

Empower Youth Therapy provides individualized therapy for college students navigating academic pressure, anxiety, relationship stress, identity development, transitions, and trauma. Our approach is warm, validating, and practical — focused on helping students understand themselves more deeply while building real-life coping skills they can use in classes, friendships, and daily routines. We serve students from San Joaquin Delta College, CSU Stanislaus, CSU East Bay, Sac State, and surrounding Central Valley / Bay Area campuses. We offer a non-judgmental space to talk honestly, process what’s overwhelming, and explore who you’re becoming — especially during transitions like moving away from home, choosing a major, or preparing for your next step after graduation. We also support executive functioning, stress management, and strengthening healthy habits. We offer individual therapy for college-age students. We accept insurance and private pay. Free 15-minute consultations are available.

Existing as a queer person is hard. I get it! I specialize in somatic and relational therapy for queer and trans adults who've been through hard things and feel disconnected, small, and exhausted. Maybe this resonates for you! You want to show up in life as your full, messy, and authentic self. You're done and you're ready for more. More connection with yourself. More liberation from old wounds. And more joy in the life you're living right now. Now recruiting for Queerly Beloved, an online process group for Queer and Trans adults in CA. Reach out now for more information.

Seeking therapy can be a difficult and intimidating process, and usually this decision comes from experiencing adversity. While the process of healing is difficult, the reward of emotional wellness and positive growth is worth the journey. Therefore, my goal is to provide a space that is welcoming, safe, and supportive in order to assist you in creating long-lasting change. I welcome individuals and families from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and belief systems. I have experience working with children and adults in many areas such as anxiety, depression, relationship issues, blended families, parenting, grief and so much more. My work consists of using a person-centered approach while incorporating other modalities. This means I aim to provide you support, acceptance, and empathy while assisting you to work on areas that are not allowing you to become the person you would like to be. For some, that means being fulfilled, in loving relationships, living a positive life, etc. I welcome the opportunity to walk alongside you to help you process experiences, reclaim skills you already possess, or assist you in creating a new set of skills that will help you maintain your therapeutic progress. Together we can develop a treatment plan that is centered on meeting your specific needs in a way that centers the whole person.

Welcome to my practice! I'm Kristen Ackerman, LMFT. I understand that college can be a rollercoaster of experiences. Whether you're riding the highs of newfound freedom or managing the lows of homesickness and academic stress, I'm here to offer support every step of the way. I specialize in helping individuals like you adjust to the transition of moving away from home, finding your footing amidst academic demands, and striking a balance between your studies and social life. Whether you're seeking to develop meaningful friendships or intimate relationships, I'm here to lend a listening ear and provide guidance. Navigating peer pressure is also a common challenge in college life, and I'm here to help you tackle those situations with confidence. Additionally, I have extensive experience supporting individuals dealing with anxiety, stress, depression, self-esteem issues, and identity exploration. No matter what you're facing, you don't have to go through it alone. I understand that finances can be tight for students, which is why I offer flexible rate options. My goal is to make therapy accessible and affordable for everyone who needs it. My therapy services are personalized to meet your unique needs. I utilize evidence-based practices such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness, while also integrating talk therapy for comprehensive support. I strive to create an environment where you feel comfortable and empowered to explore and grow. If you're ready to take the first step towards personal growth and making lasting changes, I invite you to reach out for a free consultation. Whether you prefer to call, email, or text, I'm here to support you on your journey.

Choosing a therapist is a deeply personal decision. It's important to find someone that you can relate to and most importantly someone that you trust. We will work together to create a secure relationship, where you begin to feel less alone experiencing emotional vulnerability. My capacity to truly see you, and your capacity to feel comfortable being seen, will be essential to your healing. It is my belief that lasting growth does not occur as a result of insight and understanding alone. Deep healing and change happen when you are able to explore new emotional experiences and to try new behaviors, in the presence of a supportive person (therapist). I work with adults and older adolescents to address old wounds, to increase self compassion and to develop increased emotional stability and flexibility. If you are interested in learning more about me and my practice, please visit my website or email/call to schedule a brief phone consultation.

I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist providing virtual psychotherapy to clients throughout California. I work with children, teens, adults, and couples navigating anxiety, life transitions, relationship challenges, perfectionism, self-esteem, identity exploration, depressive symptoms, and stress. My approach is warm, collaborative, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed, integrating evidence-based therapies including CBT, EFT, ACT, mindfulness, and Gottman Method-informed couples therapy to help clients feel supported, understood, and empowered.

Hi welcome to the world of Therapy! This step can be daunting to start but rest assured that this can be the beginning of something beautiful. If you are experiencing overwhelming feelings that are hard to explain, you're in the right place. Here, you have the free space to share your thoughts and feelings without feeling judged through the process. Here you get to learn about the most important person in the room, YOU. Being a student, learning about adulting, trying to make ends meet at the end of the month, working during your "free" time and finding time to manage a social life needless to say, trying to make a relationship work is a lot! You're not alone. I can be here with you through the process. There is no shame in knowing we need help. This is the first step of adulting, knowing we can't do life on our own. We need our tribe. Feel free to contact me for your free 10-minute phone consultation where you can ask me any questions or concerns you may have about the therapeutic process. I look forward to meeting with you!