Therapists for college students near University of Southern California

My approach to counseling is interactive in style and based on the concept that understanding emotions is essential to personal growth and happiness. I provide a supportive, empathetic, non-judgmental environment in which my clients feel comfortable in sharing and exploring their feelings. My goal is to help my clients to develop long term skills for coping and prospering. I specialize in working with life transitions and grief and loss. I work with individuals, couples and families.

A lot of people are struggling to be present today. The pace of life, distraction from our phones, and increasing demands at work and school make it challenging to "slow down" and enjoy life. This is even more difficult when we're experiencing mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, or substance use. I work with people to overcome underlying mental health issues and develop skills to improve presence, strengthen relationships, and sustain healthy lifestyle behaviors. I specialize in treating anxiety, including OCD (using ERP, the gold standard), integrating both cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based modalities. I also work with people experiencing depression and substance use. I know that struggling with mental health can be overwhelming. It might feel like you are moving through a downward spiral. My goal is to reverse that spiral with you. Together, we'll identify 1) where you're at, 2) where you want to go (and what's getting in the way), and 3) practical, specific, evidence-based actions you can begin taking right away. I was previously a Clinical Assistant Professor at USC (where I worked in the Student Counseling Center), have worked with people across the clinical spectrum, and have been teaching meditation for 10+ years. I also run public courses and workshops on mindfulness and mental health. I would be glad to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we're a good fit. I look forward to talking more!

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Foresight Mental Health’s integrated team of professionals includes licensed therapists, nutritionists, and psychiatric providers dedicated to working with clients to provide individualized and personal care. We believe in providing care that is accessible and affordable, which is why we are in network with most major insurers and provide both telehealth and in-person services. We all experience life differently, so we don’t subscribe to a one-size-fits-all approach. We offer a culture of connection that embraces and cares for people of all races, genders, sexual orientations, religions, ethnicities, education levels, and abilities. You deserve the kind of care that helps you feel confident about who you are and optimistic about where you’re headed.

Whether you’re starting fresh, returning to school, or trying to find your footing again, support is needed. I’ve been there myself, and I understand how demanding and overwhelming this stage of life can feel. Your schedule is constantly changing, relationships can feel uncertain, and even when this is “supposed” to be the best time of your life, it can still feel like too much. Many of the students and young adults I work with come to therapy carrying pressure from school, family expectations, relationships, work, or simply trying to keep up with life. My goal is not to add to that pressure, but to create a space where you can slow down, process what you’re carrying, and build practical tools to manage stress, anxiety, overwhelm, and life transitions. Together, we work on building coping skills, managing stress and anxiety, improving self-understanding, and finding healthier ways to navigate the demands of everyday life. I support college students, young adults, and returning students in creating more balance while still making space for who they are outside of school, work, and expectations.

I specialize in working with young adults, teens, caregivers, and families navigating overwhelm, transitions, chronic stress, and challenging relationship dynamics. I provide therapy to help restore stability and trust for those who have experienced trauma or relational wounds such as loss, chronic invalidation, coercive control, neglect, and abuse. I also work with athletes and performance-driven individuals whose ambition, discipline, and high standards fuel their lives yet may conceal pain. I integrate a sports psychology lens when achievement pressure intersects with self-concept, trauma, or burnout. I support high-level performers facing intense demands, competitive dynamics, setbacks, identity shifts, and life beyond sport, drawing on my experience as a former Division I collegiate athlete. Seeking support is a meaningful step. From the start of our work together, we will create a space that feels grounded, intentional, and deeply human, with open and honest communication at its foundation. I invite you to reach out for a free consultation call to explore whether we are a good fit.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

My name is Diadra Smith. I am an licensed clinical therapist and I use she/her pronouns. I am a clinician who identifies as black, queer, and neurodivergent. I believe all of these intersections has given me the opportunity to see myself in these communities who are often overlooked and underserved in the field of mental health. Why I got into this field was to create a space that is safe, brave, and encourages you to help find your most authentic self. I believe in abolishing and decolonizing what therapy is “supposed” to look like and who it is "supposed" to be for. I view relationships with my clients as a collaboration, asking you for your expertise on your life while I provide guidance through empowerment and advocacy. I am drawn to working with adolescents, adults, and families. I have a passion for working with BIPOC, neurodivergent folx, and LGBTQIA+ communities. My mission is to help to heal complex traumas, environmental inequities, and address intersections of identity unique to our experiences. If reaching out for help feels scary or shameful, I’d like to offer the idea that you are on the verge of change. Acknowledging what isn’t working today is a big first step to making the changes you'd like to see tomorrow. You’re coming at just the right time. However you found your way here, I am honored to be considered to walk with you on your journey.

"There are more things in heaven and earth ... than are dreamt of in your philosophy" Hamlet. As a depth psychotherapist, my intention is to help you navigate your personal depths; look beyond cultural expectations and all of the shoulds that have cluttered your life. Together we can work to unravel the defenses that have been unconsciously built to protect your heart and soul from feeling, and have kept you out of the present. By assiduously listening and freely playing, we will unearth who you really are and investigate what may be holding you back from experiencing a more fulfilling and meaningful life. My intention is to provide a safe environment that nurtures a trusting relationship between my clients and me. This relationship is the basis for all of the work. From this foundation we can invite the unconscious into the room and begin the healing process. There are many ways to access the unconscious: dreams, drawing, poetry, images, meditation, and somatic reactions are a few. Listening may the most important. So many of us just need to be heard. All of these activities are in the service of discovering how to unravel the unconscious knots that have tied up your spirit.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

My clients struggle as you do. Despite being kind, highly driven, and expert problem-solvers, life is hard. When they first come in, they are anxious and burned out from helping, fixing, caretaking, and peacekeeping. They’re acutely perceptive of others’ needs, but struggle to put themselves first. They usually feel overly responsible for others' feelings and needs, trying to control what is outside their control. They have abandoned themselves and grapple with the feeling that their only worth is in caretaking for others. They are exhausted from constantly walking on eggshells with others, worrying about what they say and do. They are paralyzed by self-criticism, perfectionism, and people-pleasing as they try to prove their self-worth and earn others’ love and approval. They feel they’ve lost themselves. All these years of self-sacrifice and making themselves small for others has left them wondering, “Who am I if I'm not taking care of everyone else?” Their desire to fix and hold everyone else’s pain gets in the way of the life they want in so many ways. They aren’t the kind of person they want to be. They feel like they’re failing as a partner, friend, and family member. And their confidence at work is tanking. Before they came to see me, they thought they could never say “no” and would go on doing everything for everyone while feeling empty inside. They worried they would never be the person they wanted to be. And they were pretty certain they would live with constant fear of never being “good enough.” Like my clients, you deserve to know that you are “enough” just as you are. Your worth is not predicated on caretaking for others. You want to step into the vibrant person you know you are and can be. Reclaiming yourself and discovering who you truly are is not out of your reach. If you want to stop feeling small and not feel terrified to be your authentic self, I’d love to help you get there. You don’t have to suffer. I can help. Give me a call to start our conversation.

Hi and welcome! I’m Scott and I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and a Board-Certified Music Therapist in Pasadena. I am passionate and experienced in working with young adults and college students. Transitioning into adulthood can be an incredibly challenging and confusing time. You are exploring who you are, where you fit and what you value. Juggling the demands of college, jobs and careers, relationships and your own emerging independence can be overwhelming. This can also be a time where underlying mental health challenges, dysfunctional family patterns and past traumas can surface, leaving you chronically stressed, anxious, depressed and without guidance. I understand what this time of life can feel like and draw from many years of specializing with young adults in all levels of mental health care as well as my own personal experiences. I believe in the unique strengths, stories and resiliency of each individual and will partner with you to help you achieve your goals, find true healing and live an authentic life.

Natalie Moore is a licensed therapist, speaker and consultant based in Pasadena. She helps ambitious, creative Gen-Zers and millennials increase their emotional resiliency and transform limiting patterns to create the life, love and career of their dreams. Natalie incorporates holistic modalities like mindfulness, somatic psychology and breathwork into her therapy work to support the natural healing process. She offers online secure tele-therapy to California resident adults. Check out her website for more information.

If you’re navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationship struggles, I’m here to support your journey toward healing and self-understanding. Therapy is a process, and I’m committed to helping you build resilience and stronger connections every step of the way.

Hi. My name is Dr. Elanna Lazaruk and I am a licensed psychologist in California, Massachusetts, and New York. I specialize in working with teens and adolescents with anxiety, depression, trauma/abuse, relationship issues, academic performance, and self esteem issues. I love developing a deep understanding of my clients and improving their insights into themselves as well as focusing on actionable changes to improve their quality of life. Whether you are looking for insight into yourself, learning new skills, and/or making changes to your life, I am looking forward to working with you. I will help you to determine your goals for therapy and will create a unique and personalized treatment plan to achieve those goals. I have had training in a number of different therapeutic approaches, including psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectic behavior therapy, mindfulness, and crisis intervention. Together we will develop a customized plan that works best for you. People who have worked with me have stated that I am exceedingly empathic, understanding, and supportive. I am very active and flexible during sessions and am very skilled at understanding people and their behavior patterns. Past patient testimonials are available on Google and Yelp. I received my Doctorate and Master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology at Yeshiva University’s Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology and my Bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College. While attending Wellesley College, I worked as a psychology research assistant at both Wellesley and MIT. I completed my clinical training at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Beth Israel Medical Center, JCCA, and SCO Family of Services. Feel free to check out my website at www.lacanadapsychology.com . You can reach out to me by phone at (818) 495-5705 or by email at drlazaruk@lacanadapsychology.com and we can schedule a free phone consultation to make sure I am a good fit for you and answer any questions you may have. I look forward to hearing from you.

We are proud to be BIPOC therapists serving our diverse community. Our practice is dedicated to creating a safe, understanding, and culturally responsive space for all clients. Whether you’re seeking support for stress, anxiety, depression, or life transitions, we are here to walk alongside you on your journey. Services available in English & Spanish | In-person & Telehealth. If you are currently going through a difficult situation, experiencing a life transition, or need support in reducing symptoms interfering with your day-to-day life. We are here to support you, listen unconditionally, and offer you skills that may help you cope with your current situation more effectively. Creating a safe place for our clients is important for us because we believe that in doing so our clients can become their authentic selves and reveal their deepest fears or secrets while being met with compassion and acceptance. Our clinicians are trauma informed and use evidence-based interventions to support our clients in improving their symptoms. You have taken a big step in searching for help and we understand this was not easy. We encourage you to give us a call to see if we are a match and discuss ways that we can support you. We offer a free 15-minute consultation. We can work collaboratively to help you reach attainable goals.

Feeling triggered, dissociated, anxious, or stuck in patterns like people-pleasing or avoidance? Lost, confused, or frustrated as you navigate big questions about your identity, relationships, or future? You don’t have to figure it all out alone—I’m here to help. Your 20s are tough—full of transitions, uncertainty, and unexpected challenges. It can feel like a lot to handle on your own, but with the right support, you can move forward with clarity, confidence, and peace of mind. I specialize in helping emerging adults like you navigate this transformative decade. My approach is holistic and inclusive, and I have expertise in supporting individuals who have experienced trauma. I go beyond traditional talk therapy by incorporating a somatic approach, which helps you tune into what your body is holding onto. This not only alleviates symptoms like anxiety and depression but also helps you feel safer in your body, build confidence, uncover unconscious emotions and beliefs, set healthy boundaries, communicate effectively, and cultivate healthier relationships. Together, we’ll work to reduce overwhelm, boost focus and energy, and help you feel more alive, creative, and connected.

How would your life change if you started therapy today? Right now, you have taken your first step towards overall health and personal growth. I offer a highly individualized approach to therapy so you get exactly what you want from therapy. I will not mold you to fit my therapeutic model but will individualize an approach that works best with your personality, needs, and goals. I use the latest technologies and Feedback Informed Treatment (FIT) in order to measure and visualize your progress. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional which allows me to help you work on any unresolved trauma and painful past experiences you may have. Unlike many other therapists, I will work with your individual strengths to not simply reduce symptoms but also increase overall WELL-BEING and happiness. My goal is to help you understand yourself better, identify obstacles on your path, and support you in navigating these obstacles effectively. I can help you find the answers you need and the strength to turn these answers into the life you want. I am looking forward to working with you! I offer a free initial phone consultation.

College can be exciting, stressful, confusing, and really lonely all at the same time. Between classes, jobs, and figuring out who you are, it’s easy to feel isolated, stuck or disconnected from yourself. I’m a genderqueer therapist who works with lgbtqia+ students and those navigating loneliness, depression, identity, relationships, and feeling unseen or unheard. I take a gentle and explorative approach, noticing how your thoughts, emotions, and body show up in the moment. I love to support folks in figuring out their identity, managing perfectionism or “people-pleasing,” or healing from family or religious harm. Therapy with me is collaborative, grounded, playful, and sometimes funny (jury's still out on that one...). You don’t have to have it all figured out - you just need to feel ready to show up for yourself. And I'm here to show up alongside you. I also support folks seeking gender affirming care and write free letters for care services. 5 weekly sessions are required before a letter can be written.