Therapists for college students near University of Southern California
Keeping up with expectations, family dynamics, social life, relationships... It's easy to feel disconnected from what we want out of life when we're just trying to get through the day. Many people who seek out therapy with me struggle to take time for themselves and set boundaries. I help adults overcome anxiety and people pleasing so they can feel empowered to live authentic, intentional lives. I support my clients in processing emotions, untangling the past, and gaining insight. Together we challenge those patterns that are no longer serving while building new ones. I'm passionate about helping my clients achieve more balance and fulfillment. You've already taken the first step- I invite you to reach out for a free consultation today.
Your mind never stops running, yet you still feel “behind.” You're juggling so much—college, career, relationships, identity, or maybe even starting a family. Add in anxiety, the weight of expectations, or ADHD and it can all feel like too much. There is an easier way. Let me help you find it. I’ll provide a culturally affirming, trauma-informed space where we work with who you are—not against it. Together, we'll develop strategies to manage overwhelm, improve focus, and quiet that inner critic. Our work will be collaborative, compassionate, and rooted in curiosity. My goal is to help you experience more calm, confidence, and clarity in your daily life. I'm Nicole Castillo, MA LMFT—founder of MentalPaz, Latina therapist, new mama, and young breast cancer survivor who gets what it's like to balance identity, ambition, and healing. With over a decade of experience, I couldn’t be more passionate about working in solidarity with my clients. Ready to stop figuring it all out alone? Reach out for a free consultation. Let's chat!
Hey, I'm Shavonne! I'm a Licensed Clinical Therapist and I’m passionate about helping teens and young adults feel more secure in themselves and in their relationships. I help my clients acknowledge and feel confident in their desires and boundaries to gain a secure sense of self and build more mutually balanced, fulfilling relationships. I provide individualized therapy that focuses on helping you discover more about your internal experiences - your stories, narratives, motivations, strengths, and desires. Together, we will work to find your intuitive voice, build your internal sense of self-worth, push through the discomfort and resistance of change, and develop practices that alter the dynamics of your relationships, including the one you have with yourself. My role is to create a safe space for you to uncover your true desires in life and build the skills you need to work towards them. Therapy is an opportunity for us to create, discover, explore, and practice. I will hold the space for the full range of your thoughts, feelings, and emotions that encompass your humanness, and I ask that you show up as an active collaborator and participant in the change you want to see.
I work with adults who may feel overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions—whether that includes anxiety, depression, negative self-talk, or other mental health challenges. My goal is to support you in achieving your mental health goals and to empower you to take an active role in your healing journey. I take a client-centered approach, placing your unique needs and mental health goals at the heart of our work together. I strive to create a supportive, non-judgmental environment where therapy feels like a safe and welcoming space. I value open communication and will listen with care and intention, while gently supporting you in navigating uncomfortable emotions and life’s challenges.
Therapy offers a confidential place of refuge where you can be seen and heard. Together we will explore how daily external pressures and feelings of self-blame, self-criticism, fear or sadness, as well as loss and past trauma, may be affecting your ability to move forward or express yourself in an authentic way. By devoting time and attention to understanding your unique story and the ways in which past relationships shape current ones, you can gain greater self-awareness and an understanding of how underlying feelings and thoughts are affecting your mood. In building a strong, supportive relationship I will help you uncover core issues. I primarily use a psychodynamic, creative approach to guide my clients towards greater self-compassion and clarity that will allow you to feel more confident in your ability to change and heal.
I believe change, growth, and healing are possible when we better understand ourselves and the patterns in our lives. Especially with the state of the world right now, it would make sense if your goals were to feel less anxious, less stressed, more secure, more connected, and/or safer. Through our collaborative exploration, curiosity, and empathy, I believe we can find opportunities for healing, challenge old patterns that no longer serve you, and develop a greater sense of control over your life.
If you are a student anywhere in California, who is having a hard time and you're open to working online, I could be a good fit for you. If there's something you're struggling with internally like adjusting to being in California, or you're having relationship issues with a partner, family or others, I aim to create a safe place for you to gain clarity and find a positive way forward. This could include developing more tools and better coping skills.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
I help young adults manage the overwhelming stress of expectations, pressure, change and anxiety that can feel paralyzing. I come with no judgment, help you learn ways to manage this and feel better. I am here to help you and this is one big step to feeling better.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
I specialize in working with young adults, ages 16-30, including those still living with parents. I address issues such as relationships, work, finances, identity, school stress, and trauma. I have experience working with life transitions, including anxiety and depression related to college. Please feel free to reach out to see if we are a good fit.
As you navigate your journey toward your degree, you might be having to deal with other stressors: anxiety, depression, family separations, loved ones passing away, breakups, difficulty with school, etc. The list could become endless. I've been there and can understand how rough it could get. While in therapy, you can learn the appropriate coping mechanisms to steer in the right direction so that you can focus on enjoying your college experience. I have made the experience of doing therapy with me easier, by doing it online. This way, you don't have to sit in traffic driving to/from your appointment, and you get to sit on your own couch while holding your favorite blanket.
My name is Volker Nabavi. I am a board certified Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. I had received trained in both medical and nursing fields. This diverse background enables me to apply both medical and nursing theories to manage my client’s mental health holistically and meet them at their level. I believe in a strong connection between our mind and body. My approach is based on the holistic care model involving all aspects of life including psychological, biological, emotional, social and spiritual dimensions. I understand that our mental health is inseparable from those aspects and our environment, relationships and lifestyle play crucial roles in our mental health. My area of interest includes: Depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, substance use, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and Bipolar disorders. I am an avid listener and authentic provider. I meet my client’s at their level and provide them with holistic care. I believe in multifactorial approach in managing my clients’ mental health. Combining psychotherapy , lifestyle change and medication is the optimal approach may lead to best clinical outcome and long term relief.
I specialize in supporting young adults, such as college and grad students, facing challenges like academic stress, major life transitions, self-doubt, and unlearning old patterns. Maybe you’re a high achiever struggling with anxiety and burnout, or you’re feeling stuck and unsure of your next steps. Whatever it is, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Therapy with me is a space to bring the mess, sort through the stress, and find what actually works for you. If that sounds like what you need, book a free consult with me at the website at the bottom of this page! [ You can learn more about me at davinasalehlcsw.com ]
Whether you are experiencing difficulty in the here and now or struggling with things of your past, having a neutral, safe place to work through that is just for you can help. I have found that college students are at a prime place in their lives to make a meaningful impact through talk therapy. Career choices, family expectations, and relationships can take a toll on mental health and feel overwhelming at times. Therapy can help.
Seeking therapy is a brave step. Whether you are presently in crisis or simply feeling a bit stuck in life, I honor the effort and courage that it took you to get here. Even a cursory, online search for a therapist indicates a commitment to your mental health. It also suggests that—regardless of how you might feel in this moment—some small (or large) part of you believes in the possibility of a more peaceful, fulfilling life. As a therapist, I am here to not only affirm and amplify that belief, but more importantly, to help you discover and define its reality for yourself. I work with individuals, couples and complex relational structures utilizing a collaborative, person-centered approach. I have experience working with folks of many ages, backgrounds, and genders, and I am especially passionate about working with people who are looking to explore issues around sexuality. I am currently accepting new therapy clients at this time via telehealth. I use a secure web based platform that allows us to communicate with video, so if you’d like to reach out please do! I look forward to connecting with you!
I have been in practice for over 16 years. I utilize CBT, ACT, Solution Focused and attachment theory. I work well with anxiety, grief and loss, phase of life issues. I also specialize on race and cultural identity, immigration, and first-generational issues. My approach is empathetic, honest and direct. I offer assistance with life transitions, grief, confidence, goal setting and achievement. By viewing your situation through a trauma informed and culturally competent lens, we will build strategies to overcome obstacles. I am very familiar with the cultural and sociological challenges that can consume our daily lives. I am familiar with the stigma attached to therapy and the perception of weakness that can be associated with seeking treatment. In reality, true strength comes from the ability to recognize and acknowledge you need help.
From a young age, I've always loved and been curious about people. I've always felt connected to and interested in others and their experiences. It is a calling for me. After having both positive and negative experiences with therapists in high school, I was confident that this is what I wanted to do - what I was meant to do! I will actively listen to what they're sharing and ask clarifying questions as needed. I will be fully present with them in session, with the intention of understanding as much as possible their emotional experience, inner thoughts, etc. I may summarize and/or reflect back what I heard and ask if it feels accurate for them or if there are things I missed, misunderstood, etc. And lastly, I would simply ask them, "what makes you feel heard and understood? Is there anything that makes you feel misunderstood? How might I be able to tell if you're feeling misunderstood (outside of being told as much)? I see the therapy as a collaborative process, one where I walk alongside the client, not in front or above them. I may not have all the answers, but I am committed to helping in any way that I can. Building trust and a strong therapeutic alliance takes time, but I am patient. I will not rush the process or force you to share something you're not comfortable sharing (now or ever). Trust is build over time and the process will look different for each person, so it is important to consider individual differences, past experiences, interests, preferences, etc. when building the foundational trust and rapport. Lastly, it is imperative to me that I do what I say I will do, keep any promises I make, and if I make a mistake, I will apologize and do whatever I can to rectify it and facilitate repair.