Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA
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.
Healing and growth often begin with feeling truly seen, heard, and understood. As a bilingual therapist fluent in both Vietnamese and English, I bring over 14 years of experience supporting individuals across multiple stages of life, with a special focus on older adults and young adults navigating life transitions, relationships, identity, grief, and emotional healing. Clients often appreciate that I’m not simply someone who nods and listens. I’m an active collaborator in the therapy process. Together, we explore the patterns, experiences, and beliefs that may be keeping you stuck so you can gain deeper insight, heal at the root, and move toward the version of yourself you want to become. Some of the most meaningful feedback I’ve received from clients includes: “I’ve never thought of it that way before,” “I could hear your voice echoing in my head and I knew what I needed to do,” and “You’ve opened my mind to things I never realized before.” Those moments of realization, when clients uncover the root of a pattern, reconnect with themselves, or discover purpose within painful experiences, are some of the most fulfilling parts of the work I do. My greatest joy is witnessing a person’s transformation toward deeper self-love, stronger self-trust, and greater discernment in how they move through relationships, choices, and life itself. I believe healing is not about becoming someone entirely new, but about returning to yourself with more clarity, compassion, and intention. Outside of the therapy room, I’m a proud plant mom, an actively involved auntie to my adorable niece and nephew, and currently obsessed with perfecting homemade matcha lattes. Small rituals like these remind me how healing often lives in the everyday moments.
As someone who has experienced mental health both in myself and my loved ones, I feel inspired to provide care that is comforting, compassionate, and free of judgment. I am driven by being a support to those who need it, helping you improve, and guiding you towards fulfillment and your goals. I ensure you feel heard and respected by creating a comfortable environment where, together, we can explore the uncomfortable. I value establishing trust with you and I allow each client to set their own pace while I compassionately move you forward. I practice a talk therapy approach with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, and Acceptance Commitment Therapy influences. I am proud of my ability to establish trust and a strong therapeutic alliance with my clients. I do this by using humor and empowerment while also utilizing a direct approach. I recognize how difficult vulnerability can be so I do my best to create an environment that feels safe and enjoyable. I enter each session without judgment as I want to honor you and your experiences. I prioritize you feeling comfortable while sharing your innermost thoughts so, together, we can put the pieces back together and fortify your mental space.
Hello and welcome! I am a licensed marriage & family therapist. I worked with clients in the La Jolla/San Diego area for many years before moving across the country to Florida. I currently serve California, Colorado, and Florida-based clients via secure video counseling. I work with individuals, couples, and families to help each person resolve problems, to create more satisfying relationships, and to live more fulfilling and meaningful lives. I specialize in treating anxiety disorders, couples conflict, substance abuse, eating disorders, chronic illness, and pre-marital issues, but I also have experience helping people through a wide range of other problems that may be bothering them (please see "Services Provided" for more detailed information). My approach is mostly collaborative - I believe that my clients should have options when choosing what type of therapy treatment they feel is best for them. I also, when appropriate, will work closely with a client's healthcare providers as part of the treatment. This way, my clients have additional support as we work through challenges. I absolutely love working as a therapist! Nothing gives me more satisfaction than saving a marriage, increasing the bonds of love between family members, or helping someone overcome an addictive pattern and find new meaning in their life. Please contact me to set up your first appointment.
If you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, overwhelm, trauma, or issues controlling alcohol use… our team can help. Our mission is to provide highly effective, personalized care that empowers and guides you through life’s challenges, transitions, and complications. We support each individual to be the best version of themselves, live a vibrant life, feel supported and less alone by utilizing our experience and evidence-based techniques tailored to meet their needs. Each therapist on my team has their own specialties and unique training. We treat a wide array of client and would love to support you in your therapy process.
Everyday feels exactly the same. You want to know what it feels like to live your life in color again instead of living in a world of grey. You're ready to work through the pain and worry so you can pick yourself up, climb out of that hole, and actually get somewhere different--somewhere better that feels more authentic to you. The stress and worry have gotten to the point where it is too much and you know something has to change. It’s time for you to finally get what you need to thrive. I offer a strength-based, outside the box, creative approach to working through your issues that goes beyond regular talk therapy. For instance, have you been through some tough things in life but are not sure you can *talk* about it just yet? I offer Brainspotting where you don't have to say much at all if you don't want to, but can still find relief. Have a meme, an episode of your favorite show, movie, comic, anime, video game or a song that just speaks exactly to your experience? Want to do some therapy and include Animal Crossing? As a Geek Therapist, your worlds and passions can be brought into therapy to help you on your journey if that is a fit for you. Bring your authentic self to therapy--I'm here for it.
"Commit to loving yourself completely. It's the most radical thing you will do in your lifetime" - Andrea Gibson I am a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 20 years of experience helping individuals through transition and personal growth. After growing up in Colorado and graduating from the University of California, Santa Barbara, my professional journey started with a passionate commitment to community building, leadership development, and health and wellness advocacy. I embarked on a profound exploration of autonomy and a deepening understanding of myself through working with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in Mexico and then as a Director of an Environmental Educational program in Hawaii. Following my move to the Bay Area, my deep-seated desire to make a positive impact on individual lives motivated me to pursue and successfully earn a Master's in Counseling Psychology from Dominican University. Throughout my mental health professional journey, I have worked as a psychotherapist, consultant, supervisor, counselor and Founding Director of a New Parent Support Center, each contributing to my diverse skill set and holistic approach to well-being. With a firm belief in the transformative power of self-discovery, I specialize in working with emerging adults/college age individuals with their unique challenges and opportunities faced at different stages of life. My focus is helping my younger clients build inner strength, explore their identities, establish independence, and navigate important life decisions. My integrative approach utilizes my extensive training in research-based interventions as well as clinically efficacious modalities such as developmental psychology, attachment theory, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Somatic, and Mindfulness-Based Psychotherapy. By combining these methods, I provide a tailored and holistic therapeutic experience while recognizing each individual as the expert of their own life. I am certified in Parent-Based Treatment for Childhood Anxiety at the Yale Child Study Center, a certified Gottman Educator, a certified Parent Coach as well as a Girls Leadership educator. I have completed trainings in Surf Therapy, Somatic Experiencing as well as Nature-Informed therapy. I enjoy surfing, hiking and exploring the outdoors and live with my husband and two teenagers in Encinitas, CA. Lic# MFT 51396 “You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf." Jon Kabat-Zinn Specialties College Students Women's Issues Identity Development Life Transitions Stress Management Relationship Concerns Anxiety and Worry Depression Attachment Theory Mindfulness and Somatic Based Therapy Parts Work
I am motivated by the idea that every human being deserves to be truly heard by someone they believe cares about their wellbeing. I am confident that through mindful and empathetic exploration in a safe and trusting space, many reoccurring and/or cooccurring somatic, emotional, and psychological difficulties may be better understood and processed in a way that can facilitate a deeper understanding of ourselves and the environments in which we exist. I am an existential and humanistic provider who believes that we are driven by our unconscious and because of this, past psychological, emotional, and physical injuries may leave an imprint on our psyche that can continue to interrupt our lives and reinjure us unless we can see ourselves and our part in these injurious events differently. I use an eclectic treatment style that includes many different treatment modalities such as Mindfulness, Bilateral Tapping, CBT, DBT, cognitive reframing, and MI. I have had the opportunity to work with many different socioeconomic populations from the homeless to the very wealthy with conditions ranging from addiction and obsessive disorders to depression and anxiety. They each come with an interesting and unique perspective. I come from a background of childhood trauma, abuse, and addiction. My journey began with a 9th grade education and homelessness as I traveled my road of happy destiny to a Bachelors and Masters degree with two professional licenses (LPCC & LAADC) in the state of California, and continues to unfold today. I have turned my life’s experiences into a place of wisdom and growth and have dedicated my life and career to helping others find the light in whatever darkness they are experiencing.
I am an experienced psychotherapist with a professional background that includes working with both mental and medical health issues. I use a variety of therapeutic approaches including clinical hypnosis, Internal Family Systems (IFS), cognitive therapy, EMDR, expressive art and brief therapy. I am also trained in Biblical Counseling to provide therapy for those seeking Christian based services. I have also had the privilege to work with individuals, families and groups to provide therapeutic support related to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, HIV, AIDS, and other chronic or end of life issues. My experience working with health related issues has helped me develop a more comprehensive and integrative approach to the treatment I provide to my clients. I am also trained in Biblical Counseling to provide Christian based therapy. This is an area of special interest in my practice and the framework from which I draw personal and professional perspective. I help individuals explore and identify their personal belief systems to understand how this might be a significant resource in their own experience. Apart from everything else, a good rapport between client and psychotherapist is essential for therapy to be effective. I believe the level of personal comfort and ease clients have in my office are key elements to the success of therapy. I make every effort to create a secure and trusting environment for my clients. Working together, we can move your life in the direction you desire.
I always felt that I was called to help others. Growing up in South Los Angeles, I developed a sense of culture and community amongst Black and Brown people as well as a respect for the struggle. I grew up around artists, musicians, poets, leaders, givers, and eccentrics from all walks of life. During this time, I discovered how much I enjoyed listening to people, problem-solving, and motivating others to succeed and explore their authentic selves. I started off as a mentor in undergrad, inspiring other young people of color to attend college and think outside of the box in regards to their futures. I continued working with children, teens, and adults with special needs until I landed a position as an intern at a non-profit mental health agency in South Los Angeles. After I obtained my license as a marriage and family therapist, I continued to grow as a clinician, supervisor, and manager at the nonprofit while also taking on teen and adult clients in the private practice setting. My intake process is a free-flowing conversation where I provide a warm environment for you to feel comfortable opening up about yourself and what brings you to therapy. I used a standard intake questionnaire that can be filled out online and reviewed during the first session in order to assist with goal-setting and creating our therapy journey together. Progress is something that we agree upon collaboratively. I do give assignments as appropriate and depending on the goals we have established together. These assignments are not designed to feel like work but rather stepping stones to help you along on your quest for inner healing and positive change. I enjoy working with clients who want to grow and learn about themselves while tackling life's challenges.
College is a massive transition, and it is incredibly easy to feel overwhelmed by academic pressure, perfectionism, or the constant anxiety of trying to balance it all. If you are feeling stuck, burnt out, or struggling with racing thoughts, you don’t have to navigate this alone. I am an LMFT practicing via telehealth in California. I specialize in helping college students and young adults manage anxiety, quiet their busy minds, and build practical tools for real relief. Rather than relying on traditional talk therapy, we will use active, evidence-based, and somatic tools tailored to how your brain and nervous system actually work: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): To help you break the cycle of chronic worry, mental loop-thinking, and OCD. EMDR and Brainspotting: Specialized, brain-body modalities to help process stress, reduce anxiety, and release the pressure of academic perfectionism. My Approach My style is warm and collaborative. I understand the unique high-pressure environments of schools and I design our sessions to give you practical, real-world tools. Format: 100% Telehealth (secure video sessions anywhere in California) Let's help you find some relief and get back to feeling like yourself. Reach out today for a free, low-pressure consultation call.
Client's that work well with my collaborative style are often people who are struggling with life transitions. I often connect with people who are working to find different methods to manage anxiety and perfectionism. I also hold space in my practice for queer couples.
Being in your late teens or early 20s can feel overwhelming at times. I work with young adults to navigate anxiety, relationships, and big life changes in a way that feels real and manageable. Together, we’ll build tools to help you feel more grounded, confident, and like yourself again.
Are you often feeling worried and anxious? Are you finding it hard to manage all of the responsibilities in life? Perhaps, you're feeling stuck or stagnant in life, and seeking purpose and direction. You’re not alone—and you deserve to feel peace, gratitude, and fulfillment in your relationships, your work, and your personal life. Change is possible. Whether you are experiencing anxiety, depression, anger to navigating life transitions, identity formation, parenting and/or grief, I am here to walk with you and empower you to live in freedom. My goal is to help you reconnect—with yourself and with others. I lead with empathy, curiosity and compassion and take the time to understand who you are and the experiences that have shaped you in this world. I team with you to identify goals that fit your needs and equip you to live an empowered life that feels most authentically you. I have a heart for people and helping people live fuller, more connected lives is my passion. Therapy with me is a space where you can show up exactly as you are, feel truly heard, and take steps toward the life you’ve been longing for. Let’s take the first step together. Reach out for a free 15 minute consultation.
I do this work because I am committed to liberation for all people. I believe that none of us are free until ALL of us are free. I am a queer and nonbinary therapist who brings a queer and intersectional lens to my work. I specialize in holding space for life transitions and know how to act as a guide to your personal revelations. I prioritize trauma informed care, and I have been told that I know how to hold a strong container for clients to discover their own inner wisdom and knowing. As survivor of trauma and Intimate Partner Violence, I specialize in helping clients find and trust their own intuition. I have lived experience as a queer and nonbinary person who came out later in life. I am trained in Internal Family Systems (Level 1) and EMDR. I've been doing my own IFS work for 4 years and firmly believe that at the core of every human being is the desire to heal. Fat-friendly, kink and polyamory informed. You already know the way! You have innate wisdom born out of your experiences and intuition. I'm here to help you learn to trust yourself and to be a compassionate witness to your self-discovery. However you show up in session is ok: you don't have to mask or sit still. I meet clients where they are with warmth and curiosity.
I have witnessed and personally experienced the human ability to grow and adapt with the assistance of a caring professional. I believe we all have the innate capacity to heal ourselves, and often the journey begins with feeling heard and supported. An important part of the therapy journey begins with selecting a therapist who is the right fit for who you are and the goals you want to achieve. As a clinician and a person, I pride myself on my ability to connect with people through unconditional positive regard and authentic and meaningful dialogue. Trust in the therapeutic relationship is an essential ingredient toward a beneficial outcome for you, the client. My approach to building trust is collaborative and focused on your comfort level one session at a time. You are in the driver’s seat and we will work together to pace our weekly sessions and their content at a speed that feels right, and safe, for you.
As a therapist, I am driven by the desire to help individuals rediscover their voices—whether they feel they have lost it or have never had it in the first place. My therapeutic approach primarily incorporates Motivational Interviewing, EMDR, CBT, and holistic methods, emphasizing the treatment of the whole self. With over 12 years of experience as a social worker, I have advocated for families and children and focused on mental health across clinical, community, and hospital settings. I have had the privilege of working with people from diverse backgrounds, with a particular focus on supporting the LBTIQ+ community and other marginalized groups.
What inspired me to become a therapist is my belief that it’s never too late to make meaningful changes in life. My own path to becoming an LMFT began in my mid-30s, which gives me a personal understanding of how powerful growth and change can be at any stage. Since becoming licensed in 2010, I’ve enjoyed supporting people through challenges such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, life transitions, LGBTQIA+ concerns, and women’s issues. In our work together, my goal is to help you feel heard, understood, and supported. I believe you are the expert on your own life, and I work collaboratively with you to explore what’s getting in the way of the life you want. I often use tools from Solution-Focused Therapy, mindfulness, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you gain insight, build skills, and feel empowered to make changes. Building trust is an important part of the process. In the first few sessions, I focus on getting to know you, answering any questions you have about therapy, and creating a safe, supportive space where you can speak openly. Seeking therapy takes courage, and my goal is to create a respectful and collaborative environment where we can work together toward your goals. A lighthearted detail I sometimes share is that I really enjoy all forms of entertainment, especially movies, TV, listening to music and going to live music events. It helps me recharge and stay grounded, and it’s something that often resonates with people who are also looking for ways to care for their well-being.
I work best with those who are committed to their healing and wellbeing journey. My practice is holistic focused with a body-mind-spirit connection. I work from an Energy Psychology framework and include Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT/Tapping) to support healing in the energy body system. I have a passion for the integration of indigenous practices into modern psychology. I offer a free 20 min phone initial consultation. Please refer to my website for more information.
Do you feel lost in your relationship and longing for interpersonal connections? Take a pause and talk to a relationship & art therapist who can help you to regain your inner strengths to overcome relationship struggles, improve social skills, and have a better relationship with yourself, family, and friends. With my art therapy specialty, attentive listening, and culturally sensitive approach, you can find ease in our therapy sessions. Regardless of your age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and background, I am here to support you to reach your goals. If you love talking, we can talk; if you don't, we can create art, and let the art talk for us.