Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA
Hi there! My name is Marisa and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT 136357) based in San Diego, California. I offer individual mental health therapy to Young Adults and Teens virtually across California, specializing in work with those who are struggling with anxiety, depression, and trauma related to relationships and life transitions. Relationships can be complex. Whether you are looking for support with managing feelings about your family or romantic relationships, setting boundaries, addressing your people pleasing behaviors, or navigating new independence, I'm here to support! It is my hope that I can provide you with a safe space to be heard, navigate these emotions and challenges, and feel empowered both independently and within your relationships. My approach to therapy is an encouraging, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive approach blended with humor and creativity that ideally allows space for you to explore emotions, feel encouraged, and develop new insights. In my free time, I enjoy running along the beach at sunrise or sunset, having a cozy day in, spontaneous picnics in the park, and am currently on the hunt for the best matcha latte in San Diego! You're welcome to reach out for a free 15 minute call to see if we're a good fit. I look forward to hearing from you!
Hey we get it. Life’s a lot right now. Between classes, work, family pressure, figuring out who you are, and trying to keep it together… it’s overwhelming. You might be anxious, stuck, burnt out, or just tired of pretending you're okay. At Freedom Within, we’re here to help you sort through all of it. Relationships, trauma, stress, identity, future plans, anxiety, we cover it all. No judgment. Just support that makes sense for where you’re at. We will help you cut through the BS and come out the other side with a better sense of self, identity and purpose. We have several different therapists and match you with the one who gets you. Someone you can feel safe talking to about even your most challenging struggles. We also offer nutrition counseling for those wanting to explore changes to diet and their impact on your mood and overall health! You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s figure it out together.
I work collaboratively with people who often find me to be fun and funny, positive, caring and compassionate. As I tell clients when they express gratitude toward me for helping them, "I know some stuff. " I know some stuff about trauma and healing and how people overcome difficult pasts that affect them in the present. I know some stuff about relationships, how they go sidewise and how they get repaired. I know a lot about autism and how siblings of spectrum kids are affected and how the future can seem scary if you don't have a plan for yourself or your future. Depression, anxiety, stress, anger, procrastination, relational difficulty, trauma recovery... I know some stuff and I'm here to help you. Therapy shouldn't be scary and once we get started you'll feel well supported and see some changes that are you are looking for.
Feeling weighed down by anxiety and often second-guessing yourself? Do you find yourself overthinking everything that could go wrong, procrastinating, or struggling to make decisions? Maybe anxiety leaves you feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, making it hard to get through the day or enjoy the friendships, opportunities, and experiences you really want. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Therapy can help. Taking the step to reach out for support can feel intimidating, but it’s also one of the bravest choices you can make. I’m glad you’re here. Together, we can work on tools to quiet the constant overthinking, build confidence, and help you create the life and relationships you want most. In sessions, I offer you evidenced based tools, teach you new skill development and strategies so that you can get relief, gain confidence and manage anxiety more effectively. We'll create a plan that feels practical, empowering and personalized. My treatment approach utilizes Cognitive-Behavioral therapy and Compassion Mindfulness-based therapy. Cognitive Behavioral therapy is considered one of the most effective, and evidenced based treatments for anxiety. Reach out today for a 15-minute free consultation. I look forward to connecting with you and being a partner on your therapy journey.
We grieve any time life changes directions, and even positive changes can bring about difficult feelings. You may be struggling with the death of a loved one, demands of school or work, adjusting to a new relationship, or considering the next chapters of your life. With experience in oncology, young adult parental loss, anticipatory loss, and sudden death, I provide you with support, insights, treatment, education, and guidance during times of transition and beyond. While some clients make the choice to pursue working with a therapist because of a specific life event or situation, others make the choice because of a desire for self-growth and a general improvement in well-being. Regardless of your reason, I welcome you to contact me. It's not easy to seek support. I'm easy-going, approachable, and genuinely want you to feel better. Send me a message and we can figure out how to make that happen.
I’m Rachel Benavidez, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Perinatal Mental Health–Certified clinician specializing in women’s mental health. I help women experiencing prenatal and postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression, and the emotional challenges that can arise during pregnancy, the postpartum period, and early motherhood. Together, we work to understand how stress and anxiety show up in the body and develop practical tools to regulate the nervous system, reduce overwhelm, and restore a sense of balance. I am deeply passionate about supporting women during pregnancy and postpartum because mothers deserve the best. I integrate somatic therapy and Internal Family Systems (IFS) into my work, helping women understand how stress, anxiety, and trauma can be stored in the body. By learning to recognize the body’s signals and gently work with them, we can reduce feelings of overwhelm, regulate the nervous system, and support emotional healing.
I specialize in working with people who experience intense emotions like anxiety, sadness, or anger in response to life changes or adjustments. If you're looking for a psychologist who incorporates evidence-based practices while flexibly tailoring treatment to meet your unique problems and background, you've come to the right place! Whether you want to stop worrying or feel more confident, we'll consider how your inner emotional world interacts with the greater cultural context surrounding you. Let's meet if you're open to changing your thoughts, habits and perspective- or simply want someone to understand your point of view!
I honor and respect the opportunity I have to help my clients recognize their worth, build trust in themselves and others, and empower them to be their authentic selves. I strive to create a warm, safe, and nonjudgmental space where you feel heard, seen and truly understood. I use a client centered approach while working to build rapport with clients. I use a mix of ACT, CBT, DBT, Solution focused and MI to assist clients in identifying their values, exploring how their thought and behavioral patterns are serving them, increase their distress tolerance, build mindfulness and relaxation skills to help them meet their goals.
I have made it my life's mission to learn what it means to live well, passionately and intentionally, so I may live the best life I am capable of living. Part of that mission is to support others through a similar journey, showing them that they are worth loving by attending to their holistic needs--physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I deeply believe I can only lead people in their growth process as far as I’ve been willing to go myself. The “success” I feel as a psychologist is directly connected to my capacity to live my life with the love, intention, and courage I’m trying to model. Though I have the clinical background to work with a diverse range of clients and presenting issues, I have a special interest in working with personal growth and existential issues, relational issues, self-acceptance, mens issues, and college-age/young adult issues.
I consider myself to be a “down to earth” therapist who genuinely connects to clients on a person to person level. We explore together to see what approach is right for you, and therapy is truly a collaborative process. You can feel comfortable to be yourself and be vulnerable with me and that within itself is often healing. If you reach out, I guarantee a call or email back on the same day you reach out so we can connect and see if we are a good fit. I specialize in treating life transitions, anxiety, depression, trauma, body images issues and relationship issues. My other areas of focus include: LGBTQ+, teens, Latinx clients, couples therapy, and working with clients in the millennial and gen Z age range. I also enjoy working with neurodiverse clients who have been diagnosed with autism or ADHD. BOOK A FREE CONSULT BY PHONE/ZOOM CALL: https://p.bttr.to/3EOh5p2
Hello, my name is Heather Pederson. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in San Diego and am so glad you are here. Seeking help can potentially feel daunting, exposing, and overwhelming. It can also be our first steps toward repair, healing, and growth. I have found that people are so very strong, courageous, and hard-working, and still need some help when things get hard. I believe therapy can be a unique chance to discover parts of ourselves we forgot about, allow healing for the tender parts, and find new ways of interacting with ourselves and our loved ones that allow for deeper understanding and connection. I work with individuals and couples who often struggle with: a feeling of something between angry, sad, and fear that doesn’t have a name, as well as feelings of overwhelm, worry and stress that gets between them and their preferred lives. I seek to create opportunities in therapy to connect more deeply with the truest parts of yourself so that you can then connect more deeply with your purpose, values, and trusted others. I am trained in Emotionally-Focused Therapy (Externship with Sue Johnson, Core Skills to become Certified in progress), a Certified Prepare/Enrich facilitator, Trauma Informed Care, and a graduate of Bethel Seminary San Diego with an M.A. in Marital and Family Therapy. Please contact me with any questions you might have regarding therapy. I work with college students (extensive experience working on college campuses), couples, individuals, premarital/pre-engagement, relational distress, trauma, and anxiety.
Therapy is not a "one-size-fits all" approach and will be personalized to suit the needs of you and your specific life situations. You deserve to work with someone who has the training and experience necessary to help you get the most out of your efforts to feel better and achieve your goals. Every therapist at HM Psychological Services strives to provide the best therapeutic services to adults, teens, adolescents, and children in individual, family, and couples therapy. Each of our therapists at HMPS have different areas of specialization, providing excellent options to meet all of your needs. Some of our speciality areas include: Trauma, PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, Addiction, OCD, Gender affirmation, LGBTQIA+, and more.
Are you a tween, teen, or college student in need of a little extra support? Perhaps recent transitions at home, school or work gotten you down? Or you may feel worn out from the impact on your life of COVID-19? Are you feeling isolated or struggling with relationship issues? You are not alone; we've all been there! Our goal is to provide you a short-term, confidential space where you can talk openly about your challenges, feel supported and learn some new, perhaps more adaptive tools and strategies for working through current problems and issues. Utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), our aim is to help you improve your mental health and provide you with tools which you can use throughout the course of your life to best manage life's challenges.
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.
First, I strive to create a safe environment where the client feels heard, understood and supported. The compassionate use of 'unconditional positive regard' guides my work. This is a well proven healing factor in the therapeutic relationship. I believe my clients grow strongest by finding their own path through their unique inner landscape I have a very diverse background as a therapist. In my early years I counseled teenagers in group homes. This gave me the chance to develop an open and accepting style. I learned a great deal about varied adolescent experiences. The longest period of my professional career I worked as a psychotherapist with a large health organization serving all ages. From toddlers to senior citizens I tried carefully to connect with each one and help them resolve a wide range of life challenges.
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At Patch Counseling we specialized in working with individuals that often struggle with perfectionism and people pleasing. These behaviors have a tendency to cause burnout and can get in the way of people accomplishing their goals. We help by providing a non-judgmental, collaborative place to learn how to balance responsibilities, establish a voice and gain self-acceptance. Our approach combines mindfulness and practical skills, such as time management and self-care to decrease symptoms associated with burn out. This is the time to learn how to gain self-compassion while maintaining motivation towards goals, so you can be the best version of yourself as you move through life.
I know the bravery it takes to ask for help and you deserve the support you are seeking. In my experience, working in many different counseling contexts, I have come to believe in the healing of a safe space with unconditional listening. I have walked clients through crisis, transitions, grief, relational strain, identity questions, major anxieties, depression, everyday stressors and growing pains. I have developed, taught and led programs and counseling services for youth and families within school districts, the church and the foster/probation system. My educational background is in psychology and faith integration, which supports my approach in helping deconstruct beliefs and/or incorporating truths and traditions into practice. It is my goal to walk alongside you and equip you with awareness and skills to manage as you move forward. I am Level II trained in Restoration Therapy and also teach psychology at Point Loma Nazarene University. I am a southern California native who loves calling San Diego my home. I enjoy the beach, a classic comedy TV show, and all things chocolate! I believe therapy is most effective with the right fit, so feel free to contact me to see if I can help in any way.
Are you feeling stuck or overwhelmed? One key factor to predict positive change is the trust you have with your therapist. That is my goal. I utilize my cultural sensitivity to understand my clients' struggles. I have experience using mindfulness-based techniques and insight oriented approaches. I have worked with college students and older adults. Together, we will create a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs. I truly believe that we can profoundly better ourselves through the moments in our lives where we face challenges by defining how we will see the problem and take action, rather than letting the problem define how we see ourselves. I will work with you, as a member on your team, to help you live better.