Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA

I am accepting new clients who may be feeling challenged by PTSD, substance misuse, system-impacted, institutionally traumatized and/or suffer from ADHD and/or Autism.

If you are neurodivergent or queer, you may feel like you have to hide your true self in fear of being rejected by others. You often mimic others to fit in, hide your true self, and strive for perfection to gain acceptance. Simply for being yourself, you're labeled as "weird," "strange," or "different," leading to deep feelings of isolation. If you're figuring out your differences or struggling with your needs, there is a way to go from just getting by to doing well. Clients come to me for help understanding their autism, ADHD, or queer identity. They value my knowledge in neurodivergence and LGBTQ+ issues. I strongly support you in embracing and discovering your true self, standing by you throughout your journey. The right therapist for you listens without judgment or projecting normative expectations. Working together, you'll release long-suppressed tears and gain 'aha!' insights into your past and present. Email me for a free 15-minute consultation to see if I'm the right fit for you!

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hello, I am a passionate therapist with 8+ years of experience. I work with couples, consensual non-monogamous relationships, LGBTQIA+ folks, individuals seeking self-esteem or relationship help, those who struggle with codependency, and those with concerns about anxiety. I believe in providing folks with the tools necessary to build a life they feel more confident & in charge of.

My approach to therapy is rooted in a belief that change is possible. Most of my clients come to me because something in their lives isn't working. Whether the problem is familial, romantic, professional, emotional, or even existential, I find it usually comes down to a matter of relationship. How are we relating to the things that cause us to suffer? When we understand these relationships and the parts we play in them, we are free to make different choices, and to experience our lives, ourselves, and our loves in richer, more fulfilling ways. While I see clients with a wide range of presenting issues, I have a high level of expertise in family conflict, childhood trauma, addiction, codependency and eating disorders. I also have a passion for helping artists of all kinds to overcome the self-limiting beliefs that lead to creative blocks. I have additional training in EMDR (an evidence based model for trauma therapy), mindfulness practice, and family systems, and I hold an MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University.

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!

I graduated from UMass Medical school and was trained in adult psychiatry at Cambridge Health Alliance, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital. Prior to going to medical school I received a Masters in Teaching from Boston University and worked as a teacher. This unique background affects my approach to psychiatry. I believe that a good psychiatrist should work with you to help you learn about yourself and your mental health. I am trained in a variety of therapeutic styles including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), psychodynamic therapy, supportive therapy, and Gottman style couples/relationship therapy. During my time at CHA I worked extensively with the Gender and Sexuality Clinic to serve patients of diverse sexual and gender identities. I also co-lead a group therapy for individuals in polyamorous and non-monogamous relationships. I have taught at the American Psychiatric Association’s specialized rotation for HIV Psychiatry, including lectures on how to provide effective telepsychiatry, and I have presented at a national meeting on teaching providers how to better work with patients to prescribe medications. I am a licensed physician in Massachusetts, New York, and California. I offer in person appointments in Somerville, MA as well as secure telehealth appointments to those residing in Massachusetts, New York, and California. In addition to medication management I offer individual and relationship/couples therapy.

I enjoy working with client's of all ages. I work hard to get to know each of my clients and then create interventions and goals that fit them individually. I believe that you are the author of your own story, and I am just there to help you re-write chapters and create new ones. I enjoy working with young people who want more for their lives but aren't sure how to get there. I am passionate about decreasing stigma around therapy, changing people’s experience of of therapy, or maybe what they believe therapy is like. The name of my practice, Rebel Well, represents peoples need to be a little rebellious at times, challenge the norms, challenge the voices in their heads that keep them from thriving. A little rebellion can be a good thing. My biggest belief in this work is you are not the problem, the problem is the problem. I want to support each person holistically, and that can mean different things to different people. I practice from a client centered approach meaning that I use each client’s individual presentation to create a plan, interventions, and goals.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to support people in a wide range of settings, including inpatient and outpatient treatment centers, residential programs, and homeless shelters. These experiences have allowed me to work closely with individuals facing many different challenges and life circumstances. Working across these environments has helped me develop a flexible, compassionate approach to care. I’ve learned how to meet people where they are—whether they’re in crisis, navigating major life transitions, or working toward long-term healing and stability. My background has shaped my ability to provide thoughtful, personalized support that is grounded in real-world experience and a deep understanding of the complexities people face. I specialize in general mental health, anxiety/depression, substance abuse, and Christian centered psychotherapy. Therapy is a space for growth through trust, curiosity, and reflection. I use humor, metaphor, and insight to guide exploration with compassion, seeing vulnerability not as weakness but as fertile ground for healing, self-awareness, and resilience. Together, we'll explore root causes and develop a practical plan for change. Many notice symptom relief within weeks and continue to make steady progress, gaining a stronger sense of control and connection in their lives. Together, we'll explore your unique path toward well-being.

I once heard someone doing a lecture say, “we know what we believe when we hear what we say.” This would definitely inform the kind of therapy you would experience with me. I view the client as the one who has the answers, and we’re working together to solve a mystery. One of my roles is to help my client tell the story, point out clues being overlooked, gently challenge entrenched beliefs, provide unconditional positive regard, and help the client make sense of their difficulties and their world. Our work together would be collaborative. I’m not a “sit, nod, and take notes” therapist. I’m interactive, and socratic, and relational. I view thoughts, feelings, and behaviors from a lens of curiosity; wondering what beliefs are behind them; helping to root out dynamics that help those things persist. Often we are stuck in a distorted comfort in familiar pain and we simply cannot see it without someone reflecting that in the room. I am an integrative (drawing from multiple therapeutic orientations) humanist-existential therapist; an enthusiastic cheerleader. I will bring humor and validation into the session. I’m passionate about brain chemistry. I am social-justice oriented. I am also trauma-informed. While I work in many different focuses of psychotherapy, I find that the most pervasive themes in my work with clients include: adjustment to life changes, problems with alcohol and substance use (and the way that co-occurring mental health issues interact with it), LGBTQIA+ topics, issues of neurodiversity, anxiety and depression, personality disorders, identity & esteem development, and healthy relationships of all shapes and sizes. I am experienced, both professionally and personally, working with a variety of relationship configurations and am highly comfortable talking about issues of sex positivity and non-standard definitions of families and relationships such as polyamory and non-monogamy. I am a licensed therapist, an addiction professional, a bit of a technology geek, and a fellow traveler in recovery. In addition to those things, I am Compliance Officer at an all women’s addiction treatment center where I’ve worked in various capacities ranging from counselor to director since 2010. I have also been an adjunct professor in the Master’s program at Pacific Oaks College, an adjunct professor for Glendale College’s Drug Studies program, and I served on the board of the California Association for Drug/Alcohol Educators (CAADE). I am a member of CAMFT at both the state level and in the San Gabriel Valley chapter.

My name is Mayra Almanza, owner and founder of Contigo Counseling Inc. I've been in the mental health field for over 10 years. My goal is to provide equitable and accessible service for all. My focus is working with BIPOC individuals who would benefit from being with a therapist that may be able to understand their experience based on that shared identity.

I am Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 8 years of experience providing psychotherapy to individuals and families. I received my Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology with an emphasis in Counseling and Social Change from San Diego State University and my Master’s of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of La Verne. I have extensive experience working with clients across the lifespan, with a primary focus on supporting individuals navigating Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD, often in conjunction with co-occurring mood disorders. My background is rooted in behavioral work, including providing social skills training and addressing social anxiety among children on the spectrum. Additionally, I have experience working with victims of crime of all ages, supporting them in processing and healing from trauma.

I specialize in trauma informed therapy with an emphasis on Post traumatic stress disorder as a result of sexual violence, intimate partner violence, family violence and other gender/power and community-based harm. I am passionate about building awareness of our self-healing abilities and building wellness within communities of color. My approach is trauma informed, collaborative with an emphasis on improving resiliency and exploring how to thrive. My clinical experience includes serving clients in university counseling and community-based counseling.

Are you ready to take your life back? Has it felt out of control with recent changes or continued stressors/triggers that you just can't figure out how to manage? Is this impacting your job, your ability to complete schoolwork, your relationships, or perhaps other aspects of your life that are important to you? Let's work on this together. Reaching out for help may feel scary but I can help you stand in your power.

Dr. Tiffany Loggins, Psy.D. is a culturally sensitive, licensed clinical psychologist and author in San Francisco specializing in working with diverse communities of color and eating disorders. Given her clinical experiences serving individuals with a wide variety of mental health concerns within several university, hospital, and community-based mental health settings, she simultaneously utilizes both a multicultural framework and evidenced-based approaches to illuminate new insights that accompany feelings of direction, purpose, & passion. I believe all people are unique individuals filled with untapped inner strengths and resiliencies. By comprehensively working with all aspects of a person, my approach is catered to each individual. One should be the author of their own personal journey to healing and growth. Therefore, my role is to create a safe space that distinctively fits your needs through mutual collaboration, and meeting you where you feel comfortable.

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, depressed or stuck, I recognize the impact it can have on your relationships, goals, self-esteem and how you feel in your mind and body. If you find yourself affected by difficult events, grief, and trauma from your past, I understand how it can interfere with daily life making it difficult to focus mentally, relax physically, and enjoy the things you once loved. You do not have to go through this alone. I am committed to providing compassionate support and guidance as we work together to find clarity, joy and reclaim ease in your mind, body and spirit. Change is possible. Healing is possible. My specialty is working with those who are suffering emotionally & overwhelmed with their past and present. I work with individuals wanting to break out of co-dependency, self-sabotaging, and trauma which can show up as chronic emotional/physical pain and leave you feeling stuck and confused. You don't have to figure this out on your own. The focus of our work will be to understand the cause of your suffering and how it is affecting your mind and body in the present. This allows us to create new ways of thinking and feeling which lead to less suffering. As an MFT and SEP my approach is somatic and insight oriented to support you in finding relief and creating the life you want.

Ally Counseling and Therapy is a women owned practice. Our practice focuses on developing relationships with our clients and our community. We value being connected to our neighbors, community partners, and our natural environment. Our practice is safe, culturally sensitive and inclusive for all people to participate in psychotherapy. We are affirming of all LGBTQIA+ and gender diverse individuals. We are dedicated to teaching and empowering people to understand, improve, and take responsibility for their own emotions, relationships and intimacy. ​ Services at Ally Counseling and Therapy focus on cultural adjustment issues, racial identity concerns, trauma-focused treatment, women's issues, parenting struggles, parental mental health, anxiety and depression, the identification and treatment of psychosexual and relationship problems, infidelity, LGBTQIA+ issues and more. ​ We focus on innovative interventions such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Sex Therapy, Ericksonian Hypnotherapy, Mindfulness-Based (MBCT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Expressive Arts Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment therapy, Life Coaching and animal assisted therapy. We are strength-based and solution-focused. Our practice is located in Chelsea and Long Island City NYC. We warmly welcome people all over the world to be a part of our community through Telehealth services.

My interest in mental health began from a desire to understand how our experiences shape who we are. This curiosity grew into a passion for helping others explore these influences, gain deeper insight, and create healthier ways of relating to themselves and the people around them. The more we understand ourselves, the more we can understand others. Whether you’re coming to therapy during a difficult time or seeking support for accountability and personal growth, what matters most is simply showing up for yourself. That act of showing up can be one of the hardest things we do. Yet it is also essential, not only for your own well-being, but for your ability to show up more fully for the people and things you care about. I view therapy as an act of kindness toward yourself, an intentional pause to check in, look inward, and take meaningful steps toward becoming your best self. Over time, this process can create a ripple effect of growth, both within yourself and across all areas of your life.

Hi there. I’m glad you’re looking into getting support. I specialize in Somatic, Expressive Arts, and Inner Parts Work therapy. With me as your therapist, we will ground and regulate the body, as we invite different parts of you to be heard and to integrate. I am especially drawn to work with artists of all kinds, as I am one myself. This means we will invite creative techniques into the therapy space, such as dramatic role-play, movement, music, poetry and more to help to free your inner artist. I specialize in working with young adults as well, supporting individuation and community-building at this transformative time of life. I enjoy working with clients of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, gender identities, sexualities, and other intersectional identities. I am a queer-affirming therapist. Please feel free to read more about what our work together will entail, and contact me to book a consultation. I look forward to meeting you.

As a professional counselor and family therapist who's spent the better part of the past decade helping teens and adolescents navigate the transition to college and the beginnings of their young adult lives, as well as helping international students acclimate to their new environment, I'm here to let you know that ... Despite what anyone tells you, you don't need to have it all figured out. What many people don't want to admit or face is that life is a continuous process of growth and change. However, once you realize and embrace that fact, everything else becomes much easier, more rewarding, and fun. This is what counseling for college students and young adults is all about: learning to embrace change, discover who you really are, and create the relationships and life you desire and deserve. My job as a psychotherapist is to help you explore your values and beliefs and align your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors with who you really are, so you can let go of any unnecessary tension, cope with and move past anxiety and depression, communicate more effectively with others, and live a more authentic and joyous life. And it doesn't have to take a long time. You don't need to be in therapy until you're middle-aged! You decide on your goals for our work together, and we'll figure out the most effective and efficient ways of achieving them. If you're ready to embrace this time in your life, discover your personal power and feel confident and comfortable making big decisions, enjoy exploring all of the possibilities for the future, and make sure you’re on the right path for you, I encourage you to contact me today.