Therapists for college students near San Francisco State University
I currently have limited availability; please reach out to inquire of openings (as of 06/17/2026). Growing up Asian American in San Francisco, I had the privilege of feeling like “the majority” rather than feeling like “the minority.” When my mental health took a turn in my teen years, I was fortunate to have an Asian school-based therapist who reminded me of a “cool Asian aunt.” I remember feeling at ease seeing someone who looked like me in a space I thought was only meant for white people or people who were “that crazy.” This therapist showed me that therapy could be warm, kind, and even involve the humor I needed to say the hard stuff. She showed me that people like us could receive support and care through a listening ear. (I thought the only kind of care Asian elders gave was via cut fruit.) Years later, I hope to share this same safe experience as the person now sitting in the therapist’s chair. Whether you are living out your parents’ dreams or just trying to make it through the week, I can help you explore whether your path aligns with your values and supports your growth. I promise I won’t sass you the way my former Asian auntie-like therapist might, but I’ll make sure we keep it light where it needs to be, and hold space where it’s dark. We will discover who you are and what you need, with the utmost care (and a dash of humor, because therapy is hard enough as it is).
We all need support to get through difficult times in our lives. Beginning with identifying your goals and areas of focus in therapy, we will work together at a pace that is comfortable for you. If you are struggling with feelings of depression, overwhelm, anxiety, grief or trauma, therapy can create space for transformation and healing. Whether you are looking for a sounding board when facing tough decisions about family, relationships, work or life transition, or you recognize a need for change, the therapeutic process can support you in making the changes you want to see in your life. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and EMDR Certified therapist with 15 years of counseling and psychotherapy experience, I provide short and long-term therapy to adults, adolescents, and families. My approach is individualized, and uses a combination of insight-oriented and cognitive behavioral therapies, as well as EMDR. I believe therapy should move at your pace, with a focus identified by you. In a non-judgmental and supportive atmosphere, we will work together to access your strengths and supports to find the most effective ways to cope.
Hello. I work with adults, families and couples. My training and expertise are treating anxiety, depression, relationship/family/in-law issues, psychosis, personality disorders, life transition, immigrations and identity exploration. My therapy styles are warm, client centered, emotional focused. I share with my clients a lot that "You want to make sure you feel comfortable talking to me." It is true because therapy is personal. As a first generation immigrant and my life experiences, it has led me to choose social work as my career and passion and it also shaped the person I am today. It’s my hope to use all the skills I have to explore with you and provide guidance on whatever stage you are in at the moment.
Hey- I'm glad you're here. Can I just name that looking for the right therapist for yourself can sometimes be a tad overwhelming? Give yourself some props for working through these profiles-- some of my clients have described it like 'dating' because it can take a while to find someone who you really vibe with- so I'll cut to the chase of who I am, what I do, and what you can expect from sessions with me! I'm a relational and person-centered therapist, meaning, I'm attuned to your needs and goals, act like a dynamic and engaged human in session, and really strongly believe you deserve a space where you can show up fully. I also prioritize the things you need in session to feel comfortable- if that's sitting on the floor, then I'll meet you there! If you need to fidget- I've got some for you. If you want to be burrito-wrapped up under a fuzzy blanket, that's just fine too! Ultimately, I want you to feel like you're getting something out of your time in therapy and we'll work together to create a space that allows for that. A lot of the students I work with are thoughtful, inquisitive, and just carrying a lot more than most people realize. They might look like they’re keeping up just fine, but inside they’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or questioning where life is headed. Some are navigating grief or the fallout of a breakup, others are dealing with anxiety, burnout, major academic stress, or trying to figure out who they are, where they're headed, and what matters to them. If that sounds familiar, you’re definitely not alone. In therapy with me, I aim for us to create a space where you can be completely yourself without having to downplay your struggles. I bring warmth, curiosity, and care, and some helpful perspectives and ways of coping that are 100% tailored to you and what you need. You show up, and we’ll take things step-by-step and explore what’s weighing on you and what may help you get through it, together. If anything here resonated with you- I welcome you to reach out and set up a 20 minute free phone call with me and we'll go from there! Best of luck finding the care you're seeking!
Jessica C. Lief, MSW, LCSW, MLS Speciality: Eating Disorders, Body Image, Borderline Personality Disorder, Self-Harm, Substance Use LCSW and Psychotherapist Jessica C. Lief, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, body image, Borderline Personality Disorder, self-harm, and substance use. Jessica completed psychoanalytic training through the William Alanson White Institute of Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis, and Psychology in the Eating Disorders, Compulsions, and Addictions (EDCAS) Program. She also completed the advanced clinical supervision training program through Smith College School for Social Work. Her approach is primarily psychodynamic but combines aspects of self-psychology, feminist/womanist theories, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Seeking Safety, mindful self-compassion, and mindfulness. She is particularly interested in the treatment of eating disorders as a social justice issue, as they relate to people of color and the LGBTQ+ community. She is also adept at treating individuals diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. Her grief and loss work is broad but focuses on motherless daughters, maternal grief and wounding, and emotional abandonment. Jessica also works with individuals who have experienced miscarriage, fertility-related issues, post-partum depression, anxiety, and psychosis, as well as post-partum PTSD. She also works with individuals undergoing IVF and who have struggled with women’s health issues, such as Endometriosis and PCOS, as well as individuals who are pregnant and struggling with an eating disorder. Jessica’s favorite part of being a therapist is guiding each client in their transformation and witnessing each step as it is achieved. Jessica will work with the client to identify what is deeply meaningful and important in that person’s life. The client will develop concrete skills to get their needs met directly. Jessica will help the client to develop powerful, inner resources, including self-compassion, emotion regulation techniques, radical self-acceptance, and confidence. Jessica earned her undergraduate degree from Sarah Lawrence College with a concentration in literature, nonfiction writing, and French. She earned a master’s degree in Advanced Clinical Practice in Social Work from New York University. She also earned a Master of Studies in Law with a concentration in Health Law with high honors from UC Law San Francisco. Currently, she is enrolled in a doctorate in social work program through Simmons University. LCSW# 87286 “Jessica’s style has been described as nurturing, empathetic, and empowering. She is direct, authentic and will never blame you for your suffering. She enjoys using humor in psychotherapy.”
I am a Board Certified Psychiatrist with over 30 years of experience. I have worked with students since the 1990s in a variety of settings and most recently was the director of the Stanford student mental health program (2008-2017) then on staff (2017-2022). I treat a variety of conditions from anxiety and depression to ADHD and bipolar disorder. I also practice intensive short term dynamic psychotherapy (ISTDP).
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
The Brown Therapy Center clinicians are a professional and experienced group of psychotherapists who come from a diverse range of educational backgrounds and specialties. As seasoned guides and intentional listeners, we aim to meet you where you are on your journey, providing insight and facilitating healing along the way and tailoring our treatment methods to meet the unique needs of each client. Though we draw from the traditional psychoanalytic frameworks including the work of C.G. Jung, we aim to take an integrative approach to counseling that incorporates elements of philosophy, spirituality, and perspectives from across cultures. In addition to more holistic models, our clinicians are highly versed in scientifically validated approaches, various somatic modalities, and psychedelic integration.
The people who come to me are curious to get to know themselves in a deeper away. I work with people to help them heal from trauma, interrupt unhelpful patterns, set healthier boundaries in relationships, dismantle crippling perfectionism, bolster their sense of self, increase self-esteem, mindfully manage anxiety, and live a more authentic existence. Together, we can work toward both short-term and long-term change.
Like any new endeavor, beginning therapy can bring both anxiety and hope. Whether you're seeking therapy to address specific concerns or to engage in personal exploration, I bring many years of experience working with a broad range of issues and people. I see therapy as a unique opportunity to help my clients gain a deeper understanding of themselves, develop greater awareness and insight, and make meaningful changes that lead to greater fulfillment in their lives, relationships, and careers. As a generalist I enjoy working with a diverse range of people, ages, and issues. I also bring specialized training and experience in working with young professionals, men's issues, high functioning autism / Asperger's Syndrome, depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, substance abuse, relationship challenges, personal discovery, integration of spiritual/psychedelic experiences, and mindfulness meditation. Through open and honest exploration and dialogue, I will help you identify the most pressing issues and make meaningful changes in your life. I'm good at providing practical solutions while also diving beneath the surface to discover underlying causes in order to affect deeper and longer lasting change.
Recognizing the need for help is challenging enough; finding the right and best clinician should be simple and straightforward. Below you will find a brief discussion of my techniques, experience and central therapeutic tenets. My name is Dr. R. Austin Heafey – I am a licensed clinical psychologist who works with children, adolescents, parents and families, to provide both support and treatment for a wide range of social, domestic, personal and psychological concerns. Regardless of who I am working with, my primary focus is on improving self-esteem, building self-confidence and working to enrich my patients self-worth. The more faith a person has in their own abilities and innate uniqueness, the more they are able to engage with the world they live in, the family they were belong to and the life they deserve to experience. Put simply, I aim to improve my patients quality of life.
George Kolcun, MFT and our team of associates provide psychotherapy and support for adults, couples and adolescents to address a wide range of emotional and relational challenges.
The challenges and struggles we face in life can leave us feeling helpless and hopeless. Perhaps you’re overwhelmed with responsibilities. You might be taking care of other people and neglecting yourself. Or you might be struggling hard to make an important relationship work. You’ve tried more traditional kinds of self-help or therapy, and you’re ready for a different kind of therapy which integrates the mind, body and spirit.
Welcome, I'm glad you made it. I am a psychotherapist specializing in individual work around emotional awareness, attachment, relationships, anxiety and depression. I work within a specific model of therapy called AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy), which is informed by the latest research on neuroscience, attachment, relationships, emotion, and how change happens in therapy, through the relationship and within the nervous system and the brain. I choose to receive weekly consultation from an expertly trained AEDP therapist who helps me to help you. I am constantly learning and expanding my knowledge and skill base as a therapist. My clients experience a deeper sense of safety, security and confidence in themselves, their relationships and the world. My clients often decrease their anxiety, depression, or unwanted worry by learning to recognize, and be with feelings in a way that feels tolerable and leads to positive feeling states of relief, calm, clarity, self-understanding, growth and compassion. If there is any part of you that has felt like you are too much or not enough, I think I can help. I look forward to connecting to you if it's feeling right.
I'm a curious, compassionate depth-oriented therapist who loves people, and feels humbled and inspired each day by the clients I work with. I work with clients online anywhere in California and in person in San Francisco, CA. I most often work with young adults who are seeking support to reduce barriers in the way of living a more fulfilling life. Frequently my clients seek my support related to: eating disorders disordered eating body image concerns social anxiety self doubt, rumination, and indecisiveness trauma wanting a deeper sense of connection, community, and belonging college decisions, stress management navigating complicated family dynamics gender exploration and transitions
Welcome to my practice! We all face challenges in our lives. With those challenges come opportunities to choose how we respond. Some of the difficulties we face include adapting to a new school, job, or relationship, making new friends, and finding meaning in one's life. Other challenges are unique to the individual like discrimination, identity concerns, or trauma. I create a safe space for clients where I am present, genuine, and empathetic. Central to my approach is learning about my clients in a nonjudgmental, affirming way. I help clients develop a deeper understanding of how their past and current experiences influence their thoughts and reactions. The therapeutic interventions I use help clients develop skills to meet their challenges. Therapy is a collaboration that leads to enhanced self-awareness and effective problem-solving. With increased understanding, skills, support, and resources, we have more freedom to effectively cope in ways that are consistent with our values. Freedom means we are not repeating previous maladaptive patterns, allowing us to live the life we want, experiencing greater fulfillment and happiness.
My practice is infused with warmth, care, and heart. Since childhood, I've held a deep curiosity for the relationships that make up our world. I greatly admire and honor these connections - whether between caregivers and children, friends, romantic partners, or animals we see in nature. This curiosity led me to become a relational therapist, where I now have the privilege of walking alongside individuals and couples on their journeys, creating an environment that brings to light the connection that has always existed between us and guiding relationships toward deeper, more resilient roots together. Integrative and relational in nature, the therapeutic work I do incorporates somatics, person-centered therapy, and mindfulness practices. I hold the belief that we all carry our own innate wisdom, and as such, I create space in the therapeutic relationship for my clients to be the experts on themselves and to articulate their needs, wants, and experiences in a safe, nurturing environment. The focus within my work is less on fixing and more on accompanying your human-ness. In addition to the work I do with couples, I am passionate about providing care to those navigating the journey to parenthood. This love for the perinatal space and supporting future and new parents started when I was a child and would spend a great deal of time caring for young children in my community and connecting with their caregivers. Since, this passion has expanded through advocacy work in the paid parental leave space and training I’ve completed as a Postpartum Doula. This beautiful time of transition into parenthood brings about inevitable change, and it is a true joy and privilege of mine to hold a nurturing space for people to process these changes, cultivate connection during a time when community is needed, and heal. I'm not a parent myself at this stage in my life, yet I feel deeply called to this meaningful work of supporting individuals and couples as they navigate these profound life transitions.
I see adults, adolescents, and couples experiencing high levels of stress, interpersonal conflict, difficult family dynamics, and chronic pain or illness. In treatment, I attune to the ways culture, attachment, and trauma influence a person's life. I often work with people who feel "different" and who have experienced deep feelings of otherness. I aim to create a safe space that invites curiosity and creativity, where talking about emotionally-painful topics doesn't feel so unbearable. If you'd like to explore the possibility of working together, please contact me to schedule a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation.
To learn more about my practice, areas of expertise and therapeutic style, please visit my website (tylervpsyd.com) or Psychology Today profile (https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/717959). To set up a free 20-30 minute phone consultation to talk about the possibility of starting therapy, visit my booking page at: https://calendly.com/tylervpsyd/30min.