Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA
Brian Penrod
Anxiety is a learned behavior and it can be unlearned. Your brain is not your enemy and it isn’t trying to make you worry; it is just repeating unhelpful messages from the past. I’d like to help you retrain your brain to be a source of comfort and positivity. With less anxiety, you can direct your energy towards things you really value instead of worrying all the time. In order to change the way you think and feel, you can change your old habits and practice new skills. There is no more valuable project than your well-being, and it’s worth the effort. I have experience with: anxiety, feeling stuck, breakups, depression, and stress. I have a very strong background in mindfulness practices. My clients describe me as compassionate, easy to talk to, and non-judgmental. I have worked in a wide variety of settings with a very diverse group of clients. My office is a welcoming place for people of all backgrounds and beliefs. Please visit my website for more information. I do not accept insurance. I offer sliding rates for students, retail/service workers, and anyone else who has a financial need.
Michelle McMullen
My academic study of transpersonal psychology and my own personal healing journey introduced me to therapists who inspired me to follow in their footsteps. Our partnership thrives on clear communication. I prioritize active listening and regular check-ins to ensure you feel understood and satisfied at every stage of our work. I work with clients to build trust and therapeutic alliance through supportive non-judgment, genuineness, and teamwork.
Bowra Faiez
Do you feel stuck in your personal life or your relationship? Are your thoughts of constant worry, hopelessness, uncertainty overwhelming your day-to-day journey? Have you decided it's time that you approach these feelings and emotions head-on? Therapy is a brave and powerful first step towards exploring what might be contributing to these feelings. I help address these experiences by utilizing a goal-oriented and solution-focused, cognitive-behavioral approach (CBT). I work with clients to help support them in bringing their strength in the room and allowing them to be able to get in touch with their inner self. I work together with you to determine the best course of action and provide tools for individualized exploration and growth. My approach is non-judgmental and supportive. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.
Darcy Dittrich Psychotherapy
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Empower Youth Therapy
Empower Youth Therapy provides individualized therapy for college students navigating academic pressure, anxiety, relationship stress, identity development, transitions, and trauma. Our approach is warm, validating, and practical — focused on helping students understand themselves more deeply while building real-life coping skills they can use in classes, friendships, and daily routines. We serve students from San Joaquin Delta College, CSU Stanislaus, CSU East Bay, Sac State, and surrounding Central Valley / Bay Area campuses. We offer a non-judgmental space to talk honestly, process what’s overwhelming, and explore who you’re becoming — especially during transitions like moving away from home, choosing a major, or preparing for your next step after graduation. We also support executive functioning, stress management, and strengthening healthy habits. We offer individual therapy for college-age students. We accept insurance and private pay. Free 15-minute consultations are available.
Debora Nagy
I am an ANCC Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner whom specializes in medication management and supportive psychotherapy. I received my Master’s of Science in Nursing from Western University of Health Sciences and my Post Masters degree as a Nurse Practitioner in Psychiatric Mental Health from the University of Cincinnati. My clinical experience has provided me the opportunity to be exposed to a vast array of mental conditions and to work closely with individuals to improve their quality of life and overall wellbeing. I specialize in mood disorders, anxiety and ADHD. Psychiatry became my passion when I realized the disparity of services and care provided within our mental health care system. I believe it’s an honor and a privilege to work alongside individuals on their path to wellness. My goal is for each and every member to feel safe, empowered and heard. I am inspired to work in mental health by helping others attain a life they deserve and desire. I listen to each patient’s concerns and approach their care as a concerted effort. All psychiatry providers at Foresight have specialized experience in treating a wide range of common mental health conditions, including but not limited to ADHD, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, depression, and PTSD. In addition, I specialize in the following areas: academic stress, deprescribing, holistic approaches to psychiatry, chronic illness, pregnancy, prenatal, postpartum, women’s issues (PMDD, PCOS, perimenopause, menopause, etc.)
Tiffany Brannigan Therapy
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Saguaro Counseling
**Welcoming New Clients in CA and TX** Adulting is already hard enough; throw in infertility, postpartum depression/anxiety, pregnancy following loss (heIlo, anxiety!), loss/grief, trauma, relationship/communication issues and family conflict and now you've got discomfort, unpleasant feelings, disconnection and stress. While we may not be able to change all of the obstacles in your life, we can definitely work together to adjust expectations, reinforce coping skills, strengthen resilience, improve communication skills, set boundaries and elicit clarity and direction. We work collaboratively to support clients (after all, you are the expert on your own life) to utilize the strengths you already possess, identify obstacles and challenge unhelpful thoughts or patterns. We specialize in pregnancy following loss, infertility, miscarriage/infant loss, bereavement, trauma, anxiety, depression, family conflict, relational issues. Change is so hard! It can be overwhelming to consider what life would feel like without distress and uneasiness. However, you are more courageous than you give yourself credit for- you've made it this far, after all! Together, we can have candid conversation about your feelings and concerns and support your shift toward clarity, balance and stability.
Jessica Taylor Vara, LMFT
Hi, I'm Jessica Taylor Vara, LMFT, a Certified EMDR Therapist and EMDRIA Approved Consultant. On paper, your life might look pretty good. You're responsible. Capable. The person everyone turns to when they need help. But underneath it all, you're exhausted. Maybe you're constantly overthinking, struggling with anxiety, second-guessing yourself, or feeling like you're never quite enough no matter how hard you try. Maybe you're stuck in unhealthy relationship patterns, carrying the weight of childhood experiences you thought you should be over by now, or finding yourself overwhelmed by stress, perfectionism, and self-doubt. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. I help college students, graduate students, young professionals, and adults heal from anxiety, trauma, low self-esteem, people-pleasing, relationship difficulties, and the lasting impact of difficult life experiences. Many of my clients are thoughtful, high-achieving people who have spent years trying to understand themselves but still feel stuck repeating the same emotional patterns. My approach is warm, collaborative, and deeply compassionate. I integrate EMDR therapy and traditional talk therapy to help clients move beyond insight and create real, lasting change. Together, we'll work to heal the root causes of your struggles, build healthier relationships, strengthen your confidence, and help you feel more grounded, resilient, and connected to yourself. You don't have to keep carrying everything on your own. I provide online therapy for residents of California and Florida.
Full Vida Therapy
At Full Vida Therapy, we work with college students who feel overwhelmed, anxious, stuck, or unsure of who they are or where they’re headed. Whether you're struggling with academic pressure, relationship stress, anxiety, trauma, or life transitions, we’re here to support you. Many of our clients are navigating big changes—new independence, identity shifts, burnout, or the feeling that they’re “supposed to have it all figured out.” Therapy with us is a place to slow down, make sense of what you’re feeling, and build real tools for coping, communication, and confidence. We offer online therapy across California, making it easy to get support from wherever you are—no commute, no judgment, just a supportive space to be yourself and grow.
Susan VanAllen
My areas of proficiency are in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, and panic. I am EMDR certified, RLT certified (a form of cognitive behavioral therapy), and have extensive success applying the use of cognitive processing therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance, and commitment therapy, as well as in supporting clients to learn extensive resourcing skills in concert with polyvagal theory for calming a client’s stressed nervous system. I am also an IFS (Internal Family Systems) informed therapist. I have experienced much success in treating clients for depression, anxiety, panic disorder, PTSD, sleep disorders, and even helping people to increase their motivation to succeed or adhere to their diet and exercise programs. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.
Brittney Batista
I am a psychotherapist who brings a relational, compassionate, and client-centered approach to the healing process. I believe that meaningful growth happens within the context of safe, attuned relationships — both in therapy and in life. At the heart of my work is a belief in the power of connection. I see therapy as a collaborative relationship where trust, respect, and authenticity create the conditions for healing. Whether you’re navigating trauma, relationship struggles, anxiety, or life transitions, I’m here to walk alongside you — not as an expert on your life, but as a steady, supportive presence as you explore your inner world. I take an eclectic approach to therapy, drawing from a variety of evidence-based modalities to best meet the unique needs of each client. While I tailor my work to the individual, I am formally trained in and often utilize Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), two evidence-based modalities that support emotional healing. Through IFS, we’ll explore the different parts of you — including those shaped by pain, fear, or shame — with compassion and curiosity. With EMDR, we can process and release the impact of past experiences that may still be affecting your present. Licensed and taking clients in California, Oregon, and Washington.
Ellen Tarby
I help students who are struggling in their relationships or struggling with the demands of college expectations. I have unique specialties in anxiety treatment and eating disorder treatment as well. Reach out, and let's see if I can help!
Prisma Martinez, LMFT
Hola-Welcome! My name is Prisma Martinez, I am a first-generation Mexican, daughter of Immigrants, and a Spanish speaking Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. My mission is to provide a compassionate space where teens, young adults, parents, and professionals can access culturally sensitive mental health support as they prepare for and navigate life. My work is inspired by curiosity, creativity, and courage to cultivate a world where each unique individual has the confidence, tools, and hope they need to break cycles, heal, and thrive without shame, blame, or doubt holding them back. I offer free consultations to explore the possibility of working together to help you Cultivate the life you deserve & overcome stressful life transitions such as Adolescence, College Life, Adulting, and Parenting. All services are provided virtual at the convenience of your comfort space.
James Rosenheim
I describe myself as passionate, open, caring and engaged. I have worked for many years with teens, parents, families, and individuals experiencing anxiety and depressive disorders, including Major Depressive Disorder, OCD, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I am committed to helping each client meet their goals, including working with all other care providers involved. I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and have an extensive background in mindfulness. I meet each client where they are at, and collaborate with the client to show up for life in a way that is consistent with their values. I am a therapist at Octave, a behavioral health practice creating a new standard for mental health care that’s both high-quality and accessible. To learn more about my availability, please reach out to our Client Experience team by emailing or calling.
Laidlaw Counseling
If you're longing for deeper joy, intentionality, purpose, and wholeness in your life, today is a good day to begin. It can be difficult to prioritize yourself in the craziness of life and everything you already hold… but the benefits stretch so far beyond yourself to everyone you interact with, and especially to the ones you love most. I take a holistic approach to addressing anxiety, trauma, and life transitions- which means I consider the physical, mental, relational, and spiritual aspects of your life and how they interact. I use a variety of frameworks, including EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), family systems, attachment, and mindfulness. I specialize in working with clients experiencing anxiety, panic attacks, or PTSD who are ready to take control of their lives back. I take an in-depth, holistic approach to discover & address root causes, paired with practical tools and coping strategies you can use right away. I value & incorporate your feedback along the way to create an approach that fits, so you can experience lasting change. If you’re ready to take intentional steps, I’d love to connect. I offer a free consultation so you can ask questions and see if it feels like a good fit. Email me to get started.
Lisa Pedersen
My approach is deeply rooted in empathy, collaboration, and evidence-based techniques tailored to people struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationship issues. You can know that for 25 years I've made sure that my clients feel seen, heard, and respected. I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to help you navigate life's challenges. Know that I'm hanging on every word you say. My many trainings allow me to "pull from my back pocket" strategies to help you get unstuck from patterns that are not allowing you to function optimally. So, if you're triggered, are having problems in your relationships with others, your career, past traumas, or simply know in your heart of hearts you want to make creative change in your life, I'm ready to meet you. More than that? You deserve this time. You deserve to the best version of you. I provide a safe and supportive space for healing and growth and cannot wait to begin this work together. I am a therapist at Octave, a behavioral health practice creating a new standard for mental health care that’s both high-quality and accessible. To learn more about my availability, please reach out to our Client Experience team by emailing or calling.
Winding River Psychotherapy Services
Is heavy stress and anxiety making it hard to feel steady, present, and focused as you move through the semester? You might get stuck in loops of overthinking about grades, deadlines, money, or the future, while your body stays tense and on edge. For some students, social anxiety can be its own grind, making you skip gatherings or spend too long replaying conversations afterward. Sometimes anxiety doesn’t just make you worry—it forecasts disaster and turns choices into landmines. Left running in the background, it can spill into perfectionism, stress-eating, zoning out, or leaning on weed or alcohol to take the edge off. You deserve support that helps you function and feel better. Not just pushing through, but building a foundation of well-being that lasts beyond the semester. In our work, we’ll address the anxiety and help you feel like yourself again with clearer thinking, a steadier mood, and more ease in your body. I’ve spent 13 years helping people with anxiety, and I know the unique pressures of college life. Together, we’ll find practical, compassionate ways to feel more grounded and zoned-in. My style is gentle and collaborative, yet active in guiding the work. You don’t have to power your way through alone. Take the first step toward change and book a free intro call on the calendar section of my website.
Maria Zabeti
You’ve always been the one others lean on, and the go-to problem solver. Your known to be the steady hand in chaos, but no one sees what it costs you. But lately, it’s been harder to hide how much it’s costing you. You come home drained, carrying the weight of everyone else’s needs. Even when your body screams for rest, you keep going because slowing down feels dangerous. You’ve trained yourself to stay calm, to keep it all together… even when you’re unraveling inside. Maybe you lie awake at night, replaying conversations, second-guessing decisions, silently asking, “Am I doing enough? Am I enough?” Therapy gives you something you rarely get: a space that’s just for you. No pressure to perform, no need to hold it all together, just room to breathe, and be real. I’ll ask the kind of questions that help you understand what’s really happening underneath the anxiety, the overthinking, or the emotional shutdown your may be feeling. In our sessions, we move at your pace. I’ll invite you to share what’s on your mind, and I’ll meet it with care and curiosity, not judgment. I might ask things like, “Can you tell me more?” or say, “I hear you say that… am I right?” Because your story matters, you deserve to feel seen in it. We’ll use tools like a feelings chart to gently reconnect you with your emotions especially the ones you’ve had to push aside just to get through the day. You’ll learn to set boundaries that could help you feel like your taking care of yourself without feeling guilty. Little by little, you start to feel different, more present, more steady, more like you. You start to trust your emotions instead of stuffing them down. You'll recognize your needs, and you honor them not with an apology, but with clarity. The constant pressure to be everything for everyone? It softens. The worry that you’re not enough? It quiets. You still show up for the people you love, but now, you’re showing up for yourself, too. You'll start to feel calmer, clearer, and more connected to yourself and others. Therapy can be the space where you finally feel seen, heard, and supported. If you’re ready, I’m here. Let’s talk.
Amanda Terronez
I believe the therapeutic relationship is essential to therapy. Together we will work to accomplish the goals you have for yourself. I believe that your core beliefs about yourself will impact the way you behave and feel; therefore, by considering and examining these beliefs, you can gradually alter them and consequently, alter your behaviors and emotions. I practice Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; however, my roots in client-centered have served me well by giving me the tools needed to build the therapeutic relationship. I am also skilled in Motivational Interviewing. My belief is that we can all use someone to support us in processing our thoughts and feelings. It can be difficult finding time, money and energy to find the right therapist. I would love to be of service to you on your journey. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.