Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA
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.
Marcelle Craig
You’re the strong one — the responsible one — the one who learned early how to hold it together. You navigate different spaces, code-switching when needed, carrying family expectations while trying to build relationships that feel healthy and secure. You’re self-aware, but old attachment patterns still show up. You’re ready to understand what shaped you and create connection that feels safe, mutual, and authentic. I provide trauma-informed, attachment-focused therapy for Black and Brown Millennials and Gen Z adults and couples. Using EMDR and relational therapy, we process generational and relational wounds so you can shift patterns at their root — not just manage the symptoms. You don’t have to keep carrying everything alone. Many of your patterns were learned for survival — they make sense. Therapy offers space to unlearn what no longer serves you and build something healthier. If you’re ready for intentional, culturally responsive depth work, I invite you to reach out.
Erika Garibay Malanowski
Lastly, I am a firm believer that a substantial part of change happens outside of the therapy session. There is no benefit in learning skills if they are not put to use. For this reason, there will be times when we will work together to create a home practice assignment that is relevant to our session and meaningful to you. I consider my style to be a delicate balance of easy-going and down-to-business. One of my goals is to create an atmosphere where you can show up as your authentic self. Only then, will we know what path to take in our therapeutic journey. Once we know what path to explore, we will put in the work! Sessions with me are interactive and collaborative. We will approach our session topics with curiosity and explore what you need from the session. Should we explore ways of thinking? Should we address behavioral patterns? Or should we identify and clarify emotions? I will use interventions and skills from evidence-based practices like CBT and DBT based on your specific needs. These treatment modalities are proven to work! I hope to help you create a life worth loving! 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.
Donna Cohen Cretcher
I believe life is a journey and everyone has their personal challenges. I enjoy the experience of understanding you and helping you. I am an active participant in sessions by asking questions to fully understand who you are and how best to support you. I individualize your treatment based on what you want, need and who you are. I see myself as a coach to support you in obtaining your goals and a sense of wellness in your life. 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.
Kristy Bradford
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.
Brittany Perez
Welcome to Cultivate Grace Counseling and Consultation Services! I am a Registered Play Therapist™ (RPT™) and I specialize in therapy for children and teens navigating emotional ups and downs, life transitions and stress related to adjustment challenges. Through play therapy, parent-child relational work, and solution focused techniques, my goal is to help young people build confidence, strengthen emotional regulation, and feel more connected at home and at school. Parents are an important part of the process. I offer consultation and practical guidance to help you feel more equipped, supported, and less alone along the way.
Wellness Sessions
Taking the courageous step to seek support is a powerful act of self-care and strength. It’s a recognition that you deserve compassion, understanding, and guidance, no matter how overwhelming life’s challenges may feel. You don’t have to navigate your struggles alone, together, we can create a safe and welcoming space where you feel truly seen, heard, and supported. I deeply respect the uniqueness of each person’s journey, and I am here to meet you exactly where you are. Whether you’re feeling lost, searching for clarity, or striving to grow into the person you aspire to be. I specialize in working collaboratively with my clients to create personalized treatment plans that address their unique challenges and goals. My approach encompasses a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, marital issues, and stress management. Together, we’ll chart a path toward healing, growth, and meaningful change My mission is to help you uncover the strengths you already possess, develop practical and effective coping skills, and create a life that reflects what truly matters most to you. You deserve a life filled with purpose, resilience, and fulfillment—one that aligns with your unique values and aspirations. I’m here, ready to support you whenever you feel ready.
Lightway Counseling and Psychology Services
At Lightway, we believe life is worth living, and living to the fullest. But we know that sometimes it certainly doesn’t feel that way. Dr. Bleeker and her team of therapists help clients to identify what it is that's holding them back, so they can find a way forward. They specialize in working with college students and young adults who are struggling with issues related to anxiety, depression, adjustment, identity formation, academic caseloads, and trauma.
LuAnn Peitz
College can feel overwhelming—whether you're dealing with anxiety, stress about the future, relationship struggles, or just trying to figure out who you are. I work best with students who are ready to be real, even if they’re not sure where to start. You don’t have to have all the answers to begin therapy. I offer a supportive, nonjudgmental space where we can explore what’s going on beneath the surface and build tools that help you feel more grounded and confident. If you’re feeling stuck, burnt out, or just need someone to talk to, I’m here to help you figure things out one step at a time.
Maya Borgueta, PsyD
I'm a former CAPS therapist (SCU, UCSC, & CU Boulder) who loves working with students! I specialize in support for women of color, 1st and 2nd gen immigrants, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. My clients are often struggling with work-school-life balance and burnout, family and relationship issues, and the challenges of straddling two or more cultural environments and expectations. I strive to take an intersectional, inclusive approach in my work because I know how much our outside world influences our mental health—for better and for worse. (AKA, therapy is political, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!)
Victoria Miller
Having worked in hospitals, behavioral/mental health, and in the homes of the elderly and disabled for the past 21 years, I will bring a depth of knowledge and experience to your therapy journey. My friendly down to earth, and “strengths based” approach helps clients balance their goals, wishes and desires with options. I can help you find new ways to cope, to handle life’s challenges, to connect with others and have happy, secure friendships and relationships. It may not be easy, and it may not happen overnight, but I assure you that the ability to change and grow is within yourself!
Dr. Brooke Bellomio, PsyD
Are you struggling to feel connected to an authentic and confidence sense of self? Do you often feel lonely, bored, or empty even though you have things in your life that should be bringing you fulfillment? Do you feel paralyzed by uncertainty or having to make decisions in your life? Maybe it seems that all areas of your life are being impacted by the internal chaos you are experiencing? I believe that happiness shouldn't be this hard, that there is a reason that you are struggling. Understanding the underlying reasons for your current symptoms, and the beliefs that formed them, can help you to make changes to your current life. I have 10+ yrs of experience as a trauma-informed expert in eating disorders and body image issues. I have extensive experience with a variety of concerns including depression, anxiety, OCD, LGBTQIA+, infertility, trauma, grief, etc. I am certified in ERP for OCD and Lifespan Integration Therapy for Trauma. My approach is based primarily on CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy), DBT (dialectal behavioral therapy), and ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy). I utilize attachment based theory to look at patterns and family dynamics from the past to better understand the present. "Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” Dalai Lama
Jeffrey Y. Steer, LMFT
I joined Thriving Campus because college students are faced with a variety of challenges, including adjusting to being in college and becoming self-sufficient as a young adult, and these challenges have an impact on the mental health of college students. I find it is very important to work with college students to meet them where they are currently and help them build on their strengths in order to navigate college life and its challenges.
Nicky Gisonno LEP
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Samson Shulman
I believe in the transformative power of art and deeply understand the challenges creatives face—addiction, burnout, anxiety, procrastination, and the search for identity in an ever-evolving world. With over 15 years in the music industry— working for Interscope, Atlantic, The Tonight Show, and as an artist manager—I combine deep industry insight with a master's in clinical psychology. This unique blend allows me to offer a holistic, personalized approach as a therapist and substance use disorder counselor, helping artists find clarity, resilience, and creative fulfillment. As a creative, you may find yourself balancing big emotions while keeping up with the demands of your work. Maybe you're struggling with burnout, self-doubt, or the thousand other aspects that make being a creative challenging in today's world. I’d be honored to walk with you on this next chapter of your journey. In 2020, I launched Connection is Magic, a top-ranked Spotify podcast where artists and entertainment industry leaders share vulnerably about their triumphs and setbacks. These powerful conversations have uncovered profound life lessons and transformative wisdom, which now shape the heart of my clinical approach.
Kelsey Mudge
Are feeling overwhelmed or stressed from school, work, extracurriculars, finances, and everything else? I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California, and I specialize in helping college women manage stress and heal from trauma with compassionate, evidence-based care. With a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Azusa Pacific University, I bring experience from residential treatment centers, school-based programs, and nonprofit organizations. I provide therapy for trauma, anxiety, depression, and life transitions, always with a trauma-informed and culturally responsive approach. I incorporate evidence-based therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Faith-Based Therapy for clients seeking a spiritual lens. I’m also trained in EMDR therapy for clients looking to process and heal from traumatic experiences.
Smita Basak
If anxiety, depression, stress, ADHD, or the adjustment to college life have you feeling like you're doing everything right and still not okay, you're not alone. In our sessions, we slow down and look at what's underneath — including how your identity, culture, gender, and the world around you shape what you're going through. Together we work toward feeling more like yourself — building the kind of quiet confidence that comes from knowing your own values, whether that's navigating independence for the first time, family expectations that don't match what you want for yourself, or figuring out academics, career direction, or what comes next. If this resonates, I am happy to connect.
Blu Alliance Counseling Center
Blu Alliance Counseling Center first and foremost specializes in you. Our therapists training has allowed them the knowledge base to work with a variety of presenting problems, primarily since we believe our work is about exploring and understanding you as an individual, not as a diagnosis. Our motto here at Blu Alliance is "Blu Specializes in You" and we fully believe this to be true! At Blu Alliance Counseling Center, we are committed to supporting our community in every way possible, particularly for those dealing with anxiety, stress, depression, and other mental health-related issues. We understand that seeking therapeutic services can be challenging, and that’s why we offer telehealth services to make it more accessible and convenient for you. We offer Telehealth as a way to give those who are in need access to therapy in a safe environment. We highly care about our community and fellow Californians access to mental health during this time. We are all in this together. By being together, we can build something that can last not just in the moment but create a set of tools that you can carry for the rest of your life. If you have any more questions about our services you can reach out by email at admin@blualliance.org and/or Call us at (626) 541-0009.
Emily St. Amant Counseling
I am a licensed mental health counselor in Tennessee and California, and I provide therapy virtually to students in both states. I work with people who are dealing with things like stress, difficult transitions and circumstances, traumatic events, relationship problems, grief, discrimination, and systemic marginalization. I specialize in working with people seeking recovery from the abuse they experienced in their families, intimate relationships, workplaces, religious and faith communities, and also survivors of cults and other high-demand/control groups. Additionally, I work with those who are living with mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, suicide risk, and post-traumatic stress disorder. I also specialize in working with people seeking recovery from substance use, and I welcome clients who are active substance users. I enjoy working with clients from diverse backgrounds and strive to create a safe, affirming space for the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, disabled individuals, and other marginalized groups. Being a military spouse myself, I am honored to work with active military members, their families, and veterans. Feel free to check out my website to learn more about my experience and specialties. Those who work with me can expect to experience a safe and supportive space. My approach is very down-to-earth, and I aim to use research-backed therapy interventions in a way that’s accessible and helpful. I believe no two people need the same approach. There is no universal formula for creating positive change. Your path is your own. The job of a counselor is to help you find your footing and support you on your unique journey. I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to see if we’re a good fit. Please reach out to get that scheduled, or if you have any questions you’d like to ask first.
Melissa Aristoza
I became a therapist because I saw the impacts it can have on people to not have a space to feel safe and seen. Life can come with challenges that set us off course, and it can feel isolating to experience those challenges without a roadmap. My hope is to provide a space to navigate life’s challenges safely, and develop a tool kit to manage whatever life may throw your way. Our work together is ultimately a collaboration, we discuss your values and needs and will create goals that align with them. I encourage ongoing feedback during sessions, discussion of what is working and not working, and make sure to provide a space where your needs come first. I acknowledge that it takes time to build trust in any relationship, including a therapeutic relationship. I build trust by focusing on you as a whole person, letting you set the pace and meeting you where you are at. I want to get to know your strengths, interests, and values. I utilize metaphors and examples that break down issues that feel bigger than you can handle to create a sense of safety in our sessions. I have two cats who you may see glimpses of during our sessions, whether it be through a blob stretching in my background or their tail popping in to the frame.