Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA

At Nebula, we understand that life can be challenging and sometimes we all need a little help to navigate through tough times. Our experienced therapists are here to provide a safe and supportive environment for you to explore your feelings, overcome obstacles, and achieve your personal goals.

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, reach out.

Change Within Reach specializes in culturally sensitive, deeply personalized therapy for individuals, couples, and families seeking meaningful transformation, with a strong focus on addressing anxiety alongside complex life transitions, identity, and relationship dynamics. Change Within Reach is committed to providing an inclusive, client-centered environment where clients from diverse backgrounds feel seen, heard, and supported. With therapists skilled in blending cultural insights and therapeutic expertise, Change Within Reach offers services in multiple languages, helping clients address challenges that intersect with cultural expectations, self-identity, and mental health.

College is often a time of growth and change. Some days feel fun and exciting while at other times you may feel lonely and overwhelmed. Students are adjusting to living with roommates and trying to balance studies with socializing. Homesickness is common, as are sadness, stress, and sleep disturbances. College often allows young people to embrace their true selves and start anew. Please join me in a therapeutic, non-judgmental space to explore and process your feelings as you navigate this important time in your life. No topic is off-limits. I enjoy and feel privileged to work with this population and welcome the opportunity to connect soon.

My name is Terry Alcántar Nelson and I am a licensed clinical social worker who has been providing counseling for over 25 years. After all this time, I still love my work and am passionate about helping people heal. Every day is a new opportunity for me to join with clients in healing past hurts, traumas, and relationships, and addressing current life stressors and painful experiences. I am privileged to do this work and hope to be doing it for many years to come. I am trained and have expertise in the following modalities: -Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)- a type of therapy that helps to examine negative thinking and long held beliefs which make us feel bad and stuck; it is modality that is particularly helpful for depression and anxiety -Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) which focuses on improving relationships by increasing emotional safety with loved ones, and takes into account past attachment injuries originating in childhood and current and/or past relationships -Mindfulness, which works on increasing our focus on the present by using breath, body and grounding techniques -Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) which uses eye movements and other types of bilateral stimulation to process traumatic experiences and memories I see my role as a mental health provider as a guide to clients who are looking for a path to wholeness and healing. Working with with a therapist should be a collaborative process in which the client feels empowered with every session. I consider successful therapy to be one in which clients says that they feels shifts in behavior, feelings, and life circumstances. I am a proud Latina woman who was born and raised in a small town, but was transplanted many years ago to a big city and I can see the value in both experiences. I have worked with a vast array of ethnicities and cultures and feel comfortable with diversity. I am unique in that I am bicultural, bilingual and come to every client session ready to hold big emotions in compassionate ways. I know trauma and relationship injuries can make us feel very vulnerable and I want my clients to feel safe and emotionally held so that the work of healing brings peace and restorative experiences in all areas of life.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Are you feeling overwhelmed as your family navigates the chaos of crisis stabilization, residential treatment, or intensive outpatient care? I specialize in supporting individuals and families who are coming from—or preparing to transition to—higher levels of care. Whether your loved one is returning home from a treatment center or you're facing the possibility of a higher level of support, I help families rebuild trust, restore communication, and make sense of what’s happened. As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, my approach is trauma-informed, attachment-focused, and grounded in compassion. I offer a safe space for individuals to heal, understand their story, and decide how they want to move forward. I help caregivers make space for their own pain while staying steady and supportive in the face of family struggles. This work is hard—and you don’t have to do it alone. I’m not here to sugarcoat the process—but I do believe in healing, resilience, and the power of showing up differently. If your family is navigating a major transition or still feeling the aftershocks of trauma, you don’t have to do it alone. Let’s work together to create a path forward.

I am passionate about helping clients obtained their Highest Potential. I believe in, and have benefited from, therapy to overcome life challenges including childhood trauma. I am an advocate for a client centered therapeutic relationship and enjoy working with individuals from different socioeconomic levels as well as cultural and religious backgrounds. I have a strong belief in the benefits of cultural humility creating a safe, nonjudgmental environment for my clients to process their feelings, guide their discovery, learn new skills; which in turn enables them to work towards healing and achieving goals. I am grounded in Spiritual Depth Psychology and cultivate a non-judgmental compassionate space in which the client feels safe. I practice mindfulness in the session and show warms and non-judgment, no matter is shared. I acknowledge if misunderstanding occur and repair ruptures with transparency and humility.

There's something magical about working with you, a student, that has your whole life ahead of you but yet you may feel like your not functioning at your best. I want to help you be the best version of you; whether it's alleviating anxiety, depression, trauma or OCD symptoms, you deserve that. I have 25 years of experience working with your age group and can't wait to get started. Have a look at my website that is based in trauma informed care ('cuz who doesn't have some kind of trauma that they've experienced in their lives)?

Are you feeling stuck, struggling to identify or make progress toward goals, or constantly fighting with critical self-talk? Are difficulties with executive functioning, motivation, or attention keeping you from reaching your potential and showing up in the way you want to with others? Are anxious thoughts or feelings getting in the way of the life you want for yourself? I help clients identify what matters most to them and support them along their path toward making intentional and meaningful changes. My therapy approach aims to help you better understand yourself, build skills for success, and develop greater confidence and self-compassion. I use an evidence-based, strengths focused approach to support clients struggling with anxiety, perfectionism, relationships, boundary setting, body image concerns, OCD, depression, and life transitions. I also provide psychoeducational and psychological testing for ADHD, Learning Disorders, executive functioning challenges, and emotional concerns. Reaching out for support can be a big step and I look forward to helping make the process as easy and personalized as possible.

Sometimes the journey of accomplishing your dreams, well, it isn't exactly as you thought it would be. Juggling academic stress, imposter syndrome, past trauma and family commitments can be overwhelming. Hi my name is Ceila (say-la) and I know too well how isolating the student experience can be, especially as a first generation college student. I hoped we can work together to help easy some of your recent struggles. I accept multiple insurances on Rula and Headway, feel free to reach out for a consultation.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Marc is a seasoned clinician who uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in his work with clients. CBT focuses on exploring relationships among a person's thoughts, feelings and behaviors. During CBT Marc actively works with clients to uncover unhealthy patterns of thought and how they may be causing self-destructive behaviors and beliefs. By addressing these patterns, the client and Marc work together to develop constructive ways of thinking that will produce healthier behaviors and beliefs. For instance, CBT can help clients replace thoughts that lead to low self-esteem ("I can't do anything right") with positive expectations ("I can do this most of the time, based on my prior experiences"). The core principles of CBT are identifying negative or false beliefs and testing or restructuring them. Oftentimes clients being treated with CBT will have homework in between sessions where they practice replacing negative thoughts with more realistic thoughts based on prior experiences or record their negative thoughts in a journal. Studies of CBT have shown it to be an effective treatment for a wide variety of mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, eating disorders and schizophrenia. Individuals who undergo CBT show changes in brain activity, suggesting that this therapy actually improves your brain functioning as well. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has a considerable amount of scientific data supporting its use.

I work best with students who may be feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or unsure of themselves and are looking for a safe place to talk. Many are dealing with anxiety, low mood, past experiences, low self-esteem or challenges with friendships, school, or family, and want support in figuring things out. They’re often ready to better understand themselves, learn ways to cope, and feel more confident in their daily lives. In our work together, I offer a warm, supportive, and culturally affirming space where you can be yourself without fear of judgment. We’ll take things at your pace while building practical tools and helping you feel more in control, connected, and supported.

The most important thing for how well and how soon you get results in therapy is that you feel comfortable, like we have good chemistry, and that I get where you're coming from. And the second most important thing is that you feel like our plan---how we're going to work together--- is exactly right for you. I think only a conversation can help you know whether I'm right for you, so I offer you a free 15 min conversation to kick my tires :-) Btw, my schedule in not on this website but on https://headway.co/providers/christopher-franklin-2?utm_source=pem&utm_medium=direct_link&utm_campaign=81956 I am a really unusual combination of qualities. Maybe you are too?... I went to Princeton and Yale, but I'm Marxist (Socialist Equality Party). I trained to be an Episcopal priest; I love and married a Muslim woman, whose parents are from India/ Bangladesh and we both appreciate Zen. Growing up with divorced parents, I went back and forth from my father's farm to my mother's townhouse...and felt at home nowhere. I fostered two people since they were 10, who are like a son and daughter to me. I served a Spanish language, Mexican immigrant, LGBTQ+ Episcopal church in Los Angeles. (I know! REALLY unusual combination, right?) I have taught psychology at undergraduate, masters and doctoral levels. I used to be a hospice chaplain and suicide negotiator (as a registered psychologist, not as a police officer) and a consulting suicidologist for ICE (yes, in 2 detention facilities, one for children the other, adults). Nowadays, I work with adult students, doing couples and individual therapy. I'm sex worker positive. (See my videos, TheSugarPsychologist on tiktok.) And I do evaluations for people adopting orphans in India.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I work with adults and couples experiencing anxiety, depression, burnout, trauma, PTSD, self-esteem challenges, and relationship difficulties. I am especially passionate about supporting first-generation individuals and high-achieving clients who feel pressure to meet family, cultural, academic, or professional expectations while trying to stay connected to themselves. I welcome clients from all backgrounds and create a space where your experiences, values, and identity are genuinely respected and understood.

✨ Therapy where you can let go of the “I have to be perfect, successful, and okay 24/7” act Helen Bass - Asian girlies & interracial couples — 🤍 you don’t have to hold onto invisible pressures, frustration, or resentment by yourself. I’m here to walk with you as you heal and reconnect with the life that feels true to you.

If you’re feeling anxious, stuck, or just not like yourself lately, you’re not alone. Life can get heavy, and sometimes we all need a space to pause, breathe, and feel seen. That’s what I’m here for. I’m Rozy Pishvaiy, a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist offering individual, family, and couples therapy in Orange County and across California. Whether you’re going through a major transition, feeling disconnected in relationships, or just trying to make sense of your inner world, therapy can be a place to pause, reflect, and grow. My goal is to create a space where you can be yourself, free from masks and pressure, and begin your journey toward who you truly want to be. We’ll work at your pace and in a way that feels right for you, gently and purposefully. You don’t have to have it all figured out to begin. If you’re looking for a space where you feel truly heard, seen, and supported, I’d be honored to walk alongside you. Together, we can nurture growth, find clarity, and celebrate every step forward!

Hi, this is Michael Courter, founder of Free At Heart Online Therapy. I personally am exceptionally happy with and humbled by the skill, warmth and intuition of these therapists and I’m sure we have a clinician perfect for you. Combined with highly technical training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and many other treatments, these therapists are capable of having a remarkably positive impact in the lives of their clients and in our community. Like my fellow therapists at Free At Heart Online Therapy, I continue to research and study the most impactful psychological theories available. It is this focus on our continuing studies and comprehensive training that allows our therapy clinic to offer exceptional and varied mental health services. In addition to offering full scope DBT, we are pleased to offer Internal Family Systems Therapy, where the goal is to permanently heal your trauma and completely transform your mental health symptoms. ​ So in the spirit of healing, I would like to officially welcome and invite you to participate with Free At Heart Online Therapy and/or refer those persons in your life that would benefit from a friendly, supportive, creative, consistent, and non-judgemental ear. Kind Regards, - Michael Courter