Therapists for college students near San Francisco, CA

As a queer therapist, I believe there is no one “right way” to live our lives. This is the same for therapy, there is no “right way.” I believe we all have the power to harness our strengths and find the path that gives us the most meaning and purpose. Clients are the experts in their own lives – each person has the tools and skills to solve their problems, though sometimes may need some outside help to find those tools and learn those skills. Together we can create a therapeutic alliance that is conducive towards self-discovery, growth, and fulfilling your potential while honoring your history, resiliency, values, and beliefs. I completed my Masters in Social Work at Loyola University Chicago. I am working towards being a Certified Sex Therapist (CST) through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). I specialize in working with the LGBTQ+ community, gender diverse, the consensual non-monogamy (CNM) community, and I am kink/BDSM-affirming.

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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.

I get that college can be a big life transition and overwhelming at times. I specialize in anxiety and stress and help students who feel stuck in worry, overthinking, panic, or burnout. I can also help with the challenge of new relationships in college and managing old ones as well. I use and teach practical and energetic tools for nervous system regulation so you're not just talking about your stress - you're learning how to manage it in real time. My style is warm, compassionate, and collaborative. College is also a time when questions about sexual orientation and gender identity often become more present. I offer an affirming, supportive space to explore whatever is coming up for you - at your own pace. You don't have to navigate transition alone.

Dr. Aw's primary interest is the intersection between mental and physical health. Dr. Aw’s philosophy is that one does not exist outside the other. Furthermore, depression and anxiety in patients who are also suffering from medical issues can feel significantly worse, and it is his goal to get patients on a holistic road to recovery. An ideal patient for Dr. Aw understands that it takes a team to get them feeling better, and it is a collaboration between the patients themselves and Dr. Aw.

I love working with students who are struggling with adhd, their identity, the transition into adulthood, and the very real anxiety that comes from that! I've worked with clients who've suffered from trauma, mental health disorders, and lack of social acceptance. I love being a safe place were you can share what's impacting you and find acceptance, support, tools to help you take control of your life, and gain confidence in moving forward with your plans and dreams

College can be exciting, meaningful, and full of opportunity-but it can also feel overwhelming at times. If you are struggling with anxiety, stress, self-doubt, or uncertainty about your future, you don't have to navigate it alone. I enjoy working with college students and young adults in helping them manage the different life stresses that occur during these times. Therapy can provide a supportive space to better understand yourself and develop practical tools for moving forward. My approach is collaborative and evidenced based. I integrate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and insight-oriented therapy to help you reduce anxiety while building resilience, confidence, and self compassion. Therapy can help you quiet the constant self criticism, improve relationships, , make decisions with greater confidence, and reconnect with what matters most to you. I am licensed in California and Colorado. My physical office is in San Diego for those who prefer in-person. I also offer telemedicine appointments. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength. I would be glad to help you navigate this important chapter of your life with greater clarity, confidence, and peace

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hi, I’m Hannah. I have extensive experience supporting college students as they navigate challenges like anxiety, performance anxiety, self-esteem, emotional regulation, and relationships. My approach is collaborative and authentic, and clients often describe me as down-to-earth and attentive, meeting them where they are and moving at a pace that feels right for them.

Tamara Halperin, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in working with children, adolescents, and young adults to help them reach their full potential. Her passions include working with parents, people who have experienced trauma, and client’s with anxiety. Within parenting, she focuses on helping children and parents form healthy relationships and manage difficult behaviors through strengths-based integrative approaches. She is a certified Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT) and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) therapist. It is of utmost importance to practice cultural humility in the care provided. Dr. Halperin attended UCSB for her undergraduate education and received her Masters and Doctorate of Psychology at Alliant International University.

Catherine O'Brien is a licensed marriage and family therapist, author, speaker, educator and college professor. She has dedicated her life's work to helping new and expecting parents navigate the challenges of parenthood. As a mother of two children, Catherine understands the overwhelming nature of parenting and wants to help couples thrive during this transition instead of just surviving. She founded HappyWithBaby.com to provide counseling and coaching services for new parents and offers courses to help parents manage expectations of parenthood and understand the developmental milestones of infants and children. As a college professor, Catherine's perspective on parents' challenges while juggling multiple responsibilities is unique and valuable. Her life's work is about enabling parents to look at their own lives with the same compassion and unconditional love they generously give to their families. Take advantage of the counseling, coaching, and courses that Catherine offers. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience that can help you navigate the challenges of parenthood while also pursuing your academic goals.

As a mental health provider, I am driven to provide quality care for patients. I hope my previous knowledge and experience, along with my desire to learn and grow, can help people meet their treatment goals. I enjoy meeting clients where they are in life, building rapport, and providing support. I hope to help patients bolster insight and awareness along with skills building “homework” to help enhance the therapeutic experience. My main approaches derive from DBT, CBT, and psychodynamic theories. I enjoy working with many populations and communities. My background working with active-duty, veterans, lgbtq+, children, couples, families, and individuals has provided me with a variety of experience. I am a transracial adoptee who lived in several countries growing up, which helped formulate some of my life views and goals. I have thoroughly enjoyed engaging in and reflecting on experiences with adoptees. I have thoroughly enjoyed every organization that I have worked for because they have all helped me learn and grow. Words cannot describe the joy and admiration I feel toward our active-duty servicemembers and veterans. I am forever grateful that I was able to provide services on a military base and out at sea. Individuals, couples, children, and families have helped me gain insight and awareness into different systems. I respect and appreciate every patient and wish everyone successful treatment.

You're not happy.  You're not really sure when it all began, but slowly you find your life less fulfilling.  You can't find the motivation to get anything done, you're struggling to concentrate at work, and nothing interests you anymore.  It's like you're slipping into some black hole, and every day you sink just a little further. Sometimes, it's the anxiety that bothers you.  You're worried all the time, and it's making it hard just to function. You feel like you just can't take this insanity anymore. And then, this thought crosses your mind, "Maybe it would be better if I just didn't exist anymore." And this thought scares you... Imagine feeling better, enjoying your family, and getting back into living a happy and peaceful life! This craziness that you find yourself stuck in- the anxiety, the depression, the anger, the stress; you don't have to suffer from it anymore. There's a way out of the darkness and into a life that feels balanced and emotionally at peace. Let me help you find that new life. With a decade of experience & specialized training in evidence-based practices, I'm uniquely qualified to help you on this journey. For new clients, I offer a free, 15-minute phone consultation to help you decide if I'm the right fit for you. Visit my website to learn more or call me to schedule your first appointment now.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hello and Welcome! Are you a couple needing to strengthen communication, navigate conflict effectively, and break free from long‑standing gridlock? I’m Rocio Vaca, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 17 years of experience, and I help you deepen friendship, build emotional intimacy, and create shared meaning. Are you exploring your identity, preparing to come out, struggling with self‑acceptance, or navigating gender‑affirming care? Together, we can build healthy coping strategies, strengthen resilience, and address symptoms of anxiety, depression, or stress while supporting a stronger sense of self. I help clients find relief from overwhelming thoughts, emotional exhaustion, & daily stress by identifying triggers, emotional regulation, & building coping skills. I also support children/ teens with OCD, trauma, low self‑esteem, & assertiveness challenges often from being bullied, helping them understand emotions/cognitions, build confidence & boundaries. I view therapy as a collaborative and individualized process—one that builds practical skills while fostering insight, emotional healing, and growth. Clients often describe my style as warm, grounded, and down‑to‑earth, creating a space where they feel supported, understood, and empowered throughout their therapeutic journey.

If you are feeling stuck, disconnected, or having trouble coping with anxiety or depression, you are not alone. You may be struggling to find balance in your life, or noticing that attachment and trauma from childhood is impacting you presently. Perhaps you recently lost a loved one, are navigating a new chapter of life that has you feeling anxious, or just feel like you are stuck in a rut and need someone to talk to. I work with adults and teens/adolescents on addressing anxiety and depression, unpacking past experiences, improving emotional regulation, building healthy boundaries with loved ones, healthy self-esteem, and more. As a therapist, I provide a challenge-support environment where I encourage you to reflect and explore your values while providing empathy, warmth, and humor. Therapy can be scary because we are asked to go outside our comfort zones, but growth stems from change. I utilize a myriad of theoretical approaches to find a style that works best for you. For LGBTQIA+ identifying individuals, I provide gender and sexuality affirming therapy and can work with you on identity exploration, navigating queer relationships, or coping with the impact of stigma, discrimination, and bias. My therapy office is an accepting and safe space for queer folk.

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.

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