Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA

Dr. Amanda Perry is a licensed psychologist with over ten years of experience, integrating various evidence-based therapeutic approaches, such as trauma-informed models like Internal Family Systems (IFS), cognitive-behavioral (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT). She provides individual, family therapy, parent training, and couples therapy. It takes an incredible amount of courage to admit our own insecurities and difficulties. To seek help through therapy requires even more determination and strength. Therefore, I strive to create a safe and non-judgmental environment and work together collaboratively to achieve your mental health goals. My clinical training and personal experience as a first-generation immigrant have made me mindful of the numerous risk factors unique to ethnic minorities and recognize the importance of providing culturally-sensitive care. I also specialize in treatment for those who struggle with both psychological and medical illnesses.

When clients ask what inspired me to become a therapist, I share that I’m passionate about creating a safe, supportive space for children, couples, and families to feel seen and understood. As a first-generation Mexican-American, I’ve experienced how culture, family dynamics, and life experiences shape who we are, which led me to this work—helping individuals and families better understand themselves and each other. To help you feel heard, I focus on building a warm, nonjudgmental, and collaborative environment. Whether I’m working with a child, a couple, or a family, I approach each person with curiosity and cultural humility, making sure everyone’s voice is valued and understood. Working together is a partnership. I use a systems perspective, so we’ll explore how relationships, communication patterns, and family dynamics impact your experiences. With children, this may look like play-based or developmentally appropriate support; with couples and families, we’ll work on communication, boundaries, and strengthening connection. I build trust by being consistent, transparent, and genuinely engaged so you feel supported as we navigate challenges together. My ultimate goal is to understand you as an individual and provide a space where you can become your authentic self. I have had success working within the LQBTQ+ POC community as well as with children of immigrants. I enjoy joining my clients on their path to self-acceptance and self-empowerment.

Hola, and welcome! As a bilingual Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I strive to create a safe, supportive space where college and university students can openly share their experiences and focus on their mental health. Whether you're dealing with academic pressure, life transitions, relationships, or feelings of stress, anxiety, or depression, you don’t have to go through it alone. Reaching out for help can be one of the hardest steps—especially as a student balancing so much—so I want to recognize the courage it takes to be here. Over the past 13 years, I’ve worked in community mental health supporting young people and adults through life’s challenges. My goal is to meet you where you are and work alongside you so you can feel supported, understood, and empowered throughout your journey—in school and beyond.

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.

Having trained at the University of Notre Dame (Ph.D., M.A.), UC Berkeley (APA-accredited internship) and Stanford (post-doctoral fellowship), I bring rigorous scientific expertise into my clinical work with college students. In fact, I worked at the University Counseling Centers at all three of these schools and have continued to develop a specialized private practice that focuses almost exclusively on college students. I also teach for Pepperdine University in their Graduate School of Education & Psychology. I help clients with a range of concerns including: anxiety, depression, career and academic concerns, ADHD, relationship concerns (situationships, am I right? :) ), body image and eating disorders, perfectionism, college/life transitions, as well as family of origin challenges (let's say it together, boundaries...). I often work with high-achieving students who often are managing academically but struggling internally. My clients often put others first and themselves last. By the time they come to therapy, concerns have been going on for some time and they've reached a breaking point. They may feel they "should" be able to handle things on their own. As a recovering perfectionist and someone who was riddled with anxiety throughout college, I get it. It wasn't until my own training in CBT that I learned how destructive such thought patterns were. It inspired my clinical approach, as well as three clinical workbooks I've published on Solution-Focused Therapy, CBT, and Positive Psychology with the top mental health publishers. Many of my clients who have been to therapy before often remark how "easy" I make the process. We laugh, we learn, and talk like old friends. Therapy doesn't have to be stuffy or stressful. It's about feeling respected, validated and heard. Learning to take care of yourself, set appropriate boundaries, and thrive! I'd LOVE to work with you! Please feel free to book a complimentary 15 minute consultation at my website below so we can connect!

Welcome! I’m Karly Grace Vaughn, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master’s in Marital and Family Therapy and a passion for supporting others in creating meaningful change. I believe therapy is your journey and I’m here to guide you with warmth, insight, and, when needed, a little push to help you grow. I help couples learn how to get their relational needs met, strengthen communication, and heal past hurts. I help individuals move toward who they want to be and create the life they want to live. I support women in building confidence, navigating discrimination, and learning to truly love themselves. I guide college students in managing their time effectively while finding a healthy balance between school and enjoying life. For newly-committed couples, I provide structure and essential skills to lay the foundation for a successful relationship. Through telehealth, I offer a convenient and accessible space for growth and healing to those in the states of California and Virginia. If you’re ready to take the next step, I’d love to connect and support you on your journey.

Hello my name is Diamond McMillian. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I offer therapeutic services that are non-bias, compassionate, and accepting of who you are. My goal is to help you identify problem areas and patterns that are causing you distress and ensure it’s a journey where you feel safe, heard, and validated. I am passionate about accompanying individuals, and couples manage and overcome trauma and on their journeys to self-development. I know firsthand the challenges of accessing support. I am open to answering any questions and addressing any fears, concerns or hesitancy.

I know how difficult it can be when lack of motivation, worry, or stress keeps you from living the life you want. That's why I use evidence-based techniques to help you bring the color back to life. I specialize in academic stress, life transitions (like entering college or getting ready to graduate), work-life balance, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, and perfectionism. I take an individualized approach to therapy by prioritizing client goals, celebrating client's unique cultural traditions, and integrating relevant diversity and contextual factors into treatment. Clients who work with me describe me as compassionate, validating, and a great accountability partner. As a queer identifying clinician, I have extensive experience working with LGBTQIA+ individuals and have developed and led trainings in affirming care across the country. I also have specific expertise in gender issues, where I've helped clients unlearn unhelpful myths about gender and reimagine gender roles that no longer serve them. I strongly value a holistic approach to care which includes paying attention to often overlooked aspects of health such as sleep, chronic pain, and finding joyful ways of moving your body. I work from a health-at-every size perspective to help individuals learn to appreciate, love, and thrive in their own body.

People make the decision to engage in therapy for a multitude of reasons, all of which are valid. Some people may be ambivalent about making changes in their lives, while others might feel eager and ready to start the process. Regardless of where you find yourself on that continuum, I am here to support you. Although my background has mainly been focused around eating and body image, I see clients who are experiencing a variety of concerns: relationship issues, anxiety/depression, life transitions, unhappiness, etc. Prior to private practice, I worked with undergraduate and graduate students at Harvard University Counseling and Mental Health Service, with a specialty in supporting student-athletes and individuals with eating and body image concerns. I have also worked in psychiatric inpatient programs as well as eating disorder treatment programs. My therapeutic style is integrative, which means that our work together will draw on various approaches determined by your concerns and goals. My hope is for us to build a trusting relationship that will allow for honest reflection, helpful challenge, and ultimately positive change so that you may be able to lead a more fulfilling life.

The students I work best with are often juggling the pressures of college while trying to manage their mental health. You may be feeling overwhelmed by coursework, struggling with anxiety or depression, adjusting to a new environment, dealing with relationship or family stress, or questioning your confidence and direction. Sometimes it feels like everyone else has it figured out while you’re just trying to get through the day. My goal is to provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you can be yourself. Together, we’ll explore what’s contributing to your stress, build practical coping skills, improve communication, and strengthen your confidence so you can navigate challenges both in and outside the classroom. I believe therapy should feel collaborative, empowering, and tailored to your unique experiences. Whether you’re facing a specific challenge or simply want to better understand yourself, you don’t have to do it alone. I’m here to help you build resilience, create meaningful change, and move toward the life you want.

Michelle Kennedy Welcome. Take a moment to acknowledge you've taken the first step towards bettering your mental health because, let's be honest - starting therapy can be empowering, confusing, or scary, all at the same time. Hello, my name is Michelle Kennedy, I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and I work with Couples. Have you been feeling uneasy around your partner? Do you feel like you're constantly on edge and moments from an argument? Unfortunately, many people learn to avoid all conflicts in their relationships instead of dealing with them. This avoidance can lead to resentment between partners, which can cause more frequent fighting and lead to long-term problems.

I believe that we all have an innate healing power within us, and that developing a safe and caring relationship with a therapist can be a wonderful means toward enlivening this power. By going within, we can discover the agency to overcome any obstacle and can bring into being a renewed sense of hope, purpose, and a life of fulfillment. I come from a holistic, humanistic, and mindfulness/spiritually-oriented tradition who believe that a therapist is only as skilled as they are evolved, or self-actualized themselves. I specialize in trauma, dissociation, & complex post traumatic stress disorder. I have trained in EMDR and utilize Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Ketamine as a means of accessing the Self. I work with adults and children alike, and enjoy incorporating meditation, art, and play therapy. As a former creative producer with 20 years in entertainment, I also receive a great deal of satisfaction working with artists in the industry. I provide a warm and compassionate space of acceptance that encourages growth to unfold. By expressing feelings openly and connecting authentically we learn to resolve family and relationship issues naturally. Inevitably, this clears a path for greater intimacy with oneself and others, uncovering the full measure of our potential for love and joy.

On the surface you have it “all together” but underneath are struggling with constant anxiety & self doubt. Despite being smart, driven, and incredibly hard working, life feels hard. No matter how much you do or accomplish, you never feel good enough. You always put others first and struggle to say no, even when overwhelmed. You want to heal from old wounds and break unhelpful patterns but you aren’t sure how. You’re ready to let go of your inner critic and start taking care of yourself without feeling guilty. You deserve meaningful relationships where you feel supported. You want to feel fulfilled, have balance, and enjoy the life you have worked hard to build. Feeling calm and confident aren’t out of your reach, I’d love to help get you there. I specialize in treating anxiety, self esteem, and trauma in adults utilizing individual therapy and EMDR. I offer in person services in Manhattan near Union Square and virtual sessions for California and New York residents. Reach out to schedule your free 20 minute consultation call today to learn more.

Hi, I’m Caitlin, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW and LICSW) and founder of Tiny Cottage Therapy. I offer online therapy for college students and young adults across California and Washington who are navigating anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, and cultural or family expectations. College can bring a lot of pressure: to do well, to meet expectations, to have everything figured out. I provide a space where you don’t have to hold it all together. Together, we’ll work on understanding what’s been feeling heavy, learning tools to manage stress, and building more balance and self-trust. I take a warm, collaborative approach and focus on what feels most important to you. We’ll start where you are. My goal is to help you feel more grounded, confident, and connected to yourself as you move through this season of life. Most of the students I work with share a few things in common: they care deeply, try their best, and often feel pressure to keep it all together — even when they’re exhausted. They might overthink things, struggle to set boundaries, or feel torn between their own needs and what’s expected of them. Many of my clients identify as Asian American, AAPI, mixed-race, or multicultural, and are trying to balance family, culture, and school while figuring out who they want to be. Others are high achievers or caretakers who want to learn how to slow down, manage anxiety, and build a healthier relationship with themselves. If you’ve ever felt like you’re “too much” or “not enough,” or like you’re living your life on autopilot, therapy can be a place to pause, make sense of things, and start finding your own rhythm again.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hi, my name is Yu-Nien (Pulinda). I am a board certified Licensed Clinical Social Worker (APU '21) who's worked with individuals from diverse backgrounds and across a wide range of ages. I enjoying working with clients from various walks of life. My clients are often experiencing difficulties coping with emotions, feeling confused about their distress, desiring a space for authenticity and warmth, and a nonjudgmental environment. I welcome all who are experiencing various struggles in life and will support you on taking the first step towards healing. My approach is integrative and tailored to each client's unique circumstances and life experiences. The therapeutic modalities I commonly draw from include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Grief Therapy, Mindfulness-Based approaches, and Psychodynamic Therapy. As a Taiwanese bilingual (English and Mandarin) social worker, I believe in meeting clients where they are and honoring their unique experiences. Through our journey together, I will walk alongside you as you build resilience, deepen self-understanding, and develop practical tools for lasting growth and healing. 您好，我是妤寧(Pulinda)，持有加州認證Licensed Clinical Social Worker執照。在我的臨床工作經驗中，我曾與來自不同背景及各年齡層的個案合作，因此特別關注每一位來談者的獨特性，也享受了解個案不同的人生歷程與生活經驗。我發現許多個案前來尋求協助，是因為他們正在面對情緒調適上的困難、對自身的情緒困擾感到困惑，或渴望擁有一個能夠真誠表達自我、被理解、並感受到溫暖與接納的空間。我希望能提供一個不帶批判且安全的環境，讓個案能自在地探索自己的經驗與內在世界。在壓力源無處不在的世界，我們可以一起溫柔的面對焦慮、憂鬱、創傷及失去，一起消化，找到跟練習適合您的情緒穩定方法，強大您的心理能量。 我的治療取向採整合式方法，並依據每位個案獨特的處境、需求與生命經驗量身調整。我常運用的治療模式包括接納與承諾治療（Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, ACT）、認知行為治療（Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT）、悲傷與失落治療、正念取向介入，以及心理動力治療（Psychodynamic Therapy）。我相信有意義的改變建立於治療關係中的平等關係，因此我會與個案密切合作，確保治療方向符合其目標、價值觀與需求。我也特別著重找回每個來談者的自我共情（self-compassion），這也是更能療癒自己的方法之一。 我來自台灣，所以能夠流利的用英文及國語跟您合作。但我也在其他不同國家生活及移民過，所以我體會過在不同文化環境跟關係中適應和尋找自我的過程。我會考量到每位個案所處的人生階段及困擾，並尊重其獨特的生命經驗。如果我們有緣合作，我將陪伴在您身旁，協助您建立心理韌性、深化自我理解，並找到實用的，以促進持續的成長與療癒。我歡迎所有正面臨人生挑戰的人，並願意陪伴您踏出療癒旅程的第一步。

Feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of who you really are? College can be exciting—but it can also feel like too much. Maybe you’ve always been the one who holds it all together, gets straight A’s, and never lets anyone see you struggle. But now, you're anxious all the time, you're exhausted from trying to be “on” 24/7, and even small things feel like a big deal. You might feel pressure to meet expectations—yours or your family’s—and you’re starting to wonder if any of it really feels like you. Maybe you feel like you’re constantly performing. Like you can’t ever fully relax. Or maybe you’re starting to ask big questions about your identity, your future, your values—and it’s scary to realize you don’t have all the answers yet. You don’t have to figure it out alone. I work with college students who are high achievers, perfectionists, and deep thinkers—especially those who are struggling with anxiety, depression, people-pleasing, burnout, or questions around identity and family dynamics. In therapy, you can slow down, breathe, and start untangling the pressure from what you really want. We’ll work together to help you feel more grounded, more like yourself, and more in control of your life. Sessions are confidential, affirming, and tailored to who you are—not who others expect you to be. I provide inclusive and affirming care and create a space where you don’t have to explain or defend your experiences. Online sessions available for students in CA & WA. In-person sessions available in Santa Monica, CA. If this sounds like what you need, reach out. Things can be different—and therapy is a good place to start.

Hi there. I see you. If you’re a student of color, first in your family to pursue higher education, or carrying the weight of trauma, expectations, or unspoken struggles…you’re not alone. I specialize in working with Black, first-gen, and BIPOC students who often feel like they have to be everything for everyone, all while trying to hold it together. Maybe you’re navigating anxiety, depression, burnout, or feeling disconnected from your identity. Maybe you’re tired of code-switching, tired of pretending you’re okay, or trying to heal from experiences no one else seems to understand. In this space, you don’t have to explain your culture, your pain, or your strength. I get it, because I’ve lived it, and I’ve helped others through it. My therapy style is warm, honest, and rooted in both cultural awareness and deep respect for your story. We’ll work at your pace to help you feel more grounded, confident, and like you again, not the version of you the world expects. If faith is important to you, I can incorporate that into our work too. And if you’re just trying to figure out who you are and where you belong, that’s okay too. We’ll explore it together. This is a space for your healing, your voice, and your freedom. You don’t have to carry it alone. Healing is a journey, and I’m honored to walk with you.

I specialize in addiction and recovery, I have many clients I have helped navigate anxiety, codependency or toxic relationships, the transition into college life, and recovery from trauma. I am available in person in my office in Hermosa Beach, or via tele-health. I pride myself of being very casual, down to earth and having authentic conversations. I don't shy away from sarcasm, profanity or humor (therapy doesn't have to be all intense). And the best compliments I receive are hearing "I didn't think I was a therapy person... until I started therapy with you".

Working in the mental health field inspires me because of the resilience I see in people. Even in life’s hardest moments, you have the capacity to heal, grow, and build a meaningful life. My role is to help you reconnect with your strengths, navigate challenges, and discover what works for you. In sessions, I focus on authenticity and clarity. I listen closely and with empathy, because your experiences and feelings truly matter. My approach is trauma-informed, meaning I’m mindful of how past experiences can shape the present, and I aim to meet you where you are without judgment or pressure. I draw on an integrative and holistic approach, addressing the connection between mind, body, and emotions to support your overall well-being. Trust and connection often develop naturally in the therapeutic space. For many clients, having a nonjudgmental person to share with—someone who listens without an agenda—can be profoundly impactful. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe to explore, grow, and rediscover that life is worth it, and so are you.