Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA

Hello, my name is Heather Pederson. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in San Diego and am so glad you are here. Seeking help can potentially feel daunting, exposing, and overwhelming. It can also be our first steps toward repair, healing, and growth. I have found that people are so very strong, courageous, and hard-working, and still need some help when things get hard. I believe therapy can be a unique chance to discover parts of ourselves we forgot about, allow healing for the tender parts, and find new ways of interacting with ourselves and our loved ones that allow for deeper understanding and connection. I work with individuals and couples who often struggle with: a feeling of something between angry, sad, and fear that doesn’t have a name, as well as feelings of overwhelm, worry and stress that gets between them and their preferred lives. I seek to create opportunities in therapy to connect more deeply with the truest parts of yourself so that you can then connect more deeply with your purpose, values, and trusted others. I am trained in Emotionally-Focused Therapy (Externship with Sue Johnson, Core Skills to become Certified in progress), a Certified Prepare/Enrich facilitator, Trauma Informed Care, and a graduate of Bethel Seminary San Diego with an M.A. in Marital and Family Therapy. Please contact me with any questions you might have regarding therapy. I work with college students (extensive experience working on college campuses), couples, individuals, premarital/pre-engagement, relational distress, trauma, and anxiety.

Chelsea Sterling is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). She holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of San Diego. Her clinical experiences include providing individual therapy, group therapy, crisis counseling and psychosocial assessments through work in short-term acute residential treatment (START) programs, outpatient mental health clinics and an alcohol treatment facility. She is a certified Domestic Violence Counselor. Chelsea has expertise in the following modalities: cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing and eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR).

Do you struggle with trusting others or with feelings of not being "enough"? Have you experienced trauma or difficult relationships? Have you ever used substances to numb stress or to distract? Sometimes your brain is your worst enemy. You question your worthiness and your lovability. There is pain from your past that has led you to build up walls to protect yourself from being hurt again. But here you are, done feeling stuck. You want to have deep connections. You want to feel confident and successful. I support people who have experienced self doubt, pain, and trauma begin to heal so that they can thrive in their lives. Together we break the cycle of anxiety and disconnection. There will be compassion and some laughs along the way. You will find your hope. You will find your way to creating success and improving relationships. EMDR, IFS, & CBT offered. Everyone deserves therapy. We all deserve time when we are truly seen and validated. Many of us like to think we can handle things on our own. Maybe we were told by people in our lives “suck it up" and be tougher. But life gets messy sometimes and we can't do it alone. Let's navigate this together. Give yourself this gift. As a former Associate Director for a college counseling center, students are a population that I truly enjoy working with. I look forward to connecting with you. Appointments can conveniently be scheduled directly through website, through email, or by phone. This practice is inclusive and welcoming to all genders, races, countries of origin, sexual orientations, religions, abilities, and body sizes.

Does your sexual behavior feel out of control? I'll help you overcome problematic use of pornography and other sexual health issues, so you can be the person you want to be. I cater to young men who want to unlock their full potential through evidence-based counseling and psychotherapy methods.

What To Expect At Your Visit: Walking Together Down the Path To the Life You Desire Perhaps you're down or anxious - maybe you're unsure about the future of a relationship, or just feel that you aren't living the life you were meant to lead. Whatever your needs may be, we are here to offer support. Therapy is a process of growth and self-discovery, and during sessions I promote behavioral transformation by encouraging the adoption of new attitudes and behaviors to create the outcome YOU desire. We have the tools and professional experience to help you get on your ideal track.

You want to heal your past but you don’t know how to do it alone. You want to be able to talk about what you have been through or are facing now without blame or shame. What would it be like to feel better in your relationship with yourself, with your partner, and with God? I offer the benefit of my professional experience and training combined with compassion and insight from God’s Word. Through counseling I can facilitate healing, improved communication, increase connection, and understanding.

Welcome! My name is Rachel and I work with young adults who are navigating the effects of traumatic experiences. I believe that anything that overwhelms our capacity to cope and move forward can be traumatic, and this often shows up as anxiety, chronic disconnection, or feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness. I help clients become more aware of body sensations, thinking traps, and response patterns to stressful situations. We will collaborate to move towards a life where you feel more centered and connected with your self, your values, and the world around you. I approach therapy from a holistic perspective and include experiential, present-focused exercises in sessions to help deepen the mind-body connection and equip clients with tools to use in daily life. I love to walk alongside my clients towards feeling more grounded, authentic, and alive, moving at a pace that feels safe and gentle. If you are looking to reconnect with your vitality and resilience in a compassionate space, I would love to connect and see if we are a good fit. I offer virtual and in-person therapy, with the option for walk and talk sessions.

We are a team of culturally affirming therapists who have come together through shared common values, life philosophies, and the need to create an alternative and creative approach to therapy. Our values and philosophies were born and defined from our work in the following settings: home-based and community-based treatment, community outreach, advocacy, mentorship, teaching at community college and university settings, public speaking, and traditional talk therapy. Our aim at Courage Over Comfort Counseling is to empower our clients to step outside of their comfort zone and into their true greatness, and this… takes courage.

We grieve any time life changes directions, and even positive changes can bring about difficult feelings. You may be struggling with the death of a loved one, demands of school or work, adjusting to a new relationship, or considering the next chapters of your life. With experience in oncology, young adult parental loss, anticipatory loss, and sudden death, I provide you with support, insights, treatment, education, and guidance during times of transition and beyond. While some clients make the choice to pursue working with a therapist because of a specific life event or situation, others make the choice because of a desire for self-growth and a general improvement in well-being. Regardless of your reason, I welcome you to contact me. It's not easy to seek support. I'm easy-going, approachable, and genuinely want you to feel better. Send me a message and we can figure out how to make that happen.

Dr. Ca-Lie Cheng-Wang is a bilingual (English and Mandarin-speaking) licensed clinical and forensic psychologist in San Diego, California. Working closely with individuals experiencing relationship dysfunctions, addictions, substance use disorders, personality disorders, traumas, emotional distress, addictions, psychosis, mood-related issues, eating disorders, and acculturation issues. She provides psychotherapy and psychological evaluations to adolescents and adults. Through her work as a clinical psychologist, she helps patients overcome struggles and develop better-coping strategies to manage stressors. Dr. Cheng-Wang also provides risk assessments, psychological assessments, and evaluations to determine the patient’s current emotional states, biopsychosocial functioning, diagnosis, appropriate treatment plans, recommendations, and/or remediations. Dr. Cheng-Wang works closely with psychiatrists, psychologists, and other agencies to determine how to best treat and care for her patients. Dr. Cheng-Wang earned her Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University in San Diego, California in 2017. Dr. Cheng-Wang earned her psychoanalytic fellowship from San Diego Psychoanalytic Center, San Diego, California. She is a member of the Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology. She presently is an Adjunct Professor at California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP), Alliant International University in the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) departments, teaching Cognitive-Affective Bases of Behavior courses. Furthermore, Dr. Cheng-Wang was an Associate Level Certification with the State of California Sexual Offender Management Board (CASOMB). In addition, Dr. Cheng-Wang was the Secretary of the San Diego Psychological Association Supervisor Committee. Dr. Cheng-Wang has experience working in the forensic field, detention facilities, outpatient clinics, long-term residential treatment facilities, school, and hospital treatment settings. Her clinical experiences have been focused on diverse clientele, ranging from toddlers to geriatrics. She has experience providing individual, family, and group psychotherapy. Her specialty areas including the treatment of addiction, depression, anxiety, trauma-related disorders, relationship issues, attachment disorders, autism spectrum, anger management, personality disorders, and substance-related issues.

Are you a tween, teen, or college student in need of a little extra support? Perhaps recent transitions at home, school or work gotten you down? Or you may feel worn out from the impact on your life of COVID-19? Are you feeling isolated or struggling with relationship issues? You are not alone; we've all been there! Our goal is to provide you a short-term, confidential space where you can talk openly about your challenges, feel supported and learn some new, perhaps more adaptive tools and strategies for working through current problems and issues. Utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), our aim is to help you improve your mental health and provide you with tools which you can use throughout the course of your life to best manage life's challenges.

Many of the students I work with feel overwhelmed trying to figure out who they are and what they want, especially in a time that feels uncertain and constantly changing. You might be thinking about your future while also holding awareness of things like climate change, global crises, or instability in the world, which can make everything feel heavier or harder to make sense of. Some students I work with are dealing with habits like skin picking or hair pulling, while others feel burnt out, anxious, or like they’re trying to keep up but struggling internally. I take a relational and systemic approach, looking at both what’s happening internally and the larger context you’re living in, while also offering practical tools to support change. Many of my clients are thoughtful and aware, trying to make sense of themselves and the world around them. Therapy can be a space to slow things down and find ways to move forward that feel more grounded and realistic.

I work with adults (18+) who are having difficulties with depression, anxiety, and stress. These difficulties can often create problems in our relationships, self-care, self-esteem, and functioning at work or school. I am here to support you with these challenges. Looking for a therapist can be difficult in addition to facing current struggles in our life. Feel free to call for a free 15-minute consultation to see what I can do for you. I earned my doctorate in clinical psychology in Chicago. I have specialized training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Cognitive Processing Therapy for trauma. I also teach skills that include increasing awareness with mindfulness, tolerating distress, regulating difficult emotions, and being more effective in relationships. I approach therapy by helping you identify what you want your life to look like and then working through any of the barriers that get in the way of achieving what you want. I am eager to get to know you. Let's work together to help you with developing new coping skills, challenging negative self-talk, and moving you closer to achieving your goals.

College life is exciting—but it can also feel overwhelming. Between academics, relationships, family pressures, and figuring out who you are, it’s easy to feel stressed, anxious, or alone. Maybe you're struggling with a breakup, grieving someone you’ve lost, feeling disconnected from friends, or just totally burnt out. Maybe you’re questioning your path or feeling like no one really “gets” what you're going through. These moments can feel heavy—but you don’t have to carry them on your own. Reaching out for support isn’t a weakness—it’s a powerful step toward growth and clarity. I'm here to help you tap into your strengths, make sense of the challenges you're facing, and start building the kind of life and relationships that actually feel good and grounded. I specialize in working with college students, young adults, and teens—and I’m passionate about helping you navigate this messy, meaningful chapter of your life. In our work together, you’ll find a space where you can be honest, feel heard, and take real steps toward feeling more confident, connected, and at peace. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, grief, academic stress, identity questions, or relationship struggles, I’m here to walk alongside you. If you’re ready for something to shift, I invite you to reach out. You’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself.

Hello! I support young adults navigating the stress of emerging adulthood, career stress, and relationship dynamics, including anxious attachments. I specialize in offering care to survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence. You're not alone, and you're brave for considering a change. Let's see how we can help you reclaim freedom, joy, and meaning in your life.

Hello and welcome! My name is Arielle and I am a trauma-sensitive somatic psychotherapist and psychedelic consultant. I offer a warm, sincere, and supportive space for you to intentionally explore the roots of painful memories, emotions, sensations, and thoughts that you are ready to process and move beyond. I specialize in working with people seeking healing from complex trauma, childhood abuse and neglect, sexual and domestic violence, parental loss, and complex grief. I also support people who are intentionally preparing to sit with plant medicine for healing purposes or who have journeyed recently and are looking to integrate their experiences further. If you feel like your needs align with the spaces I hold, I invite you to reach out to me.

If you are looking for a knowledgeable, honest, and compassionate therapist who can help you change dysfunctional patterns in your life, please reach out to me. I specialize in working with children, adolescents, college students, and working professionals who struggle with anxiety, depression, OCD, and trauma-related symptoms. By using an empathic, direct, and science-based approach, I have been able to help countless clients navigate difficulties related to relationships, job stress, academic anxiety, identity development, perfectionism, and social anxiety among other issues.

When I was a senior in high school, I began to struggle with severe anxiety and panic attacks. It wasn’t until I found a counselor that allowed me to feel comfortable sharing my insecurities and fears, that I learned to take control of my worries. I instantly felt more at ease when I knew I was going to see my counselor. That is when I realized: I want to be that sense of warmth and guidance for others. I obtained my Master’s degree in Mental Health and Rehabilitation Counseling. I am EMDR trained and specialize in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use disorders, self-esteem and mood disorders. I am dedicated to utilizing the most effective treatment interventions that will match your needs. I understand that we all go through our own unique stories of both happiness and pain. I aim to be the person that can work with you to find greater health and healing in your life. I provide a safe, genuine, and nonjudgmental environment where you can feel free to explore your true self.

I have provided therapy to many undergraduate and graduate students at UC San Diego for over 17 years. I have helped people struggling with a wide range of issues, such as depression, anxiety, academic and relationship concerns, trauma, and concerns related to identity (e.g., racial / sexual / gender). In addition, I have worked particularly closely with international students / foreigners, and LGBTQ+ folks. My approach to therapy is warm and supportive, as well as practical. I care about social justice issues and find that these are often relevant to the distress that people experience. In therapy, we will explore the roots of your distress and work on tools and coping strategies to help you overcome the challenges you face. I do this work in individual therapy and in couples therapy. I look forward to meeting with you. I know you want to feel better soon, and I am ready to help you with that! Please check my website www.rinaschul.com for more information.

Are you someone who typically "has it all together," yet is struggling underneath the surface? Do you find yourself easily overwhelmed with stress, anxiety, or other difficult emotions? Maybe you struggle seeking out support, even during times of challenge or transition. You're ready to feel at peace and to know your worth. Your teens and twenties are full of possibility, growth, and challenge. You’re exploring your identity, your future, and how you fit in - which can be simultaneously exciting and terrifying. Whatever it is you’re dealing with - stress over school, relationship challenges, substance use, family conflict, anxiety, depression, etc - therapy can help. I don’t practice one-size-fits-all therapy. Each person is unique, and comes to therapy for different reasons. You’ll find that our counseling sessions feel collaborative and supportive, honoring your personal strengths and drawing on authenticity, humor, and compassion to help you reach your goals. I typically see clients online via video sessions, but if you're in San Diego, we can also meet at a local park or beach for a walking/Ecotherapy session!