Therapists for college students near San Francisco, CA

The impact that we can make in an individual’s or family’s life, such as seeing them interacting in a positive manner, becoming resilient, and having better, healthier relationships with others is what inspires me. I enjoy working with families, infants, children, couples and adults who feel ready to make changes in their lives. I am a provider that is there to support and guide clients through the challenges that life brings and the healing process. It is like driving a car, I am there to the co-pilot; listen, provide a supportive environment, provide the tools and guidance through the journey. But, as an effective co-pilot, I ask my clients not to place me in the trunk of your car, as I will not be able to help and do not place me in the back seat of your car, where I cannot be effective and support you. But if you are ready to heal, I will be there with you thought this journey in the passenger seat.

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.

I'm Brooke Sundin, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and the owner of Light Minds Child and Family Therapy, a private practice based in Brentwood, Los Angeles. I work with college students and young adults adjusting to new responsibilities and the growing pressures of adulthood. The clients I work with are often dealing with anxiety, OCD, depression, self-esteem struggles, and the life transitions that come with this stage: starting or finishing college, moving to a new city, figuring out relationships, choosing a path, or grieving the version of life you thought you'd have by now. Some of what we work on is symptom-focused. A lot of it is bigger than that, like building a clearer sense of who you are and what you actually want. My approach is collaborative, interactive, and warm. Therapy can be a vulnerable space to step into, and I'm here to cheer you on along the way. I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all model, so I adjust my approach based on what you actually need. I draw on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and mindfulness. I'm also certified in SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) through the Yale Child Study Center, which I use when parents want to be part of the support system. I'm licensed in California, Florida, Utah, and Tennessee, and I see all clients via secure telehealth, which tends to work well for college students juggling class schedules, internships, and a life that doesn't sit still. Reaching out for support is one of the hardest steps, so thank you for considering me. If it seems like we could be a good fit, I'd be honored to learn more about your story and welcome you to the Light Minds family.

I provide mental health support to students and young adults who are going through life transitions and want to ensure that therapy is accessible, affordable and safe to a culturally and diverse population. I work with students and young adults to help them cope and manage mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship issues, emotional dysregulation, and other conditions. I want to share my experience in providing emotional support, helping students through challenging times, and teaching students strategies to manage stress so that they can grow, develop and thrive!

I specialize in working with college students and adults who are navigating anxiety, breakups, low self-esteem, stress, ADHD, life transitions, and grief. We’ll talk about what brought you to therapy, what you’d like to work on, and what you hope to get out of our time together. I’ll also ask some questions about your history, current challenges, and what has or hasn’t worked for you in the past. We will create your treatment plan based on your goals for therapy. My goal is to help you reconnect with your strengths, challenge unhelpful patterns, and move forward with clarity and purpose. Together, we’ll work toward meaningful self-improvement, grounded in the belief that we have power over our minds and the freedom to live authentically. I use a blend of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Schema Therapy to help you understand patterns, build new skills, and create lasting shifts in your thinking and behavior. I tailor each session to your unique needs.

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.

Hi! I’m Jada Thompson, a Licensed Couple and Family Therapist. I am a proud second-generation Mexican American, born and raised in the Big Sky State of Montana. I moved to the Los Angeles area over ten years ago to feed my sense of exploration and reconnect with my family, culture, and self. My early life experiences, including the sudden death of my mother during childhood, have shaped me into the person I am today and fueled my drive to pursue a career in mental health. I graduated from Alliant International University in Los Angeles with a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. While working in community mental health, I continued to grow in my work with children, adolescents, adults, and families. I offer individuals a compassionate space to explore identity, relationships, and life transitions with curiosity and respect. Whether facing cultural or religious trauma, rejection, or the pain of not feeling fully seen, we work together to uncover the roots of struggle and build tools for greater freedom, resilience, and fulfillment in the present.

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.

My experience working directly with students in school settings has been the most meaningful and rewarding part of my professional journey. I found that I connect naturally with students and genuinely enjoy supporting their emotional, social, and academic growth. Because of my passion for this work, I consistently sought out additional opportunities to work with students and often exceeded the minimum requirements in order to gain more experience supporting them. In my work with students, I focus on providing simple, practical, and easy-to-apply tools that help them successfully reach the goals we set together in session. I strive to create a supportive and encouraging environment where students feel heard, understood, and empowered. I make it a priority to ensure they know they have someone in their corner at all times, and I approach my role as both a strong supporter and advocate for their well-being and success.

Our approach is one of compassion, providing a non-judgmental place to help you safely explore life's challenges and strengthen your connection to yourself; fostering lasting emotional well-being. We offer a wide range of specialties and interventions styles. Reach out and we will set you up with a therapist that best suites your needs and therapeutic style

Dr. Aundrea helps people navigate life changes and relationship challenges so they can thrive.

I have always been passionate about understanding others. I believe that most peoples’ actions and beliefs make sense once you understand the full context of their stories. However, we often judge others instead of taking the time to do this. Having a non-judgmental space to explore one’s emotions and experiences is a gift I believe everyone should have access to. Therapy is special because in addition to providing that non-judgmental space, I also can offer practical tools and support for mental health based on my education and experience as a therapist. During our first session, I will ask you to share about why you are seeking therapy and what goals feel important to you. Then, we’ll talk about the ways I can support you in reaching those goals. It’s important to know that I always assume the best in my clients, and my only goal for you is that you are able to live in a way that aligns with your own values and aspirations. Sometimes, I will point out when my clients actions don’t align with their values, as this enables us to truly reflect and grow. Every client has a different comfort level when it comes to how much and how soon they share things with me. I build trust with my clients by showing up consistently and honestly, and I trust that my clients will share things with me when they’re ready. In my past work, I have especially connected with young adults who are processing childhood trauma. I also have had many Asian American clients who are interested in further exploring their cultural identities in therapy. Whatever your background, it would be an honor to work with you and be part of your story.

Mental wellness is a process. Often, life encourages us to put our resources into our outer world, from how we look to where we work. As important as this can be, this is often at the expense of investing in our inner world. Let me help empower you to develop your mental wellness and enrich your wellbeing from the inside out. I'm Dr. Dakari, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with expertise in treating a variety of mental health concerns. My therapeutic style involves creating a warm and supportive environment for you to process life complexities and learn practical skills to progress towards your mental wellness goals.

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.

My work is grounded in supporting individuals through challenges such as anxiety, depression, relationship conflict, and grief and loss. I also have a strong passion for working with women navigating life transitions, including academic stressors, body | self-esteem issues, shifts in identity, and intimacy-related concerns. These experiences can feel so isolating, and I strive to create a space where you feel understood, supported, and not alone.

College is a lot. Academics, identity, relationships, and figuring out who you are, often all at once. Anxiety, depression, ADHD, and feeling overwhelmed are real and you deserve support that takes you seriously. I am a psychiatric nurse practitioner who works with teens and young adults. I offer medication management and psychotherapy, take time to actually listen, and see you as a whole person. I offer telehealth across California so you can meet with me from wherever you are.

I work best with students who are feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of school, work, relationships, or major life transitions. Many of my clients come to therapy because they're struggling with anxiety, stress, depression, self-esteem, burnout, or feeling stuck. Others are adjusting to college, navigating difficult family dynamics, substance and alcohol abuse, processing relationship challenges, or trying to balance everything life is throwing at them. You don't have to have everything figured out before starting therapy. Whether you're looking for support through a difficult season or want to build healthier coping skills and greater confidence, I'll provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you can feel heard, understood, and empowered to create meaningful change.

I have always wanted to make a positive impact and in my journey to figuring out what that was, I realized I enjoyed providing people with emotional support and that is when I decided to become a mental health therapist. This is a safe, nonjudgmental space. What is it that you need to feel heard and understood? I do not come from an expert stance. I believe you are the expert in your life and we are both coming together to work collaboratively on how to help you along your life journey.

I was born and raised in the Bay Area and know how much pressure comes with going to school in CA. I had mental health challenges that started in high school and continued through college. I was worried my self-worth, mood, and grades wouldn't recover, but working with a therapist helped a ton to get myself feeling like myself again. I offer an optimistic, collaborative approach to mental health. I believe you're the expert on your own life and experiences. I'm here to help you build confidence in your own intuitions and expand on what's possible from there. Like a sculptor carving out a work from stone, we start with the raw materials. In our case, it begins with unfiltered venting and time to feel. From there, we chisel away at the frustration and pain to find what these experiences are really telling you about your needs and who you are. Then, we make a plan to act with integrity. It's hard work, but it's empowering to remember the agency you have over your own life.

I’ve always cared deeply about people, especially those who feel misunderstood or overlooked. Growing up, I saw how much it meant when someone took the time to listen without judgment. That stuck with me. Over time, I realized I wanted to be that kind of support for others, someone who helps people feel safe, heard, and valued. Becoming a therapist felt like the most natural path for me, and it’s a privilege to walk alongside people as they navigate life’s challenges and reconnect with their inner strength. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe and free to be yourself. I’ll listen not just to what you say, but also to the feelings and experiences behind your words. I want to understand what truly matters to you, and I’ll check in often to make sure I’m hearing you the way you want to be heard. This space is yours, as we work through what’s most meaningful to you. Building trust is a process that occurs over time, and I view it as a two-way interaction. In our work together, I’ll show up consistently, be honest with you, and create a space where you can speak freely without fear of being judged. I’ll go at your pace, and we’ll talk about what feels helpful to you. I’ll also ensure our work feels safe and supportive. I want you to feel heard, respected, and genuinely understood as we work together toward your therapy goals.