Therapists for college students near San Diego State University
Peter Chechele
As a very engaged and empathic therapist, I work with my clients to discover what they are wanting to achieve in therapy and what they've already tried that hasn't worked. Then together we come up with a strategy to work through where they might be stuck and construct a path forward. A combination of insight and values driven action typically leads to improvement for the conditions they present with. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.
Aisha Ishtiaq
Do you feel as if every effort you make is never enough, that you are always striving for something bigger and better? As your therapist, I support individuals to begin to heal from past traumas and learn to accept and love themselves. I help couples to break free from unhealthy patterns to truly enjoy each other's company and love. I work from the lens of Trauma-Informed Care and Childhood Attachment. There are significant moments in our lives that change how we relate with ourselves and the world around us. Past traumas can continue to impact our daily life, making it hard at times for us to see our own value. I work with my clients to provide a space to allow for the exploration of the trauma as well as learning how to heal oneself to live a more fulfilled life. I believe every person is in charge of their own healing and therapy provides a space where they are allowed to explore what process of healing is best. I assist my clients in incorporating healthy skills to reduce their negative thoughts and emotions. You are not alone, there is support here for you. You deserve to create the life you have always dreamed of. As Rumi said, ""The wound is the place where the Light enters you.” I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.
Carissa Delgado
I am person centered. I like to get to know the person, their environment and I like for therapy to feel like a conversation. I tend to be myself in sessions and help clients feel comfortable while also holding accountability for change through unconditional positive regard. I believe therapy should be enjoyable and not pressured; I think so much can be gained just by building a strong therapeutic alliance. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.
Amanda Rebel
College should be about growth, not just survival. If you're struggling with unpredictable mood swings, overwhelming worry, lots of sadness, or using substances to cope, or climate anxiety, I'm here for you. I work best with students who experience intense emotional ups and downs, find themselves caught in cycles of productivity followed by inability to function, or use alcohol or other substances to manage difficult feelings and thoughts, or those who are preoccupied with climate-related grief or anxiety. I offer a space where you don't need to hide your challenges or pretend to have it all together. We'll focus on getting to know each other, creating a safe space to open up, and increasing coping strategies, such as recognizing early warning signs, building supportive routines, navigating academic pressures, developing genuine connections without relying on substances, and handling the climate crisis with more ease. Whether you're facing mood swings, anxiety, depression, substance use challenges, climate distress, or all of these, there's a path forward. Reach out today to take the first step towards change, growth and stability.
Elsa Pearce
My goal is to provide you with the support and guidance you need to promote personal growth, uncover your strengths, and make the behavioral changes you're looking for. I have a passion for listening to people, helping them recognize their strengths, and teaching skills. Whether it's addressing behavioral concerns, life transitions, navigating relationship conflicts, or improving communication, I'm here to help. I have extensive experience working with depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, and grief and loss.
Stone & Sapling Psychotherapy
College is supposed to feel like progress. A lot of the time it just feels like pressure: grades, expectations, figuring out who you're becoming, and doing it all while looking like you've got it handled. From the outside, you seem responsible and on track. Inside, your mind doesn't slow down: replaying conversations, second-guessing decisions, feeling guilty for resting even when you're exhausted. I work with students and young adults dealing with anxiety, perfectionism, and the kind of self-imposed pressure that doesn't ease up even when things are going okay. A lot of the people I see are worn down by overthinking and frustrated that doing everything "right" hasn't actually made them feel better. Together, we'll figure out what's keeping that cycle going and build tools you can actually use like before an exam, in a hard conversation, or just on a day that feels like too much. My approach is practical, down-to-earth, and LGBTQ+ affirming. No jargon, no script. Most people start out feeling like they're carrying more than they can hold. Over time, that tends to get lighter through more confidence in your own decisions, less dread before the hard stuff, and a life that feels as good on the inside as it looks from the outside. If you're ready to stop carrying this alone, I'd be glad to connect.
Cristobal Lopez
I see therapy as a collaborative process where I bring my training and experience into the therapy room and you bring your life experience in order to work towards making life better. The collaborative process is important in all aspects of the therapy process, creating a safe environment, setting goals, doing the work between sessions, checking on progress, and checking on the overall process. My hope is that we are moving towards creating a rich and meaningful life and we move towards that together. The way I work is by being curious about who you are, and I always find it a great honor and privilege when someone shares their story, their pain, and joys in life. Opening up about struggles can be very scary and it is my hope to attune to what you need in this therapeutic relationship by listening, watching, asking questions, and sharing my own experience in the therapy room. This therapeutic relationship is so important in this process that I often find myself checking in about how that is going. I recently finished my training in Brainspotting as well. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.
Lawrence Leung
I am a CA-based therapist providing virtual therapy for LGBTQ+ teens and young adults with depression. I take an individualized and depth-based approach, following each client's lead and exploring how past relationships and experiences impact the present and future. I excel with first-timers to therapy, as well as folks who have been in therapy before and found the worksheet- and skills-based approaches unhelpful.
Patricia Bevan
Hello, my name is Patricia Bevan. I have always found human behavior interesting. I love getting to know people and listening to their life stories. I find it very rewarding to empower people to achieve their best, support them through their challenges in life, as well as help ease their emotional burdens. My focus is all about "connection." My work is about connecting with clients on a genuine, compassionate and human level.
Evan Dunn
Exhausted by the way you think about yourself? We are often (if not always) our own worst enemies. Whether this pattern has caused you problems with guilt, shame, anxiety, depression, addiction or you name it - the starting point is generally the same. When we embark on the project of therapy you will be asked to put your painful thoughts and feelings into words. As the process unfolds, the strength and fervor used to overthink and condemn yourself will become accessible to use productively in reaching your goals.
Ijeoma Mbadugha, NP
Have you been feeling sad, tearful, empty, hopeless, or worthless? Fixation on past failures or self-blame? Having a loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities? Lack of energy and lack of sleep? A feeling of churning in your stomach, light-headed or dizzy, pins and needles, restless or unable? Having trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions, and remembering things? Having anxiety, agitation, and restlessness? Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain? Do you feel the whole world is against you? Unloved, alone, traumatized, and thoughts of hurting yourself or others? We offer effective psychotherapy where patients will learn to identify and challenge harmful thoughts, replacing them with more realistic, healthy perspectives. My job as a practitioner is to be the calming center during therapy, incorporating medication management when necessary. Monitoring the patient's progress and celebrating success and full recovery. We believe that our patients and families deserve the best in mental healthcare delivery. Our purpose is to help eliminate the stigma and barriers to mental healthcare and to support patients at all stages of their recovery, allowing them to live their best lives. You can do this! We got you! Call us today to help you get your life back.
Helia Ziaee
I have worked with individuals struggling with substance abuse, victims of domestic violence, veterans, teens, adults, couples, and families. I believe in providing my clients with a safe and nurturing environment, in a space where being your authentic self can be a guide towards healing and personal growth. I have extensive experience working with clients from diverse backgrounds. The therapeutic alliance is the pillar of the therapeutic process and growth. Having worked in this field for almost a decade, I believe my greatest strength is the ability to connect and empathize with my clients while building on their life skills. I look forward to our journey working together. I am a therapist at Octave, a behavioral health practice creating a new standard for mental health care that’s both high-quality and accessible. To learn more about my availability, please reach out to our Client Experience team by emailing or calling.
Laura Wilhoit
I have specialized training in perinatal mental health, including a Perinatal Mental Health-Certificate. That means I can treat people who are pregnant and experiencing mental health changes as well as those who have anxiety, depression, or bipolar episodes after giving birth. I view therapy as a collaboration between client and therapist. I like to co-create an individualized treatment plan to help you reach your goals, whatever they may be. Typically, I draw from a variety of approaches, including Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT). I believe each person has their own unique strengths and I like to use those as a cornerstone for helping them to improve their life. In addition, we can explore new skills and how those might help. My goal is to be flexible in my style and help meet you where you are at by tailoring my approach. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.
Jessica Ojeda
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist that has provided psychotherapy, family therapy, and group services in English and Spanish for over nine years. I work with adults and families specializing in mental health and/or co-occurring disorders including depression, anxiety, trauma, and chemical dependency. I utilize evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and brief therapy to help you decrease symptoms while developing more meaningful life experiences. My goal is to work with you in a collaborative manner to increase your self-awareness and develop healthy coping skills and problem-solving capabilities while using and developing your personal strengths. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.
Kayla Rodriguez
Hey, I’m Kayla If you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, burnt out, or like your brain just won't turn off — you're not alone. Whether you're navigating adulting, college pressure, trauma, identity stuff, or mental health struggles that won’t go away, I’m here to help you figure it out — step by step. I work with young adults (18–24) who are dealing with anxiety, depression, past trauma, substance use, or just a general feeling of “what now?” Therapy with me is a collaborative space where you can explore your story, build practical tools, and feel more in control of your life — without judgment. My Therapy Style My approach is real, supportive, and skills-based. I’ll meet you where you are — no pressure to “fix” anything overnight. You’ll find that I’m curious, empathetic, and genuine — I believe in showing up as a human, not a cold clinical voice. We'll look at what's working and what’s not, figure out how your past may be influencing your present, and build tools to help you manage stress, emotions, and relationships more confidently. We'll look at what's working and what’s not, figure out how your past may be influencing your present, and build tools to help you manage stress, emotions, and relationships more confidently. <script src="https://thrivingcampus.com/verified.js?pid=42376"></script>
PRANA SETH
A lot of the students I work with are used to being the “responsible one”—the one who gets things done, shows up, and keeps it all together. But underneath that, there’s often a lot of pressure, overthinking, and a quiet feeling of “am I actually doing this right?” You might replay conversations in your head, feel torn between what you want and what’s expected of you, or notice it’s hard to relax without feeling guilty. Relationships can feel confusing too—wanting to be close, but also not wanting to be too much or not enough. If you grew up balancing different worlds, cultures, or expectations, you might not even be sure what your voice sounds like yet. In our work together, we make space to sort through all of that—so you can feel more like yourself, trust your decisions, and stop living on autopilot.
Milka Galvez
Are you going through a difficult time? Is it tough to get yourself out of bed in the morning and start the day? Feeling overwhelmed, sad, or anxious that it's difficult to concentrate on daily tasks. Please know that you are at the right place. Your life does not have to stay this way and we can work together to get you back in control of your life. The peaks and valleys will not be as drastic anymore. The cloud over your head will no longer follow you throughout the day. Together we will work on controlling your emotions rather than your emotions controlling you. As an Asian American, raised in a culture where mental illness was looked down upon and was not spoken about. My mission as a provider is to help destigmatize mental health and open the door to talk about symptoms related to depression, mood disorders, PTSD, and stress. I am here to help, empathize, and connect with you to take on this journey in confidence.
Rachel Benson
Are you feeling stressed, overwhelmed, confused, or depressed? Are you feeling disconnected or lost as you navigate your college journey? Wondering if you may have impostor syndrome? Are you procrastinating and cannot find any motivation to study? Having family conflicts? Relationship issues? Boundary issues? You are not alone! I have experience working with people from all walks of life. I am here to support and collaborate with you to meet your needs and develop new skills to help you feel happier in life. There is no one-size-fits-all counseling approach. I have always used person-centered and integrated therapy approaches to help my clients, such as Cognitive-behavioral therapy, Solution-focused therapy, Narrative therapy, Play therapy, EMDR therapy, Brainspotting, Gottman Couple therapy and Art therapy. I have found that we are all unique individuals who have similar experiences but unique details in life. Since I began counseling, each modality and approach has its pros and cons; we cannot always rely on one modality or approach to handle every situation. Sometimes, being creative and flexible can help my clients better understand themselves. I have had many counselors in my life, from academic counselors to mental health counselors, and they all have brought me wisdom to help me identify my issues and have helped me realize nothing is more important than our health. Having healthy communication skills and learning about others’ cultures and practices can reduce anxiety between both parties. We often have various unique obstacles to face, but if we can be flexible to adapt to our challenges and find alternatives and resources, this can be our key to problem-solving and a huge step to our success.
Alexander Pack
I believe change, growth, and healing are possible when we better understand ourselves and the patterns in our lives. Especially with the state of the world right now, it would make sense if your goals were to feel less anxious, less stressed, more secure, more connected, and/or safer. Through our collaborative exploration, curiosity, and empathy, I believe we can find opportunities for healing, challenge old patterns that no longer serve you, and develop a greater sense of control over your life.
Maria Rheba Estante, LMFT, LPCC
My treatment focus is on neurodivergent issues and gifted learners. Therapeutic style is evidenced and strength based, multiculturally sensitive, solutions oriented, client centered, and collaborative. You are the expert on you. My role is to facilitate and support an awareness of how to implement changes to overcome unhelpful patterns in thinking and decision making. I strive to see the whole person not just a list of symptoms. Understanding your unique background is key because therapy is not a cookie-cutter approach. Currently in network with Aetna, Kaiser Permanente, Lyra Health, SpringHealth, Sutter EAP, and Cigna in certain states. I am a LMFT in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Virginia, LPCC in California, and Registered Out-of-State Telehealth Provider for Florida, South Carolina and Vermont.