Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA

The human mind is a fascinating place. I am constantly in awe of how deeply intricate and nuanced it is. I know that for many of us it doesn’t always feel this way. The hardships of life can, over time, make the mind into an unpleasant, stressful, and even terrifying place. My goal is to help make therapy, and the journey of exploring and understanding your mind, a less daunting process. I want to join you and guide you in peeling back the layers, making sense of the chaos, and finding safety and peace in your mind. For me, the key ingredient to effective therapy is curiosity. I want you to not only feel that I am listening to you, but that I am interested in what you have to say. I work to create a therapeutic environment where you feel that we are working collaboratively to understand the difficulties in your life, and to identify what you need to feel more capable and fulfilled. My style of therapy focuses on accessing and exploring the wisdom that already exists in your mind and nervous system, and interpreting it in the context of your past and present experiences. Nothing is more important in the therapy process than the relationship between therapist and client. Little can be accomplished in terms of exploring and understanding your mind unless you feel some degree of trust and safety with your therapist. I understand that trust needs to be earned, and that a sense of safety takes time to develop. I strive to nurture these by prioritizing consistency and honesty in all of our interactions. I want you to know and feel, above all, that I am on your side, and to have a clear understanding of the work we are doing together.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hi I'm Maddi and I'd love to help you figure out college and all this adulting stuff. Let's face it, adulting is tough. It can feel so overwhelming trying to balance all the things like school, family, friends, errands, chores, work, self-care... Oh ya, and don't forget to make time to eat, sleep, call your mom, and figure out your future. (No pressure or anything!!) I know what it's like to feel like you have to put on a brave face for everyone and pretend that you're doing OK, while deep inside you are freaking out and on the verge of a breakdown. (It's fine, I'm fine, everything's fine...) I know what it's like to feel like you spend all your free time overthinking things, replaying interactions, and worrying that someone is mad at you. (Spoiler alert, they're not!) I want to help you do more than just survive college! Let's work together to help you break free from the self-doubt, stress, and overthinking that keeps you up at night and leaves you feeling exhausted and stuck at the end of the day. Together we can talk through things to make sense of them and find realistic solutions. This way you can leave therapy with an understanding of what's going on, and what you can do to make it better. We got this!! Reach out today and let's schedule a free phone consultation so we can see if I'm the right therapist for you. You can reach me by email or text message.

As a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I strive to create a space where patients feel comfortable, supported, and genuinely heard. I have experience working in both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings, which has given me a strong foundation in caring for individuals with a wide range of mental health concerns. I also hold a Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) and have a special interest in supporting individuals through pregnancy, postpartum, and other major life transitions. My approach is focused on helping people feel more confident and seen in their day-to-day lives. I was drawn to psychiatry because I’ve always been interested in the connection between mental health, overall well-being, and how deeply our experiences shape us. Working in mental health settings early in my career showed me how important it is for people to feel truly seen, supported, and understood during vulnerable moments. That experience ultimately inspired me to become a psychiatric provider and continue helping people navigate challenges with compassion, education, and practical support. I would describe my approach as collaborative, supportive, and individualized. I believe treatment works best when patients feel comfortable being open and involved in the decision-making process, so I focus on creating a nonjudgmental environment where people feel heard and understood. When working with me, patients can expect thoughtful conversations, education about treatment options, and a balance of compassion and practicality as we work toward goals that feel realistic and meaningful for their everyday life. Outside of work, my favorite role is being a mom. Motherhood has taught me a lot about patience, flexibility, and giving myself grace during different seasons of life, which I think naturally carries over into how I connect with patients. I also love spending time outdoors, trying new restaurants, and finding little ways to recharge and stay balanced outside of work. I think those moments of connection and normalcy are such an important part of overall mental health.

I am passionate about supporting clients to heal and thrive in their lives – reaching their goals and a sense of self that brings wellness and fulfillment. I have 15 years of professional experience working in social programs and services – including a diverse range of clients, including veterans, LGBTQI+, seniors, high-achieving professionals, students and young adults. I work with people experiencing PTSD, anxiety, depression, substance use/harm reduction, anger management, severe mental illness, workplace challenges and career goals. I am interested in working with individuals of all ethnicities, faiths, cultural/belief systems, genders, and sexual orientations. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and my Masters Degree from the University of Southern California (USC). I work with clients as experts in their own lives. I focus on collaborating with clients to identify their intrinsic strengths to build resilience and achieve the life they want for themselves. I believe that developing awareness and understanding of one’s thoughts, feelings, and actions develops personal insights and motivation to support optimal mental health. I utilize evidence-based and trauma-informed approaches, combining motivational interviewing, narrative therapy, mindfulness, art therapy, coaching and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to build tools for healthy functioning and overall wellness.

I have an extensive background in treating clients with depression, anxiety, trauma, sexual abuse, unresolved childhood trauma, substance abuse, identity issues, along with several other life struggles. I provide short-term therapy, trauma-informed, solution-focused therapy, and addiction recovery. I firmly believe that every client is entitled to an enriching life. My goal is to motivate clients in ascertaining their inner strengths, abilities, and inspirations. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I strive to assist clients in reaching their emotional well-being by tapping into their inner strengths while building a strong sense of self and community. It is my passion to take a collaborative approach in guiding clients in reaching their authentic self. In my training as a mental health therapist, I have experience with treating various populations, including working with adult women and men, families of various race, socioeconomic status, sexual orientations, and cultural backgrounds. 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.

Dr. Bruett provides warm, compassionate, collaborative care that is backed by science, and loves working with college and graduate students. She has specialized training in cognitive-behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness, exposure and response prevention, emotion focused family therapy, and other evidence-based practices. She provides care to individual of all backgrounds and identities. She is licensed in Massachusetts and California.

My work is relationally based, and I additionally integrate the approaches of Somatic Experiencing (SE) and Internal Family Systems (IFS), which are both mind/body modalities. These approaches have been transformational for myself and many clients I have witnessed because they offer an orientation of radical openness and compassionate inquiry about all parts of your experience.

I help people learn how to take care of themselves. ​​ ​ In our sessions, you will develop the skills to navigate family dynamics, understand your needs, communicate boundaries, and build self-trust and self-esteem. ​ So, whether you identify as a conflict avoider, people pleaser, overachiever, perfectionist, or anxious attacher, I can help you figure out who you are, what you want, and who you want to be.

Ideally, this process involves the development of insight into how one experiences blocks or challenges in the world outside our selves – in relationships, work, academics, or creative pursuits. In my opinion, any successful therapy relationship must first begin with an atmosphere of safety, trust, and mutual understanding of the challenges that lay ahead. Using this as a starting point, I view therapy as an opportunity for my clients to safely explore the self, which involves taking a closer, more intimate look at how one's experience of self impacts and is impacted by the world in which one lives. While I tend to understand clients through a psychodynamic lens, I also believe in the importance of tailoring therapy to fit the individual. Using individualized interventions, I focus on helping my clients not only gain insight into those aspects of themselves that are outside usual awareness but also to develop an understanding of how those insights can be harnessed in an action-oriented manner to manifest lasting, positive change. This can and often does involve setting achievable behavioral goals between sessions to encourage steady forward progress in those realms of functioning that are most critical to the client. 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.

As a recent college graduate, I know how hard it is to not get behind or feel burnt out while trying to go to school and deal with daily life stressors at the same time. I am here to help clients navigate through their struggles, learn about themselves, and grow into the best versions of themselves. I am here to tend to each client's unique needs and help them on their journey of bettering themselves.

Many of the people I work with describe feeling stuck, burned out, or unsure about what comes next. On the surface, they may seem to have it all together, yet inside they are struggling with anxiety, depression, or the pressure to keep going when they are running on empty. You might find yourself juggling work, relationships, and personal growth while quietly wondering why it all feels so heavy. Therapy with me is a space to slow down, make sense of what is happening beneath the surface, and reconnect with yourself in a way that feels honest and sustainable. I will meet you with curiosity and care, not judgment. Together we will explore patterns, emotions, and experiences that have shaped you while building practical tools to manage stress and create balance. You do not have to have everything figured out to start. My goal is to help you feel more grounded, confident, and aligned with what truly matters, at a pace that feels safe and supportive for where you are right now.

We would work well together if you are interested in addressing relationship difficulties, trauma, generational and cultural pressures, anxiety, and depression. I primarily use emotionally focused therapy to help you better regulate unfamiliar or suppressed emotions. Are you looking for therapy for the first time? Or do you have experience with therapy and looking to continue to focus on self-improvement? As an LMFT, my therapeutic approach can help you understand how individual problems can, at times, be connected to past and current social experiences. I have found success working with individuals interested in diving deeper into their thought patterns and exploring how their early life experiences play a role in the development of their current selves. I also take an integrative approach and use relational, cognitive, and solution-oriented techniques. My goal is to provide you with a therapeutic space to explore and understand the root causes of your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. I utilize the power of laughter and rapport-building conversation to build therapeutic trust. I combine relaxed conversation to better get to know you while utilizing talk therapy to help you ask and answer challenging questions. 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.

I believe that each of us are experts in our lives and my goal in therapy is to support people finding meaning and purpose in their lives by providing safe and non-judgement space. One of my favorite quotes in life is “I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become” by Carl G. Jung. I like to work collaboratively with my clients by using strengths-based, attachment focus and the client-centered approach to achieve their individual goals in life. 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.

Throughout my career I have worked directly with people in a variety of settings including; child welfare, home health and hospice, crisis intervention, aging and working with adults with disabilities. Working with crisis clients in a community mental health setting inspired me on my path to supporting individuals in their healing journey. In session I strive to be present, attentive, curious and non-judgmental to learn about each person’s unique life experiences. Being a trauma survivor myself, I believe in the strength and resiliency that exists in each and every one of us. I will work collaboratively with you to help you identify strategies and solutions to address any of your challenges. My therapeutic approach is trauma-informed, client-centered and relationship-based; focusing on empowering client’s to make positive changes in their lives, developing their own tools and coping skills. I tailor my approach to the individual needs of each client, combining evidence-based practices with creative solutions to address each person’s individual unique life challenges.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Therapy is challenging as it puts one in a vulnerable position. I believe it takes courage and a willingness to confront challenges in one’s life. To do so, my therapeutic approach takes a non-judgmental, compassionate, and curious stance to foster safety to grow and take on challenges yet feel accepted in where you are. My therapeutic approach is grounded in an integration of clients’ unique backgrounds, clinical expertise, and evidence-based treatments. With a mix of both my therapeutic approach and training, I hope to foster a collaborative relationship that is built on trust and safety to empower my clients to utilize skills learned in therapy to effectively manage their presenting issues. 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.

Better Mindset Therapy strives to create an authentic, welcoming atmosphere for her clients to explore their lives in a new way. She has experience helping children, adolescents, and adults with anxiety, depression, life transitions, self-esteem, coping skills, and more. Here we use the therapeutic relationship to explore your early life experiences and bring unconscious thoughts and patterns into the conscious awareness.

Working in metal health for over a decade, I realized I would ask more questions about the person than I was trained to know what to do. I knew I wanted to help people more and decided to further my education to be able to do that. Clients need to feel heard and understood. I would initially ask how they would like to feel heard and understood. I would naturally reflect back on what clients have stated to ensure I heard their words correctly. I would also ask if I understood their words correctly to confirm. Working together is collaborative. Building trust looks like me asking questions to see the client’s experience and what support looks like to them. It is listening to their stories and hearing what the client would like to work on as far as goals and supporting them to do so.

I believe that the first step towards change is acceptance; therefore, I strive to create a non-judgmental space, one that views many "symptoms" as coping mechanisms that made sense at some point but have outgrown whatever usefulness they once had. When we can view ourselves with compassion, we can then challenge ourselves to examine thought and behavior patterns that may be keeping us stuck and learn to move beyond them. An important part of this work is getting in touch with our core values and finding ways to remain in alignment with those values as we move towards our goals. When we know what we truly value and can detach from ideas of "right" and "wrong," we often realize that many paths can lead us to fulfillment, and that avoidance of uncomfortable feelings and experiences only keeps us in stasis. In my work, I use mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral approaches, combined with cultural sensitivity and curiosity — as well as a dose of irreverence — to help clients reconnect with themselves and their true values, honor their emotions without being controlled by them, and access their strengths to build resiliency and a sense of purpose. 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.