Therapists for college students near University of Southern California

I became a therapist because I genuinely love seeing people’s lives improve and expand in ways that feel meaningful to them. There is something incredibly powerful about watching someone move from feeling stuck or overwhelmed, to feeling more clear, confident, and hopeful. My goal is to create a space where you can show up exactly as you are, and feel truly safe, heard, and understood – without fear of judgement. I feel therapy should be a collaborative process where we work together to explore what you’re going through, and develop practical tools to help you move toward the life you want. Wherever you’re starting from, I’m here to support you with compassion, curiosity, and respect. I will help you feel heard and understood by creating a safe space where you can show up exactly as you are, and speak openly about whatever you’re going through, without fear of judgment. From the very beginning, my focus is on truly listening, taking time to understand your experiences, your perspective, and what matters to you most. I approach our work together with compassion and curiosity, and I’ll check in with you to make sure you feel supported and understood. As we build that trust we’ll work collaboratively to explore what’s been holding you back, and develop practical tools to help you move forward toward the life you want. My goal is for you to feel not only heard, but genuinely supported, respected, and empowered through our work together. I’m someone who appreciates meaningful conversation, quiet moments, and really getting to know people below the surface. I find this creates a comfortable, grounded environment where you can feel safe and at ease, being yourself, without any pressure to “perform”. I like spending quiet moments in nature. My favorite routine is drinking my morning coffee outside with my dogs, meditation, reflecting on hope and positivity, and listening to music is also inspirational for me.

The world is in upheaval but I believe in the common thread of humanity and I think acknowledging the agency we have over our own lives is one of the most important tasks we all share right now which we often need help with. Most of us have found ourselves vulnerable to the anguish of uncertainty in our lives, and it is my privilege as a therapist to help others work on living more directed, conscious & meaningful lives. My role as a therapist is to facilitate a safe space that embraces vulnerability and is accountable, honest, and authentic. I encourage feedback while embracing a non-judgmental approach, and believe in the power of the therapeutic alliance to affect deep and abiding change. My intention is to humbly hold a safe space for my clients and to utilize the skills, education, and training I have to offer them alternative ways of assessing, defining, and managing the various challenges in their lives. I believe in the lived experiences of my clients and make an effort to build trust in open and non-intrusive ways. I am a proponent of seeking self-regulation through nature and enjoy spending time outside to find balance in my daily life. This aligns with my therapeutic approach, which recognizes the profound impact of the environment on mental well-being and utilizes grounding techniques inspired by the natural world to help reduce stress, depression, and anxiety.

I treat individuals who are experiencing symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and related conditions of anxious rumination and Binge Eating Disorder. My treatment approach primarily uses the gold-standard of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) while also addressing issues of trauma and family dynamics. I approach the treatment of emotional eating with a skills based DBT approach, emphasizing emotional regulation, mindfulness, and distress tolerance.

I am a a licensed clinical therapist in California. I became an LCSW because, quite simply, I love people and have the deepest respect for all living things. I have a masters in Social work and background in Psychology, Sociology and Education. I believe that every individual has innate strengths and my goal is to help you tap into yours. Whether you are in a difficult life transition, navigating healthy relationships, or looking to understand yourself more deeply, I am here to empower you so that you can move from feeling "stuck" to feeling capable.

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Hello my name is Gabriel Arroyo and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist located in Southern California. My specialties in treatment focus on couples/relationship counseling to help improve relationship dynamic with better communication, trust, and intimacy. I also work with individuals that struggle with anxiety and depression by learning healthy effective coping strategies. In therapy I like to work in a collaborative approach to strength your existing strengths as well as learn new effective skills. My approach is direct with balanced sensitivity and compassion to help achieve your goals in an effective and efficient manner. If you are interested in working with me, please feel free to contact me for a free consultation call.

At Mind Body Soul Mental Health we strive to support clients in learning from past and current experiences that are contributing to stress, anxiety, depression, trauma. We look at therapy from a holistic lens which includes: mind, body, soul and how they all contribute to the whole person. I specialize in working with adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD and embracing their neurodiversity. I also have extensive experience in helping adults comprehend boundaries, reasons for codependency and issues with self esteem. I help students navigate stress due to college pressures and social adjustments. I am trained in EMDR for clients that want relief from trauma and anxiety. Mind Body Soul Mental Health is a space that supports diversity, inclusion and welcomes everyone.

If you are feeling stuck, disconnected, or having trouble coping with anxiety or depression, you are not alone. You may be struggling to find balance in your life, or noticing that attachment and trauma from childhood is impacting you presently. Perhaps you recently lost a loved one, are navigating a new chapter of life that has you feeling anxious, or just feel like you are stuck in a rut and need someone to talk to. I work with adults and teens/adolescents on addressing anxiety and depression, unpacking past experiences, improving emotional regulation, building healthy boundaries with loved ones, healthy self-esteem, and more. As a therapist, I provide a challenge-support environment where I encourage you to reflect and explore your values while providing empathy, warmth, and humor. Therapy can be scary because we are asked to go outside our comfort zones, but growth stems from change. I utilize a myriad of theoretical approaches to find a style that works best for you. For LGBTQIA+ identifying individuals, I provide gender and sexuality affirming therapy and can work with you on identity exploration, navigating queer relationships, or coping with the impact of stigma, discrimination, and bias. My therapy office is an accepting and safe space for queer folk.

I specialize in working with 1st and 2nd generation immigrants on issues such as anxiety, school stress, intergenerational trauma, and cultural identity issues. I tend to be very active and engaged in session with my clients and enjoy discussing practical tools that may be helpful. I want to learn how your unique environment and experiences have shaped who you are today and the challenges that may occur as a result. One of my passions is working with clients from bicultural backgrounds. Having navigated this landscape myself, I can really empathize with the journey. If you want to hear more about me and my work, please visit my website below to self-schedule a free consult.

Hello, I’m Jessica Martinez, a licensed mental health therapist providing evidence-based care since 2011. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, problem gambling, relationship and marriage issues, and a wide range of emotional and behavioral concerns. My approach integrates leading therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Gottman Method couples therapy, Narrative Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). My goal is to create a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space where you feel understood and empowered. By tailoring treatment to your specific needs, I help individuals, couples, and families gain clarity, build resilience, and make meaningful, lasting change.

Therapy is a partnership between you and me. My desire is to help you achieve your goals, to find your life purpose, to resolve your issues, whatever they may be. Change comes from within you—and that’s where we focus—on your body and the traumas it holds—so with can release them through various techniques that can really create true change inside you. Whether you are an individual or a couple, whatever you bring into the therapy office can be transformed. I believe in movement—that together we will make changes in your life. Let's not dwell on the traumas of your past—instead, we can work on releasing them from your body and your soul. Specialties include couples counseling, divorce mediation, spiritual growth, and life transitions. If you are in a relationship that is stuck in some way, or it looks like it’s getting worse, couple’s counseling can be very helpful and supportive for both parties. If you are an individual, working with me can be very supportive and expansive.

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I was inspired to become a therapist as a young child, with the value of wanting to help others. Early in my career I had many mentors who encouraged me to become a therapist, they believed in me. In some moment, I realized I wanted to help people believe in themselves and to see their own possibilities. Validation is one of the most important tools I value as a therapist and as a person. I use the phrase, validate the other person’s reality that may be different from your own. I teach clients to self validate, to know what you experienced is true and real. I value the process of creating this safe space where one can see themselves just as they are. I ask for feedback to see if how I respond through validation fits for the client, if they felt heard and validated. My first response is over time. I think trust is built with consistency. I tend to follow a consistent pattern in session, I try to have a beginning, middle and end to every session. The beginning can be more of a welcoming and social experience. The middle can be sharing and revealing the deeper part of a person and what they are going through. This can feel emotional and intense at times. The end, is closure. I will help a client have some closure at the end of every session. I talk to the client about next steps, how will you spend the time after the session, and confirm when we will meet next.

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.

Hi! My name is Dr. Ben Ross, & I’m a clinical psychologist (PSY32948). I practice individual and couple psychotherapy in Orange County, CA. I work with people 14+ struggling with a range of difficulties including but not limited to anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, phase of life issues, relationship concerns, mood instability, individuation and identity formation, and personality disturbances. I'm also interested in supporting members of the LGBTQ+ community, artists and creatives, musicians struggling with music performance anxiety, and young adults forging their path in life. I strive to foster a relational therapeutic environment in which my patients have an outlet to express parts of their mind that they have not yet put to words. Expression of these inner thoughts and feelings can facilitate relief from stress that can otherwise manifest in painful psychological and physiological symptoms. This process can make way for meaningful transformations to occur.

Do you struggle with feeling disconnected from yourself and others? Do you put your needs at the bottom of the to-do list? Do you wonder if life should feel somehow better? Happier? Now more than ever, people are feeling anxious, overwhelmed and uncertain about how they are supposed to manage their relationships, careers and their lives. Pushing away your needs and not taking time for yourself can lead to long-term issues for your mind and body. We believe it shouldnʼt be so hard to live a better life. At Waterside Psychology, we offer a custom approach for each of our clients! We start with understanding where you are now and the challenges you are facing. We help you put a plan in place to help you move forward, and we celebrate your successes along the way. We offer an inclusive, safe space with virtual appointments to suit your schedule. Helping people live better lives is our passion! Whether it's setting boundaries, grieving a loss, navigating a life transition, or changing a behavior that keeps you stuck, we help you feel better so you can live the life you've dreamed of. Contact us for a free consult and we’ll get started on your journey together!

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As a mental health provider, I am driven to provide quality care for patients. I hope my previous knowledge and experience, along with my desire to learn and grow, can help people meet their treatment goals. I enjoy meeting clients where they are in life, building rapport, and providing support. I hope to help patients bolster insight and awareness along with skills building “homework” to help enhance the therapeutic experience. My main approaches derive from DBT, CBT, and psychodynamic theories. I enjoy working with many populations and communities. My background working with active-duty, veterans, lgbtq+, children, couples, families, and individuals has provided me with a variety of experience. I am a transracial adoptee who lived in several countries growing up, which helped formulate some of my life views and goals. I have thoroughly enjoyed engaging in and reflecting on experiences with adoptees. I have thoroughly enjoyed every organization that I have worked for because they have all helped me learn and grow. Words cannot describe the joy and admiration I feel toward our active-duty servicemembers and veterans. I am forever grateful that I was able to provide services on a military base and out at sea. Individuals, couples, children, and families have helped me gain insight and awareness into different systems. I respect and appreciate every patient and wish everyone successful treatment.

I became a therapist because I’ve always been passionate about helping people discover their strengths and navigate life’s challenges with confidence. Throughout my career working with children, adolescents, and adults in behavioral health, I’ve seen how powerful it is when someone has a safe, supportive space to process their experiences without judgment. I believe that meaningful change happens when people feel genuinely understood and empowered to build on their own strengths. My goal is to help clients develop practical skills, increase self-awareness, and create lasting change that extends beyond our sessions. I believe the most effective therapy is collaborative. I make it a priority to listen carefully to each client’s experiences, understand what matters most to them, and work together to create goals that feel meaningful and achievable. I regularly check in to make sure our sessions are meeting their needs and encourage honest feedback throughout the process. Every client is different, so I tailor my approach to fit their unique personality, strengths, and preferences while creating a space where they can be open, ask questions, and feel respected every step of the way. Building trust starts with creating a safe, welcoming environment where clients know they don’t have to have everything figured out before coming to therapy. I approach each person with curiosity, compassion, and respect, allowing them to move at a pace that feels comfortable while gently encouraging growth. I enjoy using practical tools, relatable examples, humor when appropriate, and evidence-based strategies to help clients better understand themselves and develop skills they can use in everyday life. My goal is for therapy to feel like a partnership where we celebrate progress, learn from setbacks, and work together toward the life they want to build. Outside of work, I enjoy staying active, spending time outdoors, and playing strategy and adventure video games. I also enjoy exploring new places and finding opportunities to recharge in nature. These hobbies remind me of the importance of balance, curiosity, and making time for activities that help us manage stress and stay connected to what we enjoy—something I often encourage clients to prioritize in their own lives.

bilingual psychiatrist, medication management, psychotherapy