Therapists for college students near University of Southern California

I have been described by clients and colleagues as non-judgmental, warm (but direct), validating, and compassionate - I'd like to think that's true, but who am I to say? In any case, my hope is to help people develop self-acceptance versus self-loathing, practice self-compassion versus self-criticism, heal past wounds or trauma that continue to cause pain today, and create a purpose-driven life built around values they care about. In my personal and professional experience, the more we can accept ourselves and our "flaws", the freer we are to make meaningful changes in our lives. I work with adults, couples, and sometimes groups. I work with all types of issues, but my specialties include adult children of narcissistic and/or abusive parents, trauma-related disorders, couples therapy, men and masculinity, managing anger, self compassion/acceptance, depression/anxiety, substance use/addiction, and cultural issues (family conflict, intergenerational trauma, issues of identity, etc.). Having been on the other side, I know it's sometimes hard to know what you need, so I offer free phone consultations to help get you started on your path. My website also has resources for self-help - feel free to browse through that as well. And I usually respond quicker to email, so please feel free to message me anytime and we can schedule a time to chat!

Evidence-based therapy for young adults with OCD, trauma, anxiety, or insomnia. Are you having difficulty with worries or fears that just won't go away? Do you feel tense and wish you could just slow down and enjoy life more? You’ve tried to address your anxiety but it just won't budge. You’re really ready for more freedom from the pattern you feel stuck in. I am here to help you break that pattern. My years of specialized experience and use of research-backed techniques help people like you regain control over your anxiety. The therapy I offer is strongly rooted in research while at the same time tailored to your unique needs and goals. Visit my website to learn more about the specialized help I offer!

I’m passionate about working with children and young adults, especially those who are queer, neurodivergent, and/or Asian American. College is a major life transition, and I'm here to help ease the stress and anxiety that tends to come with it! In our work together, I will draw on play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and traditional psychotherapy approaches to best fit your treatment needs and goals. I practice from a trauma-informed, anti-carceral framework where the most important thing is that you are your own expert. I hope to foster growth in emotional regulation, self-awareness, and self-esteem so you can express yourself freely and live as you want to be seen.

Hi, my name is Esma. Clients come to my practice looking for a therapist who can get to the root of their problem. I specialize in working with sensitive, high-functioning people who look fine on the outside but feel stuck on the inside. My practice is integrative, trauma-informed, and centered around helping clients navigate trauma, complex PTSD, anxiety, relationship challenges, and attachment wounds. I draw from Brainspotting, IFS, ACT, CBT, and other holistic approaches depending on each client’s individual needs and goals. I’m not afraid of hard conversations, and I won’t tiptoe around the things that matter. Clients appreciate that I’m both caring and direct. I’m not cold or overly clinical, but I also won’t sugarcoat things or avoid difficult conversations. I help clients get underneath the surface and start making real changes. I also use humor naturally in session because sometimes humor creates the exact amount of honesty, perspective, and relief people need to finally let their guard down. Therapy can be deep and challenging without feeling rigid or performative. I’m both caring and straightforward. I bring warmth and honesty into the room equally. You’ll feel supported, but you’ll also be held accountable. I believe both are necessary for growth. I offer both in-person and online therapy services in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego. I especially enjoy working with young adults and creating flexible, accessible options for support. Some of the services I currently offer include: • Brainspotting Group Therapy — Self-Love & Secure Attachment (weekly with flexible attendance) • Brainspotting Group + occasional individual therapy as needed • As-needed therapy (individual or couples) • Weekly therapy (individual or couples) • Every-other-week therapy (individual or couples) • Therapy intensives (individual or couples)

Dr. Amanda Perry is a licensed psychologist with over ten years of experience, integrating various evidence-based therapeutic approaches, such as trauma-informed models like Internal Family Systems (IFS), cognitive-behavioral (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT). She provides individual, family therapy, parent training, and couples therapy. It takes an incredible amount of courage to admit our own insecurities and difficulties. To seek help through therapy requires even more determination and strength. Therefore, I strive to create a safe and non-judgmental environment and work together collaboratively to achieve your mental health goals. My clinical training and personal experience as a first-generation immigrant have made me mindful of the numerous risk factors unique to ethnic minorities and recognize the importance of providing culturally-sensitive care. I also specialize in treatment for those who struggle with both psychological and medical illnesses.

Hi! I’m a Somatic Psychotherapist who practices Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. I work with individuals experiencing anxiety, life stress, panic, and the stress of navigating life. I work holistically, helping to bring awareness to how your body, thoughts, emotions and feelings connect and how they can inform you. I can help you notice how patterns and experiences from your past show up today, and can help you to sort through what you would like moving forward. Using simple mindfulness practices to calm the nervous system and IFS techniques to understand and heal parts of yourself that feel stuck or protective. You’ll find sessions to be down-to-earth and practical. We can pay attention to your process, explore what comes up, and support you to build internal resources to help you feel more regulated and grounded. If you’re juggling school, relationships, or life stressors, therapy may be helpful. I invite you to reach out to set up a free 15 minute phone consultation to see if I am a good fit for you at https://therapywithshohreh.clientsecure.me

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I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 16 years of experience helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s challenges with a collaborative and compassionate approach. I work with clients facing anxiety, sadness, relationship struggles, or major life transitions, supporting them in reconnecting with their strengths, values, and goals. In therapy, I create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can be heard and understood. I draw from cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused techniques, and family systems theory, tailoring each session to your unique needs. My goal is to help you increase self-awareness, build self-compassion, and develop practical strategies for overcoming challenges and creating a more fulfilling life. I know that opening up to someone new can feel vulnerable, and I strive to make the process approachable and collaborative from the first session. Life’s difficulties don’t need to define you – you have the ability to shape how you think, feel, and act. I would be honored to support you on your journey of growth and self-discovery.

Hello, my name is Stacy Udolph, LCSW. I specialize in helping individuals manage stress, navigate life transitions, strengthen relationships, process grief, and overcome the fears and self-doubt that can interfere with personal growth, success, and well-being. I have been working in college counseling for the past 12 years, supporting young adults as they adjust to college life, develop greater independence, and prepare for their future careers and professional lives. I understand that the transition to college can bring unique academic, social, and emotional challenges, and I enjoy helping students build the skills and confidence needed to thrive during this important stage of life. I earned my Master of Social Work degree from the University of Southern California, where I received comprehensive training in mental health assessment and treatment, with a particular focus on understanding how patterns of thinking influence mood, behavior, and overall functioning. In addition, I have completed specialized training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), grief counseling, and mindfulness-based approaches for anxiety and depression. With more than 26 years of combined experience as a therapist and educator, I recognize the importance of creating a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel safe exploring difficult emotions and personal challenges. My goal is to help students gain insight, develop practical coping strategies, and make meaningful changes that enhance their quality of life. Clients often appreciate my calm, collaborative approach and my focus on providing concrete tools and techniques that can be applied in everyday situations. I believe therapy should be both supportive and effective, helping you better understand yourself while building skills that promote resilience and long-term well-being. I look forward to partnering with you as you navigate life's challenges and work toward your personal and academic goals.

Hi, I’m Stacy, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who works with neurodivergent adults, especially those with ADHD. I help clients learn how to manage executive functioning challenges, emotional regulation, and relationship struggles with more confidence and self-compassion. As a late-diagnosed neurodivergent adult, I bring both professional and lived experience to my work with clients. Together, we’ll explore how your past experiences and environments have shaped the way you see yourself and the world. Then we'll create a plan that works with your brain and utilizes your strengths. My style is warm and conversational. My approach integrates Adlerian priniciples and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Adlerian therapy helps individuals understand how early experiences shape beliefs like shame or "being lazy." ACT adds tools to manage overwhelm, relate differently to difficult thoughts, and take values-based action. Finding the right therapist is important. If you think I may be a good fit, please feel free to reach out.

Hi, I’m Madison Steele, LMFT, specializing in eating disorders and related challenges. Since 2019, I’ve worked with individuals across various settings, supporting them at different life stages. I recognize that disordered eating often intertwines with broader emotional issues, and my approach is client-centered and judgment-free. I collaborate with registered dietitians to provide comprehensive care tailored to your needs. As a BIPOC therapist, I understand the diverse experiences that shape our relationships with food and self. I’m here to meet you where you are and support your journey to holistic well-being.

I specialize in treating out-of-control sexual behaviors, anxiety, and OCD. I work with busy students who are struggling with self-esteem and perfectionism, overwhelmed by changing relationships, and worries about the future. Together we will find ways to understand yourself more, improve well-being, and find your power to move toward what is important to you.

I have been in practice over 25 years. I particularly specialize in helping young adults transition into adulthood. I understand the added stressors of this period of time including moving away from home, individuating and understanding oneself, figuring out goals for the future, and navigating personal relationships. I see problems from a family and systemic perspective in order to help create dynamic change. I work to help clients expand their understanding of themselves and discover opportunities for growth and change, often in the context of their relationships and families. I focus on helping clients change destructive relationship patterns, choose healthier lifestyles, and engage in fulfilling relationships. In addition to my educational and clinical experience, I have travelled extensively and have incorporated my knowledge of different cultures into my work as well. I believe in understanding and respecting a client’s individual and cultural diversity in all aspects of the clinical relationship.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Nobody teaches you how to fight fair, ask for what you need, or love someone without losing yourself. Estes Therapy does. Founded by licensed marriage and family therapist Jennine Estes Powell, our practice helps young adults build healthier patterns before the hard stuff becomes the default. Whether you are navigating your first serious relationship, processing attachment wounds from home, or just trying to understand why you keep ending up in the same situations, we have therapists who get it and know how to help.

If you are having difficulty in your personal life or with school, give a call or send an email so we can talk about what you are looking for. I have been in private practice for 40 years, have extensive experience and training, and I know how to help. If you want to know more about me and how I can help you, click on the link to my website below. I look forward to talking with you.

I specialize in working with trauma, addiction, and neurodivergence (ADHD/Autism). I am EMDR- trained to reprocess traumatic memories and limiting beliefs that are holding you back, and I'm trained to provide comprehensive ADHD/Autism assessments designed for assessing high-masking adults.

My role as a therapist is to support you in exploring your personal story and observing your inner experiences. I offer a safe, non-judgmental space using warmth, humor and gentle awareness for you to feel accepted and understood. I use narrative, solution focused, and mindfulness techniques to collaborate with you. This approach allows you to reauthor your story with compassion and insight, drawing from your strengths and values to cultivate resilience.

“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly—what is essential is invisible to the eye” (The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry). As a therapist, I work to see people with my heart and hold a hopeful space of unconditional compassion and empathy. As a trauma survivor with personal experiences in therapy, I’m aware of how vulnerable and uncertain starting with a new therapist can be. I honor the courage and openness it takes to begin any healing process. Creating safety in the therapeutic relationship is essential to me. I believe everyone has the capacity for healing already within them, and I work to empower people to connect with themselves and their unique strengths. I believe we are relational beings, and our different experiences with attachment can have profound effects on us. I value flexibility and creativity in my therapeutic style, and I draw from and integrate diverse approaches to discover what resonates with each different person. It is important to me to be intentional and considerate when holding space for culture and how different forces of marginalization affect mental health, and I work to be culturally responsive and attuned. My approach is continuously curious and trauma-informed, and one of my many passions is affirmatively supporting people around intergenerational trauma and attachment wounds. As a therapist and a human being, I try to embody a tree. This means moving slow, breathing deep, and being grounded enough to nourish connection. My favorite place on earth is the old growth forest! I also love to surf and meditate, and I appreciate breathwork and somatic/body-based techniques along my own healing path. I’ve been working in mental health for about thirteen years. I received my bachelor’s degree in English from University of California, Santa Barbara, and I finished my master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at California State University, Long Beach, where I also started writing poems for people on an old typewriter. I view therapy as a poetic process where someone gets to tell their story and shape its continuation to best honor their soul. We all need to be heard, seen, and believed in, and as a therapist, I work to cultivate this heartfelt connection.

"Since 2019, Peace and Purpose Therapy has offered compassionate psychotherapy to adults and teens throughout San Luis Obispo County. Located in Arroyo Grande, this dedicated practice specializes in trauma-informed care, including EMDR, alongside expert support for relationship dynamics, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Their experienced team provides a safe, nurturing environment for individual, couple, and family counseling, tailoring every approach to foster healing, growth, and lasting well-being. Peace and Purpose Therapy is excited to announce that we are now accepting Cencal Insurance."