Therapists for college students near University of Southern California

You’re trying to find your footing after a major loss, a breakup, or a life transition that’s turned everything upside down. Whatever has led you here, one thing is likely true: something has shifted and you’re left trying to make sense of it. I offer a space to process the complex layers of change including grief, transition, and identity exploration. You may be holding the weight of a loss while also trying to figure out who you are and where you’re going. That’s a heavy lift. In our work, we’ll explore how your past has shaped you, how your values can guide you, and how to build a life that both honors what you’ve lost and allows you to stay connected to hope. Through compassion, insight, and gentle challenge, I’ll help you rediscover your worth and reconnect with the parts of yourself you’ve missed. This work is personal to me. My own experiences with grief and therapy are what led me here, and they give me a lived understanding of what it’s like to rebuild after loss—not from a textbook, but from my own life. I’m not here to lead from a distance. I’m here to be with you through the work, honoring your process while drawing from what I’ve learned in my own journey. If you’re feeling lost, isolated, or unsure where to start, I want you to know—you don’t have to figure it all out alone. I’d be honored to walk alongside you. Text, call, or email today and let's take that first step together.

My purpose as a therapist is to create a healing container that enables my clients to explore the full scope of their life. Through this exploration, I gently assist my clients to learn how their past life experiences shape and impact their current life experiences and behavior. This process allows my clients to integrate their new deep understanding of themselves as a means to begin living a more fulfilling, satisfying and functional lifestyle. I am passionate about supporting my clients through this process, helping them to see that their past may have shaped them, but does not define their future. Various areas that I specialize in treating consist of; trauma, eating disorders, performance anxiety for competitive sports, and difficulties surrounding faith. “There is healing in the river of life.” This quote by MacPowell demonstrates my belief that faith can be an integral factor towards one’s journey of healing and well-being. Difficult life experiences may have one questioning how they can ever feel whole again. I help my clients to explore their faith and belief systems, and to integrate their faith into their everyday life. For those who seek it, my faith-based approach to therapy helps clients feel safe and supported. I am a certified EMDR therapist and use this approach to help my clients heal from the past and move towards a brighter future.

Are you struggling to find positivity in and around your life? You may be having a difficult time with your relationship or going through a stressful life transition. Perhaps you're experiencing more downs than ups these days. If you relate to any of these statements I'd be glad to sit down with you, because I care. I want to hear your story and your goals that may feel far away right now. Let's work together to reinvigorate you to start living life with joy again. I have extensive experience assisting adults through life's challenges and many transitions. I also provide tools to couples to help focus on strengths as couples and individuals. The therapy I provide sees our past as our stories, and that as authors of our own stories, we get to decide what the next chapter's theme will be. I want to help you write that next chapter.

As an advocate for BIPOC, Queer, Trans identities, & Women’s rights, I am passionate about providing therapeutic care that honors your unique experiences & identities. My mission is to create a welcoming environment where your voice is heard, your struggles are validated, & your growth is celebrated.

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.

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.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hi there! My name is Marisa and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT 136357) based in San Diego, California. I offer individual mental health therapy to Young Adults and Teens virtually across California, specializing in work with those who are struggling with anxiety, depression, and trauma related to relationships and life transitions. Relationships can be complex. Whether you are looking for support with managing feelings about your family or romantic relationships, setting boundaries, addressing your people pleasing behaviors, or navigating new independence, I'm here to support! It is my hope that I can provide you with a safe space to be heard, navigate these emotions and challenges, and feel empowered both independently and within your relationships. My approach to therapy is an encouraging, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive approach blended with humor and creativity that ideally allows space for you to explore emotions, feel encouraged, and develop new insights. In my free time, I enjoy running along the beach at sunrise or sunset, having a cozy day in, spontaneous picnics in the park, and am currently on the hunt for the best matcha latte in San Diego! You're welcome to reach out for a free 15 minute call to see if we're a good fit. I look forward to hearing from you!

College students are going through transitional times in their lives. They are learning how to navigate life on their own while balancing new responsibilities, changes in relationships, and the building of their adult identities. Many find themselves feeling anxious, depressed, stuck, or lost when unforeseen challenges come their way, their life expectations aren’t met, or childhood wounds become harder to ignore. I support clients with coping with current life stressors, overcoming perfectionism and people-pleasing, and processing grief and trauma from the past.

Hi there! When life gets tough or things get busy, we often we sacrifice our mental health, forgetting that being happy & healthy starts from within. Whether you are experiencing feelings of anxiety, depression, are going through a difficult life transition, or are struggling with some aspect of your life, I primarily use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Solution Focused Therapy, but also use an eclectic approach to create a collaborative and empathetic environment where we focus on your strengths & help support you to reach your goals. My goal is to help you feel validated while giving you tools & coping skills to live a better life & handle the challenges that life throws at you. I create a non-judgmental, safe, trusting environment & personalize my approach to help you reach your goals. I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist in California, that is dedicated to helping you reach your goals & build a healthier life with healthier relationships. If you are located in the state of California, I provide online therapy sessions. I look forward to speaking with you!

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of work experience across a variety of treatment settings including community based agencies, schools and medical facilities, with individuals and groups across the life span. Prior to becoming a licensed therapist, I worked for over a decade as a Medical Social Worker providing therapeutic interventions to patients with chronic illness who were dealing with the challenges of everyday life compounded by the weight of their illness. It was with this experience that I discovered my passion in helping clients struggling with depression and anxiety and that which propelled me into clinical practice. My therapy style is client-centered and strengths-based as well as collaborative and experimental. I use a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, and Psycho-education in my approach with clients. I look forward to partnering with you to help you through the difficult transitions in your life.

Hi, I'm Graham. Do you or you feel weighed down by anxiety, stress, pressure to perform, or guilt? Do everyday tasks, school, or relationships feel harder than they should? Maybe this is your first time considering therapy and you are unsure what to expect, or you feel stuck in painful patterns after a difficult or traumatic experience. You deserve a space where you can be yourself, talk openly, and not feel judged or rushed. In our work, we move at your pace, especially if therapy is new to you. Together, we will have real conversations, explore your emotions and experiences, and gently face the parts of life that feel overwhelming so you can build coping skills and confidence. I offer a calm, less structured environment where we collaborate on what matters most to you each session. Whether you are a teenager navigating school and relationships, a young adult under stress, or someone coping with trauma, you do not have to do this alone. We can walk this path together and support you in creating a more balanced, grounded life.

I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist providing virtual psychotherapy to clients throughout California. I work with children, teens, adults, and couples navigating anxiety, life transitions, relationship challenges, perfectionism, self-esteem, identity exploration, depressive symptoms, and stress. My approach is warm, collaborative, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed, integrating evidence-based therapies including CBT, EFT, ACT, mindfulness, and Gottman Method-informed couples therapy to help clients feel supported, understood, and empowered.

I am motivated by the idea that every human being deserves to be truly heard by someone they believe cares about their wellbeing. I am confident that through mindful and empathetic exploration in a safe and trusting space, many reoccurring and/or cooccurring somatic, emotional, and psychological difficulties may be better understood and processed in a way that can facilitate a deeper understanding of ourselves and the environments in which we exist. I am an existential and humanistic provider who believes that we are driven by our unconscious and because of this, past psychological, emotional, and physical injuries may leave an imprint on our psyche that can continue to interrupt our lives and reinjure us unless we can see ourselves and our part in these injurious events differently. I use an eclectic treatment style that includes many different treatment modalities such as Mindfulness, Bilateral Tapping, CBT, DBT, cognitive reframing, and MI. I have had the opportunity to work with many different socioeconomic populations from the homeless to the very wealthy with conditions ranging from addiction and obsessive disorders to depression and anxiety. They each come with an interesting and unique perspective. I come from a background of childhood trauma, abuse, and addiction. My journey began with a 9th grade education and homelessness as I traveled my road of happy destiny to a Bachelors and Masters degree with two professional licenses (LPCC & LAADC) in the state of California, and continues to unfold today. I have turned my life’s experiences into a place of wisdom and growth and have dedicated my life and career to helping others find the light in whatever darkness they are experiencing.

Hi! Welcome to my practice. I understand that seeking mental health support can be overwhelming so congrats on taking the first step to be here! I work with women who sometimes feel lots of anxiety when it comes to their relationships and connections with others. I am deeply curious about how our toxic patterns form. My goal is to support you to have a better understanding of that as well so that you may lead a happier, more fulfilling life.

We are a group practice that specializes in supporting teens who struggle with ADHD, anxiety, and self-esteem. We provide in-person services near UCSD, as well as virtual therapy sessions to students across CA.

I am a trauma-informed therapist specializing in sexual abuse, sexual assault, trauma recovery, PTSD, and chronic pelvic pain. I like to use tactile materials in session— clay, collage, knitting, sand trays, watercolor…etc. Sometimes it’s hard to sit in a room with someone and just start talking. Art is a tool we can use to ease anxiety and greet the subconscious. I don’t take too many clients, so I care deeply about each person I work with. I will remember the names of your loved ones. I will want to see pictures of your dog. I will consult with your doctors, advocate for you, and send you resources outside of session. Most of all, I will be genuinely curious to hear what you have to say. Reach out if you want a free phone consult. We can decide together if we're a good fit. You don't owe me anything and you don't have to worry about my feelings. Therapy is your sacred space— I am here to protect it.

I am passionate about helping people be the best versions of themselves. I am excited to help people find the tools to reach their personal goals along with processing the events and situations that come up in life as they arise. I have worked with clients from all walks of life and in low to high acuity environments. The tools that I support clients with can save lives and dramatically change people’s quality of life. I try to meet every client where they are at in each session, exploring the things that matter to them. I want every client that I work with to feel seen and validated from their own perspective. Trust with my clients is built through consistency and collaboration. I want everyone that I work with to feel like I am a part of their team and support network to help them navigate life’s challenges together.

Navigating Rough Waters Therapy is my private practice. I'm Dr. Lara Kennerly, PsyD, a Licensed Psychologist with over two decades of clinical experience helping adults with a wide range of mental health challenges in various treatment settings (e.g. private practice, inpatient/outpatient, College Counseling Center, onsite PSP for Correctional staff & First responders in an active disaster zone), trained in most well-known evidence-based approaches, and am also certified in several other highly specialized approaches (EFIT, CPTSD, ADHD) I offer in-person psychotherapy in Sacramento and virtual therapy sessions for clients throughout California. I work with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, PTSD, CPTSD, people pleasing, social anxiety, interpersonal difficulties, self-esteem struggles, body image issues, ADHD, OCD, perfectionism, Attachment Trauma, unprocessed pain from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE's), and other emotional challenges. My approach to therapy is Trauma-Informed, Psychodynamic, and Insight-oriented. That means we don't just focus on managing symptoms. Instead, we explore the emotional patterns and life experiences that drive how you think, feel, and relate to others. That kind of deeper work leads to real, lasting change. Many clients come to therapy because anxiety, past trauma, or chronic stress has begun affecting their emotional well-being, relationships, or sense of purpose, and are complicating current major life challenges like having to adjust to big changes in their lives or confidently make major life decision about their futures. If you are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure about the next step in your life, therapy can help you gain insight and move forward with greater emotional balance and confidence.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.