Therapists for college students near San Diego State University

You want to feel better. There's a lot of reasons for starting therapy, but they usually boil down to that. You might be feeling overwhelmed with worry, disconnected from meaningful activities and relationships, or just overwhelmed with life transitions. I want you to know that you're not alone in these feelings, and therapy can be a great way to see your problems in a new light, identify exciting new goals, and ultimately...feel better. I work from a strengths-based, client-centered, and solution focused perspective that emphasizes the healing power of the therapeutic relationship. If you're interested in working with me, or would like to know more about how therapy could help you, I invite you to contact me to set up a free consultation session to see if we're a good fit, or if I could direct you to one of my trusted colleagues. Thank you!

I have been in practice for over 16 years. I utilize CBT, ACT, Solution Focused and attachment theory. I work well with anxiety, grief and loss, phase of life issues. I also specialize on race and cultural identity, immigration, and first-generational issues. My approach is empathetic, honest and direct. I offer assistance with life transitions, grief, confidence, goal setting and achievement. By viewing your situation through a trauma informed and culturally competent lens, we will build strategies to overcome obstacles. I am very familiar with the cultural and sociological challenges that can consume our daily lives. I am familiar with the stigma attached to therapy and the perception of weakness that can be associated with seeking treatment. In reality, true strength comes from the ability to recognize and acknowledge you need help.

Combining the imagination of a poet with the skills of a psychologist, Dr. Owen (she/her) is an engaged and active listener. She sees the goal of therapy as helping students reduce current distress, resolve symptoms, and enhance their sense of passion and purpose. Dr. Owen uses insight-oriented and existential perspectives to deepen conversations, including informed consideration of family, societal, racial, gender/sexual orientation, and cultural dynamics that may be impacting you. This approach helps provide a through-line of inquiry across sessions. To help people start feeling better in the short-term, Dr. Owen uses the skill-sets of cognitive-behavioral therapy, trauma-informed practice, mindfulness, and somatic work to address things impacting your ability to function in school and to work toward feeling better day to Dr. Owen is a secular therapist who also specializes in working with exvangelicals—people who have grown up in or left fundamentalist religious churches or spiritual groups—as well as anyone who is on a path of deconstruction, i.e., deeply examining their religious/spiritual beliefs or faith. Dr. Owen has been in academia herself, having worked at a community college, a state university, and a small, highly selective liberal arts college, so she understands things unique to academia you may be struggling with. Common issues include navigating political issues with graduate students, undergrad challenges such as choosing a major and dating, worries about career, and working through cultural and identity issues. For students residing in Hawai’i, Dr. Owen is able to accept HMSA insurance.

I was inspired to become a therapist through my genuine interest in understanding people and supporting them during difficult moments in their lives. I’ve always believed that with the right support, insight, and compassion, people are capable of growth and meaningful change. Being a therapist allows me to walk alongside others as they navigate challenges, discover their strengths, and work toward a life that feels more balanced and fulfilling. I focus on creating a space where you feel safe, respected, and genuinely listened to. I do this through active listening, asking thoughtful questions, and reflecting back what I hear to ensure I understand your experiences accurately. I also check in regularly to make sure our work feels helpful and aligned with your goals. Therapy is collaborative, and your voice guides the process. My role is to support you with curiosity, compassion, and consistency so you feel heard and understood throughout our work together. Working together looks collaborative, supportive, and paced to your comfort level. We start by building trust through consistency, transparency, and respect, making sure you understand the process and feel safe asking questions or sharing feedback. I work to create a nonjudgmental space where your experiences are honored, and we move at a pace that feels right for you. Over time, trust grows as you feel heard, supported, and see our work align with your goals and needs.

My interest in mental health began from a desire to understand how our experiences shape who we are. This curiosity grew into a passion for helping others explore these influences, gain deeper insight, and create healthier ways of relating to themselves and the people around them. The more we understand ourselves, the more we can understand others. Whether you’re coming to therapy during a difficult time or seeking support for accountability and personal growth, what matters most is simply showing up for yourself. That act of showing up can be one of the hardest things we do. Yet it is also essential, not only for your own well-being, but for your ability to show up more fully for the people and things you care about. I view therapy as an act of kindness toward yourself, an intentional pause to check in, look inward, and take meaningful steps toward becoming your best self. Over time, this process can create a ripple effect of growth, both within yourself and across all areas of your life.

Feeling overwhelmed by exams, relationships, or just life in general? I've got you covered. I'm Sharon, a licensed therapist, and I'm here to help you navigate the ups and downs of college life. Whether you're dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship drama, or just need someone to talk to, I'm here to listen and support you. In our sessions, you'll find a judgment-free zone where you can be yourself and work through whatever's on your mind. We'll use proven techniques like CBT and ACT to tackle your challenges head-on. Plus, with the flexibility of in-person or online sessions, fitting therapy into your busy schedule has never been easier. Let's work together to make your college experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Ready to get started? Reach out today, and let's chat!

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Welcome! My name is Hannah (she/her/hers). I’m an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. My passion lies in fostering healing and resilience, particularly for survivors of childhood abuse, sexual assault, abusive relationships, mass violence, religious trauma and other traumatic experiences. I also work with clients struggling with attachment issues and mood disorders. For couples, I offer emotion-focused and psychodynamic couples therapy. I have extensive experience providing therapy to individuals and couples. I base my work in Psychodynamic Therapy and Existential-Humanistic Therapy. I also use Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure and Schema Therapy. I am currently training in EMDR and Hypnotherapy. I aim to provide comprehensive support tailored to each individual’s needs. At the core of my approach is a commitment to understanding each client’s unique experiences and worldviews, shaping a therapeutic journey that cultivates authenticity, meaning, and growth. It’s truly an honor to walk alongside clients on their path to healing.

Do you feel controlled by anxiety or OCD? Feeling like you have to constantly seek reassurance or perform rituals to feel better? These disorders operate on what is called a Vicious Cycle: 1) encounter trigger/obsessive thought 2) experience distress 3) engage in compulsions or safety behavior/s, which leads to 4) relief. The frustrating part about this cycle is that the relief is short-lived. Before you know it, the obsessive fear and compulsions are back, taking up more time and mental resources to cope. The good news is that together, we can end the cycle and find long-term relief. Treating OCD and Anxiety disorders require specialized training and experience. I have trained under internationally recognized psychologists, Dr. Jenny Yip and Dr. Eda Gorbis. I have worked with clients at all levels of care, including IOP, PHP, and outpatient. Currently, I provide individual and family outpatient treatment for those aged 10+, in person and via telehealth. I know therapy can be a challenging endeavor, that's why I aim to cultivate a warm and collaborative therapeutic environment, where we can defeat your OCD and Anxiety together! Feel free to reach out for a complimentary 30-minute consultation.

Meaningful relationships are an essential part of fulfillment and happiness. I believe in the unique power of the relationship that develops between therapist and client. Through an exploration of this interaction, we can more wholly understand your past and current relationships and help shape future experiences. I work with people who are struggling in a variety of ways and are ready to dig in and do some difficult and deeply powerful work that will lead to greater choice and freedom. I view my opportunity to join individuals in their journey toward self-understanding as a great privilege and find the work exciting and gratifying. I am committed to working with culturally diverse individuals, couples, and families from every walk of life. While much of my experience has been centered on work within the LGBTQ community, I strive to create an open and affirmative space for all. I am particularly effective working with adults, young adults, and adolescents. Through my training at Stanford University and University of Chicago, I feel uniquely capable in addressing issues surrounding identity, work, and school. I provide individual, couple, and family psychotherapy at my office in Hayes Valley.

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I work with folks navigating various life and identity-related stressors, significant life changes, trauma, depression, and anxiety. Being in school comes with its own unique challenges, while daily personal and global issues are still showing up and impacting us. I've worked with folks from many walks of life, and have extensive experience supporting people in the LGBTQIA2S+ community. My modalities encompass various forms of talk therapy, as well as somatic therapy, ecotherapy, and Brainspotting.

My primary focus is meeting every client’s need to be seen, valued, and heard. I believe first and foremost in establishing a positive relationship and from there continuing to meet needs as continued levels of respect and trust are established. It is my goal to meet someone where they are at, and therefore different techniques will be helpful for different people. There are times where direct, actionable steps are appropriate, and there are times when what you really need is to sit and process your feelings. I can help navigate these things with you and give you the tools to go forward confidently.

ADHD is more than just "having difficulty focusing," and no, not "everyone has a little bit of ADHD" as many people claim nowadays. The impact of ADHD is pervasive and can keep you from reaching your goals, connecting with others, maintaining a routine despite knowing that it would be helpful, and constantly "masking" for fear that you will not be accepted as you are. Life administrative tasks feel daunting and get postponed repeatedly, and the negative self-talk that ensues as a result takes a further toll and increases avoidance. I can help you understand the brain science of ADHD, incorporate aspects of mindfulness, somatic work, and other modalities to overcome these challenges, and regain your mental energy. You'll learn to work with your neurodivergence, NOT against it. I work from an anti-oppressive, anti-racist, lens and am mindful about how culture, immigration journeys and systemic racism play a role in how someone compensates for their ADHD.

Feeling alone, gripped in anxiety and despair and other painful emotions, you might not think that anyone could possibly understand or help. As an experienced mental health professional, I know how to listen to your unique story and how to help you disentangle from the symptoms that are holding you back. Using intuitive listening skills and coming from a place of deep empathy, I will work with you, teaching you how to integrate new thinking and being skills into your life. Using Acceptance and Integration Training and depth psychotherapy, along with my extensive experience with a wide variety of people, I will help you feel better and get back on your feet towards living the life you want. I aim to help you discover your own unique inner wisdom, building awareness and emotional health for life. I work with each client individually and collaboratively to create long-term and short-term goals. For many clients the goals often include disentangling from anxiety and depression symptoms. This includes building new skills and habits that can be used on a daily basis to feel good and to prevent the symptoms from reoccurring. My clients report feeling peaceful, powerful, whole, hopeful and grounded after a session of Acceptance and Integration techniques.

College can be a time of deep change and self-discovery, but it can also feel overwhelming, isolating, or uncertain. You might be navigating anxiety, grief, family challenges, creative blocks, or a sense of being stuck. Maybe you feel disconnected from yourself or unsure of your path. If you’re carrying a lot but don’t know where to put it, therapy can be a place to set things down, breathe, and figure out what comes next. I specialize in working with students who are introspective, creative, and thoughtful—those who feel things deeply and want to make sense of their experiences. Whether you’re struggling with self-doubt, life transitions, perfectionism, or the weight of unspoken emotions, I offer a space to explore, heal, and reconnect with your inner wisdom. My approach is warm, down-to-earth, and collaborative. Together, we work at your pace, uncovering patterns that no longer serve you and finding ways to move forward with clarity and self-trust. Our work may include mindfulness, creative expression, or simply meaningful conversations that help you feel more grounded.

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Throughout most of our culture boys are not given much opportunity to explore their inner worlds, identify and express emotions or encouraged to build supportive and robust social networks. As these boys become men it leaves them lacking skills to know when and how to reach out for support. This is where I come in. I help guide young men through life's challenges by teaching skills that will help them in all facets of their life. Tired of feeling stuck, alone and not knowing how or what to change. Book your free consult through my website and let's see if working together is the best next step for you. No need to go it alone anymore.

I am a deep heart healer. Clients come to me to support in clearing and transforming the parts of them which are deeply wounded. I work with clients from an intuitive and trauma-informed perspective. My work extends beyond the mental and emotional into the energetic and spiritual realms. I believe we all carry trauma whether it is collective, individual, or ancestral. I connect with clients throughout the lifespan. Words are one source of healing, but healing can also occur without words. Through creativity, play, and energy psychology techniques, we can shift and heal. We can experience deep healing as a child, adolescent, and adult. Whatever you are holding, you do not need to hold it alone. Your whole self is welcome. Nature is my greatest teacher. I often find answers that inspire and guide the way I work and live in nature. Working with me, opens you to rest in your own truth, move through deep healing, and return to connection – internally and beyond. I would be grateful to walk with you during this part of your journey.

Hello. I work with adults, families and couples. My training and expertise are treating anxiety, depression, relationship/family/in-law issues, psychosis, personality disorders, life transition, immigrations and identity exploration. My therapy styles are warm, client centered, emotional focused. I share with my clients a lot that "You want to make sure you feel comfortable talking to me." It is true because therapy is personal. As a first generation immigrant and my life experiences, it has led me to choose social work as my career and passion and it also shaped the person I am today. It’s my hope to use all the skills I have to explore with you and provide guidance on whatever stage you are in at the moment.