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Therapists for college students near San Francisco State University

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Dexter Mai
Pre-Licensed Professional
Sunnyvale, CA

Are you feeling overwhelmed by your emotions? Have you experienced childhood, family, or identity trauma that has left you feeling stressed and anxious? Or perhaps you're simply looking to understand yourself better and lead a happier life. If any of these resonate with you, I can help. I have five years of experience working in various clinical settings, including suicide hotlines, community mental health, sexual health clinics, and hospitals. Through my experiences, I have developed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals seeking mental health care, especially with AAPIs, young adults, immigrants, and the LGBTQ population. As a Taiwanese American who immigrated to America at 12 years old, I have firsthand experience of the challenges individuals from immigrant communities face. I also understand the unique challenges faced by the LGBTQ population, and I'm committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all of my clients. In my work, I view my clients from a social justice lens and address systemic issues that impact mental health. I utilize a range of therapeutic approaches to help my clients achieve their goals. As a trauma-informed therapist, I recognize that the effects of trauma can be pervasive and long-lasting, and I work collaboratively with my clients to develop a treatment plan that is tailored to their unique needs. I also incorporate Brainspotting and EMDR into my work to support clients in processing their trauma. I also offer video games and virtual reality (VR) therapy to help you explore your strengths, manage your moods, and devise solutions to overcome your challenges. These innovative approaches can be especially helpful for clients who are seeking a more interactive and immersive therapy experience. Together, we can work towards building a happier and more fulfilling life. So if you're ready to take the first step, I encourage you to schedule a 15-minute phone call with me today.

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Paige Walters
Marriage & Family Therapist
Santa Rosa, CA

Hi, I'm Paige - it's nice to meet you! I am a licensed therapist in California with multiple years of professional experience, dedicated to supporting individuals on their journey toward healing and personal growth. I specialize in helping clients navigate stress, anxiety, trauma, abuse, self-esteem, motivation, confidence, and life transitions. We will build your resilience together! My philosophy is to meet each client exactly where they are at, and adapting our therapy relationship to fit their needs. I wholeheartedly believe that as a therapist, I am just a guide during your journey rather than a leader. With a person-centered approach, I adapt to what works best for you, weaving in different modalities to support your journey. We’ll navigate the hard stuff together, honor your resilience, and yes, probably share a few laughs along the way. Healing doesn’t have to be lonely—you don’t have to do it alone. I am a partner with Headway - if we work together, we will use their platform!

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Gail Shen, Ph.D.
Psychologist
Los Altos, CA

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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Kristen Silva
Marriage & Family Therapist
Bakersfield, CA

Do you ever feel like no matter what you do, it’s never enough? Maybe you’re caught in cycles of people-pleasing, anxiety, or perfectionism—always showing up for others but still questioning your own worth. On the outside you may look like you’re holding it together, but inside you’re exhausted. If you long for authentic relationships and the confidence to feel secure in yourself, therapy can help. Our work together is deeper than surface-level talk therapy. Through IFS and a warm, supportive approach, I’ll help you uncover the root of what’s keeping you stuck. Clients often say I bring a calming, compassionate presence while also gently challenging them to see things in new ways. I specialize in helping high-achievers in Bakersfield and across California heal the roots of shame, anxiety, and people-pleasing. My goal is for you to feel more confident, connected, and at peace with yourself. If you’re ready to take that first step toward lasting change, I’d be honored to walk alongside you.

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Esmé Edwards
Pre-Licensed Professional
Los Angeles, CA

We all come into therapy for our own reasons. Whatever may have brought you into the room, you will find a compassion based space for growth, self discovery and inner work. Therapy is a collaborative act, where we can explore both who you are and why. I utilize a non-oppressive and non-judgmental approach. I see the therapeutic relationship as a microcosm of your relationships in other areas. We will discuss the therapeutic relationship, examine rupture, and identify patterns in the therapeutic space. I am engaging, intuitive and open to discuss the latest episode of Love is Blind or True Detective.

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Stephanie Pappas
Marriage & Family Therapist
Irvine, CA

You want to appear successful & like you have it “all together” but deep down are struggling to feel confident in who you are and are struggling with past challenging experiences. You may be fed up with making mistakes and feeling like a failure - leading to being isolated and disappointed. You might not even remember a time things didn’t feel this way. But one thing is for sure: you’re ready for some relief. You’re ready to manage stress effectively. You’re ready to overcome your overwhelming thoughts. Most of all, you’re ready to feel empowered and confident to take on life’s high and lows. Clients come to me looking for a therapist who can be a place of connection and vulnerability, because therapy should be a place where you feel safe and seen. Sessions with focus on developing life skills through self-reflection and connection. Together, we create meaningful relationships with others, navigate stress, and discover empowerment. And we always go at your pace, never pushing to a place you don’t feel ready to be. As an experienced young adult therapist, I believe that you are worthy of a place to release your emotions, be understood, and given the tools to not only survive, but thrive. You don’t have to continue to struggle in managing it all, and you don’t have to do it alone. Call me today for a 15 minute consult call. I can’t wait to hear from you.

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Hannah Grant
Marriage & Family Therapist
Marina del Rey, CA

Hi, I’m Hannah. I have extensive experience supporting college students as they navigate challenges like anxiety, performance anxiety, self-esteem, emotional regulation, and relationships. My approach is collaborative and authentic, and clients often describe me as down-to-earth and attentive, meeting them where they are and moving at a pace that feels right for them.

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MentalPaz Therapy and Wellness
Marriage & Family Therapist
Long Beach, CA

Your mind never stops running, yet you still feel “behind.” You're juggling so much—college, career, relationships, identity, or maybe even starting a family. Add in anxiety, the weight of expectations, or ADHD and it can all feel like too much. There is an easier way. Let me help you find it. I’ll provide a culturally affirming, trauma-informed space where we work with who you are—not against it. Together, we'll develop strategies to manage overwhelm, improve focus, and quiet that inner critic. Our work will be collaborative, compassionate, and rooted in curiosity. My goal is to help you experience more calm, confidence, and clarity in your daily life. I'm Nicole Castillo, MA LMFT—founder of MentalPaz, Latina therapist, new mama, and young breast cancer survivor who gets what it's like to balance identity, ambition, and healing. With over a decade of experience, I couldn’t be more passionate about working in solidarity with my clients. Ready to stop figuring it all out alone? Reach out for a free consultation. Let's chat!

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Anahid Mosala
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Los Angeles, CA

Anxiety, depression and trauma can have a ripple effect throughout your whole life felt far beyond the obvious symptoms themselves. Perhaps you experience a paralyzing level of perfectionism ruled by lists and tasks or maybe you overschedule yourself to avoid thinking and feeling. Trauma can manifest itself in many ways and can have a significant impact on your daily life. In my practice, I specialize in working with young adults, individuals with childhood trauma and adult survivors of sexual and gender based violence with a focus on navigating daily life, relationships and boundaries to overcome these difficulties. I utilize a trauma informed approach and empower clients to be the expert of their own experience. My role is to provide the tools and support needed to reach collaboratively set goals. I pull from various evidence based practices to create a unique treatment approach for each client. Additionally, I'm in training to be an AASECT certified sex therapist. While I speak German, Armenian and Farsi, all services are provided in English. Therapy is a unique and highly vulnerable environment that can be intimidating to navigate at first. I am happy to schedule an initial free 15 minute consultation call to discuss your concerns and to determine if I am the best fit for your needs.

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Donna Scott
Marriage & Family Therapist
San Diego, CA

You want to heal your past but you don’t know how to do it alone. You want to be able to talk about what you have been through or are facing now without blame or shame. What would it be like to feel better in your relationship with yourself, with your partner, and with God? I offer the benefit of my professional experience and training combined with compassion and insight from God’s Word. Through counseling I can facilitate healing, improved communication, increase connection, and understanding.

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Kaitlyn Hensley
Marriage & Family Therapist
Thousand Oaks, CA

I believe that therapy is a place where you can put your protective armor down and have permission to be your most authentic self. My hope is to hold a safe space where you can navigate through the challenges that life throws at us, especially when the pressure to hold everything together becomes too heavy and overwhelming.

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Trisha Wallis
Psychologist
Sacramento, CA

Specializing in working with transgender, gender non-binary clients, and those questioning and exploring their gender identity. Work with people across the lifespan, with a wide range of stressors. I also enjoy working with neurodiverse people.

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NQ Therapy, Inc.
Group practice
Hermosa Beach, CA

If you are neurodivergent or queer, you may feel like you have to hide your true self in fear of being rejected by others. You often mimic others to fit in, hide your true self, and strive for perfection to gain acceptance. Simply for being yourself, you're labeled as "weird," "strange," or "different," leading to deep feelings of isolation. If you're figuring out your differences or struggling with your needs, there is a way to go from just getting by to doing well. Clients come to me for help understanding their autism, ADHD, or queer identity. They value my knowledge in neurodivergence and LGBTQ+ issues. I strongly support you in embracing and discovering your true self, standing by you throughout your journey. The right therapist for you listens without judgment or projecting normative expectations. Working together, you'll release long-suppressed tears and gain 'aha!' insights into your past and present. Email me for a free 15-minute consultation to see if I'm the right fit for you!

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Lauren Dean
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Bakersfield, CA

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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Ninnette Gutierrez
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
South Pasadena, CA

Navigating life’s challenges can leave you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about making difficult choices. If you seek to regain balance, find direction, build resiliency, make meaningful change, and find deep self-connection, then I'm glad you’re here. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 20+ years of experience, I specialize in supporting BIPOC and Latinx individuals and families to overcome trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship and parenting struggles. I will guide you through the therapy process and support you in finding solutions, inner peace, and new connections within yourself and with others. My approach combines empathy, mindfulness, and somatic practices to support healing and growth. I am trauma-informed and incorporate mindfulness-based techniques, Brainspotting, Trauma Resiliency Model, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Together, we’ll strengthen your mind-body connection and empower you with tools to build resilience and thrive. Therapy is a space for authenticity, safety, and self-discovery. Together, we’ll explore challenges and create strategies to support your growth. If you’re ready to step into healing with warmth and compassion, I’m here to guide you. Let’s embark on this journey toward your empowered and grounded self. Let's connect!

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Katherine Warner
Marriage & Family Therapist
Palo Alto, CA

Sometimes it takes the gentle mirroring of another person to help see what is no longer working in our lives. Habits formed to survive difficult childhoods may be wrecking havoc. Communication styles may be sabotaging love. We may feel overwhelmed or face a big life transition. I work closely with my clients to increase skills. I love to teach about nervous system regulation and how you can stay calm and effective during conflict, difficult conversations, and life transitions. From therapy you’ll learn to operate from wholeness and authenticity, and gain acceptance for self/others. In addition to being a therapist, I formerly taught high school Seniors. I loved working with Seniors and helping them mark the transition from high school to college as their own unique rite of passage. I know this transition and college can be quite stressful and overwhelming. Together we can explore and discover more of who you are during this important developmental phase of life. I am passionate about helping people feel a greater sense of connection and meaning in their lives, and can utilize a variety of interventions and practices. My style is warm, direct, humorous, playful, curious, and empathetic. I offer a free 20 min consultation to ensure we are a good fit and to answer any questions. Feel free to reach out to schedule that. Some of my areas of expertise are trauma, OCD, anxiety, depression, and life transitions.

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Amanda Berney
Psychologist
Santa Rosa, CA

Many young adults are emerging from the direct and constant influence of parents or guardians, into a space where they have more control and responsibility for their own lives. In this stage of life, we are discovering who we are independent of those early influences and developing our own personal worldview. We are exploring new relationships and new interests as we prepare to launch into the workforce and set ourselves up for the future. With everything that is going on, you might be feeling intense stress or pressure. Maybe you feel like you’ve taken a wrong turn, are uncertain about next steps, or need a place to explore your possibilities. Many young people realize that they’ve been impacted by something in their past that they feel ready to explore or find freedom from. Perhaps you’ve discovered something about yourself in relationships with others that you’d like to understand better or change. Whatever your goals are, therapy provides a confidential, non-judgmental space to work through your experiences, discover your personal strengths and learn to choose a future that feels exciting for you.

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Rhonda Ince
Marriage & Family Therapist
Shafter, CA

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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ACO Psychology Inc.
Pre-Licensed Professional
San Diego, CA

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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Changing Minds INC
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Citrus Heights, CA

Changing Minds Inc is a behavioral healthcare practice designed to be client-centered and focused. We strive to offer quality care that is driven by the needs of the individual and facilitated by competent therapists. We offer individuals a place to begin their individual journey to self-determination and self-actualization.

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