Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA

My passion for working in mental health care is deeply rooted in my personal and professional experiences. As a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) I hold an M.A. in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Drama Therapy from the California Institute of Integral Studies, and a B.A. from Oberlin College. I have spent the past decade working in outpatient settings, providing support to individuals navigating the trauma of substance abuse, incarceration, and violence. I have also worked extensively with members of the LGBTQIIA+ community and understand the profound impact homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia can have on mental health and access to care. These experiences have fueled my commitment to promoting healing, empowerment, and inclusive care for those who face unique and systemic challenges. To ensure that clients feel heard and understood in sessions, I approach my work from a strength-based, client-centered perspective. I believe that you are the expert on your own journey, and my role is to help you identify and uncover your strengths and resources. Together, we’ll (re)learn how to apply them to your goals while connecting with new sources of support. Throughout our work, we’ll also focus on addressing challenging relationships and exploring new ways to build meaningful connections with others, ensuring that your voice remains central in the process. Building trust and a strong therapeutic alliance with my clients is rooted in empathy, transparency, and respect for each individual’s unique journey. While I primarily use drama therapy, humanistic, and narrative techniques, I tailor our work to create a plan that best fits your needs. I firmly believe that everyone has inherent worth, a meaningful story, and valuable contributions to make in the world. My approach is collaborative, ensuring that you feel heard and understood throughout the process. Additionally, I am trained in both abstinence and harm-reduction approaches and am familiar with 12-step/Recovery language and culture.

My name is Mayra Almanza, owner and founder of Contigo Counseling Inc. I've been in the mental health field for over 10 years. My goal is to provide equitable and accessible service for all. My focus is working with BIPOC individuals who would benefit from being with a therapist that may be able to understand their experience based on that shared identity.

Do you find yourself asking “why is life so fucking hard?” Are you experiencing challenges in life or a relationship? I specialize in working with adults that are feeling like their lives or relationships are off track. I will help you identify what is important to you, how to communicate your wants and needs, and how to start aligning your life with your values. Together, we will get to know you and what’s getting in the way of living the life you want. We will develop new ways of looking at your problems and create solutions together. We will talk about who you are, what your values are, and who you want to be moving forward. I believe we can change when we feel safe, cared for, and understood. I tailor my approach to your needs to address depression or anxiety caused by trauma, relationship issues, or other life challenges. Your services are about you & what you need. I’ll help you explore your life in a way that you feel understood and safe as you learn and grow. I know that life can be overwhelming. Sometimes what we need is a place to unload & get some fresh perspective (or a kick in the ass). I started my private practice because I wanted to create a life in line with my values. Are you ready for that life? Schedule a consult & lets see if we are good fit for each other. The consult is free, and so are the jokes!

College can be a lot. Between classes, work, relationships, family expectations, finances, and trying to figure out what you want to do with your life, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, or stuck. My goal is to create a space where you can be yourself without feeling judged. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, low self-confidence, past trauma, academic stress, or major life changes, I’m here to help you work through it. Together, we’ll focus on practical tools and strategies that can help you feel more confident, balanced, and in control of your life.You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting therapy. Come as you are, and we’ll take it one step at a time.

If you are sensitive, creative, trying to do it all for yourself and for others, but lonely and stuck about how to resolve the paradox, my practice is for you. Does the following sound familiar? "I will just do everything myself. I can want others, but I mustn’t truly need them…or upset them.” I do my best work with those who can want deeper human contacts in life but who feel uncertainty or conflict about opening up fully and about serving themselves. Your gifts might include: sensory, aesthetic, and emotional sensitivity, intellectual curiosity, desire for fairness and justice, creative and spiritual / philosophical interests, teaching / writing, having ideals, enthusiasm (when interested), and a good first impression (when you feel safe and well). Still, you may have slipped into people-pleasing, social anxiety or reluctance, uncertainty about dependency and safety, disappointed or resentful exhaustion, under-assertion, quiet envy / jealousy, variable or confused boundaries, withdrawal after setbacks, perfectionism, procrastination, or unexplained body symptoms If the above sounds like what you have been feeling and trying to cope with, get in touch with me for some knowledgeable, understanding help in a safe-yet-engaging environment. I am patient, intently listening, insightful about subtleties, and gently persistent. I have faith you can develop a healthy interdependence with life and others. I am here to hang in with you as you make the time to digest help and faith and then make some new moves. It will be worth it!

My experience working directly with students in school settings has been the most meaningful and rewarding part of my professional journey. I found that I connect naturally with students and genuinely enjoy supporting their emotional, social, and academic growth. Because of my passion for this work, I consistently sought out additional opportunities to work with students and often exceeded the minimum requirements in order to gain more experience supporting them. In my work with students, I focus on providing simple, practical, and easy-to-apply tools that help them successfully reach the goals we set together in session. I strive to create a supportive and encouraging environment where students feel heard, understood, and empowered. I make it a priority to ensure they know they have someone in their corner at all times, and I approach my role as both a strong supporter and advocate for their well-being and success.

I am inspired to work in the field of mental health because I want to offer support and strategies during a challenging time. I understand how difficult it can be to reach out for help. I want to work with you to improve your circumstances. I work on being nonjudgmental so that you feel comfortable and safe enough to share your experiences with me. I welcome feedback so I can continue to offer more of what might be needed so that I can best support you. I want to meet you where you are at and pace our work together. I respect all parts of your experience and want to make sure that you feel empowered to speak up if you ever feel worried about your care.

If you feel things in a big way, you are in the right place. You may be highly sensitive, an empath, or feeling the weight of injustices. I work with creative people who feel things deeply. I support in processing trauma, anxiety, life transitions, relationship issues, people pleasing, gender expression, and sexuality. I am committed to social justice and believe mental health does not exist in a vacuum. We are influenced by the society and world around us. My approach to therapy is rooted in values of anti-oppression and acknowledging the systemic factors that impact wellbeing.

Hi there. I see you. If you’re a student of color, first in your family to pursue higher education, or carrying the weight of trauma, expectations, or unspoken struggles…you’re not alone. I specialize in working with Black, first-gen, and BIPOC students who often feel like they have to be everything for everyone, all while trying to hold it together. Maybe you’re navigating anxiety, depression, burnout, or feeling disconnected from your identity. Maybe you’re tired of code-switching, tired of pretending you’re okay, or trying to heal from experiences no one else seems to understand. In this space, you don’t have to explain your culture, your pain, or your strength. I get it, because I’ve lived it, and I’ve helped others through it. My therapy style is warm, honest, and rooted in both cultural awareness and deep respect for your story. We’ll work at your pace to help you feel more grounded, confident, and like you again, not the version of you the world expects. If faith is important to you, I can incorporate that into our work too. And if you’re just trying to figure out who you are and where you belong, that’s okay too. We’ll explore it together. This is a space for your healing, your voice, and your freedom. You don’t have to carry it alone. Healing is a journey, and I’m honored to walk with you.

Hi there! I'm a licensed clinical psychologist with a passion for helping children, teens, families, and young adults. I understand growing up can be challenging, and I’m here to help with issues like depression, anxiety, ADHD, behavioral problems, family or friendship issues, and any major life changes. I focus on approaches that are practical, supportive, and tailored to each person’s unique needs. I take the time to get to know your story, your strengths, and what genuinely helps you feel grounded. My goal is to create a space where you feel understood, cared for, and encouraged—whether that means talking things through, exploring emotions in creative ways, or breaking challenges down into manageable steps. I want our time together to feel like a team effort where you never have to face anything alone. Therapy can feel intimidating, so I strive to create a fun and welcoming space from day one. I’m passionate about early intervention and love working with kids, teens, and young adults, making our sessions engaging and enjoyable. I’d be honored to support you or your child on the path to a happy, healthy, and fulfilled life!

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Sometimes the journey of accomplishing your dreams, well, it isn't exactly as you thought it would be. Juggling academic stress, imposter syndrome, past trauma and family commitments can be overwhelming. Hi my name is Ceila (say-la) and I know too well how isolating the student experience can be, especially as a first generation college student. I hoped we can work together to help easy some of your recent struggles. I accept multiple insurances on Rula and Headway, feel free to reach out for a consultation.

I specialize in working with children, families, couples, and individual adults of all ages, addressing a variety of issues including ADHD, behavioral disruption, developmental concerns, anxiety, trauma, depression, parenting, relationship challenges, and school/career support.

Feeling stuck or overwhelmed in just one part of your life can often start to affect other aspects of your existence. Low self-esteem or depression can creep into relationships, anxiety can keep you up all night, or relationship issues can impact how well you perform in school. Your past experiences are a filter through which you see the present moment and it can sometimes feel very confusing. When you don’t want to worry your family or friends or find it just too difficult to share with them, negative thoughts can leave you feeling especially alone and isolated and as if no one could possibly understand what you're experiencing. You are not your symptoms. Being heard and seen in a safe, compassionate and culturally sensitive environment can help you make sense of how you're feeling - especially when that treatment is tailored to your needs. My priority is to empower you to reach your goals by helping heal the emotional wounds that are holding you back or causing you pain.

Therapy for college students and young adults navigating identity, stress, and life transitions, with a focus on those in creative and performance-driven environments. As a therapist with a background in entertainment and training from a performing arts college, I understand the unique pressures of balancing artistic passion with academic and personal demands. My approach is solution-focused and practical, helping clients build coping skills, strengthen self-awareness, and create sustainable balance in both their creative and everyday lives.

I understand what it is like to feel lonely, stuck, depressed, and anxious about oneself and the future. It can seem tough to move on in life when life appears to move on without you. These heavy feelings and unwanted thoughts are hard to embrace even when everything is going well. Helping others work through these times of deep feelings is very important to me. My focus is to support you as you learn to generate your own purposeful action plan and create a flexible value-directed life that matters to you. You are more than your troubled feelings and thoughts. I do this by careful listening and checking for understanding by reflecting that understanding back to you, the client. I believe trust is the creation of a safe space to reveal your hurts and dreams. If you can see that you are more than your thoughts and feelings, then you can handle uncomfortable unwanted thinking and begin to heal and believe there is hopeful successes in you future.

Promoting a healthy mental health in society is what inspires me. As a proud Latina Clinical Social Worker, I bring my cultural heritage and professional expertise to empower individuals in their healing journey ensuring they feel seen, understood, and supported. I strive to provide a supportive and affirming environment. I understand that every individual has unique needs. I ensure to assess and explore which modalities and treatment would serve most effective. I believe healing is not linear, but living a life with a better quality can be possible with the right support and direction. Creating a strong therapeutic alliance is of the upmost importance in therapy. Having a strong alliance is like having a strong foundation in a house, with a strong foundation any strong house can be built. I develop trust, rapport, connection and unconditional support striving to be the best therapist for my clients.

Life shouldn’t be this hard. You’re feeling more and more anxious and sad, perseverating on thoughts/ past issues that don’t serve you. You feel like life is passing you by. You know the kind of life you want but you can’t seem to get there. You’ve heard about mindfulness and meditation but you don’t know where to start. You want a better future for yourself that includes love, fun, meaningful school/ work and balance. There is good news. I have helped many people who’ve been sad or anxious, develop tools to help them live a life of fulfillment. Together, we'll uncover what's keeping you stuck and we will work toward rebuilding your life. You can experience happiness and contentment again. If you are ready for some real results, call or email me today. I’m happy to provide you with a free 15-minute consultation to make sure we’re a good match and you feel comfortable. I understand what you’re going through, and I know I can help. Call me today to get started.

You don't need to go through this alone. We can be there for you offering support, a second opinion, unconditional care and encouragement while we all learn to live life during this pandemic. We can do this together. Find Your Balance, Center for Growth & Change specialize in anxiety, depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Our passion is to help you create change and live life to the fullest no matter what is going on around you. We can provide services through video conferencing or telephone. Hablas's Español. We are professionally trained in evidenced based practices that will help you maximize your full potential. We will provide you with enthusiastic support, an objective perspective and the insight that you need to feel supported and the best you that you can be. When you feel alone or isolated, I'll be the one to walk with you through your journey while offering support, exploring your strengths and encouraging you to take the steps you need to create the change you want. We won't give up on you. ​

Are you feeling worried, stressed and/or overwhelmed on a regular basis? Do you often put other people's wants and needs before your own? Do you experience self-doubt or struggle with low self-esteem that leads you to feel like your thoughts, feelings and opinions are not important? If this sounds like you, you are probably also experiencing burn-out, imposter syndrome, disconnection with your body/emotions, and/or significant life-changes. You want to feel a sense of calm and assurance that you can move through your day with ease. I would be honored to walk this journey alongside you. To hold space for you, to support you and remind you that you have all the tools to lead the life you envision for yourself. If this resonates with you, please feel free to reach out!