Therapists for college students near University of Southern California
Kelly Medina
From the day to day stressors to the more complex traumas, we can all use a safe space to process our experiences and get a sense of control over our lives. I am so glad you took the time to seek out support, which can be the hardest part of the process. I consider my therapeutic approach to be personable, genuine, and individualized to your needs. I like to support my clients through their own self discoveries and problem solving, which can look different for everyone. Additionally, I believe in a collaborative approach to be able to create a realistic treatment plan. I start by building a relationship with each client since it is proven that a positive therapeutic alliance is vital to progress in treatment. I use a variety of modalities and techniques including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), solution-focused therapy, and mindfulness practices. My goal as a therapist is to provide a judgment-free zone to be able to explore, reflect and provide insight on different levels of issues that can lead us to therapy. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.
Tina Ahmed
I work to help clients change stuck patterns and feel empowered in their lives, as well to teach skills for managing mental health symptoms and overwhelming life experiences. Empowerment, safety, and wholeheartedness. These are the values that drive my work. I use a holistic approach to focus on individual strengths and needs. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.
Stanly Tran
My aim is to help clients understand how their history and programming influences patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior. When insight and self-awareness of these patterns is established, we will develop ways to shift the combination of these things in a direction that is consistent with what is important or helpful. My experience has primarily been in a variety of outpatient mental health settings, including community mental health, intensive outpatient/partial hospitalization program, primary care integration, and private practice. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.
Jaimi Martin
Life brings challenges that leave us feeling overwhelmed, lost, and maybe even a little stressed. We all can use some support and guidance during these rough patches in our life. I get that. In my practice I offer another way of looking at these obstacles, while rediscover your strengths and welcome your vulnerabilities. My approach to healing is warm, and compassionate. I utilize holistic, humanistic and mindfulness approaches. Using modalities like EMDR, I can help clients heal from trauma, anxiety, depression, and navigate life’s transitions. As a therapist I offer practical tools to reduce stress and build positive coping skills while building self-esteem, so you can face life challenges. You can learn more about me at https://womanhoodcounseling.com
Kim Olson
I am especially interested in assisting clients through major life transitions: adolescent to adult, individual to family, parent to empty nest. I create a treatment plan specific to each client’s unique life situation and personal goals, and I believe in meeting my clients where they are in life in order to address the issues most critical to them. My approach is goal-oriented and solution-focused, and I believe that a collaborative approach works best for those seeking guidance for a better balanced, more fulfilling life. My approach to therapy is a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps change negative thought patterns, and Interpersonal Therapy, which helps clients discover patterns in their life that have kept them from realizing their full potential. I am a therapist at Octave, a behavioral health practice creating a new standard for mental health care that’s both high-quality and accessible. To learn more about my availability, please reach out to our Client Experience team by emailing or calling.
Phyu-Phoebe Htut
I believe that each of us are experts in our lives and my goal in therapy is to support people finding meaning and purpose in their lives by providing safe and non-judgement space. One of my favorite quotes in life is “I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become” by Carl G. Jung. I like to work collaboratively with my clients by using strengths-based, attachment focus and the client-centered approach to achieve their individual goals in life. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.
Taylor Keller
My style is an honest approach to a client-centered model that allows for the client to guide the direction with my support. Together we can navigate through some of today’s hurdles and stress such as depression/anxiety, trauma, relationship/communication issues, loss/grief/bereavement, and family conflict. With the mutual understanding that we may not be able to change certain aspects of our life, I am here to help you process, adjust expectations, cope, improve communication skills, set boundaries, and strengthen your resilience. My skillset utilizes Cognitive Behavioral and Solution Focused Techniques, Motivational Interviewing, and a Strength-Based approach. My goal is to help clients identify and remove barriers that may be hindering a healthier and improved life by working to increase optimism, self-awareness, and maintenance for a strong sense of self. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.
Kayla Rodriguez
Hey, I’m Kayla If you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, burnt out, or like your brain just won't turn off — you're not alone. Whether you're navigating adulting, college pressure, trauma, identity stuff, or mental health struggles that won’t go away, I’m here to help you figure it out — step by step. I work with young adults (18–24) who are dealing with anxiety, depression, past trauma, substance use, or just a general feeling of “what now?” Therapy with me is a collaborative space where you can explore your story, build practical tools, and feel more in control of your life — without judgment. My Therapy Style My approach is real, supportive, and skills-based. I’ll meet you where you are — no pressure to “fix” anything overnight. You’ll find that I’m curious, empathetic, and genuine — I believe in showing up as a human, not a cold clinical voice. We'll look at what's working and what’s not, figure out how your past may be influencing your present, and build tools to help you manage stress, emotions, and relationships more confidently. We'll look at what's working and what’s not, figure out how your past may be influencing your present, and build tools to help you manage stress, emotions, and relationships more confidently. <script src="https://thrivingcampus.com/verified.js?pid=42376"></script>
Susan Sosa
Goals for therapy may include (changing behaviors; improving relationships with friends or family; managing depression, anxiety, or anger; increasing motivation, decreasing self-destructive behaviors; and developing healthy coping strategies for life). With over 20 years of experience, my approach to therapy is based on the idea that the most important ingredient in psychotherapy is the relationship that develops between the therapist and the patient. The patient must feel comfortable, safe and understood. This type of trusting environment motivates the exploration of self and enables individuals to reach their full personal potential (self-actualization). I draw upon evidence-based practices including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Mindfulness. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.
Lisa Robertson Veyssiere
My clinical experience specifically includes working with the families of individuals with a severe mental illness diagnosis, bereavement counseling (including situations of violent or traumatic loss), and infertility. I also work with individuals who are anticipating or experiencing stress related to high-conflict divorce. I work with clients who have generally crafted an intentional life, often one marked by good judgment, predictably optimistic outcomes, and plenty of agency. A life that works… right up until it doesn’t. I have a special place in my heart for clients who would rather be doing almost anything else with their time than go to therapy. If you are someone who has an aversion to dredging up slings and arrows, I can relate. My clinical orientation is psychodynamic and eclectic; some clients might want to engage in psychotherapy, which can be a longer-term process, but many clients, especially those experiencing grief, are relieved to learn that short-term and solution-focused counseling are often highly effective. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.
Ross Edward Farley III
I have spent many years working with a number of different populations, from Autism Spectrum Disorders to Eating and Feeding Disorders. The beauty of working in mental health for almost half my life is that I truly believe in the power of the therapeutic process and how we address the things in life that are no longer functional. The root cause of the distress is my focus because it demands such intricate and tactful navigation. When it comes to therapy, I believe in the power of the therapeutic relationship. I also believe in client accountability and responsibility in the therapeutic process. When we address the things in life which are no longer working, we are making a conscious choice to do something different. If there is a desire to enact real change, and to work diligently to enact said change, then I am here and ready to work alongside. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.
Amy Votta-Fierro
With over 20 years of experience as a mental health practitioner and advocate in the field of social services, I bring a strength-based, solution-focused approach to my work, identifying achievable goals as we navigate your growth and healing together. I provide a supportive and compassionate space to address, explore, and process life's transitions and stressors, while building upon your resiliency. Therapy is an individualized journey and partnership between us. One in which I strive to assist you in identifying effective coping and self-care strategies to live your most authentic, joyful life. Goals stem from your inner guidance, wisdom, and sense of self. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.
Brent Batty
For 20 years, I've worked with adults who have experienced anxiety, depression, stress, low self-esteem, and low self-worth. I am passionate about working with teens and adults by creating a safe space to honor my client's experiences and expertise in themselves. I help clients improve their self-esteem and self-worth through validating and supporting my clients as experts of themselves and deepening their compassionate relationships with themselves through boundaries, modifying core beliefs, and engaging in self-care. My clients tell me that I have a calming presence, and that I'm easy to talk to. There is always a different way to look at things, and I offer a hopeful, positive, and realistic outlook. I include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused, Person-Centered and additional therapies that are tailored to each person in your therapy journey. I work together with my clients to create a space for further self-exploration, self-love, and healing. I believe that we want to be loved, accepted, respected, feel listened to and understood. I am non-judgmental and accepting when someone feels safe enough to share their story or experiences with me. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.
Sahiba Chandhok
My therapeutic approach seeks to help people gain a deeper understanding of themselves, a shift that begins within our therapeutic relationship and progressively extends into daily life. I utilize evidence-based therapies to help people better understand the problems they are facing, and believe therapy is most helpful when customized to meet an individual’s personality and goals. My treatment style is collaborative, and I strive to create an inviting space. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.
James White
If you are a spiritual/religious person, I am committed to helping you use the articles of your faith as a resource in a respectful way, but I do not approach therapy from a religious framework. I am open and accepting of LGBTQ+. I have been doing psychotherapy full time for over 3 decades, so I am a seasoned therapist. My first training was Cognitive-Behavioral, and it remains foundational to how I work with clients, but with experience I have incorporated parts of many other approaches, so "eclectic" is a label that also fits. I believe that education is important early in the therapy process, helping clients identify "what problem(s) are my symptoms trying to solve?" Utilizing our ability to think accurately is basic to constructing approaches to our challenges that are most likely to be successful. I am NOT a passive therapist who will sit with you while you "find your answers within." I've spent my career trying to find out what approaches work best in dealing with our challenges, and I like to think I have found some. I will actively share my thoughts as we explore your life issues. I will use humor in the therapeutic process so if you are looking for a "deadly serious at all times" therapist, I may not be a good fit for you. Ultimately, I am responsible for my "side of the street" in therapy, providing tools, insights, and respectful support with integrity. My clients' "side of the street" include being as open and honest as possible in session, and as brave as possible as you try new (and probably uncomfortable) things in order to improve your life. My best wishes for you to have a successful therapeutic journey. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.
Olajumoke Adeyemi
Hi, I’m Olajumoke Adeyemi, a dual board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and Family Nurse Practitioner (NP-C). I offer integrated mental health care, combining talk therapy, medication management, and compassionate support. I work with women, adults, and young adults facing emotional pain, life transitions, trauma, and identity challenges. My goal is to help you feel supported and empowered to rediscover your voice and capacity to thrive. I address concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, grief, and relationship issues. I also offer Christian counseling. I have a relational, integrative, and trauma-informed approach, meeting you where you are and collaborating on your goals. My therapy style is warm and down-to-earth, blending modalities like CBT, ACT, and mindfulness. I also provide psychiatric evaluations and medication management for a comprehensive approach to your care. In our sessions, you can expect an honest, gentle, and safe space to unpack what's weighing on you. We'll explore root causes, develop coping tools, and gain clarity for a more connected and authentic life. I am passionate about human connection and healing, and my own experiences shape my approach. I advocate for accessible, culturally affirming mental health care. Healing is possible, and you don’t have to walk the path alone. If this resonates, please reach out. I’d be honored to support you.
Cecilia Spero
I’m a therapist with an overall strength-based perspective, certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I believe people function and perform their best when they learn to identify, value, and utilize their natural strengths as part of a plan towards overcoming barriers in life. While I typically draw from a variety of research-based modalities, depending on each client’s unique situation, I find CBT to be a very empowering form of therapy for clients that are motivated to take a proactive role in their treatment. As a therapist, my own biggest strengths are my education & training in evidence-based practice, paired with a creative mindset, from which I draw some unique perspectives & strategies to offer my clients. I have genuine respect for people seeking help for themselves and I truly enjoy working with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. I am a therapist at Octave, a behavioral health practice creating a new standard for mental health care that’s both high-quality and accessible. To learn more about my availability, please reach out to our Client Experience team by emailing or calling.
Nahid Fattahi
As a clinician I work mainly from behavioral and psychodynamic perspectives, relying on training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to support clients in healing painful experiences, managing stress, other mental health struggles, and relationship issues. Prior to becoming a therapist, I worked as a Marketing and Project Manager in Silicon Valley’s high-tech industry, having that experience has helped me to also have a successful track record in working with professionals facing job stress, addiction issues, and burnout — some of whom want to make big changes in their careers. In addition, I have lived in different parts of the world, and I’m trilingual (English/Farsi/Hindi), so my professional and personal life experiences as a secular Muslim woman have helped to build my therapeutic framework for engaging diverse clients and to continue to provide therapy from a cultural humility perspective. Furthermore, I teach the psychology of human sexuality and geriatric psychology as an adjunct professor at Pacific Oaks College, and in my spare time, I write for Psychology Today and other media platforms. As a psychotherapist, my goal is to develop a collaborative relationship where each client feels empowered to act as an expert in developing effective coping skills, manage anxiety, depression, navigate difficult life transitions, and enhance communication skills and relationships. I am a therapist at Octave, a behavioral health practice creating a new standard for mental health care that’s both high-quality and accessible. To learn more about my availability, please reach out to our Client Experience team by emailing or calling.
Michael Leone-Aldrich
College can be an incredibly stressful time. Whether you are far away from where you grew up, living at home and commuting to school, or living on campus, there is an overwhelming amount of transition that happens once high school ends. Not only are you deciding what you want to do with your life and juggling schoolwork, but you are also figuring out who you are and who you want to spend your time with. This is a time where you may be able to truly be yourself for the first time in your life, where you can have a clean slate to be the person you want to be. With all of these challenges, it can feel very isolating and demanding trying to do this all on your own. It is common for college students to feel very depressed and anxious during this time, and it can also feel hard to reach out to someone to talk to about it all. You don't have to do it alone. Going to therapy is a great way to get the support you need and become the best version of yourself. I can understand why coming to therapy isn't easy though. Why tell a stranger the most personal details of your life? Because by not knowing anything about you or being a part of your life, I can offer an objective and unbiased perspective on your situation while giving you concrete tools and strategies to improve the areas you are struggling in. I've worked with many college students and have seen them make meaningful changes in their lives after going to therapy and believe that you can too. Please feel free to reach out to me and we can discuss any questions you may have, and I hope to hear from you soon!
Evan Dunn
Exhausted by the way you think about yourself? We are often (if not always) our own worst enemies. Whether this pattern has caused you problems with guilt, shame, anxiety, depression, addiction or you name it - the starting point is generally the same. When we embark on the project of therapy you will be asked to put your painful thoughts and feelings into words. As the process unfolds, the strength and fervor used to overthink and condemn yourself will become accessible to use productively in reaching your goals.