Therapists for college students near University of Southern California
Cassandra Monfared LMFT
College is a massive transition, and it is incredibly easy to feel overwhelmed by academic pressure, perfectionism, or the constant anxiety of trying to balance it all. If you are feeling stuck, burnt out, or struggling with racing thoughts, you don’t have to navigate this alone. I am an LMFT practicing via telehealth in California. I specialize in helping college students and young adults manage anxiety, quiet their busy minds, and build practical tools for real relief. Rather than relying on traditional talk therapy, we will use active, evidence-based, and somatic tools tailored to how your brain and nervous system actually work: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): To help you break the cycle of chronic worry, mental loop-thinking, and OCD. EMDR and Brainspotting: Specialized, brain-body modalities to help process stress, reduce anxiety, and release the pressure of academic perfectionism. My Approach My style is warm and collaborative. I understand the unique high-pressure environments of schools and I design our sessions to give you practical, real-world tools. Format: 100% Telehealth (secure video sessions anywhere in California) Let's help you find some relief and get back to feeling like yourself. Reach out today for a free, low-pressure consultation call.
Stephanie Freiburg
Let’s be honest, although change is inevitable, it can be really stressful. We all deserve to be seen, heard and loved. To know we are not alone. Together, we can work through your concerns so you can be the best version of yourself.
Sean Murphy, PMHNPBC
Welcome to my practice! If psychiatric symptoms are causing you pain and limiting your life, I want to help. I offer telepsychiatric medication management services to adult patients (ages 18 years+) who reside in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, and Washington state. Specialties include treating members of Sexual and Gender Minorities / 2SLGBTQIA+, emerging/young adult populations, creative professionals, and educators. I bring to clinic an abiding commitment to offering my patients kind, affirming, personalized psychiatric care. I do not prescribe controlled substances. The practice is in-network with select insurance companies in CA, IL, MA, NY, OR, and WA. I also accept self-pay patients from CA, IL, MA, NY, OR, and WA who may be able to collect reimbursement from their insurance companies, if they have out-of-network benefits.
Dr. Christina Lam
College can be overwhelming; between the demands of classes, figuring out your future, family expectations, friendships, dating, and finding yourself, it’s a lot. If you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or just not like yourself, you’re not alone. I specialize in working with college students navigating identity, family pressures, mental health challenges, and cultural expectations. I have particular expertise in working with Asian American and BIPOC students, helping them explore the unique experiences that come with balancing cultural identity, family expectations, and personal well-being. Whether it’s anxiety, depression, trauma, or communication struggles, I provide a space where you can be heard, understood, and supported. Therapy isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about exploring what’s going on, gaining tools, and feeling more at ease. If you’re ready to talk, I’m here to help.
Stephanie Levin Sandoz, Psy.D.
College is often a time of growth and change. Some days feel fun and exciting while at other times you may feel lonely and overwhelmed. Students are adjusting to living with roommates and trying to balance studies with socializing. Homesickness is common, as are sadness, stress, and sleep disturbances. College often allows young people to embrace their true selves and start anew. Please join me in a therapeutic, non-judgmental space to explore and process your feelings as you navigate this important time in your life. No topic is off-limits. I enjoy and feel privileged to work with this population and welcome the opportunity to connect soon.
Theraperspectives Counseling
Theraperspectives Counseling supports students and emerging adults navigating anxiety, burnout, identity exploration, neurodivergence, relationship concerns, life transitions, and the challenges of balancing competing responsibilities. We offer a collaborative and supportive space to better understand yourself, build resilience, and move through life’s complexities with greater clarity and confidence.
Krista Sabados, LMFT #163813
Life can feel like a lot sometimes. Maybe you're anxious, overwhelmed, burned out, stuck in your head, or putting so much pressure on yourself that it's hard to enjoy anything anymore. You don't have to have everything figured out before coming to therapy. I'm a down-to-earth therapist who believes you don't need to be fixed. You need a space where you can be real. We can laugh, be honest about what's not working, and get to the root of what's keeping you stuck. I'll support you, challenge you when it's helpful, and we'll focus on practical changes that actually make a difference in your daily life. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, relationships, stress, self-esteem, trauma, or just trying to figure out who you are and where you're headed, we'll work together to help you feel more grounded, confident, and like yourself again. We'll do real work that creates real change.
Alicia Hess
Anxious, Overwhelmed, and Wondering: “What’s Happening to Me?” The truth is, this isn't laziness. It’s not a character flaw. And no — you're not broken. For many people with ADHD and anxiety, this cycle of procrastination, panic, and self-criticism becomes so normal, you don’t realize how deeply it’s running your life. You’re doing your best to hold it all together on the outside… but inside, it’s chaos. If you're a young, career-driven person who’s always been the “high achiever” or “the one who figures it out,” this moment of burnout can feel like hitting a wall — and not knowing how to get around it. Therapy That Helps You Live Without the Constant Inner Critic You don’t need more worksheets. Or another morning routine from Instagram. You need real connection — and some space to breathe. In our work together, therapy won’t feel like another task to complete or a performance to nail. It’ll feel like a break. A breath of fresh air. A place where sarcasm, humor, and being 100% yourself are not just allowed — they’re welcome. I help people like you: smart, creative, driven individuals who are so tired of anxiety and ADHD running the show. Together, we’ll start untangling the thoughts that keep you in panic mode and help you reconnect to yourself — the self that isn’t always in survival mode.
Sage Swiatek
If you’re looking for a therapist who values curiosity, empathy, and an ongoing commitment to social justice, I might be the person you’re looking for. My clients come to therapy with a variety of concerns, including healing from trauma, chronic pain, stress, and anxiety. Others are looking for support around relationships and intimacy. Many of my clients identify as queer, disabled, non-monogamous, or women in STEM. I have specialized experience supporting students who have experienced interpersonal violence, such as sexual assault or domestic violence. I use a somatic, mind-body approach in my work, and view therapy through a liberatory, intersectional lens. If that sounds like a good fit, I invite you to book a free, 20-minute consultation with my practice to learn more!
Cassandra Pentzien, PhD
Are you feeling stuck, struggling to identify or make progress toward goals, or constantly fighting with critical self-talk? Are difficulties with executive functioning, motivation, or attention keeping you from reaching your potential and showing up in the way you want to with others? Are anxious thoughts or feelings getting in the way of the life you want for yourself? I help clients identify what matters most to them and support them along their path toward making intentional and meaningful changes. My therapy approach aims to help you better understand yourself, build skills for success, and develop greater confidence and self-compassion. I use an evidence-based, strengths focused approach to support clients struggling with anxiety, perfectionism, relationships, boundary setting, body image concerns, OCD, depression, and life transitions. I also provide psychoeducational and psychological testing for ADHD, Learning Disorders, executive functioning challenges, and emotional concerns. Reaching out for support can be a big step and I look forward to helping make the process as easy and personalized as possible.
Robert Perl, PsyD
Welcome! Please see my website or contact me for more information about my practice.
Eastern Counseling & Wellness
We are a team of clinical social workers specializing in yoga/mindfulness, EMDR, and CBT. Our understanding is that in order to truly heal, we must honor our whole-body and mind working together. Many of our clients find that much of their suffering is stored throughout their bodies as anxiety, depression, and stress begin to take over. We support students as they navigate the unfamiliar and sometime daunting transition into adulthood and offer a warm, hopeful guide towards joy and purpose. Our virtual counseling services are available to individuals located in Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Vermont, Maine, Illinois, and California. We welcome you to get to know us, the services we offer, and reach out to schedule session.
Ranie Patrick
I became a therapist because I deeply believe in the power of healing, growth and change. Through my own experiences, I have come to understand the value and profound impact that compassionate support and a safe, nonjudgmental space can have on someone’s well-being. I knew I wanted to provide that for others—whether it’s through offering guidance, a listening ear, or the tools needed to overcome difficult moments. My approach to therapy is rooted in deep empathy, active listening, and respect for your unique experience. I am here to truly hear you—without judgment, without rushing to solutions. I believe in meeting you where you are, and I will always create a safe, open space where you feel comfortable expressing your thoughts and feelings. At the same time, part of feeling truly understood sometimes means gently challenging patterns or thoughts that may not be serving you or guiding you to the life you want to live. It’s my belief that this balance of listening deeply and challenging constructively is key to creating lasting change. Working together will be a collaborative partnership. I will be here to offer support and understanding, but also challenge you in ways that help you move forward. It’s a journey of mutual respect, trust, and deep care, and I’m committed to patiently walking alongside you through every step.
Benedict Choi
The students I help often experience anxiety in social relationships or work/academic related performance. They often share a lack of confidence and feeling doubtful about their competency going out into the “real world.” I help identify and enhance the qualities and strengths each client brings into therapy. By looking back at past distress or trauma, we are more able to see the present and future with more hope and optimism.
Ami Koide
When people ask me what my ideal client I actually wonder what's people's ideal therapists? I think this is important when thinking about an ideal client and therapists because I see it as a collaborative work. I'm not here to force you what I think is best for you, therapy is something both the client and therapist figure out together to meet the clients' needs and goals. I find it important to keep in mind intersectionalities and how society and culture play an important role. I enjoy working with different diversities such as LGBTQ+, culture, and etc. I also work with trauma using informal exposure, art therapy, teen therapy, and couples therapy. I also love doing work involving aspects of DBT therapy such as mindfulness. I know the therapy process is hard, but I want to try to make anyone feel they can be themselves (sometimes I use humor when appropriate). Searching for the right therapist is hard so whether it's me or not I encourage you to keep looking and find who's right for you out there. Feel free to reach out for a phone consult or email!
Dr. Sandra Alfaro Beltran
Seeking therapy can be a difficult and intimidating process, and usually this decision comes from experiencing adversity. While the process of healing is difficult, the reward of emotional wellness and positive growth is worth the journey. Therefore, my goal is to provide a space that is welcoming, safe, and supportive in order to assist you in creating long-lasting change. I welcome individuals and families from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and belief systems. I have experience working with children and adults in many areas such as anxiety, depression, relationship issues, blended families, parenting, grief and so much more. My work consists of using a person-centered approach while incorporating other modalities. This means I aim to provide you support, acceptance, and empathy while assisting you to work on areas that are not allowing you to become the person you would like to be. For some, that means being fulfilled, in loving relationships, living a positive life, etc. I welcome the opportunity to walk alongside you to help you process experiences, reclaim skills you already possess, or assist you in creating a new set of skills that will help you maintain your therapeutic progress. Together we can develop a treatment plan that is centered on meeting your specific needs in a way that centers the whole person.
Forest Benedict
Do you feel lost, unsure what to do with your life? Do you struggle with managing emotions like anxiety, sadness, anger, or shame? Are you tired of feeling stuck in patterns that harm your relationships with others and with yourself? Is your unhealed childhood trauma or religious trauma impacting you negatively? Do you have a relentless inner critic that takes the joy out of life? If so, I am here to help. I provide compassionate, evidence-based support to aid in healing trauma, managing difficult emotions, and decreasing sexual shame. I guide people in compassionately reconnecting with themselves, helping them heal whatever is in the way of them living their most authentic life. My approach is warm and non-pathologizing. IFS is the primary modality I use to guide clients into deep healing. While religious trauma, sexual shame, and CPTSD are my primary focus, I support people experiencing an array of challenges. I am Level 1 & 2 trained in IFS and working on a certification in Religious Trauma Studies. I provide both individual and group therapy online throughout California. I aim to create a space of safety and gentleness. With the right tools and support, healing is possible. We can create lives that are authentic, safe, and free.
San Diego Therapy Center
SDTC provides a welcoming and supportive environment for treatment. Our goal is to provide counseling and neurofeedback options for mental health treatment that have been shown to reduce problematic symptoms that have resulted from the trauma and life stressors so that you can live a life free from fear and worry. San Diego Therapy Center is a local Non-Profit in San Diego with a strong mission to help our community.
Cathy S Harris TraumaRevolution
Are you stressed out and overwhelmed? Losing sight of your goals? Are 'old issues' getting in the way of moving forward? I care about "what happened to you" and I strive to provide a supportive space for you to share your concerns. Effective work can result in your improved ability to function and to pursue your best life. I offer acceptance without judgment, practical tools, constructive education and a conviction that you are capable! I do accept some insurance (Aetna and United Health) via Alma. Please contact me and I can walk you through the simple process. My approach is wellness-focused and is best suited for those who are not in crisis and who are ready to engage in deeper work. Developing increased self-compassion, radical acceptance and understanding about how we humans use self-blame to survive can help you move beyond the effects of trauma. I have a special interest in supporting persons who have been members of cults or high-control groups. These may be religious, psychological, treatment oriented or other. I offer online sessions via Zoom and some flexibility in my schedule (other than what is posted).
Michael Langlois
When people come to treatment with problems, it is important to remember that they are trying to cope with them in the best way they can. With that in mind, I offer a reflective and engaging partnership with my clients, working toward the goal of helping them to be autonomous, authentic and compassionate in a world that can be extremely stressful. Although my work is solidly grounded in psychodynamic, cognitive/learning, and systems theories, my approach is client-centered, practical and strengths-based. I bring honesty, warmth, and humor to the therapy relationship. I am LGBTQ affirmative and invested in doing cross-cultural therapy which is culturally sensitive. I have a dog, Bracket, who works with me, and I have been doing AAT since 2002. There is a growing body of research which suggests that AAT (Animal-Assisted Therapy) can be helpful with a range of diagnoses, including Depression, PTSD, and Autistic Spectrum. Many therapists know little about online games such as World of Warcraft and Second Life. They may dismiss it as unimportant, or assume it is a problem. I am a gamer-affirmative therapist, meaning I’m more interested in understanding your in-world experience and activity than pathologizing it.