Therapists for college students near University of Southern California

If you are the person, everyone turns to, who do YOU turn to? You give everything to everyone else but never have time for you. It gets tiring always being the ''strong'' one. I see you. You might be struggling to get through the day or question yourself and your worth. This can look like anxiety, depression, problems recovering from a traumatic experience as an adult or as a child. I want to help you know what you DESERVE. Find the life you want and be more in control of your thoughts, emotions, and choices. Let's look inward and do this difficult but deeply important and rewarding work together. Currently, I can see clients who reside in Pennsylvania, California and North Carolina.

Most people who work with me are dealing with anxiety, depression and struggling with the transitions to adulthood and higher education. My clients will feel supported to process and explore what is holding them back from the life they are looking for.

Empowering Individuals to Overcome Life's Challenges and Build a Stronger Future With over 15 years of experience in behavioral health, I specialize in helping individuals navigate life's toughest challenges, from loneliness and insecurities to trauma, anxiety, and relationship issues. As a Licensed Clinician (LCPC, LPC, LPCC, LMHC) licensed in multiple states, including AZ, CA, FL, GA, KS, LA, MO, NJ, SC, and TX, I offer a wealth of expertise in addressing a wide range of mental health concerns. My goal is to guide you in building self-confidence, restoring your sense of worth, and breaking free from the stigma that often surrounds mental health. I believe that everyone deserves to feel heard, valued, and empowered, no matter their struggles. I offer a compassionate, evidence-based approach to healing and growth, creating a safe and supportive space where you can express yourself openly without fear of judgment. My counseling style is built on empathy, active listening, and unwavering support, providing you with practical strategies and direct feedback that fosters self-awareness and personal transformation. Together, we’ll work through the obstacles holding you back and create a roadmap for a brighter, more fulfilling future. I am dedicated to walking alongside you on your journey toward wellness. Let’s tackle the challenges together and build the life you deserve—one step at a time. Take the first step and schedule an appointment to get started.

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.

Supporting all phases of life in a culturally sensitive manner

If you are reading this you are likely ready for a shift or change in your life. How to proceed in creating a more satisfying life is often confusing, but it is possible. If we listen deeply and compassionately enough to the wisdom of our body and mind the obstacles to our wholeness can become the catalysts of deeper awareness, meaning, agency and fulfillment. I aim to help you explore both the known and unknown parts of yourself so that you can more easily navigate your inner world, your relationships with others and the complex demands of being human.

Finding a healthy balance between work and fun can be challenging. Trying to excel in academics, sports, and career goals, while also enjoying the college experience, and life in general might seem out of reach. Stress and burnout affect people of all ages and in any stage of life, career, or sport. I can help you to reconnect with yourself and rediscover meaning. I provide a safe, non-judgmental, and empowering space to explore how. I work with clients aged 17 +. Challenges and topics include burnout, self-esteem, ADHD, high performance/intelligence, perfectionism, grief/loss, relationships, trauma, and self-improvement.

Hi, I’m Jennie Denney, AMFT — and I’m really glad you’re here! College can be overwhelming—especially when you’re carrying more than just school stress. If you’re dealing with self-harm, anxiety, identity questions, religious trauma, or just trying to hold it all together, you don’t have to figure it out alone. I specialize in working with teens and young adults who feel stuck, misunderstood, or disconnected from themselves or the people around them. My therapy style is warm, honest, and collaborative. I won’t sit back and nod—I’ll show up with you, offer tools, ask questions, and help you make sense of your story. In our work together, you can expect a space where nothing is “too much,” and where your experiences are taken seriously. Healing isn’t about being perfect—it’s about getting curious, finding your voice, and learning how to care for yourself in new ways.

"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom." - Victor E. Frankl Making the decision to seek therapy is often a deeply personal one and something that you may not have come to easily. The unknown aspects of therapy can be intimidating, but I am here to create a safe and accepting environment where you can embrace your true self, with all its vulnerabilities and honesty. My belief in the innate power of every individual to grow and transform their lives fuels my passion for therapy. I am dedicated to fostering a collaborative and open-minded relationship with you. As the master of your own life, I see myself as a tool, utilizing my expertise to help you discover the best possible version of yourself and your life. On a personal note, I hold a BA in Psychology and an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy. Working with individuals who are ready to confront their challenges and make positive changes is my true calling. Our life experiences can have far-reaching implications, affecting relationships, work or school performance, self-image, and overall beliefs about oneself and the world. I enjoy working with diverse clients, including teens, young adults, singles, parents, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. While I take my work seriously, I am, by nature, a truly laid-back person and strive to make you feel welcomed and supported throughout our journey together. In the words of Abraham Maslow, "In any given moment, we have two options: to step forward into growth or to step back into safety." I commend you for taking that first step forward.

How many times a day do you daydream of dropping everything? Only to quickly be overcome with anxiety and frustration thinking of how everyone and everything will fall apart without you. Let’s face it—if you did take a break, the same issues would still be there, and there might be even more waiting for you. This is just one sign, among others, of burnout and a good example of an opportunity to learn the art of setting boundaries and saying “no” to others while saying “yes” to yourself. This is where therapy comes in! Many believe that therapy is only for the broken or the traumatized. False. Therapy is for anyone seeking to live more fully, love more deeply, think more clearly, and feel more like the 'you' you have been missing. In therapy you will have a safe space to reconnect with yourself and learn how to say “no” with confidence. Like my clients, you deserve to put yourself first without worrying about letting down your partner, kids, friends, or boss. Feeling peaceful and fulfilled without the guilt is not out of your reach!

When life gets rough, it's important to know there are safe and supportive spaces you can turn to for support. Whether you're seeking real relief from anxiety or depression, needing help establishing better boundaries, questioning your identity, sexuality, or personal relationships or just having trouble managing the day-to-day, we can help. At Life by Design Therapy we believe change is possible for you. We offer holistic and somatic therapy to support you in navigating life's challenges without having to dismiss, avoid, or disconnect from what you truly want. It's time to live life on your own terms and Create A Life You Love! Holistic therapy offers a well-rounded and complete approach to healing and personal growth leading to change and a deeper understanding on a mind, body, and spirit level. Our somatic therapists have extensive training and specialize in incorporating body-centered and mindfulness-based approaches to help you manage your very real and very physical symptoms. We understand you may be struggling and looking to find someone that understands you and can actually help! We currently offer daytime, evening and weekend video or phone appointments and have offices in both Downtown Berkeley and Richmond CA. Visit our website to learn more about how our holistic and somatic therapists can support you. Contact us today!

I’m Dr. Abu-Rus, a clinical psychologist available to see patients anywhere in California. I know reaching out for therapy can feel strange—like acknowledging something’s wrong when you’ve spent so much energy trying to hold it together. As a mom, USAF Veteran, and psychologist, I work with people navigating trauma, new parenthood, or depression that doesn’t always make sense on the surface. You might feel irritable, numb, anxious, or unsure of who you are anymore. You’re not too much. You’re not broken. And you don’t have to carry this alone. I specialize in trauma, postpartum stress, and depression that feels heavy or hard to explain. I use proven therapies like CPT, PE, ACT, and IPT to help you feel safer, more grounded, and more in control. My approach is structured but deeply human—tailored to what matters most to you. If you’re feeling stuck, disconnected, or just ready for something to shift, I offer a free 15-minute consultation so we can see if we’re a good fit. Therapy doesn’t have to be overwhelming, I’ll walk you through the next steps. Send a message or email to get started. Or schedule directly into my calendar! Click on my website to see availability.

I’m a therapist who values honesty, reflection, and meaningful change. I go beyond surface-level work, helping you understand the patterns, beliefs, and experiences that shape how you show up in your life. My approach is supportive yet direct. I’ll help you identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck—like perfectionism, people-pleasing, or self-criticism—while creating a space where you feel respected and not judged.

I once heard someone doing a lecture say, “we know what we believe when we hear what we say.” This would definitely inform the kind of therapy you would experience with me. I view the client as the one who has the answers, and we’re working together to solve a mystery. One of my roles is to help my client tell the story, point out clues being overlooked, gently challenge entrenched beliefs, provide unconditional positive regard, and help the client make sense of their difficulties and their world. Our work together would be collaborative. I’m not a “sit, nod, and take notes” therapist. I’m interactive, and socratic, and relational. I view thoughts, feelings, and behaviors from a lens of curiosity; wondering what beliefs are behind them; helping to root out dynamics that help those things persist. Often we are stuck in a distorted comfort in familiar pain and we simply cannot see it without someone reflecting that in the room. I am an integrative (drawing from multiple therapeutic orientations) humanist-existential therapist; an enthusiastic cheerleader. I will bring humor and validation into the session. I’m passionate about brain chemistry. I am social-justice oriented. I am also trauma-informed. While I work in many different focuses of psychotherapy, I find that the most pervasive themes in my work with clients include: adjustment to life changes, problems with alcohol and substance use (and the way that co-occurring mental health issues interact with it), LGBTQIA+ topics, issues of neurodiversity, anxiety and depression, personality disorders, identity & esteem development, and healthy relationships of all shapes and sizes. I am experienced, both professionally and personally, working with a variety of relationship configurations and am highly comfortable talking about issues of sex positivity and non-standard definitions of families and relationships such as polyamory and non-monogamy. I am a licensed therapist, an addiction professional, a bit of a technology geek, and a fellow traveler in recovery. In addition to those things, I am Compliance Officer at an all women’s addiction treatment center where I’ve worked in various capacities ranging from counselor to director since 2010. I have also been an adjunct professor in the Master’s program at Pacific Oaks College, an adjunct professor for Glendale College’s Drug Studies program, and I served on the board of the California Association for Drug/Alcohol Educators (CAADE). I am a member of CAMFT at both the state level and in the San Gabriel Valley chapter.

As an effective professional, I assist clients in reaching their goals. My therapeutic style emanates warmth, compassion and professionalism. My approach is collaborative, authentic and client-centered. I empower clients by building upon their strengths. I provide a safe, caring and nonjudgmental environment. Each session promotes personal growth and success!

There is nothing worse than feeling like you have become a disappointment to your family. That no matter how hard you try to navigate college, nothing you do will ever be good enough. Are you looking for a way to help your family understand YOUR struggles? To validate and support you, instead of saying, "it's just a phase, it will pass" or "Everyone has a hard time, you just need to try harder" or worse, "When I was your age I went through the same thing". I believe no one knows you better than you know yourself- even your family-and I want to help you express your needs in a way your family will hear, understand and be able to support you.

Are you someone who feels like they’re always “on”? Your mind rarely rests; constantly replays moments, worries about what’s next, or wondering if you're doing enough? For some, this shows up as anxiety and overthinking that keeps them feeling disconnected from themselves. For others, it’s the exhaustion that comes with work, school, parenting — wanting to be patient and present, but feeling triggered or stretched too thin. Underneath it all, you desire to feel calm and grounded. You want to understand why you react the way you do, how your past experiences influence your emotions today, and how to begin responding differently. My work helps you move from self-criticism to self-understanding, and from constant reactivity to clarity and connection — within yourself and your relationships. I create a space that feels safe, supportive, and curious — one where you can learn to regulate your nervous system, reconnect to your needs, and build a sense of trust in yourself.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I offer warm, nonjudgemental, and brief therapy that focuses on bringing out the best, and empowering, each person to overcome the challenges or stress of their lives. Whether it is anxiety, self-doubt, overthinking, sadness, trauma, body image, athletic underperformance, or relationship issues, I help people develop emotional peace and specific skills to improve their lives. My work has been featured in many books, journals, magazines, DVDs, and I lecture about brief empowering therapy on an international level.

We need sex-positive, body-positive support for ourselves, our families, and our communities. Individuals, couples, polycules and groups I work with traverse the world with partners, genders, fetishes, or professional experiences that are often misunderstood by the dominant culture. I am in service to your joy, your healing, keeping you connected to a grounded source of abundance, gaining skills to navigate personal and professional dynamics, and being in keen awareness of your power. I’m excited to journey with you toward an embodied, fulfilling relationship with yourself and those you love.