Therapists for college students near University of Southern California

College can feel like a lot. You may be dealing with stress, anxiety, pressure to perform, relationship issues, or just feeling overwhelmed and not like yourself. I’m Susan Farber, a licensed marriage and family therapist with more than 25 years of experience. I work with college students to help you feel more in control of your thoughts, emotions, and reactions so you can function better day to day. My approach is practical and supportive. I use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) along with mind–body techniques to help you manage anxiety, improve focus, and regulate stress. You’ll learn tools you can actually use—whether it’s getting through exams, handling social or relationship stress, or dealing with burnout. You don’t have to have everything figured out to start therapy. If something feels off, overwhelming, or too much to carry on your own, this is a space to sort it out and get back to feeling more like yourself. I offer in-person sessions in Santa Barbara and Solvang, as well as telehealth throughout California.

I have over 17 years of professional work experience and over 8 years as a LCSW. I have experience in helping clients with Stress, Anxiety, Parenting issues, Motivation, Self esteem, and Confidence. I also have experience working with life changes and relationship issues. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. My treatment modalities include the following evidence based practices: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Crisis Intervention. In addition, I utilize a biblical approach to teach clients how to calm their inner storm. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 16 years of experience helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s challenges with a collaborative and compassionate approach. I work with clients facing anxiety, sadness, relationship struggles, or major life transitions, supporting them in reconnecting with their strengths, values, and goals. In therapy, I create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can be heard and understood. I draw from cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused techniques, and family systems theory, tailoring each session to your unique needs. My goal is to help you increase self-awareness, build self-compassion, and develop practical strategies for overcoming challenges and creating a more fulfilling life. I know that opening up to someone new can feel vulnerable, and I strive to make the process approachable and collaborative from the first session. Life’s difficulties don’t need to define you – you have the ability to shape how you think, feel, and act. I would be honored to support you on your journey of growth and self-discovery.

You have to be strong all the time. You feel stuck. You can’t sleep. You feel your heart racing. There’s tension in your back and tightness in your body. And it feels so heavy. Sometimes you may even cry when you’re alone and have feelings you want to let out, but hide them in fear you will be judged. You’re exhausted. But life feels so busy it's hard to slow down. You find you are having doubts about yourself and abilities. Maybe you are repressing parts of who you are. You are struggling to say “no” and taking on more responsibilities that leave you feeling burnt out. Perhaps there are parts of you that desire personal growth. You deserves to slow down, prioritize yourself and heal. In therapy you can be you, rebuild and grow. This is your time! You are taking the first step by seeking therapy. You will have a space to feel safe and free from judgement. We can navigate your struggles together. You are worth the time and work. It would be my honor to guide you through this journey of personal growth and healing. You already have everything inside you to live the life you want. Let’s bring it out together. Contact me to schedule a FREE consultation. Si tienes preguntas contactame para una consulta GRATIS. *A few Reduced fee slots of $90 available.

As a therapist with over 9 years experience working with adults of all age and backgrounds I provide a safe and nonjudgemental space for you to tap into your own personal growth and healing. Anxiety, depression, self-doubt getting in the way of you living your life to the fullest? Negative beliefs holding you back from achieving success in your education, career, life or relationships? I have also worked with young and older adults who are questioning or exploring their sexuality and gender. Additionally, I am trained in a therapy called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing where we can go even deeper than traditional talk therapy and often process these unhelpful beliefs faster. Contact me for more information about EMDR therapy. EMDR flat rate of $200.

I strive to support students of color and first- and second-generation immigrants in exploring their identities, healing from family burdens, and building the confidence to succeed in life. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, perfectionism, trauma, or cultural and family issues, I'm here to provide the support and guidance you need to heal and grow.

We are a team that values quality and effective treatments to treat various disorders. My team has a variety of experience and specialty. The treatment modalities that we use is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. We treat complex trauma or single case trauma, parenting issues, anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, and relational issues.

I am passionate about working with individuals dealing with eating disorders with anxiety, depression, & PTSD. I also provide comprehensive eating disorder consultations and assessments. I believe the relationship between client and therapist is a fundamental part of the healing process. As therapy is not a one size fits all model, I am dedicated to providing individualized treatment to my clients so they can focus on being their best selves. While I have experience working with a variety of populations; my area of focus lies with eating disorders and the co-morbid diagnosis that accompany them. Throughout my time working in the various levels of mental health and eating disorder care, I have learned how difficult it can be to navigate which treatment path is right for you. To aid in making this process easier, I will be providing comprehensive eating disorder assessments and consultations to help individuals find the level of care that best meets their needs.

Feeling scared, overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of who you are? Not sure who you are, how you fit in to this confusing world, or how you'll survive get these weird times? You’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. As a therapist, I specialize in supporting LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent folks. I help with navigating a neurotypical world, identity exploration, complex trauma (CPTSD), life transitions, & more. Whether you're untangling childhood wounds, exploring your identity, or the feeling that the world that wasn’t built with you in mind, therapy can be a space to slow down, take a breath, and begin healing. As a relational therapist, I care a lot about the connection between us. Think "bestie on FaceTime" - but with real clinical training to help you! I'm person centered, which means you're the boss! I use a feminist approach because your identities matters. I'm direct (but kind!), which means I'll give you my opinion or a gentle nudge when appropriate too! I also incorporate parts work and feminist therapy into my work and enjoy using play (even with adults!). No matter where you are with your mental health, I'm ready to offer you a helping hand and listening ear. Healing and growing are ongoing journeys, I'd love to walk along side you through yours. Let's connect!

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I've worked with parents in the Sacramento area for 2 decades now, but as my own children have grown into young adults I have also made a shift into working with college students of any age. I'm not sure whether it's an openness to learning that extends to person growth, my ability to relate to the challenges of academia, or what exactly makes the relationship so successful, but I have found it to be mutually beneficial to the students I work with. I use an eclectic approach of mindfulness, psychodynamic, and CBT to balance short term immediate benefits with long term personal growth.

I am a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner who has been in practice since 2015. I received my Bachelors Degree in Psychology from UC Berkeley in 2008. I completed my training to become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at Columbia University in 2014. I am inspired by positively impacting leaves in an area that is often overlooked by my clients. I like to provide members with options so that they feel empowered with the choices they are making.

I am a Stanford trained Physician with a specialization in Psychiatry. I have advanced training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy or "CBT." CBT is a very well researched form of counseling that is highly effective for depression, anxiety, insomnia and many other conditions. I love what I do and previously served as the Director of Evidence Based Practice and Ongoing Education in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Behavioral Medicine. I conducted research, taught, and saw patients at Stanford for more than a decade and I received numerous awards for excellence in these areas. I was trained for more than ten years with a person named Stewart Agras, and another named David Burns - they are pioneers in Behavioral Medicine and CBT. I was very blessed to have excellent mentors and training. I have extensive experience sharing this experience with those students I have consulted with in higher education at Stanford and in the University of California. I have worked all of my career with undergraduate, graduate, law, and medical students and believe that these formative years are critical times in the formation of a person, and they are often challenging times. I am warm, friendly and approachable. I laugh frequently (and often cry) with my patients. My family is from Italy where sincerity and the authentic sharing of emotions is valued and respected. Parlo un 'po l'italiano ma non molto bene! (I speak a little Italian but not very well!) I am very conservative with respect to use of medications and prefer to help students develop skills in managing life stressors by getting trained in CBT. This art is disappearing sadly in my field as brief medication checks are much more lucrative to clinics but there is a cost to the patient in this reductionist approach! I am very comfortable and prefer to help persons manage stress with CBT alone without medications as it can provide a lot of sophisticated and lasting protections that are well supported in the scientific research literature. As professionals, we should do what is right and not what is most profitable as we take the Hippocratic oath to defend our patients. I can add medications if they are indicated and supported by good research when CBT is not helping on its own as I am a physician trained in all scientifically supported modalities of providing support. I respect my patients' values in this. If we can work through though times without medicines, I really try to encourage that, and, for many persons willing to grow through stress, it is definitely achievable, and strongly supported by randomized controlled trials (fancy studies used to test treatments for effectiveness). There is substantial evidence that suggests that this approach is very important in reducing risk for relapse in the long term. I love helping students build confidence in themselves when the circumstances are really challenging and have many, many patients who have reached out to me over many years thanking me for the times we spent together getting through the roughest of times. I don't have a lot of material wealth. The pictures and post cards of so many smiling, happy, and good persons graduating, getting married, getting started in their careers, and getting started with their families and overall being in a good, secure place are the real treasures that I have collected in my career. I am a practicing Catholic and am very comfortable incorporating faith in treating my patients. Many persons are referred to me when seeking a caring Catholic Psychiatrist who is highly trained in using Cognitive Behavior Therapy to promote resilience and virtue when life becomes really challenging. I am sadly quite familiar with the pain of having lost very precious persons in my life including my own dear wife to devastating metastatic cancer at an extremely young age. That was tough and occurred shortly after we lost our infant daughter. I have two beautiful college aged children who are doing very well despite all of the things our family was beset with. We came together and got through. Faith, family and fellowship can be crucial sources of support when things feel really overwhelming. I was highly trained in CBT and combining this with the above made all of the difference. I will encourage you also to protect yourself with these types of resources when all seems lost. Note that I do not manage ADD or ADHD or prescribe habit forming medications or perform evaluations for these conditions or autism spectrum disorder. I do see students who need to use their insurance through Headway and MyCatholicDoctor at the links below: Headway: https://care.headway.co/providers/anthony-mascola-m-d?utm_source=pem&utm_medium=direct_link&utm_campaign=201271 MyCatholicDoctor.com https://mycatholicdoctor.com/resources/doctors/anthony-mascola-md/ Accepting insurance in private practice in Psychiatry is unfortunately not very common. The majority of the most highly qualified Psychiatrists and Psychologists forego seeing patients with insurance as it is really tough to manage coordinating insurance in a small practice and does not reimburse well. This does not feel right to me as when life is hardest, finances are tight. My Italian family were poor and commercial fishermen and I am sworn as a Catholic to help persons when they don't have a lot of resources. The portals above are trying to help persons who are seeking help who don't have a lot of money to get connected to really good care. If you are going through a tough time and looking for someone who is both qualified and kind to support and encourage you, then don't wait any longer. Don't go through this alone! Please reach out and call me. I have spent all of my life training to help you! I promise I will support you and push you to find strength that you don't even realize you have. You can't realize it when you are stressed and often working with a professional person can help. Be prepared to work though, as sometimes this means facing a fear you'd rather avoid, or examining uncomfortable patterns of thoughts and behavior. I need a willing collaborator and promise you that I want ask you to do more than you can. I know from a lot of my own life experience how devastating stress can be but I also want to be honest and real and genuine and effective. I don't see passive treatment reduce suffering effectively in the long run. I don't want my students to suffer their whole life. I want my students to grow and recover, just like a good coach or teacher. You are smart, you have a good head on your shoulders and if we can learn from the circumstances that evoke stress we will be able to overcome stress in the future. Those who do not train in CBT are often on medications for years and suffer a great deal with a very high rate of relapse. Taking time to train in CBT is a more challenging treatment but it can develop powerful skills that will help you for your whole life! If while reading this you get a good feeling inside, then please schedule a free fifteen-minute visit to see if it is a good fit for you. If you are looking for a really caring Psychiatrist who is warm and kind, highly qualified, who really enjoys helping persons find their strength with a healthy, proactive, evidence based and highly effective approach to dealing with stress, you will not be disappointed!

Hi There! I'm Monica. Sometimes life feels hard—even when everything looks fine on the outside. You might be dealing with anxiety, worry, stress, depression, loss, grief, or self-doubt and wondering how to find your way back to feeling like yourself again. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. I offer a safe, judgment-free space where you can talk openly, feel heard, and begin to make sense of what you’re experiencing. With over 30 years of counseling experience, I help clients learn practical coping skills, manage difficult emotions, navigate life transitions, and build confidence from the inside out. While I welcome anyone seeking support, my heart is in working with women, especially those facing challenging life transitions or feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from themselves. Reaching out for counseling takes courage. If you’re ready to take that first step, I’d love to connect with you.

Dr. Bruett provides warm, compassionate, collaborative care that is backed by science, and loves working with college and graduate students. She has specialized training in cognitive-behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness, exposure and response prevention, emotion focused family therapy, and other evidence-based practices. She provides care to individual of all backgrounds and identities. She is licensed in Massachusetts and California.

Let's be real - anxiety and depression can cripple anyone's life, especially students and graduates. These symptoms often cause people to feel "hopeless" and can damage academic performance, family and personal relationships, one's sense of fulfillment, and individual identity. For many years, I've successfully treated college students struggling with anxiety and depression. I specialize in blending a unique combination of therapeutic methods that helps students to overcome life's hardships. My goal is to be your ally - I work at your pace to help you achieve the goals we've set together. Much of my practice focuses on people seeking support in improving self-worth, increasing motivation, and finding direction in life. I have a long and meaningful history of working in particular with minority communities and their unique challenges, especially Asian-Americans and LGBTQ+ people. 650.690.8909 www.WellnessWaysCenter.org

I am passionate about healing and deeply committed to helping you cultivate a sense of inner freedom, safety, wholeness, and connection with yourself. I view challenging emotions and experiences as powerful portals for self-exploration, healing, and growth and it’s my joy and privilege to help you navigate them. I bring warmth, curiosity, openness, compassion, and deep trust to my work with clients. Through thoughtful inquiry, consistent engagement, and a focus on your needs, I strive to cultivate a safe and supportive environment where true growth and self-discovery can flourish. I welcome all of you into the session including parts that hurt or can be hard to be with alone and really work to support you in navigating these parts in a non-judgmental and compassionate way. I see therapy as a collaborative journey, where we work together to craft a plan with strategies to help you meet your goals and navigate the complex territory of being human. I believe in the transformative power of therapy, not just for the individual, but also for the relationships and communities we touch and show up for differently by choosing to heal and grow. I’m a big believer in making space for joy, connection, and beauty in our lives as ways to resource ourselves. I find this a lot in nature and am an avid hiker and lover of national parks.

Yes! You made it, and how amazing would it be to define your pace by recognizing your struggles while still striving to succeed. I’m here to assist you in building unshakable strength by identifying emotional triggers, keeping track of cognitive distortions and processing past disturbing memories. Through the therapy process you’ll be able to improve resilience by acknowledging that progress is quiet, rest is productive, and your story is yours. I apply different modalities to nurture harmonious passion and motivate you to gain access to effective accommodations as needed for your ultimate progress.

Having trained at the University of Notre Dame (Ph.D., M.A.), UC Berkeley (APA-accredited internship) and Stanford (post-doctoral fellowship), I bring rigorous scientific expertise into my clinical work with college students. In fact, I worked at the University Counseling Centers at all three of these schools and have continued to develop a specialized private practice that focuses almost exclusively on college students. I also teach for Pepperdine University in their Graduate School of Education & Psychology. I help clients with a range of concerns including: anxiety, depression, career and academic concerns, ADHD, relationship concerns (situationships, am I right? :) ), body image and eating disorders, perfectionism, college/life transitions, as well as family of origin challenges (let's say it together, boundaries...). I often work with high-achieving students who often are managing academically but struggling internally. My clients often put others first and themselves last. By the time they come to therapy, concerns have been going on for some time and they've reached a breaking point. They may feel they "should" be able to handle things on their own. As a recovering perfectionist and someone who was riddled with anxiety throughout college, I get it. It wasn't until my own training in CBT that I learned how destructive such thought patterns were. It inspired my clinical approach, as well as three clinical workbooks I've published on Solution-Focused Therapy, CBT, and Positive Psychology with the top mental health publishers. Many of my clients who have been to therapy before often remark how "easy" I make the process. We laugh, we learn, and talk like old friends. Therapy doesn't have to be stuffy or stressful. It's about feeling respected, validated and heard. Learning to take care of yourself, set appropriate boundaries, and thrive! I'd LOVE to work with you! Please feel free to book a complimentary 15 minute consultation at my website below so we can connect!

Professional Introduction for College Students Hello! I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) dedicated to supporting students as they navigate the unique pressures of academic life. I earned my Master's degree in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing with honors from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, and I am passionate about providing a safe, transparent, non-judgmental space for the student community. College is a period of immense growth, but it can also bring significant challenges. Whether you are dealing with the weight of depression, the persistent pull of anxiety, the challenges of ADHD, the complexities of PTSD, or struggles with substance use (SUD), please know that you do not have to face these hurdles alone. My approach is centered on dignity, efficacy, and equity, ensuring that your individual identity, values, and cultural background are always honored. I offer comprehensive, evidence-based care that integrates both psychotherapy and medication management to help you achieve optimal health and academic success. My goal is to empower you with the tools and support needed to recover and thrive during your college journey and beyond.