Therapists for college students near San Francisco State University

Are you ready to make a change in your life? Is there a pattern you keep repeating in relationships that you want to let go of? Do you want to feel comfortable and happy in your own skin? Is your past affecting your present in debilitating ways you want to change? Your brain is naturally wired for change, the neuroplasticity in your brain allows you to form new neural connections breaking free of limiting beliefs. Therapy taps into this ability, and provides tangible skills for you to learn and connect to your own healing power. An experienced hand makes all the difference in healing and awakening to your best self. Specializing in trauma I’m holistic in my approach looking at the flow of energy in you as a whole being: Spirit, Mind, and Body. I interweave Mindfulness, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Attachment Focused Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (AF-EMDR) to fit your unique needs and together we take a journey to the possible.

I’m a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a Master’s degree from Azusa Pacific University, where I graduated with honors. I began my nursing career in 2019 and have been dedicated to supporting individuals on their mental health journeys ever since. My approach blends clinical expertise with empathy, always aiming to create a safe, supportive space where patients feel truly heard and understood. I believe that everyone deserves to feel heard, valued, and supported. Mental health care allows me to walk alongside people during some of their most vulnerable moments, offering compassion, understanding, and evidence-based tools to help them heal and grow. I’m passionate about breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and creating a safe space where individuals can share their stories and work toward their goals. I believe the most effective care happens when it’s built on true partnership. I make sure to take the time to listen to each individual’s goals, concerns, and values, and together we create a plan that feels both effective and meaningful to them. I make sure to explain treatment options clearly so that they can make informed choices with confidence and as treatment progresses, I remember to stay flexible and responsive, adjusting the approach as needed to ensure that it continues to align with each patient’s preferences and values.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Do you think about what kind of person you'd like to be, but feel uncertain, nervous, lost, or overwhelmed about how to make the change? College is an exciting time to explore your identity, learn how to build meaningful relationships, and to find a purposeful career. If you're hoping to feel more confident in who you are, feel more certain about your direction in life and live up to your potential, you've come to the right place. Dr. Grace specializes in asking these "big questions" in life. She marries the wisdom of Buddhist practices with the science of psychology to deepen clients' self-awareness and exploration, and uses a multiculturally sensitive lens to identify how our environments may have shaped our beliefs, motivations, and behaviours. Clients often say that sessions with Dr. Grace feel productive, with a balance between insight and action. Her presence is calming and non-judgmental, encouraging clients to maximize their growth. She is a MSU alumni, having previously worked at CAPS, and offers fully virtual services in both English and Mandarin. Evening hours available.

Dr. Aw's primary interest is the intersection between mental and physical health. Dr. Aw’s philosophy is that one does not exist outside the other. Furthermore, depression and anxiety in patients who are also suffering from medical issues can feel significantly worse, and it is his goal to get patients on a holistic road to recovery. An ideal patient for Dr. Aw understands that it takes a team to get them feeling better, and it is a collaboration between the patients themselves and Dr. Aw.

Hi, I'm Jessica Taylor Vara, LMFT, a Certified EMDR Therapist and EMDRIA Approved Consultant. On paper, your life might look pretty good. You're responsible. Capable. The person everyone turns to when they need help. But underneath it all, you're exhausted. Maybe you're constantly overthinking, struggling with anxiety, second-guessing yourself, or feeling like you're never quite enough no matter how hard you try. Maybe you're stuck in unhealthy relationship patterns, carrying the weight of childhood experiences you thought you should be over by now, or finding yourself overwhelmed by stress, perfectionism, and self-doubt. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. I help college students, graduate students, young professionals, and adults heal from anxiety, trauma, low self-esteem, people-pleasing, relationship difficulties, and the lasting impact of difficult life experiences. Many of my clients are thoughtful, high-achieving people who have spent years trying to understand themselves but still feel stuck repeating the same emotional patterns. My approach is warm, collaborative, and deeply compassionate. I integrate EMDR therapy and traditional talk therapy to help clients move beyond insight and create real, lasting change. Together, we'll work to heal the root causes of your struggles, build healthier relationships, strengthen your confidence, and help you feel more grounded, resilient, and connected to yourself. You don't have to keep carrying everything on your own. I provide online therapy for residents of California and Florida.

Something happened, and you've carried it ever since. Maybe it was one event, or maybe it was the slow accumulation of things nobody around you wanted to talk about, or maybe it's the stress of homework and deadlines. You might be stressed about fast-paced campus life. You're showing up, doing what's expected, but underneath that there's a weight that doesn't lift. I work with people who are tired of that weight: People who grew up learning that asking for help is weakness; families fractured by conflict, grief, or addiction; individuals caught in patterns of anxiety, depression, or substance use they can't seem to shake on their own. I work with individuals, couples, families, and teens in person and virtually. Sessions are real conversations. I'm not silent, waiting for you to figure it out. I listen carefully, reflect what I'm hearing, offer a direct perspective when it's useful, and challenge you when that helps. The pace is yours. If you need concrete tools right now, we build them. If you want to understand the deeper patterns, we go there. I know reaching out is the hard part. You don't need to have the right words or a clear plan for what you want to work on. My first session is yours to use however you need it. Show up, and we'll figure out the next step together. I'm glad you're here.

Being able to help others learn how to thrive, not just survive, in their lives and find fulfilment are just a few of the reasons I love my job! Change can feel like hard work and I‘m honored to be able to help make change more accessible to those wanting to grow into their potential. I strive to provide a safe place to empower and encourage members in finding and growing into your best you. My techniques are highly strength-based and I use collaboration with members to reach their goals. You are the expert of you and I am here to help you build awareness and skills that fit for you and your needs. I specialize in an eclectic mode of therapy which means I like to create a session that is unique to you, your needs, and your goals. I use evidence-based skills and practices from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Humanistic or Person-Centered Therapy. I am a believer in the holistic treatment of the mind-body-spirit connection and a strong advocate for self-care and awareness. I work with individual adults with many experiences and life circumstances such as medical or chronic health and pain issues, burnout (work or personal), ethical non-monogamous relationships, and much more.

Life may not be what you are expecting. Maybe you feel unworthy, stuck, and feeling anxious. Are you struggling with anxious thoughts, insecurities, and trauma that are robbing you of your values, dreams, and living the life you want? If you feel like your fears are out of control, your mind is racing, and you are left feeling hopeless, you have come to the right place. I can help you navigate your path toward living a more clam and present life. My approach to therapy is unbiased, client-centered, and collaborative. I truly value diversity and its impacts and utilize a Gestalt and CBT therapy approach, emphasizing self-compassion. I have advanced training in Domestic Violence and Moral Recognition Therapy (MRT), Domestic violence, abuse, and self-compassion. I like to use my clinical counseling experience, ecotherapy and a christian counseling lens to help you navigate your path toward living a more calm and present life. The tools I'll provide you with can help you with identifying anxious patterns and bring awareness to where you feel stuck.

I am a young adult & child and adolescent psychiatrist who specialize in working with college students. I think of my patients in a holistic way- using medications, lifestyle interventions, and talk therapy. I was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, and spent my childhood in Irvine. I completed most of my education on the east coast. I went to Johns Hopkins and double majored in history and public health. After college, I attended the University of Maryland for medical school. After living in Baltimore for eight years, I wanted a change of scenery and moved to New Hampshire to complete my residency training at Dartmouth. During my training at Dartmouth, I had opportunities to work with high-achieving teens and families who attended Dartmouth College with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, suicidal thoughts, and perfectionism issues. After surviving long winter storms, I returned to my hometown and completed the child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at UC Irvine. I have a passion for and experience working with college students, Asian American families, and teens with LGBT backgrounds. In my free time, I like to hike, run, and kayak. Coffee is my favorite drink, and I make pour-overs every morning. As a first-generation Korean American immigrant myself, I have understood what immigrant or second-generation students go through in college and the pressures of balancing academics and family expectations. I also enjoy working with patients to explore their identities, including gender issues, sexual orientation, religion, and careers. I am double board-certified in adult and child & adolescent psychiatry.

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I work best with students who may look like they are managing everything on the outside but feel overwhelmed, anxious, uncertain, or emotionally exhausted on the inside. You may be adjusting to college life, struggling with relationships, feeling pressure about academics or your future, coping with grief or a major life change, or simply realizing that the ways you have handled stress in the past are no longer working as well. Many of the students I work with are thoughtful, responsible, and hard on themselves. They may have difficulty slowing down, setting boundaries, trusting their own decisions, or knowing what they need. Others are navigating loneliness, family stress, a breakup, changes in identity, or the transition into adulthood and are looking for a place where they can talk openly without feeling judged. My approach is warm, collaborative, and practical. Therapy is a place where we can make sense of what you are experiencing, understand patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and develop tools to help you feel more grounded and confident. Depending on what you need, our work may include talking through current challenges, exploring how past experiences affect you today, learning ways to manage anxiety and difficult emotions, or using EMDR and body-based strategies to work through experiences that still feel unresolved. You do not need to have everything figured out before coming to therapy. We can start with whatever feels most important to you and work together from there.

As your clinical psychologist, with over 30 years experience, I am committed to creating an environment where you feel safe and understood. I will assist you in addressing and exploring the challenging issues that have kept you from living the life you would prefer. Originally from SoCal, I have lived in Athens for a total of ten years, have two adult children, and have worked extensively with college students, at both UGA and CSUN. Although it needs to be challenging at times, my goal is to make therapy a very positive, fun, and productive experience for you. I work together with you,utilizing cognitive-behavioral techniques, with an emphasis on solution-based therapy. Having spent almost nine years post-grad (3.5 years Masters, 5 years Doctorate), I personally know the challenges of being a student. I personalize my approach to be the one that is most effective for " you." We will work to find healthy changes that are important in assisting you to be happier, less anxious or depressed, and more fulfilled.

I work with individuals and couples seeking healing, growth, and stronger relationships. Many clients come to me struggling with anxiety, trauma, communication challenges, relationship conflict, life transitions, or spiritual concerns. Couples often seek support to rebuild trust, improve communication, and deepen connection. Individuals may feel overwhelmed, stuck, or burdened by past experiences. I provide a safe, supportive environment where clients can gain insight, develop healthy coping skills, and create meaningful, lasting change. My practice specializes in couples counseling, trauma recovery, anxiety treatment, and faith-based counseling. I use evidence-based approaches to help clients strengthen relationships, process difficult experiences, manage anxiety, and build resilience. For those who desire it, I thoughtfully integrate Christian faith into the counseling process. Taking the first step toward counseling can feel difficult, but you do not have to face life's challenges alone. Whether you are struggling in your relationship, carrying the weight of past hurts, or feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, support is available. I am committed to providing a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where healing and growth can begin.

When life starts to feel overwhelming or out of balance, having support can make a real difference. Between classes, relationships, family expectations, and figuring out who you are and where you’re headed, it’s easy to feel stressed, overwhelmed, or stuck. I’m passionate about helping people move through those moments with more clarity, support, and confidence. My path into therapy began through early experiences traveling with an international outreach organization in South America and Europe and working in U.S. inner-city communities. Those experiences shaped how I approach therapy today: with openness, cultural awareness, and a curiosity and respect for each person’s story. Over the years I’ve worked in private practice, inpatient and outpatient settings, and group therapy programs, supporting adolescents, young adults, couples and families through times of stress, trauma, and change. I especially enjoy working with college students and young adults who are dealing with anxiety, pressure, relationship challenges, grief, family issues, life questions, or uncertainty about the future. Whether you’re feeling burned out, carrying past experiences, or just trying to make sense of what’s next, therapy can be a place to slow things down and feel less alone. My approach to therapy is collaborative and flexible—this is your space. We’ll work together to figure out what you need and what feels most helpful for you. I aim to create a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where you can be honest, feel understood, and grow at your own pace. If spirituality is meaningful to you, I'd also love to gently integrate that into our work together.

Talk Therapy for Students Are you feeling overwhelmed with schoolwork or are you missing your family and friends back home? Our team is here to help you find the tools and coping skills to get your mind right. Leaving home, starting university, and finding new friends can be some of the most intense pressures and stressors to manage. Our team can help you Discover new coping skills Specialize techniques to manage anxiety and depression, and negative thought loops Increase your support system that will help you manage and decrease stress Talk about your past present or fear of the future Learn new ways to manage trauma Set new goals and follow through! YOU ARE NOT ALONE! College is an exciting time filled with new experiences, opportunities, and growth. However, it can also be a challenging period, particularly for students who may face academic pressure, financial stress, relationship difficulties, or mental health issues. These stressors can quickly pile up and take a toll on a student’s well-being, leading to feelings of anxiety, depression, or burnout. As experienced therapists, we have seen firsthand the unique challenges that college students face. Whether you’re navigating the pressures of academic success, building healthy relationships, or finding your place in the world, college can be a time of intense stress and uncertainty. That’s why we believe that therapy is the most powerful tool for college students who are looking to enhance their well-being and achieve their goals. Our overarching goal is to help students to develop a better understanding of their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and provide them with the tools they need to overcome the challenges they face. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or even relationship issues, therapy can help you to gain a new perspective, improve your coping skills, and increase your overall sense of happiness and fulfillment. Our number one priority is to create a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment where you can freely express yourself and work towards achieving your goals. We know that every college student is unique, and take a personalized approach to therapy, tailoring our methods to fit your individual needs and goals. So, if you’re a college student looking to improve your well-being, increase your self-awareness, and achieve your full potential, we encourage you to consider therapy. We’re here to help.

College life can be tough - talking to someone who understands you can offer real support, so you don't have to navigate your problems alone. Suppose you are struggling between exams, trying to navigate relationships, dealing with identity exploration, anxiety, burnout, imposter syndrome, or need a space to breathe, reflect, and grow. In that case, you are in the right place. I offer flexible scheduling that accommodates your classes and competitive rates. You can contact us by phone or email to request a brief consultation. If you wish to proceed with scheduling an appointment, please book your first session using the website below.

Hi, I'm Ava (she/they). I'm a therapist specializing in the treatment of OCD, eating disorders, and trauma. I'm particularly passionate about providing therapy to the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. As someone who is part of these communities, I have firsthand experience with difficulty finding a therapist who truly “gets” me without making assumptions or generalizations.

Are you often feeling worried and anxious? Are you finding it hard to manage all of the responsibilities in life? Perhaps, you're feeling stuck or stagnant in life, and seeking purpose and direction. You’re not alone—and you deserve to feel peace, gratitude, and fulfillment in your relationships, your work, and your personal life. Change is possible. Whether you are experiencing anxiety, depression, anger to navigating life transitions, identity formation, parenting and/or grief, I am here to walk with you and empower you to live in freedom. My goal is to help you reconnect—with yourself and with others. I lead with empathy, curiosity and compassion and take the time to understand who you are and the experiences that have shaped you in this world. I team with you to identify goals that fit your needs and equip you to live an empowered life that feels most authentically you. I have a heart for people and helping people live fuller, more connected lives is my passion. Therapy with me is a space where you can show up exactly as you are, feel truly heard, and take steps toward the life you’ve been longing for. Let’s take the first step together. Reach out for a free 15 minute consultation.

Unfortunately, life has many obstacles and challenges leading to feelings of sadness, pain, confusion, and anger. Often individuals and couples feel stuck and don't know how to move forward. This time can feel very lonely and scary. My role as a therapist is to provide you with a safe, nonjudgmental environment to process thoughts and feelings, as well as guide you in developing insight and identifying skills to help you live a happier and healthier life. I am committed in helping you heal and grow. I have experience working with individuals with a variety of conditions/issues including depression, anxiety, grief, and trauma. I assist couples in increasing communication skills, decreasing conflicts, and developing a healthy attachment to one another. I am trained in EMDR, Couples and Sex Therapy, as well as Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. I look forward to hearing from you to determine whether I would be a good fit in helping you through your growth and healing.