Therapists for college students near University of Southern California

The challenges and struggles we face in life can leave us feeling helpless and hopeless. Perhaps you’re overwhelmed with responsibilities. You might be taking care of other people and neglecting yourself. Or you might be struggling hard to make an important relationship work. You’ve tried more traditional kinds of self-help or therapy, and you’re ready for a different kind of therapy which integrates the mind, body and spirit.

We are a non-profit organization geared towards serving the community. HOH offers a variety of services from individual, couples, to group therapy. In addition, we are a training site for graduate level students offering supervision and clinical skills training.

Hello! I am Dr. Georgiana Spradling. I have been practicing Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy and Relationship Coaching for over 25 years. I am a specialist on Emotional Intelligence. I will teach you Anger Management techniques, as well as communication, negotiation and Conflict resolution, help you use strategy in your decisions and achieve your goals. I will tell you what you need to hear rather than what you want to hear, while moving you forward with kindness.

If you want to see the universe laugh, tell it your plans.” In my 30 years of practicing psychology, this is perhaps one of my most favorite client quotes. Life is a meandering, unpredictable adventure with fulfilling, joyous times and also some unexpected and difficult challenges included. It’s not always easy to create the life and relationships that will bring fulfillment and happiness. Sometimes it’s difficult to even imagine your goals, understand what’s going wrong and think of solutions to overwhelming problems. Whether you are struggling with depression, anxiety, relationship issues, low self-worth or just a general sense of dissatisfaction and unhappiness, therapy can help you gain insight into your feelings, clarify your life’s direction and help you create a life worth living by maximizing your true potential. I strive to create a safe, supportive, non-judgmental environment where we can collaboratively explore, understand and clarify your feelings as well as find more adaptive ways to cope and problem solve the issues in your life. I believe that you can’t really understand someone’s present world without understanding their past experiences and how that is negatively or positively impacting their life now. In therapy I can help you break out of old patterns that are not serving you well anymore, improve coping alternatives and psychological flexibility while concurrently providing you concrete strategies for managing overwhelming feelings in the moment and the support and empathy you need to move forward. Life is hard for everyone at some point, but in considering therapy now, you have demonstrated the courage to strive for more and take the first step towards healing and growth. Together we will create the life you’ve always wanted by exploring what is holding you back, getting in your way and answering the questions you were previously too afraid to consider. I have been practicing psychology/therapy for the past 30 years since receiving my PhD in 1993 from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. I recently retired from my job of 21 years in university counseling so that I could start my own private practice and better serve the clients with whom I work. I am a “true generalist” in every sense of the word and have experience and comfort in working with many different types of individuals, couples and issues. Some of my areas of expertise are: *Transitional aged youth ages 18-35, * Relationship and Interpersonal issues * Rape/Sexual assault *Relationship Abuse *Depression *Anxiety *Couples Therapy *Sports Psychology/Performance Enhancement *Processing Childhood Emotional and Physical Abuse. *Life Transitions *Parenting Issues I am eager to join you on your journey towards happiness and fulfillment so please reach out for a free consultation and take the first step toward a better and more powerful you. I offer Telemental Health Treatment to all of California.

Peace-It-Together Counseling Agency provides prevention and intervention counseling services to at-risk youth and offers affordable mental health care services to vulnerable populations in our community. We recognize many people do not have the necessary insurance to seek mental health services. PIT intentionally offers lower fee counseling to individuals, children, teens, families, couples, and the older-aging population to help those who would not ordinarily be able to afford counseling. We make our services affordable by offering them on a sliding scale based on your income. The Peace-It-Together staff knows the unique stressors students carry as many of our staff are also students. Our counselors can provide students with stress reduction strategies to help with school performance anxiety and other school-related stressors. Juggling work, school, and relationships can be overwhelming at times. Our staff is here to help support you and listen to your concerns. We can offer interventions to help you thrive.

My role as a therapist is to support you in exploring your personal story and observing your inner experiences. I offer a safe, non-judgmental space using warmth, humor and gentle awareness for you to feel accepted and understood. I use narrative, solution focused, and mindfulness techniques to collaborate with you. This approach allows you to reauthor your story with compassion and insight, drawing from your strengths and values to cultivate resilience.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or like something just isn’t right inside—even if you can’t explain why? You’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. I’m a trauma therapist who understands what it’s like to feel broken, lost, or stuck after going through tough experiences—whether that’s childhood trauma, bullying, abuse, or just the weight of everyday pressure and expectations. I’ve been there myself, and I know healing is absolutely possible. If you’re struggling with anxiety, anger, depression, PTSD, or even feeling disconnected from who you really are, I offer a safe space to unpack what’s going on—and begin to heal. I specialize in helping students like you who are trying to balance life, emotions, school, relationships, and maybe even past pain that hasn’t been fully processed yet. My approach is focused on helping you get results, not just vent. We’ll explore what matters to you—your values, goals, strengths—and figure out how to start building the life you want. I also offer energy healing and spiritual guidance if you’re open to deeper, more holistic support (but only if that resonates with you—this space is always about you, not my agenda). If you’re ready to feel supported, heard, and guided toward real change, I’m here. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to take that first step.

Hi there! I'm a licensed clinical psychologist with a passion for helping children, teens, families, and young adults. I understand growing up can be challenging, and I’m here to help with issues like depression, anxiety, ADHD, behavioral problems, family or friendship issues, and any major life changes. I focus on approaches that are practical, supportive, and tailored to each person’s unique needs. I take the time to get to know your story, your strengths, and what genuinely helps you feel grounded. My goal is to create a space where you feel understood, cared for, and encouraged—whether that means talking things through, exploring emotions in creative ways, or breaking challenges down into manageable steps. I want our time together to feel like a team effort where you never have to face anything alone. Therapy can feel intimidating, so I strive to create a fun and welcoming space from day one. I’m passionate about early intervention and love working with kids, teens, and young adults, making our sessions engaging and enjoyable. I’d be honored to support you or your child on the path to a happy, healthy, and fulfilled life!

I was born a helper and my experience in the navy enhanced my desire to help others who are struggling with mental health issues regardless of how small or how big. As a therapist I want to be able to help those who are courageous enough to seek help to improve their mental health. Being heard and understood in each session is important for every client and encourages vulnerability and completion of recommended treatment. I support this by actively listening to them, validate their emotions, ask clarifying questions, paraphrase what they say to confirm understanding, and maintain eye contact. As a therapist I know how important it is to have a healthy and therapeutic relationship with each client because no two clients are alike. I utilize active listening skills, demonstrate genuine empathy, maintain an open line of communication, and create a safe space for vulnerability to support the development of a trusting and strong therapeutic alliance with each of my clients. A key element in me building a therapeutic alliance with each client is being transparent about the therapeutic process and assisting each client with setting individualized realistic treatment goals.

Hey there! As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 10+ years of experience, I'm passionate about helping you connect with yourself, grow, and thrive. I've worked with people of all ages navigating depression, anxiety, and more. My goal is to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can share your story, explore your strengths, and develop strategies for a balanced life.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

My goal as a therapist is to empower clients by working collaboratively and to help them learn and find the tools and skills to help themselves reach success. I aspire to provide compassionate and culturally competent care and support clients in reaching their goals. I do my best to ensure clients feel heard and understood in sessions by providing a safe and non-judgmental space for them to explore and process their thoughts feelings and emotions. As a therapist my goal is to be present and grounded in the moment to provide whatever support is needed. I believe that in order to build trust there needs to be understanding and connection. Finding common ground and being curious are integral parts of my work.

If anxiety, depression, stress, ADHD, or the adjustment to college life have you feeling like you're doing everything right and still not okay, you're not alone. In our sessions, we slow down and look at what's underneath — including how your identity, culture, gender, and the world around you shape what you're going through. Together we work toward feeling more like yourself — building the kind of quiet confidence that comes from knowing your own values, whether that's navigating independence for the first time, family expectations that don't match what you want for yourself, or figuring out academics, career direction, or what comes next. If this resonates, reach out.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I have always been passionate about understanding others. I believe that most peoples’ actions and beliefs make sense once you understand the full context of their stories. However, we often judge others instead of taking the time to do this. Having a non-judgmental space to explore one’s emotions and experiences is a gift I believe everyone should have access to. Therapy is special because in addition to providing that non-judgmental space, I also can offer practical tools and support for mental health based on my education and experience as a therapist. During our first session, I will ask you to share about why you are seeking therapy and what goals feel important to you. Then, we’ll talk about the ways I can support you in reaching those goals. It’s important to know that I always assume the best in my clients, and my only goal for you is that you are able to live in a way that aligns with your own values and aspirations. Sometimes, I will point out when my clients actions don’t align with their values, as this enables us to truly reflect and grow. Every client has a different comfort level when it comes to how much and how soon they share things with me. I build trust with my clients by showing up consistently and honestly, and I trust that my clients will share things with me when they’re ready. In my past work, I have especially connected with young adults who are processing childhood trauma. I also have had many Asian American clients who are interested in further exploring their cultural identities in therapy. Whatever your background, it would be an honor to work with you and be part of your story.

We provide comprehensive psychological services, empowering you to improve & protect your mental health. We specialize in providing personalized treatment of eating disorders, trauma, substance use disorders & obsessive-compulsive disorder. We also are experts in guiding young adults through life transitions, relationship difficulties, and identity development. We believe that with the right resources, support, and commitment, anyone can succeed.

Are you feeling stressed, overwhelmed, confused, or depressed? Are you feeling disconnected or lost as you navigate your college journey? Wondering if you may have impostor syndrome? Are you procrastinating and cannot find any motivation to study? Having family conflicts? Relationship issues? Boundary issues? You are not alone! I have experience working with people from all walks of life. I am here to support and collaborate with you to meet your needs and develop new skills to help you feel happier in life. There is no one-size-fits-all counseling approach. I have always used person-centered and integrated therapy approaches to help my clients, such as Cognitive-behavioral therapy, Solution-focused therapy, Narrative therapy, Play therapy, EMDR therapy, Brainspotting, Gottman Couple therapy and Art therapy. I have found that we are all unique individuals who have similar experiences but unique details in life. Since I began counseling, each modality and approach has its pros and cons; we cannot always rely on one modality or approach to handle every situation. Sometimes, being creative and flexible can help my clients better understand themselves. I have had many counselors in my life, from academic counselors to mental health counselors, and they all have brought me wisdom to help me identify my issues and have helped me realize nothing is more important than our health. Having healthy communication skills and learning about others’ cultures and practices can reduce anxiety between both parties. We often have various unique obstacles to face, but if we can be flexible to adapt to our challenges and find alternatives and resources, this can be our key to problem-solving and a huge step to our success.

Katherine is a warm and engaging therapist who values honesty and transparency in her interactions with clients. She is passionate about helping her clients achieve their goals and find joy in their lives. She believes that therapy is a collaborative process and works closely with clients to create a customized treatment plan that meets their unique needs. Having recovered from her own eating disorder, Katherine is able to bring a unique level of empathy and understanding to every session. Clients can expect to feel heard and validated but also pushed to confront their thoughts and behaviors in a supportive environment. Her encouraging approach helps clients feel comfortable opening up and sharing their feelings, and her humor adds a refreshing, lighthearted touch to the therapeutic process. Katherine earned her undergraduate degree in Sociology and Women and Gender Studies from Furman University and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of North Carolina. She has worked in all levels of care from outpatient to residential and most recently was the Program Director of a telemedicine Intensive Outpatient Program for Eating Disorders and the Director of Behavioral Health for a national telemedicine company. Katherine has over a decade of experience treating a wide range of issues including eating disorders, trauma, mood disorders, anxiety, personality disorders and substance use disorders. She holds independent licenses to practice Social Work in 15 states and is currently pursuing her Eating Disorder Specialist certification through the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals.

Botaitis Therapy Group is a dedicated team of therapists offering a wide range of services to meet the needs of individuals, couples and families in California. We provide in-person counseling in Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Valley, as well as online therapy options for those throughout California. This flexibility can make therapy more accessible to people with various preferences and circumstances. Our therapy group offers a holistic approach for diverse mental health and relationship issues. We have skilled professionals to assist various age groups and relationship dynamics, tailoring therapy as needed. Quality care and compassion are central to our practice. If you have questions or need more details about Botaitis Therapy Group, please don't hesitate to inquire.