Therapists for college students near San Diego State University

I am a licensed clinical social worker with many years of experience working with adults, adolescents, children, and families. I know that change is hard and seeking support is brave. It is a privilege to be alongside you in your journey towards becoming the person you want to be and living the life you want to live. Our therapy will be a space where it is okay to show up as your authentic self and share your feelings. We will collaborate to identify and work towards the changes you want to see in your life, brainstorm ways to overcome patterns you may feel stuck in, and support you in gaining the insight needed to foster progress. I have experience supporting clients with anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, perfectionism, school and work stress, self-esteem, attachment, and interpersonal and family relationships. My approach aims to be relational, strength-based, and trauma-informed. I strive to bring empathy, humor, and a nonjudgmental approach to the therapy space to support you in your journey. I use an integrative, holistic approach that pulls from different therapeutic specialties that we will tailor specifically to your identified wants and needs - such as narrative therapy, family systems, mind-body connection, solution-focused, and emotion and person-centered.

I believe in our ability and power to transform, heal, and thrive. I discovered this through my own lifelong personal journey as well as my genuine interest and care for the stories and life experiences of others. I pursued education and now two decades of mental health work experience to work alongside you. You are not alone in this process. I will meet you where you are at and we will make goals and set a vision of where you want to be, who you want to become, and/or how you want to change. My priority is that you feel safe, respected, and seen throughout our work together. You have made it this far to even browse our profiles and look for the right fit for you. I already see your strength in making it to this step. Our working relationship is essential to your success in therapy. We carry HEAVY things within us and I’m capable of holding these heavy things with you. With this in mind, I take care and attention to what helps you feel supported. It’s time to make the changes you want and I’m here to help get you there!

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I was inspired to become a therapist by my experience working with adults with developmental disabilities. I found deep fulfillment in making a positive impact with the people in my community and wanted to make that the focus of my life. I offer a warm and kind presence that allows my clients to speak without judgment. My approach is highly focused on the underlying feelings that inform how we navigate life. Utilizing a balance between compassion and direct communication, my aim is to create an atmosphere that is kind and comforting while respecting the work we do and the need for honesty. I believe in the ideas of genuineness, empathetic understanding, and unconditional positive regard for my clients. My goal is to demonstrate acceptance for my clients from a holistic perspective that includes every aspect of who they are. Understanding all of the facets and intersecting identities that make up a person, allows me to support them at my best. I also wish to provide my clients with useful tools that can help them to be their best selves both within a relationship and individually.

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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.

Hi there. Firstly, my name Siobhán is Irish & pronounced like sha-v-on. And I am glad you are here! Mental health is vital for navigating life. And having someone in your corner with expertise, compassion, & independence is a great way to cope. I truly believe meaningful therapy comes when YOU feel a connection with your clinician. So finding a fit for you is vital. I approach everyone as a fellow human & use my bubbly personality, genuine curiosity, & compassion to develop rapport. Together we will collaborate to find a way to invite joy back into your life. I offer a warm, non-judgmental space to explore your journey together. Functional mental health is vital for navigating the inevitable transitions of life. And having someone in your corner with expertise, compassion, & independence is a great way to persevere. I truly believe meaningful therapy comes when YOU feel a connection with your clinician. So, finding a fit for you is vital. Chat with me for a free consultation.

Since I could remember, I knew that I wanted to be in a field that would give me the opportunity to help others. I chose to be a psychology major for many reasons but one of them is because I found psychology very interesting and fascinating. I also discover that being genuinely interested in people, wanting to help and having the ability to easily connect with others were strengths that would help me in my journey of being able to help others. I have a passion for helping clients enhance their personal strengths, develop coping skills for them to thrive during difficult times, life transitions and needed change. One of the most important thing for me as a therapist is on providing a safe environment to my clients. I do it by being genuine, empathetic and compassionate. I also use actively listening to really understand the client’s perspective on their situations, and also what they want out of treatment. One question that I found important is to ask my client about their previous experiences in therapy and what was something that they did not like or liked in order to understand more what they might need from out therapeutic relationship. I like working collaboratively with my clients to build healthier relationships with themselves and others. I truly believe that people are the experts of their lives. Using compassion, active listening, kindness and a collaborative approach has helped my clients feel safer in our sessions while working together. When leaving our sessions, clients will have a roadmap for their healing and personal development journey. Through out our work together, clients will feel empower, motivate and hopeful that they can improve and achieve their treatment goals.

Hello and welcome! I am a licensed marriage & family therapist. I worked with clients in the La Jolla/San Diego area for many years before moving across the country to Florida. I currently serve California, Colorado, and Florida-based clients via secure video counseling. I work with individuals, couples, and families to help each person resolve problems, to create more satisfying relationships, and to live more fulfilling and meaningful lives. I specialize in treating anxiety disorders, couples conflict, substance abuse, eating disorders, chronic illness, and pre-marital issues, but I also have experience helping people through a wide range of other problems that may be bothering them (please see "Services Provided" for more detailed information). My approach is mostly collaborative - I believe that my clients should have options when choosing what type of therapy treatment they feel is best for them. I also, when appropriate, will work closely with a client's healthcare providers as part of the treatment. This way, my clients have additional support as we work through challenges. I absolutely love working as a therapist! Nothing gives me more satisfaction than saving a marriage, increasing the bonds of love between family members, or helping someone overcome an addictive pattern and find new meaning in their life. Please contact me to set up your first appointment.

I have been working in the mental health/social services field since 1996 in varying capacities. I was a social worker with the County of San Diego in Child Protective Services, first as a case manager, where I worked in a specialized unit with long-term foster children who had mental health diagnoses. I became a kind of “specialist” in attachment and bonding, and grief and loss issues, as well as issues with identity, be it racial, gender, or other identifications. After taking early retirement from the County in 2011, I decided to focus on the mental health side of social services. I took a job as a therapist and a discharge coordinator at a mental health crisis house, and then as a care manager for patients at inpatient psychiatric facilities for various insurance companies. In August 2013, I finally achieved a long-term dream and opened up my private practice where I continue to be delighted with the creativity and innovation, as well as the diversity of the people I meet every day.

I am Milka Galvez, a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. I received my master’s degree in nursing from Walden University. My vision of a world where mental well-being is prioritized and breaking down societal stigmas surrounding mental health inspires me to work in the field of mental health care. I start by fostering a trusting relationship where patients feel safe sharing their thoughts and feelings. This is achieved through active listening and open-ended questions during initial assessments to gather insights about their personal beliefs, cultural background and past experiences with mental health care. I then work in collaborative goal setting, flexible treatment approaches and continuous feedback and adjustment.

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I’m drawn to helping people navigate difficult life transitions and supporting them in developing self-compassion and learning to validate their own experiences. I find it meaningful to walk alongside clients as they make sense of challenges and grow through them. I use humor and metaphors to explore complex or heavy topics in a way that feels more approachable and less overwhelming. I love helping clients find practical tools and unique solutions they can apply in their everyday lives, so they feel more empowered in managing their struggles and creating change. I approach the therapeutic relationship collaboratively and making sure we stay focused on what matters most to you. I’ll regularly check in and invite your feedback so we can adjust along the way and make sure your needs are being met. I utilize active listening, paying close attention to both what you’re saying and how you’re experiencing things. I may reflect things back or ask questions to better understand your perspective. My goal is for you to feel genuinely heard, respected, and supported throughout the process. At the beginning, we’ll talk about what brings you in and what you’re hoping to get out of therapy, and we’ll work together to set goals that feel meaningful to you. I’ll also explain how I work so everything feels clear and collaborative. Building trust is really important to me, so I focus on creating a safe, welcoming space that’s free of judgment and shame. I follow your lead and respect your pace, especially when we’re exploring more difficult topics. I also bring in humor, creativity, and metaphors to make the process feel more engaging and approachable. Over time, consistency, open communication, and mutual respect help us build a strong therapeutic relationship where you feel safe, supported, and empowered. I enjoy bringing a light-hearted demeanor into the therapy space. Therapy is serious work, but I find that humor helps bolster resilience and promote connection. By being able to notice and appreciate small, light moments we can more easily tackle the big ones.

I work collaboratively with people who often find me to be fun and funny, positive, caring and compassionate. As I tell clients when they express gratitude toward me for helping them, "I know some stuff. " I know some stuff about trauma and healing and how people overcome difficult pasts that affect them in the present. I know some stuff about relationships, how they go sidewise and how they get repaired. I know a lot about autism and how siblings of spectrum kids are affected and how the future can seem scary if you don't have a plan for yourself or your future. Depression, anxiety, stress, anger, procrastination, relational difficulty, trauma recovery... I know some stuff and I'm here to help you. Therapy shouldn't be scary and once we get started you'll feel well supported and see some changes that are you are looking for.

Feeling weighed down by anxiety and often second-guessing yourself? Do you find yourself overthinking everything that could go wrong, procrastinating, or struggling to make decisions? Maybe anxiety leaves you feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, making it hard to get through the day or enjoy the friendships, opportunities, and experiences you really want. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Therapy can help. Taking the step to reach out for support can feel intimidating, but it’s also one of the bravest choices you can make. I’m glad you’re here. Together, we can work on tools to quiet the constant overthinking, build confidence, and help you create the life and relationships you want most. In sessions, I offer you evidenced based tools, teach you new skill development and strategies so that you can get relief, gain confidence and manage anxiety more effectively. We'll create a plan that feels practical, empowering and personalized. My treatment approach utilizes Cognitive-Behavioral therapy and Compassion Mindfulness-based therapy. Cognitive Behavioral therapy is considered one of the most effective, and evidenced based treatments for anxiety. Reach out today for a 15-minute free consultation. I look forward to connecting with you and being a partner on your therapy journey.

College is a time of tremendous growth, but it can also bring stress, uncertainty, and pressure from many directions. Balancing academics, relationships, family expectations, cultural identity, and planning for the future can feel overwhelming—especially if you're a first-generation, international, or multicultural student trying to navigate different worlds. Therapy offers a space that's truly yours, where you don't have to meet anyone else's expectations or have everything figured out. Together, we'll explore what's weighing on you, gain insight into the patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and develop practical tools to help you manage life's challenges with greater confidence and self-compassion. My goal is to help you reconnect with your authentic self, build resilience, and create a life that feels aligned with your own values rather than the expectations of others.

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I’m passionate about collaborating with clients to increase their confidence in their ability to cope with challenges and build fulfillment in their lives. It has been an honor to witness this in others during the past 15+ years of being a therapist. When it comes to working with clients, I take a biopsychosocial, collaborative approach, believing we are all physical, mental, emotional, and social beings with unique goals, challenges and viewpoints. My counseling approach is gentle, compassionate, person-centered, solution-focused and strength-based. I incorporate evidence-based interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), using the spirit of motivational interviewing to support clients to meet their goals and increase their coping.

Are you and your partner disconnected? Have tons of resentment? Feeling like roommates? Having the same conflict over and over again? Constantly met with defensiveness? Feeling like you are always misunderstood? Scared to bring things up because they'll "get upset" or shut down? Don't know where to start? If you are facing any of these challenges, you are not alone. Some conflicts in relationships never fully go away, but they don't have to keep hurting you. We can unpack whats really happening beneath the surface so the conflict stops feeling destructive and we can get the change you've been hoping for. I provide telehealth therapy for couples who want real and structured change, not just a therapist who is a mediator or referee. I use the Gottman Method, which is a research-based intervention with 50 years of research on how couples communicate and connect. I will bring those tools to every session to help you repair your relationship. Healing and change are possible, even when it feels difficult and uncertain. My approach is warm, structured, direct, and collaborative. I’ll help you understand why patterns keep showing up and give you tools you can actually use outside of session. Therapy with me is a space where you can slow down, feel understood, and start making changes that last.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.