Therapists for college students near 90089

I became a therapist because I know what it is like to need extra support through life’s many curveballs. I became a therapist to give back, and am driven by the honor of getting to be a part of someone’s healing journey. I enjoy celebrating successes with my clients! I believe you are the most reliable narrator in your own story, and work with clients to promote empowerment in their own therapeutic experience. I work to create an authentic therapeutic space by utilizing humor, warmth, and collaboration. I empower clients to find answers within themselves and identify solutions that work to relieve their personal stressors. I guide clients to explore underlying thoughts and challenge themselves by emphasizing compassion and safety. I allow time for clients to ask any of their own questions they may have about myself or therapy in general and welcome feedback to ensure clients are receiving the best support possible. Outside of the therapy room, I’m a hobby ballerina! I also play Dungeons&Dragons. I am a firm believer in the importance of honoring our inner child through interests and play.

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.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Positive experiences with mental health care, both personally and through seeing its impact on those around me, inspired me to become a therapist. I value how it can meaningfully improve functioning and overall well-being, especially during times when people feel stuck or in need of additional support. This impact led me to pursue becoming a mental health therapist with the goal of providing that same support and guidance to others. My goal in helping clients is to support and empower them through the journey of healing and growth. I believe in providing a warm, trusting, and non-judgmental space that offers unconditional support and positive regard, helping clients feel comfortable sharing their feelings and experiences. Given my bi-racial and multi-cultural background, I believe it is essential to understand and incorporate the multi-faceted nature of each client’s context and background in order to effectively support them in working toward their therapeutic goals. In session, I offer a warm, collaborative, and safe environment grounded in respect, sensitivity, and compassion for every client I work with. When appropriate, I incorporate humor and positivity, while also validating the challenge and difficult areas of life for clients. I focus on empowering my clients using approaches that integrate person-centered therapy, strengths-based therapy, humanistic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). I take an eclectic and flexible approach to best suit the needs of each client. My aim is to provide a space to explore and understand clients’ unique personalities and experiences so I can equip them with the tools needed for long-term growth, resilience, and improved well-being. A fun personal fact is that I grew up in a military family, which gave me the opportunity to spend much of my childhood living abroad, including in Japan and Germany. Later, my education and early adult life took me to New York and Boston, but I love California the most and call it home now. I also am an animal lover, I love seeing client pets!

I know how difficult it can be when lack of motivation, worry, or stress keeps you from living the life you want. That's why I use evidence-based techniques to help you bring the color back to life. I specialize in academic stress, life transitions (like entering college or getting ready to graduate), work-life balance, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, and perfectionism. I take an individualized approach to therapy by prioritizing client goals, celebrating client's unique cultural traditions, and integrating relevant diversity and contextual factors into treatment. Clients who work with me describe me as compassionate, validating, and a great accountability partner. As a queer identifying clinician, I have extensive experience working with LGBTQIA+ individuals and have developed and led trainings in affirming care across the country. I also have specific expertise in gender issues, where I've helped clients unlearn unhelpful myths about gender and reimagine gender roles that no longer serve them. I strongly value a holistic approach to care which includes paying attention to often overlooked aspects of health such as sleep, chronic pain, and finding joyful ways of moving your body. I work from a health-at-every size perspective to help individuals learn to appreciate, love, and thrive in their own body.

I became a therapist because I want to help people become their best selves. I always want to help you feel understood, safe, and supported, in a completely non-judgmental space, especially if these things are already lacking in your life. You should know that you can talk to me without fear of judgement and that I care about you, and all of my clients. I have experience with both children and adults. All ages are welcome! I make an effort to meet clients where they are and ask what they hope to gain from their time with me. I try to build trust by taking a nonjudgmental approach of positive regard for all my clients. I will tailor my approach to the situation and to what the client wants. For some that will mean more empathetic listening, for others it may mean more praise, positive feedback, coping skills, increasing awareness, reframing a situation or a certain level of coaching. I find that everyone is different and has different needs, so I adjust my approach accordingly. Thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope to see you soon!

Therapy for college students and young adults navigating identity, stress, and life transitions, with a focus on those in creative and performance-driven environments. As a therapist with a background in entertainment and training from a performing arts college, I understand the unique pressures of balancing artistic passion with academic and personal demands. My approach is solution-focused and practical, helping clients build coping skills, strengthen self-awareness, and create sustainable balance in both their creative and everyday lives.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and I strive to create a supportive, nonjudgmental space where individuals feel heard, understood, and empowered to make meaningful changes. My clinical experience includes working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, family conflict, life transitions, behavioral concerns, self-esteem challenges, and stress related to school, work, and personal relationships. My therapeutic approach is collaborative, compassionate, and tailored to each client's unique needs. I draw from evidence-based practices including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), trauma-informed care, attachment-based interventions, and family systems therapy. Together, we will identify strengths, develop practical coping skills, and work toward goals that align with your values and vision for your life. Whether you are facing a specific challenge or seeking personal growth, I look forward to supporting you on your journey toward healing and resilience.

I support students who put a lot of pressure on themselves to succeed—whether that’s in school, relationships, or planning for the future. Many of my clients appear to “have it all together," but inside they feel anxious, burned out, or unsure of how to manage the stress. My clients come to me because they’re struggling to balance everything on their plate or want support navigating big changes like moving away from home, figuring out their identity, or making decisions about what’s next. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or like you’re carrying the weight of expectations (your own or others’), you’re not alone. In our work together, you’ll have a space to slow down, feel understood, and learn practical tools to feel more grounded and confident in your everyday life.

Growth and Change Counseling is a relationships oriented counseling practice that is passionate about helping people develop the relational intelligence to step out of their anxiety, depression, and addiction and to experience wholeness in their relationships and satisfaction in their life. All of our problems root back to the breakdown in our relationships and the of relational intelligence due to or the lack of relational intelligence (ex. Autism Spectrum Disorder). At the core of our being we all yearn to connect and at the center of our lives is the need for . Anxious, addicted, depressed people isolate because they are pulling away from relationship in pain. When you come to Growth and Change Counseling, we will help you learn to apply and integrate the healthy relationship principles that will empower you to thrive in your relationships (parent-child, couples, partners, friends, etc.). We treat everything. We are not afraid of your problems, and we will get in the trenches with you to help you Grow and Change!

My treatment approach is customized for each client, integrating multiple evidence-based techniques as needed. My small private practice allows me to see fewer clients and spend more time crafting your personalized, evolving treatment plan. Between sessions, I use research, expert consultations, and careful reflection to enhance your quality of care. I have personally benefited from and deeply believe in every method I use. I am supervised by Dr. Brandi Kulikov-Ramirez, MA, PhD, LMFT #134149.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Heather Ward, MA, LMFT, PMH-C, is a licensed therapist with deep roots in college campus mental health, having provided counseling and wellness support across multiple higher education settings in the Los Angeles area. Trained at the University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education, Heather has worked at Pierce College, West LA College, and California State University, Northridge, where she managed large student caseloads, coordinated care with multidisciplinary campus teams, and developed workshops focused on building healthy relationships and emotional resilience. Heather brings a warm, collaborative style and a nonjudgmental presence to her work with students navigating depression, anxiety, identity shifts, and the pressures of academic life. She draws from attachment-based, psychodynamic, and mindfulness-oriented approaches to help clients build emotional regulation skills and strengthen their sense of self during pivotal life transitions. Earlier in her career, Heather also contributed to campus mental health from an administrative lens, developing and implementing strategic mental health and counseling initiatives at UCLA Extension — giving her a uniquely well-rounded perspective on how students are supported at an institutional level. Heather is committed to culturally sensitive, inclusive care and has experience supporting diverse student populations across community college and university settings.

I am a Marriage and Family Therapist and Professional Clinical Counseling intern with the Center of Resiliency. I am excited to begin our work together! I am passionate about helping people begin healing from trauma, improve their interpersonal relationships, and work towards the best version of themselves. I work with adults, couples, and adolescents with a range of life challenges, including depression, anxiety and panic management, relationship and interpersonal issues, life changes and adjustments, and PTSD and trauma.

Many of the people I work with have spent a long time feeling like they're just trying to get through each day. They may be overwhelmed by anxiety, stuck in repetitive thoughts or behaviors, carrying the weight of past experiences, or feeling disconnected from themselves and the people they care about. Some have experienced trauma that continues to affect their relationships, confidence, or sense of safety, while others find themselves caught in cycles of fear, self-doubt, or uncertainty. You don't have to have everything figured out before starting therapy. Whether you're struggling with the effects of a difficult past, feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, or finding that your thoughts and emotions are interfering with the life you want to live, therapy can provide a space to better understand what you're experiencing and begin moving toward meaningful change. I strive to create a supportive, compassionate, and nonjudgmental environment where you can feel heard, respected, and understood. Together, we'll work at a pace that feels right for you, focusing on your goals and helping you build greater confidence, resilience, and hope for the future.

Overwhelmed, scattered, stuck in cycles of anxiety and procrastination. Losing track of time, riding emotional highs and lows, struggling to quiet your mind — and not knowing why. These patterns can be linked to ADHD, and in adults they frequently go unrecognized for years. What builds up in that time isn't just difficulty with focus and follow-through, but criticism, self-doubt, and anxiety that never quite got resolved. The adults I work with are often highly capable people who've built impressive lives, but carry a quiet exhaustion from working twice as hard just to keep up. They mask well in public and struggle privately. My approach integrates multiple evidence-based therapies, including EMDR, a model built on the understanding that your brain has a built-in system for healing — linking difficult or traumatic memories to your adaptive memory network for nervous system healing and cognitive restructuring, so you can move forward with clarity.

About me I specialize in counseling for diverse college students, student-athletes, and working professionals in healthcare, business, engineering and scientific disciplines. I collaborate with clients to help them resolve anxiety, life transitions, work-life concerns, family or relationship conflict, bereavement, and trauma. ​​My experience spans inpatient, community counseling, employee assistance (EAP), university counseling (CAPS), and D1 athletics settings. I have a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine GSEP, an MBA from Babson College, and completed advanced training in Sport Psychology, CBT, ACT, and IPSRT modalities. My Approach My practice helps high performers overcome the complex stressors of their profession and personal lives using an integrated wellness perspective that combines evidence-based therapy, sport psychology, and holistic mind-body interventions. Taking a person-centered approach that considers unique multicultural identities, I am passionate about helping clients realize their unidentified strengths and resiliency, so they can maximize their compassion at work, in their relationships, and in themselves.

Providing culturally sensitive, inclusive and trauma informed therapy for individuals with anxiety, depression, relational trauma, intergenerational family trauma, perfectionism/high achieving, low self esteem and relationship issues.

Are you tired of anxiety and old habits preventing you from achieving your goals? Have you been dealing with life's problems by trying harder, venting to friends and family, and avoiding stressful situations, and things never seem to get better? Are you ready for change? I’ll work collaboratively with you to tailor time-tested and evidence-based approaches to meet your specific needs. My Background and Approach We’ll work together to see how old habits and ways of dealing with life’s problems might be holding you back. One of the most common ways people deal with problems is through avoidance. If you avoid anxiety provoking or uncomfortable situations, you’ll feel better in the short-term. However, you’ll probably find that you end up avoiding more and more and your world will get much smaller in the long-term. We’ll work together to find new ways of thinking and approaching life’s problems so your world can open up and you can live according to your values rather than based on uncomfortable emotions. We'll collaborate to develop personalized exercises to help you to face your fears whether you're suffering from insomnia, OCD, or performance anxiety at work or as an athlete/performer. I have helped students, retirees, stay-at-home-parents, surgeons, world class athletes, ballet dancers, and people from all walks of life. Sport Psychology I am also passionate about helping athletes and performers of all kinds to perform at the upper range of their abilities. I have worked with competitors at the high school, amateur, community college, university, professional, and world class levels. I currently provide sport psychology services for the U.S. National Sumo Wrestling team and a Women’s Premier Soccer League team. I am a member of the International OCD Foundation's Anxiety in Athlete's Task Force, which is aimed at providing education and resources to athletes suffering from OCD. My Beliefs and Interests I believe that mental health should be viewed the same way as physical health. Most of us wouldn't judge someone for catching a cold, pulling a muscle, or living with a chronic illness. So, why do we judge someone who feels depressed, has a panic attack during an important presentation, or lives with OCD? I also believe that if society can appreciate people going to the gym to stay fit or have empathy for people undergoing a life-saving surgery, we as a society, can also appreciate and empathize with people going to therapy to maintain their mental health and address mental illness. I believe that with effort and learning people can grow to be stronger than the problems they face. I have the privilege of being able to help people on their journey of personal growth as my job! When I am not working you can find me listening to audiobooks and watching great movies and shows. I am still an avid supporter of House Stark (books and HBO). Call Today Whether you are struggling with your mental health, or you are just trying to improve your performance, I can work with you to meet your goals. Please call (310) 375-4855 Ext.14 or email jvonstietz@cbtsocal.com to set up a FREE phone consultation.