Is your college life leaving you feeling anxious, overwhelmed, lonely and depressed? Many students struggle with fitting in, peer pressure, with stress, Is college not what you expected? No matter what you are going through there is hope. I believe you know what you need, but maybe you are not sure how to get there. My expertise is combined with years of experience in helping my clients achieve their goals using targeted interventions to address your particular areas of concern, I enjoy workin...
I’ve always believed in the transformative power of connection. In this field, we have the privilege of working closely with individuals to support them though their struggles. Being able to offer a non-judgmental, compassionate space where someone feels heard and understood is something that inspires me every day. My goal is to establish a compassionate and empowering environment for every individual I have the privilege to work with. The core of my practice is grounded in ensuring a secure and...
Hi there! I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in San Diego, CA, and have been working as a social worker for a little over five years. I've worked with all ages, from elementary school students to adults, but I particularly enjoy working with college students and young professionals who are juggling life transitions, family and relationships, work/school, and the constantly changing world around us. I previously spent several years working at an university serving students from historica...
As a kink-identified Psychologist and Certified Sex Therapist in San Diego, I know how important it is that your therapist understands your sexual health needs, concerns, and interests. I specialize in delivering high-quality Psychotherapy and Sex Therapy services to adult individuals and couples throughout California. I work with motivated individuals and couples who want to feel more grounded, more attuned to their wants and needs, more confident in expressing themselves, more connected to ...
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Hello, my name is Heather Pederson. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in San Diego and am so glad you are here. Seeking help can potentially feel daunting, exposing, and overwhelming. It can also be our first steps toward repair, healing, and growth. I have found that people are so very strong, courageous, and hard-working, and still need some help when things get hard. I believe therapy can be a unique chance to discover parts of ourselves we forgot about, allow healing for the ...
As a couple and family therapist, I have a strong conviction in the healing power of healthy relationships. Connecting to your authentic self and fostering wellness in all relationships in your life is a primary focus of my work. I provide individual, couple and family psychotherapy for youth and adults of all family and relationship constellations. My holistic approach incorporates body, mind and spirit to help you create your full personal and relational potential. In my practice, I util...
"If you are struggling to sit with difficult emotions and would like support, I can help. My mission is to empower you to learn how to turn towards your pain to find healing, instead of running away to endure long-term suffering. This process is done by teaching you how to sit with difficult emotions. When you can learn how to sit with difficult emotions, you can then begin to process them and to heal through them. As you begin to heal, you can then start to make peace with the past, let go of i...
I’m passionate about working with children and young adults, especially those who are queer, neurodivergent, and/or Asian American. College is a major life transition, and I'm here to help ease the stress and anxiety that tends to come with it! In our work together, I will draw on play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and traditional psychotherapy approaches to best fit your treatment needs and goals. I practice from a trauma-informed, anti-carceral framework where the mo...
Welcome to my practice! I'm Kristen Ackerman, LMFT. I understand that college can be a rollercoaster of experiences. Whether you're riding the highs of newfound freedom or managing the lows of homesickness and academic stress, I'm here to offer support every step of the way. I specialize in helping individuals like you adjust to the transition of moving away from home, finding your footing amidst academic demands, and striking a balance between your studies and social life. Whether you're see...
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 fut...
My passion for working in this field stems from a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of mental well-being. Every individual deserves the opportunity to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life and I am honored to support individuals in achieving this. Witnessing the resilience and courage of my clients as they navigate mental health challenges is profoundly inspiring. It fuels my commitment to provide compassionate support and evidence-based interventions that empower them to overcome o...
Hi, my name is Brandon Waugh and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based out of San Diego California and working with clients statewide via telehealth. I work with adults and specialize in anxiety, stress and depression using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Person Centered Therapy and a whole system perspective to help my clients work toward their mental health and life goals. My approach varies based on the needs of each of my clients. I most frequent...
My name is Jovelyn, but I go by Jovi. I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist with a diverse background working with families, children, teens, and adults. I’m passionate about supporting clients on their journey toward personal growth, inner peace, and life satisfaction. My approach is direct, caring, genuine, and often infused with humor. I understand therapy can feel intimidating, but if you’re open and ready to do the work, I’m here to guide you every step of the way....
Welcome! My name is Rachel and I work with young adults who are navigating the effects of traumatic experiences. I believe that anything that overwhelms our capacity to cope and move forward can be traumatic, and this often shows up as anxiety, chronic disconnection, or feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness. I help clients become more aware of body sensations, thinking traps, and response patterns to stressful situations. We will collaborate to move towards a life where you feel more centered ...
Hey we get it. Life’s a lot right now. Between classes, work, family pressure, figuring out who you are, and trying to keep it together… it’s overwhelming. You might be anxious, stuck, burnt out, or just tired of pretending you're okay. At Freedom Within, we’re here to help you sort through all of it. Relationships, trauma, stress, identity, future plans, anxiety, we cover it all. No judgment. Just support that makes sense for where you’re at. We will help you cut through the BS and come out ...
I have always been interested in psychology and solving puzzles. I later realized how similar it is to trauma work in terms of figuring out the impact of past events on one’s current behaviors. Helping people to connect dots and make sense of the past and present has let me to the field of mental health care, especially trauma work. I value one’s cultural and family background a lot. As an immigrant myself, I understand how important it is to be heard and understood without being judged. I make ...
Starting therapy can feel both hopeful and overwhelming, especially if you’re navigating stress, anxiety, depression, or major life transitions. I work with students who are experiencing self-doubt, relationship challenges, or simply feeling “off” and wanting to better understand themselves. My style is collaborative, warm, and direct—I’ll help you notice patterns, ask deeper questions, and make intentional changes. I also specialize in supporting people through identity shifts, family stress, ...
Do you struggle with trusting others or with feelings of not being "enough"? Have you experienced trauma or difficult relationships? Have you ever used substances to numb stress or to distract? Sometimes your brain is your worst enemy. You question your worthiness and your lovability. There is pain from your past that has led you to build up walls to protect yourself from being hurt again. But here you are, done feeling stuck. You want to have deep connections. You want to feel confident and suc...
Life is often full of surprises, ups and downs, and unexpected challenges. In times of struggles and uncertainties, it takes a tremendous amount of courage and strength to reach out for help and experience positive transformation. As a first generation Chinese American, I experienced first-hand the challenges of relational brokenness and intergenerational trauma. Through my own healing journey, I had to unpack the roots of my inner critic and learn how to cultivate a healthier relationship w...