Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA

⯌Premarital & couples therapy ⯌Attachment based dating & parenting ⯌Codependency & emotional maturity ⯌Personal work for therapists ⯌Grief & loss, life stage transitions ⯌Trauma & EMDR therapy ⯌Anorexia, bulimia, & binge eating ⯌Adult children of alcoholics/addicts ⯌Internet & video game addiction ⯌Sexual addiction & sex worker regret Welcome! Our focus is on how difficult issues like mental illness and relationship conflict are influenced by your family of origin and early attachment experiences with your parents. Sessions with us are focused on learning the lessons that you should have gotten from your family. Combined therapy sessions with Bernard & Priscilla available now! This is an innovative method where the treating clinicians are themselves a married couple. This approach includes the perspectives from multiple professionals to address your goals in a highly specialized setting, and can reduce clients’ perceptions of bias from the therapist. We are providing services through telehealth video, and in person in Mission Valley, San Diego. For inquiries, please use email for initial contact and include a brief description of your primary concern and goals. We can then arrange a free video consultation to determine if we are a good fit and discuss next steps!

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 seeking to develop meaningful friendships or intimate relationships, I'm here to lend a listening ear and provide guidance. Navigating peer pressure is also a common challenge in college life, and I'm here to help you tackle those situations with confidence. Additionally, I have extensive experience supporting individuals dealing with anxiety, stress, depression, self-esteem issues, and identity exploration. No matter what you're facing, you don't have to go through it alone. I understand that finances can be tight for students, which is why I offer flexible rate options. My goal is to make therapy accessible and affordable for everyone who needs it. My therapy services are personalized to meet your unique needs. I utilize evidence-based practices such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness, while also integrating talk therapy for comprehensive support. I strive to create an environment where you feel comfortable and empowered to explore and grow. If you're ready to take the first step towards personal growth and making lasting changes, I invite you to reach out for a free consultation. Whether you prefer to call, email, or text, I'm here to support you on your journey.

Do you often feel unheard, unseen, or unimportant within your relationships? Maybe you identify as hyper-independent or a people-pleaser, finding it hard to prioritize your own needs and often overthinking interactions. These patterns can feel isolating and deeply anxiety-provoking, and they often have roots in complex trauma, such as childhood abuse or growing up in environments where emotional needs were minimized or unmet. Perhaps you already “logically” connected these dots, yet you still feel stuck. That’s because complex trauma lives in the body and nervous system, not just the logical brain. I specialize in trauma-processing therapy, including EMDR, to help you safely process traumatic experiences and release the emotional burdens that come with them. I also integrate Narrative Therapy to help you reconnect with a sense of identity that reflects your true values, voice, and strengths. Therapy with me feels collaborative, safe, meaningful, and relieving. As a fourth-generation Japanese American therapist, I understand how cultural expectations around family, responsibility, and respect can make healing feel complicated. I help clients explore ways to preserve their emotional well-being, while still honoring the relationships and values that matter most to them. If you’re ready to break old patterns, feel more confident in yourself, and strengthen your relationships, I hear you and I see you. You don’t have to navigate these challenges alone.

If you are feeling stressed, self critical, impatient, down or worried, I would like to help you feel more confident, calm, in control, and engaged in your life. My approach to counseling is to create a safe and non-judgmental space for clients to explore and overcome obstacles in order to heal, grow, and reach their full potential. With patience and understanding, I’ll assist you in finding solutions, and building strength and resiliency. I believe therapy is a collaborative process, and together we will set meaningful goals based on what you want to change or improve about yourself, your life, or your relationships.

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 successful. I support people who have experienced self doubt, pain, and trauma begin to heal so that they can thrive in their lives. Together we break the cycle of anxiety and disconnection. There will be compassion and some laughs along the way. You will find your hope. You will find your way to creating success and improving relationships. EMDR, IFS, & CBT offered. Everyone deserves therapy. We all deserve time when we are truly seen and validated. Many of us like to think we can handle things on our own. Maybe we were told by people in our lives “suck it up" and be tougher. But life gets messy sometimes and we can't do it alone. Let's navigate this together. Give yourself this gift. As a former Associate Director for a college counseling center, students are a population that I truly enjoy working with. I look forward to connecting with you. Appointments can conveniently be scheduled directly through website, through email, or by phone. This practice is inclusive and welcoming to all genders, races, countries of origin, sexual orientations, religions, abilities, and body sizes.

As an effective professional, I assist clients in reaching their goals. My therapeutic style emanates warmth, compassion and professionalism. My approach is collaborative, authentic and client-centered. I empower clients by building upon their strengths. I provide a safe, caring and nonjudgmental environment. Each session promotes personal growth and success!

Have you been feeling anxious, sad, overwhelmed or stressed out lately? Perhaps fears, perfectionism, procrastination or struggles adjusting to changes in your life or relationships are preventing you from achieving your goals? I have a passion for working with young adults thru their college and early career years who are in need of support. Together we will help you create a strong emotional foundation and build tools to manage life's challenges. We’ll explore your patterns, uncover triggers and create personalized tools to help you feel better, more grounded, confident and in control. Seeking support is a sign of strength! Sessions available via telehealth to anyone located in California.

Cyti Psychological means Care You Trust In. We are an innovative group of therapists who provide tele-health and in-person therapy services offering individual, couples and family therapy. We have hundreds of licensed therapists across California, Oregon and Washington State who provide traditional outpatient therapy to all ages, 5 and over. We can serve a wide variety of clients with mild – moderate mental health symptoms and we are continuously calibrating our capacity, which allows our therapists to see clients within days, as opposed to weeks or months of your request. Our specialties include, but are not limited to, EMDR, DBT-informed care, ADHD, LGBTQ+ Affirming Care, Eating Disorders, Marriage/Couples Counseling, Teens, Trauma (PTSD), Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Family/Parenting, Substance Use Disorders, Sleep disorders / Insomnia, and First Responders. Cyti Psychological partners with health plans to make therapy affordable and accessible for all and we pride ourselves on being a traditional model with innovative access. Our website, www.CytiClinics.com allows clients to browse through a variety of therapists with various specialties, schedule an appointment directly from the website or complete a form to allow our team to match them to the right therapist for them. You can get started with your first appointment anytime, anywhere. Our Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Goals We work hard to establish a diverse and inclusive group practice with therapists who deliver culturally sensitive therapy offering services in 15 languages. We offer a space that welcomes individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or ability. We also work to eliminate discrimination and bias in all aspects of our services, including, but not limited to assessment, treatment planning and therapeutic interventions. Cyti Psychological proudly promotes and offers cultural competence training, consultations, and workshops for all of our therapists.

I specialize in working with individuals struggling with weight loss and weight management. I provide an alternative strategy to weight loss based on cognitive therapy that allows people to change their life and their relationship with food, instead of just dieting. Treatment focuses on emotional eating, restructuring routines, and utilizing self-talk to help instead of sabotage. As a licensed personal training, I am also able to provide customized workout programs for clients to coincide with their weight management program. No more dieting! I also am a Certified Insomnia Treatment Clinician and offer 6-week online group treatment programs for insomnia! In addition, I specialize in working with individuals with self-esteem and anxiety issues as well as numerous other concerns, including body image, relationship issues, and parenting. I also have 2 post-graduate interns working with me that are able to offer lower cost options. Please email me or check out my website for all of the details on my different program offerings!

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

"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 it, and bring joy in to the present. This enables you to turn slowly and gently towards the future where you can start to feel whole again. As a result, you begin to develop a deeper and more meaningful connection within yourself and with others."

I specialize in working with people who experience intense emotions like anxiety, sadness, or anger in response to life changes or adjustments. If you're looking for a psychologist who incorporates evidence-based practices while flexibly tailoring treatment to meet your unique problems and background, you've come to the right place! Whether you want to stop worrying or feel more confident, we'll consider how your inner emotional world interacts with the greater cultural context surrounding you. Let's meet if you're open to changing your thoughts, habits and perspective- or simply want someone to understand your point of view!

Welcome! I’m Jill. If you haven’t been feeling like yourself and want to feel better, then I’m glad you’re here. Together we can explore what may feel difficult–anxiety, life changes, boundaries and relationships. I enjoy teaching clients coping skills to help manage mental health symptoms. If you’d like to learn more about my approach, please visit my website. Thanks, I hope to meet you.

Hi, I'm Kim! For the past 25 years, I’ve been supporting people, just like you and me, to lead more fulfilling lives. By moving past the pain caused by trauma, anxiety, depression, shame, anger or whatever it is that leaves you feeling stuck, you’ll be able to focus on what is truly important to you. In this collaborative process, you’ll find that "you" becomes more clear allowing you to show up in the ways you'd like at home, work and in relationships. I wholeheartedly believe you have the answers you need within yourself. Together, we’ll get to know and understand the root cause of your struggles and pain, while learning new practical ways to improve daily life. All while using proven techniques and strategies that work, like EMDR, Internal Family Systems and Mindfulness and Values Clarification work. I use a holistic approach to healing knowing the mind, body and spirit are all interconnected. In addition, I provide Career Counseling and am trained to administer the World of Work Inventory (WOWI), the first empirically-based, fully-integrated, multidimensional career assessment that incorporates career interest areas, aptitude/achievement measures and work style to create actionable career matches. I commit to being fully present with you every step along the way. My down-to-earth, compassionate approach (sprinkled with a healthy dose of humor) will create a safe, judgment-free space for you to do the work needed for growth and change. Let's chat for a no charge 20 minute consultation to see if we're a good fit to get you moving on your path to healing and wellness.

As someone who has experienced mental health both in myself and my loved ones, I feel inspired to provide care that is comforting, compassionate, and free of judgment. I am driven by being a support to those who need it, helping you improve, and guiding you towards fulfillment and your goals. I ensure you feel heard and respected by creating a comfortable environment where, together, we can explore the uncomfortable. I value establishing trust with you and I allow each client to set their own pace while I compassionately move you forward. I practice a talk therapy approach with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, and Acceptance Commitment Therapy influences. I am proud of my ability to establish trust and a strong therapeutic alliance with my clients. I do this by using humor and empowerment while also utilizing a direct approach. I recognize how difficult vulnerability can be so I do my best to create an environment that feels safe and enjoyable. I enter each session without judgment as I want to honor you and your experiences. I prioritize you feeling comfortable while sharing your innermost thoughts so, together, we can put the pieces back together and fortify your mental space.

Nobody teaches you how to fight fair, ask for what you need, or love someone without losing yourself. Estes Therapy does. Founded by licensed marriage and family therapist Jennine Estes Powell, our practice helps young adults build healthier patterns before the hard stuff becomes the default. Whether you are navigating your first serious relationship, processing attachment wounds from home, or just trying to understand why you keep ending up in the same situations, we have therapists who get it and know how to help.

I enjoy assisting people to heal quickly, empower them learn to live life to their fullest, change negative thoughts and behaviors to positive and learn these skills by role playing, practicing and becoming successful. I want people to be successful in communication, being assertive and improving relationships at the workplace, and in personal relationships with friends, partners and family. I use empathy, clarify their thoughts and feelings and ask them what they want to improve in therapy, what they see as being successful and learning new skills and establishing new habits that they want to achieve. I encourage people to be honest about their feelings to themselves and to others. I listen to my clients and try to empathize with whatever hurts them and causes them emotional pain.

College life is exciting—but it can also feel overwhelming. Between academics, relationships, family pressures, and figuring out who you are, it’s easy to feel stressed, anxious, or alone. Maybe you're struggling with a breakup, grieving someone you’ve lost, feeling disconnected from friends, or just totally burnt out. Maybe you’re questioning your path or feeling like no one really “gets” what you're going through. These moments can feel heavy—but you don’t have to carry them on your own. Reaching out for support isn’t a weakness—it’s a powerful step toward growth and clarity. I'm here to help you tap into your strengths, make sense of the challenges you're facing, and start building the kind of life and relationships that actually feel good and grounded. I specialize in working with college students, young adults, and teens—and I’m passionate about helping you navigate this messy, meaningful chapter of your life. In our work together, you’ll find a space where you can be honest, feel heard, and take real steps toward feeling more confident, connected, and at peace. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, grief, academic stress, identity questions, or relationship struggles, I’m here to walk alongside you. If you’re ready for something to shift, I invite you to reach out. You’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself.

I’m a licensed clinical social worker with experience helping adults who feel stressed, overloaded or unsure of their next step. My background includes years of clinical work in medical and behavioral-health settings, where I’ve supported people navigating work pressures, relationship challenges and major life changes. I bring a calm, organized style with a focus on helping you feel respected, understood and grounded. I work especially well with adults looking for clarity, LGBTQ+ clients seeking an affirming space and anyone who wants steady support while making meaningful changes in their day-to-day life.

Healing and growth often begin with feeling truly seen, heard, and understood. As a bilingual therapist fluent in both Vietnamese and English, I bring over 14 years of experience supporting individuals across multiple stages of life, with a special focus on older adults and young adults navigating life transitions, relationships, identity, grief, and emotional healing. Clients often appreciate that I’m not simply someone who nods and listens. I’m an active collaborator in the therapy process. Together, we explore the patterns, experiences, and beliefs that may be keeping you stuck so you can gain deeper insight, heal at the root, and move toward the version of yourself you want to become. Some of the most meaningful feedback I’ve received from clients includes: “I’ve never thought of it that way before,” “I could hear your voice echoing in my head and I knew what I needed to do,” and “You’ve opened my mind to things I never realized before.” Those moments of realization, when clients uncover the root of a pattern, reconnect with themselves, or discover purpose within painful experiences, are some of the most fulfilling parts of the work I do. My greatest joy is witnessing a person’s transformation toward deeper self-love, stronger self-trust, and greater discernment in how they move through relationships, choices, and life itself. I believe healing is not about becoming someone entirely new, but about returning to yourself with more clarity, compassion, and intention. Outside of the therapy room, I’m a proud plant mom, an actively involved auntie to my adorable niece and nephew, and currently obsessed with perfecting homemade matcha lattes. Small rituals like these remind me how healing often lives in the everyday moments.