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Therapists for college students near UCLA

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Empower Youth Therapy

Group practice
In-Person & Online
Tracy, CA

Empower Youth Therapy provides individualized therapy for college students navigating academic pressure, anxiety, relationship stress, identity development, transitions, and trauma. Our approach is warm, validating, and practical — focused on helping students understand themselves more deeply while building real-life coping skills they can use in classes, friendships, and daily routines. We serve students from San Joaquin Delta College, CSU Stanislaus, CSU East Bay, Sac State, and surrounding Central Valley / Bay Area campuses. We offer a non-judgmental space to talk honestly, process what’s overwhelming, and explore who you’re becoming — especially during transitions like moving away from home, choosing a major, or preparing for your next step after graduation. We also support executive functioning, stress management, and strengthening healthy habits. We offer individual therapy for college-age students. We accept insurance and private pay. Free 15-minute consultations are available.

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Exposure Therapy Designs

Pre-Licensed Professional
Online
Sacramento, CA

If someone asked you not to think for 10 minutes how hard would that be? Is overthinking about the “What Ifs” driving you to relentlessly check things over and over again? Are you determined to find certainty in an uncertain world? Do you frequently ask others repeatedly if something or someone is going to be OK? No matter how much you do a task or say a particular thing does peace of mind elude you? Does the compulsion to handwash, re-read, double-check, pray, or re-arrange items never provide lasting relief? Do you find yourself burdened by intrusive thoughts that strike against your will and preoccupy your mind for hours a day? OCD is characterized by unabating obsessions matched with intense mental or behavioral rituals to relieve the anxiety provoked. It is not treated by “talk therapy” but with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Through customized gradual exposures, ERP is an evidence-based method of intervention to reduce the severity of OCD symptoms. Exposure Therapy Designs is a telehealth practice that focuses on providing EMDR and ERP for individuals struggling with OCD and PTSD. Our clinicians offer evidence and strengths-based counseling with multicultural sensitivity. We are solutions-oriented and practice from a Solutions Focused Brief Therapy Model. ERP is a collaborative and creative approach to learning new skills and strategies to become comfortable with uncertainty and more confident in your ability to handle life’s unexpected challenges. My style is compassionate, client-centered, and culturally sensitive. Licensed in California and Massachusetts. Registered Out-of-State Telehealth provider for Florida. Research indicates that approximately 40 to 60 percent of OCD conditions have a trauma onset. Often talking about the trauma(s) can retraumatize a person. For that reason, Eye Movement and Desensitization Response (EMDR) and the Flash Technique are evidence-based treatment interventions utilized to resolve the severity of PTSD symptoms. Our treatment focus is on neurodivergent issues and gifted learners. Therapeutic style is evidenced and strength based, multiculturally sensitive, solutions oriented, client centered, and collaborative. You are the expert on you. Our role is to facilitate and support an awareness of how to implement changes to overcome unhelpful patterns in thinking and decision-making. We strive to see the whole person not just a list of symptoms. Understanding your unique background is key because therapy is not a cookie-cutter approach. Our team includes providers who are Certified Level One Solutions Focused Therapists and received specialized training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Habit Reversal Training (HRT). We also have clinicians who have completed Basic training in EMDR and the Flash Technique. We work with individuals experiencing neurodivergent issues, gifted learners, individuals coping to manage life transitions, women’s mental health issues around shifting roles in family and career, and immigration/re-entry adjustment stressors. We have licensed therapists who can see individuals residing in California, Florida, Massachusetts and Virginia. However our Associate Clinicians are only able to see residents of California at this time. Individuals who have Aetna, Kaiser Permanente, Lyra, SpringHealth, or Sutter EAP benefits are able to use their health plan coverage to pay for sessions with our licensed clinician only. For everyone else we work with Mentaya, a platform that helps clients get money back on out-of-network therapy sessions. If you have out-of-network benefits, Mentaya will file claims and handle the insurance paperwork to make sure you get reimbursed. They charge a 5% fee per claim and have helped people get thousands of dollars back per year. You can sign up using this link: https://app.mentaya.com/register?p=XqKyUZD7e4vJZUJ89P3c Note: Mentaya's goal is to save you time and money. It's completely optional, and as your therapist, I do not benefit in any way from your participation. **Sliding scale rates available on a limited cash pay-only basis with our Associate Clinicians**

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Michael Perez

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Online
Sacramento, CA

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) specialized in treating mood, anxiety, cognitive, trauma-related, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. I graduated from University of California, San Francisco, where I obtained a Master of Science in Nursing as a PMHNP. Prior to this, I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from University of California, San Diego, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from California State University, Fullerton. I have a long-held a passion for mental healthcare and have worked with individuals of all ages in a variety of settings within psychiatry, including inpatient, outpatient, PHP/IOP, mobile healthcare and research. My interest in mental health care began during my high school years simply as a fascination with psychology and neuropsychological processes. As I progressed through my education, this grew into a desire to be part of a field that seeks to increase awareness of and decrease stigma surrounding an often-overlooked, but vital, part of health. I value taking a collaborative approach with clients to create a thorough, individualized, and evidence-based treatment plan that best meets their specific needs and goals. I am a strong proponent of the philosophy that health is multifactorial, made up of physical, psychological, emotional, social and spiritual facets, and believe the emphasis needed on any one of those facets is unique to each individual. All psychiatry providers at Foresight have specialized experience in treating a wide range of common mental health conditions, including but not limited to ADHD, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, depression, and PTSD. In addition, I specialize in the following areas: academic stress, behavior addictions (shopping, sex, etc), deprescribing, holistic approaches to psychiatry, somatic symptoms disorders, trauma-informed care, anger management, dissociative disorders, first responders, grief, men’s issues, racial identity, self harming (non-suicidal self injurious behavior), transgender care

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Arielle Grossman

Licensed Mental Health Counselor
In-Person & Online
Sacramento, CA

The first step in any journey takes the courage to start. And you already have! You're here. I know there is still a lot of shame around being vulnerable and asking for help. We live in a world that often demands perfection, high expectations, and pushing ourselves to the max. Struggling with depression, anger, or trauma does not make you a failure. It makes you human. I believe we all have the innate ability to heal ourselves, and therapy can support you in finding that clarity and empowerment. I specialize in adults with anger management, anxiety, depression & trauma. I'd love to help! Contact me today!

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Gloribell Mercado, LCSW

Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Online
Hoboken, NJ

Are you surviving — or actually thriving? I became a therapist so I could help people thrive instead of just surviving. I am a bilingual (English/Spanish) Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 13 years of experience helping adults heal from trauma, manage ADHD, break painful relational patterns, and reconnect with who they truly are. I specialize in working with the BIPOC community, college students, first-generation professionals, women navigating major life transitions, high-achieving adults who feel stuck despite their success, and adults with ADHD who are tired of being misunderstood. I am also one of the few LCSWs certified in financial social work — bringing a unique understanding of how money stress, financial trauma, and ADHD intersect with mental health. My approach is warm, collaborative, and tailored to you. I draw from trauma-focused therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), CBT, ACT, and psychodynamic therapy — always meeting you where you are. Reaching out is the first act of self-care. I offer telehealth exclusively, serving adults in California, New York, New Jersey, and Florida. ¡Se habla español!

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Gabrielle Dillard

Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Online
San Francisco, CA

I support individuals in high-demand roles, including healthcare workers, athletes, parents, and first responders, in managing stress, emotional exhaustion, and trauma. I specialize in helping mothers navigate postpartum and parenthood in a compassionate space where they feel heard and empowered. My approach blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and EMDR to build resilience, set healthy boundaries, and support healing from burnout and secondary trauma. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.

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Takako Ainsworth, LCSW

Clinical Social Work/Therapist
In-Person & Online
Berkeley, CA

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Jungian Analyst, and Certified Sandplay Therapist in private practice in Berkeley, California. I work with adults facing a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship difficulties, grief, trauma, and questions of meaning and identity. My approach integrates psychodynamic psychotherapy, Jungian analysis, and sandplay therapy. I believe that emotional suffering often carries important psychological meaning and can become an opportunity for growth, self-understanding, and transformation. In addition to verbal dialogue, I attend to dreams, symbolic imagery, creativity, and the unconscious dimensions of experience. I strive to provide a thoughtful, respectful, and collaborative therapeutic relationship where individuals can explore their inner lives with greater depth, authenticity, and compassion.

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Genevieve Samson

Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Online
Ventura, CA

I support folks in exploring how they want to walk through the world. I believe each person can define themselves and find their healthy. Therapy is a collaborative experience; you bring your life experience, and I bring support from a mental health standpoint.

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Madison Holland

Pre-Licensed Professional
Online
Long Beach, CA

I became a therapist because I genuinely care about people and believe we can all use a little extra support sometimes. We are complex, unique individuals shaped by our emotions, relationships, and life experiences. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe, accepted, and supported as you grow. Wherever you are in your journey, I’m here to meet you there and root for you along the way. I believe therapy works best when it feels collaborative. You are the expert on your life, and I tailor our work to your individual needs, experiences, interests, and goals. Therapy can feel intimidating, especially at first, so we can move at a pace that feels comfortable. I will never force you to discuss or do something you are not ready for. At the same time, meaningful growth can sometimes ask us to step outside our comfort zones. Part of my role is to gently encourage and support you as you explore difficult emotions, experiences, or new ways of coping. You won’t have to navigate those moments alone. I bring honesty, authenticity, compassion, and a little creativity into the therapy room. I enjoy incorporating your interests into our work to make difficult topics feel more relatable and approachable. Most importantly, I want you to feel heard, understood, and supported while gaining a deeper understanding of yourself and building tools that work for you. I’m human, too. While I can’t know exactly what you are experiencing, I understand what it is like to feel angry, lonely, discouraged, anxious, or misunderstood. In my own life, I find comfort in simple things like spending time in nature, hugging my cat, coloring, or settling in with one of my favorite movies.

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Madeline Polonia

Psychologist
In-Person & Online
San Diego, CA

Do you feel overwhelmed by the academic rigors of college? Are you struggling to make new friends? Do you notice you're not sleeping enough and feeling more irritable and stressed out? These are very common struggles as a college student. I am a Latina psychologist who loves working collaboratively with college students in learning how to better navigate their emotions and make self-care a priority. I look forward to speaking with you and determining if I'm the right therapist for you.

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Paul Maldonado

Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Online
San Francisco, CA

My approach is to provide empathic and holistic psychotherapy to help my clients feel understood while collaborating to remove barriers. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.

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Belinda Valdivia

Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Online
La Habra, CA

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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Leslie Lopez

Marriage & Family Therapist
Online
San Francisco, CA

My mission is to help you find ways to manage symptoms of anxiety and depression by helping you find the hidden problem that is keeping you from feeling better. I utilize a direct and compassionate style when working with clients. I tailor my approach to therapy based on the unique needs of each person. I focus on addressing how our thoughts can impact our mood (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and ways of regulating and tolerating strong emotions (Dialectical Behavior Therapy). With therapy, we can collaboratively work on balancing your thoughts, improve your ability to be mindful, regulate your emotions, tolerate stress, and improve your relationships. The goal is to gain self-confidence and awareness to make the necessary shifts in your life. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.

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Tina Ahmed

Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Online
South San Francisco, CA

I work to help clients change stuck patterns and feel empowered in their lives, as well to teach skills for managing mental health symptoms and overwhelming life experiences. Empowerment, safety, and wholeheartedness. These are the values that drive my work. I use a holistic approach to focus on individual strengths and needs. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.

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Jennifer Rodriguez

Clinical Social Work/Therapist
In-Person & Online
Sacramento, CA

College can be a lot. Between classes, work, relationships, family expectations, finances, and trying to figure out what you want to do with your life, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, or stuck. My goal is to create a space where you can be yourself without feeling judged. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, low self-confidence, past trauma, academic stress, or major life changes, I’m here to help you work through it. Together, we’ll focus on practical tools and strategies that can help you feel more confident, balanced, and in control of your life.You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting therapy. Come as you are, and we’ll take it one step at a time.

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Root to Rise

Marriage & Family Therapist
Online
San Jose, CA

"The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction not a destination" - Carl Rogers. As a therapist, I believe in helping clients find (or rediscover) their direction in living the life that best suits them. I also believe that one of the most important factors in therapy is the goodness of "fit" between therapist and client. Through the therapeutic process, I work towards helping clients learn insights about their life, which in turn help them to make better choices and find more overall satisfaction in their life. Past clients have mentioned finally feeling seen in their work with me, and enjoy my openness, genuine responses, and humor in session. I hope to help you in the same way, and to help you explore different facets of yourself, offer new insights, and help you build more skills to live a more fulfilling life. I am currently seeing new clients via teletherapy. Please reach out with any questions or concerns you might have.

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Thrive Therapy Studio

Group practice
In-Person & Online
San Diego, CA

Welcome to Thrive! We are a group practice serving San Diego and the greater CA area as we are now offering online only sessions due to Covid19. We love working with college students and young adults and everyone in our office specializes in this age group. We tend to work with diverse clients in terms of their experiences and needs but always approach our work from a fun, collaborative, and client centered perspective. We focus on building relationships with our clients as our most important goal and then working towards the goals that client chooses. Plus, since there are 6 of us at Thrive, I believe that most students can find a therapist at Thrive who will be a good fit for them!

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Attune Health

Pre-Licensed Professional
Online
Davis, CA

We work with adults throughout California via telehealth. If you’re experiencing things like anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, grief, life transitions, or chronic stress, we may be a good fit. If you’re not sure, reach out anyway — we can talk through it during the intake call.

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Tim Hooey

Marriage & Family Therapist
In-Person & Online
El Dorado Hills, CA

Hi, I’m Tim Hooey, a Level II Certified Restoration Therapist and Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT). College can be an exciting time of growth and discovery — but it can also feel overwhelming, confusing, and lonely. Many of the students I work with are struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship stress, identity issues, or feeling disconnected from themselves or others. You might feel stuck, unsure of who you are, or weighed down by pressure to figure it all out — and that’s okay. You don’t have to navigate these challenges alone. In our work together, I create a compassionate and nonjudgmental space where you can be real about what you’re going through. My approach focuses on helping you understand yourself more deeply, heal from what’s holding you back, and build healthy, meaningful relationships. Whether you’re facing academic stress, family issues (including foster or adoptive family dynamics), or just feeling lost, I’m here to support you. I also bring years of experience working with adolescents, young adults, and individuals navigating personal growth, which gives me insight into the unique challenges of this life stage — like managing independence, setting boundaries, and figuring out your identity. Together, we’ll explore what matters to you and find practical tools to help you move forward. What makes me passionate about this work is seeing students reconnect with their authentic selves, gain confidence, and feel empowered to face life’s ups and downs. You deserve a space where you’re fully seen and heard — and therapy can be that place. In our first few sessions, you can expect to feel supported and understood. We’ll talk about what’s been weighing on you and what you hope to change, and I’ll help guide us toward a plan that feels right for you. Therapy is a journey of self-discovery, and I’ll be there to walk alongside you every step of the way. If you’re ready to start working through what’s holding you back — or even if you’re just curious about what therapy could be like — I’d love to connect.

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Sharyl Ratkovic

Marriage & Family Therapist
Online
Long Beach, CA

I have had the honor of working as a therapist for 30 years in various settings such as a battered women’s shelter, Child Abuse Reunification programs and the Private Sector. My style as a therapist is calm, empathic and compassionate while using my training, experience and humor to assist my clients on their journey of growth and healing. My practice is focused on helping individuals and couples live a more connected and authentic life, overcoming trauma, managing anxiety and depression, and creating a life that they have always dreamed of. I specialize in working with women and young adults who are moving away from a negative relationship or who are in transitional stages of their lives. I work collaboratively with the client to explore the patterns in their life that are inhibiting them from living the life they desire. I focus on the whole person, mind body and soul to heal the pain from the past and create new and more effective means of communicating with others and in the world in which they live. In my practice I utilize Solution Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness Cognitive Therapy and Visualization to provide the most effective ways to regain balance and mental health.

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