Therapists for college students near UCLA
Chloë Bean
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Carla Avalos
Hello, I am a bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional who was born and raised in Los Angeles, C.A. and is a daughter of a Salvadoran immigrant mother. I am passionate about working with the BIPOC and Latinx community in therapy and helping them overcome various mental health challenges such as perinatal mental health awareness, breaking generational trauma patterns, relationships, self-care, boundaries and the struggles of being a first gen.
Julia Burt
College is a unique time of growth, but it can also bring new stressors and uncertainty. You may find yourself navigating changing friendships and relationships, questioning expectations and “shoulds,” and figuring out how to feel more independent and grounded in who you are. I specialize in working with college students navigating life transitions who want to better understand themselves and build a stronger sense of self-acceptance. Using a supportive, insight-oriented approach, we explore your strengths, values, and goals so you can feel more confident and create a college experience that feels like your own.
Collective Mental Health
Dr. Vargas specializes in the treatment of depression, emotion dysregulation, trauma, and anxiety among teens and adults. She provides Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based therapies. She works with people experiencing the consequences of minoritization, including racial trauma, acculturative, and minority stress. She is an LGBTQ+ affirming provider. Provee terapia en español. Dr. Vargas completed her postdoctoral training at UCLA and predoctoral clinical internship at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. She received her PhD and MPH from the University of Southern California and her BA from McGill University.
Melina Alden, LMFT
Young adulthood is a time of growth, self-discovery, and life transitions. Whether you're in college, starting your career, or navigating relationships, therapy can provide guidance and tools for coping. Together we can discuss things such as relationship difficulties, values, identity, coping with anxiety or depression, body image struggles, connection to oneself and others, and patterns you are maybe starting to notice as you grow. My goal as a young adult therapist, which is similar to that of a teen therapist, is to create a safe relationship for exploration. A place where you can show up without preparation and as exactly who you are.
Inner Work
Many people come into therapy feeling internally divided — a part of them wants connection while another part pulls away, a part wants change while another part feels scared, overwhelmed, or stuck. My work is centered around helping people understand these different parts of themselves with curiosity instead of shame. I offer short-term, focused therapy that combines deep conversation, nervous system awareness, mindfulness, and medicine-assisted therapy when appropriate. Rather than approaching people as “broken,” I see emotional patterns as intelligent adaptations that once helped someone survive, cope, or stay connected. My approach is influenced by IFS/parts work, attachment theory, somatic therapy, and contemplative practices, while staying grounded, relational, and practical. I tend to work actively and intentionally with clients rather than remaining indefinitely in open-ended therapy. The goal is to help people recognize the patterns that keep repeating in relationships, anxiety, depression, self-criticism, emotional reactivity, or disconnection — and begin relating to themselves with more clarity, compassion, and honesty. Many clients describe the process as both deep and relieving because they begin to experience that they are not one fixed identity, but a complex human being made up of different parts all trying, in their own ways, to protect them.
Claudia Kleinschmidt
Hi, I’m Claudia, an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) under supervision based in Los Angeles. I work with college students and young adults who are navigating stress, anxiety, relationships, identity questions, and big life transitions. I take a warm, collaborative, and down-to-earth approach to therapy. My work is trauma-informed and integrative, drawing from relational, somatic, and parts-based approaches (like IFS), while always centering what feels most supportive and accessible for you. Therapy with me isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about creating a safe space where you can slow down, make sense of what’s going on, and build tools that actually fit your life. As someone who has balanced school, work, and major transitions myself, I understand how overwhelming this phase of life can feel. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, burnout, relationship struggles, family dynamics, or simply feeling stuck or unsure, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Reilly Plaisance, AMFT, APCC
I am a registered associate marriage and family therapist and associate professional clinical counselor who offers in in person (Los Angeles) and virtual psychotherapy (California). I specialize in working with adolescents and young adults navigating eating disorders and their underlying emotional experiences, as well as anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, identity and sexuality exploration, life stressors and transitions, acculturation, neurodivergence, and self-esteem. College can be an overwhelming time, but you don't have to be all alone. Through collaboration and support, I aim to create a warm, supportive space for clients to take a moment for themselves, explore their experiences, and deepen self-understanding. My practice is specifically tailored to each client's needs and goals. I utilize trauma-aware, systemic perspectives with skill-based teachings of CBT and DBT. My approach to psychotherapy is grounded in 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming care.
Kevin Stolper
Are you feeling stuck in life, wanting something different but not sure what it is or how to get there? Maybe you are overwhelmed with the pressure to be perfect in relationships, school or work, resulting in the feeling of never being good enough. The decision to seek therapy is not easy. It means accepting the fact that we are struggling in some facet of our life and need help. I am a licensed marriage and family therapist, specializing in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Brainspotting and Psychedelic Integration Therapy, helping clients identify and heal the roots of their distress.
Sandy Marsh
Hi. These are particularly complicated and stressful times. You may be feeling anxious and or depressed. Repetitive dysfunctional patterns of behavior may be tripping up your relationships, perhaps your job, as well as your overall self-esteem. It's imperative to first understand "why I do what I do." When aware of dysfunctional patterns of behavior, you will want effective "tools" to take on behaviors that either no longer work for you, or perhaps never did. Through empathic exploration as to the "why am I the way that I am" questions, I will work with you to find and explore these important answers. I look to provide you tools that will help enable you to deal with, cope, and place your self-critical demons in their proper place going forward. I offer you helpful, practical tools viewed through a wider lens to help broaden your perspective. Change can then manifest. I have a well-rounded understanding of the complexities involved in navigating very different worlds. I have owned and operated businesses. I've worked creatively, as both a professional actor and writer in the entertainment industry. I have deep passion and an empathic approach toward helping others shift out of, and away from, long-standing negative patterns of behavior that have gotten in your way. Working safely together, we will examine what these patterns have been for you and why, with the ultimate goal of creating new freedoms, leading to a more authentic and fulfilling life. MORE INFO ABOUT MY PRACTICE My professional career prior to entering the field of psychology began after I graduated from Boston University's School of Management, earning a BSBA in Finance, with honors. I then worked in a number of different business ventures, and have owned and operated businesses while based in New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles. I have also had a separate creative career as both a stage and film actor, and as a writer in Theatre and Film, working in both New York City and Los Angeles. One of the constants of my differing past careers has been the pleasure of communicating and connecting with people, exploring lives in depth, the complexities of the human condition and getting to what matters. My past experiences have informed my life and now enable me to help others with theirs. I am here to help you. Therapy is not a "one size fits all" situation. I have experience working with people from diverse backgrounds and very different life experiences. I am here to help...you! And I want you to feel comfortable in working with me as your therapist. I offer a free 15-30 minute initial consultation, wherein we can get a sense of one another, and I can learn a little as to what is going on with you. From there, I look to help you solve these deeper issues, even if, for now, we do so by TeleHealth.
Sharon Eshaghpour LCSW
My goal is to create a safe and non judgmental space for my clients. For more than 25 years I have worked with adults, adolescents and children to help them cultivate a greater understanding of their experiences, feelings, thoughts and behaviors. In collaborative partnership, I work with clients to develop greater responsiveness to the complexity of emotional life, including coping with depression and anxiety, developmental and shock trauma, parenting roadblocks and family and marital difficulties. In addition to my individual work, I am passionate about both working with couples and families: bringing healing and growth to relationships. I look forward to speaking with you and seeing how I can help you achieve your goals.
Marcia Nimmer
Dr. Marcia Nimmer is a clinical psychologist (PSY31404) and licensed clinical social worker. She received her doctorate from Pacifica Graduate Institute, where she specialized in depth psychology. Dr. Nimmer also completed advanced training at the Wright Institute Los Angeles, where she received certification in psychoanalytic psychotherapy. She is known for her warmth and intuitive style. As a clinician, she enables individuals of all ages to make emotional contact with their authentic inner experience, allowing for growth and transformation.
Psychotherapy with Stacey Widger, AMFT
Are you feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges, struggling with relationships, or facing uncertainty about the future? I specialize in working with young adults who are juggling many responsibilities and are seeking relief from anxiety and stress. Together we develop effective coping strategies, improve emotional well-being, and foster resilience. If you need help navigating a difficult time in your life, like the end of a relationship or figuring how to find a healthy school/life balance, I offer both the compassion and the skills that can lead to symptom relief. Please reach out for a free consultation. I have sliding scale fees so please don't let financial hardship stop you from reaching out!
Mona Shane
My approach to counseling is interactive in style and based on the concept that understanding emotions is essential to personal growth and happiness. I provide a supportive, empathetic, non-judgmental environment in which my clients feel comfortable in sharing and exploring their feelings. My goal is to help my clients to develop long term skills for coping and prospering. I specialize in working with life transitions and grief and loss. I work with individuals, couples and families.
Dr. Sara Casen
Struggling to achieve a semblance of work-life balance while juggling the demands of a heavy academic courseload, and research, training, teaching, and employment opportunities? It is a privilege to work together with college and graduate students on increasing a sense of well-being and actualizing potential. I typically work with clients who are looking to live their best life in both the personal and academic realms, often focusing on goals related to academic success, career/post-college life decisions, dating, and relationships. I earned my doctorate from Fordham University in New York, and have had a wide variety of clinical experiences throughout my training and career, including work in community mental health clinics, and public and private schools. My experiences working with college and graduate students in a college counseling center in Brooklyn, NY, and my own experiences as a college and graduate student, sparked my enthusiasm for providing quality and compassionate therapy for those on an academic journey. I aim to partner with you on building upon strengths while creating a manageable action plan to help you explore the solutions you seek, and improve outcomes and quality of life. I offer in-person sessions at my office in West LA, as well as via telehealth.
Matthew Goodman
A lot of people are struggling to be present today. The pace of life, distraction from our phones, and increasing demands at work and school make it challenging to "slow down" and enjoy life. This is even more difficult when we're experiencing mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, or substance use. I work with people to overcome underlying mental health issues and develop skills to improve presence, strengthen relationships, and sustain healthy lifestyle behaviors. I specialize in treating anxiety, including OCD (using ERP, the gold standard), integrating both cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based modalities. I also work with people experiencing depression and substance use. I know that struggling with mental health can be overwhelming. It might feel like you are moving through a downward spiral. My goal is to reverse that spiral with you. Together, we'll identify 1) where you're at, 2) where you want to go (and what's getting in the way), and 3) practical, specific, evidence-based actions you can begin taking right away. I was previously a Clinical Assistant Professor at USC (where I worked in the Student Counseling Center), have worked with people across the clinical spectrum, and have been teaching meditation for 10+ years. I also run public courses and workshops on mindfulness and mental health. I would be glad to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we're a good fit. I look forward to talking more!
Framework Associates
At some point in life, we all experience a moment when we question whether we're on the best path forward. Perhaps a relationship feels unfulfilling, we're not advancing in our career the way we'd hoped, or we're feeling unsure about a decision. Framework Associates strives to provide affordable, accessible psychological services from exceptionally qualified therapists. Through years of specialized training, our therapists have discovered how to help you create the life you want. Together, we'll unlock ways for you to feel happier, more balanced, and better connected to your authentic self and others. ****Please request all appointments through FrameworkPsych.com. We offer online quoting, online scheduling, and online therapy.****
Cynthia Speich
I often work with adults and couples who are navigating anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, trauma, grief and loss, and substance use or habits that feel hard to manage. My approach is depth-oriented, compassionate and direct, and I aim to create a space that feels supportive, and non-judgmental. Together, we'll work to ease distress through insight and practical steps, helping you understand patterns that may be keeping you stuck. This will help you to move towards growth, connectedness, and a more satisfying and fulfilling relationship with yourself and others.
Healista Holistic Psychotherapy
At Healista, we believe everyone has the power within themselves to make change, they just sometimes need a little help along the way. We help clients connect to their inner safety by nurturing their intuitive skills to cope with life stressors and traumas with more ease and resilience in their daily lives. We believe in looking at the whole picture of your life to help you find clarity. We also believe in giving it to you straight, yet always wrapped in warmth and love and lot’s of laughter.
Suma Therapy Group
College is a time of growth, change, and sometimes a lot of pressure. If you’re feeling depressed, anxious, stuck, overwhelmed, or just not like yourself, therapy can help you create space to reflect, reset, and move forward with intention. We begin by building trust, so you can explore what’s coming up for you and build tools to feel more grounded and confident.