Therapists for college students near 94132
Theresa Chesnut specializes in the treatment of Eating Disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), issues surrounding athletic performance and anxiety as well as conflicts arising within the family, particularly those pertaining to adolescent growth. Her therapeutic orientation is holistic, strength-based, and grounded in both psychodynamic and Internal Family Systems (IFS) theories. Professional Experience Theresa has worked with adolescents and adults for over 30 years, managing her clients’ challenges with anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorders. Previous to her having formed her own private group practice, she held the position of Clinical Director at The Healthy Teen Project (HTP), an adolescent, eating disorder-specific outpatient clinic. Before her activities HTP, Theresa held many roles over her 13-year stint at a national eating disorder residential treatment center, including Program Director, Lead Individual and Group Therapist, Program Director, Director of Regional Marketing, and supervising master level interns. She was also instrumental in a founder-like role, starting new programs, training new staff, overseeing operations, creating policies and procedures for programs, and expanding existing practices into new geographic locations. Theresa lectures locally and nationally, both in person and virtually, on therapeutic interventions targeting the entire eating disorder recovery process. Over the last 3 decades, Theresa has lectured on college campuses to student counseling staff, coaching staff students and sororities as well as to allied professionals covering the state of the art of symptom identification and eating disorder prevention, therapeutic interventions. Most recently, she has been trained in Family Based Therapy (FBT), Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), and is a certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist and a Level One Trainer. Theresa served as a Board member of the national Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA) from 2009-2017 and held board positions as the Secretary, Vice-Chair, and Chair. Additionally, she sat on several committees including the Conference Committee and Weight Stigma Awareness Week.
Our practice is a good fit for people who are intelligent, curious, and open to self-exploration. We provide individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and ADHD assessments. Through these services we encourage empowerment, self-discovery, and resiliency. We value inclusiveness and have consciously created a space where all can seek help and self-discovery. Our clients come in a variety of races, sexualities, genders, religions, body sizes, and relationship structures.
If you have ever said, "I did everything right, how could this have happened?" I'm here for you. I help high achieving, successful people navigate the shock and struggle of major life transitions to regain joy, peace, insight and understanding. With you guiding, we work together to better relationships, improve communication, and heal traumas. Central to my work is for us to have "goodness of fit"; so you feel safe and manifest your best potential. I treat: high stress, loss, grief, transitioning to new situations, and trauma. I'm your GPS system to improved wellness.
I appreciate your courage and effort in reaching out! If you are looking to alleviate anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress or to learn healthy coping and relational skills, I would be honored to serve you! I provide a safe and nonjudgemental atmosphere for us to work together to assess and come up with a therapeutic plan that uniquely fits with your present needs. I believe in neuroplasticity and in our innate ability to heal and thrive!
I work best with college students who are trying to find their place in the world while managing anxiety, depression, or questions about identity. Many of my clients are part of the LGBTQ+ community and are learning how to navigate relationships, family expectations, and self-acceptance. In our work together, we focus on understanding what’s beneath your stress and self-criticism, building confidence, and helping you feel more grounded and authentic in your life. My goal is to create a space where you can explore who you are without judgment.
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Heidi Mendez, LMFT146338, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Who believes that people are multidimensional and more than their profession, life circumstances, and public image. In 2018, Heidi earned her master’s degree in Marriage and family therapy from the University of Phoenix. Heidi’s earliest work experience includes providing services to children, and at-risk youth and their families. Heidi has also worked in numerous clinical settings including an outpatient program with adults struggling with various mental and emotional health issues. Heidi has then transitioned into providing therapy to individuals, couples, and families. Heidi is firmly rooted in the systemic approach and draws from other practice theories as needed including cognitive behavioral therapy, brief strategic therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Heidi has also worked with individuals and groups utilizing her bilingual and bicultural background. Heidi knows the importance of out of the box thinking and creating an environment where real people can talk. Experience includes 12 years overall working with youth and adults. Outside of her mental health field expertise, Heidi enjoys going to the movies, painting, and spending time with family. She believes in maintaining a healthy work-life balance and encourages her patients to embrace wellness in all aspects of their lives.
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My approach to therapy is rooted in a belief that change is possible. Most of my clients come to me because something in their lives isn't working. Whether the problem is familial, romantic, professional, emotional, or even existential, I find it usually comes down to a matter of relationship. How are we relating to the things that cause us to suffer? When we understand these relationships and the parts we play in them, we are free to make different choices, and to experience our lives, ourselves, and our loves in richer, more fulfilling ways. While I see clients with a wide range of presenting issues, I have a high level of expertise in family conflict, childhood trauma, addiction, codependency and eating disorders. I also have a passion for helping artists of all kinds to overcome the self-limiting beliefs that lead to creative blocks. I have additional training in EMDR (an evidence based model for trauma therapy), mindfulness practice, and family systems, and I hold an MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University.
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.