Therapists for college students near UCLA

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who offers warm, trauma-informed support to college students, emerging adults, women, teens, children, and the perinatal community. Reaching out for therapy can feel vulnerable, especially when you are overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure where to turn. I see that step as an act of courage, and I feel honored to hold space for each client’s story. I am originally from the U.K. and later moved to California, where I earned my MSW and began my work as a therapist. Like many college students and young adults, I have experienced major life transitions, identity shifts, and grief. Those experiences shape how I work and allow me to meet clients with steadiness, empathy, and genuine care. My work is rooted in attachment-focused therapy. I support college students and young adults who feel stuck in relationship patterns, struggle with anxiety or self-doubt, or feel disconnected from themselves or others. I specialize in helping clients process trauma that has gone unprocessed and is now showing up in the way they see themselves, relate to others, and move through the world. Many of the clients I work with learned early on to adapt, stay strong, or put others first, and now find themselves feeling overwhelmed, emotionally shut down, or unsure how to ask for support. In therapy, we focus on building safety, understanding how past relationships shape the present, and developing a more compassionate relationship with yourself. I provide affirming care to LGBTQ+ clients and take an empowering, decolonizing approach that honors each person’s lived experience and identity. I draw from attachment-based therapy, parts work, somatic approaches, CBT, and EMDR to support healing that feels safe, collaborative, and meaningful. I consider it a privilege to walk alongside students and young adults during this stage of life, offering consistent, compassionate support as they build deeper self-trust and more connected relationships.

Oceanside Clinics is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization providing telehealth services across California. We are in-network with Aetna and Blue Shield.

I was drawn to mental health care because I believe that even in the most difficult moments, you can find hope and move toward a brighter future with the right support. Everyone deserves compassion, understanding, and a safe place to talk about what they’re going through. I’ve seen how powerful it can be when someone no longer feels alone with their struggles. My goal is to serve my community by providing care that combines professional guidance with genuine empathy, so you feel supported as you work through life’s challenges and move toward healing and growth. In our work together, my focus is on creating a space where you feel comfortable sharing openly and where your experiences are respected and understood. I believe mental health is closely connected to your overall well-being, so we may also explore ways to support both your emotional and physical health. I tailor my approach to what works best for you. This might include creative techniques like sand tray, art, or music, CBT-based resources, or holistic practices such as mindfulness and movement. By offering different tools and approaches, we can find what helps you feel supported, empowered, and moving forward. Building trust starts with taking the time to truly understand your experiences and what matters most to you. I’ve worked with people from many different backgrounds who are navigating challenges such as anxiety, depression, stress, and chronic pain. My previous career as a U.S. Navy Police officer taught me resilience, discipline, and the importance of serving others—values that guide the way I show up for you in therapy. Along with my work in the California community, these experiences help me create a supportive environment where you feel respected, understood, and encouraged as you work toward the changes you want in your life. I was drawn to mental health care because I believe that even in difficult moments, you can find hope and move toward a brighter future with the right support. Everyone deserves compassion, understanding, and a safe place to talk about what they’re going through. I’ve seen how powerful it can be when someone no longer feels alone in their struggles. My goal is to provide care that combines professional guidance with genuine empathy so you feel supported as you work toward healing and growth. In our work together, my focus is on creating a space where you feel comfortable sharing openly and where your experiences are truly respected and understood. I tailor my approach to what works best for you, using a variety of tools such as creative techniques like sand tray, art, or music, CBT-based resources, and holistic practices like mindfulness and movement. By offering different approaches, we can find what helps you feel supported and move forward.

Welcome. I’m Carmen, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in California (Lic. #16818). With over ten years of experience in the mental health field, I specialize in helping adults navigate life’s most challenging transitions. Whether you are healing from trauma, managing symptoms of depression or anxiety, recovering from addiction, or simply seeking a sense of peace in the daily grind, my goal is to support you in your journey towards living your most authentic life.

Starting therapy is a big step—one that takes courage. College can be exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Maybe you're struggling with the weight of past experiences, feeling lost about your future, or dealing with relationship challenges that leave you unsure of where you stand. Balancing all of this while trying to keep up with school and daily life can feel like too much to handle on your own. You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Therapy is a space where you can bring your full self—your worries, frustrations, hopes, and uncertainties—without fear of judgment. My goal is to help you make sense of what feels messy, reconnect with your strengths, and navigate the challenges that are holding you back. I specialize in working with college students and understand the unique struggles that come with this stage of life. If you're curious about how therapy might help, I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation. Feel free to check out my website or send me an email with any questions. No matter what you're facing, you're not alone, and I'm here to support you.

Welcome! My name is Angela Austin and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist providing online therapeutic services to college students residing in the state of California. My professional background includes forensic mental health, working with inmates in the county detention center and working with special education and general education students in the public school system. Currently, I am a business owner and private practice therapist assisting students struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, life adjustments, stress and other relationship issues that happen during life transitions, especially while in college. I would be honored to have the opportunity to learn more about you and to be able to support you in your therapy experience!

College is often a time of growth and change. Some days feel fun and exciting while at other times you may feel lonely and overwhelmed. Students are adjusting to living with roommates and trying to balance studies with socializing. Homesickness is common, as are sadness, stress, and sleep disturbances. College often allows young people to embrace their true selves and start anew. Please join me in a therapeutic, non-judgmental space to explore and process your feelings as you navigate this important time in your life. No topic is off-limits. I enjoy and feel privileged to work with this population and welcome the opportunity to connect soon.

College was supposed to be fun, exciting, adventurous! All you seem to feel though is dread, lost, on edge and alone searching for your place in the world. College is the perfect time to work towards who you want to be for the rest of your life and I am here to help!

Meitri Collaborative is a psychiatric and psychotherapy practice in San Francisco, CA. We believe in warm, excellent, and personalized care. We want to help you live the life you desire and address the obstacles in your way.

I believe that healing begins with a trusting, supportive relationship. My goal is to provide a safe, compassionate space where you feel seen, heard, and empowered. I am committed to walking alongside you as we work together toward greater insight, resilience, and wellbeing. Your growth matters to me, and I am here to support you every step of the way.

At New Wave Youth and Family Therapy Services, we provide affordable, trauma-focused mental health care to children, adolescents, and families. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we combine evidence-based therapies with compassionate, culturally inclusive care to make healing accessible for all. With in-person and telehealth services, we're building a healthier, more resilient community—one individual and family at a time.

Better Mindset Therapy strives to create an authentic, welcoming atmosphere for her clients to explore their lives in a new way. She has experience helping children, adolescents, and adults with anxiety, depression, life transitions, self-esteem, coping skills, and more. Here we use the therapeutic relationship to explore your early life experiences and bring unconscious thoughts and patterns into the conscious awareness.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I provide psychotherapy for children, adolescents, and adults. I work with people who are struggling with depression, anxiety, histories of trauma, relationship issues, life transitions, work issues, and low self-esteem. I also work with people who are looking for support in processing and understanding difficulties related to cultural identity. This includes issues pertaining to race, gender, sexual orientation, immigration, and second-generation Americans. Lasting personal change can develop within empathically-attuned relationships. This belief forms the basis for my work. My style is warm and collaborative, with a relational psychodynamic approach. We'll pay close attention to your story and inner experiences while always attending to how things play out in current relationships.

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.

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 obstacles and thrive. By fostering empathy, awareness, and de-stigmatization, I aim to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for individuals struggling with mental health concerns. I do this by practicing active listening, which involves giving my full attention to what the client is saying—both verbally and non-verbally. I reflect back what I hear to ensure I understand their perspective and emotions accurately. I also ask clarifying questions when necessary and validate their experiences, showing that I respect their feelings and struggles. By being non-judgmental and compassionate, I help clients feel safe to share more openly. Ultimately, my goal is to create a space where they feel accepted and understood, which fosters trust and the ability to make progress in therapy. I work to create a safe, non-judgmental space where clients feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and emotions. This begins with being genuinely present and engaged in our sessions, listening actively, and responding with empathy. I also ensure that I maintain clear communication about the therapy process, respecting the client’s pace and autonomy. By being consistent, reliable, and transparent about goals and boundaries, clients are more likely to feel secure and confident in the therapeutic relationship. Additionally, I validate their experiences and emotions, which helps to foster mutual respect and understanding. Over time, this collaborative and supportive dynamic allows us to work together toward meaningful change.

Starting college — or just trying to get through it — can bring up a lot: Am I doing this right? Do I even belong here? Who am I becoming? I’d love to help you figure it out. Together we can work through the stress of adjusting to a new place, academic and social anxiety, career uncertainty, drinking or eating patterns that feel hard to shake, or trauma that’s still asking to be understood. I especially enjoy working with students nearing graduation who are wrestling with what comes next — career direction, next steps, and the identity shift that comes with leaving college behind. Before becoming a therapist, I spent years as a professor, and my research focused on identity and belonging — so I have a real passion for working with students exploring who they are, especially those navigating race, class, gender, or sexuality, or who just feel like they’re on the outside looking in. I bring both that academic background and genuine warmth to our work together.

My biggest inspiration was my grandmother who thought me to help, love and inspire others unconditionally. My children and friends continued to inspire me to use my grandmother’s wisdom to empower others by being present in the time of need as well as celebrating their accomplishments. My goal as a therapist is to work with you as a partner throughout your healing process. At the end of each session, we will review what was discussed and create a plan that will help you meet your goal. You can reach me by phone in case you feel stuck or need assistance. At the beginning of treatment and each session, I will actively listen to your needs, feelings or stressors that might have contributed to you seeking help. We will develop a plan that will empower you to meet your needs, help manage your emotions and teach you coping strategies to help manage stressors.

Katherine is a warm and engaging therapist who values honesty and transparency in her interactions with clients. She is passionate about helping her clients achieve their goals and find joy in their lives. She believes that therapy is a collaborative process and works closely with clients to create a customized treatment plan that meets their unique needs. Having recovered from her own eating disorder, Katherine is able to bring a unique level of empathy and understanding to every session. Clients can expect to feel heard and validated but also pushed to confront their thoughts and behaviors in a supportive environment. Her encouraging approach helps clients feel comfortable opening up and sharing their feelings, and her humor adds a refreshing, lighthearted touch to the therapeutic process. Katherine earned her undergraduate degree in Sociology and Women and Gender Studies from Furman University and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of North Carolina. She has worked in all levels of care from outpatient to residential and most recently was the Program Director of a telemedicine Intensive Outpatient Program for Eating Disorders and the Director of Behavioral Health for a national telemedicine company. Katherine has over a decade of experience treating a wide range of issues including eating disorders, trauma, mood disorders, anxiety, personality disorders and substance use disorders. She holds independent licenses to practice Social Work in 15 states and is currently pursuing her Eating Disorder Specialist certification through the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals.

Meitri Collaborative is a psychiatric and psychotherapy practice in San Francisco, CA. We believe in warm, excellent, and personalized care. We want to help you live the life you desire and address the obstacles in your way.