Therapists for college students near UCLA
DJ Handelman LCSW
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.
Alexandra Trampus
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Sara Nelson
I went through a very difficult with my mental health. I felt very low and hopeless at the time. What helped me was going to therapy for the first time. It started me on a journey to self-awareness and self-compassion that has carried throughout my life. Now I would like to help in inspiring similar journeys with my own work as a therapist. I enjoy learning about people and their unique thought processes. I ask questions, verify I understand what you’re saying and do not rest until I can understand where you are at and what your unique perspective on the world is. I am very straightforward when it comes to therapy. I am open about the modalities that I use and make sure you understand my process as we work together. I never force anything and am also willing to work from where your at and come up with solutions that are in line with your goals and personal interests.
Kim Foskett Counseling
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.
Stephanie Freiburg
Let’s be honest, although change is inevitable, it can be really stressful. We all deserve to be seen, heard and loved. To know we are not alone. Together, we can work through your concerns so you can be the best version of yourself.
Cindia Estrada, LMFT, Integrative Wellness Counseling
Hi there, I'm Cindia! I get it. It is becoming more difficult to find balance in a rapidly changing world. Increasing school, work and personal demands, constant connectivity, and the pace of modern life can leave us feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated. I’m passionate about guiding clients to slow down, regulate their nervous system, and create more balance in their lives. My focus I support adults (18 and older) with generalized anxiety, social anxiety, performance anxiety, and depression. My practice focuses on introverts who need space to recharge and highly sensitive people (HSPs) who may feel overstimulated and overwhelmed, including college students, working professionals, and people navigating career transitions. My approach I utilize a holistic and integrative perspective to support your wellness. Holistic means that I consider the whole person by taking into consideration different areas of your life that may impact your well-being. Integrative means that I draw from multiple therapeutic approaches and tailor interventions to best meet your individual needs. My communication style My communication style is gentle, authentic, and compassionate. I often hear my clients say, “I feel very comfortable with you,” due to my presence. I’m gentle in helping you slow down and stay present, authentic in communicating transparently, and compassionate in creating a supportive space where you can be yourself without judgment. My journey to mental healthcare Counseling is my second career. Before becoming a therapist, I worked in marketing for over 10 years, primarily in the security software technology industry in the Bay Area. I decided to make this transition to better align my career with my values of holistic wellness, self-care, personal growth, minimalism, and helping others. My goals for you I take a collaborative approach to your wellness goals. To set goals, I take the time to listen to what you have in mind and offer personalized recommendations informed by my holistic and integrative perspective. To help you reach your goals, I monitor your progress through your feedback, evidence-based questionnaires, and my clinical observations. Our first session During our first session, I’ll welcome you, briefly introduce myself, review confidentiality, and address your questions. We’ll spend most of the session completing an initial holistic assessment to understand what areas of your life may be contributing to imbalance and collaborate to identify preliminary wellness goals.
Blu Alliance Counseling Center
Blu Alliance Counseling Center first and foremost specializes in you. Our therapists training has allowed them the knowledge base to work with a variety of presenting problems, primarily since we believe our work is about exploring and understanding you as an individual, not as a diagnosis. Our motto here at Blu Alliance is "Blu Specializes in You" and we fully believe this to be true! At Blu Alliance Counseling Center, we are committed to supporting our community in every way possible, particularly for those dealing with anxiety, stress, depression, and other mental health-related issues. We understand that seeking therapeutic services can be challenging, and that’s why we offer telehealth services to make it more accessible and convenient for you. We offer Telehealth as a way to give those who are in need access to therapy in a safe environment. We highly care about our community and fellow Californians access to mental health during this time. We are all in this together. By being together, we can build something that can last not just in the moment but create a set of tools that you can carry for the rest of your life. If you have any more questions about our services you can reach out by email at admin@blualliance.org and/or Call us at (626) 541-0009.
Amanda Jablon Therapy
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Kira Olson LMFT, LPCC
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) with over 10 years of experience. I work with individuals, couples, and families online in the states of California and Florida, and in person in San Jose, CA. My experience has included outpatient treatment, group practice, in-home care services, and higher levels of care. I enjoy working with students and individuals experiencing life transitions, with particular specialties in eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. In addition, I have expertise in working with athletes, those with chronic pain/illness, and faith-based communities. My theoretical orientation is person-centered and psychodynamic. However, I incorporate a variety of techniques depending on my client’s individual needs, including expressive arts therapies, somatic approaches, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). My hope is to come alongside individuals or groups in their healing journey by providing compassionate support, insight, and practical tools to support goal achievement, strengthen relationships, and build a meaningful life. During initial sessions, we will take time to develop a relationship, understand your current challenges and strengths, and establish goals that support forward movement. Session to session, we will process present moment thoughts, emotions, and experiences, as well as discuss overarching themes and treatment targets. As you feel better and increasingly more empowered, we will begin to space out sessions, with the goal of managing symptoms and challenges independently. I applaud you for taking steps to seek support and learn more about yourself!
Laidlaw Counseling
If you're longing for deeper joy, intentionality, purpose, and wholeness in your life, today is a good day to begin. It can be difficult to prioritize yourself in the craziness of life and everything you already hold… but the benefits stretch so far beyond yourself to everyone you interact with, and especially to the ones you love most. I take a holistic approach to addressing anxiety, trauma, and life transitions- which means I consider the physical, mental, relational, and spiritual aspects of your life and how they interact. I use a variety of frameworks, including EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), family systems, attachment, and mindfulness. I specialize in working with clients experiencing anxiety, panic attacks, or PTSD who are ready to take control of their lives back. I take an in-depth, holistic approach to discover & address root causes, paired with practical tools and coping strategies you can use right away. I value & incorporate your feedback along the way to create an approach that fits, so you can experience lasting change. If you’re ready to take intentional steps, I’d love to connect. I offer a free consultation so you can ask questions and see if it feels like a good fit. Email me to get started.
Anna Lindberg Cedar, MPA, LCSW, LICSW
It is not uncommon for clients to tell me, "This is the first time I'm telling this to anyone..." I consider it a great honor to hold space for individuals to makes sense of difficult experiences and emotions, while also connecting with their greatest strengths and desires. I use well-researched therapy methods to help my clients boost coping during life's most stressful periods and transitions. I specialize in burnout prevention to help individuals connect with their innate ability to survive and thrive. Above all else, I prioritize my ability to listen, really listen, to my clients' deepest desires and wishes to be who they really are. Personally, I am drawn to the counseling profession because I believe wholeheartedly in our human capacity to grow and change. I consider it a privilege to support this process in my work as a therapist and as a burnout prevention educator. I bring my authentic self to my work (including a sense of humor) - and invite my client partners to do the same. I am inspired on a daily basis by the resilience of humanity and capacity for joy. Seeing these moments of inspiration has sustained me in this work throughout my career, and I feel grateful for the opportunity. Tell me: What changes would you like to see in your life? Warmly, Anna Lindberg Cedar, MPA, LCSW Therapy For Real Life Founder Burnout Prevention Hacker TherapyForRealLife.com (Available to see clients via telehealth throughout the states of CA and MN)
Rocio Vaca
Hello and Welcome! Are you a couple needing to strengthen communication, navigate conflict effectively, and break free from long‑standing gridlock? I’m Rocio Vaca, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 17 years of experience, and I help you deepen friendship, build emotional intimacy, and create shared meaning. Are you exploring your identity, preparing to come out, struggling with self‑acceptance, or navigating gender‑affirming care? Together, we can build healthy coping strategies, strengthen resilience, and address symptoms of anxiety, depression, or stress while supporting a stronger sense of self. I help clients find relief from overwhelming thoughts, emotional exhaustion, & daily stress by identifying triggers, emotional regulation, & building coping skills. I also support children/ teens with OCD, trauma, low self‑esteem, & assertiveness challenges often from being bullied, helping them understand emotions/cognitions, build confidence & boundaries. I view therapy as a collaborative and individualized process—one that builds practical skills while fostering insight, emotional healing, and growth. Clients often describe my style as warm, grounded, and down‑to‑earth, creating a space where they feel supported, understood, and empowered throughout their therapeutic journey.
Stella Nova Psychology, Inc.
Stella Nova Psychology, Inc. supports women, couples, and LGBTQIA+ folks' mental health so that they can succeed and thrive at school, work, and in their personal lives. We offer individual therapy and couples counseling online throughout California. Our clients are students and professionals seeking support for many common issues, like anxiety, stress, support around life transitions, depression, perfectionism, relationship challenges, trauma, and more. We're a QWOC-owned practice with a majority BIPOC clinicians, and most of our clients are members of BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+ communities. We often work with 1st and 2nd generation immigrants, and people who are the first in their families to attain higher education or work in professional roles. Many of our clinicians have also shared in these experiences ourselves. Several of our therapists have previously worked in college mental health (USF, SJSU, SCU, UCSC, and UC Berkeley) and so we have an intimate understanding of the mental health challenges often faced by students. Stella Nova is a private pay practice with sessions beginning at $150. Rates vary depending on therapist. We also accept Loveland Vouchers for therapy. If it sounds like Stella Nova might be a good fit for your needs, please visit our website to schedule a free, 20 minute consultation with our intake coordinator to learn more about how we can help. You can also meet our therapists by visiting our Instagram page @stellanovawomen.
Melissa Berschauer
I love working with young adults. Life inevitably brings challenges and difficult times. Deciding to begin therapy is a sign of strength, but it can also feel intimidating. My style is warm, supportive, and interactive. We will work together to help you build a life that is meaningful, healthy and balanced no matter what challenges you may face in your personal life or in your relationships. Please reach out via phone, text or email. My favorite session is the first session, when I get to meet you!
San Diego Mountain 2 Coast Therapy
Clients who have experienced trauma, substance abuse and family issues. Struggling with depression and anxiety. Career and college challenges are all important to process. I use various research-based modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Motivational Interviewing, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) . I offer a safe, non-judgmental space to process emotions and traumatic experiences. I consider all aspects of an individual and implement a bio-psycho-social-spiritual, culturally-sensitive and client-centered approach with individuals, couples, and families.
Ripple Effects Couple and Family Therapy
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
SLO Couples Therapy
You want to feel like a team again. But lately, it’s been harder to talk without tension or connect without effort. Under the surface, something’s missing: trust that your relationship is solid, the comfort of being understood and appreciated, or the closeness that makes you feel like you’re truly in it together. Couples counseling helps you shift out of reactive cycles and into meaningful connection. You’ll learn to communicate with care, listen with empathy, and build a foundation that is steady and supportive so your relationship feels like home again. I see couples in person in San Luis Obispo and online across California, Washington, Florida, and South Carolina.
Melabi Amponsah
My ultimate goal as a psychologist is to provide a safe and empathic environment for individuals to address their presenting concerns. I believe that developing a strong therapeutic relationship and working with clients to achieve their goals will lead to growth, healing, and a better understanding of one’s self. I believe all this is possible in a supportive and non-judgmental therapeutic environment. I have a passion for working with culturally diverse populations. It is one of my goals to empower clients to create a meaningful life despite the pain that inevitably occurs. 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.
New Wave Youth and Family Therapy Services
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.
Kyra Angileri
Kyra is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California who works with adults moving through trauma, grief, depression, anxiety, and major life transitions. She offers a warm, affirming, and nonjudgmental space, and she is especially glad to support LGBTQ clients and anyone exploring questions of identity. Kyra also has real experience with substance use, relationship struggles, and the heavier feelings that can be hard to carry alone. Her work draws on acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, internal family systems, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing, all held within a person centered and trauma informed approach. She helps you build practical tools while making room for the deeper feelings underneath, and she moves at your pace. Kyra sees you as the expert on your own life and her role as a steady, collaborative guide. Kyra sees clients through WellQor, which offers online therapy across California. To get started, fill out the Get Started form on the WellQor website. A member of the front office team will then text you with next steps and help you find a time to meet, so the first step stays simple and there is no pressure to have everything figured out before you reach out.