Therapists for college students near Los Angeles, CA

Are you feeling worried, stressed and/or overwhelmed on a regular basis? Do you often put other people's wants and needs before your own? Do you experience self-doubt or struggle with low self-esteem that leads you to feel like your thoughts, feelings and opinions are not important? If this sounds like you, you are probably also experiencing burn-out, imposter syndrome, disconnection with your body/emotions, and/or significant life-changes. You want to feel a sense of calm and assurance that you can move through your day with ease. I would be honored to walk this journey alongside you. To hold space for you, to support you and remind you that you have all the tools to lead the life you envision for yourself. If this resonates with you, please feel free to reach out!

I work best with students who are used to performing under pressure: student-athletes, performers, pre-med and nursing majors, ROTC and military-affiliated students, and anyone else whose schedule doesn't leave much room to fall apart, even when they need to. A lot of my clients are running on adrenaline most of the semester, replaying conversations at 2 am, or have gotten so used to pushing through that they've stopped feeling much of anything. Many have already tried talking to someone before. They can explain exactly what's stressing them out, sometimes perfectly, and it still hasn't changed how they feel or act. That gap between understanding a problem and actually feeling different is where I focus. I don't rely only on talking things through. When conversation alone isn't working, or just isn't your thing, I use other approaches that work with what's actually happening in your body and your reactions, not just the story you tell about it. I also think there's real room for humor here: being able to laugh at a hard moment can loosen its grip in a way taking everything seriously never does. You don't need to have the perfect way to explain what's going on, or even know exactly where to start. I'm licensed in Colorado and California. If any of this sounds like your semester, I'd like to hear from you.

Who I Work Best With: Most of my clients are people who've gotten really good at functioning — and really tired of it. You've probably figured out how to hold things together, stay busy, keep up. But something isn't working anymore. Maybe you're exhausted in a way you can't explain. Maybe you're finally asking questions you've been pushing down for years — about who you are, what you believe, how you want to love, or why your brain works the way it does. A lot of people I work with are navigating things like anxiety, depression, identity, relationships that don't fit a neat box, or a major life shift — faith deconstruction, a breakup, figuring out you're neurodivergent later in life. Some are just trying to get through the week without falling apart. If that's you, we'd probably work well together. What Working With Me Looks Like: I'm not going to sit quietly and just reflect things back at you. I'm also not the worksheet-and-homework type. My style is pretty collaborative and direct — I'll gently push back when I think it'll actually help, and I'll meet you where you are. I have 15 years of experience working with new parents and kids before becoming a therapist, which means I come in with a lot of real-world, people-first perspective. I also have personal experience with religious deconstruction — so if you're untangling a faith background or questioning things you were raised to believe, I genuinely get it, not just clinically. I work especially well with people who are neurodivergent, queer or questioning, in non-traditional relationships (like polyamory or ENM), or somewhere in the middle of a big life change. You don't have to have it figured out to reach out.

If you’re feeling stretched thin as a parent, trying to adjust to a new culture, carrying trauma, or facing grief or a major life transition, this space is for you. I believe in the power of continuous growth—both for myself and for the people I work with. My hope is to support you on your journey of self-discovery as you work toward greater balance, healing, and fulfillment in your life. As a child of an immigrant family and a parent to three multicultural, multiracial children, I bring both professional training and lived experience into the therapy space. I understand firsthand the complexities of identity, belonging, and navigating multiple cultural worlds, and I strive to create a space where clients feel seen, respected, and understood. My lived experience as a BIPOC individual in a multicultural community informs my work and allows me to offer a space that offers cultural humility, empathy and openness. It takes courage to explore your story, and I honor that by creating a space where you can feel truly seen and heard. While my work is guided by proven methods like Trauma-Focused CBT and Motivational Interviewing, what that really means for you is a personalized experience focused on healing and resilience; we’ll work on gaining insight and building skills. I also believe in the healing power of a shared laugh; I often use humor to help us navigate the heavy moments with a bit more grace and perspective. My goal is to help you find lasting change and a deeper kindness toward yourself. I believe finding a community is essential for navigating life’s challenges. For me, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has been that vital mental health anchor for 13 years. Although training and coaching has been important, fostering the social connection and personal grit needed to stay mentally healthy has helped me through different life transitions.

UCLA Tele-Mental Health Hub- Medi-Cal is required to receive services • Individual therapy, weekly for up to 1 year (45 -60 min sessions) • Psychiatric assessment and medication management available • We serve ages 12-59 • All clinicians are bilingual (Spanish-English) • All services are via Telehealth (HIPPA compliant and secure platform) • Mild to moderate symptoms and presentation

Valencia Counseling is a culturally sensitive private practice providing comprehensive mental health services via telehealth in the state of California. Valencia Counseling is committed to assisting children, adults and families achieve their goals.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Welcome to the private practice of Dr. Brandon F. Heimberg, a licensed clinical psychologist in California and New York, specializing in neuropsychological assessment and treatment. His expertise encompasses a broad spectrum of conditions, including traumatic brain injuries, neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, learning disorders, various medical conditions, and psychiatric disorders. Dr. Heimberg combines a depth of knowledge with extensive experience to offer comprehensive and compassionate care. His extensive training encompasses Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and a comprehensive APA Division-40 neuropsychology internship at the VA Illiana Health Care System. Moreover, Dr. Heimberg has honed his expertise through advanced clinical practica and a two-year clinical fellowship/residency in neuropsychological assessment at the prestigious UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine, ensuring adherence to the highest standards of neuropsychological training. Dr. Heimberg currently holds hospital privileges at the Motion Picture & Television Fund. Dr. Heimberg's services are available to residents across California and New York, accommodating the needs of his patients through both in-person consultations (CA) and HIPAA-compliant telehealth options (CA and NY). Whether you're seeking support for yourself or a loved one, Dr. Heimberg is committed to providing exceptional care tailored to each individual's unique circumstances.

The human mind is a fascinating place. I am constantly in awe of how deeply intricate and nuanced it is. I know that for many of us it doesn’t always feel this way. The hardships of life can, over time, make the mind into an unpleasant, stressful, and even terrifying place. My goal is to help make therapy, and the journey of exploring and understanding your mind, a less daunting process. I want to join you and guide you in peeling back the layers, making sense of the chaos, and finding safety and peace in your mind. For me, the key ingredient to effective therapy is curiosity. I want you to not only feel that I am listening to you, but that I am interested in what you have to say. I work to create a therapeutic environment where you feel that we are working collaboratively to understand the difficulties in your life, and to identify what you need to feel more capable and fulfilled. My style of therapy focuses on accessing and exploring the wisdom that already exists in your mind and nervous system, and interpreting it in the context of your past and present experiences. Nothing is more important in the therapy process than the relationship between therapist and client. Little can be accomplished in terms of exploring and understanding your mind unless you feel some degree of trust and safety with your therapist. I understand that trust needs to be earned, and that a sense of safety takes time to develop. I strive to nurture these by prioritizing consistency and honesty in all of our interactions. I want you to know and feel, above all, that I am on your side, and to have a clear understanding of the work we are doing together.

Avoid traffic & travel time with Video/Phone Telehealth sessions (I do not offer in person counseling). Do you enjoy learning about yourself, seeking joy, purpose and growth all while keeping a sense of humor about life and yourself even when facing challenges? Are you dealing with stress, anxiety, major life changes or adjustments (career, moving, marriage, separation, break-up or divorce), trauma or grief and loss? These have been my areas of specialty for 20+years. I also love working with those in the entertainment industry or in the helping professions (healthcare, mental health, caregivers, spiritual / coaches). Sound like you? I may be a fit! Time does not heal all wounds. But, what you do with your time can make a HUGE difference. Using grief, loss, CBT, and stress management techniques, together we can work on everything from individual support for children, teens or adults to couples or family counseling. I like seeing the results in my clients feeling happier, healthier and satisfied. Whether it's your first time in therapy or you have had experience in the past and life circumstances have led you back to searching for someone new, I hope I can help. I know from personal experience that weeding through all the therapists is a daunting task, and finding the best fit for you is essential. Note: I don't take insurance and provide paperwork for you to submit to any PPO for Out of Network Benefit reimbursement.

Becoming a therapist felt like a natural path for me, where my curiosity about the human experience and my desire to help others could come together. I value the opportunity to walk alongside my clients as they gain insight, work through challenges, and create meaningful change in their lives. I also believe that having a supportive, nonjudgmental space to reflect and be heard can be incredibly powerful, and it’s meaningful for me to be able to offer that to people. I value creating a supportive, collaborative and warm environment where clients can feel seen and safe to be themselves and open up. My goal is to help you develop insight, strengthen coping skills, work to build emotional resilience, reclaim calm and feel more confident in navigating life’s challenges with greater clarity and confidence. My work is guided by compassion, curiosity, and respect for each client’s unique life experience. I believe that everyone has the capacity for growth, and I am honored to be part of that process. By integrating evidence-based, trauma-informed care with practical tools, I help clients move from surviving to thriving. I invite you to reach out for a consultation to explore how we can work together to build a more empowered future. I strongly believe in practicing what I encourage in my clients-prioritizing intentional self-care in everyday life, whether that means attending my favorite Zumba class, enjoying a good book, or soaking up the sun while on a walk with my two chihuahuas.

Being a college student can be a lot. Between classes, exams, relationships, family expectations, and the pressure to figure out "what's next," it's easy to feel stretched thin, anxious, or unsure if you're doing any of it right. It can also feel hard to focus on your own life when world events feel heavy or overwhelming. You might be questioning a relationship, feeling disconnected from friends or family, or wondering who you are outside of what everyone expects of you. You deserve a space that's just for you, where you don't have to have it all figured out. Together, we'll work through the stress and anxiety of this season of life. We'll untangle relational patterns that feel stuck and get curious about what you actually want. Along the way, you'll walk away with practical tools to manage stress and anxiety so you can feel more grounded day to day. Getting clearer on your values and who you are can make the uncertainty feel a lot less overwhelming. My style as a therapist is authentic to who I am in everyday life. I show up with warmth, kindness, patience, and humor, and I want you to feel like you can be fully yourself in our sessions. We'll shape the work around what you need, blending honest self-reflection with practical steps forward. If this sounds like what you're looking for, I'd love to connect.

I am a LMFT who is passionate about providing excellent care for my clients. Although I have a diverse range of experience, I l specialize in working with anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, trauma, domestic violence and abuse, and other emotional/behavioral interpersonal issues. I work well with teens, young adults, adults, couples, families, and group therapy. My approach is often client-centered as I adapt my approach depending on the client I am working with, but I tend to work from an existential/humanistic, CBT/DBT, and psychodynamic approach.

Clients I work with are typically struggling with perfectionism, eating disorders, body image issues, anxiety, depression, and difficulty with the college transition. I want to learn about your unique story so that we can create meaningful positive change in your life. As your therapist, I like to focus on staying in the present moment, finding skills to regulate emotions, and tapping into your mind/body/spirit. Because of my own background and identities, I am passionate about working with athletes, LGBTQ folks, People of Color, and trans-racial adoptees. I am located in Los Angeles and work with clients throughout California using a secure Telehealth platform, Simple Practice.

I am inspired to work in mental health to build rapport with members and to help members identify, process, and heal from mental health symptoms and trauma. I am inspired to help members harness their inner voice and help them to improve self-worth as well as to help them change their narratives to a positive outlook in life. I ensure members are heard by bringing in empathy, demonstrating unconditional positive regard, triaging and creating collaborate treatment goals that members are amenable to work on, employ active listening, and show reflective listening. I build trust with storytelling, to start where the member is at, to not judge member, and to ask clarifying questions to get their lived experiences. I implement miracle questions, Socratic questioning, and provide homework assignments for accountability.

Melanie invites you to explore and embrace all the parts of who you are, recognizing that your intersecting identities shape your experiences and the way you interact with the world. She takes a thoughtful, down-to-earth, and at times, direct approach that blends working toward meaningful goals with staying present. With warmth, honesty, and just the right dose of humor, she creates a space where you feel safe enough to risk vulnerability. You might benefit from working with Melanie if: - You're facing a big change, like a breakup, a move, a new job, or a loss, and feeling untethered. - You've achieved a lot, but continue to be plagued by anxiety, depression, burnout, and self-doubt. - You're an athlete, artist, or high performer, whose inner life doesn't match your outer success. - You're processing trauma or childhood experiences that still impact you today. - You want support managing stress, emotion dysregulation, and executive dysfunction. - You're tired and frustrated by not getting what you want out of your relationships. - You wish you could set appropriate boundaries, find the words to articulate the internal workings of your mind, and have the confidence to express your needs.​

What inspires me to work in the field of mental health care is the incredible resilience and potential I have witnessed in clients over the years. With over 10 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how people can grow, adapt, and persevere through challenges. It’s truly motivating to witness the transformative power of therapy, as it serves as the spark or stepping stone that helps individuals create lasting change in their lives. I am inspired by the strength we all possess as human beings and the opportunity to be part of that transformative process, guiding clients toward a better future. To ensure that clients feel heard and understood in sessions, I focus on creating a safe and trusting environment where they can express themselves freely. I approach each session with cultural humility, recognizing that my norms and experiences may not align with those of the client. By leading with curiosity and empathy, I aim to foster a space where clients feel valued and understood. Additionally, I take a client-centered and trauma-informed approach, prioritizing the individual’s unique needs and experiences. I build trust and a strong therapeutic alliance by working collaboratively with clients to process difficult experiences. Together, we identify core beliefs and unhelpful thinking patterns that may be limiting their growth. By helping clients break free from these outdated beliefs and patterns, I create a space of support and empowerment, allowing them to move forward in a healthier, more constructive way. This collaborative approach fosters trust and a sense of partnership in the therapeutic process.

Hi, I'm Ava (she/they). I'm a therapist specializing in the treatment of OCD, eating disorders, and trauma. I'm particularly passionate about providing therapy to the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. As someone who is part of these communities, I have firsthand experience with difficulty finding a therapist who truly “gets” me without making assumptions or generalizations.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Are you ready to make a change in your life? Is there a pattern you keep repeating in relationships that you want to let go of? Do you want to feel comfortable and happy in your own skin? Is your past affecting your present in debilitating ways you want to change? Your brain is naturally wired for change, the neuroplasticity in your brain allows you to form new neural connections breaking free of limiting beliefs. Therapy taps into this ability, and provides tangible skills for you to learn and connect to your own healing power. An experienced hand makes all the difference in healing and awakening to your best self. Specializing in trauma I’m holistic in my approach looking at the flow of energy in you as a whole being: Spirit, Mind, and Body. I interweave Mindfulness, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Attachment Focused Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (AF-EMDR) to fit your unique needs and together we take a journey to the possible.