Therapists for college students near San Francisco, CA

I specialize working with gender and sexuality, anyone struggling through life transitions and change, folks who identify as highly sensitive people. I also focus on using self compassion techniques and perspectives and provide trauma informed, social justice/feminist oriented, and culturally attuned care. I fully enjoy both of us benefiting from building a meaningful relationship together, because I see it as an honor to be a part of your journey towards self actualization and well-being. I’m personable, transparent, enjoy humor, connection and appreciate depth. I'd honestly love to hear from you!

Growing up, you learned early on that trusting others could be dangerous. You were taught to rely only on yourself, and that self-reliance has served you well. You’ve achieved so much—your degree, your job, and a comfortable life. Yet, despite these accomplishments, your mind still feels like it’s in survival mode. The nights are restless, your emotions seem unpredictable, and you’ve tried filling the void with drinking, partying, and casual relationships, but it never quite works. You’ve felt frustrated as your emotions are often labeled as angry or aggressive, leaving you feeling misunderstood and isolated. Trusting only yourself has taken you far, but it’s not enough to bring the peace and fulfillment you crave. I recognize how these experiences have shaped your life, affecting your relationships and overall well-being. Together, we’ll work on building trust, setting healthy boundaries, and learning to identify and name your emotions. Let's challenge and unlearn the limiting belief that you’re destined to succumb to the hardships you may face due to your upbringing, gender, or skin color. My goal is to create a space where you can address and work through the tough conversations often avoided in your past, fostering deeper healing and growth.

Growth and Change Counseling is a relationships oriented counseling practice that is passionate about helping people develop the relational intelligence to step out of their anxiety, depression, and addiction and to experience wholeness in their relationships and satisfaction in their life. All of our problems root back to the breakdown in our relationships and the of relational intelligence due to or the lack of relational intelligence (ex. Autism Spectrum Disorder). At the core of our being we all yearn to connect and at the center of our lives is the need for . Anxious, addicted, depressed people isolate because they are pulling away from relationship in pain. When you come to Growth and Change Counseling, we will help you learn to apply and integrate the healthy relationship principles that will empower you to thrive in your relationships (parent-child, couples, partners, friends, etc.). We treat everything. We are not afraid of your problems, and we will get in the trenches with you to help you Grow and Change!

You feel like you’re drowning in the midst of all the big changes going on in your life. You feel alone and long to deeply connect with others, but you often end up feeling disappointed, unseen, used, or heartbroken. You’re overwhelmed with the transitions happening in your life and the confusing emotions going on inside of you, but you beat yourself up for being “too sensitive”. You’re working so hard to have a successful career and fulfilling relationships, but you never feel like you’re enough. You just want to feel better, but you don’t know where to begin. You want to successfully navigate these changes and emotions in a way that helps you understand who you are and what you want. You want healthy, vibrant relationships where you feel loved and accepted. You want to know that it’s not just okay to be you, but that being you is more than enough. You want to live an authentic life that really matters. I’m passionate about serving emerging adults in my practice because I know personally how hard and confusing this time of life can be. I use Brainspotting and the Enneagram to help you grow individually, along with Emotionally Focused Therapy and Prepare/Enrich to help you create vibrant, healthy relationships. I’ve created a welcoming space where you can feel embraced and cared for as we engage the difficulties that are getting in your way and deep dive into your inner world. Interested in getting started? Let’s talk!

I work really well with individuals struggling with the transition to adulthood. Are you overwhelmed by all of your responsibilities? Feeling pressure to figure it all out right now? I can help navigate the jump from dependent to independent. Additionally, I specialize in treating trauma. I have experiencing treating victims of crime, first responders and their families, survivors of sexual assault, survivors of mass shootings, as well as bullying, car accident, and trauma induced by failure to perform. Schedule a free consult and see if we are a good match for what you are trying to accomplish.

Do you ever feel like you are at war with your body? Perhaps you are feeling stuck in the aftermath of trauma. Or maybe you are struggling with eating disorder recovery, unsure that things will ever get better. Navigating these types of issues is HARD, and it is even harder when you feel like you are in it alone. I specialize in helping individuals manage overwhelm and reclaim a sense of security within their own bodies. Whether you're struggling with disordered eating, trauma, anxiety, or a particularly chaotic time in life, therapy can help you make sense of it all. My approach to therapy is direct, empathetic, and client-centered. I empower my clients to move towards lasting changes at their own pace. I have almost a decade of experience in the mental health field as well as training in Somatic Experiencing. Therapy with me is tailored to each client's unique needs, ensuring you receive the best possible care. Therapy can feel like a big step, but I’m here to do it with you. If you are ready to move toward a more fulfilling life with a therapist who genuinely cares, I'd love to help you get there. Don't hesitate to reach out and schedule a free consultation. You deserve to feel better, and I am here to support you on your journey.

Its NOT easy to be a college student! Along with your achievements there could be a lot of stress, anxiety, frustration, and burnout due to various reasons! Being a parent of college going kids, I can hear you very well! Are you feeling stressed out, anxious, sad, abandoned, humiliated, unheard, hurt, lonely? Do you feel like people have taken advantage of you & nobody cares about you? Are you tired of hearing "get over with it"? The burnout can be devastating. Emotional wounds and trauma affect the rest of our life if left unattended and untreated. It manifests in the form of lack of concentration, sadness, low self-esteem, challenges in occupation, unstable relationships to name a few. DO NOT WORRY and do not wait to seek help for emotional pain/ injury as you wouldn't for physical injury. It's never too late to seek help! I will help you to thrive through the campus successfully! My mission is to help you to create insight into your present situation in relation to your past experiences and to empower you and/or your family to create the desired future! I specialize in working with college students (young adults), adults, couples, and families. I also work with grief & loss and immigrants' acculturation issues. Don't wait to take charge of your life! I offer free 20 minute phone consultation to check if we are the right fit. You can call me at (858)280-6030

I have always found it easy to be in tune with emotions and I feel like I can provide a non-anxious presence that can help guide. I believe two of my biggest strengths are being an empathetic and understanding person, and as cheesy as it sounds, I truly take pleasure in knowing that I can utilize these strengths to offer support to my future clients during some of their most challenging times. I also have experience working with many different people in different settings and that has allowed me to widen my understanding and it has positively impacted how I practice. I make sure to be visibly engaged through validating thoughts and feelings as well as utilizing reflective listening skills. I recognize I am human and if I do not understand something I am courageous enough to ask questions and gain insight on my client’s perspective, background, culture, faith, etc. It is not lost on me that it is a privilege to work with people at such a vulnerable level. I always aim to provide a safe, empowering, yet warm environment for all of my clients. And I am also not afraid of big emotions, on the contrary I welcome them. I believe the hour we have together is your time to be able to freely express your most inner thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment.

My approach centers on creating a compassionate, non-judgmental environment where we can explore your concerns and goals together. I understand the unique pressures that come with balancing school, work, and self-care and work to empower you with strategies for mental and emotional wellness. My specialty is working with both mono-lingual and bi-lingual Spanish/English Speaking individuals navigating working with clients in the Latino/BIPOC communities, students struggling with academic stress or cultural identity, and first-generation students and children of immigrants navigating cultural expectations and identity development.

Hi there, I’m Kayleigh. Welcome! I’m glad you’re here. I’m a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee currently pursuing my master’s degree at Alliant International University. I understand that reaching out for support can feel overwhelming at times, and my goal is to offer a steady, caring space where you can feel safe, seen, and supported. I work with teens, adults, couples, and families who are navigating challenges like anxiety, emotional regulation, relationship stress, self-esteem, and life transitions. I’m especially drawn to supporting clients in building resilience, exploring their identity, and creating meaningful change in their daily lives and relationships. My style as a therapist is collaborative, thoughtful, and grounded in respect for your unique experience. I integrate techniques from family systems approaches including Cognitive Behavioral, Collaborative, Narrative, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy to help uncover patterns, deepen understanding, and encourage growth. I work with you to shape the therapy process around your needs, goals, and comfort level. Outside the therapy space, I enjoy gardening, discovering local coffee spots, and spending time with family and friends. I try to live with intention, humor, and curiosity, and I bring those same values into my work with clients.

Feeling triggered, dissociated, anxious, or stuck in patterns like people-pleasing or avoidance? Lost, confused, or frustrated as you navigate big questions about your identity, relationships, or future? You don’t have to figure it all out alone—I’m here to help. Your 20s are tough—full of transitions, uncertainty, and unexpected challenges. It can feel like a lot to handle on your own, but with the right support, you can move forward with clarity, confidence, and peace of mind. I specialize in helping emerging adults like you navigate this transformative decade. My approach is holistic and inclusive, and I have expertise in supporting individuals who have experienced trauma. I go beyond traditional talk therapy by incorporating a somatic approach, which helps you tune into what your body is holding onto. This not only alleviates symptoms like anxiety and depression but also helps you feel safer in your body, build confidence, uncover unconscious emotions and beliefs, set healthy boundaries, communicate effectively, and cultivate healthier relationships. Together, we’ll work to reduce overwhelm, boost focus and energy, and help you feel more alive, creative, and connected.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who believes therapy works best when you feel truly seen and understood. I meet clients where they are and provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space to explore life’s challenges. My work focuses on helping clients process stressors, navigate difficult experiences, and move toward meaningful personal growth. My approach is compassionate, open-minded, and flexible. I work collaboratively with clients to find practical, meaningful solutions while also creating space for deeper reflection. I can be both straightforward and grounded when needed, while also using metaphor and insight to help clients better understand themselves and their experiences. In our first session, you can expect a relaxed and supportive environment where we focus on getting to know you—your story, your goals, and what brings you to therapy. We’ll begin identifying what you’d like to work on and start building a plan that feels manageable and aligned with where you are, helping you move forward at your own pace.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Let's support you in facing internal struggles stemming from everyday life, anxiety, stress, trauma, and relationships! Let's help you learn a variety of coping and parenting skills to support you in feeling confident as an individual or as a parent while developing healthy communication within your relationships. In therapy, we will spend time exploring your history, concerns, strengths, and areas of growth. We will then work together to develop an individualized way to support you in the growth that you want to see in yourself. You will learn a variety of new tools and skills to manage anxiety or stress, decrease self-criticism, improve self-esteem, increase self-confidence, set healthy boundaries, learn new ways to communicate, or learn new parenting skills. Emphasis will then be placed on learning how to implement these into your everyday life.

Niña Aguirre is a seasoned mental health professional with over 15 years of experience and is licensed in California. She has worked extensively as both a therapist and court liaison, serving diverse populations including adolescents, adults, incarcerated individuals, and older adults. Niña is passionate about promoting mental well-being and believes deeply in the power of human connection to foster healing and personal growth. Her approach is rooted in providing personalized, thorough care that enhances self-awareness, helping clients explore past traumas and understand their impact on current behaviors and relationships. Niña’s therapeutic style is flexible and tailored to meet each client’s unique needs. While she primarily practices client-centered and solution-focused therapy, she adapts her modalities to ensure a personalized approach. Her goal is for clients to feel heard, validated, and comfortable enough to freely process their emotions. Whether a session yields small insights or significant breakthroughs, Niña ensures each experience is meaningful. She is trained in CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), interpersonal therapy, trauma-focused therapy, crisis intervention, and mindfulness, drawing on these methods to support her clients’ healing journeys and help them achieve their treatment goals.

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.

For every challenge there is an opportunity. From the perspective of psychology, this means that the challenges we face can be gateways into a new understanding of ourselves; they are part and parcel of our development as human beings. I would be happy to support you in your development. I work collaboratively with my clients by helping them set realistic goals for our work together and use a variety of engaging or creative methods to support them in developing greater insight into themselves.

I am a psychologist based in the San Francisco Bay Area, and I have spent the past 10 years working with folks who are excited and curious about how they can learn to best care for themselves. In general, I tend work with clients who are looking for support around their career goals, including transitioning out of or into a career, finding a better work-school-life balance, establishing or refreshing professional skills/communication, or navigating the experience of college/career integration. I have a particular passion for working with clients in "helping" industries or in training, including healthcare, healthcare administration, mental health, and teaching. I also work regularly with clients who are struggling with depression, anxiety, and other mood regulation concerns. I have experience working with students, especially as they are exploring the next phase of their life. Transitions are sometimes moments of great growth and self-discovery, and often accompanied by great pain and confusion. I think addressing both side of the coin honestly and with support can help us navigate the tough stuff with a sense of clarity and hope. I currently work in a private practice clinic, and provide talk-therapy from a variety of clinical orientations. I usually go for a somewhat down-to-Earth approach when first working with someone: taking the time to learn more about what is and isn't working in their lives, thinking collaboratively with them about what some attainable long-term goals might look like, and then allowing us to settle into the process of engaging and tracking areas of growth as our work develops. Therapy is such a unique and personal process. This should work with and for you, even if it's not always easy. I'm open to meeting you and learning more...even if we aren't a great fit. I'm also happy to support your process in finding that next-right-one. I do my best to respond to voicemails and emails within 24 hours during the work week, and follow-up on all weekend inquiries by end of business on Mondays.

In the therapeutic space, I aim to help clients develop a deeper understanding of their difficulties through exploration of historical and interpersonal experiences. As a product of this exploration, we identify patterns in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that play a role in the development and maintenance of stress. With this new insight and understanding, and the application of specific coping skills and strategies, we are able to collaboratively work toward making the changes they desire in their lives. I enjoy working with individuals of all backgrounds and specialize in: depression, anxiety, grief/loss, cultural issues, and relational difficulties. As a South Asian immigrant, I am passionate about working with immigrants and adult children of immigrants who experience stressors such as: balancing a bicultural/multicultural identity, coping with generational trauma, navigating the barriers of a new country, and managing family expectations vs individual/personal desires. I also enjoy helping couples who seek to understand how personal family dynamics and experiences impact their relationship, or simply desire to enhance feelings of connectedness through healthy emotional expression, communication, and effective conflict resolution.

Our society teaches us to value independence, confidence and productivity – sometimes to the detriment of personal relationships and our own sense of self-worth. Almost daily we are bombarded with narrowly defined gender roles, and ‘rules’ around how we should look, act, think and feel. I enjoy collaborating with clients to reconsider the boundaries of their lives, how they create meaningful relationships, and in doing so, identify their preferred ways of engaging with the world around them. My therapy approach is client-centered, compassionate, honoring of your values and lived experiences, and focused on the changes you would like to make in your life. I draw from Narrative Therapy practices and Solution-Focused principles to support you in re-writing your personal story and overcoming the challenges that keep you feeling stuck. I also recognize that many of the hardships that clients face are the result of systemic racism, injustice and inequity. These can manifest in a host of mental health concerns including anxiety, depression and intimate partner violence, to name a few. Additionally, I supervise Associate MFTs working to obtain their clinical license. They provide tele-therapy appointments at a reduced fee. See more details on my web site.