Therapists for college students near UCLA

I am inspired to work in the field of mental health because I want to offer support and strategies during a challenging time. I understand how difficult it can be to reach out for help. I want to work with you to improve your circumstances. I work on being nonjudgmental so that you feel comfortable and safe enough to share your experiences with me. I welcome feedback so I can continue to offer more of what might be needed so that I can best support you. I want to meet you where you are at and pace our work together. I respect all parts of your experience and want to make sure that you feel empowered to speak up if you ever feel worried about your care.

For the past 35 years, I have been helping people explore and work through barriers to living and loving well. If you are feeling stuck or overwhelmed, therapy can provide space to understand and experience ourselves in a new way. I work with people to change the way they think about and experience the challenges they face, to effect positive change and resilience. I can work with you to navigate the ups and downs of anxiety and depression, the hopes and fears of life transitions, the joys and challenges of creative pursuit, the pain of grief and loss, and the wounds of trauma, abuse, and oppression. I work with adults and young adults and people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. I have particular interest and experience in working with people in the helping professions and people going through transitions such as career, parenthood and relationship (e.g. divorce) transitions. In addition, I also work with people to help resolve and move through creative blocks, including those who struggle with the question of whether they are or can be creative and those struggling with questions of spiritual identity and practice. My approach is warm, compassionate, and collaborative. I believe in creating a therapeutic experience responsive to your unique needs and life situation and respectful of your strengths. We can work to help you understand yourself better, identify and shift patterns that no longer serve you, and develop ways to increase your sense of well-being.

We are a team that values quality and effective treatments to treat various disorders. My team has a variety of experience and specialty. The treatment modalities that we use is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. We treat complex trauma or single case trauma, parenting issues, anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, and relational issues.

My educational, professional, and personal experiences, combined with a profound desire to help people heal and grow, are the foundation of my work as a psychotherapist. I provide a space where you are free to explore and share yourself. I strive to create an environment that allows you to safely discuss, reflect, uncover, and change. My ability to help people feel safe, accepted and welcome has been the cornerstone of my success as a psychotherapist. You may come as you are to address the things that are affecting you today.

I work with clients and their struggles. Therapy is your space to feel valued, heard, and to find your worth. I'm dedicated to empowering my clients by fostering self-discovery and resilience, guiding you to overcome life's challenge. Learn how to train your brain to reduce fear-based thinking and move forward. It's a start, being able to recognize what makes you happy.

I worked in the field as a mental health RN for 13 years before continuing my education to become a PMHNP. I believe that mental health plays a significant role in a person’s overall well-being including physical health, emotional health, and ability to navigate life’s often challenging hurdles that many silently face. I aspire to continue offering hope and support to anyone seeking to improve their overall well-being using the most up-to-date traditional and holistic practices tailored to meet my client’s needs. My core philosophy is based on a humanistic approach, which focuses on finding each person’s unique potential and ability to overcome their difficulties through positive personal growth. I use this patient-centered approach to help my clients meet their individual goals by empowering them to focus on their strengths rather than shortcomings. I also encourage my clients to participate in therapy and lifestyle modifications in conjunction with medication management as this has proven to be the most effective method to long-term stability. I work closely with each client to ensure they can access any helpful resources that may benefit their treatment. I use a patient-centered care approach to help my patients meet their individual goals by empowering them to focus on their strengths rather than shortcomings. All psychiatry providers at Foresight have specialized experience in treating a wide range of common mental health conditions, including but not limited to ADHD, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, depression, and PTSD. In addition, I specialize in the following areas: academic stress, benzodiazepine tapering, CBT-I, holistic approaches to psychiatry, trauma-informed care, eating disorders, first responders, women’s issues (PMDD, PCOS, perimenopause, menopause, etc.)

I have had the honor of working as a therapist for 30 years in various settings such as a battered women’s shelter, Child Abuse Reunification programs and the Private Sector. My style as a therapist is calm, empathic and compassionate while using my training, experience and humor to assist my clients on their journey of growth and healing. My practice is focused on helping individuals and couples live a more connected and authentic life, overcoming trauma, managing anxiety and depression, and creating a life that they have always dreamed of. I specialize in working with women and young adults who are moving away from a negative relationship or who are in transitional stages of their lives. I work collaboratively with the client to explore the patterns in their life that are inhibiting them from living the life they desire. I focus on the whole person, mind body and soul to heal the pain from the past and create new and more effective means of communicating with others and in the world in which they live. In my practice I utilize Solution Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness Cognitive Therapy and Visualization to provide the most effective ways to regain balance and mental health.

Hello there! My name is Baochau (I go by Bao). I am a Vietnamese American therapist who is based in Southern California. I primarily work with children, adolescents, and adults, and I specialize in treating clients who struggle with depression, anxiety, generational & family trauma, Asian American & BIPOC issues, and identity & cultural stress. I like to use various therapeutic approaches to tailor to each client’s individual needs, but some of the approaches I like to use in my practice stem from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Strength-Based Therapy, and Client-Centered Therapy. More importantly, my goal is to help you feel seen and heard in your experiences as we work together towards your growth and healing. In addition to working with clients from different ages and mental health backgrounds, I also provide therapy for clients from diverse populations, particularly those who are from Asian American and BIPOC communities. As a therapist who is also a woman of color, I strive to provide culturally sensitive and affirming care for my clients.

Feeling weighed down by anxiety and often second-guessing yourself? Do you find yourself overthinking everything that could go wrong, procrastinating, or struggling to make decisions? Maybe anxiety leaves you feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, making it hard to get through the day or enjoy the friendships, opportunities, and experiences you really want. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Therapy can help. Taking the step to reach out for support can feel intimidating, but it’s also one of the bravest choices you can make. I’m glad you’re here. Together, we can work on tools to quiet the constant overthinking, build confidence, and help you create the life and relationships you want most. In sessions, I offer you evidenced based tools, teach you new skill development and strategies so that you can get relief, gain confidence and manage anxiety more effectively. We'll create a plan that feels practical, empowering and personalized. My treatment approach utilizes Cognitive-Behavioral therapy and Compassion Mindfulness-based therapy. Cognitive Behavioral therapy is considered one of the most effective, and evidenced based treatments for anxiety. Reach out today for a 15-minute free consultation. I look forward to connecting with you and being a partner on your therapy journey.

My first priority is always a strong relationship because I know that the therapeutic process can only thrive when it’s built on authenticity, trust and connection. I draw upon humanistic, psychodynamic, and cognitive/skills-based theories, providing clients with support and tools they can use to move forward and make progress. The therapeutic work centers on navigating the client's present and managing behaviors and thoughts that may be standing in their way. We’ll also explore the arc of their past experiences for relevant information and collaborate on forward-facing goals to remain oriented toward progress.

If you need help navigating your emotional experiences and building emotional resiliency around your responses to stress, trauma, anxiety, and relationships, then you’re in the right place. In my sessions, we clarify thought processes, analyze your body's responses to triggers and work towards confronting difficult emotional experiences that may be negatively affecting your life. I specialize in working with college students, young professionals, graduate students, adults, and couples, and have experience working with panic disorder, anxiety, depression, PTSD, grief, and more. I specialize in EFT and work from a process-oriented Attachment-Based framework to help people understand their behaviors, emotions, and ways of relating.

As a queer therapist, I believe there is no one “right way” to live our lives. This is the same for therapy, there is no “right way.” I believe we all have the power to harness our strengths and find the path that gives us the most meaning and purpose. Clients are the experts in their own lives – each person has the tools and skills to solve their problems, though sometimes may need some outside help to find those tools and learn those skills. Together we can create a therapeutic alliance that is conducive towards self-discovery, growth, and fulfilling your potential while honoring your history, resiliency, values, and beliefs. I completed my Masters in Social Work at Loyola University Chicago. I am working towards being a Certified Sex Therapist (CST) through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). I specialize in working with the LGBTQ+ community, gender diverse, the consensual non-monogamy (CNM) community, and I am kink/BDSM-affirming.

Welcome! Thank you for taking the time to be here. I know that struggling with anxiety is exhausting. You're awake at night and your body can't relax. You feel exhausted and tired on a regular basis. On the outside you seem successful, but on the inside you want to scream from all the pressure and feel stuck. Your relationships are also not where you want it to be - feeling disconnected, struggling with the same issues, and the thought that something’s missing. You want things to change, but don't know how to get there.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Navigating your college years is a massive transition. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to succeed, shifting relationship dynamics, or anxiety about the future, you do not have to figure it out alone. I have been a therapist since 2011, and as a trauma specialist, I help young adults find their footing. As a UC Berkeley grad, I know firsthand the weight of high expectations. My approach is collaborative and conversational. I bring warmth and genuine care to our sessions. We will work as a team, using strategies focused on finding solutions to get to the root of what is holding you back while building practical tools for resilience. Our first session is simply a safe, supportive space to start unpacking what is on your mind. We move at your pace. Reach out today, and let's start exploring what true healing looks like for you.

As a youth, I recall many instances when I experienced intense anxiety, depression, even suicidal thoughts, – but I did so in isolation, without adequate support. Mental health services were not available and not commonly accessed in my community. As a young woman I used dance and movement, and other forms of creative expression (such as writing and singing), as my means to manage emotions. I became a psychotherapist to ensure that I could be supportive to those in similar situations – to help support people in not feeling alone with the difficult aspects of life and relationships. No one should have to fight their mental health battles alone. The integration of somatic (body-focused) psychotherapy has allowed me to support others while giving them the gift that I have discovered through a life of movement – the gift of understanding the role of the body in allowing for healing. Through the use of the body in psychotherapy clients can learn how to find balance in their mind while finding peace in their emotional landscape. I believe I support clients in feeling heard and understood through using a deep curiosity to delve into each aspect of their lives. I use a collaborative approach to support clients from exactly where they are starting from. I listen intently for new ways of hearing the shared information, the client’s story. In this process, I ask questions to weave together the thread of their thoughts and concerns as it creates a path towards their progress and growth. I hold the larger picture of who they are to support the process of highlighting insights into ways of getting from where they are to where they want to be. In this way, I am deeply understanding their process of growth while empowering them to make changes in their life. I use a warm and engaging process of building connection with clients. I find it is important to face and embrace our emotional selves, allowing ourselves to be fully authentic to cultivate growth. I foster an environment that supports this authenticity and growth through using my own eccentric and eclectic approach. From within the safety of this relationship I am able to challenge clients with humor while creating space for depth. I am able to flow with what is relevant in the moment while holding their expanded story to support.

I am a mother of two boys and a wife with over 10 years of experience in psychiatry. My training spans various settings, including inpatient care, crisis units, the mother-baby unit, and academia as a lecturer. I have a particular interest in working with children, adolescents, and the perinatal population. What inspires me most in my work are the patients and their stories—helping individuals make progress and improve their quality of life. I believe in meeting each patient where they are, holding space for them, and listening to their needs as part of the healing process.

Navigating Rough Waters Therapy is my private practice. I'm Dr. Lara Kennerly, PsyD, a Licensed Psychologist with over two decades of clinical experience helping adults with a wide range of mental health challenges in various treatment settings (e.g. private practice, inpatient/outpatient, College Counseling Center, onsite PSP for Correctional staff & First responders in an active disaster zone), trained in most well-known evidence-based approaches, and am also certified in several other highly specialized approaches (EFIT, CPTSD, ADHD) I offer in-person psychotherapy in Sacramento and virtual therapy sessions for clients throughout California. I work with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, PTSD, CPTSD, people pleasing, social anxiety, interpersonal difficulties, self-esteem struggles, body image issues, ADHD, OCD, perfectionism, Attachment Trauma, unprocessed pain from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE's), and other emotional challenges. My approach to therapy is Trauma-Informed, Psychodynamic, and Insight-oriented. That means we don't just focus on managing symptoms. Instead, we explore the emotional patterns and life experiences that drive how you think, feel, and relate to others. That kind of deeper work leads to real, lasting change. Many clients come to therapy because anxiety, past trauma, or chronic stress has begun affecting their emotional well-being, relationships, or sense of purpose, and are complicating current major life challenges like having to adjust to big changes in their lives or confidently make major life decision about their futures. If you are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure about the next step in your life, therapy can help you gain insight and move forward with greater emotional balance and confidence.

I once heard someone doing a lecture say, “we know what we believe when we hear what we say.” This would definitely inform the kind of therapy you would experience with me. I view the client as the one who has the answers, and we’re working together to solve a mystery. One of my roles is to help my client tell the story, point out clues being overlooked, gently challenge entrenched beliefs, provide unconditional positive regard, and help the client make sense of their difficulties and their world. Our work together would be collaborative. I’m not a “sit, nod, and take notes” therapist. I’m interactive, and socratic, and relational. I view thoughts, feelings, and behaviors from a lens of curiosity; wondering what beliefs are behind them; helping to root out dynamics that help those things persist. Often we are stuck in a distorted comfort in familiar pain and we simply cannot see it without someone reflecting that in the room. I am an integrative (drawing from multiple therapeutic orientations) humanist-existential therapist; an enthusiastic cheerleader. I will bring humor and validation into the session. I’m passionate about brain chemistry. I am social-justice oriented. I am also trauma-informed. While I work in many different focuses of psychotherapy, I find that the most pervasive themes in my work with clients include: adjustment to life changes, problems with alcohol and substance use (and the way that co-occurring mental health issues interact with it), LGBTQIA+ topics, issues of neurodiversity, anxiety and depression, personality disorders, identity & esteem development, and healthy relationships of all shapes and sizes. I am experienced, both professionally and personally, working with a variety of relationship configurations and am highly comfortable talking about issues of sex positivity and non-standard definitions of families and relationships such as polyamory and non-monogamy. I am a licensed therapist, an addiction professional, a bit of a technology geek, and a fellow traveler in recovery. In addition to those things, I am Compliance Officer at an all women’s addiction treatment center where I’ve worked in various capacities ranging from counselor to director since 2010. I have also been an adjunct professor in the Master’s program at Pacific Oaks College, an adjunct professor for Glendale College’s Drug Studies program, and I served on the board of the California Association for Drug/Alcohol Educators (CAADE). I am a member of CAMFT at both the state level and in the San Gabriel Valley chapter.

Deep within, I believe everyone holds the keys to a life of profound meaning and joy. By discerning their dreams and charting their personal journeys, my clients unlock doors to lives they cherish all the more. In the wise words of Carl Jung, 'Man's task is to become conscious of the contents that press upward from the unconscious.