Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA
College life can be stressful, overwhelming, and emotionally exhausting at times. Myisha Parker provides supportive psychiatric care for students struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, burnout, mood changes, stress, and other mental health concerns. She offers psychiatric evaluations and medication management with a warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental approach. Patients can typically be seen within 3–7 days through telehealth or in-person appointments across California. Advanced Psychiatry Associates accepts many insurance plans, including Anthem UC SHIP and multiple HMOs.
I work best with students who are used to being the “high functioning” one - the person others rely on, the one who pushes through, achieves, and keeps going even when they’re overwhelmed internally. Many of the clients I work with struggle with anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, overthinking, people-pleasing, self-criticism, or feeling like they can never fully relax. They often appear successful on the outside while privately feeling exhausted, emotionally disconnected, stuck in pressure, or constantly worried they’re falling behind. Some students come to therapy because they feel burned out academically. Others are navigating relationship stress, family pressure, identity changes, career uncertainty, or difficulty balancing achievement with their mental health. My style is warm, grounded, and collaborative. I want therapy to feel like a space where you can slow down, understand yourself more clearly, and build healthier patterns without losing the parts of yourself that are ambitious, driven, or deeply caring.
As a dedicated bilingual (English/Spanish) speaking mental health practitioner, I am deeply committed to facilitating the emotional healing journey for adults. My practice is rooted in a person-centered philosophy, where I specialize in integrating a comprehensive array of therapeutic approaches. These include Internal Family Systems Therapy, Brief Strategic Family Therapy, the Gottman Method, Collaborative Couples Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Trauma-Informed Care. This eclectic mix of methodologies enables me to create a bespoke healing experience for each client, meticulously tailored to address their unique needs and challenges. My approach is inherently collaborative, emphasizing a partnership with individuals, families, and couples who entrust their care to me. By combining these diverse psychotherapy techniques, I aim to foster a nurturing and empathetic space that supports clients in navigating their emotional landscapes. It is a privilege to have worked with clients from almost every continent, including those from diverse backgrounds and walks of life. This global experience enriches my practice, enhancing my ability to understand and cater to various emotional and psychological needs. 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.
Thank you for taking the time to consider me in choosing a support person for yourself or family member. I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist dedicated to providing effective, specialized psychological services for Adolescents and Adults. I facilitate Psychological Evaluations/Testing, Psychotherapy, and Mental Health/Performance Coaching. I take an Individualized, Empowerment and Wellness-based approach whereby I incorporate brief, solutions focused interventions to address the overall psychological needs of a person or family to help reduce suffering and bring about optimal Well-being and long-term Recovery.
The clients I work best with are often high-achieving students who look like they're doing well on the outside but feel overwhelmed on the inside. You may be dealing with anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, self-doubt, or the pressure to constantly perform at a high level. As a former Division I athlete, I understand what it feels like to carry high expectations, push through stress, and tie your worth to achievement. Many of my clients struggle with overthinking, fear of failure, difficulty slowing down, or feeling like they can never do enough. Others are navigating major life transitions, relationship challenges, identity questions, or uncertainty about the future. My approach is warm, collaborative, and practical. Together, we'll work to better understand what's keeping you stuck, build coping skills you can actually use in daily life, and help you feel more balanced, confident, and connected to what matters most to you.
Silver Lake Psychology is a group private practice with over 350 licensed therapists. Our intake team will match you with the right therapist for your unique needs. We accept insurance We offer day, evening and weekend appointments We are diverse We are LGBTQ-friendly We offer tele-therapy and in-person visits Locations: California-wide, Nashville, Denver
I work best with young adults and athletes who are used to putting a lot of pressure on themselves. You may struggle with anxiety, perfectionism, self-doubt, low confidence, or the feeling that no matter how much you accomplish, it never feels like enough. Many of my clients are balancing academic, athletic, career, or personal expectations while trying to figure out who they are and what they want for their future. Whether you're navigating performance pressure, relationship challenges, life transitions, or feeling stuck in patterns of overthinking, therapy can help you build a healthier relationship with yourself. My approach is warm, collaborative, and structured, helping you develop practical tools to manage stress, strengthen self-confidence, and feel more grounded in your daily life. I believe growth happens when we learn to be both compassionate and honest with ourselves. Together, we'll create a space where you can better understand your experiences, build resilience, and move toward the life you want with greater confidence and clarity.
Many of the students I work best with are high-achieving, thoughtful, and often harder on themselves than anyone else could be. They may look like they have it all together on the outside, but inside, they feel overwhelmed, anxious, or unsure of who they really are. Some are navigating perfectionism, burnout, or relationship stress. Others are adjusting to big life changes like leaving home, figuring out their identity, or questioning their future. If you're someone who’s used to pushing through and holding it all in, therapy can be a space to slow down, be honest, and feel more like yourself again. My goal is to help you build clarity, balance, and self-trust so you can feel grounded even when life is uncertain.
I have always been interested in psychology and solving puzzles. I later realized how similar it is to trauma work in terms of figuring out the impact of past events on one’s current behaviors. Helping people to connect dots and make sense of the past and present has let me to the field of mental health care, especially trauma work. I value one’s cultural and family background a lot. As an immigrant myself, I understand how important it is to be heard and understood without being judged. I make sure to put myself in others’ shoes to create a safe space that I would like to be in. I think trust is built through time and understanding. I value open and honest communication without judgement. I believe trust can be built through connections in a professional way.
Let me guess…you want to learn to be kinder to yourself, regulate your feelings, put yourself first without guilt, and heal from a past that’s holding you back. You are struggling to feel “normal” and feel confused about how you got to where you are. You can admit that sometimes you’re harder on yourself than you deserve. That’s where I come in! I help teens, adults, and relationship structures explore their lives in order to improve their communication and strengthen their connections to themselves and their communities. I’m passionate about supporting my clients using systems theories, parts work, and EMDR to help them feel more capable of caring for themselves and move towards areas of pleasure in their lives. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, neurodivergence, confusion about life, sexual difficulties, relationship stress, or major life transitions, I’m ready to meet you where you’re at with warmth and care.
Are you and your partner disconnected? Have tons of resentment? Feeling like roommates? Having the same conflict over and over again? Constantly met with defensiveness? Feeling like you are always misunderstood? Scared to bring things up because they'll "get upset" or shut down? Don't know where to start? If you are facing any of these challenges, you are not alone. Some conflicts in relationships never fully go away, but they don't have to keep hurting you. We can unpack whats really happening beneath the surface so the conflict stops feeling destructive and we can get the change you've been hoping for. I provide telehealth therapy for couples who want real and structured change, not just a therapist who is a mediator or referee. I use the Gottman Method, which is a research-based intervention with 50 years of research on how couples communicate and connect. I will bring those tools to every session to help you repair your relationship. Healing and change are possible, even when it feels difficult and uncertain. My approach is warm, structured, direct, and collaborative. I’ll help you understand why patterns keep showing up and give you tools you can actually use outside of session. Therapy with me is a space where you can slow down, feel understood, and start making changes that last.
I work collaboratively with people who often find me to be fun and funny, positive, caring and compassionate. As I tell clients when they express gratitude toward me for helping them, "I know some stuff. " I know some stuff about trauma and healing and how people overcome difficult pasts that affect them in the present. I know some stuff about relationships, how they go sidewise and how they get repaired. I know a lot about autism and how siblings of spectrum kids are affected and how the future can seem scary if you don't have a plan for yourself or your future. Depression, anxiety, stress, anger, procrastination, relational difficulty, trauma recovery... I know some stuff and I'm here to help you. Therapy shouldn't be scary and once we get started you'll feel well supported and see some changes that are you are looking for.
Welcome to my practice! I'm Kristen Ackerman, LMFT. I understand that college can be a rollercoaster of experiences. Whether you're riding the highs of newfound freedom or managing the lows of homesickness and academic stress, I'm here to offer support every step of the way. I specialize in helping individuals like you adjust to the transition of moving away from home, finding your footing amidst academic demands, and striking a balance between your studies and social life. Whether you're seeking to develop meaningful friendships or intimate relationships, I'm here to lend a listening ear and provide guidance. Navigating peer pressure is also a common challenge in college life, and I'm here to help you tackle those situations with confidence. Additionally, I have extensive experience supporting individuals dealing with anxiety, stress, depression, self-esteem issues, and identity exploration. No matter what you're facing, you don't have to go through it alone. I understand that finances can be tight for students, which is why I offer flexible rate options. My goal is to make therapy accessible and affordable for everyone who needs it. My therapy services are personalized to meet your unique needs. I utilize evidence-based practices such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness, while also integrating talk therapy for comprehensive support. I strive to create an environment where you feel comfortable and empowered to explore and grow. If you're ready to take the first step towards personal growth and making lasting changes, I invite you to reach out for a free consultation. Whether you prefer to call, email, or text, I'm here to support you on your journey.
I’m Rachel Benavidez, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Perinatal Mental Health–Certified clinician specializing in women’s mental health. I help women experiencing prenatal and postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression, and the emotional challenges that can arise during pregnancy, the postpartum period, and early motherhood. Together, we work to understand how stress and anxiety show up in the body and develop practical tools to regulate the nervous system, reduce overwhelm, and restore a sense of balance. I am deeply passionate about supporting women during pregnancy and postpartum because mothers deserve the best. I integrate somatic therapy and Internal Family Systems (IFS) into my work, helping women understand how stress, anxiety, and trauma can be stored in the body. By learning to recognize the body’s signals and gently work with them, we can reduce feelings of overwhelm, regulate the nervous system, and support emotional healing.
I am motivated by the idea that every human being deserves to be truly heard by someone they believe cares about their wellbeing. I am confident that through mindful and empathetic exploration in a safe and trusting space, many reoccurring and/or cooccurring somatic, emotional, and psychological difficulties may be better understood and processed in a way that can facilitate a deeper understanding of ourselves and the environments in which we exist. I am an existential and humanistic provider who believes that we are driven by our unconscious and because of this, past psychological, emotional, and physical injuries may leave an imprint on our psyche that can continue to interrupt our lives and reinjure us unless we can see ourselves and our part in these injurious events differently. I use an eclectic treatment style that includes many different treatment modalities such as Mindfulness, Bilateral Tapping, CBT, DBT, cognitive reframing, and MI. I have had the opportunity to work with many different socioeconomic populations from the homeless to the very wealthy with conditions ranging from addiction and obsessive disorders to depression and anxiety. They each come with an interesting and unique perspective. I come from a background of childhood trauma, abuse, and addiction. My journey began with a 9th grade education and homelessness as I traveled my road of happy destiny to a Bachelors and Masters degree with two professional licenses (LPCC & LAADC) in the state of California, and continues to unfold today. I have turned my life’s experiences into a place of wisdom and growth and have dedicated my life and career to helping others find the light in whatever darkness they are experiencing.
Life isn’t a straight line. It’s hills and valleys – moments where you’re climbing, coasting, or just trying to catch your breath. We get it. We’ve been there too. And we believe no one should have to walk that terrain alone. Everybody deserves quality mental health and access to wellness. With warmth, humor, and zero judgment, we help you navigate your unique path with more clarity, confidence, and compassion.
You just need to do figure out to eat for dinner, you’ve done it a million times, so why does it feel so hard? In my practice, I’ve learned that we often go through life reacting to situations without fully understanding why. I specialize in working with neurodivergent young adults (i.e. ADHD, Autism, OCD) and I'm passionate about helping people understand how their unique minds and bodies work. There is so much you are already doing instinctively to cope with things (probably a lot of it without even realizing it's a coping skill), I just get to help you figure out what that is and how to use it more effectively. By untangling your thoughts, exploring your feelings, and developing a deeper understanding of your mind and body, I will help you regain the power to build a life that works for you. Trying new things can be hard but what you’re doing isn’t easy. It’s worth giving yourself a chance. Please contact me if you would like to schedule a free consultation.
My experience covers a wide variety of presenting concerns and backgrounds. Working for a decade in higher education I spent a great deal of time with high achievers who were managing anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship and identity concerns. I am a strengths based, person centered therapist at my core, who utilizes perspectives and interventions from many areas of treatment, e.g., identity development models, systems theory, interpersonal and cognitive behavioral therapy. I believe people often have the answers for themselves if given the proper conditions for reflection and growth.
Hey we get it. Life’s a lot right now. Between classes, work, family pressure, figuring out who you are, and trying to keep it together… it’s overwhelming. You might be anxious, stuck, burnt out, or just tired of pretending you're okay. At Freedom Within, we’re here to help you sort through all of it. Relationships, trauma, stress, identity, future plans, anxiety, we cover it all. No judgment. Just support that makes sense for where you’re at. We will help you cut through the BS and come out the other side with a better sense of self, identity and purpose. We have several different therapists and match you with the one who gets you. Someone you can feel safe talking to about even your most challenging struggles. We also offer nutrition counseling for those wanting to explore changes to diet and their impact on your mood and overall health! You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s figure it out together.
I became a therapist because my own experiences in therapy as a client had been transformative and healing for me. I wanted to be a source of support and guidance for others to help them heal and grow. I believe you are the expert in your own life, and I'm privileged to learn about you and your experiences. I approach our work from a place of openness and curiosity in order to help give you tools and perspective that will be genuine and helpful. I work very collaboratively with you! I view my role as one that walks alongside you through the therapeutic process to help you identify and accomplish goals that are meaningful to you. I'm very authentic in my relationships with clients, and bring my full self to our sessions.