Therapists for college students near San Diego State University

Change naturally produces anxiety. While a certain amount of anxiety is normal for all persons, those with excessive anxiety may find themselves experiencing constant worry, doubt, and self criticism. In addition, sometimes depression, substance abuse and various disorders may follow. However, anxiety IS manageable. Mind and body will need to work together to relieve the stress that starts your anxiety process. I help you manage these stressful times and difficult life transitions through various therapies suited your unique personality and particular needs. My therapeutic approach is nonjudgmental, supportive and practical. It is based on the latest successful therapies for anxiety and depression, yet tailored to your specific personality and situation. Together we will work through the sequential steps that have resulted in your distress and then follow with the processes that will bring you relief. With the Couples Counseling I do, I see my role as helping to develop healthy person-to-person emotional connections, without sacrificing individuality. Each person’s personality needs to be recognized and respected. In initial sessions, much of my focus begins with changing communication style and learning to negotiate conflict. To restore or develop trust and connection, I find that people need to first literally learn to talk to each other differently. This is not as easy as it may sound, but it is possible and it is the foundation of maintaining healthy relationships. Once respectful and caring communication is established, improved emotional connections become possible and problems can be resolved. In the addiction treatment I do, I work both with clients and their families and friends. In my 20+ years working with dual diagnosis and addictions, I have had the benefit of working in every level of care -- from substance abuse prevention to in-patient rehab treatment programs, PHP, IOP, and outpatient. One of my sincere beliefs is that there is no one way that works for everyone. Not everyone needs rehab and each situation deserves special consideration. In short, that means there are no "have to's", "must's", or "should's." I apply an approach with empathy and compassion for my clients, while bringing them the best type of care they need, and of course, never giving up.

Are you feeling stressed or overwhelmed? Perhaps you or a loved one is feeling depressed and anxious and you are not even sure why. Are you having a hard time finding satisfaction in your relationship or do you feel like the everyday stress of being a parent, working, going to school or trying to be there for everyone is too much to handle? Are you having difficulty achieving your goals? ​ The collection of therapists at Positive Change Counseling Center are inclusive, compassionate, strength-based, solution-focused therapists who provide support and feedback to clients in a safe and comfortable environment. We work with each client to help resolve current issues and symptoms as well as long-standing patterns or behaviors you want to change. ​ We all face challenging times and struggle through different stages in our lives. If you are looking for guidance and support to make a positive change in your life, we look forward to working with you. Please call or e-mail to make an appointment La Mesa, San Diego, Rancho Bernardo, and Ventura ​ All of our Clinicians offer telehealth (video) sessions. Most Clinicians are also seeing clients in-person. Please contact our front desk to inquire about in-person sessions. Clients must physically be in the state of CA during telehealth sessions.

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.

If you are seeking psychotherapy to improve your self-esteem, process trauma, manage symptoms of anxiety or depression, process loss or a difficult life transition, get a handle on your anger, improve your academic performance, learn to be more assertive, or improve your relationships with others, I can help. In a warm and supportive environment we will work together to foster insight and build the skills needed to deal successfully with life's unpredictable stressors. I provide long and short-term psychotherapy for a wide range of concerns, using insight-oriented, skills-based, and mindfulness-based approaches.

College life is exciting—but it can also feel overwhelming. Between academics, relationships, family pressures, and figuring out who you are, it’s easy to feel stressed, anxious, or alone. Maybe you're struggling with a breakup, grieving someone you’ve lost, feeling disconnected from friends, or just totally burnt out. Maybe you’re questioning your path or feeling like no one really “gets” what you're going through. These moments can feel heavy—but you don’t have to carry them on your own. Reaching out for support isn’t a weakness—it’s a powerful step toward growth and clarity. I'm here to help you tap into your strengths, make sense of the challenges you're facing, and start building the kind of life and relationships that actually feel good and grounded. I specialize in working with college students, young adults, and teens—and I’m passionate about helping you navigate this messy, meaningful chapter of your life. In our work together, you’ll find a space where you can be honest, feel heard, and take real steps toward feeling more confident, connected, and at peace. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, grief, academic stress, identity questions, or relationship struggles, I’m here to walk alongside you. If you’re ready for something to shift, I invite you to reach out. You’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself.

I help clients who are feeling stuck in a state of stress, are struggling to feel connected, and dealing with low-self worth. We’ll process trauma and difficult emotions using a mind-body approach. I work with clients to understand the root of their symptoms and how the past impacted them so that they can regulate their nervous system, improve their self-worth, and get out of that survival state and into the present moment. I’m certified in Brainspotting which is a tool that allows us to process difficult emotions and past experiences that our minds and bodies may be holding onto (and keeping us stuck). I am an LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist and am passionate about working with helpers (people who prioritize something else over themselves). Schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation call today (:

SDTC provides a welcoming and supportive environment for treatment. Our goal is to provide counseling and neurofeedback options for mental health treatment that have been shown to reduce problematic symptoms that have resulted from the trauma and life stressors so that you can live a life free from fear and worry. San Diego Therapy Center is a local Non-Profit in San Diego with a strong mission to help our community.

We grieve any time life changes directions, and even positive changes can bring about difficult feelings. You may be struggling with the death of a loved one, demands of school or work, adjusting to a new relationship, or considering the next chapters of your life. With experience in oncology, young adult parental loss, anticipatory loss, and sudden death, I provide you with support, insights, treatment, education, and guidance during times of transition and beyond. While some clients make the choice to pursue working with a therapist because of a specific life event or situation, others make the choice because of a desire for self-growth and a general improvement in well-being. Regardless of your reason, I welcome you to contact me. It's not easy to seek support. I'm easy-going, approachable, and genuinely want you to feel better. Send me a message and we can figure out how to make that happen.

Are you feeling stuck, burned out, or overwhelmed by the everyday stresses of life? Perhaps anxiety, depression, or relationship challenges are weighing you down. Seeking meaningful change but finding it hard to move forward? Are you a member of a BIPOC community or other resilient community who is feeling isolated, overwhelmed and desiring a safe space to heal? My practice is warm, compassionate, and strength focused, emphasizing true collaboration. I prioritize creating a secure, welcoming setting where every client feels heard, seen and respected—a vital foundation for addressing deeply personal issues. I believe this is the foundation of a good working relationship to address such sensitive personal matters. Drawing from evidence based modalities—including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, psychodynamic work, multicultural frameworks, and mindfulness—I tailor my approach to each person’s unique story, identities, and challenges. By honoring your individual experience, we can work together toward lasting well being and the changes you envision.

If you are considering therapy, I'd be glad to provide you with a free consultation over the phone. I believe that the relationship between the client and therapist plays a significant role in helping people overcome school stress, painful emotional experiences, destructive interpersonal patterns, and other obstacles that get in the way of us experiencing our lives from a place of openness and security. I work closely with student clients to explore the role that their unique circumstances play in how they see themselves and others. My approach to treatment relies on non-judgment, compassion, and respect for all of my clients. I utilize various therapeutic approaches and provide psychological testing, including cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness-based, and psychodynamic interventions. Your needs matter, and I will work to stay attuned to them throughout the treatment. I have fifteen years of experience treating college students, adults, children, and adolescents in various treatment settings. Through working in a collaborative and integrative manner, and treating the whole individual, I aim to help those I work with negotiate your unique place vis a vis your relationships and your greater environment. I believe that this approach can lead to lasting and meaningful changes in one's life.

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.

Thank you for finding your way here. I hope you find the emotional and relational support need for yourself, a friend, or a loved one. I am currently accepting new clients for both in-person and online teletherapy . Schedule a 15-minute initial consultation today. Serving all of California via teletherapy. Our personal journey is both joyous and challenging. Life brings us things where sometimes we become lost and struggle. During these times, we may need to reach out to someone who is caring and nurturing - someone who will listen and is knowledgeable. As a depth-oriented and body centered psychotherapist, I believe that creating a deeper connection between our physical, mental, emotional, sexual, and spiritual self, we can move forward in life with greater ease and experience the world anew. We have the opportunity to become more authentic with our self, others, and life. My goal during our sessions is to create a container that is safe, caring, and trusting. By working together, you will become better able to develop a deeper understanding of the challenges in your life. You will become more receptive to the possibilities that await you and better able to move toward goals that bring greater satisfaction and commitment in your life. I look forward to meeting with you. You are welcome to make an appointment for a complimentary 15-minute session so we can get to know one another.

Hello, my name is Heather Pederson. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in San Diego and am so glad you are here. Seeking help can potentially feel daunting, exposing, and overwhelming. It can also be our first steps toward repair, healing, and growth. I have found that people are so very strong, courageous, and hard-working, and still need some help when things get hard. I believe therapy can be a unique chance to discover parts of ourselves we forgot about, allow healing for the tender parts, and find new ways of interacting with ourselves and our loved ones that allow for deeper understanding and connection. I work with individuals and couples who often struggle with: a feeling of something between angry, sad, and fear that doesn’t have a name, as well as feelings of overwhelm, worry and stress that gets between them and their preferred lives. I seek to create opportunities in therapy to connect more deeply with the truest parts of yourself so that you can then connect more deeply with your purpose, values, and trusted others. I am trained in Emotionally-Focused Therapy (Externship with Sue Johnson, Core Skills to become Certified in progress), a Certified Prepare/Enrich facilitator, Trauma Informed Care, and a graduate of Bethel Seminary San Diego with an M.A. in Marital and Family Therapy. Please contact me with any questions you might have regarding therapy. I work with college students (extensive experience working on college campuses), couples, individuals, premarital/pre-engagement, relational distress, trauma, and anxiety.

When I was a senior in high school, I began to struggle with severe anxiety and panic attacks. It wasn’t until I found a counselor that allowed me to feel comfortable sharing my insecurities and fears, that I learned to take control of my worries. I instantly felt more at ease when I knew I was going to see my counselor. That is when I realized: I want to be that sense of warmth and guidance for others. I obtained my Master’s degree in Mental Health and Rehabilitation Counseling. I am EMDR trained and specialize in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use disorders, self-esteem and mood disorders. I am dedicated to utilizing the most effective treatment interventions that will match your needs. I understand that we all go through our own unique stories of both happiness and pain. I aim to be the person that can work with you to find greater health and healing in your life. I provide a safe, genuine, and nonjudgmental environment where you can feel free to explore your true self.

You want to heal your past but you don’t know how to do it alone. You want to be able to talk about what you have been through or are facing now without blame or shame. What would it be like to feel better in your relationship with yourself, with your partner, and with God? I offer the benefit of my professional experience and training combined with compassion and insight from God’s Word. Through counseling I can facilitate healing, improved communication, increase connection, and understanding.

As an observer of human behavior and relationship, I see the sticky interconnectedness of self, other, and systems that often imprisons us in behaviors, thoughts, and reactions that can feel unchangeable. I believe people often do the best they can to face the challenges of life, yet in doing so, some of what we discover works at first, fails us long-term. And it’s here that we often feel trapped—between doing what we know to do and knowing what we’re doing is no longer working. That’s where I come in. I’m here to help you find freedom in areas that seem unchangeable, freedom in living into your best self, and freedom in healthy relationship. It’s a journey, but a worthy one, and one that you don’t need to travel alone.

"I am here to get it right, not to be right" - Brene Brown. My role as a therapist is to listen with both an open mind and open heart as well as validate and understand your own lived experiences. I believe you are the expert of your life and posses many beautiful strengths that are yet to be uncovered. Sometimes when we are struggling with symptoms related to our mental health, we may feel out of control and powerless, I want to help you fight back against some of those negative thoughts we experience and feel confident in not only yourself, but in your ability to implement your communication and coping skills when needed. I have experience working with individuals whom have experienced trauma and are struggling with symptoms related to depression, anxiety, and PTSD. I enjoy working with clients on regaining their sense of safety and helping them better understand their mind/body response to trauma. I am trained in TF-CBT & EMDR. I provide services in both English and Spanish. I strive to help my clients not only have positive connections with others, but also with themselves, promoting the importance of self love. I strive to create a safe environment for healing, growing, learning, and maybe doing some unlearning of old habits that no longer serve us.

Therapy is not a "one-size-fits all" approach and will be personalized to suit the needs of you and your specific life situations. You deserve to work with someone who has the training and experience necessary to help you get the most out of your efforts to feel better and achieve your goals. Every therapist at HM Psychological Services strives to provide the best therapeutic services to adults, teens, adolescents, and children in individual, family, and couples therapy. Each of our therapists at HMPS have different areas of specialization, providing excellent options to meet all of your needs. Some of our speciality areas include: Trauma, PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, Addiction, OCD, Gender affirmation, LGBTQIA+, and more.

Black Lives Matter. I will listen to you, get to know you as a person, identify strengths, build self- awareness, and create a safe environment where positive change happens. I like to view therapy as a puzzle, we have some missing pieces, we have some broken pieces, and we have some whole pieces, lets work together to put the puzzle back together. My background is in treating, but not limited to: anxiety, attachment issues, trauma, emotional regulation, grief/loss and women’s issues. My office is a safe place where all are accepted and treated with compassion. Some of the treatment modalities I practice include: trauma informed, CBT, play therapy, attachment based, mindfulness, and solution focused

I specialize in working at the intersection of queerness, neurodivergence, and trauma. I am passionate about working with those who belong to the LGBTQIA2S+ and neurodivergent communities, parents, military/veterans, and those with complex trauma. I lead a queer- and neuro-affirming practice. Many of my clients are trans/non-binary, Autistic, ADHDers, and trauma survivors. I currently see adults, adolescents aged 13 and older, and families and partners, including those in polyamorous/CNM relationships. I know you are the expert on yourself; my role is to hold space, offer tools, and be a guide for your healing journey. I use a combination of evidence-based trauma therapies, yoga/mindfulness, and an understanding of your body's response to trauma. I strive to be aware of the impact of systemic oppression and marginalization on holistic health. I use authenticity, creativity, compassion, and humor to create a space where you can feel connection and validation. My goal is to help you feel comfortable getting a little uncomfortable, in order to move into an experience of healing. I am committed to creating a compassionate, nonjudgmental space for our relationship, where you can engage in self-inquiry and healing in mind and body. I'm always engaging in continued learning so that I can provide the most informed and updated support for you. I look forward to hearing from you and working together!