Therapists for college students near UCLA

Changing Minds Inc is a behavioral healthcare practice designed to be client-centered and focused. We strive to offer quality care that is driven by the needs of the individual and facilitated by competent therapists. We offer individuals a place to begin their individual journey to self-determination and self-actualization.

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.

I’m a compassionate, empathetic therapist known for creating a calm, supportive space where clients feel truly heard and understood. My style blends warmth and depth, and I believe healing begins with compassion and connection. Together, we’ll nurture your growth like a garden, exploring life’s complexities with courage, care, and curiosity. My approach is collaborative and culturally sensitive, rooted in authenticity and respect for your unique story. I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can explore your experiences, embrace your individuality, and move toward a life grounded in clarity, resilience, and self-acceptance. Outside of therapy, I find joy in traveling, gardening, and discovering new foods and sweets, simple pleasures that help me stay connected, curious, and present. I look forward to walking alongside you as you cultivate healing and live a more authentic, fulfilling life. Visit the website to learn more, and feel free to email/call me to schedule your first appointment via virtual/telehealth in CA.

I believe that therapy can heal, but I also know that telling a stranger about your deepest pain can be a strange feeling. Perhaps you've been feeling sad, depressed or worried, and hopeless that anything in your life can change. Or maybe you aren't sure what you would even want help with. You know you feel bad, but if someone were to ask you "How can I help?", you aren't sure what you would say. These problems can feel permanent and unsolvable. After all, something feels broken and unfixable, so how could you not feel that it takes all the energy you have just to get up in the morning and go about your day? Depression or anxiety can also feel isolating, as if nobody else could possibly understand. You may have even received advice from people who you feel mean well but can't understand what you're going through. Depression and anxiety are not permanent or unfixable, and therapy can help. Imagine feeling peace of mind, and excited about life and its possibilities. It starts by learning about you and going at your pace. As a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with over 16 years experience working with adults and teens, I've seen therapy work, and I feel lucky that I get to be part of that journey for others. I work with adult individuals of any age, with a special focus on young adults.

Very often feels that if one area of your life is going well, another takes a nose dive. Often the clients I work with are determined, successful and focused but still, something feels like it is not correctly aligned. Many of my clients struggle with relationships, feeling comfortable with others, anxiety and depression. College is a formative time but can very often feel that you are alone trying to figure everything out: what do I want to do? How do I separate what I want from what my parents, friends, professors or peers want? Do I feel ready to be an "adult?" Therapy can help you figure out who you are and where you want to go. Most importantly, meeting with a therapist can help you make sense of it all.

Starting or continuing college can be exciting, overwhelming, and everything in between. Whether you’re navigating new independence, academic pressures, identity exploration, or unexpected challenges, it’s a lot to hold on your own. For years, I’ve supported my community in a variety of settings—from community clinics to crisis counseling—and I understand how life transitions can impact mental health. I specialize in working with LGBTQIA+ students and those experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, and major life changes. My time as a 911 crisis counselor especially taught me how to hold space during some of life’s most difficult moments. In my practice, you’ll find a safe, nonjudgmental environment where your story matters. I use a mix of evidence-based approaches, tailored to your unique needs, all grounded in a humanistic framework that values self-exploration, growth, and discovering your full potential. Together, we can work on building insight, breaking unhelpful patterns, and creating new ways forward—so you leave each session feeling more grounded, confident, and ready for what’s next.

Therapy for Young Adults You waited your entire life to graduate high school but things aren’t working out the way you imagined. You moved back home because the college wasn’t a good fit. Your psychological disorder is flaring up and you need some help managing your symptoms. Your mood is taking over your behaviors and it’s hard to be successful meeting all of the demands in this new phase of your life. Maybe you are confused and don’t know what to do next. I help young adults who are experiencing overwhelm with the transition into adulthood. Some issues I help young people with are: Creating goals, plans to achieve them and exploring what is getting in the way of living the life you want. Managing the demands of school, work, social situations and the tasks that come with everyday life. Anxiety. Depression. Isolation and Loneliness. Self-harm. Making and keeping friends.

You’ve Come to the Right Place: Our clinicians are licensed psychologists, post-doctorate fellows, pre-doctoral interns, and/or doctoral- or masters-level clinicians. All of our unlicensed clinicians are supervised by one or more licensed clinical psychologist on staff. Services may be available in other languages. THERAPY Individual, family, and group therapy is available. While we specialize in providing trauma-focused therapeutic services, we also cover a wide range of issues including depression, anxiety, emotion dysregulation, and self-growth. We offer low-cost options so that our services are accessible to all and all of our treatment services are provided on a sliding scale based on income. PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS Neuropsychological and comprehensive psychological testing and educational assessments are available. We also offer a wide range of forensic evaluations listed under our Forensic Services. WHY CHOOSE US? All clinicians at IVAT are trained in various trauma-focused and evidenced-based treatments with specific specialty areas in child abuse and maltreatment, intimate partner violence, and human trafficking. Because IVAT is a resource and training center, our clinicians have access to and participate in the latest mental health research. IVAT’s clinicians participate in continuous training in order to enhance their clinical skills and keep current on emerging mental health issues. We believe that everyone has a right to get help, regardless of financial situation. That’s why we offer an income-based sliding scale for mental health services. “We repeat what we don’t repair.” — Christine Langley-Obaugh

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Dr. Marcille here. I am a licensed psychologist with over 30 years experience working with college students. I am a psychology professor and former dean of students. I've worked at universities both internationally and in the US and have experience working with diverse students. I enjoy working with college students, helping them with academic, personal and career issues.

Hi! My name is Suji Akhtar, a Korean American licensed marriage and family therapist in California. I specialize in anxiety, depression, multigenerational trauma, postpartum mental health, and immigration-related challenges. As a therapist, I'm dedicated to helping individuals navigate life transitions, heal from past traumas, and build resilience. My approach to therapy is grounded in compassion and cultural sensitivity, drawing from my own experiences as an immigrant, a parent, and a mental health professional. Whether you're struggling with the emotional rollercoaster of new parenthood, grappling with anxiety or depression, or seeking to break free from the grips of intergenerational trauma, I'm here to provide a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space for healing and growth. Together, we can explore your unique experiences and develop personalized strategies to help you overcome obstacles, manage emotions, and build resilience. I look forward to embarking on this journey with you and helping you thrive amidst life's challenges. As I am in multiple telehealth platforms, please do not hesitate to reach out to see if I accept your insurance.

Do you feel overwhelmed or struggle to relieve stress, manage anxiety, depression, or build healthy relationships? Are you carrying unprocessed trauma from the past and feeling stuck, yet ready to rediscover a sense of agency and move toward growth and healing? Taking the first step and reaching out for support can feel scary, but it is also an act of courage. Together, we can collaborate to create a life that feels more balanced, meaningful, and fulfilling. Contact me for a free 15 minute consultation.

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Welcome! Looking to work with the right therapist can feel tough. We want to make sure we find the right fit and someone we can talk to. If you are a teen looking for that person, I think you'll find comfort and safety in working with me. I have been fortunate to work with those transitioning to college from high school and those pursuing a higher education degree for the past 4 years now. I understand the stressors and difficulty this life transition can pose. I understand what it can feel like to move through this world as a student and I want to provide the best space possible to chat about that. We can talk about emotions, relationships, identities, cultures, and anything else that feels important. Feel free to reach out by email or phone for a free 15 minute consultation. I look forward to meeting you!

Relational focus is the primary focus of my practice. The relationships we create with family, friends, lovers, technology, money, substances, education and especially self are all important when it comes to our personal happiness, contentment and purpose. It is time to talk when a perspective shift or increased understanding of your current situation or yourself is needed. If we learn to pay attention to what causes internal conflict or distress sooner the problems don't have to get increasingly larger. Learning to find your strengths and use them for the greater good is like leanring how to Human Well!

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Eating disorders can feel hopeless, but they aren’t. Whether this is your first time seeking help, or your umpteenth time, I believe that everyone can recover. There are many reasons eating disorders are invited into your life. Just as there are many reasons why a person develops an eating disorder, the way you recover will be just as unique. If there was a one size fits all solution, that would perhaps be as deceptive as the problem itself. Whether it’s perfectionism, judgment, loneliness, self-improvement, health, fear, family issues… Together we will discover what invites these problems into your life, and begin to find what recovery means for them. I have been in the battle with food and weight, caught in the war zone of an eating disorder, and come out the other side. Now recovered, I love working with individuals and their loved ones to find their own version of recovery, and find out what is keeping you stuck from living the life you desire. Through conversations, we will create space to discover your preferences, hopes and desires. Many of my clients have described me as the “anti-therapist,” which is a description I wear with pride. I bring enthusiasm, improvisation, imagination, and creativity into each session. My ability to think outside the nine dots and ask questions that others may not enables me to develop creative solutions with clients to help untangle what many would consider to be complicated problems. I believe in (and embrace) experimentation: the freedom to test things out and see how they fit, to explore the various facets of yourself, and to allow for complexities, and contradictions, and messiness… all the stuff the eating disorder hates and recovery needs. Eating disorders, are strong, they need something stronger to overpower them. I want to help discover what that is for you.

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As a therapist, I consider my role to be a guide and witness to facilitate the development of your true self and your inner resources. I create a genuine and respectful space that allows us to explore where you're at, your goals, and your challenges. I love using expressive arts therapy and seeing people blossom when they experience the nourishment, wisdom, power, and insight of their creativity. I also use mindfulness, somatic awareness, and Jungian psychology. My focus is on working with anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, childhood wounding, creative blocks, finding passion/direction in life, grief, and loss.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.