Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA

Welcome! I have worked with college students for the better part of 20 years. I spent almost a decade working in a university counseling center and continue to partner with several local colleges as both an off- campus referral source and consultant to their campus communities. Counseling is all about the right fit, so feel free to reach out if you’d like to talk more about my practice and whether I could be of help to your situation!

We specialize in emerging adulthood because this developmental stage requires specific clinical expertise. You're constructing an adult identity, which means the strategies that worked in your family or in school often need updating. The ways you learned to get love, stay safe, or earn approval show up in adult relationships and sometimes constrain you in ways you can see but can't shift alone. Our therapists work psychodynamically to help you understand patterns you didn't consciously choose. We use EMDR to process past experiences that still shape your present, teach DBT skills for managing intense emotions, and apply attachment theory to understand how early relationships become blueprints for later ones. We understand the psychological tasks specific to this stage: becoming your own person while maintaining meaningful relationships, building intimacy based on reality rather than fantasy, tolerating the uncertainty inherent in creating an adult life, and developing a sense of self that can hold complexity. The therapeutic relationship becomes a space where patterns can surface, be examined, and eventually change. You get to practice being yourself without the adaptations you've relied on to get by.

I am licensed in both California (118887) and Pennsylvania (MF001617). I have been in practice for eight years and specialize in emerging and young adults, ages 15-30. I have extensive clinical and research experience helping clients work through body image issues and disordered eating patterns, as well as depression and anxieties associated with life events and transitions. I also have additional training in substance use and abuse treatment in young adults. Using the most recent research in the field of neuroscience, you will learn how to reshape your brain to better align with your goals. My role is to help you restructure unhelpful thought and behavior patterns to strengthen your sense of autonomy, agency, and resiliency. I exclusively offer telehealth services to best accommodate your needs and availability.

I became a therapist because I want to help people become their best selves. I always want to help you feel understood, safe, and supported, in a completely non-judgmental space, especially if these things are already lacking in your life. You should know that you can talk to me without fear of judgement and that I care about you, and all of my clients. I have experience with both children and adults. All ages are welcome! I make an effort to meet clients where they are and ask what they hope to gain from their time with me. I try to build trust by taking a nonjudgmental approach of positive regard for all my clients. I will tailor my approach to the situation and to what the client wants. For some that will mean more empathetic listening, for others it may mean more praise, positive feedback, coping skills, increasing awareness, reframing a situation or a certain level of coaching. I find that everyone is different and has different needs, so I adjust my approach accordingly. Thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope to see you soon!

We believe that every person holds the power to grow, heal, and create a more fulfilling life. Our practice serves as a beacon of empowerment for individuals ready to navigate their unique journey of personal growth. Here, the pursuit of wellness is not seen as fixing something that is broken, but as a celebrated and continuous part of life.

The impact that we can make in an individual’s or family’s life, such as seeing them interacting in a positive manner, becoming resilient, and having better, healthier relationships with others is what inspires me. I enjoy working with families, infants, children, couples and adults who feel ready to make changes in their lives. I am a provider that is there to support and guide clients through the challenges that life brings and the healing process. It is like driving a car, I am there to the co-pilot; listen, provide a supportive environment, provide the tools and guidance through the journey. But, as an effective co-pilot, I ask my clients not to place me in the trunk of your car, as I will not be able to help and do not place me in the back seat of your car, where I cannot be effective and support you. But if you are ready to heal, I will be there with you thought this journey in the passenger seat.

I would like to first congratulate you on being here and taking that first step towards improving your health and wellbeing. If you are trying to navigate the physical and mental struggles of day-to-day life, want to learn effective ways to cope and manage symptoms, to practice healthy communication with others, improve your outlook on life and lived experiences or even just want someone to listen to your story in a nonjudgmental space, you have come to the right place. Together, we will work towards identifying what goals you have in order to promote balance and help you live your life!

Asking for help and opening up can be a difficult process but allowing yourself to share troubling and stressful experiences can help you to regain control over your life. Learning to improve safe coping skills can help one to release stress and anxiety and better deal with life circumstances in a more positive way. Releasing hurt and pain is a healing process and promotes growth which can improve relationships and overall life satisfaction. The 1st step to healing is building a therapeutic relationship where one feels accepted & can feel safe being honest. I have specialized training in crisis counseling, CBT and solution focused therapy in a variety of settings over the past 16 years. I can assist you in improving your anxiety and depression by helping you increase safe coping skills. Please feel free to call or email me to determine if I am accepting new clients. I look forward to the opportunity to help you reach your full potential and to bring greater meaning to your life.

Many of the students I work best with feel pressure to "have it all together" on the outside—yet inside, they're overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, or past trauma. They may be high-achieving, creative, or deeply caring individuals who feel stuck, disconnected, or unsure how to move forward. In our work together, I provide a warm, grounded space to explore what’s really going on beneath the surface. I use practical, body-based tools along with talk therapy to help you feel more empowered, connected, and aligned with who you truly are. Therapy doesn’t have to be about fixing what’s “wrong”—it can be about reconnecting with your inner strength and learning new ways to care for yourself.

Melanie invites you to explore and embrace all the parts of who you are, recognizing that your intersecting identities shape your experiences and the way you interact with the world. She takes a thoughtful, down-to-earth, and at times, direct approach that blends working toward meaningful goals with staying present. With warmth, honesty, and just the right dose of humor, she creates a space where you feel safe enough to risk vulnerability. You might benefit from working with Melanie if: - You're facing a big change, like a breakup, a move, a new job, or a loss, and feeling untethered. - You've achieved a lot, but continue to be plagued by anxiety, depression, burnout, and self-doubt. - You're an athlete, artist, or high performer, whose inner life doesn't match your outer success. - You're processing trauma or childhood experiences that still impact you today. - You want support managing stress, emotion dysregulation, and executive dysfunction. - You're tired and frustrated by not getting what you want out of your relationships. - You wish you could set appropriate boundaries, find the words to articulate the internal workings of your mind, and have the confidence to express your needs.​

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Whether you’re facing a challenge or simply looking for growth, therapy can help. My hope is to accompany you as you move toward healing, wholeness, and flourishing. In therapy, I seek to embody a nonjudgmental, honest, and compassionate presence. You will find an environment where you can share freely and work on what’s most important to you. You will be equipped with tools and skills that will enable you to reach your goals. I have training in multiple modes of research-backed therapy, and I consistently pursue ongoing training. I tailor my approach to your specific needs. I use methods from CBT, DBT, ACT, family systems, and mindfulness. I believe in your capacity to heal, change, and grow. It can be hard, but we can do hard things–we've done it before. Call or email me today for a free consultation.

Hi my name is Nekea (nuh-key-yah). As a woman of color, I understand how the different parts of “who we are”, our experiences, identities, and relationships, shape the way we see and move through the world. I strive to create a space that feels safe, supportive, and real, where you can show up fully without judgment. I specialize in working with individuals, couples, and groups from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, and cultural perspectives. My work is especially centered on supporting women, people of color, adolescents, and public figures as they navigate life’s challenges and transitions. Whether you’re healing from grief, processing trauma, or learning to set boundaries and care for yourself in new ways, my goal is to help you reconnect with your voice and your sense of self. Therapy, to me, is both a place of reflection and empowerment, a space to better understand your story and to write new chapters with clarity and confidence.

Between the 2:00 AM study sessions, the constant pressure to have your life figured out, and the exhaustion of keeping up a 'perfect' digital presence, it’s a lot. If you’re feeling like you’re just vibrating with anxiety or running on manual mode, I see you. I’m Dr. Tinai James, and I help students navigate the messy, non-linear transition of college. My office (and my screen) is a zero-judgment zone where we ditch the clinical "therapist-speak." Whether you're dealing with burnout, relationship drama, or just trying to figure out who you actually are outside of your GPA, let's figure it out together. No couch required—just real talk and actual tools.

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“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly—what is essential is invisible to the eye” (The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry). As a therapist, I work to see people with my heart and hold a hopeful space of unconditional compassion and empathy. As a trauma survivor with personal experiences in therapy, I’m aware of how vulnerable and uncertain starting with a new therapist can be. I honor the courage and openness it takes to begin any healing process. Creating safety in the therapeutic relationship is essential to me. I believe everyone has the capacity for healing already within them, and I work to empower people to connect with themselves and their unique strengths. I believe we are relational beings, and our different experiences with attachment can have profound effects on us. I value flexibility and creativity in my therapeutic style, and I draw from and integrate diverse approaches to discover what resonates with each different person. It is important to me to be intentional and considerate when holding space for culture and how different forces of marginalization affect mental health, and I work to be culturally responsive and attuned. My approach is continuously curious and trauma-informed, and one of my many passions is affirmatively supporting people around intergenerational trauma and attachment wounds. As a therapist and a human being, I try to embody a tree. This means moving slow, breathing deep, and being grounded enough to nourish connection. My favorite place on earth is the old growth forest! I also love to surf and meditate, and I appreciate breathwork and somatic/body-based techniques along my own healing path. I’ve been working in mental health for about thirteen years. I received my bachelor’s degree in English from University of California, Santa Barbara, and I finished my master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at California State University, Long Beach, where I also started writing poems for people on an old typewriter. I view therapy as a poetic process where someone gets to tell their story and shape its continuation to best honor their soul. We all need to be heard, seen, and believed in, and as a therapist, I work to cultivate this heartfelt connection.

The people who tend to find their way to me are usually carrying more than they let on. They’re smart, self-aware enough to know something isn’t working. They’re tired of overthinking, people-pleasing, feeling like they’re watching their own life from a slight distance. Sound familiar? I’ve been doing this work for over fifteen years, but honestly the reason I’m a therapist goes back way further than that. I was the kid who noticed when people were struggling. The one who wanted to understand what was actually going on beneath the surface. That never went away. I’m a parent. I play music. I read fiction and think about it too much. I’m not a blank wall you talk at; I’m a real person, and I bring that into the room with me. If something here feels right, trust that. A free consultation costs you nothing but fifteen minutes, and you’ll know pretty quickly whether it’s a fit. No commute. No waiting room. Just show up as you are.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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.

I’ve always been drawn to understanding people’s stories and helping them navigate life’s challenges. My goal is to create a space where clients feel truly seen and supported. I’m passionate about helping individuals recognize their own strengths, build resilience, and feel empowered in their journey. Ensuring that individuals feel heard and understood is a core principle of effective therapy. This involves creating a safe, nonjudgmental space, using reflective listening, and applying evidence based approaches to accurately understand and respond to each person’s experiences. Ongoing feedback and open communication are essential in maintaining a therapeutic environment that supports growth and clarity. Everyone has their own pace and process, and part of building a strong working relationship is honoring that. Trust develops over time through consistency, openness, and respect. The focus is on creating a space where someone can show up as they are, without pressure or judgment, and feel supported in a way that fits their needs and goals. It’s about meeting people where they are and moving forward together from there.