Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA

Welcome! I’m Karly Grace Vaughn, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master’s in Marital and Family Therapy and a passion for supporting others in creating meaningful change. I believe therapy is your journey and I’m here to guide you with warmth, insight, and, when needed, a little push to help you grow. I help couples learn how to get their relational needs met, strengthen communication, and heal past hurts. I help individuals move toward who they want to be and create the life they want to live. I support women in building confidence, navigating discrimination, and learning to truly love themselves. I guide college students in managing their time effectively while finding a healthy balance between school and enjoying life. For newly-committed couples, I provide structure and essential skills to lay the foundation for a successful relationship. Through telehealth, I offer a convenient and accessible space for growth and healing to those in the states of California and Virginia. If you’re ready to take the next step, I’d love to connect and support you on your journey.

What inspired me to become a therapist is a deep curiosity about people, healing, and how change happens through connection and experience. My work has been shaped by an integrative background that includes Depth Psychology, trauma-informed care, Polyvagal Theory, CBT, ACT, Positive Psychology, Family Systems work, and experience with somatic and experiential approaches, including equine-assisted work and the arts. I’ve also been influenced by academic and lived experiences exploring culture, creativity, and recovery, including work on trauma, addiction recovery, and meaning-making after distress. I aim to make sure you feel heard by really slowing down and staying present with both your words and your emotional experience. I tend to check in often to make sure I’m understanding you correctly and that we’re capturing what feels most important to you. My approach is grounded in attunement, curiosity, and creating a space where your experience is taken seriously without judgment or rushing toward solutions. Working together is a collaborative and relational process that unfolds over time. I draw from somatic, experiential, and trauma-informed frameworks, and we focus on building safety, consistency, and trust first. I often integrate mind-body awareness, reflective dialogue, and practical strategies depending on your needs. My background also includes teaching dance, mindfulness, yoga, and meditation to veterans, as well as exploring nonverbal communication and relational dynamics through equine work and movement-based practices. All of this informs how I help clients feel grounded, understood, and supported as they move toward meaningful change at their own pace. I earned my first degree at UW Madison. Sometimes to break the ice with couples, I will let them know that I taught ballroom dancing though mini courses and the University extension to help pay college living expenses. In those days, I often wore combat boots to teach.

We commend you for taking a step in the right direction by researching therapy for yourself or your loved one. We believe that while we have expertise in mental health treatment, YOU are the expert in your own life! ​Our approach to therapy is to support, encourage, and guide you to tap into your strengths to create the life you and/or your family deserve. We are not a clinic. Our associates are a professional group of skilled, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists, and Interns committed to providing a deeply individual, personal, and empowering experience in therapy. Welcome. We look forward to seeing you soon!

I am inspired by providing others with the opportunity to have a safe place and somewhere they can go to feel respected, heard, and understood. I utilize active listening, empathetic communication, and being transparent and honest throughout our work together. I focus on creating a safe, non-judgmental space to allow the client to feel valued and respected. I also maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality to establish trust and rapport throughout our time working together.

Integrated, individualized counseling, coaching, psychotherapy and psychopharmacology!

Do you feel like your emotions have a life of their own? Do you feel like no one understands you? I have over 20 years' experience with transitional age youth. If you partially live in TX, CA, or LA, I'm licensed in those states so you can have sessions in either state. One of my specialties is helping people who have been affected by trauma. Contact me for a free 10-minute consultation to see if my therapeutic style is what you're looking for. I offer a sliding scale for more accessibility to therapy.

I do this work because I am committed to liberation for all people. I believe that none of us are free until ALL of us are free. I am a queer and nonbinary therapist who brings a queer and intersectional lens to my work. I specialize in holding space for life transitions and know how to act as a guide to your personal revelations. I prioritize trauma informed care, and I have been told that I know how to hold a strong container for clients to discover their own inner wisdom and knowing. As survivor of trauma and Intimate Partner Violence, I specialize in helping clients find and trust their own intuition. I have lived experience as a queer and nonbinary person who came out later in life. I am trained in Internal Family Systems (Level 1) and EMDR. I've been doing my own IFS work for 4 years and firmly believe that at the core of every human being is the desire to heal. Fat-friendly, kink and polyamory informed. You already know the way! You have innate wisdom born out of your experiences and intuition. I'm here to help you learn to trust yourself and to be a compassionate witness to your self-discovery. However you show up in session is ok: you don't have to mask or sit still. I meet clients where they are with warmth and curiosity.

I am a board-certified psychiatrist and Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. For me, being a physician is more than a profession—it is a vocation to help indviduals flourish. My practice is devoted to students and young adults seeking thoughtful, individualized psychiatric care that extends beyond symptom relief. I provide comprehensive evaluations that consider medical, nutritional, lifestyle, and psychological factors—including laboratory testing when clinically appropriate—to identify the contributors to emotional and cognitive health. I also specialize in evidence-based de-prescribing for patients who wish to reduce or discontinue psychiatric medications for anxiety, attention difficulties, or substance use disorders. My approach is guided by precision, humility, and restraint: using the least intensive intervention necessary while drawing upon the full breadth of evidence-based medicine. Depending on each patient's needs and goals, I integrate psychotherapy, nutrition, lifestyle medicine, exercise, targeted supplementation, and, when appropriate, carefully selected medications into a personalized treatment plan. In addition to my clinical work, I have presented internationally on psychiatric deprescribing and medical ethics. My work has been recognized with awards from the American Psychiatric Association, the International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions, the American Psychoanalytic Association, and other leading professional organizations. I am the Founder & Medical Director of Verigrate Health. I am licensed to serve patients in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Lousiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C., and Wisconsin.

Heather Ward, MA, LMFT, PMH-C, is a licensed therapist with deep roots in college campus mental health, having provided counseling and wellness support across multiple higher education settings in the Los Angeles area. Trained at the University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education, Heather has worked at Pierce College, West LA College, and California State University, Northridge, where she managed large student caseloads, coordinated care with multidisciplinary campus teams, and developed workshops focused on building healthy relationships and emotional resilience. Heather brings a warm, collaborative style and a nonjudgmental presence to her work with students navigating depression, anxiety, identity shifts, and the pressures of academic life. She draws from attachment-based, psychodynamic, and mindfulness-oriented approaches to help clients build emotional regulation skills and strengthen their sense of self during pivotal life transitions. Earlier in her career, Heather also contributed to campus mental health from an administrative lens, developing and implementing strategic mental health and counseling initiatives at UCLA Extension — giving her a uniquely well-rounded perspective on how students are supported at an institutional level. Heather is committed to culturally sensitive, inclusive care and has experience supporting diverse student populations across community college and university settings.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a degree in Mindfulness-based Transpersonal Counseling from Naropa University, in Boulder, Colorado. Mindfulness informs all aspects of my work, including my emphasis on creating a space of compassion and curiosity in which we can explore, experiment, and journey together. You can't do anything "wrong" in therapy; everything that happens can be mined for wisdom. I have primarily worked with people to address issues related to anxiety, depression, self-concept, and life transitions. I see therapy sessions as a balance between processing and skill-building, in which there is enough open space to explore and also enough direction to come away with concrete action steps to create the desired change. In addition to mindfulness, I have training in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). I frequently guide my clients in getting to know and work with "parts" of themselves. I bring a trauma-informed approach to all sessions, in which safety, empowerment, and self-compassion are held paramount. For trauma-specific work, I utilize my training in EMDR therapy to provide targeted interventions designed to desensitize and reprocess traumatic experiences in the brain. Above all else, I hold a steadfast hope for the ability of each and every person to heal and grow. It is truly an honor and privilege to join my clients in that journey.

I specialize in working with trauma, addiction, and neurodivergence (ADHD/Autism). I am EMDR- trained to reprocess traumatic memories and limiting beliefs that are holding you back, and I'm trained to provide comprehensive ADHD/Autism assessments designed for assessing high-masking adults.

Call 818-927-0478 for a same day intake appointment with our office and therapy appointment in as little as 3 days. We are professionally trained in evidenced based practices that will help you maximize your full potential. We will provide you with enthusiastic support, an objective perspective and the insight that you need to feel supported and the best you that you can be. Our Mission at Find Your Balance Center At Find Your Balance, Center for Growth & Change, our mission is simple but powerful: to create a world where mental health is prioritized and accessible to all. ​We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to heal, grow, and thrive — regardless of their background or financial circumstances. That’s why we proudly accept a variety of health plans, including Medi-Cal, ensuring that quality mental health care is not a privilege, but a right. ​​Because when care is accessible, communities grow stronger. When mental health is prioritized, lives transform. Together, we’re building a culture where seeking help is a sign of strength — not limitation. We have over 45 clinicians to choose from. www.findyourbalancecenter.com

You may be feeling tired of the world as it is—overstimulated, uncertain, and emotionally demanding. Whether you appear strong and capable or feel overwhelmed, many people are carrying fear, exhaustion, and a longing for something steady to hold onto. The people I work with often feel worn down by repeating patterns like people-pleasing or overextending, or feel stuck and disconnected when life feels unstable. I provide a grounded, safe environment where you can truly slow down and breathe. My approach bridges the gap between traditional clinical expertise and alternative ways of healing. I offer evidence-based practices like CBT, ACT, MBCT and Narrative Therapy. In addition to this, I also integrate somatic-based practices, Buddhism psychology, Akashic Record reading, and other spiritual healing practices into our work together. I work with self-identity, relationships, burnout, boundaries, and life transitions—especially during times of uncertainty. My goal is to help you develop an inner anchor you can return to when life feels chaotic, and to support you in moving toward a life that feels more aligned, peaceful, and sustainable.

Hello! Welcome! I'm glad you are on this journey to self-discovery and healing. I come from a relational perspective and believe relationships to be incredibly healing. As such, I am authentic, empathetic, and warm. Your goals are our focus and I am here to be with you in the process and learn skills to support your goals.

I specialize in working with college students and adults who are navigating anxiety, breakups, low self-esteem, stress, ADHD, life transitions, and grief. We’ll talk about what brought you to therapy, what you’d like to work on, and what you hope to get out of our time together. I’ll also ask some questions about your history, current challenges, and what has or hasn’t worked for you in the past. We will create your treatment plan based on your goals for therapy. My goal is to help you reconnect with your strengths, challenge unhelpful patterns, and move forward with clarity and purpose. Together, we’ll work toward meaningful self-improvement, grounded in the belief that we have power over our minds and the freedom to live authentically. I use a blend of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Schema Therapy to help you understand patterns, build new skills, and create lasting shifts in your thinking and behavior. I tailor each session to your unique needs.

Are you struggling with life's transitions, starting college, anxiety, depression, stress, or grief? I specialize in working with individuals ages 16-35 to help navigate these challenges with understanding and support. My approach focuses on creating a warm, non-judgmental space where you can process your emotions and work toward meaningful goals. In our initial sessions, we’ll explore what you're seeking from therapy, set clear goals, and identify actionable steps. I also provide psycho-education about the symptoms you may be experiencing, which helps empower you to understand more about yourself and what you are experiencing. I used an integrative model to support client's in reaching their therapy goals. I will work together with you in creating reachable goals, creating a safe and non-judgmental environment for you to identify and process your emotions. I utilize different interventions depending on client's needs, but primarily use a person centered approach with CBT. Please feel free to reach out to me for a quick introductory call for us to see if we would be a good fit for one another in building a therapeutic relationship. I know it can be hard to find a therapist, I am hoping to make the process as smooth as possible.

Hello there, Feeling stuck? Feeling stressed out about all the things that are competing for your attention? Wanting to change your relationship with yourself, so you can spread your wings and soar? I'm Stefan (he/him) and I want to be there on your journey. Starting therapy can feel scary, even if you've been in therapy before! To lower that intensity a bit, I want you to give you an idea of how I show up to sessions: - I get to know you - your family, friends, hobbies, shows, loves, fears, passions. - I celebrate and hype you up when you do the hard thing. - I ask questions to get you curious about patterns in your life, and point out when you might not be aware of them. - I offer compassion when your mind creates judgments about yourself. - I welcome and ask for feedback, knowing some things will land and others will not. - I laugh with you and value humor. - I tear up when you feel hurt or uncover a tender spot (while also holding space for you to feel). - I'll tell you I'm proud of you. - I nerd out about mental health, skills, approaches, and explain concepts in a way you'll understand. - I slow down and speed up based on your cues, and I give you choice in how we go about sessions. - I'm always working on our relationship, so there's trust and security when we get to difficult things. - I acknowledge the bigger systems of oppression that affect your life and lives of your loved ones. - I'm active and dynamic in sessions - sometimes asking questions, leading an activity, listening and reflecting, interrupting to highlight something you said, and synthesizing information and summarizing it back to you. All of this "I" is the effort I put into helping you get to "you": what you want, what you care about, your goals, dreams, your emotions, stressors, internal talk, and who you want to become and how you want to show up in life. Specialties: queer and trans identities and lived experiences, anxiety and depression, perfectionism, substance use, navigating family dynamics, healing trauma, couples and relationship work, career discernment Approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR; trauma approach), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Gottman Method (for relationship work), mindfulness and somatic interventions I'm an associate counselor, seeing clients through telehealth in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and California. My typical availability is 8am-5pm EST, although I sometimes see clients earlier in the morning or early evening. I have in-person availability in Northampton, MA on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Please reach out with any questions! I accept the following insurances: - United/Optum/UMR/UHC in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and California - Harvard Pilgrim in Massachusetts Private pay rates are: Individual - $125-$175 Couples/Relationships/Family - $145-$195

Welcome! I provide an environment where you can share your past experiences and current stressors to shed what no longer serves you. My journey to becoming a therapist began while I was working in the education system. As I worked with students struggling academically, I became aware of how relationships, stressful life events, and home dynamics could impact their overall well-being. This led me to discover my passion of helping others heal and grow. I focus on creating a therapeutic relationship centered around comfort and safety. As treatment progresses, I help you gain awareness of the thoughts and habits that are negatively impacting your well-being. I will challenge you to use the knowledge and tools you're gaining during our sessions to make the necessary changes to become your best self. If you feel that I can provide you with the support you deserve reach out so that we can connect.

We specialize in treating anxiety, depression, burnout, and emotional overwhelm in adolescents and adults, often those who are high-functioning but feeling stuck, stressed, or disconnected. Our approach is collaborative and tailored, combining insight-oriented therapy with practical tools to improve emotional regulation, reduce distress, and increase clarity. We help clients identify underlying patterns while building sustainable coping strategies. The goal is greater stability, self-trust, and a more grounded sense of direction in daily life and relationships.