Therapists for college students near San Francisco, CA
My journey into the field of mental health began with a deep seated passion for understanding human behavior and relationships. Through my exposure to stories of resilience and recovery shared by individuals who had benefited from therapy and my own personal journey into healing, I became inspired to pursue a career in marriage and family therapy, where I could make a tangible impact on people’s lives by helping them to navigate complex emotional and interpersonal issues. The opportunity to facilitate positive change and foster healthy relationships is what ultimately inspires and motivates me every day and for the past decade that I have been helping individuals and couples. Throughout my career I have been privileged to work with diverse populations and have built an earnest interest to the importance of cultural sensitivities. To ensure that you feel heard and understood, I prioritize creating a safe and non-judgmental space where you can express yourself freely. Active listening is at the core of my practice-I pay close attention to verbal and no-verbal cues, which allows me to grasp the nuances of your experiences. I strive to maintain an open dialogue to help you remain encouraged to communicate openly about your thoughts and feelings. By showing empathy and providing feedback tailored to your specific situations, I can align my therapeutic approach to fit your unique needs. My therapeutic approach is integrative, blending evidence-based practices such as DBT, Attachment-based, EFT, Trauma-informed, Schema Therapy, Somatic psychotherapy, Humanistic, Existential and Narrative. Building trust and a solid therapeutic alliance is fundamental to successful therapy. I begin by establishing rapport from the very first session, showing genuine care and concern for your well-being. Transparency is key-I clearly outline the therapy process and encourage questions, which helps demystify what therapy entails and sets mutual expectations. consistency, reliability and collaboration in our interactions further reinforce trust in the process. By maintaining confidentiality and showing respect for boundaries we can cultivate a confidential and supportive environment. I aspire to involve you in setting therapy goals and developing strategies while reinforcing your agency in our journey together. Through consistency, empathy, and active collaboration, I aim to build a lasting partnership that supports your healing journey. Lic # 132196
I utilize education on how the brain, nervous system, and body (stomach) are connected, therefore normalizing and reducing shame. I also teach mindfulness, coping tools, and DBT/CBT skills that can empower the client and reduce symptoms that are interrupting well-being. I create a safe session by normalizing old schema and educating that there are no bad parts developed and work on embracing through IFS therapy. I recognize and support the strengths of the client that they may be unaware of, which is really beneficial as well. I listen and create understanding about how old schema was a necessary protection when young and the brain wasn’t fully developed. I validate that the familiar way of thinking and acting that is no longer working, and make take time to improve through practice.
Are you preoccupied with thoughts about food? Are you stuck in a cycle of dieting, bingeing, purging, or exercising and having trouble figuring out how to stop? Are you ashamed about your eating? Hating your body? You can break the cycle, achieve peace with food and your body, and get your life back. We provide treatment aligned with an anti-diet approach called Health At Every Size (R). We specialize in providing research-proven treatments for eating disorders, anxiety, and depression.
I'm an EMDR-trained therapist specializing in complex PTSD and relational trauma – the kind that rewires how we love and how we see ourselves. I help young adults and couples heal from attachment wounds, abandonment issues, sexual trauma, infidelity, and anxious-avoidant relationship cycles. I work from a psychodynamic and trauma-informed lens, drawing from IFS, DBT, and ACT. Therapy with me is collaborative – together, we’ll process what’s beneath the surface to shift the core beliefs keeping you stuck. I’ll meet you where you are… and push you when you’re ready. This is a space where you don’t have to perform. If something here resonated with you, that probably isn’t a coincidence. Reach out to schedule a free consult. :)
I specialize working with gender and sexuality, anyone struggling through life transitions and change, folks who identify as highly sensitive people. I also focus on using self compassion techniques and perspectives and provide trauma informed, social justice/feminist oriented, and culturally attuned care. I fully enjoy both of us benefiting from building a meaningful relationship together, because I see it as an honor to be a part of your journey towards self actualization and well-being. I’m personable, transparent, enjoy humor, connection and appreciate depth. I'd honestly love to hear from you!
A lot of the students I work with are thoughtful, driven, and hard on themselves. You might look like you have it together, but inside you’re stressed, burnt out, or quietly questioning everything. In our work together, we’ll slow things down, get curious about what’s going on, and build tools that help you feel more grounded and less overwhelmed. I’m warm, straightforward, and collaborative. Therapy with me is a supportive space to be yourself, feel understood, and make college life feel more manageable.
In our work together, we will strive to clarify and validate your emotional experiences. You will also learn skills to change the thoughts and behaviors that are not serving you. I aim to empower you to take control of your symptoms, foster self-compassion, and grow in ways that are important to you. I am committed to using treatments that work while flexibly adapting to your unique background and goals for therapy. I specialize in the treatment of anxiety disorders, PTSD, depression, and women's reproductive mental health, as well as provide evidence-based skills for coping with stress. In therapy, you may face feared situations, learn how to identify, challenge and create distance from unhelpful thoughts, cultivate acceptance, clarify life values, and practice mindfulness and emotion regulation skills. Therapy will be a collaborative experience. I respect that you are the expert about your life, and I will strive to understand and honor the unique ways in which your identities influence how you experience the world. My goal is to create space for you to be vulnerable and authentic through a warm and empathic style. I look forward to working with you.
I was inspired by my mother who was always there for me. She spent time talking, guiding, supporting, encouraging, and nurturing me. She helped me get through difficult times in my life. She was a positive role model and cared and guided others. I know how one person can make a drastic difference in someone’s life. I have always wanted to help others and that is why I went into a helping profession. I am a good listener and utilize empathy. I validate your life experience and understand how that may impact your life. My goal is to help you feel understood and guide you on how to understand your thoughts and behaviors so you can make changes to improve your life. I like to start where the client is. I collaborate with client on identifying treatment goals that they want to work on. Respect, open communication, and self-determination is important in building trust in relationships. My goal is to help you feel safe, heard, and understood.
Michele Haynes is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and owner of Pacific Northwest Counseling. Michele holds a license to practice in the states of IDAHO, CALIFORNIA, OREGON & WASHINGTON. Michele utilizes EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and other trauma treatments (Certified Clinical Trauma Professional). Her primary areas of clinical interest include couples, anxiety, depression, trauma, attachment issues, relationships, and stress management. Michele EMDR certified. For individuals wanting to integrate mental health and Christianity, Michele can offer a faith-based perspective. --- Benjamin Johnstun is a counseling intern at Pacific Northwest Counseling, practicing under the supervision of Michele Haynes, LMFT. Benjamin is pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Northwest Nazarene University and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Psychology from Brigham Young University-Idaho. Benjamin is passionate about helping couples build stronger, more communicative relationships, drawing on his training in the Gottman Method. He has completed Level-2 training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. He is also dedicated to supporting individuals in finding purpose and meaning through a logotherapy-informed approach. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Benjamin offers a faith-based perspective for clients seeking to integrate Christian or LDS values into their counseling, while welcoming individuals from all backgrounds. Benjamin can practice in the states of IDAHO, CALIFORNIA, OREGON & WASHINGTON.
I love to watch the process of personal growth and transformation, knowing that my support supplements the hard work clients put into being the best version of themselves that they can be. I learn from my clients while they learn from me, and I am honored to enter into clients’ unique worlds. I hope to impact my clients by providing them the compassion and nonjudgmental presence that they deserve, along with the coping skills and insight that will help them face future challenges with strength and wisdom. My therapeutic inspiration comes from a variety of perspectives and sources: Aaron Beck (cognitive-behavioral therapy), Susan Johnson (Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy), Carl Jung (classic analysis), Daniel Siegel (neurological growth and attachment), Gabor Mate (trauma, addiction, and attachment), and Murray Bowen (family systems theory). This list will continue to grow as I do- like yours, my journey and growth is a work in progress. I enjoy working with clients in emerging adulthood (approximately age 16 to 26). This is an exciting period of life, where identity is solidified and major life decisions are made (education, career, relationships). Another population I have had a lot of success with is adult survivors of childhood abuse and neglect, as I use a trauma-informed approach. I am open and respectful of various religious and spiritual communities, understanding that this may be a source of strength and identity for a client, or a source of tension and pain as a client questions their faith background. Previously, I provided therapy at a non-profit agency in the San Fernando Valley of Southern California, where I had the honor of walking alongside at-risk youth and their families on paths toward functional and adaptive mental and relational health. I also have experience in various school-based settings, where I provided frequent on-campus crisis management as well as on-going counseling services as part of students’ Individualized Education Plans. Gaining a deeper understanding of youth and the struggles they face gave me a richer and more holistic view of the adults they become.
Stress, Anxiety, Overwhelm, and Uncertainty. How long can we go on like this? What happens when it gets to be too much? Living like this can push you past your limits. I notice that people tend to seek help for "mental health" when the symptoms of stress that affect their "physical health" worsen. My approach to helping clients is rooted in my understanding that mental, physical, and emotional health are all inextricably intertwined. I work with Highly Sensitive Persons (see the self questionnaire at: www.hsperson.com) who struggle to cope with the fast paced, overwhelming and uncertain environment our lives have become. I also work with many people who recognize their childhoods as having been painful or traumatic.I am trained in EMDR. Therapy can help develop the tools you need to create the life you want to live.
My goal in sessions is for clients to feel self-aware, empowered, and grounded in who they are to better connect with the person they want to become. This kind of therapy leads you toward a happier home life, better communication with family/friends, feeling accomplished and relaxed at the end of the day, or feeling confident in your ability to tackle roadblocks. I am committed to creating an environment for clients to feel safe and comfortable to open up about difficult topics. This safe space is where we can honor those feelings and experiences, gain a sense of acceptance, and work together to create a journey forward towards a purpose-filled path. My areas of focus are trauma, anxiety, grief, behavioral issues, anger management, social skills, self-esteem, family dynamics, personal growth, high-stress environments, and more.
Are you feeling lost and unsure about yourself and how you are feeling? Are you struggling with anxiety and depression and are weighed down by the societal and social pressures of having to have your life figured out? Being a young adult can be very challenging with all of the pressure to succeed, "be the best" and having to stand out academically and socially. As a therapist with 20 years experience, allow me to explore with you how to become the "best" version of yourself in a safe, warm, and accepting environment. "There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind." -C.S. Lewis
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of work experience across a variety of treatment settings including community based agencies, schools and medical facilities, with individuals and groups across the life span. Prior to becoming a licensed therapist, I worked for over a decade as a Medical Social Worker providing therapeutic interventions to patients with chronic illness who were dealing with the challenges of everyday life compounded by the weight of their illness. It was with this experience that I discovered my passion in helping clients struggling with depression and anxiety and that which propelled me into clinical practice. My therapy style is client-centered and strengths-based as well as collaborative and experimental. I use a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, and Psycho-education in my approach with clients. I look forward to partnering with you to help you through the difficult transitions in your life.
I help students who are struggling in their relationships or struggling with the demands of college expectations. I have unique specialties in anxiety treatment and eating disorder treatment as well. Reach out, and let's see if I can help!
Hi! I am a licensed therapist practicing in person in Santa Cruz, Ca as well as virtually throughout the state of California. I primarily work with neurodivergent individuals (ages 13+), individuals looking to process trauma, and individuals/families looking to learn new coping skills. Take a peek at my website and reach out with any questions!
Our mission is to deliver person-centered mental health services that promote psychological wellness, healing, and growth. Through the use of compassionate and collaborative care—guided by integrity—we strive to support a meaningful and fulfilling life by nurturing emotional wellbeing, fostering valued relationships, identifying the core self, and promoting lifelong learning. We embrace a holistic approach aiming to help people cultivate a balanced lifestyle that honors personal growth, wellness, and the gradual journey of healing. We envision a community where people from all backgrounds have access to compassionate and culturally-responsive mental healthcare. By honoring each person’s unique story, we aim to establish a foundation for emotional wellbeing and meaningful self-sufficiency. Through empowerment, we strive to inspire: healing, fulfillment, and a sense of peace for all.
Claudia is a dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive experience working across diverse age groups, including children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Holding both a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and a Master’s Degree in Social Welfare (MSW) from UCLA, Claudia is licensed in California and Colorado and is fluent in both English and Portuguese. Her expertise encompasses various evidence-based practices, including Family Structural Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), and Managing and Adapting Practice (MAP). Specializing in addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, adjustment disorders, relationship challenges, low self-esteem, parenting, and the stresses of daily life, Claudia is committed to fostering positive transformation in the lives of her clients. Grounded in the belief that everyone possesses unique gifts and talents, Claudia encourages her clients to tap into their potential to effect change in their lives, communities, and beyond. Embracing the mantra, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world,” Claudia guides individuals to discover and empower themselves, enabling them to craft the fulfilling life they aspire to achieve. With a profound understanding of the human condition and genuine compassion, Claudia is dedicated to supporting her clients on their journey toward self-discovery and empowerment, ultimately helping them realize their full potential.
I will work collaboratively with you to explore the underlying negative patterns that cause you to feel stuck. These issues may include depression, anxiety, relationship issues, life transitions, self-esteem, identity, grief/loss, and trauma. I am passionate about working with young adults, teens, and adults. I offer both virtual and in-person sessions in Glendale and Encino. I work hard to ensure that my clients feel safe and comfortable. I provide an open, nonjudgmental environment to discuss the struggles in life with a sense of humor and compassion. Therapy should be a safe space to explore these struggles and help you feel less alone. I have a mindful, eclectic approach tailored to help meet your distinct needs with an overall goal of finding your inner strength and hope for the future.