Therapists for college students near UCLA

Hey! I’m Afshin — pronounced “of-sheen,” like the glimmer in your eye when you realize you're allowed to feel your feelings and still be funny about it. Looking for someone who’s real, queer, neurodivergent-friendly, and actually shows up in the room with you? I’m really glad you’re here. I work with new parents running on crumbs and caffeine, teens navigating identity and pressure, young adults facing messy transitions, and LGBTQIA+ folks tired of translating their experience for people who just don’t get it. I pull from Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic, DBT, CBT, and Solution-Focused approaches — but mostly, I bring curiosity, honesty, humor, and a human-first vibe. I don’t believe in “one-size-fits-all” healing. Some weeks we’re untangling trauma; other weeks, we’re celebrating tiny wins — like eating a real meal or setting a boundary without the shame. My core values? Radical kindness, transparency, and the belief that being “too much” is a damn superpower. If you’re craving therapy that feels like a mix between a grounding conversation and a gentle push toward who you actually want to be — let’s talk. I’m here when you’re ready.

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner practicing in San Diego and through telehealth in the state of California. My approach to mental health involves the whole person, and we work together to focus on all aspects of life and health–emotional, social, and physical. In addition to training in psychiatric care, my background in social work, perinatal health, and sexuality education enriches my perspective and the care I provide. We will address lifestyle factors (sleep, exercise, diet, etc.) that, in addition to medication and therapy, impact a person’s overall well-being and mental health. I develop collaborative treatment plans with you and treat a broad range of conditions, with a particular interest in anxiety, depression, perinatal mental health, ADHD, PTSD, and affirmative mental healthcare for gender-expansive and trans folks.

Do you feel like you are searching? Searching for the reasons why you are unhappy in your relationships or lack of relationships? Searching for the reasons why you are unhappy in your career? Searching for the reasons you feel run down and uninspired? Searching for the reasons why you keep repeating the same addictive patterns that do not turn out to have positive outcomes? Searching for the right therapist!? I am a Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years experience. My practice includes individuals and couples suffering from relationship problems, addiction, depression, grief and loss, anxiety and stress. I would like to help you discover what you are searching for and why you feel you do not deserve more out of life. My role is to help you end the search and discover the negative messages that you tell yourself that hinder you from becoming the person you truly are.

I combine a warm and direct approach with evidence-based practices (and a splash of humor) to help you unpack, examine, and rewrite the narratives in your life. Drawing from modalities such as Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Internal Family Systems, we will work to align your thoughts and actions with your values so that you can lead the life you want. I view relationships and identity development through the lens of attachment theory with the goal of helping you draw clear connections from the past to the present and into an expansive and joyful future. I know this is not easy, and take care to cater our work to meet your unique needs. I work with individuals, couples, and families, and have experience treating anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, attachment issues, self-esteem, identity development, medical diagnoses, and trauma. I work with members of the LGBTQIA+ community as well as nonmajority identified individuals. I especially enjoy working with families and individuals navigating creative blocks, pregnancy/postpartum, multicultural issues, and academic concerns. I earned a masters of science from the University of Oregon, where I received systems-based clinical training in a community counseling center, a school-based health center, and a group practice. In addition to my clinical training, I hold a masters of fine arts in Creative Writing from Oregon State University, where I also taught writing courses and worked as an academic advisor. I am a writer turned therapist who grew up in the Bay Area but spent a decade in the forests of Oregon. Raised in a Jewish South American family, I keep my culture alive through customs, food, music, and speaking Spanish whenever I can. When I’m not working, you can find me exploring the Ojai Valley while listening to This American Life, knitting hats for friends, and chasing my toddler around at the beach. Sessions are $150 for individuals and $175 for families and couples. I consider any session with minors to be family sessions as I believe this is the most effective way to treat kids and teens. As a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #144237 I work under the clinical supervision of Erika Morris, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #120118.

Welcome! My name is Erin and I am a therapist who loves working with college and grad students going through transition, building identity and community, or seeking support during difficult chapters. I aim to help my clients listen closely to the guidance of their inner voice as they find a way forward from confusion towards a vision of life that feels exciting. My approach is warm and collaborative, grounded in narrative therapy and a post-traumatic growth lens. I have years of experience supporting people through depression, anxiety, trauma, and social anxiety and isolation. I also emphasize community building and creativity as essential pillars of mental health. Together we'll find the approach that helps you move toward a life that feels more fully alive. I love being a therapist and am honored to do this work. If you think we would be a good fit, fill out the contact form on this page and we will be in touch!

Do you feel lost in your relationship and longing for interpersonal connections? Take a pause and talk to a relationship & art therapist who can help you to regain your inner strengths to overcome relationship struggles, improve social skills, and have a better relationship with yourself, family, and friends. With my art therapy specialty, attentive listening, and culturally sensitive approach, you can find ease in our therapy sessions. Regardless of your age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and background, I am here to support you to reach your goals. If you love talking, we can talk; if you don't, we can create art, and let the art talk for us.

My goal is to help you integrate and love all parts of the Self, deeply exploring by "going down the rabbit hole" and coming out with the knowledge and intuition to live a balanced, connected life. Treatment is a balanced experience of doing deep work and learning skills by using visual arts, movement/dance, writing, music, DBT, CBT, Trauma focused therapy, Embodiment Coaching, etc.

Anxiety, depression and trauma can have a ripple effect throughout your whole life felt far beyond the obvious symptoms themselves. Perhaps you experience a paralyzing level of perfectionism ruled by lists and tasks or maybe you overschedule yourself to avoid thinking and feeling. Trauma can manifest itself in many ways and can have a significant impact on your daily life. In my practice, I specialize in working with young adults, individuals with childhood trauma and adult survivors of sexual and gender based violence with a focus on navigating daily life, relationships and boundaries to overcome these difficulties. I utilize a trauma informed approach and empower clients to be the expert of their own experience. My role is to provide the tools and support needed to reach collaboratively set goals. I pull from various evidence based practices to create a unique treatment approach for each client. Additionally, I'm in training to be an AASECT certified sex therapist. While I speak German, Armenian and Farsi, all services are provided in English. Therapy is a unique and highly vulnerable environment that can be intimidating to navigate at first. I am happy to schedule an initial free 15 minute consultation call to discuss your concerns and to determine if I am the best fit for your needs.

Therapy offers a confidential place of refuge where you can be seen and heard. Together we will explore how daily external pressures and feelings of self-blame, self-criticism, fear or sadness, as well as loss and past trauma, may be affecting your ability to move forward or express yourself in an authentic way. By devoting time and attention to understanding your unique story and the ways in which past relationships shape current ones, you can gain greater self-awareness and an understanding of how underlying feelings and thoughts are affecting your mood. In building a strong, supportive relationship I will help you uncover core issues. I primarily use a psychodynamic, creative approach to guide my clients towards greater self-compassion and clarity that will allow you to feel more confident in your ability to change and heal.

Welcome! I'm Sharan, a licensed marriage and family therapist with a spirituality specialization and a niche for trauma processing utilizing somatic modalities, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). My commitment is to create a safe, empathetic, and non-judgmental space where clients can explore the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that trouble them in order to develop healthy sustainable coping strategies that enhance a better quality of life and promote the client's personal and psychological well-being!

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I believe therapy provides an opportunity to heal and offers the reminder that you are worthy of giving and receiving love. Due to elements like social demands, systems of power, and generational trauma, it may feel as if you’ve lost your sense of being grounded and in alignment with your authentic self. We are all healers in our own way and sometimes we need to take the risk of beginning therapy to find a place where we feel most rooted. I approach my work with clients through the lens of humanistic, gestalt, and existential theories which means I firmly believe that you know yourself best—so I take a collaborative approach when working with you. I will use my compassion, intuition, and curiosity to help you get to a deeper level of exploring, discovering, and understanding. I am passionate about supporting those who desire to elevate their self-esteem and self-worth as well as people who are navigating depression and processing past trauma. I hope to join you on your journey as you move toward a more harmonious existence with yourself, others, and the world around you.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

My name is Volker Nabavi. I am a board certified Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. I had received trained in both medical and nursing fields. This diverse background enables me to apply both medical and nursing theories to manage my client’s mental health holistically and meet them at their level. I believe in a strong connection between our mind and body. My approach is based on the holistic care model involving all aspects of life including psychological, biological, emotional, social and spiritual dimensions. I understand that our mental health is inseparable from those aspects and our environment, relationships and lifestyle play crucial roles in our mental health. My area of interest includes: Depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, substance use, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and Bipolar disorders. I am an avid listener and authentic provider. I meet my client’s at their level and provide them with holistic care. I believe in multifactorial approach in managing my clients’ mental health. Combining psychotherapy , lifestyle change and medication is the optimal approach may lead to best clinical outcome and long term relief.

I have been in practice for over 16 years. I utilize CBT, ACT, Solution Focused and attachment theory. I work well with anxiety, grief and loss, phase of life issues. I also specialize on race and cultural identity, immigration, and first-generational issues. My approach is empathetic, honest and direct. I offer assistance with life transitions, grief, confidence, goal setting and achievement. By viewing your situation through a trauma informed and culturally competent lens, we will build strategies to overcome obstacles. I am very familiar with the cultural and sociological challenges that can consume our daily lives. I am familiar with the stigma attached to therapy and the perception of weakness that can be associated with seeking treatment. In reality, true strength comes from the ability to recognize and acknowledge you need help.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Hello! Are you experiencing anxiety, depression, loneliness, low self-esteem or uncertainty? It's common to feel this way when you are going transitions in your life and college is no exception. College is a great milestone however, it can also be a difficult time. If you find that you could use some guidance to get through, please feel free to reach out to me. I will answer any questions that you have. Good luck.

My clients enjoy the warm rapport they have with me. I approach each client from a unique perspective as each client is unique. I collaborate with them to understand their needs and goals, and from there I create a treatment plan that is special for them. I believe that each client has a story that can be retold in a new way, and a story that is still being written, so the middle and ending can change as the client transforms. The approaches I use are a blend of cognitive-behavioral, narrative and humanistic, as well as various techniques from other theories (as appropriate for the client). The first step towards healing and living a fulfilling and enriching life is to reach out to those who can support you, and I'm always honored to provide that support to my clients. I want my clients acquire practical tools to use in between sessions so they can learn to become their own healer with time. If you feel like I could be the person to help you, please don't hesitate to contact me. Throughout my career, I've worked in different settings with many populations, including providing treatment to clients with depression, anxiety, addiction, Autism and other developmental disorders, relationship and family issues, issues of confidence, self-esteem and motivation, and I specialize in working with clients that are looking to find their path and purpose in life. In addition to being an MFT, I'm a certified yoga teacher and I promote an overall program of wellness through mental, physical & spiritual health and nutrition. Together, my clients and I create magic!

I specialize in trauma informed therapy with an emphasis on Post traumatic stress disorder as a result of sexual violence, intimate partner violence, family violence and other gender/power and community-based harm. I am passionate about building awareness of our self-healing abilities and building wellness within communities of color. My approach is trauma informed, collaborative with an emphasis on improving resiliency and exploring how to thrive. My clinical experience includes serving clients in university counseling and community-based counseling.