Therapists for college students near San Diego State University
I’m a therapist who values honesty, reflection, and meaningful change. I go beyond surface-level work, helping you understand the patterns, beliefs, and experiences that shape how you show up in your life. My approach is supportive yet direct. I’ll help you identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck—like perfectionism, people-pleasing, or self-criticism—while creating a space where you feel respected and not judged.
I have personal, lived experience with all of my primary areas of focus. I have a wide array of specialties because life presented many unexpected changes that resulted in a fulfilling career. I remember feeling out of place throughout my childhood, but I didn't know how to convey my feelings. My childhood was always unpredictable and chaotic so I was able to recognize those things in others. I didn't understand what I was feeling at the time, but I remember thinking, "how is no one seeing this or saying anything?". From a young age I had a deep sense of connection to the unmet needs of others. I was always told that I was "resilient" but I didn't want to have to be that, it didn't feel fair. Through my own personal growth I learned how to transform my emotional wounds into a way to serve others. We can't undo what was done to us, but we can take charge of how our needs are met from this point forward. I am a Depth psychotherapist and strongly rely upon experiential therapy. This means that you can expect to address the underlying deeper issues. One of the strongest components of the therapeutic process is receiving validation and genuine understanding. This results in a vulnerable and open relationship between the client and the clinician. I have a diverse background and support issues in my practice, that I have personally experienced. I have worked in a variety of mental health, rehabilitation, and addiction settings, including both: in-patient psychiatric hospitals, treatment facilities, residential, and outpatient programs, as well as caregiving facilities for persons experiencing disabilities. I spent the first part of my career as a clinical case manager working with the homeless, veterans, and persons experiencing addiction and acute mental illness. My practice focuses on assisting individuals in establishing a centered approach to their lives by digging up the past and connecting to their core values. Some of the most important aspects in my life include: advocacy, rehabilitation, fostered autonomy, and being in-tune with the needs of a wide variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. I rely on your intuition and guide you to reaching your empowered self. Together we will connect to your mind, body, and unmet emotional needs. I will help you recognize and understand how your emotions impact your thoughts and decisions. I will help you develop awareness of your internal thoughts, foster insight into your body’s responses, and teach you to listen through somatic awareness.
If you’re feeling stuck after trying to do things on your own, then therapy could help you move forward. Together, you’ll learn to break old patterns, find joy in your life, and build a better path forward. Along the way, you’ll learn to navigate difficult situations, gain confidence, and express yourself authentically. Let's work together to overcome the issues causing indecisiveness, performance issues, and low self-esteem. Together, we'll create a way for you to meet your potential, break old patterns, and start on a better path forward. My approach is eclectic to fit your needs, help build your strengths, and create opportunities for growth. We'll create sustainable goals that align with your values and find strategies to overcome obstacles. My work draws from many years of helping adults, families, children, and couples in clinics, schools, and community settings. Therapy can be hard, so I want to make it comfortable for you. I'm a gamer and use video games in sessions to help you feel more at ease, build skills, and process your difficulties. Games, art, play, and many creative activities have been used in therapy to help people process their difficulties, express themselves, and make therapy personal.
I am a mental health therapist who has been practicing since 2010. I provide my clients with skills and tools to assist them in meeting their goals. I have a person-centered approach which means we focus on where you are at and work towards where you want to be. I have extensive training in treating trauma and I am certified to use Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I work in providing relief from trauma symptoms caused by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I am a Level 2 Trained Gottman therapist which emphasizes building stronger relationships and giving skills to deal with issues successfully as they arise. I have experience working with couples, families, and individuals. My goal is to help my clients on their path towards healing. If you are ready to make a positive change then I am here to help.
My practice was an oddity before COVID. Now it just makes sense. I meet most of my clients outdoors, on the hiking trails of the Berkeley and Oakland Redwoods. I of course also work with people online, too, but prefer to at least meet once or twice a month in-person: webcams are quite convenient, but still a 2D version of ourselves; it's definitely not ideal for the sort of conversational depth & breadth that we may embark on together. Put more plainly: Talking about the most stressful, anxiety producing, depressing, &/or shame-inducing stuff is best done in person, not online. Take a look at my website to get more of a feel for whether my practice may be a fit for you, and of course, don't hesitate to send an email or txt msg if you have questions: 415.823.1760
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
I tend to work with clients who are exploring Queer/LGBTQ+ identities. I help clients explore sexuality, sex, and identity. This includes healing from histories of oppression and discrimination, work around coming out, and exploring relationships. I also work with clients suffering from stress, anxiety, and depression.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
The journey to transform self-betrayal and self-abandonment into self-trust and self-love requires honesty and deep compassion for every part of ourselves and our stories. My mental health practice and my view of the world is largely informed by the belief that shame is NEVER an access point to growth, but rather, a paralyzer that keeps us stuck repeating the same cycles we might so desperately want to escape. My hope is to serve those who are frozen by shame and who see this play out in self-doubt and acts of self-betrayal, such as: 1. Substance use that brings painful consequences and actions incompatible with held values 2.Always taking the role of the “Pursuer” in romantic relationships and repeatedly finding yourself in dynamics where your effort is not reciprocated and your needs for consistency, time spent together, or commitment are not met. Additionally, being unable to communicate your needs explicitly despite desiring a committed partnership. 3. Taking on familiar responsibilities due to guilt despite these crossing your boundaries or inhibiting your own vision of what you want for your life. My goal is to take a non-pathologizing approach that asks the questions, “Why is there pain and how did it come to form?” My work is informed by the modality Internal Family Systems and, as such, we will observe and embrace every “part” of you–those that feel good and those that feel “bad”–as completely natural and understandable byproducts of your story. I use a deep focus on the body as a source of messages and valuable information with the belief that returning to the body can offer an access point to healing the Self.
Do you feel on edge, stuck in your head, or like you can’t fully connect with the people you care about? Maybe your chest tightens in conflict, or you shut down when things get too overwhelming. These are signs your nervous system is in overdrive—and it’s not your fault. Through integrative somatic and creative therapies, I’ll help you tune into your body, calm your system, and feel safer in yourself and your relationships.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Are you feeling lost or disconnected from yourself or the world around you? Is everything changing and you don’t know where to find stability? Are you struggling to cope with your past and want to get back to who you truly are and what lights you up? I support women of all ages and young adults who are experiencing some kind of life transition, healing from trauma, or grieving a loss. So often we feel lost trying to cope with this wild ride we call life, but you are not alone. I work from a trauma informed and nature based perspective to help you deeply connect with the person you want to be. Together we can heal the past and shift the inner criticism that may be holding you back from living fully & confidently.
Dr. Ponting is a licensed clinical psychologist specialized in treating anxiety, traumatic stress, and depression in adults and children. She focuses on improving mental health during the transition to parenthood, including pregnancy and the postpartum period. Dr. Ponting also works with families with young children ages 2-6 who have experienced a recent traumatic event. Dr. Ponting provides individualized, culturally responsive care aimed at reducing distress and enhancing the capacity to feel positive emotions. Dr. Ponting draws from several evidence-based individual and family therapies and provides services in English and Spanish.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
My name is Blanca Martinez Walter and I am a licensed Latina holistic and spiritual therapist, living in Denver, Colorado. I am licensed in both the state of California and Colorado. The fancy title I have earned is Licensed Clinical Social Worker, but I prefer the other title (spiritual therapist). I blend my experience working with Latinx in psychotherapy with my deep interest in spirituality and the mind, body, and soul connection. My therapeutic approach is holistic, incorporating intuition, signs that universe sends you, body awareness, inner child work, and a comprehensive understanding of your past and present experiences to understand how you came to be. In my practice I work with first generation latinas/latinos seeking change, wanting to get more attuned to their intuition, open to looking at past patterns and being challenged, all the while doing so with a therapist that has a cultural background similar to theirs. Common issues addressed in my practice include the effects of childhood parentification, perfectionism, self-care issues, life transitions, grief, relationship challenges, and other issues unique to the first-generation experience. As your therapist, I will be your cheerleader and I will also be that person that challenges you and disagrees with you, because without discomfort there is no growth. I balance both humor, gentleness and disagreement in my therapeutic sessions. And yes, I speak Spanglish. I offer a free 15 min consultation to determine what your needs are going to be, what you are looking for in treatment and with that determine whether we would be a good match. I can offer a special rate for college students of $90 for 45 minutes. *If you are dealing with suicidal thoughts, it may be determined that telehealth is not the option.
My approach to therapy is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and a deep understanding of the challenges individuals face today. Whether you're dealing with stress, anxiety, perfectionism, or just feeling stuck, this is a space where you don’t have to go through it alone. I believe therapy works best when we work as a team. Together, we’ll explore what support looks like for you emotionally, academically, socially, and beyond. My goal is to help you understand yourself better, build on your strengths, and create a path that feels true to who you are and where you want to go. This process is about you, and I’m here to walk alongside you every step of the way.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist that has experience with ages 17-60+. The issues I work well with are anxiety, depression, substance use, college and academic related issues, and relationship and familial issues. I am a direct, hollistic, and empowering therapist, that understands and empathizes at my core. I offer Virtual Telehealth sessions only. I accept insurances that are listed on my profile. I also accept out of pocket payments, which in this case, would be disclosed before the start of first session.