Therapists for college students near San Diego State University

My ideal client struggles with low self-esteem, self-doubt, and negative self-talk, often rooted in past experiences. These internal blocks keep them from reaching their potential in personal, professional, or creative areas. They deeply desire to feel empowered, build confidence, and take meaningful action toward their goals. They seek support to overcome limiting beliefs, develop resilience, and create a life they feel proud of—one where they trust themselves and feel in control.

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.

Working with students has been my life's work. For nearly a decade I have focused my practice on teens and young adults facing complicated situations and trauma. Navigating these unique difficulties takes experience. I look forward to meeting you and helping you through these challenges.

Hello! I'm Kevin Scofield, an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) Working at Mind By Design in Morgan Hill and Campbell, California. My work is grounded in humanistic, person-centered, multicultural, narrative, and attachment-based approaches. I strive to create an environment where clients feel seen, heard, and valued for who they are. I work alongside clients to explore the experiences, relationships, and stories that have shaped their understanding of themselves and the world around them.

I became a therapist because I know what it is like to need extra support through life’s many curveballs. I became a therapist to give back, and am driven by the honor of getting to be a part of someone’s healing journey. I enjoy celebrating successes with my clients! I believe you are the most reliable narrator in your own story, and work with clients to promote empowerment in their own therapeutic experience. I work to create an authentic therapeutic space by utilizing humor, warmth, and collaboration. I empower clients to find answers within themselves and identify solutions that work to relieve their personal stressors. I guide clients to explore underlying thoughts and challenge themselves by emphasizing compassion and safety. I allow time for clients to ask any of their own questions they may have about myself or therapy in general and welcome feedback to ensure clients are receiving the best support possible. Outside of the therapy room, I’m a hobby ballerina! I also play Dungeons&Dragons. I am a firm believer in the importance of honoring our inner child through interests and play.

My interest in mental health began from a desire to understand how our experiences shape who we are. This curiosity grew into a passion for helping others explore these influences, gain deeper insight, and create healthier ways of relating to themselves and the people around them. The more we understand ourselves, the more we can understand others. Whether you’re coming to therapy during a difficult time or seeking support for accountability and personal growth, what matters most is simply showing up for yourself. That act of showing up can be one of the hardest things we do. Yet it is also essential, not only for your own well-being, but for your ability to show up more fully for the people and things you care about. I view therapy as an act of kindness toward yourself, an intentional pause to check in, look inward, and take meaningful steps toward becoming your best self. Over time, this process can create a ripple effect of growth, both within yourself and across all areas of your life.

I treat individuals who are experiencing symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and related conditions of anxious rumination and Binge Eating Disorder. My treatment approach primarily uses the gold-standard of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) while also addressing issues of trauma and family dynamics. I approach the treatment of emotional eating with a skills based DBT approach, emphasizing emotional regulation, mindfulness, and distress tolerance.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

"Since 2019, Peace and Purpose Therapy has offered compassionate psychotherapy to adults and teens throughout San Luis Obispo County. Located in Arroyo Grande, this dedicated practice specializes in trauma-informed care, including EMDR, alongside expert support for relationship dynamics, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Their experienced team provides a safe, nurturing environment for individual, couple, and family counseling, tailoring every approach to foster healing, growth, and lasting well-being. Peace and Purpose Therapy is excited to announce that we are now accepting Cencal Insurance."

Through a warm, mindful, and compassionate approach to therapy, I aim to foster a welcoming and safe space for you to explore your journey to meaningful healing and self-discovery. Welcome, my name is Vi! I hold different marginalized identities as a woman of color, an immigrant from Việt Nam, a former international student; and have lived experience with anxiety, depression, trauma, racism, and oppression. I also hold privileged identities: able-bodied, cisgender, straight, Christian, and grew up in a middle-class family. These identities allow me to discover life through these intersectional lenses, and I am grateful for all of them. Through my own healing journey, I instantly learned clinicians with similar identities and cultural backgrounds who could fully facilitate a space of growth in my identity as an Asian immigrant woman was lacking. This disheartening experience fueled my passion to provide a space to highlight and honor immigrant and AAPI experiences through my work as a licensed clinical psychologist. It is a privilege and blessing for me to be able to provide the space that was previously unavailable, and to collaborate with international students, immigrants, and AAPI-identified folks, as well as individuals who occupy an intersection of their identity that is marked by marginalization and oppression.

Have you ever felt that life has to be okay all the time? Change is a normal part of life that we do not always know how to navigate. Therapy can be the safe space needed to start your journey towards processing these emotions and exploring your personal goals. My goal as a therapist is to provide a non-judgmental environment where my clients feel heard. I use an integrated approach to help my clients explore their personal needs and goals. I have experience working with individuals who are walking through different life transitions. Life has its ups and downs but you do not have to go through it alone. I am here to help you find the tools and support needed along the way.

My personal identities include: child of immigrants, millennial, cis woman, queer, & mostly able bodied. I find joy in working with: fat/larger bodied folks, the global majority/children of immigrants, & 2SLGBTQIA+. I found that navigating both my culture and what society expected of me was in a lot of ways harmful to my mental health and safety. I continue to go on my own journey of therapy, finding safe community and exploring my own biases. I often watch anime, play video games, board games, and love to bring those into session if appropriate. The topics, tools and space we create together are to support your exploration. Our clinical space will be filled with self compassion so that we can integrate your mind, body, and soul in healing relationships with your own body and others. Through my living/ed experience as a fat person of color, I welcome conversations about intersectionality and systemic oppression. I have spent the majority of my career supporting people of color navigate through different phases of life, especially in college years. We will explore safety in the body, grounding, expressing complex thoughts/feelings, family dynamics and patterns that may or may not serve you anymore. My hope is that you’ll gain a deeper understanding of yourself, celebrate who you are, and recognize the tools you have to support your wellness. My clinical approach: fat liberation, anti-racist, intersectional lens, and sex positive.

You have been trying to get pregnant and keep getting bad news. Or you are having problems staying pregnant and are feeling terrified about trying again. You are feeling guilty, overwhelmed, mad and afraid to keep moving forward. How can this keep going on ? Let me help. I understand and am here to help you with this rollercoaster. My clients come to me looking for something different. They report feeling feeling lighter, seen, and understood after our first session. Please check out my website and reach out via email or phone to schedule a free phone consultation. That is a great way to see if I am the best psychotherapist for you.

As an individual who has some life experiences behind her, I understand the value of mental health services, and the importance of finding the right fit. I have a strong background in the field of social work, and appreciate the process of collaboration, being present and accompanying an individual in their journey of well-being. I strive to fully engage with you, not just to hear and to listen, but to be curious and inquisitive, to ask questions and to foster open communication. At the first session, I hope to convey to you that this is a safe and supportive spot to be heard, to speak up, and as we continue to meet, trust will be established. Building trust takes time as we get to know each other and establish rapport. I hope to meet you where you are at, to understand what will make you comfortable as we learn how to communicate. I never rush or apply pressure for you to act a certain way or provide information that you may not feel comfortable sharing. I welcome your questions and to please speak up.

Hello and welcome! My name is Carlton Hemphill, a 34-year-old Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the state of Illinois who is also board certified (NCC). I received my Master’s degree from Roosevelt University in Clinical Psychology-Counseling Practice, with a concentration on child and family dynamics. I have been working in the field since 2015 and practicing as an independent clinician in my own private practice since June 2023. My therapeutic approach is grounded in behavioral and cognitive theories, focusing on how your recent experiences, environment, and thought patterns shape your current emotions and behaviors. Together, we’ll explore how these elements influence your present life, helping you make meaningful changes and move forward with confidence. I also integrate existential perspectives to help you explore your purpose, values, and fulfillment. I provide a warm, supportive environment where we focus on what’s happening in your life right now. Through direct, thought-provoking questions and unbiased feedback, I’ll help you gain clarity and make informed decisions. This process is centered on your insights, growth, and goals, and I’ll respect your pace and direction as we work together.

As your clinical psychologist, with over 30 years experience, I am committed to creating an environment where you feel safe and understood. I will assist you in addressing and exploring the challenging issues that have kept you from living the life you would prefer. Originally from SoCal, I have lived in Athens for a total of ten years, have two adult children, and have worked extensively with college students, at both UGA and CSUN. Although it needs to be challenging at times, my goal is to make therapy a very positive, fun, and productive experience for you. I work together with you,utilizing cognitive-behavioral techniques, with an emphasis on solution-based therapy. Having spent almost nine years post-grad (3.5 years Masters, 5 years Doctorate), I personally know the challenges of being a student. I personalize my approach to be the one that is most effective for " you." We will work to find healthy changes that are important in assisting you to be happier, less anxious or depressed, and more fulfilled.

I provide both English and Mandarin virtual psychotherapy to individuals and families. My approaches include CBT, DBT, EMDR, IFS and MI, and I adapt the approach that resonates with my clients; my practice also focuses on our automatic thoughts, behaviors, and feelings, as well as exploring cultural identity, navigating cultural dilemmas, and releasing intergenerational tension. I have more than 7 years of experience helping individuals with mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, cultural identity issues, and generational conflict. I am also equipped with the knowledge to work with individuals with special needs, such as autism and developmental disabilities.

I was drawn to becoming a therapist because I saw how meaningful it can be for people to have a safe, supportive space to talk openly and work through challenges. I really enjoy listening to others stories and helping them better understand themselves, their relationships, and their emotions so they can move toward positive change. I will work to make sure you feel heard and understood by really listening to you without judgement and taking your experiences seriously. I will reflect back what I am hearing to check that I’m understanding you accurately, and I will ask questions when I need more clarity rather than making assumptions. I also want you to know that your feedback matters, if at any point you feel misunderstood or something doesn’t sit right with you, I encourage you to tell me so we can adjust and make this space feel as safe and supportive as possible for you. Working together is very collaborative. We will move at a pace that feels comfortable for you, and we will focus on what matters most to you and what you would like to change or better understand about your life. Building trust takes time, and I see it as something we create together. I do that by being consistent, honest, respectful, and nonjudgmental, and by following through on what I say I will do. I will check in with you about how our work is going and invite your feedback so we can make sure this feels helpful and safe for you. My goal is for this to feel like a supportive partnership, where you can be open, ask questions, express concerns, and know that you are respected and taken seriously every step of the way.

You are smart, capable and aware. But life just feels… hard. If you could figure it out on your own, you would. That's where we come in.

Our practice is built on authenticity, inclusion, and meaningful connection. We support college students and young adults as they navigate the many transitions, challenges, and opportunities that shape this stage of life. Whether you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, academic or social stress, identity exploration, or relationship concerns, we offer a space where you feel genuinely seen, supported, and valued. Using somatic awareness, mindfulness, and evidence‑based approaches, we tailor each session to your individual needs. Together, we explore the mind‑body connection, nurture resilience, and create pathways for healing, growth, and self‑understanding. We are committed to inclusivity and celebrate the diverse identities, backgrounds, and lived experiences that each person brings. We recognize that change doesn’t happen in isolation it’s influenced by the relationships, environments, and communities you’re part of. While navigating life transitions can feel overwhelming, you don’t have to do it alone. We walk alongside you with warmth and care, helping you strengthen connections, manage stress, and create space for personal growth, clarity, and confidence.