Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA

**Welcome to Seratona Psychotherapy Collective** Seratona Psychotherapy Collective is a mental health practice dedicated to supporting college-aged adults through life’s unique transitions and challenges. Our diverse team of therapists specializes in helping students and young adults manage anxiety, depression, academic and social stress, relationship concerns, and the pressures of emerging adulthood. We understand that the college years can be both exciting and overwhelming, and we’re here to provide compassionate, culturally responsive, and evidence-based care to help you build confidence, clarity, and emotional resilience during this pivotal time.

I specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and EMDR. I use these models to treat depression, anxiety and/or others forms of conflict. I incorporate self-care disciplines that involve a holistic healing approach through relaxation, meditative skills and mindfulness practices.

Greetings, I am so glad you found my practice. Please check out my website for more details about my approach and services.

I incorporate a Soul oriented practice that is beyond ego psychology. I integrate BodySoul work, astrology, tarot, dreamwork and alchemy. I offer work with life transitions, grief, loss and finding meaning. I also offer psychedelic integration and creative expression.

I am here to help college students who are facing challenges with anxiety, depression, relationship/roommate/friend/family issues or just want help with improving their study habits and study-life balance. I have worked with many, many college students across the country. I am available weekends, all day and evenings on different days to accommodate your busy academic and social life. Feel better and enjoy your college years!

Recognizing the need for help is challenging enough; finding the right and best clinician should be simple and straightforward. Below you will find a brief discussion of my techniques, experience and central therapeutic tenets. My name is Dr. R. Austin Heafey – I am a licensed clinical psychologist who works with children, adolescents, parents and families, to provide both support and treatment for a wide range of social, domestic, personal and psychological concerns. Regardless of who I am working with, my primary focus is on improving self-esteem, building self-confidence and working to enrich my patients self-worth. The more faith a person has in their own abilities and innate uniqueness, the more they are able to engage with the world they live in, the family they were belong to and the life they deserve to experience. Put simply, I aim to improve my patients quality of life.

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, depressed or stuck, I recognize the impact it can have on your relationships, goals, self-esteem and how you feel in your mind and body. If you find yourself affected by difficult events, grief, and trauma from your past, I understand how it can interfere with daily life making it difficult to focus mentally, relax physically, and enjoy the things you once loved. You do not have to go through this alone. I am committed to providing compassionate support and guidance as we work together to find clarity, joy and reclaim ease in your mind, body and spirit. Change is possible. Healing is possible. My specialty is working with those who are suffering emotionally & overwhelmed with their past and present. I work with individuals wanting to break out of co-dependency, self-sabotaging, and trauma which can show up as chronic emotional/physical pain and leave you feeling stuck and confused. You don't have to figure this out on your own. The focus of our work will be to understand the cause of your suffering and how it is affecting your mind and body in the present. This allows us to create new ways of thinking and feeling which lead to less suffering. As an MFT and SEP my approach is somatic and insight oriented to support you in finding relief and creating the life you want.

I have been described by clients and colleagues as non-judgmental, warm (but direct), validating, and compassionate - I'd like to think that's true, but who am I to say? In any case, my hope is to help people develop self-acceptance versus self-loathing, practice self-compassion versus self-criticism, heal past wounds or trauma that continue to cause pain today, and create a purpose-driven life built around values they care about. In my personal and professional experience, the more we can accept ourselves and our "flaws", the freer we are to make meaningful changes in our lives. I work with adults, couples, and sometimes groups. I work with all types of issues, but my specialties include adult children of narcissistic and/or abusive parents, trauma-related disorders, couples therapy, men and masculinity, managing anger, self compassion/acceptance, depression/anxiety, substance use/addiction, and cultural issues (family conflict, intergenerational trauma, issues of identity, etc.). Having been on the other side, I know it's sometimes hard to know what you need, so I offer free phone consultations to help get you started on your path. My website also has resources for self-help - feel free to browse through that as well. And I usually respond quicker to email, so please feel free to message me anytime and we can schedule a time to chat!

I am a Marriage & Family Therapist who uses a strength-based approach rooted in authenticity, compassion, and understanding. My approach is informed by Attachment Theory, Family Systems Theory, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. These theories guide me to help clients get unstuck from problematic relational patterns, nurture secure attachment bonds, develop more satisfying relationships, and work through challenges such as trauma, anxiety, and depression. I enjoy working with a variety of concerns including relational distress in families & couples, emotional & behavioral issues in children & adolescents & healing from past trauma. I place a high value on building a trustworthy collaborative therapeutic relationship with my clients. I believe therapy is most effective when clients know that their therapist respects, understands, and values them. I make it a priority to ensure my clients have this experience with me in therapy. I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with you and if you would like to explore the possibility of working together, I offer a free 15-20-minute consultation by phone. Please call or email me, and I will get back to you within 24-48 hours.

The first step, asking for help, can be the hardest. You might be asking, what will I encounter in psychotherapy? In the beginning, we build a safe, caring, and collaborative therapeutic relationship. Together we discover your therapeutic goals. In time, you process difficult emotions and develop coping methods so that you can make well-informed decisions regarding your life path.

Giving and giving to others has left you feeling lonely and empty. You often feel like everyone around you has it better than you and you just don't want to keep suffering alone anymore.  Your past continues to haunt you and you are realizing it is time to finally become the best version of you. Therapy with me can help you get there. I bring you a decades worth of experience in helping individuals transform their relationships. My integrative approach to healing will match your cultural experience. Clarity regarding your relationships, improved self-worth, and overall wellbeing will be gained. My approach is collaborative and strength-based, empowering you to be the best you. The day for you to start your journey towards feeling strong and secure in your decisions is here. Through our work together you will discover how resilient you are, making better choices for your future. Let’s start your healing process now, you are ready. Call me today for your free consultation to get started.

My name is Casandra, and I am a Marriage and Family Therapist trainee who is motivated and ready to help you embark on your journey in therapy! Whether you are new to therapy or have previously attended therapy sessions before, please know that I am eager to work with you and help you to the best of my ability. My goal is to create a safe environment for you to explore and process varying emotions, experiences, and stages of your life.

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.

You're ambitious, kind, hardworking, and yet, something in life isn't working out. It feels like you're trying so hard, and yet, you're stuck, or somehow falling behind in a part of your life. Maybe because of stress, a past romantic relationship, or maybe because you're feeling overwhelmed. Talking with someone about worries and circumstances to heal emotional wounds takes courage. Counseling could be intimidating and stirring. Thankfully, we offer an attentive and supportive environment that is safe, private and professional for your emotional health. If you need support, reach out. We are here to help. Book an appointment to meet with us at our office in-person, or via TeleHealth.

My approach to therapy is rooted in a belief that change is possible. Most of my clients come to me because something in their lives isn't working. Whether the problem is familial, romantic, professional, emotional, or even existential, I find it usually comes down to a matter of relationship. How are we relating to the things that cause us to suffer? When we understand these relationships and the parts we play in them, we are free to make different choices, and to experience our lives, ourselves, and our loves in richer, more fulfilling ways. While I see clients with a wide range of presenting issues, I have a high level of expertise in family conflict, childhood trauma, addiction, codependency and eating disorders. I also have a passion for helping artists of all kinds to overcome the self-limiting beliefs that lead to creative blocks. I have additional training in EMDR (an evidence based model for trauma therapy), mindfulness practice, and family systems, and I hold an MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University.

As a dedicated mental health professional, I am committed to guiding adolescents and young adults. My practice is deeply rooted in systemic thinking, seamlessly blending psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, and attachment-based approaches to deliver a nuanced and tailored intervention. In cultivating a warm and collaborative environment, I facilitate a process where clients explore personal and relational intricacies, fostering insights for a more fulfilling life. Rejecting a one-size-fits-all approach, I acknowledge the uniqueness of each client in treatment planning. Navigating trauma, codependency, self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and OCD, my practice emphasizes the impact of traumatic events and recognizes the influential role of relationships on an individual level. Embark on the journey of transformative growth by reaching out for support. Remember, you don't have to face things alone; you are the expert of your own life, and you hold the power to make transformative change. In this journey, I'm here to empathetically walk alongside you, offering understanding and guidance every step of the way.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

All of my work involves Somatic Mindfulness. With Somatic work, we often forget that the body is the faculty whereby all of our consciousness is born. Without our senses we would not be able to experience our lives. When we live in our heads we lose the combined force of an aligned mind-body system. Body wisdom, awareness, critical thinking, and investigation allow us to live in the present, and feel comfortable, embodied, and alive. The existential facet of my work focuses on choice. Oftentimes in life, we forget that we have so many choices and possibilities available to us, even choices that seem challenging but that may help us flex new muscles for psychological growth. Realizing that you have both choice and agency brings real empowerment to your life. I work as a psychodynamic psychotherapist utilizing somatic, existential, and psychodynamic practices to help you reflect and explore. The work we do revolves around what is alive in you at the moment, as well as managing the energy in the room and what feels most pervasive to you.

Being a young adult can feel scary right now. Even in these times, I believe deeply in our innate capacity to heal, grow, and transform. Society doesn’t make that process easy- we face inequality, get stuck, and sometimes feel overwhelmed by the weight of it all. There is a path forward, but it’s not always easy to find. A big part of my work is helping you blaze this trail and collaborating with your success. Using a combination of warmth, mindfulness, brain/body science, creativity and sharing knowledge, I help keep your process moving toward living the life you want. Over the past 15 years, I’ve specialized in working with teen girls, young adults in their 20s and 30s, and those navigating life transitions, school, trauma, or relational challenges. This life stage can feel intense- you're shaping your career, defining your values, and building relationships that matter. Together, we can explore those big questions while tending to the deeper layers beneath them. I’m also an EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Certified Therapist™, and I use this powerful tool to help clients heal from distressing experiences, integrate their stories, and access new ways of being. EMDR can be our central focus or one approach among many, depending on your needs. As a Puerto Rican-American therapist, I bring a culturally responsive, decolonized lens to this work. I understand that our struggles aren’t just internal, they’re shaped by larger systems that impact how we live, relate, and find belonging. If you're navigating second-generation or multicultural identity, I’ve got you. My goal is to create a space that honors your complexity and supports your power. Whether you’re seeking support for anxiety, identity exploration, trauma recovery, or simply a space to connect with yourself, I’d be honored to work with you.

Many of the students I work best with seem like they’re keeping up on the outside, but inside feel anxious, overwhelmed, or burned out. You might be juggling academic pressure, relationships, or big life decisions while feeling stuck or unsure of how to move forward. Many have tried to push through or talk things out, but still feel caught in the same patterns. If you’re looking to better understand yourself and feel more balanced, supported, and grounded, we may be a good fit.