Therapists for college students near San Diego, CA

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Danielle Cooper, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of the Center of Behavioral Therapy and Consultation for OCD and Anxiety. Dr. Cooper has unique expertise in evidence-based cognitive-behavioral treatments for OCD, PTSD, and anxiety-related disorders, having trained and worked alongside internationally recognized leaders in the field as a former Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. She has extensive experience working with college students struggling with anxiety and perfectionism. Drawing upon her clinical expertise, research knowledge, and experience, Dr. Cooper provides the most potent and effective treatments available for OCD, PTSD, and anxiety. She also specializes in brief evidence-based cognitive behavioral interventions for insomnia and nightmares. Dr. Cooper currently offers telehealth appointments to patients in PA, NJ, and CA. Prior to founding CBTCOA, Dr. Cooper was an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at the world-renowned Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety (CTSA) in the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. Cooper also established and was the Director of the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for OCD. While at CTSA, she was involved in clinical work, administration, supervision, teaching, research and consultation. Dr. Cooper received her B.A. in Psychology from Bucknell University and M.A. in Psychology from Boston University working at the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders (CARD). She then worked as a clinical research coordinator at the Boston VA. Dr. Cooper obtained her M.S. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Ohio University. She completed her clinical internship at the Ann Arbor VA and her post-doctoral fellowship at CTSA. Dr. Cooper has worked in various clinical settings, such as in an academic medical center, a university counseling center, a community mental health center, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, multiple VA medical centers, and private practice. She has received extensive training from leading experts in the field on the assessment and treatment of OCD, PTSD, and anxiety-related disorders. She is a certified clinician, consultant, and supervisor in Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) for PTSD and Exposure and Response Prevention (EXRP) for OCD.

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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.

My psychiatric specialties include psychiatric management of mild to moderate mental health concerns, and treating psychiatric conditions across the lifespan, substance use disorders, advanced treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Integrative Mental Health, Lifestyle Medicine. I see patients in the following areas but not limited to ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, Bipolar, Insomnia, and Schizophrenia. I treat clients who identify as members of the BIPOC community (Black, African American, Hispanic, Latinx, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander…etc) and the LGBTQ+ community. I also treat patients who may not identify within these communities but are allies to those who do as well.

You feel misunderstood and judged; you worry others view you badly; you feel disconnected and excluded. Relationship feels confusing and frustrating. It feels like nothing you try works, you feel like it's your fault, and you feel empty inside. Your anxiety and loneliness won't go away on its own. Let me help you understand why you feel the way you do, help you gain abilities to truly connected with people, and mental clarity to handle interpersonal exchanges in ways that feels confident, caring, and thoughtful. I will create a safe place to talk about what's going on inside. Together, we will explore the roots of your relationship problems. Often, when you understand where they come from you will start the process of healing. I will help you learn self-love, gain confidence, emotional and relational insights to make more meaningful connections in life. I believe we are born with ability to grow and move toward wholeness. My work is rooted in neuroscience understanding and attachment theory that we as human beings need each other to heal. I want to be the connector for you on your healing journey. Before becoming a therapist, I have 15 yrs tech experience. I have 2 children and also speak Mandarin.

We are all human, and at one point or another, yearn to feel heard and understood. Our circumstances can be an amalgamation of multiple factors, external as well as internal. Carmit is interested in getting to know and hear your experiences and help make sense of the circumstances, feelings and challenges you are going through. Having a multicultural background and being multilingual, Carmit is interested about the balance between the universality of human experience and a person's individual circumstances. Carmit’s has over ten years’ experience in the field. Her multicultural background and professional experiences have provided with opportunities to work with people of diverse backgrounds as well varied life experiences and challenges. Being multi-cultural and multi-lingual, Carmit has special interest and sensitivity working with people of diverse cultural, religious, ethnic and racial backgrounds.

Being a young person in this world can be exciting, painful, scary, and awe-inspiring (sometimes all at once!) and I’m here to hold space for the paradoxes and messiness of life. My intention is to help you reclaim and accept the parts of yourself that you’re afraid or ashamed of — and we all have those parts. If you're struggling, we'll gently explore the roots of your pain and find ways to suffer less. I feel strongly that boxes and assumptions have no place in the therapy room, and I’m dedicated to creating a space where all aspects of your identity will be recognized and can be safely explored. I have experience supporting people with depression, anxiety, career changes, relationship challenges, family issues, chronic illness, grief, gender and sexuality exploration, and neurodivergence (including autism and ADHD). I especially enjoy working with members of the LGBTQIA2S community, of which I'm a proud member.

Growing up, you learned early on that trusting others could be dangerous. You were taught to rely only on yourself, and that self-reliance has served you well. You’ve achieved so much—your degree, your job, and a comfortable life. Yet, despite these accomplishments, your mind still feels like it’s in survival mode. The nights are restless, your emotions seem unpredictable, and you’ve tried filling the void with drinking, partying, and casual relationships, but it never quite works. You’ve felt frustrated as your emotions are often labeled as angry or aggressive, leaving you feeling misunderstood and isolated. Trusting only yourself has taken you far, but it’s not enough to bring the peace and fulfillment you crave. I recognize how these experiences have shaped your life, affecting your relationships and overall well-being. Together, we’ll work on building trust, setting healthy boundaries, and learning to identify and name your emotions. Let's challenge and unlearn the limiting belief that you’re destined to succumb to the hardships you may face due to your upbringing, gender, or skin color. My goal is to create a space where you can address and work through the tough conversations often avoided in your past, fostering deeper healing and growth.

You don't want to be a burden on others, so you keep it all inside, even when you're overwhelmed. Everyone thinks you're fine, but there's part of your story you never say aloud and it feels like you're about to snap. You know you have so much privilege, but what are you supposed to DO with it except feel immobilized by shame? As a bookworm and psychotherapist, I know the power of stories, especially the ones we didn't choose: family secrets, relationship and sexual difficulties, alcohol use, faith transition and deconstruction, burnout in passion jobs, people-pleasing, anxiety, financial wealth, and privileged identities. You want to learn to speak up without it costing you everyone you love. You want to learn how to give without shame or fear of being found out that you have SO MUCH. You want to create in a world that wants you to monetize everything. I get it, and I've been there. Your story won't be the same as mine, but I've helped clients like you make changes that last. I can help you find more peace in your relationships and write your future story.

Big changes in our lives stir up a lot of feelings, even ones that can surprise us. Without naming these events and emotions, we get overwhelmed or stuck. Therapy provides space to name these experiences so you can start moving forward. Clients I work with might come to counseling because some of the following: Relationship problems of all types Burnout Compassion Fatigue Stress & Anxiety Perfectionism Procrastination Making time for self-care Self-confidence Fear of failure Making big life decisions Coping with disapproval from family of origin Navigating college and post-college life Coping with life transitions Grief & Loss Establishing community Finding a way to have a positive impact Communication Issues Emotional Distance Affairs & Infidelity Intimacy Issues Life Transitions My role is to listen deeply to your story, help you be aware of the patterns and themes that show up. We will work together to reconnect with wisdom, strengths, and build on what's working to support you in growing your resilience.

Are you struggling with panic attacks? Intrusive thoughts that get stuck in your head? Are you feeling more stressed in relationships, work or school? Are you someone that has always been a worrier and would like to change? I can help! Anxiety and OCD Unstuck Therapy specializes in research backed treatment for anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders for children (8+), teens and adults. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapist. CBT is a researched backed treatment that is effective for anxiety, OCD and depression. CBT is a goal based therapy that takes a hands-on approach, involves problem solving and learning specific techniques to help you manage and reduce your struggles. I believe that each person is unique. Counseling strategies must be collaborative and focused on the person's individual needs, style and goals. Finding a therapist that is a good fit can be challenging, please visit my website to schedule a free 15 phone consultation to see if I am a good fit for what you are looking for.

I offer straightforward help with anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. It starts by developing a holistic understanding of your situation and history. With that shared perspective, we'll work together to find the best way to resolve your current challenges. Our work together may involve finding a kinder way of relating to yourself and more effective ways of connecting with others and getting their support. If it requires developing new skills, I offer help through mindfulness, breathing practices, biofeedback, relaxation, and thought management. I'm confident that by learning to think and act differently, and addressing obstacles to change, you will gain more control over your life and start feeling better.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I believe that therapy is a place where you can put your protective armor down and have permission to be your most authentic self. My hope is to hold a safe space where you can navigate through the challenges that life throws at us, especially when the pressure to hold everything together becomes too heavy and overwhelming.

College can be an overwhelming time with academic pressure and navigating challenging personal and social situations. You don’t have to stay stuck in patterns or situations that aren’t working. If anxiety, depression, focus challenges, trauma, queer identity questions, or feeling disconnected are making college life harder, therapy can offer support in understanding what’s going on and finding more sustainable ways to feel calmer, clearer, and more able to manage daily life and relationships. In our work together, we’ll gently explore the patterns that keep you feeling stuck and build awareness and skills that create more choice and flexibility in how you respond to stress, emotions, and relationships. We’ll pay attention not only to thoughts and feelings, but also to your body and nervous system, helping you feel more grounded and aligned with what matters most to you. Therapy with me is grounded in empathy, curiosity, and respect for your unique story. You won’t be judged or rushed, and we’ll move at a pace that feels safe, supportive, and responsive to your needs. You can expect a warm, respectful relationship; space to explore both present challenges and past experiences; and practical support for feeling safer in your body and more capable in daily life. There is room for difficult emotions, without pressure to “fix” everything right away. Whether you’re navigating daily overwhelm or seeking deeper healing, therapy can help you feel more connected and alive.

I have over 20 years of experience working with a variety of concerns and populations, including with college students in Toronto Canada. I particularly love working on personal identity and roadblocks that can feel like they get in the way, for example anxiety and depression. I love to work with dream interpretation to delve into the unconscious aspects at play as well as spiritual and existential questions which can start arising in college such as “who am I? What am I meant to be doing and how?” Similarly life transitions, cross cultural concerns and substance abuse are areas that I have expertise in.

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.

In my practice, I always make the effort to meet my clients where they're at in their lives in a non-judgmental and non-pathologizing manner as I assume that many of the behaviors people want to change may have served a really important purpose at some point in their history. Life is hard and we're all trying to navigate its challenges as best we can. Clients who tend to work well with me are often curious about their history and willing to explore how previous experiences contribute to the concerns they are wanting to address in the present. This information will be used to help clients reconnect with who they truly are so they can begin to live a life that is authentic and satisfying.

Isaac has a Ph.D., PsyD, degree in Health Service Management and in Clinical Psychology from La Salle University and California Southern University respectively. He is licensed in the states of CA and Florida as an LCSW. He has over 25 years of experience in the provision of mental health care to individuals and families across a variety of settings including inpatient psychiatric hospitals, outpatient community mental health, dual diagnosis, intensive outpatient inpatient detox, and transitional housing facilities. His present and past clientele includes those with behavioral and/or substance issues including anxiety, depression, grief, life transition issues, and anger management. He collaborates with clients on how to get from where they are in their lives currently to where they want to be. He uses cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused and motivational interviewing techniques to work with clients.