Therapists for college students near UCLA

Welcome! I'm Olivea (oh-liv-ee-uh). I'm a graduate of The Wright Institute's Graduate School of Counseling Psychology, working as an associate therapist in San Ramon, CA. I love seeing my clients in-person but also offer telehealth for those who aren't local or can't make it in-person. My general approach to therapy is lower-key, compassionate (heavy on the checking the self-critic), direct and casual. I work to create a space that feels validating, accepting, and easy to walk into, even when everything feels like it's too much. I primarily work with young adults and teens navigating anxiety, depression, relationship issues, identity questions (gender, sexuality, race), and political stress. I also have a soft spot for anyone experiencing long-distance relationship struggles as well as fellow nerds and gamers, and anyone who feels chronically online (no judgment—same). I often see folks for individual therapy who are dealing with: - Life transitions that feel overwhelming - Difficulty finding their voices in their families or relationships - Feeling lonely or isolated - Relationship issues and attachment patterns - Boundaries and stress management - Racial stress and identity development - Gender and sexual identity exploration I believe you're the expert on your own life, and that a strong, collaborative relationship between us is what makes therapy actually work. My approach is grounded in that belief—I utilize strengths-based, person-centered frameworks, and I operate from a social justice lens. Basically: I see you as a whole person shaped by your experiences and the systems around you, and I'm here to help you figure out what you need and want, not tell you what to do. I'm currently an AMFT (Associate Marriage and Family Therapist) under the supervision of Michelle Ritenour (#51357). If you feel like we might be a good fit, please feel encouraged to contact me by phone, email, or through my website.

College is often a time of growth, transition, pressure, and uncertainty — and at times, it can feel overwhelming trying to manage everything on your plate. Trying to balance school, relationships, family expectations, work, social life, and your own mental health can feel like a lot. You may be feeling more anxious than usual, struggling in relationships, finding it harder to stay motivated, or feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of yourself. Maybe things don’t feel as okay as they look from the outside. Sometimes having a space to talk openly and make sense of what you’re feeling can make a meaningful difference. Therapy can offer a space to slow down and reconnect with yourself. At Lumenate, we offer a warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you can better understand what you’re experiencing and feel supported in the process. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, identity questions, stress, or life transitions, therapy can help you feel more grounded, connected, and confident in yourself and your relationships.

Welcome to my practice! I'm Kristen Ackerman, LMFT. I understand that college can be a rollercoaster of experiences. Whether you're riding the highs of newfound freedom or managing the lows of homesickness and academic stress, I'm here to offer support every step of the way. I specialize in helping individuals like you adjust to the transition of moving away from home, finding your footing amidst academic demands, and striking a balance between your studies and social life. Whether you're seeking to develop meaningful friendships or intimate relationships, I'm here to lend a listening ear and provide guidance. Navigating peer pressure is also a common challenge in college life, and I'm here to help you tackle those situations with confidence. Additionally, I have extensive experience supporting individuals dealing with anxiety, stress, depression, self-esteem issues, and identity exploration. No matter what you're facing, you don't have to go through it alone. I understand that finances can be tight for students, which is why I offer flexible rate options. My goal is to make therapy accessible and affordable for everyone who needs it. My therapy services are personalized to meet your unique needs. I utilize evidence-based practices such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness, while also integrating talk therapy for comprehensive support. I strive to create an environment where you feel comfortable and empowered to explore and grow. If you're ready to take the first step towards personal growth and making lasting changes, I invite you to reach out for a free consultation. Whether you prefer to call, email, or text, I'm here to support you on your journey.

I specialize in treating out-of-control sexual behaviors, anxiety, and OCD. I work with busy students who are struggling with self-esteem and perfectionism, overwhelmed by changing relationships, and worries about the future. Together we will find ways to understand yourself more, improve well-being, and find your power to move toward what is important to you.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

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.

I wanted to pursue a career as a therapist because I had a desire to help people create lasting and fulfilling relationships, which would help to contribute towards a healthier quality of life. I wanted to be able to make a difference in people’s lives by helping them cope in healthier ways with their mental health issues or with life’s challenges. It is so rewarding to have the opportunity to support my clients with achieving their goals in therapy. It is very important to me that I provide each of my clients with a personalized experience where they feel safe and comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings without judgment. Throughout the therapeutic process I make it my goal that my clients feel valued and understood by using active listening skills, validation, and reflective listening techniques. The client-therapist relationship is very unique and I feel honored and grateful that my clients allow me to come along with them on their journey toward improving their mental and emotional well being. The quality of the client-therapist relationship in therapy is essential for a positive outcome. It is always my number one priority to build a strong foundation with my clients through building trust and creating a therapeutic alliance with them. By establishing rapport, being authentic, and being able to genuinely understand and share in my clients’ experiences and feelings are crucial for creating a safe place for my clients to achieve personal growth and positive change.

Hello my name is Dr. Nekolas “Neko” Milton, I am a Registered Psychological Associate. I have experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. I operate from a client-centered, humanistic approach, focusing on aspects of existentialism, mindfulness, family-systems, multiculturalism, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, while keeping careful consideration of cultural concerns and practices. I have experience working with anxiety, depression, trauma-related diagnoses, and incorporate evidenced-based practices to address maladaptive patterns and behaviors. A question I often get asked is, “What do you mean by, ‘meeting your clients where they are at’?” In my work of helping people, I strive to subscribe to a compassionate and collaborative approach. This means that the client is part of their own treatment team. Thus, meeting the client where they’re at means embracing a variety of therapeutic interventions. I am committed to working towards social justice and equity both within the therapy room and within the community at large. Thus, my values consistent with providing care around acculturation, mental health access, concerns for underserved populations, community building, and cross-cultural dialogues.

I love working with college students navigating this important chapter in their lives. I understand a lot of the challenges many students encounter during this time in their lives and have a variety of ways to offer support. Some of the ways I can offer support are by helping students understand the underlying issues fueling the challenges they are facing as well as learning coping tools and finding access to resources or practices that can benefit them and help them move through the places they feel stuck to obtain their bigger goals. I offer a variety of techniques and ways of working with students, including but not limited to, tools based, interventions, dream work and hypnotherapy which can be especially helpful in resolving ineffective habits that get in the way day-to-day.

Are you struggling with overcoming depression, anxiety, and/or PTSD due to trauma? For nearly 20 years I have worked with individuals to heal from various traumatic experiences. I look to create an empowering space for all the adults I work with including tailoring therapy approaches to meet the specific needs of the individual. In my practice, I provide online individual trauma therapy to adults residing in California. Examples of trauma I help clients heal from include childhood and/or adult abuse, death of a loved one, witness of violence, intergenerational trauma, natural disasters, combat, discrimination, and life transitions such as adjusting to college. Some of the therapy approaches include EMDR, CBT, EFT tapping. Taking this first step of looking for a therapist shows you’re on the path to healing from trauma. Therapy is not always comfortable or easy. Even if you have been in therapy before, it can feel overwhelming to start the process with someone new. Finding the right fit and connection with a therapist is important for your healing journey. To schedule a free 15-min. consultation: https://www.traumahealingtherapyca.com

I have made it my life's mission to learn what it means to live well, passionately and intentionally, so I may live the best life I am capable of living. Part of that mission is to support others through a similar journey, showing them that they are worth loving by attending to their holistic needs--physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I deeply believe I can only lead people in their growth process as far as I’ve been willing to go myself. The “success” I feel as a psychologist is directly connected to my capacity to live my life with the love, intention, and courage I’m trying to model. Though I have the clinical background to work with a diverse range of clients and presenting issues, I have a special interest in working with personal growth and existential issues, relational issues, self-acceptance, mens issues, and college-age/young adult issues.

Monique is a CBT & solution focused therapist who believes therapy should be practical, honest and actually useful. She specializes in working with anxiety, depression & grief. She has a particular strength in supporting teenagers & adults through life transitions, emotional overwhelm & those ‘I know something needs to change’ moments. Her style is warm & collaborative-while still being direct & challenging when needed. Monique believes real growth happens when clients feel supported and gently pushed out of unhelpful patterns. Sessions are structured but flexible, with a strong focus on insight skill-building & real world application. Monique values transparency in the therapeutic process and where you don’t have to have it all figured out…we’ll start where you are.

I aim to create an environment that is respectful, supportive, and collaborative. My approach to therapy is primarily based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). A core idea in ACT is that trying too hard to get rid of or control our emotions tends to backfire. Thus, instead of trying to get rid of unwanted thoughts, feelings, or emotions, I will help you learn to react differently to them so that you can keep your focus on living a meaningful and fulfilling life based on what’s important to you. This type of approach places your values at the center of therapy. Using your values and existing strengths as a foundation, we will work together to set meaningful goals to address your concerns –whether they relate to life transitions, depression, anxiety, body image, grief/loss, job or academic stress, or gender and sexuality. I have extensive training in working with transgender and gender diverse adults, youth, and families. Transgender clients seeking assessment or counseling services can expect a safe space, and respectful, non-pathologizing, collaborative care. If you are looking for someone to work with regarding gender identity and exploration, I can provide education, support, preparation, and, if indicated, reports/letters for surgery.

Hello! Welcome! I'm glad you are on this journey to self-discovery and healing. I come from a relational perspective and believe relationships to be incredibly healing. As such, I am authentic, empathetic, and warm. Your goals are our focus and I am here to be with you in the process and learn skills to support your goals.

Hello, I’m Jessica Martinez, a licensed mental health therapist providing evidence-based care since 2011. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, problem gambling, relationship and marriage issues, and a wide range of emotional and behavioral concerns. My approach integrates leading therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Gottman Method couples therapy, Narrative Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). My goal is to create a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space where you feel understood and empowered. By tailoring treatment to your specific needs, I help individuals, couples, and families gain clarity, build resilience, and make meaningful, lasting change.

I have over a decade of experience serving young adults/adults struggling with issues related to identity, culture, addiction, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and trauma. These issues can greatly impact a person's capacity to manage school and work performance and create interpersonal/relationship difficulties. I have a specialty serving individuals from Asian American/immigrant/people of color communities.

We help young adults find clarity, confidence, and lasting relief as they navigate trauma, grief, and the big life changes to build a grounded, fulfilling life.

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.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.