Therapists for college students near UCLA

Hello, Taking the step towards therapy can be a big one, sometimes filled with anxiety or fear. I try to alleviate any concerns and provide a safe place for you to work toward your goals. I specialize in mood issues such as stress, anxiety and depression, and I specialize in treating trauma and PTSD. I utilize a blend of therapy models including CBT, DBT and EMDR. Reach out today to set up a free consultation. I look forward to working with you.

If you are seeking psychotherapy to improve your self-esteem, process trauma, manage symptoms of anxiety or depression, process loss or a difficult life transition, get a handle on your anger, improve your academic performance, learn to be more assertive, or improve your relationships with others, I can help. In a warm and supportive environment we will work together to foster insight and build the skills needed to deal successfully with life's unpredictable stressors. I provide long and short-term psychotherapy for a wide range of concerns, using insight-oriented, skills-based, and mindfulness-based approaches.

I understand the challenges college and grad students face: Academics and work have been keeping you so busy and the overwhelm is starting to catch up to you fast. Perfectionism and imposter syndrome have been a real annoyance in your life. Your thoughts are constantly racing. You feel the weight of the world sitting on your chest. You speak pretty harshly to yourself. It’s really hard to communicate your needs to others, and big emotions are hard to shake. You’re feeling more and more disconnected in life. I've been working with college & grad students at various universities throughout the country for the past 14 years. I also have had the honor of supporting people in their early career journey, from graduating, to passing various exams required by their profession, to getting their first job and transitioning into that new chapter. I approach therapy in a thoughtful, comprehensive, evidence-based, and holistic way that is tailored to meet each person’s unique needs. I’ve been told that the work I do is approachable, that our time together feels safe, that I understand the experiences that Gen Z and Millennials bring in, and those that I work with experience big changes in their lives in a relatively short amount of time. You are welcome here!

"If you are struggling to sit with difficult emotions and would like support, I can help. My mission is to empower you to learn how to turn towards your pain to find healing, instead of running away to endure long-term suffering. This process is done by teaching you how to sit with difficult emotions. When you can learn how to sit with difficult emotions, you can then begin to process them and to heal through them. As you begin to heal, you can then start to make peace with the past, let go of it, and bring joy in to the present. This enables you to turn slowly and gently towards the future where you can start to feel whole again. As a result, you begin to develop a deeper and more meaningful connection within yourself and with others."

Deep within, I believe everyone holds the keys to a life of profound meaning and joy. By discerning their dreams and charting their personal journeys, my clients unlock doors to lives they cherish all the more. In the wise words of Carl Jung, 'Man's task is to become conscious of the contents that press upward from the unconscious.

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The most important thing for how well and how soon you get results in therapy is that you feel comfortable, like we have good chemistry, and that I get where you're coming from. And the second most important thing is that you feel like our plan---how we're going to work together--- is exactly right for you. I think only a conversation can help you know whether I'm right for you, so I offer you a free 15 min conversation to kick my tires :-) Btw, my schedule in not on this website but on https://headway.co/providers/christopher-franklin-2?utm_source=pem&utm_medium=direct_link&utm_campaign=81956 I am a really unusual combination of qualities. Maybe you are too?... I went to Princeton and Yale, but I'm Marxist (Socialist Equality Party). I trained to be an Episcopal priest; I love and married a Muslim woman, whose parents are from India/ Bangladesh and we both appreciate Zen. Growing up with divorced parents, I went back and forth from my father's farm to my mother's townhouse...and felt at home nowhere. I fostered two people since they were 10, who are like a son and daughter to me. I served a Spanish language, Mexican immigrant, LGBTQ+ Episcopal church in Los Angeles. (I know! REALLY unusual combination, right?) I have taught psychology at undergraduate, masters and doctoral levels. I used to be a hospice chaplain and suicide negotiator (as a registered psychologist, not as a police officer) and a consulting suicidologist for ICE (yes, in 2 detention facilities, one for children the other, adults). Nowadays, I work with adult students, doing couples and individual therapy. I'm sex worker positive. (See my videos, TheSugarPsychologist on tiktok.) And I do evaluations for people adopting orphans in India.

I’m passionate about working with children and young adults, especially those who are queer, neurodivergent, and/or Asian American. College is a major life transition, and I'm here to help ease the stress and anxiety that tends to come with it! In our work together, I will draw on play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and traditional psychotherapy approaches to best fit your treatment needs and goals. I practice from a trauma-informed, anti-carceral framework where the most important thing is that you are your own expert. I hope to foster growth in emotional regulation, self-awareness, and self-esteem so you can express yourself freely and live as you want to be seen.

I became attracted to being a therapist after recovering from a difficult divorce and raising a child with childhood onset bipolar disorder. I benefited so greatly from therapy that realized that I wanted to offer the same support to others facing similar struggles. I approach therapy with a new client without an agenda. I meet my client where they are in the moment without judgement and with the ability to understand and share their feelings. I believe that I build trust and alliance with clients by not coming into session with an agenda and meeting them where they’re at without bias.

Are you and your partner disconnected? Have tons of resentment? Feeling like roommates? Having the same conflict over and over again? Constantly met with defensiveness? Feeling like you are always misunderstood? Scared to bring things up because they'll "get upset" or shut down? Don't know where to start? If you are facing any of these challenges, you are not alone. Some conflicts in relationships never fully go away, but they don't have to keep hurting you. We can unpack whats really happening beneath the surface so the conflict stops feeling destructive and we can get the change you've been hoping for. I provide telehealth therapy for couples who want real and structured change, not just a therapist who is a mediator or referee. I use the Gottman Method, which is a research-based intervention with 50 years of research on how couples communicate and connect. I will bring those tools to every session to help you repair your relationship. Healing and change are possible, even when it feels difficult and uncertain. My approach is warm, structured, direct, and collaborative. I’ll help you understand why patterns keep showing up and give you tools you can actually use outside of session. Therapy with me is a space where you can slow down, feel understood, and start making changes that last.

I specialize in therapy for neurodivergent adults — particularly those with ADHD or autism diagnosed later in life — who are navigating burnout, confusion about how their mind works, repeating relationship patterns, or substance use that once helped but now contributes to stress. I also work with trauma, mood concerns, and co-occurring challenges that intersect with neurodivergence. My approach is assessment-informed and collaborative, combining insight with practical tools to help you understand yourself more deeply and build meaningful, sustainable change.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

My goal as a therapist is to empower clients by working collaboratively and to help them learn and find the tools and skills to help themselves reach success. I aspire to provide compassionate and culturally competent care and support clients in reaching their goals. I do my best to ensure clients feel heard and understood in sessions by providing a safe and non-judgmental space for them to explore and process their thoughts feelings and emotions. As a therapist my goal is to be present and grounded in the moment to provide whatever support is needed. I believe that in order to build trust there needs to be understanding and connection. Finding common ground and being curious are integral parts of my work.

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.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

As a therapist, I find inspiration in helping individuals tap into resilience and strength as they navigate their mental health journeys. Witnessing their transformations and moments of clarity, hope, and healing fuels my passion for this field. I am motivated by the opportunity to create a safe space for clients to explore their thoughts and emotions, knowing that every conversation and intervention holds the potential to spark meaningful change in their lives. Ultimately, it is the privilege of walking alongside others in their struggles and triumphs that drives my commitment to the mental health profession. As a therapist, I prioritize creating a safe and empathetic space where clients feel fully understood and validated. I actively listen, maintaining eye contact and using reflective statements to convey that I am engaged in their experiences. I encourage open dialogue and ask clarifying questions, ensuring clients feel comfortable expressing their emotions and thoughts. My goal is to foster a trusting relationship where clients know their voices are valued and their feelings matter. As a therapist, I prioritize building trust and rapport with my clients to create a safe and supportive environment where they feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings. I believe that establishing a genuine connection fosters open communication, allows for deeper exploration of personal challenges, and ultimately enhances the therapeutic process. By actively listening, validating their experiences, and demonstrating empathy, I aim to empower clients and help them feel valued and understood throughout their journey.

I help clients who are feeling stuck in a state of stress, are struggling to feel connected, and dealing with low-self worth. We’ll process trauma and difficult emotions using a mind-body approach. I work with clients to understand the root of their symptoms and how the past impacted them so that they can regulate their nervous system, improve their self-worth, and get out of that survival state and into the present moment. I’m certified in Brainspotting which is a tool that allows us to process difficult emotions and past experiences that our minds and bodies may be holding onto (and keeping us stuck). I am an LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist and am passionate about working with helpers (people who prioritize something else over themselves). Schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation call today (:

I am passionate about teaching others how to access their deep knowing and watching people grow and learn in new and successful ways. I find the work of psychotherapy to be fulfilling and purposeful and I look forward to being on the journey of improving your mental health wellness with you. I use empathetic listening, curiosity, and my excitement for helping others in order to provide a sense of validation to my clients. I believe that we heal through meaning making and I help you do this in an supportive and understanding space. I also believe that being heard and acknowledged for who we are and what we feel is so important for the human experience and I work hard to offer this to my clients. I work to build a strong therapeutic relationship with my clients by creating a collaborative, compassionate and respectful therapeutic relationship. I offer a safe and supportive container for individuals to explore and strengthen their abilities. I am honored to help my clients and feel humbled to be trusted enough to be invited into the pain and experiences of those whom I get to work with.

I hold certification for integrative psychiatric care and ADHD treatment. I hold a Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Psychiatric-Mental Health from State University of New York Upstate Medical University where I received comprehensive training in both the theoretical and practical aspects of psychiatric care. My education equipped me with knowledge of mental health disorders, advanced clinical skills, and evidence-based treatment approaches. This rigorous academic background, combined with hands-on clinical experience across diverse settings, has prepared me to offer compassionate and effective care to individuals with a wide range of mental health needs.

I provide a safe and nurturing environment where you can explore and understand your emotions, relationships, and personal challenges. I am dedicated to making a space in therapy for all of you: from struggles with depression and anxiety to relational woes and life's changes and challenges. Whether you are seeking support as a couple, for your child, or for you! I am here to guide you on your journey towards healing and growth. My goal is to help you know and enjoy yourself more deeply, so that you can do the same with others in your life.