Therapists for college students near University of Southern California

I specialize in working with college students and adults who are navigating anxiety, breakups, low self-esteem, stress, ADHD, life transitions, and grief. We’ll talk about what brought you to therapy, what you’d like to work on, and what you hope to get out of our time together. I’ll also ask some questions about your history, current challenges, and what has or hasn’t worked for you in the past. We will create your treatment plan based on your goals for therapy. My goal is to help you reconnect with your strengths, challenge unhelpful patterns, and move forward with clarity and purpose. Together, we’ll work toward meaningful self-improvement, grounded in the belief that we have power over our minds and the freedom to live authentically. I use a blend of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Schema Therapy to help you understand patterns, build new skills, and create lasting shifts in your thinking and behavior. I tailor each session to your unique needs.

Hi, I’m Mojdeh. I am an Iranian-American therapist and a child of immigrant parents. I witnessed my parents experiencing their feelings of grief as they lived far from family, friends, and their native country. As a bicultural kid, I faced challenges integrating both of my cultures and experienced racism as I navigated the world. As an Iranian woman, I deeply understand the experience of not being seen, heard, or included. I am aware of the under-representation of BIPOC clients and therapists in the therapy room. This has led me to want to connect with clients who have been historically oppressed. In our work together, we can begin the process of examining systemic issues, advocating for social change and healing ancestral & intergenerational trauma.

The students I work best with are often balancing a lot at once. They may be trying to keep up with classes, work, family responsibilities, relationships, or uncertainty about their future while also managing stress, anxiety, burnout, or self-doubt. Many of the students I see are high-achieving and hardworking, but underneath the surface they feel overwhelmed, exhausted, stuck, or like they're carrying more than other people realize. Some are adjusting to college life, navigating major life transitions, or trying to figure out who they are and what they want for themselves. You do not need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, academic stress, confidence, or simply feeling lost, therapy can provide a supportive space to better understand yourself and develop tools to move forward. My goal is to create a welcoming, judgment-free environment where you can be yourself, explore what's getting in the way, and build the skills and confidence needed to thrive both in college and beyond.

Dr. Brandon Heimberg is a licensed clinical psychologist in California. He specializes in the clinical and forensic neuropsychological assessment of traumatic brain injury, medical conditions and psychiatric conditions. Aside from comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations, Dr. Heimberg provides evidence-based psychological treatment and cognitive rehabilitation services for individuals with attention, memory, other cognitive challenges, and other medical conditions. Dr. Heimberg earned his Master of Science degree in clinical psychology, followed by his Doctorate of Psychology at California Lutheran University. He received advanced training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) under a grant-funded DBT training collaboration between Dr. Jamie Bedics and the creator of DBT, Dr. Marsha Linehan. Dr. Heimberg further honed these skills in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in his externship at Ventura County Behavioral Health, treating and assessing complex psychiatric conditions and leading skills training groups using DBT principles. Dr. Heimberg completed an advanced clinical practica in neuropsychological assessment at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he saw both geriatric and neurooncology patients. Dr. Heimberg then completed a neuropsychology internship at the VA Illiana Healthcare System (APA-Accredited, Division 40), emphasizing outpatient and inpatient neuropsychological assessment and treatment of Vietnam-era Veterans. He returned to UCLA to complete a two-year clinical neuropsychology postdoctoral fellowship at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine within the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, performing neuropsychological evaluations and cognitive rehabilitation for post 9-11 era Veterans for UCLA Operation Mend, as well as complex medical and psychiatric, neuropsychological evaluations in the Medical Psychology Assessment Center (MPAC). Dr. Heimberg has been on various research teams at UCLA within the departments of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neuro-oncology, where he has co-authored papers featured in The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Oxford Press Society for NeuroOncology. Additionally, Dr. Heimberg co-authored the cognitive training manual for UCLA Operation Mend's Balanced Recovery And Integrated Neuroscience (BRAIN) and Substance Abuse intensive treatment programs.

Catherine O'Brien is a licensed marriage and family therapist, author, speaker, educator and college professor. She has dedicated her life's work to helping new and expecting parents navigate the challenges of parenthood. As a mother of two children, Catherine understands the overwhelming nature of parenting and wants to help couples thrive during this transition instead of just surviving. She founded HappyWithBaby.com to provide counseling and coaching services for new parents and offers courses to help parents manage expectations of parenthood and understand the developmental milestones of infants and children. As a college professor, Catherine's perspective on parents' challenges while juggling multiple responsibilities is unique and valuable. Her life's work is about enabling parents to look at their own lives with the same compassion and unconditional love they generously give to their families. Take advantage of the counseling, coaching, and courses that Catherine offers. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience that can help you navigate the challenges of parenthood while also pursuing your academic goals.

If you’re seeking therapy, you might wonder what it could look like—how it feels to sit with someone who truly understands you and helps you untangle the knots in your life. I’m a therapist who loves guiding people through their challenges with warmth, compassion, and encouragement. My approach to therapy is all about collaboration, focusing on your strengths, and weaving together evidence-based practices tailored just for you. Whether you’re facing anxiety, depression, trauma, or a big life shift, I’m here to help you find your footing and move forward in your life in a way that feels meaningful. I specialize in an integrative, strength-based style of therapy, drawing from a rich toolkit of techniques to suit your unique needs. Think of it as a custom roadmap: we start with where you are and chart a course to meet your goals. I rely heavily on evidence-based methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to shift limiting thought patterns; Internal Family Systems (IFS) to explore the different parts of yourself; and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to release stuck trauma. Mindfulness helps keep you anchored in the present moment, while Sensorimotor (Somatic) Psychotherapy bridges the mind and body when words fall short. My philosophy is holistic—mind, body, and soul are all partners in healing. I’m client-centered and humanistic, meaning you’re the expert on being you. You bring the raw material of your life experiences and I bring tools, training, experience, and a steadfast presence to help you sculpt something new. I believe therapy isn’t about fixing you—it’s about tapping into your inner wisdom to foster growth. This may mean healing old wounds or stepping into your most authentic self. Therapy with me is about connection—to yourself, to others, and to a life that lights you up. How do I approach this process? With empathy, curiosity, and a deep respect for your personal journey. I start by creating a safe space where you’re truly seen and heard and can explore all parts of yourself: your fears, hopes, and everything in between. There is no judgment. From this place of acceptance of what is, we’ll set some practical and attainable goals. I’m big on education, transparency, and ensuring therapy meets your needs, so you’ll always know what’s happening and why each step of the way. You can expect a balance of gentle support and practical guidance as we track your emotions, spot relational patterns, and loosen the grip of limiting beliefs. It might get uncomfortable sitting with some of the tough stuff, but I’ll be right here helping you navigate it with clarity, sensitivity, and support. I’ve worked with all kinds of people—students with ADHD, survivors of trauma, corporate professionals, creatives, and more—across ages, cultures, and identities. My passion lies in helping you not just cope, but thrive. With me, you’re not just a client—you’re a partner in a process that celebrates who you are! Let’s build something meaningful together.

I am an integrative psychiatrist board certified in both General Adult Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry who believes in a holistic approach to mental health. I specialize in assessing and treating multiple mental health disorders including anxiety, OCD, depression, ADHD, & bipolar disorder. I tailor treatment plans personalized to you to provide the best outcomes. Treatment modalities include lifestyle adjustments, integrative services (vitamins/supplements), laboratory testing, therapy, collaboration with other providers, and/or medications. Medications are only used when indicated. My approach includes improving awareness of your own strengths and challenges to achieve realistic goals while also being empathic towards yourself. My ultimate goal is to assist you in creating your own compass that will serve as a way to better tackle future stresses and enhance your intra and interpersonal relationships.

In our work together, we will strive to clarify and validate your emotional experiences. You will also learn skills to change the thoughts and behaviors that are not serving you. I aim to empower you to take control of your symptoms, foster self-compassion, and grow in ways that are important to you. I am committed to using treatments that work while flexibly adapting to your unique background and goals for therapy. I specialize in the treatment of anxiety disorders, PTSD, depression, and women's reproductive mental health, as well as provide evidence-based skills for coping with stress. In therapy, you may face feared situations, learn how to identify, challenge and create distance from unhelpful thoughts, cultivate acceptance, clarify life values, and practice mindfulness and emotion regulation skills. Therapy will be a collaborative experience. I respect that you are the expert about your life, and I will strive to understand and honor the unique ways in which your identities influence how you experience the world. My goal is to create space for you to be vulnerable and authentic through a warm and empathic style. I look forward to working with you.

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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 strive to support students of color and first- and second-generation immigrants in exploring their identities, healing from family burdens, and building the confidence to succeed in life. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, perfectionism, trauma, or cultural and family issues, I'm here to provide the support and guidance you need to heal and grow.

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Everyone has a story. Do you ever find yourself feeling overwhelmed by thoughts that bring fear, leading to a cycle of overthinking? Do you tend to be tough on yourself, which can result in feelings of sadness, loneliness, or isolation? Are there times in your relationships when you feel unheard, leaving you frustrated and unsure? Have you considered that things could get better? Just remember, you're not alone in this. There’s hope! Many people go through similar struggles with relationships, challenging thoughts, and a mix of emotions.

I am seeing all patients by video and phone. You may contact me for a free initial consultation. I see psychotherapy as a psycho-educational experience where you learn about yourself. It is like taking a course in yourself. This counseling process of self-exploration leads to understanding self-defeating thinking and behaviors that may keep you from actualizing potential for successful relationships, success in school, business and career and from having a really happy life. During the 25+ years since I have been a licensed psychologist, I have had the privilege of helping many individuals and couples to achieve a happier, emotionally healthier, and financially successful life. My patients describe me as being a no nonsense person, while at the same time being warm and comfortable. My orientation is Psychodynamic and Cognitive. My thinking is based on psychoanalytic theory, but in practice I react and actively participate in the discussions. I don't just sit silently and nod. Cognitive/behaviorial methods are used as situations require. I have been the family's psychologist for multiple generations, when the participants are comfortable with this mode. Teletherapy - Phone and Video sessions are provided for patients who either cannot come to the office or when they have relocated to a distance too far to travel. During the COVID-19 Pandemic I am conducting all sessions by video and phone.

I’m Krista Edwards, a licensed clinician in California and Arizona with over 20 years of experience supporting children, teens, adults, and families through life’s challenges. Reaching out for therapy is a meaningful first step, and I’m here to provide a supportive space where healing, growth, and change can begin.

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I’m Taylor, a licensed therapist with six years of experience working with teens, young adults, children, and families. I aim to create a space where clients feel comfortable, understood, and able to show up as themselves without judgment. My approach combines Psychodynamic Therapy and CBT to help clients better understand their emotions, relationships, and patterns while also building practical coping skills. I often work with teens and young adults navigating anxiety, family or relationship stress, self-esteem issues, and major life transitions.

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I specialize in treating Anxiety, Depression, Resolving Relationship Challenges, ADHD, Autism Spectrum and Neurodiversity, and Issues related to Sexuality Diversity. I provide a warm skillful non-judgmental therapeutic relationship to explore your current life goals, assess your progress and identify adjustments and barriers. In the therapy work, we will design a plan forward that includes your specific emotional, physical and mental health needs. Taking into consideration your strengths and unique potential for change, the therapy will explore themes such as your self-narrative, capacity to communicate and understand your needs and desires and the quality of awareness and presence you want to experience in your life. Applying evidence-based tools and strategies, my treatment approach integrates psychoanalytic relational theory, DBT, AEDP and Somatic embodiment theory and practice. These foundational psychological treatment approaches comprehensively apply cutting edge cognitive and neuroscientific concepts to help inform the path through transformation and an overall sense of dynamic balance and well-being. You can expect to develop foundational observation skills to enhance self-awareness to improve your inner control of attention which will offer a range of new possibilities and choice points to contribute to your personal development. I will show you how to manage distressing emotions and learn effective strategies for interpersonal communication. By enhancing lateral thinking abilities for creative problem solving and executive functioning planning there are limitless opportunities to create the life you have envisioned for yourself. I am a parent of three children and a somatic embodiment enthusiast. I am aspiring oneironaut who seeks to explore and map the inner and outer atmospheric dimensions of experience. I obtained my Master's degree at California Institute for Integral Studies, a holistically oriented, progressive university based in San Francisco and I have been licensed 23+ years. I am currently completing my Ph.D. coursework at California Institute for Integral Studies in the Transformative Studies Department. My research interests include the phenomenological and hermeneutic dimensions of embodiment. I am an avid advocate for displacing human exceptionalism to elevate and advance our ethical responsibility towards the more-than-human co-experients that we share the Earth with.

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