Therapists for college students near University of Pennsylvania

The families and students who thrive in my practice often arrive seeking support for the very real challenges they face—challenges that can feel isolating, overwhelming, or misunderstood in other settings. Many of my clients are navigating: Autism and the need for a more affirming, strength-based approach that values neurodiversity. ADHD and the daily push-pull of focus, impulsivity, and emotional intensity. The lingering effects of trauma, where safety, trust, and connection need to be rebuilt. Executive function struggles that impact school, home routines, and relationships. Emotional regulation challenges, especially when big feelings lead to big reactions. A deep desire to improve family communication, but feeling stuck in old patterns. What they share is not just the presence of these challenges—but also a commitment to change, a curiosity about their own growth, and families who want to better understand and support one another. In our work together, we don’t just manage behaviors—we build insight, confidence, and skills. We make space for emotional expression, teach tools that empower independence, and strengthen co-regulation and communication across the whole family system.

Everything is energy and energy connects everything. Our practice combines mindfulness based cognitive therapy, meditation and other eclectic stress reduction techniques to bring clarity and meaning to your environment. We teach you how to be intentional with your thoughts, the power of the breath, creating your reality, and overcoming obstacles simply by resetting & re-centering your emotions. Shaakira is a Licensed Practitioner in the State of Pa with over twenty years experience in Behavioral Health. Her modality is Holistic Therapy which supports the aligment of Mind (Mental Health), Body, (Physical Health), Emotional and Spiritual, Ailments is not a isolated problem, an imbalance in one aspect of self causes distress in the other. This practice brings a harmonious alignment to all elements of a person With a Dual Masters in Social Work and Public Health, Shaakira is trained to examine the entire person including family dynamics, the effects of trauma, socialization, ecology, and environment. Her innovative techniques combines cognitive behavior therapy with mindfulness, introspective activities, metaphysics and of course holistic practices. As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional she will treat the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder while educating you on the effects of chronic stress on the body and mind. Her prescription is meditation and self awareness, to dig into layers of stored emotions and to challenge cognitive distortions and limiting beliefs. In addition, as a Board Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, Shaakira can offer guided hypnosis to facilitate awareness of the subconscious mind. "There is no Greater Agony than Bearing an Untold Story Inside You."- Maya Angelou At Synchronicity we take a deeper look at every auspice of life. Our approach is rooted in Eastern Philosophy and we believe everything in life has meaning and is connected. Together, we look at all aspects of limiting beliefs, unconscious trauma, and socilized attachments to create a individualized treatment modality to simply bring alignment into your life. Our goal for you is to: Be Brave, Be Magical & Be Well!

Greetings on your journey into finding a therapist. In these times of great uncertainty, I hope to be a helpful resource as you move toward a more peaceful, satisfying, and fulfilling life! My focus is on treating struggles related to anxiety and depression, isolating and self-injurious behaviors, family conflict, relationship distress, divorce and co-parenting, and life transitions. In therapy sessions, you will enter a warm and accepting refuge, where emotional safety and deep acceptance will be found. I look forward to meeting you!

I am a warm, affirming, non-judgmental psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience, and I work with an interactive, relational, humanistic, strengths-based, trauma-informed, and transparent approach. I believe that people have the innate capacity to heal and change. We will work together to develop a deeper understanding of your life goals and perspectives, so that we can custom-tailor techniques to make your life most meaningful for you. We will work together toward resolving life challenges by identifying your personal strengths, coping strategies, and by helping you to see things in your life from a different lens. I exclusively offer tele-therapy (phone and zoom video sessions for individuals, couples/relationships and families). I support individuals and couples as they work through a range of challenges and life situations including: school-related stressors, anxiety, new and changing relationships, life transitions, explorations of identity, school/college life adjustment, illness, fertility treatments/ART, donor conceived individuals, adoption, parenting, care givers, communication issues. I work with the LGBTQ+ community, and provide gender-affirming support for transgender & non-binary individuals. I am an LGBTQ+ and neurodiversity/neurodivergence affirming therapist. I am licensed to practice with people in the following states: NY, NJ, PA, RI, ID, VT, SC, FL, DE. My practice is 100% telehealth.

When many people begin therapy, they don't know where to start. That is totally normal and no one I see needs to have all the answers right now. The people I work with often are going through a tough transition, experiencing stress at school, struggling with feelings of anxiety or depression, or they may have had something really distressing happen to them. Often, they may be noticing patterns of avoidance, procrastination, and self-shaming. Sometimes they're also experiencing stress in their relationships. Whatever is happening, I honor how challenging the process of reaching out for support can be, and I am here to help by working together with those who come to my practice. I specialize in attachment based EMDR therapy, which is incredibly useful for addressing distressing events (in the past or present); chronic stress, severe anxiety, and feeling like you are "stuck" on an issue that just doesn't seem to go away. It can also help resolve old wounds that are impacting current relationships. I'm here to help make the process of beginning therapy easier and help create a sense of safety by collaborating with you to address your needs. I also respect that paying for therapy can be complicated. To help, I offer a service where I can submit billing info to a service that files documentation with your insurance company for out-of-network reimbursements. If eligible, you may be able to receive a portion of your money back for therapy, making payment easier. I am also able to check to see if you're eligible for reimbursement. If you are a student in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Florida, the next step is to email or call me today. I look forward to connecting!

My name is Taylor and I am a licensed clinical social worker in Philly. I have been in the mental health field and an individual therapist for over 5 years and have experience working with folks of all different backgrounds and identities. I identify as lesbian/gay/queer, use she/her pronouns, and am White. I specialize in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and also love providing person-centered therapy. I'm trained in several trauma treatments (Prolonged Exposure and DBT-PE), however haven't provided these via telehealth yet - though it's something I'm willing to explore if you are! Working with college and graduate students is something I'm passionate about because I know how difficult it can be to go through life's transitions, not know who you are and who you want to be, and balance school, friends, and work. Whether you're just out of high school, returning from some time off, or changing careers, I'm here to support you through those life transitions. While most of my availability is in the evenings, I can be flexible and offer time during a lunch break or weekends, if needed. I do not accept insurance, however can provide a letter for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Text or email is best to reach me. I look forward to hearing from you!

Alex Kapnek, LPC, is an LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist who specializes in working with neurodivergent clients navigating trauma, addiction, and emotional dysregulation. They bring a compassionate and collaborative approach to therapy, offering personalized care for those who have found that traditional talk therapy “just wasn’t working.” Their work invites curiosity, safety, and authentic connection—creating a space where clients can feel truly seen and supported in their growth. Drawing from somatic and cognitive approaches, Alex integrates modalities such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness-based practices, as well as specialized training in sex and love addiction and chemsex recovery. Their sessions emphasize grounding in the body and cultivating awareness, helping clients develop deeper self-understanding and sustainable coping strategies. With over a decade of experience in trauma recovery and addiction treatment, including three years working at an inpatient facility specializing in trauma and sex addiction, Alex supports clients in building resilience, reducing emotional reactivity, and living with greater clarity and self-compassion. Their therapeutic philosophy centers on the belief that healing happens in relationship—through trust, openness, and the courage to face what’s been avoided. Alex offers 60-minute telehealth sessions so you can fit therapy into your busy schedule. They also provides a free phone consultations to help prospective clients explore whether working together feels like the right fit.

Hi. I know it can be scary reaching out for help, especially if it's the first time that you've done so. I will make it as easy as possible. We will go at your pace and I will not judge you. I work best with students who are bright and motivated and want to be an active participant in the process of change.

Do you feel like your unwanted thoughts are taking over your life? Are you a struggling and frustrated individual who feels like giving up? Have you lost all hope in your life? Are you struggling in college? At work? Does it feel like you are falling apart? Do you feel anxious and weary? Are your unwanted childhood memories interrupting your productivity? Meet with Heloise Ridley, EdD, MBA, MA, LPC, NCC: I support adults struggling to connect with others, establish healthy boundaries, or communicate within their current relationships due to early childhood trauma. I utilize a trauma-informed, culturally attuned lens to support you as a client with unconditional regard and occasional humor. Based upon your needs and preferences as a client, my clinical orientation can include a blend of AEDP, family systems, trauma-healing, strengths-based, and narrative therapy. I strive to provide a “no judgement zone” for you as clients to pursue your healing. I believe I serve as a cheerleader in your journey towards new hope and resilience.

I am a passionate Licensed Social Worker in the state of Pennsylvania. I have years of direct experience working with diverse populations within community outpatient mental health clinics, the criminal justice system, eating disorder facilities, and working with those struggling with co-occurring disorders. My goal is to empower individuals to develop the confidence and skills to help improve their overall quality of life. My approach is to make you feel comfortable, safe, seen, heard, and validated. I recognize the importance of meeting you where you are at and I will be here to help guide and support you. Starting therapy might feel intimidating, so I acknowledge how hard it may feel to reach out and take that first step. But I hope you find the value in beginning this journey. Let’s connect and see if it’s a good fit!

My approach in working with clients is to explore and understand their psychological experiences. In addition, I use psychoeducation and neuroeducation to help clients intellectually understand why they are experiencing what they are experiencing, then collaborate on an actionable plan to change undesired behaviors and thought patterns. I incorporate mind-body interventions to help clients manage their symptoms. ​ My therapeutic approach is evidence-based & integrative. I have extensive trainings and experience in trauma therapy & dialectical behavioral therapy.

I specialize in working with individuals in their 20s and 30s who are experiencing challenges in their lives or just trying to understand themselves better.

I am a lover of liminal spaces. To me, the liminal, the “in-between”, is a space of great possibility. It lies at the edge of certainty and uncertainty. It beckons us to drop what we think we know and be with what is actually present. My identities and life experiences give me a sense of being “in-between.” I’m a gender fluid, Puerto Rican person who grew up in the diaspora. I grew up in a military family and spent my childhood moving from place to place. As an adult, I continued to move, spending years living and working in the Pacific Islands and Latin America. I explore liminal spaces in my exploration of fiber art, as well as in my music. I love to create new combinations of seemingly opposing elements, whether that is an innovative way of weaving or creating a folksy version of a salsa song. As a therapist, my “in-between” experiences reinforce my belief that when we can stay present in the place of flux, of uncertainty, then change and transformation is possible. I have spent over 8 years providing somatic, present-moment focused, and intuitive psychotherapy to survivors of sexual violence, sexual abuse and individuals experiencing grief. I combine extensive training in Gestalt therapy, Internal Family Systems, psychedelic-assisted therapy and mindfulness-based interventions to aid clients in creating lives they love. My activism and commitment to social justice come to bear in years of experience in community mental health. I believe that personal healing is bound in collective healing, that we are all threads in the larger tapestry of life. Through my practice, I aim to empower individuals to invest in their wholeness, health, and joy, recognizing that we are all the medicine we need.

I am a psychiatric nurse practitioner with Fine Tune Psychiatry. Our practice offers both in-person and virtual appointments, although my current schedule only accommodates virtual appointments. I have over 10 years of experience helping adult clients with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and other mental health conditions. I strive to create a collaborative environment where we can work together to meet your treatment needs and goals.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I am passionate about helping individuals and couples grow and thrive, improving communication, working through trauma, and identifying and achieving goals. I understand that seeking therapy can be daunting, but there is hope. Whether you are experiencing relationship issues, trauma, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, low self-esteem, grief/loss, larger existential exploration or questions of identity, you don't have to work through it alone.

Throughout the journey of a woman’s life there are many emotional shifts and challenges. Are you going through a difficult life event and feeling like it would help to have more support? Are you looking to learn ways to increase your emotional wellness, resolve conflicts, and feel more secure in your relationship with yourself and others? This practice is open and inclusive to all.

We all hope to be happy, feel fulfilled, be at peace and enjoy our days. We want to feel that our life has meaning and purpose and we strive for that in our relationships and other areas of life. We want to be free from chronic worry, negative thinking, disturbing emotions, painful memories, and behaviors and relationships that interfere with peace in the present moment and beyond. Suffering is a part of life--it is inevitable. Healing is about moving through and beyond suffering and limitation, transforming pain and suffering into personal power. Our focus will be to move fully into a happy and fulfilling life, whatever that might mean to you.

Dr. Apraku is welcoming new patients for video appointments. As a Board-certified M.D. psychiatrist, she specializes in providing psychiatric diagnostic assessments and treatment recommendations for anxiety, depression, OCD and bipolar disorder. Dr. Apraku also gives guidance for mental health concerns related to life transitions, mood swings, anger and traumatic events. As a holistic provider, her focus is on medication management (including for patients wishing to decrease reliance on medication) in combination with extensive psycho-education and referral to a trusted therapist where appropriate. Effective psychiatry requires a relationship between patient and provider founded on trust and mutual understanding. Dr. Apraku's goal is to build such long-lasting relationships to get your mental health as good as it can be. She has a particular interest in treating young adults with non-traditional backgrounds, including racial minorities. Through secure video, Dr. Apraku can treat anyone located in state. The practice does not bill insurance carriers directly but instead provides a superbill which patients may use to claim out-of-network benefits. New patients are welcome to self-schedule their first appointment directly at apraku.com/book. We look forward to working with you!

I use a humanistic, person-centered approach, utilizing a trauma-informed perspective. I strongly believe in the counselor-individual relationship, and feel a person's experiences influence their outlook and approach to the world. Through this approach, I feel individuals have the potential to grow if they have the support and environment to do so.