Therapists for college students near UCLA

Thank you for stopping by! I'm Richard and trained in Narrative Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Clinical Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, and am a certified expert in Media and Medicine. Prior to attending Harvard Medical School, I was a Fellow and Positive PsychoIogy Division Member at Harvard/McLean Hospital/Institute of Coaching. I believe that you are the expert in your life story and have many hidden strengths that can be discovered to overcome obstacles and create positive outcomes. Taking the first step toward a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage, and I am here to support you in this discovery process of achieving optimum health. My prior experience as a producer’s assistant to Academy Award and Emmy Award winners along with working on Billion $ revenue generating productions allowed me to garner an understanding of the dreams and ambitions of wanting to get to the top, staying at the top, and balancing school/career/family/relationship demands. At times we may run into relationship problems or addictions when we strive to live up to personal and family obligations and expectations and want our share of success. When one side of the scale becomes heavier, it causes an imbalance. In order to bring balance back into lives, I provide CBT, Solution-focused, and Motivational Interviewing psychotherapy evidence-based practices with a humanistic perspective. I utilized my psychotherapeutic interventions with clients to assess, navigate goals, and help improve the lives of clients associated with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and the Los Angeles County Superior Court. My clients include Fortune 100 executives and program managers who are of diverse backgrounds. As a psychotherapist and performance psychology business coach, I have prior experience working with Emmy, BAFTA and Academy Award-winning production teams at Paramount, Universal and Miramax. My credits include Frasier (NBC), Rush Hour 2 (New Line Cinema), The Italian Job (Paramount), Tea with Mussolini (Universal), Life of Luxury (Glorious Art Entertainment), The Howard Stern Show (E! Entertainment), Emmy Awards (ABC), and uncredited writing of the original story treatment for Tropic Thunder (Dreamworks SKG). My contributions to the field of mental health as a clinician-researcher garnered a Los Angeles County Commendation for investigating group psychotherapy practices within the Los Angeles County Department of Probation. I have studied mindfulness behavior/integrative medicine at UCLA’s Mindfulness Awareness Resource Center. Helping you achieve optimum health is my goal. I provide psychotherapy to those who are seeking caring support, change, or improvement in their lives as individuals, couples, and families; wanting to establish stronger work, family, and/or team organizational objectives, assuaging anxious thoughts, depression, or stressors associated with life challenges. My expertise is working with clients presenting with anxiety, depression, substance abuse, school and career transitions, illnesses, family and marital issues, and co-occurring disorders.

Are you feeling worried, stressed and/or overwhelmed on a regular basis? Do you often put other people's wants and needs before your own? Do you experience self-doubt or struggle with low self-esteem that leads you to feel like your thoughts, feelings and opinions are not important? If this sounds like you, you are probably also experiencing burn-out, imposter syndrome, disconnection with your body/emotions, and/or significant life-changes. You want to feel a sense of calm and assurance that you can move through your day with ease. I would be honored to walk this journey alongside you. To hold space for you, to support you and remind you that you have all the tools to lead the life you envision for yourself. If this resonates with you, please feel free to reach out!

Heather Ward, MA, LMFT, PMH-C, is a licensed therapist with deep roots in college campus mental health, having provided counseling and wellness support across multiple higher education settings in the Los Angeles area. Trained at the University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education, Heather has worked at Pierce College, West LA College, and California State University, Northridge, where she managed large student caseloads, coordinated care with multidisciplinary campus teams, and developed workshops focused on building healthy relationships and emotional resilience. Heather brings a warm, collaborative style and a nonjudgmental presence to her work with students navigating depression, anxiety, identity shifts, and the pressures of academic life. She draws from attachment-based, psychodynamic, and mindfulness-oriented approaches to help clients build emotional regulation skills and strengthen their sense of self during pivotal life transitions. Earlier in her career, Heather also contributed to campus mental health from an administrative lens, developing and implementing strategic mental health and counseling initiatives at UCLA Extension — giving her a uniquely well-rounded perspective on how students are supported at an institutional level. Heather is committed to culturally sensitive, inclusive care and has experience supporting diverse student populations across community college and university settings.

My treatment approach is customized for each client, integrating multiple evidence-based techniques as needed. My small private practice allows me to see fewer clients and spend more time crafting your personalized, evolving treatment plan. Between sessions, I use research, expert consultations, and careful reflection to enhance your quality of care. I have personally benefited from and deeply believe in every method I use. I am supervised by Dr. Brandi Kulikov-Ramirez, MA, PhD, LMFT #134149.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

As a first-generation Filipino-American and the oldest child of immigrant parents, I am passionate about destigmatizing mental health. I believe people are inherently resilient but sometimes need space to tap into this resiliency. Providing this space drives my work, and I am grateful to witness my clients’ healing journeys. Therapy can be scary, so I strive to make the therapeutic space warm and safe by listening without judgment and having a calm presence. I truly believe in meeting my clients where they are at. I try to create an environment where my clients feel like they have control over what they share and how much they share. I believe my clients are the experts of their lives, while I have certain tools and knowledge to help them be the best version of themselves. My clients are the ones in the drivers seat and I strive to build trust at their pace. Sessions are collaborative and I consistently check in about how my clients are feeling about their overall progress in therapy.

The therapists at Blossom Wellness are licensed and trained to work with adult individuals struggling with college related anxiety, self-esteem, stress management, depression, burnout and more. Starting therapy takes courage, and finding the right therapist makes all the difference. Blossom Wellness makes is easier for clients to find a great therapist, without having to search endlessly online. Each therapist at Blossom Wellness is highly talented, takes great pride in the work they do, and are passionate about helping the clients they serve. I am confident that you will find the right fit for you!

Great to meet you! As a therapist, I believe that healing begins with understanding the full context of who we are—our cultures, identities, and lived experiences. I approach therapy through an intersectional and culturally responsive lens, recognizing how overlapping identities shape our challenges and strengths. In my work, I take a collaborative approach, partnering with clients and their support systems to foster meaningful and sustainable growth. My goal is to create an environment of trust, safety, and comfort, where you feel seen and supported as you explore your personal goals. Show more A bit about my approach to therapy My practice is grounded in evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), attachment theory, and somatic strategies that integrate mind and body awareness. I work with individuals navigating life stage transitions across the lifespan, helping them adapt, heal, and thrive through periods of change. What you can expect from our first session In our first meeting we will spend some time getting to know one another. After I've begun gaining an understanding of your goals and reasons for coming to therapy, we will work together to create a plan for how to approach those goals. We will define and refine them together, until you have a clear idea of what comes next! I am always open to feedback and collaboration, so I try to keep this process dynamic. Nothing is set in stone. We will work together to try to get you where you want to be.

With many years of experience in community and private practice, I am deeply inspired by the resilience of the human spirit and the courage it takes to seek growth and healing. My passion for mental health care stems from my understanding of how past experiences shape present relationships and behaviors. This perspective drives my commitment to helping individuals understand and transform the narratives that may leave them feeling overwhelmed. In our sessions, I create a warm, direct, and interactive environment where you feel truly heard and understood. By collaborating with you, I aim to normalize your experiences and empower you to lead the way in making the best decisions for your personal growth and self-development. Together, we’ll build a sustainable framework for mental health and coping skills to support a balanced and fulfilling life. Trust is the cornerstone of my approach. By honoring your unique story and meeting you with empathy and respect, I strive to foster a strong therapeutic alliance. Whether working with individuals, families, or communities facing challenges like trauma, substance abuse, or homelessness, my goal is to provide person centered care.

I always felt that I was called to help others. Growing up in South Los Angeles, I developed a sense of culture and community amongst Black and Brown people as well as a respect for the struggle. I grew up around artists, musicians, poets, leaders, givers, and eccentrics from all walks of life. During this time, I discovered how much I enjoyed listening to people, problem-solving, and motivating others to succeed and explore their authentic selves. I started off as a mentor in undergrad, inspiring other young people of color to attend college and think outside of the box in regards to their futures. I continued working with children, teens, and adults with special needs until I landed a position as an intern at a non-profit mental health agency in South Los Angeles. After I obtained my license as a marriage and family therapist, I continued to grow as a clinician, supervisor, and manager at the nonprofit while also taking on teen and adult clients in the private practice setting. My intake process is a free-flowing conversation where I provide a warm environment for you to feel comfortable opening up about yourself and what brings you to therapy. I used a standard intake questionnaire that can be filled out online and reviewed during the first session in order to assist with goal-setting and creating our therapy journey together. Progress is something that we agree upon collaboratively. I do give assignments as appropriate and depending on the goals we have established together. These assignments are not designed to feel like work but rather stepping stones to help you along on your quest for inner healing and positive change. I enjoy working with clients who want to grow and learn about themselves while tackling life's challenges.

A lot of the students I work with are thoughtful, driven, and hard on themselves. You might look like you have it together, but inside you’re stressed, burnt out, or quietly questioning everything. In our work together, we’ll slow things down, get curious about what’s going on, and build tools that help you feel more grounded and less overwhelmed. I’m warm, straightforward, and collaborative. Therapy with me is a supportive space to be yourself, feel understood, and make college life feel more manageable.

Sarah Emmanuelle Mairesse is a trilingual (English/Spanish/French) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist focused on healing mind, body and spirit. Sarah has been working in the mental health field since 2011 and earned her Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University and her undergraduate degree in Child Development from Cal State Los Angeles. Sarah began her clinical training at Hollywood Sunset Free Clinic serving the Silver Lake community working with adults, adolescents, couples, children and their families, helping them through various psychological struggles including Anxiety, ADD/ADHD, PTSD, Trauma, Loss, Depression, Insecure Attachment, Addictions, and using a variety of modalities including Inter family, Gestalt, Psycho-dynamic and Mindfulness CBT. Sarah is a trained trauma therapist that incorporates EMDR treatment which has been proven to help clients that are feeling stuck and want to reduce and deconstruct their underlying negative thoughts and feelings to more positive and adaptive ones. Sarah uses a humanistic, client centered approach and works in collaboration with her client’s to identify problems and explore issues interfering with their ability to feel fulfilled while supporting solutions that will improve their over all well being and unlock their innate highest potential. Sarah has worked with a range of cultures and backgrounds and is comfortable exploring issues of sexual, race and gender diversity/fluidity.

Welcome! I often support young adults and adults who feel stressed and overwhelmed by demands in life, many of whom tend to be at least somewhat perfectionistic. I have specialized training and experience in supporting people with college and career issues, setting and holding boundaries, dating and relationships, managing anxiety, social anxiety, OCD, skin-picking/hair-pulling, depression and postpartum anxiety/depression/OCD and parenting difficulties and existential issues. I often support sensitively-wired empathic clients in need of a kind gentle approach that is still direct and clear. Many of my clients do identify as Highly Sensitive (HSP), Neurodivergent (ADHDers and/or Autistic) and/or Empaths/Empathic. Please visit my website to learn more, and you are welcome to email me to schedule a free consultation call where I will be happy to answer any questions that you have.

Valencia Counseling is a culturally sensitive private practice providing comprehensive mental health services via telehealth in the state of California. Valencia Counseling is committed to assisting children, adults and families achieve their goals.

A lot of the students I work with are used to being the “responsible one”—the one who gets things done, shows up, and keeps it all together. But underneath that, there’s often a lot of pressure, overthinking, and a quiet feeling of “am I actually doing this right?” You might replay conversations in your head, feel torn between what you want and what’s expected of you, or notice it’s hard to relax without feeling guilty. Relationships can feel confusing too—wanting to be close, but also not wanting to be too much or not enough. If you grew up balancing different worlds, cultures, or expectations, you might not even be sure what your voice sounds like yet. In our work together, we make space to sort through all of that—so you can feel more like yourself, trust your decisions, and stop living on autopilot.

As a Black woman who is often seen as "having it all together," it may be challenging to admit that you are having a difficult time. You may automatically say that you are "good" or "well" when people ask how you are doing but know deep down that this is a mask of how you are really feeling. Recognizing and admitting to yourself about the mask is the first courageous step to getting support. Even though many of us have been told to not let our guard down by showing others that we do not have it all together or that only "crazy" people who do not look like us go for therapy (not true!), you know what you need for yourself.

Are you ready to make a change in your life? Is there a pattern you keep repeating in relationships that you want to let go of? Do you want to feel comfortable and happy in your own skin? Is your past affecting your present in debilitating ways you want to change? Your brain is naturally wired for change, the neuroplasticity in your brain allows you to form new neural connections breaking free of limiting beliefs. Therapy taps into this ability, and provides tangible skills for you to learn and connect to your own healing power. An experienced hand makes all the difference in healing and awakening to your best self. Specializing in trauma I’m holistic in my approach looking at the flow of energy in you as a whole being: Spirit, Mind, and Body. I interweave Mindfulness, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Attachment Focused Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (AF-EMDR) to fit your unique needs and together we take a journey to the possible.

I was drawn to becoming a therapist because I saw how meaningful it can be for people to have a safe, supportive space to talk openly and work through challenges. I really enjoy listening to others stories and helping them better understand themselves, their relationships, and their emotions so they can move toward positive change. I will work to make sure you feel heard and understood by really listening to you without judgement and taking your experiences seriously. I will reflect back what I am hearing to check that I’m understanding you accurately, and I will ask questions when I need more clarity rather than making assumptions. I also want you to know that your feedback matters, if at any point you feel misunderstood or something doesn’t sit right with you, I encourage you to tell me so we can adjust and make this space feel as safe and supportive as possible for you. Working together is very collaborative. We will move at a pace that feels comfortable for you, and we will focus on what matters most to you and what you would like to change or better understand about your life. Building trust takes time, and I see it as something we create together. I do that by being consistent, honest, respectful, and nonjudgmental, and by following through on what I say I will do. I will check in with you about how our work is going and invite your feedback so we can make sure this feels helpful and safe for you. My goal is for this to feel like a supportive partnership, where you can be open, ask questions, express concerns, and know that you are respected and taken seriously every step of the way.

Hello, I’m Kimberly G. Galindo, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) serving adolescents, adults, seniors, veterans, and Spanish-speaking individuals throughout California. I specialize in ADHD, anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma, mood disorders, and medication management. I am board-certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and earned my Master of Science in Nursing from Walden University. I provide compassionate, evidence-based psychiatric care through comprehensive evaluations, medication management, and supportive therapy. My goal is to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where patients feel heard, respected, and actively involved in their care. With over 20 years of healthcare experience in critical care, behavioral health, leadership, and patient advocacy, I believe in treating the whole person, not just the diagnosis. Together, we will develop a personalized treatment plan to support your mental wellness, resilience, and overall quality of life.

I was inspired to become a therapist because I’ve always believed in using your voice to strengthen what has been there underneath and to overcome challenges. Life can be very challenging and difficult to navigate, and you do not have to go through it alone-I am here for you. I entered this field because I am a true believer in being able to hold a safe space to talk about the difficulties that springs up in life. I always believed in being able to hear others, educate, and encourage resilience and being a therapist was a perfect way to offer these strengths. I enter each session with care, compassion and knowing that it can be very difficult to open up to another person and to be vulnerable. I want to reassure you that I am with you from the start to the end in our sessions and throughout this journey. I will actively listen, support, provide a non judgmental space and encourage advocacy and healing. I pay close attention to what is being shared, I will ask questions, clarify, and point out things “in the now” as they are happening, tuning in with your verbal and non verbal communication. I will meet you where you are with respect, attentiveness, being present and engaged. Together, we’ll create a space where your voice matters, your experiences are validated, and you can feel supported as you explore, heal, and grow. In our sessions you can trust I am fully present and no problem is too big to be talked about. I invite honest conversations knowing you are in a safe space that respects confidentiality at all times. Every journey is unique and it requires a unique approach and I am committed to using different evidence based treatment tailored to your needs. I take a holistic approach keeping in mind your culture, values, and life experiences. Our therapeutic alliance is important so I frequently check-in and encourage you to apply the skills learned to help you grow. I have seen through out my 11 years in the mental heath field the growth and healing that can come when someone is ready to take on this journey.