Therapists for college students near University of Southern California

Who I Work Best With: Most of my clients are people who've gotten really good at functioning — and really tired of it. You've probably figured out how to hold things together, stay busy, keep up. But something isn't working anymore. Maybe you're exhausted in a way you can't explain. Maybe you're finally asking questions you've been pushing down for years — about who you are, what you believe, how you want to love, or why your brain works the way it does. A lot of people I work with are navigating things like anxiety, depression, identity, relationships that don't fit a neat box, or a major life shift — faith deconstruction, a breakup, figuring out you're neurodivergent later in life. Some are just trying to get through the week without falling apart. If that's you, we'd probably work well together. What Working With Me Looks Like: I'm not going to sit quietly and just reflect things back at you. I'm also not the worksheet-and-homework type. My style is pretty collaborative and direct — I'll gently push back when I think it'll actually help, and I'll meet you where you are. I have 15 years of experience working with new parents and kids before becoming a therapist, which means I come in with a lot of real-world, people-first perspective. I also have personal experience with religious deconstruction — so if you're untangling a faith background or questioning things you were raised to believe, I genuinely get it, not just clinically. I work especially well with people who are neurodivergent, queer or questioning, in non-traditional relationships (like polyamory or ENM), or somewhere in the middle of a big life change. You don't have to have it figured out to reach out.

Feeling lost, anxious, overwhelmed, depressed, alone? Figuring out how you feel, what you want, or who you are is just plain difficult, especially in the world we're living in now. Add to that a difficult personal history and doing 'well' can feel nearly impossible. You don't have to carry this all on your own. I became a therapist through my work in the arts and teaching meditation. I help clients develop a healthy inner life, relate to others deeply, and find meaning in their lives. My approach is relational, psychodynamic, Buddhist-based, and creative. My specialties include relationship issues, life transitions, grief, anxiety, depression, and existential dilemmas. I work with individual adults, couples, and facilitate interpersonal process groups. If you’re struggling with relationship issues: connecting with yourself or with others, experiencing grief, anxiety, or depression, or suffering through an existential dilemma, please reach out.

I work best with students who might look like they have it together on the outside, but inside feel anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck. You might be dealing with school stress, burnout, relationship challenges, family conflict, or navigating individuation and identity as you figure out who you are and what you want. You may also be going through a big life transition. If you’re someone who wants a space to actually talk things through, feel understood, and also learn tools to manage what’s coming up day-to-day, we’ll likely be a good fit.

I became a therapist because I want to help people become their best selves. I always want to help you feel understood, safe, and supported, in a completely non-judgmental space, especially if these things are already lacking in your life. You should know that you can talk to me without fear of judgement and that I care about you, and all of my clients. I have experience with both children and adults. All ages are welcome! I make an effort to meet clients where they are and ask what they hope to gain from their time with me. I try to build trust by taking a nonjudgmental approach of positive regard for all my clients. I will tailor my approach to the situation and to what the client wants. For some that will mean more empathetic listening, for others it may mean more praise, positive feedback, coping skills, increasing awareness, reframing a situation or a certain level of coaching. I find that everyone is different and has different needs, so I adjust my approach accordingly. Thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope to see you soon!

I am inspired to work in mental health to build rapport with members and to help members identify, process, and heal from mental health symptoms and trauma. I am inspired to help members harness their inner voice and help them to improve self-worth as well as to help them change their narratives to a positive outlook in life. I ensure members are heard by bringing in empathy, demonstrating unconditional positive regard, triaging and creating collaborate treatment goals that members are amenable to work on, employ active listening, and show reflective listening. I build trust with storytelling, to start where the member is at, to not judge member, and to ask clarifying questions to get their lived experiences. I implement miracle questions, Socratic questioning, and provide homework assignments for accountability.

Greetings and welcome to my professional profile. I am committed to providing exceptional care with a focus on individual needs. My medical career has spanned the challenging environment of acute psychiatric care to the compassionate realm of family health services. As a Nurse Practitioner, my approach involves a comprehensive understanding of your health. I meticulously compile your medical history and conduct thorough examinations to ensure we address all aspects of your well-being. Interpreting laboratory tests and devising customized care plans are among my core competencies. My proficiency extends to minor surgical procedures and advanced diagnostic evaluations, collaborating with physicians to deliver seamless care. My capabilities also include remote consultations for an array of healthcare institutions, where I oversee laboratory analyses, medication management, and coordinate referrals to specialists as necessary. I am adept at performing in-depth health assessments during home visits, ensuring continuity of care and clear communication with your primary healthcare provider. My nursing experience encompasses both the fast-paced medical-surgical settings and the intensive care required in psychiatric wards, where I have provided direct patient care and leadership to healthcare teams. Reflecting on my earlier career in the Philippines, I gained valuable experience in anesthesia and served as a proactive community health officer, implementing vital health initiatives and providing direct patient care. I am dedicated to imparting knowledge that empowers you to make informed decisions regarding your healthcare. Patient safety is my foremost priority; I am vigilant in identifying potential risks and implementing necessary interventions without delay. I invite you to consider me as your healthcare ally. Let us collaborate professionally to achieve optimal health outcomes for you.

My journey into the field of mental health began with a deep seated passion for understanding human behavior and relationships. Through my exposure to stories of resilience and recovery shared by individuals who had benefited from therapy and my own personal journey into healing, I became inspired to pursue a career in marriage and family therapy, where I could make a tangible impact on people’s lives by helping them to navigate complex emotional and interpersonal issues. The opportunity to facilitate positive change and foster healthy relationships is what ultimately inspires and motivates me every day and for the past decade that I have been helping individuals and couples. Throughout my career I have been privileged to work with diverse populations and have built an earnest interest to the importance of cultural sensitivities. To ensure that you feel heard and understood, I prioritize creating a safe and non-judgmental space where you can express yourself freely. Active listening is at the core of my practice-I pay close attention to verbal and no-verbal cues, which allows me to grasp the nuances of your experiences. I strive to maintain an open dialogue to help you remain encouraged to communicate openly about your thoughts and feelings. By showing empathy and providing feedback tailored to your specific situations, I can align my therapeutic approach to fit your unique needs. My therapeutic approach is integrative, blending evidence-based practices such as DBT, Attachment-based, EFT, Trauma-informed, Schema Therapy, Somatic psychotherapy, Humanistic, Existential and Narrative. Building trust and a solid therapeutic alliance is fundamental to successful therapy. I begin by establishing rapport from the very first session, showing genuine care and concern for your well-being. Transparency is key-I clearly outline the therapy process and encourage questions, which helps demystify what therapy entails and sets mutual expectations. consistency, reliability and collaboration in our interactions further reinforce trust in the process. By maintaining confidentiality and showing respect for boundaries we can cultivate a confidential and supportive environment. I aspire to involve you in setting therapy goals and developing strategies while reinforcing your agency in our journey together. Through consistency, empathy, and active collaboration, I aim to build a lasting partnership that supports your healing journey. Lic # 132196

Hi, I'm Dr. Serena. I help clients who are struggling with anxieties and self-doubt by exploring what's getting in the way, where the fears are coming from, and how your existing strengths can help shift you out of feeling stuck. This might look like mix of using what is working for you with creating new strategies. I also consider how family expectations, values, and culture play a role in how you are trying to show up at school as well as in your relationships. I use my experience in providing couples therapy to help individuals figure out what they want, how to communicate that effectively, and navigate conflict so that you can feel seen and supported by the people in your life. Want to see if we are a good fit? Schedule a 15min consultation call on my booking website: https://serena-galloway.clientsecure.me . I'll answer your questions and we can set up virtual sessions that fit your schedule. I look forward to hearing from you 🌻

The human mind is a fascinating place. I am constantly in awe of how deeply intricate and nuanced it is. I know that for many of us it doesn’t always feel this way. The hardships of life can, over time, make the mind into an unpleasant, stressful, and even terrifying place. My goal is to help make therapy, and the journey of exploring and understanding your mind, a less daunting process. I want to join you and guide you in peeling back the layers, making sense of the chaos, and finding safety and peace in your mind. For me, the key ingredient to effective therapy is curiosity. I want you to not only feel that I am listening to you, but that I am interested in what you have to say. I work to create a therapeutic environment where you feel that we are working collaboratively to understand the difficulties in your life, and to identify what you need to feel more capable and fulfilled. My style of therapy focuses on accessing and exploring the wisdom that already exists in your mind and nervous system, and interpreting it in the context of your past and present experiences. Nothing is more important in the therapy process than the relationship between therapist and client. Little can be accomplished in terms of exploring and understanding your mind unless you feel some degree of trust and safety with your therapist. I understand that trust needs to be earned, and that a sense of safety takes time to develop. I strive to nurture these by prioritizing consistency and honesty in all of our interactions. I want you to know and feel, above all, that I am on your side, and to have a clear understanding of the work we are doing together.

A major inspiration for me was my five years as a Director of Programs for a Los Angeles nonprofit, where I supported youth and young adults transitioning out of foster care, as well as those recovering from trafficking situations. Through that work, I saw how powerful it is when people feel truly seen, heard, and supported. I was especially drawn to helping young people and families navigate complex emotions and relationships. That experience led me to become a therapist so I could continue supporting children, families, and couples in building stronger connections, healing, and growth. My approach is very client-centered, which means I focus on creating a space where you feel safe, respected, and able to be yourself. I listen closely, reflect back what I’m hearing, and check in often to make sure I’m understanding your experience accurately. Whether I’m working with a child, a couple, or a family, I make sure each person feels included, valued, and supported. I also integrate creativity and flexibility into sessions, because not everyone expresses themselves best through words alone. Working together is collaborative—you are the expert on your life. My role is to support and guide you. With couples and families, that often means helping improve communication, strengthen relationships, and create a deeper understanding of one another. With children, I may incorporate play, art, or creative activities to help them express themselves in ways that feel natural and comfortable. Trust is built over time through consistency, openness, and respect. I show up authentically, follow through, and create a nonjudgmental space where you can share at your own pace. I also invite feedback so we can adjust our work together in a way that feels most helpful to you. I love incorporating creativity into my own life—I’m always exploring new art activities or creative projects. I often bring that energy into sessions, especially with kids and families, because it can make the process feel more engaging and even a little fun at times.

Melanie invites you to explore and embrace all the parts of who you are, recognizing that your intersecting identities shape your experiences and the way you interact with the world. She takes a thoughtful, down-to-earth, and at times, direct approach that blends working toward meaningful goals with staying present. With warmth, honesty, and just the right dose of humor, she creates a space where you feel safe enough to risk vulnerability. You might benefit from working with Melanie if: - You're facing a big change, like a breakup, a move, a new job, or a loss, and feeling untethered. - You've achieved a lot, but continue to be plagued by anxiety, depression, burnout, and self-doubt. - You're an athlete, artist, or high performer, whose inner life doesn't match your outer success. - You're processing trauma or childhood experiences that still impact you today. - You want support managing stress, emotion dysregulation, and executive dysfunction. - You're tired and frustrated by not getting what you want out of your relationships. - You wish you could set appropriate boundaries, find the words to articulate the internal workings of your mind, and have the confidence to express your needs.​

Experiencing genuine empathy in my own life deeply shaped the therapist I am today. I know firsthand how powerful it is to feel truly seen, heard, and understood. That experience inspires me to offer the same compassionate space to every person I work with. In our work together, you will be met with warmth, curiosity, and respect—never judgment. I believe healing begins in a safe relationship where you can explore your thoughts, emotions, and patterns at your own pace. Therapy is not about “fixing” you; it is about supporting you in reconnecting with your authentic self. Life’s transitions, grief, stress, and uncertainty can feel overwhelming, yet they can also open the door to growth. Together, we will gently explore the coping strategies and protective patterns that have helped you survive, while discovering new ways to move forward with greater clarity, resilience, and self-compassion. My hope is to create a welcoming space where you can breathe deeply, feel supported, and step into meaningful change with confidence.

Are you tired of the same old patterns and anxiety holding you back in life? Perhaps you know what your goals are and you would like to gain some more insight and coping skills as you work towards them. You've been putting a lot of pressure on yourself and now you're wanting support as you figure things out. You’re realizing it’s time to take care of you. You are motivated and ready for a change. I'm here to help - I do my best to understand you and support you along your journey of living intentionally and wholeheartedly. I get that you want to feel confident about yourself and your decisions. You want to let go of unhealthy patterns, regain a sense of control and have some balance in your life. You’re ready to find love, peace, and acceptance, not only with others but with yourself. You want to reconnect with your partner and form an even stronger bond and relationship. I offer a nonjudgmental and safe space to help you work through life’s challenges and achieve your goals. I am passionate about my work in helping individuals and couples. I believe we all have the potential to heal and live our best lives. Reach out for a free phone consultation today- I look forward to hearing from you.

You may understand your patterns—people-pleasing, self-criticism, or struggles with food—but still feel stuck. I help you work through the deeper patterns driving these experiences so you can feel less shame and build a stronger sense of self-worth.

Everyone thinks you’ve got it all figured out. On the outside, you're doing great... But inside? You’re overwhelmed, exhausted, and barely keeping it together. The pressure to succeed, to be perfect, to have a plan is nonstop. You’re constantly overthinking, overcommitting, and overextending yourself just to stay afloat. It’s not sustainable. You might feel disconnected from your friends, your goals, even yourself. It’s like you’re stuck in survival mode, and deep down, you know there has to be more to life than just pushing through. If you’ve been through hard things in the past, they may still be showing up in your present quietly shaping how you see yourself and how you react to the world. Trauma has a way of doing that. It can plant seeds of self-doubt that show up in everything: your confidence, your relationships, your sense of belonging. With EMDR therapy, we’ll get to the root of those patterns so they stop running the show. EMDR helps your nervous system feel safe again, so you can respond to life instead of reacting out of fear or stress. When we reprocess those painful experiences, the memories lose their grip and you start to feel lighter, more grounded, and more at ease in who you are. Real change is possible. You can feel better. You can feel like yourself again. Let’s take the first step together. Call me for a free consultation.

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.

I work best with students who are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or unsure of themselves while navigating school, relationships, work, or major life changes. You might be holding a lot together on the outside while feeling emotionally drained or stuck on the inside. If you’re looking for therapy that feels warm, supportive, and collaborative—where you can go at your own pace—we may be a good fit.

My experience working directly with students in school settings has been the most meaningful and rewarding part of my professional journey. I found that I connect naturally with students and genuinely enjoy supporting their emotional, social, and academic growth. Because of my passion for this work, I consistently sought out additional opportunities to work with students and often exceeded the minimum requirements in order to gain more experience supporting them. In my work with students, I focus on providing simple, practical, and easy-to-apply tools that help them successfully reach the goals we set together in session. I strive to create a supportive and encouraging environment where students feel heard, understood, and empowered. I make it a priority to ensure they know they have someone in their corner at all times, and I approach my role as both a strong supporter and advocate for their well-being and success.

I support clients who are navigating ADHD, OCD, anxiety, and depression, and I integrate practical strategies for emotional regulation, motivation, and executive functioning. Sessions with me may include skill-building, mindset shifts, medication support when beneficial, and space to process your experiences at your own pace.

Navigating different life transitions is challenging and often a struggle to work through on your own. it can be difficult to manage emotions, relationships, stress, and other mental health concerns. I want to support you in becoming the best version of yourself and provide a safe space for you to explore your identity. I have experience working with a wide range of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, AD/HD, Autism, family conflict, and social issues. I use a culturally sensitive approach to work with those who are struggling with emotional expression and internal motivation. Through a holistic approach, I aim to help clients in managing emotions and building coping skills to overcome personal challenges. My interventions often focus on identifying and validating feelings, self acceptance, self care, and life balance. My goal is to guide clients in building self confidence and supporting them on their journey. Together, we will use your strengths to make meaningful change in your life. I’m looking forward to supporting your growth and self discovery!