Therapists for college students near University of Southern California

I am a licensed Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) trained in medication management and supportive therapy. I completed a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz. I then went on to complete a second Bachelor of Science in Nursing and subsequent Master of Science in Nursing specializing as a PMHNP at California State University, Los Angeles. I have experience in working in mental health research and both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings, assisting in the care of diverse group of clients across the lifespan. I am inspired to work in mental health by being a meaningful part of people’s journeys to become happy, healthy, and informed. I encourage a collaborative approach, working together with clients to create a treatment plan geared towards their mental health goals. I place an emphasis on psychoeducation related to mental health disorders and medication options to ensure that clients feel empowered to pursue treatment choices that are in line with their priorities. All psychiatry providers at Foresight have specialized experience in treating a wide range of common mental health conditions, including but not limited to ADHD, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, depression, and PTSD. In addition, I specialize in the following areas: academic stress, benzodiazepine tapering, BIPOC mental health issues, deprescribing, geriatric psychiatry, LGBTQIQ2s+ mental health, trauma-informed care, addiction psychiatry/dual diagnosis, anger management, chronic illness, first responders, grief, men’s issues, pregnancy, prenatal, postpartum, transgender care

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 20 years of experience working with adults with depression, anxiety, work stress, self esteem and relationship issues.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I became a clinical counselor because I believe healing begins when someone feels authentically heard. Life can be incredibly loud, leaving us feeling disconnected from what matters the most. I provide a quiet, attentive space dedicated to your voice and your experiences. Whether you’re facing uncertainty or deep challenges, my goal is to ensure you feel fully understood and supported during life transitions. I believe the therapeutic relationship is important and I foster transparency in my work. I seek to have genuine curiosity to collaborate in having clients identify connections in thought process, emotions, and behaviors. This process is your journey, and you are the expert on your own life. I follow your lead, respecting the pace that feels right for you. This collaborative approach ensures that our work together is grounded in safety, dignity, and a shared sense of purpose. If it rains during our session, I might look out a window for a second because that ‘rain smell’ is my favorite.

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.

Hello, My name is Lisa Chester-Schyman and I'm an LMFT practicing in Los Angeles, California. I provide a safe and compassionate environment to support you in your life journey and its many challenges. Through our work together you will develop a deeper understanding of yourself, which will allow you to navigate your life with more ease, manage stress, change and transitions, and live a life filled with meaning. Together we will explore your true nature and I will support you to find more comfort in your life by teaching you tools to overcome obstacles to your emotional well-being. Our collaboration will allow you to move through the more challenging times in your life with a greater sense of ease. I work with adults, teens, and adolescents. I specialize in grief and loss, relational issues, transition and trauma. I believe the relationship between a client and therapist is essential in creating personal healing. I nurture a trusting relationship where you will feel safe to explore your thoughts and feelings without any judgment. From this safe place we will explore what coping mechanisms will best help you and I will help guide you through. I would love to help you on your journey especially during this very difficult time in life and the world. Looking forward to working with you.

I went into psychology to address what I believe is a growing imbalance of work/life stress and personal guilt in modern day society. I want to help clients struggling with this both individually and as couples or families. Experiences from past careers has given me an appreciation for diverse learning methods and cultural attitudes, as well as how to be flexible and creative in my coaching with clients of all ages. Managing the ups and downs of any chronic condition is the unacknowledged full-time job of millions of people, and yet there is little credit given for it. I am here to be supportive, inventive, encouraging, and sympathetic to clients struggling with the ongoing stress of managing their lives, and help them lead an enjoyable life no matter what they may be handling. I believe that when people connect, lives get better. I have always been an advocate for others’ growth, and enjoy helping people gain insight into themselves and their world. As a marriage and family therapist, I help individuals address elements of their lives and themselves that are interfering with their relationships. As an individual therapist, I focus on unlocking and identifying core motivations and strengths in clients that are unique to them, and which often provide clients with the direction or guidance they are seeking. My psychotherapy practice is tailored to give clients exactly the kind of supportive opportunity they need to focus inward, realign with their personal needs, and heal from stress as they learn to manage it. I have a warm communication style that clients describe as encouraging, analytical, and direct. I use a Cognitive Behavioral approach, with elements of Emotionally Focused Therapy to explore deeper memories, and Solution-Focused principles to create measurable progress between sessions.

I am here to help you negative life’s ups and downs with understanding, practical tools, and care because I understand what it means to struggle and need that person along your journey. Whatever you’re facing, I’d be honored to walk alongside you as you find your way. My approach is all about balance. I focus on understanding your emotions and unique journey, while also helping you take meaningful steps forward. I believe in creating a safe, welcoming space where you can feel heard and supported as you rediscover your strengths and sense of agency. I’m mindful of all aspects that make you who you are, and I’m here to help you find clarity, connection, and confidence on your path.

I am a PMHNP who graduated from Cal State LA’s MSN program. I have experience working in phase 1 and 2 clinical research helping develop new medicines for mental health patients. I also have my own family history of mental health issues. My ability to connect with my patients deeply inspires me to keep working in this field. I get to know every patient’s background, lifestyle, relationships, occupations, hobbies, stressors, and medication history very thoroughly to develop a holistic approach to create a plan with the patient to ensure effective care.

I am double-board certified; Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I am also A Reiki / Karuna Practitioner and Healing Touch Practitioner. I am currently taking one year course in Compassionate Inquiry which a therapy approach addressing root causes of trauma and addictions. I guide patients to connect with their strengths to empower them and install hope as well as witness their healing process, growth, and transformation. These have been the most rewarding and inspiring aspects of working in mental health care. Since every patient is an unique individual, I approach each patient holistically, as the whole including their physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental body.

College can be exciting, but also overwhelming. If you’re feeling anxious, down, or stuck in your relationships, you’re not alone and support is available. I help students work through challenges like anxiety, depression, and relationship stress in a safe, laid-back space where you can be yourself. I take a whole-person approach to healing, focusing on the connection between mind, body, and soul. Together, we’ll build on your strengths and help you feel more balanced, empowered, and in control of your life. My goal is to support your growth, help you feel heard, and walk with you through whatever you’re facing.

From the very first meeting, I approach each client with a deep respect for their lived experience and an understanding that beginning therapy can feel both vulnerable and courageous. My intention in that initial session is to create a space that feels grounded, collaborative, and nonjudgmental, where clients can begin to share at their own pace. I focus on listening carefully, asking thoughtful questions, and gaining a holistic understanding of what brings them in, while also attending to their strengths, values, and hopes for change. Establishing a sense of safety and trust is central, as I view the therapeutic relationship itself as a meaningful foundation for growth. My path toward becoming a therapist was shaped by a longstanding curiosity about human behavior, emotional resilience, and the ways people make meaning of their experiences. Over time, this curiosity evolved into a commitment to supporting others through life’s challenges in a purposeful and compassionate way. I have been particularly inspired by witnessing how individuals can develop insight, shift patterns, and reconnect with their sense of agency when provided with the right support. This work continues to be deeply meaningful to me, as it allows me to walk alongside clients as they navigate change, cultivate self-understanding, and move toward greater well-being. I approach the development of trust and a strong therapeutic alliance as an intentional, ongoing process grounded in consistency, transparency, and genuine attunement. I prioritize active listening and strive to understand the client’s experience from their perspective, reflecting both content and emotion to communicate empathy and validation. I am mindful to move at a pace that feels comfortable for the client, recognizing that trust develops over time and cannot be rushed. Ultimately, I view the therapeutic alliance as the foundation of effective therapy, and I remain committed to fostering a relationship in which clients feel seen, heard, and empowered throughout their process. One personal detail I sometimes share is my appreciation for incorporating music into my daily routine as a way to feel grounded and centered. I find that music can be a simple yet meaningful way to regulate mood, create a sense of calm, and reconnect with the present moment.

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 have always wanted to make a positive impact and in my journey to figuring out what that was, I realized I enjoyed providing people with emotional support and that is when I decided to become a mental health therapist. This is a safe, nonjudgmental space. What is it that you need to feel heard and understood? I do not come from an expert stance. I believe you are the expert in your life and we are both coming together to work collaboratively on how to help you along your life journey.

My approach is helping you identify your strengths and help you become aware of new ways of thinking and navigating issues. I believe in practicing new skills that will reinforce your desired goals. Our sessions will be a space that is safe and unique to you. Congratulations on seeking help at this challenging moment. Your space; your journey.

I became a therapist because I believe healing happens in spaces where you feel truly seen, heard, and safe. My approach to therapy is warm, relational, and deeply human. I show up as my authentic self so you can feel free to do the same – without judgment, pressure, or pretense. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected, or unsure of your next step, we will move at a pace that feels steady and supportive for you. Together, we create a space where vulnerability feels safe, growth feels possible, and lasting change feels attainable. Above all, I want you to feel that you don’t have to carry everything alone anymore. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe, respected, and genuinely understood from the very beginning. I approach therapy with warmth, authenticity, and steady presence, helping you feel supported while also empowered to grow. Therapy with me is collaborative and personalized. I draw from evidence-based approaches while tailoring our work to your unique needs and goals. I want you to feel that you are not alone — and that meaningful, sustainable change is possible. I deeply believe in nervous system resets… and I’m usually the first one to step outside for a few deep breaths.

We are trauma therapists who provide trauma-focused therapy through EMDR therapy, relational trauma therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), AEDP, and IFS. We work with BIPOC & AAPI students and international students who have a history of trauma or PTSD. If you are a student who is struggling with past or ongoing difficult family dynamics, a history of eating disorders, substance use issues, sexual assaults or abuse in childhood, or struggling with intimate relationships, friendships, and social relationships, please reach out. We can help! We help you process what happened so you are no longer stuck in the past or in pain.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.

I am a bilingual therapist helping individuals dealing with trauma, depression, anxiety, behavioral issues, life-stage transitions, and other debilitating situations. My work is client-centered and culturally sensitive. I use evidence-based practices to provide focused treatment and positive outcomes. I incorporate solution-focused, narrative, cognitive-behavioral, and family systems techniques. Through talk therapy, I guide clients to overcome issues affecting their everyday lives. I work with individual adults addressing depression, anxiety, and trauma, and their effects on mood, functioning, and relationships. I focus on your strengths, thoughts, feelings, and dynamics for a healthier you. I also work with the LGBTQ community on youth-at-risk issues, coming-out, and exploring the lifestyle you want to create.

Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.