Alaysia Young

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in CBT-based therapy for anxiety, burnout, and life transitions. I work primarily with college students, graduate students, and early-career adults experiencing academic, professional, and identity-related stress.

I have extensive clinical experience working in higher education and integrated behavioral health settings, including Stanford University, where I supported a diverse population of undergraduate and graduate students. This included first-generation, low-income, and high-achieving students navigating anxiety, depression, stress, and academic and life transitions. This work has given me a strong understanding of the pressures students face within competitive academic environments.

I am also a doctoral candidate in Higher Education Leadership, which informs my understanding of student development, institutional systems, and mental health in academic settings.

My approach to therapy is holistic, collaborative, and skills-based. I believe clients are the experts of their own experiences, and my role is to support them in gaining insight, identifying patterns, and building practical strategies for change.

In our work together, I take time in the initial sessions to understand your full context, including stressors, identity factors, and lived experiences that may be contributing to anxiety, burnout, or life transitions. This may include academic pressure, career stress, family dynamics, or cultural and identity-related experiences.

Treatment is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), with integration of mindfulness and values-based approaches when helpful. Together, we set clear, meaningful goals and work at a pace that feels supportive, structured, and responsive to your needs.

In the first session, clients can expect a supportive and structured space to share what has been bringing them to therapy. We will explore your current concerns, stressors, and goals, as well as what you hope to gain from our work together.

I will ask questions to better understand your background and experiences, including any academic, professional, relational, or identity-related factors that may be contributing to anxiety, stress, or life transitions. This may include cultural stressors or experiences related to navigating high-pressure environments.

The first session is focused on building rapport, gaining clarity, and beginning to identify initial goals for treatment. Clients can expect a calm, nonjudgmental environment where they feel heard, supported, and collaboratively guided toward next steps in therapy.