Finding a therapist in California can be challenging. Even in some of the biggest California cities, barriers to treatment, like concerns about cost or a lack of available providers, can make finding in-person therapy difficult. If you’re looking for mental health care in the Golden State, consider an online therapy platform like BetterHelp.

BetterHelp therapists have extensive experience and can help you work to overcome your unique challenges and meet your highest potential. From young adults needing help managing the effects of ADHD to seniors struggling to heal from events of the past, therapists can help adults of any age navigate the challenges in their lives and learn how to improve their mental wellness.

If you’re looking for a licensed therapist, CA has many online options available. Contact one of the providers below to schedule your first session and learn more about the benefits of online treatment.

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Douglas Mitchell

Offering therapy in California
License: LMFT
Stress, AnxietyLGBTSelf esteemCoping with life changesADHD
8 years of experience

Welcome! I would be honored to work with you! I am a psychotherapist (LMFT) licensed in California with my graduate degree in Expressive Arts Therapy from CIIS in San Francisco. I have many years of experience working as a counselor and I'm a Coach U graduate. I have worked with clients using cognitive approaches to work with depression, anxiety, relationship issues, sexuality, and ADHD. I'm a Certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapist by the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies. I'm sensitive to those who have suffered or experienced physical trauma or emotional abuse. I'm LGBTQ sensitive, and culturally aware. I also work with those in kink and alternative relationships. Adjectives that might describe my style are: engaged, respectful, down to earth, relaxed, practical, mindful, insight-oriented, and solution focused. I lean more towards a collaborative, engaging and interactive approach so that feel you are not doing all the talking. I do my best to go at your pace and have a youthful, somewhat playful demeanor. I honor your innate intelligence and know that when you look within, you gain confidence in yourself and your choices. My goal is to support maintaining a big picture perspective, while you are processing through your thoughts and emotions. At times I might recommend reading a book, or give you a handout, or have your complete a creative assignment to deepen your process between sessions. If you believe in balancing mind, body, and spirit, then we might be a good fit for each other, as each is essential to the healing process. Because your history and experiences are unique, I will do my best to meet you where you are. I want what is best for you just as much as you do! "When you can't control what's happening, challenge yourself to control the way you respond to what's happening. That is where your power is." - author unknown. I look forward to connecting with you!

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Courtney Cope

Offering therapy in California
License: M.S.,LMFT
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsSelf esteemCoping with life changesCoaching
13 years of experience

Hello there! I am so glad you are here. My name is Courtney and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has been working in the mental health field since 2010. I have experience working with individuals, couples, and families who are experiencing difficulty with life transitions, stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief/loss, professional and career challenges, partner/relationship stress, life crises, adjustment issues, and a variety of other challenges. My clinical approach is person-centered and humanistic in nature. When we begin our work together my goal is to help you feel as comfortable, safe, and know that what you share with me is valued and held in confidence. I also highly draw upon Solution-Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Neurolinguistic Programming, Bowenian Family Systems, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, and the work of Carl Rogers as a foundation for the work I do with clients. My goal is provide you with a therapeutic experience that allows you to feel relief and shifts sooner rather than later and to give you a sense of confidence moving forward in both yourself and the therapeutic process. As my client, you can expect to be treated with respect, care, compassion, and have someone walking beside you who will support you in becoming the best version of yourself that feels right, true, and honest to you. On a personal note, I have been on both sides of the therapeutic exchange as both a therapist and as a client over the previous 22 years. As a therapist, I draw on my experience from sitting in the client seat to infuse experiences and qualities I valued as a client into my sessions with my own clientele now as the therapist: compassion, confidentiality, non-judgmental conversation, unconditional positive regard, helpful insight, mirroring and reflecting values and priorities back to client to enhance their personal life clarity, and providing a safe and welcome space where clients always feel cozy and at ease. In my experience, having someone you can be totally open and honest with to help process and sort through all the thoughts, feelings, and information you have inside your head, heart, and body can begin to make a huge difference in how you feel. And I am honored to fulfill that sacred role in the lives of my clients. I look forward to meeting you, getting to know more about what is going on in your life right now, and beginning to help you feel better through our time together. For your reference, my online office hours are Monday-Saturday. Sunday is my personal day and I am not available for messaging or sessions that day. Any messages I receive after Saturday evening will be responded to by Monday at noon.

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Eliot Rosenstock

Offering therapy in California
License: M.A., Clinical Psychology
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefBipolar disorderDepression
8 years of experience

Hello, my name is Eliot Rosenstock. I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and I want to help you feel better. Let’s talk about what you want, and where you want to go in life. In my practice, I utilize dream analysis as well as a more cognitive-rational approach to integrate the unconscious and conscious mind to achieve your desired result from therapy. When you come to therapy, you want a concrete, positive change in your life. I don’t believe the idea that you come to therapy to feel better is very complex, nor do I believe you need your values totally rearranged to achieve a result which is life changing! Some therapists offer you a totally different way of seeing things, where as I want to offer you a clearer you. I don’t want to turn you into me, nor do I offer you a fast food religious experience. Through our conscious minds as well as our unconscious minds, we hold the key to a life where we feel better, more fulfilled, and less compromised by negative feelings and symptoms. Let’s help get you to the best you: feeling good, and thinking clearly!

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Dr. Carol Gandolfo

Offering therapy in California
License: PsyD,LMFT
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepression
20 years of experience

For over twenty years I have worked with numerous populations. I received my education in California and then interned at a homeless shelter, with a license psychologist, at a counseling center and then at a Developmental Disabilities State Hospital. I took on every case available to me in order to round out my experience. I have worked with families and individuals in the areas of domestic abuse, family issues, childhood issues, and substance abuse issues. I then spent several years working for two Developmental Centers focusing on developmental disabilities such as Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disabilities, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorders and forensic issues. I provided expert testimony for recommitment hearings and competency training. Since leaving California, I have volunteers on the Critical Incident Stress Management team for a fire department, mentored with women coming out of prison, and served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. My volunteer work focused mainly on Trauma and Suicidality.

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Grace Lee

Offering therapy in California
License: MSW, LCSW
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseDepression
21 years of experience

I have a Master of Social Welfare and am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Southern California and have been practicing for the past 21 years. I have experience working with many diverse populations including hospital setting including end of life and crisis, geriatric (elderly), transitional aged youth (16-25 years old), substance use counseling, severely and persistently mentally ill, those with moderate symptoms, working professionals, and adults. I have eclectic style and I am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing). I have seen the power of EMDR at work with trauma and severe trauma, domestic violence, phobias, abandonment issues, relationship issues, grief, and more. I hope to be able to work with you on your journey to healing!

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Ramón Matos

Offering therapy in California
LGBTRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
15 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with lgbt+-related issues, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & coping with life changes. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

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Ashley Duckgeischel

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
7 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 7 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. As a Christian, I acknowledge the importance of individual faith as a important reference point in each individuals lives. When requested, I find it helpful to use Scripture and other Biblical principles to help clients identify important value systems to bring them greater strength, joy, and peace in their lives.

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Whitney Bruice

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefSelf esteemCoping with life changes
22 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 22 years of professional work experience. I enjoy working with clients who want to learn to cope with stress and anxiety, improve relationships, process grief and loss, and improve motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialogue and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

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Landon Hallbrooks

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersDepression
9 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 9 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, intimacy related issues, & sleeping disorders. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

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Sandra Galvan

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsDepressionCoping with life changes
12 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 12 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

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Elizabeth Campos-Martinez

Offering therapy in California
GriefAnger managementSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
6 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with grief and loss, anger management, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

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Rita "Elizabeth" Kovacevich

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseGriefDepression
40 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 40 years of professional counseling experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, coping with grief and loss and life transitions. I also have extensive experience working with couples to understand their dynamics and improve their relationship in terms of communication, level of closeness, sharing and intimacy. I believe that you are the expert in your own life story and that you inherently have many strengths that can assist you in overcoming life’s challenges. I am here to help you discover and build upon these strengths as well as empower you along your journey. I look forward to meeting you.

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Sheryl Mahon

Offering therapy in California
License: LPC,GC-C,GCCA--C
Stress, AnxietyGriefDepressionCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
18 years of experience

Greetings. I am a professional counselor with over 18 years experience working in the areas of grief, trauma, anticipatory grief, caregiver stress, end of life issues, depression, life changes, stress, and chronic illness. I am certified as a grief counselor (GC-C) and as a grief counselor specializing in children and adolescents (GCCA-C). I am committed to assisting you with identifying the changes you want in your life and then exploring different strategies to help you achieve your goals. I would describe my approach to therapy as eclectic. I work with the individual to find the approach that best meets their needs and work to provide the tools that are needed to effect change and promote growth. Finally, I view the therapeutic alliance as a partnership requiring mutual trust, respect, honesty, communication, and commitment to do the work. Hopefully, what I have shared here will help you choose a therapist that best meets your needs. Should you choose me, I look forward to our journey together.

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Rhonda Robinson

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
3 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

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Kristina Komori

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietySelf esteem
8 years of experience

My name is Kristina Komori and I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) based in Orange County and working with clients statewide via telehealth. I work with adolescents and adults and specialize in treating anxiety, stress, depression, trauma, and confidence/self-esteem, using evidence-based practices to support my clients with making progress and start feeling better. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. I most frequently use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Narrative Therapy. I have found that my style and approach are fitting for adolescents and young adults who may be struggling with life transitions and stressors which may emerge as anxiety, depression, and stress. To me, collaboration is key to setting goals with clients. It is my role to gain an understanding of what you would like to achieve during our time together. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

How can therapists in California support you?

Therapists in California can practice many types of counseling, from marriage and family therapy to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). They may also assist you with symptoms of depression, stress, or anxiety.

Therapists may help you set and achieve career goals, work on current issues you may be facing, or address your past. Over 32,349,851 people live in California, and one out of five Americans has a mental health condition. Searching for licensed professionals in California may help you find mental health support for personal growth, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health concerns. You do not need a mental health diagnosis to seek support from one of BetterHelp's licensed providers above.  

The mental health field can include psychiatric medication management, online therapy, marriage counseling, couples therapy, clinical social work, licensed counseling, and other mental health services in person and online. Seeing a licensed provider can help you navigate mental health conditions and life circumstances through mindfulness and other specialized techniques.

Please note that BetterHelp does not offer diagnostic or medication management services.

Why are many residents in the state of California working with a licensed counselor?

People reach out for mental health support for a variety of reasons. Many individuals work with a counselor for general life advice, while others may attend therapy for a specific concern. Whether you live in a large city or a smaller county in California, BetterHelp can match you with a licensed professional tailored to your preferences noted when you sign up.

Mental health counselors in California support clients with varying issues, which can include:

  • Challenging situations or life stressors
  • Eating disorders
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Depression or depressive conditions
  • Adjustment issues
  • Emotional support for a terminal illness
  • Chronic pain emotional support
  • Grief
  • Personality disorders
  • Trauma
  • Relationship conflicts and concerns

Finding a therapist that takes new clients in online therapy can be the first step in finding a treatment plan that works for you. Your therapist can provide a safe space for you to focus on self-care and well-being.

If you're interested in speaking to one of the therapists above or being matched with a counselor in 24 to 48 hours, consider signing up for BetterHelp. BetterHelp has over 35,000 providers, including those listed above.

Emergency services

If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, don't use this site's online services. If you are in life-threatening danger, call 911. If you require support for a crisis, reach out to the hotlines below:

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Some commonly asked questions can be found below.

How much does a therapist cost?

Mental health professionals can differ in price. Forbes found that the average cost of in-person therapy in the US is around $100 to $200 per hour. Pricing can also vary based on your location. 

BetterHelp offers payment plans of $60 to $90 per session, charged monthly in a lump sum. You can also take advantage of this pricing on one of BetterHelp's sister platforms, like ReGain for couples or TeenCounseling for teens aged 13 to 19.

Many therapists may be upfront about their pricing and whether or not they take health insurance from the beginning. Additionally, some in your area may offer a sliding scale plan to allow those with lower incomes to pay less for therapy. However, services online can often save individuals a few hundred dollars per month.

How do I know if I should get a therapist?

Mental health services and mental health providers may help you navigate various concerns. You do not need a diagnosis or condition to attend therapy; You can discuss grief, relationship concerns, stress, or life changes and ask for general advice. A counselor may help you gain power over your life and emotions while you navigate day-to-day experiences.

Mental health issues don't always present as a crisis. Many professionals provide talk therapy and support for life transitions, skills learning, relationship problems, or life coaching. Online therapy sessions in California can allow clients seeking therapy to experience professional help through video, phone, or live chat sessions without commuting to an office.

Does insurance cover therapy?

Different counseling services can vary in cost. Therapists must apply to accept insurance through insurance companies, which may take time and money, so not every therapist offers services through insurance. If you cannot find a therapist that accepts your plan, BetterHelp may be cheaper than visiting an in-person therapist.

Is online therapy safe?

Online therapy through BetterHelp and its sister platforms is safe. Therapists are licensed, experienced, and vetted before being contracted with the platform. If you experience any concerns with your therapist, you change your counselor through the platform or app at any time.

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