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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Michael Booth

Offering therapy in California
License: LMFT
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsAnger managementSelf esteemDepression
25 years of experience

I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) with 20 years experience working with young people and adults who have found that their quality of life has been impacted by depression, anxiety, addictions, paranoia, anger and lack of meaning or purpose. I have experience working in the following modalities; cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing (for addictions), existential and solution focused therapy. I believe in really getting to know a client and working collaboratively with the client so that we can focus on what most concerns them and track progress. If you reading this it means that you have already made an important step in raising your quality of life because you are now open to reaching out and seeking help. Please be assured that this help will be forthcoming. I greatly look forward to hearing your story and working with you.

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Susan Cristol

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefDepressionADHD
15 years of experience

When a therapist is welcoming and non-judgmental, it is much easier to seek help. I am passionate about working with clients to find more effective communication strategies. You can make positive changes in your life. There are ways to regulate anger and anxiety and I can help. I can also show you the path toward healing unresolved grief and loss, as well as trauma. These issues can keep you from living your best life without shame and sadness. I have spent most of my working life in a helping profession. I have been providing counseling for 14 years. Before becoming a licensed therapist, I had a career as a special education teacher. That experience informs my work today whether I am working with children, adolescents, couples or adults. I stay current on clinical research and the many writings in the areas of psychology, sociology and marriage and family therapy. My specialized training includes (but not limited to) cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma and abuse, domestic violence and play therapy. I look forward to meeting potential clients and joining them in their path toward becoming their best selves and living their best lives. I have an eclectic toolbox that includes many aspects of different psychological theories and interventions. At the beginning, there is an assessment process taking place for the first few sessions. I determine at that time what drawer in the toolbox would work most effectively. I may have the client complete certain questionnaires as part of the assessment. Throughout therapy, there is a fine tuning of the process. It is important to mention that during the initial phase of therapy, the primary focus is on meeting the client where they are. This is a collaborative relationship that is driven by the direction the client needs to go and my experience and knowledge in helping them get there. I am very curious and observant, as every good therapist should be. Some of the therapies I utilize are Person-Centered, Cognitive Behavioral, Psychodynamic and Narrative. We can certainly go into greater detail about these orientations when we meet.

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Jennifer Dunn

Offering therapy in California
License: M.S,LMFT
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsParenting issuesDepression
5 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & parenting issues. 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. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Sheiaundra Brady

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseSelf esteem
8 years of experience

I am Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & trauma and abuse. 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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Patricia Gutierrez-Cadena

Offering therapy in California
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseSelf esteemCoping with life changes
8 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 13 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. 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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Dr. Jessica Winn

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsSelf esteemCoping with life changes
18 years of experience

Dr. Winn is a clinical psychologist and licensed marriage and family therapist with 18+ years of clinical experience in the field. She also has 3 years of experience as a clinical supervisor and has spent 6 years teaching full-time at the university level as a professor to bachelor's, master's, and doctoral students in the field of behavioral sciences. Dr. Winn's experience includes working with toddlers, children, and teens individually and in groups, as well as families, adults, and couples in a diverse range of treatment milieux. Her practice has included clinical work in schools, group homes, substance use rehabilitation clinics, psychological assessment offices and case management programs, home-based programs, and partial hospitalization clinics treating post-psychiatrically institutionalized populations. Dr. Winn is currently accepting clients needing therapeutic support for reducing stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, working through trauma and abuse, and increasing motivation, self-esteem, and confidence. *** If you are seeking couples therapy, I can be requested at BetterHelp's couples service through Regain: https://www.regain.us/jessica-winn/.

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Nathaly Alva

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression
3 years of experience

I am licensed in California. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & motivation, self-esteem, and confidence. 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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Alicia Garcia

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyParenting issuesSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changes
23 years of experience

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California with over 20 years of professional experience. I specialize in helping clients navigate stress and anxiety, parenting issues, motivation, self-esteem, confidence, and career difficulties. Additionally, I have extensive experience in supporting individuals through life's stressors and changes, providing guidance and tools to manage transitions effectively. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. Our dialogue and treatment plan will be tailored to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage, and it's a significant step towards positive change.

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Dr. Heather Mesa

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyGriefSelf esteemCoping with life changesCoaching
3 years of experience

Dr. Heather Mesa is a licensed clinical psychologist in California with three + years of professional experience dedicated to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges. With specialized training in health psychology and neuropsychology, she works with patients addressing stress, anxiety, mood symptoms, grief and loss, motivation, self-esteem, confidence, cognitive limitations, sleep difficulties, and life transitions. Dr. Mesa earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) from Alliant International University and a Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from Loma Linda University. Before becoming a psychologist, she served as a child welfare social worker, supporting families in the reunification process. Her professional training spans diverse settings, including community mental health, medical centers, academic hospitals, and VA systems. During her doctoral internship, Dr. Mesa worked with veterans at a VA medical center, where she gained invaluable experience in understanding the unique needs of this population. She further advanced her expertise during a postdoctoral residency at Kaiser Vacaville Medical Center, a Level 2 trauma surgery medical center. There, she provided psychological care to patients in the emergency department and served as a liaison between medical teams, including physicians and nurses. Her residency also included a rotation in the Women’s Health Clinic, where she delivered maternal mental health services, addressing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and supporting women through pregnancy and postpartum transitions. In her spare time, Dr. Mesa enjoys spending quality time with her family and dogs, hiking in nature, traveling to new places, and training in jiu-jitsu. She finds these activities to be grounding and a way to maintain balance in her personal life. Dr. Mesa is passionate about fostering the mind-body connection and teaching self-compassion as essential tools for healing and growth. Her compassionate approach and broad expertise enable her to create individualized care plans tailored to the unique needs of each person she works with. She is dedicated to empowering her clients to achieve balance and resilience in their lives.

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Susan Hallett

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyGriefSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
15 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, coping with grief, coping with loss, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. 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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Mercedes Martinez-Hannon

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGrief
3 years of experience

I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California with over 3 years of experience working with teens and adults. I have additional training as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP). My focus is helping clients with stress, anxiety, trauma, and grief & loss. I believe that when someone receives compassionate and attuned witnessing, their innate ability to heal and transform is possible.

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Jennifer Sturm

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyGriefSelf esteemDepressionADHD
10 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, coping with grief, coping with loss, motivation, self esteem, confidence, depression, & concentration, memory. I also have experience working with focus (adhd). 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Quinesha Gatlin

Offering therapy in California
GriefIntimacy-related issuesCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
11 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 11 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with grief, loss, motivation, ambivalence & coping with life changes. I also have experience working with compassion fatigue. 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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David Rhone

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyLGBTTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression
7 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 7 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, lgbtq+ related issues, trauma, abuse, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I also have experience working with depression. 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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Karen Rugama

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseParenting issuesDepressionCoping with life changes
9 years of experience

The field of psychology is my passion. My professional journey began even before graduate school, and I've since honed my clinical skills in various therapeutic settings. Over the years, I've engaged in numerous roles within mental health, providing me with a comprehensive understanding of the field. My experience includes helping clients with stress, anxiety, trauma, abuse, parenting issues, and navigating life changes. I'm eager to continue offering services to those seeking change in their lives. I deeply respect the courage it takes to reach out for help, and I admire your ability to do so.

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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