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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Kerry Kane

Offering therapy in California
License: LMFT
Stress, AnxietyParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemADHD
20 years of experience

Hello! My name is Kerry and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California. The majority of my clinical experience has been providing individual and family therapy services to children, adolescents, and families. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, behavior problems, anger management issues and ADHD. I would describe my counseling style as warm, empathic and goal oriented. I use Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Solution Focused therapy, and Motivational Interviewing to help my clients meet their goals. I am non-judgmental, compassionate, a good listener, and use a strength-based approach. I look forward to working with you!

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Dr. syma ralston

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

I am an experienced clinical psychologist who has worked with individual adults of all ages, with couples and with families. I have been a director of training and have educated doctoral level interns. I have supervised mental health professionals, worked as director of the Counseling Center at Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley, as Chief Clinician at Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley, and as a Supervising Psychologist at Walter Reed Medical Center. I have had a private practice throughout my career. I am especially interested in providing couples counseling and working with individuals who have have suffered trauma, whether in childhood or adulthood, whether as civilians or while in the military. I am open to treating people of all cultures, religions , races and sexual orientations. I use whichever approach works best for my clients, helping them achieve their goals.

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Diana Bernhardy

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseGriefSelf esteemDepression
32 years of experience

Hello, my name is Diana Bernhardy. I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with many years experience working with diverse groups and treatment issues. Past experiences have included primarily working in a forensic inpatient psychiatric mental health facility providing dydactic treatment with individuals with moderate to severe mental disorders, antisocial /criminal behaviors, and substance abuse. I've also worked in private practice and outpatient mental health services providing various treatment modalities and interventions in addressing various topics, i.e., depression, anxiety, stress, anger, grief/loss , separation issues, self esteem issues, women issues, PTSD/trauma, and case management. I explore the mental, behavior and spiritual aspects of the person to achieve wholeness and wellness. Thank you for reading my profile and I look forward to working with you.

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Cindy Guerrero

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyGriefDepression
10 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, & coping with grief and loss. 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. 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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Vanessa Uribe

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietySelf esteemDepressionCoping 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, motivation, self esteem, and 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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Robyn Engel

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseGriefSelf esteemDepression
8 years of experience

~Please note: I do not do legal advocacy of any type. ~I generally have availability during work day hours at this time. ~Our first session includes a screening process. I'll need your willingness to provide basic identifying information including an address with which to send basic therapy forms (Consent to Treatment). I'm licensed in California with over 20 years of professional work experience. I'm honored to have supported countless clients (youth and adults, families and individuals) to better manage their stress and anxiety; to navigate the loneliness that often accompanies depression; to express and process grief and loss, abuse and related traumas, and various other challenges. We'll work as a team. You won't get trendy clinical jargon from me. I'm not up-to-speed on all of the current terms, nor do I find this necessary for true healing. I enjoy genuine, honest relationships focused on my clients' paths; you are the expert on yourself. I see myself as a mentor-coach-guiding force and objective professional. You'll also receive caring nudges from me, as needed, to enhance your sense of self-worth and improved mental wellness. Aiding my clients towards increased self-love and compassion is my ultimate goal. It takes courage to embark on this process to achieve the positive changes that you deserve. I hope to empower you on this journey.

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Vicki Alexander Hess

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyLGBTTrauma and abuseCoachingCompassion fatigue
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, lgbtq+ related issues, trauma and abuse, & executive and professional coaching. 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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Jennifer Dal Ponte

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyIntimacy-related issuesSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
15 years of experience

I am licensed Therapist in California with 15+ years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, Panic attacks, intimacy related issues, motivation, self esteem and confidence, relationships, work conflict, & depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. My goal is to empower you to see your strengths and abilities in solving life's problems. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. Remember hope equals healing.

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Dominic Valdes

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyLGBTRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseDepression
17 years of experience

I am a dedicated Therapist with 17 years of experience, passionate about providing a warm, genuine, and empathetic approach to individual and couple's therapy. As a person of color and a gay man, I am deeply committed to creating a safe and inclusive space for all, especially for POC, the LGBTQ+ community/gay men. My areas of expertise include couple's therapy, working through infidelity, betrayal trauma, sex and porn addiction, EMDR/trauma, and perfectionism. I am here to support you on your journey toward healing and self-discovery, and I look forward to being part of your path to wellness.

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Nancy Hazelton

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyGriefDepressionCoping with life changesCoaching
14 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 14 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, depression, & coping with life changes in private practice. 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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Sarah Novia

Offering therapy in California
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefSelf esteemCoping with life changes
23 years of experience

With 23 years of professional work experience, I have guided clients through relationship issues, family conflicts, coping with grief and loss, motivation, self esteem, and confidence. On BetterHelp, I work with clients on the phone for the short-term only (no more than 4 sessions), to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment, and work can be done quickly and efficiently. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. If you think we might be a good fit, please feel free to schedule with me.

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Dr. Michael Kaltenbach

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyLGBTRelationship issuesSelf esteemCoping with life changes
24 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 24 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbtq+ related issues, relationship issues, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. 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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Timothy McCaskill

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsAnger managementSelf esteem
13 years of experience

I am Licensed in California with 13 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & anger management. 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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AnneMarie Winic

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesParenting issuesSelf esteemDepression
24 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 24 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting issues, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I also have experience working with depression. 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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June Cichowicz

Offering therapy in California
Relationship issuesGriefSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
23 years of experience

I am licensed in California with more thsn 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety and depression, relationship issues including grief and loss, as well as motivation, self esteem, I also have experience working with coping with life changes and transitions. 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.

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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