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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Candace Sebastian

Offering therapy in California
License: LCSW
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsDepression
3 years of experience

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 20 years of experience working in the field of counseling and mental health. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, career challenges, LGBT, and chronic mental illness. My counseling style is warm and patient. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. My approach combines humanistic, interpersonal, and cognitive-behavioral counseling. I am also formally trained in EMDR. With the ups and downs of life, I understand that you are most likely here during a more challenging time. You may be experiencing loss of a relationship, struggling with addiction, loss of job, arguing with your partner, feeling lonely, struggling with family issues, feeling unworthy or not good enough. It takes courage to seek help during these times, and I am here to help you. I am glad that you are here and I am looking forward to working with you. ~ Candace, LCSW

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Dr. Jagdish Soni

Offering therapy in California
License: Ph.D.,PCC,SPHR, SHRM-SCP
GriefSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCoaching
28 years of experience

I'm a Licensed Psychologist and a Professional, Executive and Life Coach. For the past 25 years, I’ve helped people just like you find ways to get on track with their lives. My goal for you is to understand yourself and be able to take steps to feel the way you want to feel. You will learn different tools and techniques to use throughout your life, in various situations, that give you relief and help during difficult times. I am compassionate and patient. I’ll encourage you to overcome hurdles you can control and let go of ones you can’t control. We’ll work collaboratively and start with what’s happening now, break things down into manageable areas to work on. We’ll explore ways to increase your awareness and actions you can take which might be how you view things to your actual behaviors.  I keep up with the latest information on evidenced based approaches, and leverage our current understanding of our whole body.  You'll gain resilience to handle life’s challenges.  I believe that we are creative, resourceful & whole... and sometimes, we just need a helping hand.

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Esther Kennedy

Offering therapy in California
License: MSW,LCSW
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
35 years of experience

Hello and welcome to taking the first steps to changing your life situation. My name is Esther Kennedy and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW. I have been in the field of behavior health for over 30 years. My direct services have been providing support to adults, children and adolescents. My expertise is in the areas of; outpatient therapy, individual, family, group, psycho-social assessments, social-emotional development, crisis intervention, case management services, substance misuse/abuse, adaptive life skills and client advocating. Additionally, I have worked with clients on a wide range of concerns such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, parenting concerns, relationship problems, family conflicts, domestic violence, coping with life changes, poor social skills, anger management and trauma induced issues to name a few. My counseling approach combines Client Center Therapy, Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and a Faith-Based Counseling approach. I take pride in my style of a non-judgmental attitude, cultural sensitivity, being warm and caring, being an empathetic listener and responding empathetically can help you work through challenges and life’s issues. If you want to experience more effective ways of coping with life stressors please consider partnering with me to achieve your desired goals.

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Andres Hoyo

Offering therapy in California
License: LMFT
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsParenting issuesDepressionCoping with life changes
8 years of experience

Hi, my name is Andres Hoyo. I am a Marriage and Family Therapist licensed in California with over 7 years of experience working as a psychotherapist. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, interpersonal relationship issues, parenting challenges general life stressors, and adverse perceptions of self-esteem. My counseling style is client-centered and non-judgmental. I believe in allowing my clients to take more of a lead during sessions, and I perceive the therapeutic process as a collaborative effort between myself and my clients, with my client’s perspective as the primary guide to self-discovery. I strive to encourage and support my clients to find their own solutions and identify their own personal strengths and resources, while providing them a comfortable and safe environment to process their emotions and thoughts. I think it takes courage to seek help, when we are feeling inadequate, unfulfilled, lonely, or managing any other negative emotions impacting our ability of live happy and fulfilling lives, so I strive to provide a comfortable environment for my clients to feel heard, safe and understood. So, if you are thinking about reaching out for help and need to feel safe and comfortable, I hope I can be of service to you to provide you with the support you need to take steps to improve your overall sense of well-being.

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John Henry

Offering therapy in California
License: LMFT
LGBTFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseParenting issuesDepression
31 years of experience

My name is John Henry, M.Ed., LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist). I have practiced as a mental health clinician for thirty-one years. Prior to working in the mental health field, I was an educator for thirteen years. During ten of those thirteen years, I acquired an expertise in early childhood education where I conducted parenting workshops and provided supervision and consultation in early childhood education classrooms. My clinical mental health experience includes working with trauma, LGBQT issues, anxiety, depression, work issues, relationships including couples work, dealing with parenting challenges, and providing consultation for twenty years to teachers in Oakland, California after school programs. I have provided numerous parenting workshops over the years for assisting parents in developing effective communication skills with their children. These workshops included managing the child's behavior, understanding the underlying feelings and meaning of the behavior, and problem resolution. I have extensive work in providing individual, adolescent, family, couples, and adult therapy. For about twenty-three years, I provided training and supervision to graduate school interns and mental health clinicians. My experience is varied and across settings. I have worked mostly within a community mental health organization with additional experience in latency age children in a group home setting and as an adolescent and family therapist in a psychiatric hospital setting. My theoretical approach is psychodynamic that focuses on the clients relationships with others in their life that impact their daily life functioning. Relationships are a key element in how we relate and interact with others. During the sessions, I am compassionate and empathic . I also use eclectic approaches such as trauma focused treatment, cognitive behavioral strategies, family structural work, solution based therapy, and client centered approaches.

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Julia Westney

Offering therapy in California
License: LMFT
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesEating disordersDepression
3 years of experience

I am a family and marriage therapist licensed in California with almost 20 years of experience working as a psychotherapist and eating disorder specialist. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, career challenges, postpartum depression, and food and body issues. I also helped many people who are experiencing grief, loss and life transitions. My therapy style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, psychodynamic and rational-emotive therapy. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards change. If you are ready to take that step, I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you!

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Francis Joseph Gallego

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyLGBTFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepression
20 years of experience

I am licensed in California with more than 20 years of professional work experience (6 in New York, 3 in Hawaii and 11 + in California). I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, LGBTQI-related issues, family conflicts, & trauma and abuse. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I also believe in the importance of cultural humility, diversity, inclusion and dismantling oppression and how it impacts our lives. I will tailor our dialogue and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling life and a life worth living takes courage. I am here to support you in that process and hold space. I also have clinical and therapeutic experience working with women, people impacted by chronic illness (cancer, HIV/AIDS), communities of color; as well as working on processing inter-generational trauma and how it impacts individuals and families.

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Linda Abdelbaki

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
17 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 17 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

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Jasmine Ortiz

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSelf esteem
15 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship issues, & trauma and abuse. 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. I am also Bilingual in English and Spanish.

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Pauline Padrul

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyEating disordersSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
23 years of experience

Hello! I am a licensed clinical social worker in the state of California with over twenty years of professional work experience in behavioral health treatment. I also have a Master's degree in Public Health with a strong interest in behavioral epidemiology. I have worked with clients who typically present with stress and anxiety, eating disorders, motivation, self esteem issues & depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths with which to overcome challenges and build resilience.

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Theresa Heyes

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefSelf esteemDepression
16 years of experience

I am licensed in California as a Marriage Family Therapist with 16 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, coping with grief and loss, divorce issues & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. 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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Anna Sawicka

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemCoping with life changesADHD
10 years of experience

My door is open to clients of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and relationship-expansive communities. My passion is to help others during their healing and growing journey. I understands therapy as a collaborative process that allows trust and authenticity to foster insight and growth, exploring how the past impacts the present. I believe that each person is unique and thus requires individualized care to support them. I aim to remind clients of their own resourcefulness as they work to create and enhance a life worth living. I provide a safe and non-judgmental space where clients can feel comfortable to open up, explore and process everything that stops them from living the life they want. I most often use the following theoretical orientations: Integrative (CBT/DBT/ACT, Psychodynamic, Attachment, Humanistic, Mindfulness, and GestaltI. I am licensed in California and Florida with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & 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. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. I previously worked in the past as a Primary Therapist in Intensive Outpatient and Outpatient settings in West Los Angeles and as a Counselor at Clearview Treatment Programs in a Residential facility for women. I completed her graduate training at Southern California Counseling Center, providing therapy to adult individuals. I coordinated the care and treatment of acute cases of mental health disorders. I have not only provided individual, couples, and family therapy, but have also facilitated Process, Anger Management, Managing Depression, Managing Anxiety, Family Systems, Mindfulness, Behavioral Activation, CBT, DBT, and ACT groups. Moreover, I am originally from Poland and can provide therapy in her native language. In the last 17 years, I traveled extensively and lived in five different countries. I was fortunate to work with people from all over the world. This experience has helped me realize the importance of understanding other cultures, belief systems, and approaches to psychological issues. I provide a safe and non-judgmental space where clients can feel comfortable to open up, explore and process everything that stops them from living the life they want. My clients and friends would say that I am a positive, warm, supportive and empathetic person.

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Andreina Lozano

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

I am licensed in California with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience helping clients cope with life stressors including, but not limited to symptoms of depression, anxiety, coping with grief and loss, issues with motivation, self esteem, and confidence. Most recently I have been working with women who are struggling with prenatal & post partum depression anxiety and work life balance. 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! PLEASE NOTE: If you have insurance with Kaiser Permanente insurance I am unable to provide services to you at this time.

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Maria Palomo

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

Is your mental health suffering? Are you not yourself and withdrawing from others? Feeling stuck and finding it difficult to manage your day to day responsibilities? I work with adults and children struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, boundaries and self-esteem issues. As an LMFT with 18 years experience, I meet my clients where they are at, utilizing a strength based approach. I believe we all have it within ourselves to heal and live the life we were meant to live. I provide therapy in English and Spanish and understand the challenges of being part of a multi-cultural family. I am confident that you can live a full and purposeful life. My specialties include; CBT, DBT, ACT, Trauma Informed Care, Relationship Issues, Parent-child conflict, Mindfulness and Meditation, and Talk Therapy. I provide individuals and children care virtually through telephone or video therapy. I am passionate about helping people reach their full potential and reach their goals. I provide a safe and non-judgmental space to work through whatever you are going through.

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Priscilla McCullough

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietySelf esteemDepression
4 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 4 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I also have experience working with 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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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