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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Sharon (Shonnie) Brown

Offering therapy in California
License: M.A.,LMFT
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemCareer difficultiesADHD
30 years of experience

Hello! I'm a northern California native and have lived much of my adult life adapting to other cultures. Life's challenges and transitions, including divorce and shyness, have facilitated my growth as a psychotherapist, helping me to accept change as part of life. I received my B.A. from UC Berkeley and my M.A. in counseling psychology from JFK University in Orinda, CA. I have 25+ years experience as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), working primarily with individuals and couples. I have facilitated groups on separation and divorce, infidelity, co-parenting education, and social anxiety. Particular areas of interest are: major life transitions, separation and divorce, infidelity, couples and relationship counseling, broken friendships, self-esteem issues, young adulthood, employment issues, parenting, and aging issues. I am also a professional writer and use writing as a tool for emotional healing.. My work is honest, direct, and from the heart. I use a variety of approaches, including cognitive and solution-focused therapies, family systems, and psychodynamic. Recently I have incorporated Pete Walker, MFT’s roadmap on childhood trauma (Complex PTSD) into my work. An inability to self-soothe or tolerate one’s own feelings (i.e. hurt, anger, jealousy, guilt, fear) is the underlying main issue for my clients. The other main issue is lack of self-compassion, self-protection, and self-love. I use tools such as goal setting, coping skills, mindfulness exercises, and writing exercises (as desired) along with building a strong therapeutic relationship. Life is delicate and fragile. I work on optimism and gratitude every day. As human beings we can only take one step at a time. Please consider contacting me as a step toward the change you want in your life.

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Dr. Alexandra Duffy

Offering therapy in California
License: Psy.D.
Stress, AnxietySelf esteemBipolar disorderDepressionADHD
15 years of experience

Hi there! I am Alexandra Duffy a clinical psychologist with licenses in California, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Washington. Thanks for taking a moment to learn how my counseling and therapy can be a useful tool for yourself or someone you care about. Therapy is a way to invest in yourself, have support during difficult times and deal with past issues that impact your current life and relationships. Together, we discover healthy ways to help cope with the unknown and things outside of our control. I specialize in treating depression, anxiety, panic disorder, ADHD, eating /body image issues and Bipolar Disorder. I also work with students of all ages (and even parents) to address issues with learning, such as dyslexia, ADHD, learning disabilities and executive functioning issues (e.g., time management, procrastination, prioritizing work, regulating emotions, etc.), which can be especially challenging right now with Online and Distance Learning. I have extensive experience with the evaluation and diagnosis of ADHD, dyslexia and learning disabilities to improve overall functioning and also provide documentation for academic and test accommodations. My therapy style is warm, interactive and collaborative. I tailor our sessions and treatment plan based on your individual needs and take into consideration your prior experience with counseling. I utilize an eclectic style incorporating psychodynamic and evidence-based modalities including cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, and mindfulness-based interventions. I integrate healthy lifestyle techniques to improve emotional health and overall well-being by addressing sleep habits, exercise and eating patterns. I also help manage electronic media usage to find a balance between being informed and feeling worried or overwhelmed by the 24-hour news cycle and uncertainty in our lives right now. I earned my Doctor of Clinical Psychology degree (Psy.D) from the George Washington University and Postdoctoral Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology from the California School of Professional Psychology. I completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Harvard University’s Bureau of Study Counsel. I have worked in inpatient/residential treatment, private practice and as a Staff Psychologist at UCLA and the Georgetown University Law Center. Some of my clinical interests include identity development, perfectionism, mastering attention regulation concerns, and learning styles/strategies to improve academic performance. I am also interested in helping actors and individuals in the creative arts to improve self-awareness, explore emotions and use relaxation techniques in the creative process, as well as to cope with rejection, criticism and stress. I have taught workshops to improve self-esteem and reduce anxiety for students, professional and healthcare workers, as well as during the audition and interview process. I have enjoyed leading Finding Focus groups and the Art of Public Speaking wellness group. These skills and techniques are beneficial during individual counseling sessions as well to increase personal effectiveness.

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Ryan Glathar

Offering therapy in California
License: LMFT
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseAnger managementDepression
17 years of experience

Welcome! Thank you for taking the time to stop by and read my profile. I believe that each of us have the ability and are deserving of living full, happy and healthy lives, however so many of us cannot say our lives fit that description. Together I feel we can identify what is creating the roadblocks to this and work on becoming the best version of yourself. In order for a relationship to be successful those people in that relationship need to establish trust. You are giving me the privilege of getting to know you and I want to make sure that we build our therapeutic relationship on trust and respect. I have over 15 years experience as a Marriage and Family Therapist. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns such as but not limited to: depression, relationship issues, self-esteem/self-worth, parenting and domestic violence. I do not believe there is a one size fits all approach when working with clients so I like to try various approaches to see what is best suited for that individual. A few approaches that I do use, but again not limited to are cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, solution-focused and motivational interviewing. Life can be a roller coaster. I look forward to navigating the ups and downs with you so that you can begin to make the first steps towards change. If you are ready to take the first step I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you!

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Jennifer Jones

Offering therapy in California
License: MSW
Self esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderDepression
12 years of experience

Hello! My name is Jennifer. I am interested in Arts, Spirituality, Traveling, Education, Synchronicity, Intuition, Animals, Nature, and Adventure. I feel that life is a journey and when we are in the process of therapy; briefly, we walk this journey together, me alongside you as you travel along your individual path. Working together, my approach is flexible and going with the flow with what works best for you. I'm willing to meet and support you in reaching your desired destination, wherever you're at on your journey. I took a therapy style test where I tested as having a therapeutic style that is supportive and nurturing. I believe in empowering you to have the life you want. Do you want to… * feel more connected? * be more present in your life? * have more meaning? * improve your relationships, communication, and connections with others? * feel empowered and achieve your goals? I can help. I believe we all deserve to reach our highest potential. I think it is good to reflect on our lives and to readjust to make our lives better. I believe in integrating mindfulness into our daily and weekly lives. Sometimes we are held back because of a difficult past or current life's events or trauma. I believe that in a good therapeutic relationship with an unconditional acceptance that we may achieve a lot together. I will walk alongside you in your own life journey path. Overall, I have a relational style in my therapeutic work. Meaning my focus is on the therapeutic relationship. I feel this relationship style can better help you transform your life. I believe that empathy and compassion are powerful change agents. I see this relationship as one based on unconditional positive regard, focusing on a client's strengths. My therapeutic style uses cognitive-behavioral approaches as a base, although I have an eclectic approach overall. I am interested in Narrative Therapy. I have even helped people with dream analysis. Improving your life is of the utmost importance. I am a California licensed clinical social worker with more than 18 years of experience in the mental health field. I have six years focusing on individual therapy. I have two master's degrees, one in clinical psychology from California School of Professional Psychology (now called Alliant International University), and another in social work from San Jose State University. I'm a certified trainer in WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan), as well as a certified Intentional Peer Support Trainer. Having worked in a variety of settings, my experience includes community mental health, corrections, mental health drop-in centers, residential treatment, mobile crisis response work, and inpatient settings. I have worked with individuals who are experiencing a wide range of concerns, including trauma, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, clutter issues, mild to moderate eating disorders, and psychosis. I also have more than 18 years of management experience in behavioral health working within the county. I also have a background in client empowerment and patient's rights advocacy. I have worked with a wide range of mental health diagnoses from mild to moderate to severe mental illness. I have also been a Health Educator for Kaiser Permanente and taught the following classes: Improving Your Sleep, Couples Communication, Anger Management, Managing Anxiety, Depression, and Stress. My focus has been working with adults, including young adults and older adults in individual therapy. I believe in customizing treatment to meet the client's needs. I will work with you to help you create a better life that works for you. We will focus on areas that you want to improve, as well as on ways to reach your potential, improve relationships, and achieve your goals. I would love the opportunity to work with you so that together we can create and make your life better! Let me know if you have any questions or would like to talk to me more. I understand that finding the right therapist is a process. Finding a therapist that fits you can take time. I support you on this journey of self-discovery. Overall, I want you to feel self-confident to do what's best for you.

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Emilie Ansay

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyLGBTGriefIntimacy-related issuesSelf esteem
7 years of experience

I am an LMHC with 5 years of professional work experience. I am skilled in LGBTQIA+ affirming care, transgender care, dialectical behavioral therapy, grief counseling, and trauma work specializing in interpersonal traumas. The primary techniques I use in my therapy sessions are validation and genuine empathy, mindfulness and grounding strategies, insight-oriented treatment, and supportive psychotherapy. 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

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saundrea young

Offering therapy in California
Coping with life changes
40 years of experience

I am licensed in California (LCSW) with over 40 years of professional clinical knowledge and practice. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety related to Phase-of-Life issues, medical diagnosis and treatment issues, and grief and loss. I also work have expertise in the areas of aging, caregiving. I am committed to treating everyone with unbiased respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I tailor the dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. I recognize that taking the first step to sign up for therapy requires courage, insight, and strength. It is my privilege to help you investigate and nurture those inner strengths.

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Rebecca Prager

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

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California with over 25 years of professional work experience with a wide range of young people, adults, families and community groups. I am also a massage therapist and birth doula, and approach therapy as part of healing your whole self. Our areas of focus could include: visioning your best life and taking the steps to get there; coping with stress, depression and/or anxiety; integrating trauma ; coping with grief and loss; building self-esteem and confidence. I believe that you hold wisdom in your story. You have innate strengths that will support you in facing and metabolizing challenges, which leads to healing and the ability to thrive. Taking the step to start therapy takes time, courage, curiosity and commitment. Thank you for starting on this journey and I look forward to working together!

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Lucille Estrada

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietySelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changesADHD
19 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 19 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, depression, & 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. 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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Baotran Amanda Nguyen

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseAnger managementSelf esteemDepression
4 years of experience

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist with 11 years of professional experience. I first obtained my BA in Psychology at San Francisco State University and was intrigued with motivational and positive psychology. Once I graduated, I started off working with adolescents with Autism for 5 years, then expanded my experience working in Mental Health as a Behavior Specialist. I acquired my MA in Counseling Psychology at John F. Kennedy University. I have experience working with a variety of diagnoses (Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, Bipolar, Impulse Disorders, ADHD, and Psychosis). I am specialized in helping clients and families with stress, anxiety, trauma, grief, abuse, anger management, motivation, self-esteem, and confidence. I am also bilingual in English and Vietnamese. 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 and patience 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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Sheryl Morgan

Offering therapy in California
Relationship issuesGriefParenting issuesCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
39 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 39 years of professional work experience. 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 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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Carolyn Williams

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

I am licensed in California with 27 years of professional work experience. 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. I have experience treating trauma and all types of abuse. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy c.an take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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John Hammond

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

I am licensed in California with 40 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, 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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Jessica Gomez

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
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, 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Crystal Arbizu

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsGriefSelf 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, family conflicts, coping with grief, coping with loss, 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. 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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