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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Matthew Poje

Offering therapy in California
Trauma and abuse
14 years of experience

Welcome! My name is Matt Poje, LPC. I specialize in the healing of emotional trauma, using the Instinctual Trauma Response method (ITR),I have 15 years working with Veterans via Department of Defense contracts, and over 23 yrs of professional work experience. I am licensed in CA, WI and NV. The ITR method uses over 100 years of neuroscience to help heal the brain. Since ITR uses neuroscience, you will learn the steps of the ITR method that will help you to become more resilient. ITR is not talk therapy in the classical sense. ITR is a focused, purposeful method of trauma healing. ITR is proven to work. If you are ready to work on a proven method of reducing symptoms of trauma, I look forward to work with you. Before scheduling a session, Watch ITR videos: https://www.helpfortrauma.com/ Complete the free assessments: https://www.traumatherapyofamerica.com/intake-resources

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Thomas "Tom" Prinz

Offering therapy in California
AddictionsRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseGriefAnger management
40 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 40 years of professional work experience. Prior to having a private practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist for 35 years I was a school psychologist for 5 years. Currently I volunteer to teach a class on addictions and anger management at City Team, Oakland, Ca., a residential program for men. I have been a volunteer at city team for over 4 years. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & coping with grief and loss, parenting, marriage, domestic violence, anxiety and depression. I have written and published 6 books on personal, parenting and marriage issues. My most recent books are; Changes, one person can make a difference and The first pictorial self help book for men who don’t read. Two other books I have written are: Winning at a Losing Game and The Lost Aspect of Love. I encourage my clients to follow up each session with specific homework that I can provide.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. My wife, Pam, and I have been married for 55 years, we have three adult children and 4 grandchildren.

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Adriana Mondragon-Hill

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

I am licensed in California with 10+ years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self-esteem and identity issues, and addressing barriers keeping clients from reaching their goals, dreams, and potential. I believe all humans have innate value and deserve to be treated with dignity. I will tailor our dialogue and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to pursue a more fulfilling and joyful life. I am here to come alongside of you in pursuit of your healing journey.

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Nancy Lopez

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsSelf 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 coping with addictions, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, bipolar disorder, & 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 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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Ginger Little

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issues
35 years of experience

My name is Ginger Adam Little.I am a Marriage and Family Therapist. I am licensed in California with 35 years of professional work experience. I work predominantly with men. I have specialized in working with men who have experienced troubled childhoods and now are having difficulties at home and/or at work. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, communication issues, work related issues, trauma and abuse, depression & coping with grief and loss. I am a Master Gestalt Psychotherapist , and as such I deal with the whole human being, not just thought patterns. 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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Mari Fullmer

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

I specialize in helping adults, young adults and sensitive persons who experience stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, coping with grief and loss, or improving motivation, self esteem, and confidence to feel more grounded, peaceful, & powerful in their relationships and their life. I help clients find harmony inside and out and harness their sensitivity into one of their greatest strengths. 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. Our job is to help you reconnect to or uncover your strengths so that you have more resources to overcome your challenges. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am happy you're taking this step. You deserve to feel good! I'm ready to be your ally in your journey toward greater wellbeing. Therapy with me combines both insight & understanding with action. I will offer you skills to address areas of your life and wellbeing that you'd like to improve. Our work is a collaboration. There is no one-size fits all approach and your active engagement is essential to see change. Clients describe me as warm, compassionate, playful, and relatable. I am a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in California and Michigan with 14 years of professional work experience. I incorporate many modalities including CBT, ACT, Mindfulness and more. As a holistic therapist I focus on the whole person, not just the problems or symptoms you are facing. This may also include exploring the mind-body-spirit connection, which can help bring new insight into challenges as well as link to our deeper life purpose. I look forward to meeting you and supporting you on your journey.

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Barbara Wiseman

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseAnger management
40 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 40 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma, & abuse. I also have experience working with anger management. 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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Dannielle Cervantes

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemCareer difficultiesDepression
8 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & career difficulties. 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

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Samuel Salgado

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

I am licensed in California with 9 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, abuse, coping with grief, & coping with 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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Donetta Jackson

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepression
25 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship issues, 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

How can a counselor support you?

Therapists 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 CA, and one out of five Americans has a mental health condition. Searching for local licensed professionals 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 a BetterHelp therapist does not offer diagnostic or medication management services.

Why do people choose to work 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, BetterHelp can match you with a licensed professional tailored to your preferences noted when you sign up.

The mental health therapists in California support clients with varying issues through therapy, such as:

  • 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 to contact in a crisis

If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, don't use the BetterHelp site. 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 of the most commonly asked questions about therapy can be found in the section 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.

When should I get a therapist in California?

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 can allow clients seeking therapy to experience professional help through video, phone, or live chat sessions without commuting to an office.

Does insurance cover the cost of 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 the safe option?

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.

In today's fast-paced society, mental well-being has become a cornerstone of a fulfilling life. Amid the daily challenges and stressors that can overwhelm even the most resilient individuals, seeking professional guidance often offers a path to clarity and balance. The journey toward improved emotional health involves understanding personal triggers, embracing self-compassion, and developing effective coping strategies. While self-help books and online resources provide valuable information, nothing compares to the personalized support offered by a qualified mental health professional. One-on-one sessions with experienced experts can help uncover the underlying issues contributing to anxiety, depression, or other emotional hurdles. With a careful and empathetic approach, these professionals tailor their advice to suit individual needs, ensuring that each person receives strategies that work best for their unique circumstances. Whether through cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, or other innovative methods, the aim is to foster resilience and empower individuals to take control of their inner lives. For those living in bustling urban centers, engaging in face-to-face sessions in a welcoming environment can be particularly beneficial. Access to a caring clinician provides not only a safe space to explore difficult emotions but also builds a support network essential for long-term recovery. The process encourages self-reflection and greater insight into behavioral patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed. While the journey can be challenging at times, the rewards include enhanced emotional stability, improved interpersonal relationships, and a renewed sense of self-worth. In one notable case, the guidance provided by a highly trained therapist proved instrumental in navigating a tumultuous period. Through structured sessions and tailored interventions, the individual learned to identify stressors and develop healthier responses to adversity. This experience underscored the transformative impact that dedicated support can have on one's overall quality of life. In a region like Texas, community-based initiatives and accessible mental health programs further reinforce the value of professional help. These efforts emphasize early intervention, preventive care, and continuous support, ensuring that more people are equipped to face life's inevitable challenges. Ultimately, investing in mental well-being is an act of self-care that yields lifelong benefits. By embracing professional support, individuals can unlock new levels of emotional resilience and discover pathways to a brighter, more balanced future. Each step taken toward healing represents a commitment to personal growth, enabling a life filled with renewed optimism and strength. Embracing this transformative journey consistently paves the way for deeper understanding, lasting peace, and meaningful personal progress.
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