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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Grant Grover

Offering therapy in California
License: LCSW
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefDepressionCoping with life changes
25 years of experience

Hello, life is beautiful!! I know we may not always feel that way and if you need help to feel that way again, let me help you. I have over 25 years experience in helping people reach their goals in life. I am compassionate, positive, and love helping people see how amazing they are. We all have minds that help us, but often get in the way of our ability to see and create the joy in life that we seek. I love helping people understand their competencies, self-worth and strengths and how they can use these to achieve there goals in a lasting way. I take great joy in seeing clients who have partnered with me in the growth process, years after counseling, who have had lasting changes that have increased throughout the years. I want you to be one of those people. I have worked with people of all ages. I have been trained as an expert in addictions , depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress, relationship issues, religious issues, and grief and loss while working for the State of California. I have worked with mild, moderate and severe mental health challenges, including over five years working with in patient hospitalization. I have been highly effective in a private practice and I know how to treat client's who need short term or long term therapy that can take years with very good outcomes. I use a Client Centered approach with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and ACT-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness training as well as various other modalities as needed. I love the truths of Jesus Christ as taught in various churches around the world. I love working with people who want therapy that can include a respect for their religious beliefs in the therapeutic process. I also help people with religious issues as they relate to Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Depression, Various Addictions and Religious Preoccupation and Perseveration as well as Spiritual Abuse and its effects on families, individuals and couples. I work with people from all faiths. I am an active and practicing member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I look forward to supporting you in receiving the therapy you need in an environment that will aid you in using your religious beliefs as strengths to help you on your journey. I look forward to helping you meet your goals!

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Thomas Cagle

Offering therapy in California
License: MS,LMFT
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsGriefSelf esteemDepression
25 years of experience

I am a Marriage and Family Therapist licensed in the State of California. I have over 24 years of experience working with clients with a varying range of issues including schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, depression, substance abuse, anxiety, bereavement/grief, and relationship issues. I've also helped many individuals who have experienced emotional, physical and sexual abuse, as well as those who are experiencing divorce and family custody issues. My style of counseling is to be empathic, understanding. and genuine. Respect and compassion are also core to establishing a healthy and trusting relationship. My approach is primarily cognitive behavioral, but I also incorporate psychodynamic, DBT, person-centered and rational emotive treatment. I strongly believe it is imperative to be aware of cultural, LGBTQIA+ and lifestyle differences, and to be sensitive to these issues. I will design our sessions and treatment plan to address these issues as well as your specific goals and needs. Taking the first step to enhancing and making changes to our lives can be difficult, but it is also a powerful step in seeking a more fulfilling and happier life. I can provide you with the support and guidance you need as you enter the next chapter of your life, and I look forward to working with you.

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Muang Kistler

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyGriefSelf esteemDepression
3 years of experience

I am licensed in California with over 10 years of professional social work experience, primarily in healthcare. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, & motivation, self esteem, and 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!

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Marissa Ruiz

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsAnger managementDepression
3 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 3 years of professional work experience. My name is Marissa Ruiz and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Some of my other titles include mother, wife, ex-wife sister, daughter, niece, grandmother and friend. Sharing these titles are important to me because it shares with you the client how I can relate to you with my experience. There are several people dealing with grief and loss in their lives. The loss of a parent, loss of a child, friend or even a pet can be hard to process. Therapy gives you that time to work on managing those emotions and finally acceptance of the loss. Relationships can be rewarding but they take a lot of work. Most of my clients I have worked with had communication issues, boundaries and sometimes other things. However, as a therapist I work with you together to find out what you want to work on and get a resolution. I believe in therapy and have worked with couples to overcome obstacles in communication and improve regulating their emotions. I have worked with clients who have faced loss and are grieving. In addition, clients who are dealing with depression. I believe I can work with you and support you in your difficult times and make a treatment suitable to your goals. Lastly most of my clients I have worked with includes impulsivity and anxiety.

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Megan Quinn

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyParenting issuesDepressionCoping with life changesCompassion 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, parenting issues, depression, & coping with life changes. 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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Cynthia Kruk

Offering therapy in California
Stress, Anxiety
4 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety. 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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Sierra Bush

Offering therapy in California
Family conflictsParenting issuesSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoaching
4 years of experience

I am licensed in Louisiana, Nevada, and California with over10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with family conflicts, relationship conflicts, parenting issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & career difficulties. 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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Jennifer Maland

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesEating disordersDepressionCoping with life changes
14 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 20 years of professional experience in the mental health field, including 14 years providing therapy. I have experience in helping clients with eating disorders, relationship issues, depression, stress, and anxiety. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will work collaboratively with you to tailor a 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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Jazmin L Martinez

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

I am licensed in California with over 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, coping with grief & loss, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes & healing from generational trauma. 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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Jennifer Brown

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyGriefSelf esteemBipolar disorderDepression
9 years of experience

Hi, I’m Jennifer Brown, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist for the past 9 years dedicated to providing compassionate and effective therapy for individuals of all ages, couples, and families. I have extensive experience working with diverse populations, including those in recovery, CPS-involved clients, divorced parents, individuals experiencing homelessness, veterans, children, adults, and survivors of abuse. My eclectic therapeutic approach draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Person-Centered Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy, allowing me to tailor treatment to your unique needs and goals. Whether you’re facing life transitions, emotional challenges, relationship struggles, or healing from trauma, I’m here to guide you toward growth, resilience, and a more fulfilling life. Let’s work together to create meaningful change and empower you to thrive.

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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