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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Tim Leslie

Offering therapy in California
License: LMFT
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsDepression
12 years of experience

I received my M.A. in Clinical Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy Specialization in 2011. Since then, I have worked with children and adults both individually as well as with couples and families in Residential, Intensive Outpatient and Outpatient settings. I tailor my approach to what would be best for the client needs at the time. As a result, I have experience providing both brief and more solution focused therapy as well as therapy geared towards exploration and insight with the potential for deeper change. I believe the therapy journey is a collaborative one and that clients are most successful when they are both motivated by and patient with the therapeutic process. I balance active listening with interventions in order to allow the therapeutic relationship to develop in a positive manner that will allow the client to get the most out of the more tangible work. If you have questions about my experience with specific issues or areas of expertise, please feel free to ask me.

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Maria Rios

Offering therapy in California
License: MA,LMFT
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesParenting issuesSelf esteemDepression
13 years of experience

Welcome! I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California and I have been providing psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and families seeking transformative growth since 2012, offering counseling across residential, outpatient, and private practice settings, including online platforms to ensure accessible, compassionate care for diverse clients. Prior to graduating with a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology, my background was established in education, working as a Montessori educator in Cambridge, MA and San Diego, CA (2005-2014), where I utilized didactic materials to promote academic growth and social skills for children ages 3-7. The heart and passion of my work is to provide you with an uninterrupted time and space for you to process and explore your thoughts and feelings and empower you to achieve your goals and realize your full potential. My therapeutic approach is rooted in C. Roger’s person-centered principles, fostering a safe and non-judgmental environment for reflection and self-discovery. I aim to bring clarity, awareness, peace, and harmony, prioritizing self-awareness. As a hope-based therapist, I offer an authentic and honest approach, empowering clients to reframe thoughts, cultivate healthy core beliefs, and tap into their innate resilience. I believe in each individual's inner strength and assist them in uncovering their power to drive positive change. Whether addressing personal growth or relationship issues, I help clients analyze dynamics, establish healthy boundaries, and foster self-worth, providing personalized guidance that resonates with their unique needs. I possess a robust clinical background, bolstered by esteemed training and experience. I integrate some of the leading, evidence-based psychological modalities. I have worked at McAlister Institute, a renowned outpatient and residential recovery center specializing in addiction and dual diagnoses for teens and adults (2012-2017), applying Motivational Interviewing (MI), the 12-step program, and psycho-education on dependency and generational trauma. Additionally, I have received comprehensive training from the A. Beck Institute, founded by the pioneer of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (2018). I have also gained competence in Internal Family Systems (IFS) through the work of R. Schwartz (2020). Furthermore, I have expanded my expertise by completing the prestigious The Science of Well-Being course at Yale University, enhancing my ability to provide holistic, evidence-based care (2020). Recently, I have augmented my skills through specialized training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) (2022) and Narcissistic Emotional Abuse (2023), solidifying my commitment to addressing complex mental health concerns and supporting survivors of emotional abuse. My areas of specialization include: Mood disorders (depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders); Self-esteem and identity issues; ADHD, OCD, and neurodiverse concerns; Relationship dynamics and conflict resolution; Narcissistic emotional abuse recovery; Parenting support and guidance; Substance dependency and co-dependency; Crisis management, stress reduction, and life adjustments. I look forward to working with you! 
Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK)
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741-741

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Ashwini Gupta

Offering therapy in California
License: MFT
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesIntimacy-related issuesCareer difficultiesCoping with life changes
20 years of experience

Namaste, my name is Ashwini Gupta and I am Therapist/Intuitive Life Coach specializing in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as well as Vedanta and Mindfulness-based practices. With 20 plus of experience helping individuals navigate life's challenges, I am passionate about empowering my clients to live more meaningful and fulfilling lives truly being in touch with the essence of soul identity. Using ACT as my primary therapeutic approach, I create a warm and non-judgmental space where we can work together to address difficulties such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship issues. ACT combines mindfulness, acceptance, and behavior change strategies to guide clients towards psychological flexibility, allowing them to better handle distress and align their actions with their deeply-held values. What is ACT? At its core, ACT is a behavioral therapy: it’s about taking action. But it’s not about just any old action. First, it’s about values-guided action. There’s a big existential component to this model: **What do you want to stand for in life? **What really matters, deep in your heart? **What is the legacy do you want to create for yourself? ACT gets you in touch with what matters in the big picture: your heart’s deepest desires for who you want to be and what you want to do during your brief time on this planet. You then use these core values to guide, motivate, and inspire behavioral change. What is Vedanta? Vedanta is one of the world's oldest philosophies which affirms the oneness of existence and the divinity of the soul. A close look at the word "Vedanta" is revealing: It is the combination of 2 words: "Veda" which means 'knowledge' and "anta" which means 'the goal of'. In this context, knowledge refers to understanding one's own divine nature- meaning and purpose in 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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Christie Carol Spahr

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

I am a LMFT in California with 26 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with getting to know Who You are, practicing self compassion, tolerance, trust & confidence to better manage painful life experience, stress, sadness, melancholy, depression anxiety, relationship issues, existential angst, and refocusing on knowing & believing in Your Self. I work in Humanistic, Existential, Person centered, Motivational, Narrative, spoken word approaches with my clients to create an open hearted ~ open minded safe environment where thoughts, emotions & 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 with respect to support you on that Journey. I graduated from the University of Oregon, have a BA in Religious Studies ~ emphasis on Cultural, Sociological, Indigenous, and Philosophical world view.s Went back to graduate school after being in sports marketing, studying Indigenous cultures in Australia, and U.S. and received my graduate degree ~ MA in Psychology with a speciality in Marriage & Family Therapy. I have been a runner my whole life, have run Marathons around the world, I am grateful for my "lifestyle, as it taught me to Never Give Up, who I Am, realized it's amazing whats thought impossible until it's done, and simply you just can't lie to yourself through the marathon of life or 26 miles 385 yds. I love my work as a therapist & look forward to meeting you.

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Nancy Campos

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseAnger managementDepression
8 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & 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. 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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Heather Navarro

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
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, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & 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 and look forward to hearing about your needs.

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Cory Sullivan

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseDepression
7 years of experience

I have a passion for helping people find their new normal after traumatic injuries and/or chronic illness and have first-hand experience with the grief, and loss of identity that comes with life after a traumatic injury. I focus on letting my clients know that they are not in this alone, despite what their irrational thoughts tell them. Throughout my life, I've navigated the complexities of establishing a new normal after a traumatic injury and grappling with the impact they have on mental health and overall well-being. These firsthand experiences have instilled empathy and understanding that I bring to every therapeutic encounter. I am committed to creating a safe, supportive, and empowering space where individuals can explore their experiences, process their emotions, and cultivate resilience on their journey toward healing. I strive to utilize strength-based skills that have helped you conquer old foes while incorporating new skills and strategies to overcome present obstacles.

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Sergio Ibanez

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

I am licensed in California with 7 years of professional work experience. I speak English and Spanish. I have experience in helping clients with trauma-EMDR, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, abuse, 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.

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Beth Ringheim

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsGriefSelf 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, anxiety, family conflicts, coping with grief, coping with loss, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I also have experience working with 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. 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.

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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