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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Dr. Paul Van Zeumeren

Offering therapy in California
License: Psy.D.,LMFT
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseGriefDepression
11 years of experience

Are you having difficulties in your personal relationships or other areas of your life? Do you suspect that alcohol or substance use in your life is becoming an addictive behavior? Is sadness, worry, racing thoughts or other matters becoming intrusive in your life? If you are experiencing these or any other concerns, I would like to help you. I can do this using insight oriented psycho-therapy to encourage behaviors designed to replace unproductive actions and beliefs with a useful paradigm for living with peace of mind. I am a results oriented Marriage and Family Therapist. The Doctoral research I have completed situates me to assist you through the use of solution focused interventions designed to change perspectives using an action orientation. Improving one's relationships has been shown to improve one's quality of life and life satisfaction. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and hold a Psy. D. in clinical psychology. As far as addiction is concerned, my Doctoral research and studies combined with an extensive Addiction counseling experience, have positioned me to blend psychological principles with classical addiction recovery philosophies. These perspectives, when combined are likely to increase a person's chances of a sustained and fruitful sobriety experience.

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Kristyn Nishimoto

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

Hello! Welcome to my profile. I am glad you are here- it takes a lot of strength to reach out for support. My name is Kristyn Nishimoto and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California with 6 years of experience in providing therapy. I have my BA in Psychology and Social Behavior from UC Irvine and my Master of Social Work from California State University, Northridge. I have worked in crisis and community mental health settings throughout my career, and have experience providing crisis de-escalation and stabilization services, solution-focused therapy, mindfulness strategies to manage depressive and anxiety symptoms, and trauma focused treatment. I have experience working with adults, older adults, children, families, and diverse cultural groups. I believe in a strengths-based approach to therapy. My role as a therapist is to support you in identifying and working towards meaningful goals, identifying strengths within yourself, and to introduce strategies that you can utilize to build on those strengths in order to meet your goals. I believe that you are the expert on your life and experiences, so I look forward to learning more about you in order to support you in the best way possible.

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Dr. Woodruff Johnson

Offering therapy in California
License: PsyD
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseGriefSelf esteemDepression
26 years of experience

When I grew up, I always knew that I wanted to be of help to others and I knew that I wanted to be a psychologist. Also growing up in a big family taught me the importance and the value of working together, collaboration and the fact that no matter how much one knows about something we can always increase our knowledge. In fact, I can safely say that in most of my opportunities to help others, invariably I learned not only more about working with various issues and diversity of people but about myself as well. Over the years I have worked in many racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and diverse age communities across the country and over a wide range of issues and challenges spanning over 25 years. These include depression anxiety, trauma, and relationship issues. It takes a lot of courage to seek help and my approach Is highly collaborative where we will seek to venture down the pathway to healing and feeling better together. Regarding your challenges and discomfort, you are the expert I Am the partner with you and together we will forge a way out of what might seem like darkness into the light. I look forward to working with you.

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Cindy DeNuccio

Offering therapy in California
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesDepression
32 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 32 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, & parenting issues. While people's problems may be similar, each individual is unique, and their path to growth is specific to only themself. 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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Susan Davis

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefParenting issuesDepression
35 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 35 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, coping with grief and loss, & parenting issues. 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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Izabella Bagdasarian

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepression
4 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 4 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & trauma and abuse. 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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Matthew Lehman

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsAnger managementDepression
10 years of experience

I am licensed in California and Illinois with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, anger management, & 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. 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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Alicia Lammers

Offering therapy in California
Self esteemCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
3 years of experience

I am licensed in Oregon and California with over 10 years of professional work experience in community mental health, child welfare, and clinical supervision. I have experience in helping clients with motivation, self esteem, and confidence, coping with life changes, & compassion fatigue. 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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Deonia Young

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseGriefParenting issuesCoping with life changes
6 years of experience

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of California with 5 years of clinical experience. I identify as Christian and have been a practicing social worker for nearly 20 years. I have therapeutic experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflict, grief and loss, 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. My warm and flexible, integrated approach to therapy draws upon therapeutic components found within Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution Focused Therapy to support you in reaching your personal treatment goals. Taking the first step to sign up for or return to therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started in your journey of personal growth.

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Laurie Andrews

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

I am licensed in California with 4 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with such things as 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. I meet my clients where they are, with compassion and unconditional positive regard. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and strength; I am happy for you and your action toward getting started!

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Marie Gauley

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseGriefDepression
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, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, & 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 offer support for getting started! As you start this process, you may want to identify one or two goals to focus on. I will teach you some skills to help you manage Your emotions and I will be asking you to practice in between sessions. I’m available for support between sessions.

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Giancarlo Pia

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsGriefParenting issuesDepression
19 years of experience

I am licensed in Michigan (LMSW-Clinical, in 2014) and California (LCSW, in 2008). I have experience supporting clients with anxiety, trauma, & depression, family conflict, coping with grief and loss, parenting challenges & needs, and substance use/recovery. I also have also worked significantly with members of the LGBTIA+ community and with those who identify as gender fluid or non-binary. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming the 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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Melinda Olivas

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsDepression
4 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 4 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & motivation. 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.

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Brittany Shelton

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepressionADHD
4 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 4 years of professional work experience as a therapist,but 15 years in the field of mental health . I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, & 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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Laura Sims

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseGriefDepressionADHD
13 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 12 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, trauma, abuse, coping with grief, coping with loss, depression, & concentration, memory. I also have experience working with focus (adhd). 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 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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