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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Joseph 'Joe' Exnowski

Offering therapy in California
License: MA LMFT
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSelf esteem
10 years of experience

I am a marriage and family therapist working in the counseling field for 8 years. I have worked with clients experiencing depression, anxiety, challenging relationships, self esteem issues, trauma and childhood abuse. My therapeutic approach is to create an atmosphere of safety, comfort, and respect, with the recognition of how much courage it takes to make this sacred journey. I blend several different approaches in my practice such humanistic, gestalt, mindfulness, and trauma based therapies. People taking this journey don't always recognize how much strength, insight, and wisdom they innately possess, I am here to assist you in unlocking those doors. Those doors lead to feed on, peace, and happiness

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Tyler Cole

Offering therapy in California
License: LPC,LPCC,LMHC
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseParenting issuesDepression
6 years of experience

Hi, welcome to the BetterHelp community. I want to commend you for the courage it took to take the first steps in seeking support at this time. My name is Tyler Cole and I am a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor in the states of California, Colorado, and Washington. I am also a Nationally Certified Counselor and bring with me 7+ years of experience working in a wide variety of settings. I have experience providing counseling across a spectrum of diverse individual and family needs in community clinics, schools, residential care, and private practice. Throughout my experience I have had the opportunity to support individuals and families in working toward and meeting their goals in a wide array of considerations including: managing depression and anxiety, overcoming situational stress, finding opportune work-life balance, enhancing and improving communication and relationship fulfillment, and fostering overall improved inter and intrapersonal wellbeing. Additionally, I have advanced training and experience in addressing concerns related to trauma and abuse, parenting and family concerns, and attachment dynamics. I am a firm believer in the research that indicates that the counseling experience will only be as helpful as the strength of the therapeutic alliance. As such, I take pride in working to create an accepting, non-judgmental, supportive, and safe space in which we can work together. It is my goal to fully understand your story, values, goals, and relationships that are of the most importance to you in order assist you in reaching your goals. Most often, individuals and families tend to know, intuitively, what they want and need and then tend to move in that direction when barriers can be navigated around. My role is to compassionately assist in navigating any potential areas where things are feeling stuck and unhelpful. Some of my approaches to our shared work include the use of techniques derived from Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and EMDR. However, each of these evidence-based interventions are grounded in a firm commitment to a client-centered and strengths-based approach that highlights the individual and family as the expert on your life and needs. Reaching out for support is not always an easy or clear decision to make. Again, I commend you for taking this step. Whether I have the opportunity to work with you or not, I wish you all the best in your endeavors to improve your overall wellbeing.

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Dr. Jerri Curry

Offering therapy in California
License: PhD
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepression
30 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, coping with addictions, relationship issues, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our sessions to meet your unique and specific needs. As you think so you are. Change your thoughts and change your life. It takes courage to engage in counseling to become more aware and responsible for one's own choices and the dysfunctional patterns we often get stuck in. Change is an internal process and not external. Every experience is an opportunity to learn. You have every right to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

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Armando Rodriguez

Offering therapy in California
AddictionsFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepressionCompassion fatigue
4 years of experience

Hi! I am Armando Rodriguez. I am a Latino Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California with 3 years of professional work experience. I am bilingual and speak both English and Spanish fluently. I have experience helping clients cope with addictions, family conflicts, trauma, and abuse, & depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I take a psychodynamic and client-centered approach because I believe that clients are the experts of their experience and that early childhood experiences manifest today as maladaptive behaviors. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. The first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life is courage. I am here to support you in that process.

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Nanette Tangkeko

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyGriefSelf esteemCompassion fatigue
9 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, coping with grief and loss, motivation, self esteem, confidence, and recovery from narcissistic abuse. 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 life and take the first steps towards change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

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Whitney Bruice

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

I am licensed in California with 22 years of professional work experience. I enjoy working with clients who want to learn to cope with stress and anxiety, improve relationships, process grief and loss, and improve motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialogue 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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William Zahn

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyGriefSelf esteemDepressionADHD
20 years of experience

I am a licensed psychologist 20 years of experience working in a variety of settings. I received my bachelor’s degree from Princeton University in 1999 and my PsyD from CSPP-San Diego in 2008. I have experience in helping people with anxiety, depression, addiction, psychotic disorders, chronic pain, transgender issues, intellectual giftedness, and men’s issues. I have expertise in mindfulness and mind-body practices. I believe compassion and respect are essential to healing. I strive to help people find ways to make their own individual style serve their personal goals, rather than trying to force people to be something they are not. I hope to support and empower you in that journey.

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Guadalupe Gonzalez

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyGriefAnger managementSelf esteemDepression
3 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, coping with grief and loss, anger management, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. 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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Liana Gibson

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefCoping with life changes
13 years of experience

Hello, I am licensed in California, Texas and Washington with 13 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & coping with grief and loss. 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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Hannah Bernard

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

I am Hannah Bernard, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in California, working with clients statewide via telehealth. I strive to support my clients through life's difficult times by fostering new insights, teaching practical skills, and seeking emotional resources to empower them to make decisions they can be proud of and live in a way that truly reflects who they are. I utilize a flexible approach to understand and respond to the unique needs of each individual. I have discovered that my style and approach work well with adults of all ages. I provide support to clients facing life transitions, medical challenges, grief, a diminished sense of self, and family or relationship issues. Understanding that these experiences often overlap, I also help clients manage symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia. In therapy, I demonstrate empathy, maintain a non-judgmental attitude, and project an authentic demeanor. I understand that a fundamental aspect of the therapeutic process is establishing a safe space and nurturing a supportive relationship to facilitate personal growth. Collaboration is at the core of my practice, as I believe that the therapeutic relationship and a client's active involvement in their own healing process are essential components of successful therapy. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you, promoting positive change and growth on your personal journey toward well-being and fulfillment. I became a therapist driven by a core belief in the strengths and inherent goodness within everyone. My passion is to help people discover and embrace these qualities in themselves. There’s nothing more rewarding to me than seeing individuals feel empowered and confident as they recognize their own potential and worth.

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Susan Maxfield

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefDepression
25 years of experience

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in individual and family therapy for children and adults. With over 30 years working in the fields of behavioral health and social services, and as a graduate of California State University, Bakersfield with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology, I serve as a private practitioner working with a broad spectrum of clients. Among my areas of expertise are Depression, Anxiety, Child and Adolescent Disorders, Positive Parenting of challenging behaviors and oppositional defiant children, Grief and Loss Issues, coping with chronic pain and fatigue/Fibromyalgia and other chronic medical problems, and many others. In addition to being a psychotherapist I have worked as a consultant for non-profit organizations in Tulare County. I am an interactive, Cognitive Behavioral and Family System's therapist. My therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. I integrate complementary methodologies and techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Behavior Modification Theory, and Positive Parenting among other theoretical approaches, to offer highly personalized treatment tailored to each client. With compassion and understanding, I work with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.

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Corinne Boulger

Offering therapy in California
AddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsSelf esteemCoping with life changes
6 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, & 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. 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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Juanita Equils

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsSelf esteemDepression
15 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & 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. 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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Dr. Travis Griffith

Offering therapy in California
Anger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesDepressionCoaching
11 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 11 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with anger management, motivation, self esteem, confidence, career difficulties, and 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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Thais Guimaraes

Offering therapy in California
Relationship issuesTrauma and abuseEating disordersSelf esteemDepression
5 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, trauma, abuse, eating disorders, 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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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