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.
Diane Shrock-Wang
Well hello! My name is Diane Shrock-Wang, and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in individual, couples, child, family, and group therapy. I maintain an active private practice in California. With over 30 years of experience as a marriage and family therapist and as a graduate of Azusa Pacific University specializing in marriage, family, and child therapy, I strive to serve various client issues. My areas of expertise are anxiety disorders, eating disorders, mood disorders, and emotional intelligence (EQ) development. In addition to being a seasoned therapist, I also provide training and presentations to groups, speaking on assorted topics, including stress management, recognizing and moving through shame, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and increasing emotional intelligence. I am an interactive and solution-focused therapist with a style that provides support and practical feedback so that you may effectively address and move through personal and professional life challenges. I integrate complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to your needs. With compassion, honesty, and understanding, I help you build on your strengths and support you in attaining the personal growth you desire in life. I look forward to working with you. Let's get started!
Stephanie Moss
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California with over 15 years of experience working as a social worker and mental health clinician. My experience includes working with clients managing a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, career challenges, life transitions, loss and grief, and attention difficulties (ADHD). I also have experience working with people coping with trauma or adverse childhood experiences in their lives. My counseling approach is warm, kind, and interactive. I believe in the power of the therapeutic relationship to support change, and treat my clients with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. We are each unique in our life experiences, and finding value and compassion for ourselves is an underlying current of my approach. In addition, I utilize cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, and solution focused approaches. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. I believe we are all capable of change when we have the support, tools, and vulnerability to do so. I'm here to help you when you're ready to take those steps toward living the life you envision for yourself. I look forward to working with you!
Jeremy O'Conner
Jeremy is a licensed clinical social worker with over 22 years of experience in the field of social work. He currently serves as the Clinical Director at California Youth Services and has been a field instructor and clinical supervisor since 2013. He earned his Master of Social Work degree from California State University, Long Beach in 2005 after receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Concordia University, Irvine. Jeremy finds it to be a privilege to work with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, chronic medical conditions, compassion fatigue, and crisis intervention. Jeremy enjoys helping people who have experienced physical trauma, emotional abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder. His counseling style is driven by the belief we are called to care for and love those, who struggle and need help. Sometimes in life, we begin to lose our purpose and meaning, and the quality of our lives begins to suffer. Stress, anxiety, sadness, as well as a multitude of other feelings, can flood our minds and prevent us from living meaningful and productive lives. Our underlying beliefs, and core values, play a role in this. Jeremy’s primary treatment modalities include cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, client-centered techniques as well as solution-focused therapy. Jeremy is active in his Christian faith and is a faithful believer in the great commission. Soli Deo Gloria
Michelle Stanton White
Life is difficult and, at one time or another, everyone needs extra support. I am here to help you alleviate your anxiety, grief, depression... whatever that has brought you here today. Perhaps you only need some assistance to resolve a problem or to deal with a difficult relationship. You have made the right decision to get some help. I left a successful career in the computer industry to become a Marriage and Family Therapist because I love helping people lead better lives. I’m an active therapist, collaborating with my clients to help them recognize self-defeating behavior, change their perspective, and make the right choice. I may use one or more empirically-supported techniques—Cognitive Behavioral, Solution-Focused, Strategic Family, Motivational Interviewing, etc.—depending on the situation. But fundamentally, I believe change can only occur if my clients and I have a warm, trusting relationship. My goal is to help you move beyond your current difficulties so that you can achieve a happier and more productive life.
Amanda Chavez
I am licensed in California with 12 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, family conflicts, & trauma and abuse. I also have experience working with intimacy related 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.
Dr. Dr. Jimmie Turner
I am licensed in California with 30 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & coping with grief and loss. 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.
Ivana Tejeda
I am licensed in California with over 18 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, & 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!
Richard Wendt
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I earned a Masters of Arts in Marriage, Family, Child Counseling and a Masters of Divinity with an emphasis in New Testament Theology from Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary. My Masters work in traumatic stress has led me to specialize in Trauma and PTSD in both adults and children and am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. I have experience in Law Enforcement, firefighting, and EMS as a Paramedic. I have experience in ministry working as pastor, chaplain, and pastoral counselor. Before opening my private practice I worked as a therapist at the College of the Sequoias, Visalia Youth Services and with Trinity Ministries Group. I work with adults, adolescents, children, family and couples. I enjoy working with adolescents and children with behavioral, mood and anxiety problems. I work with the military, law enforcement, firefighters, and paramedics and their families. My approach is to come along side of you to assist you in developing healthier relationships and coping skills. 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.
Phyllis Grannis
Greetings! I'm a licensed therapist from the beautiful state of California, bringing to you 34 years of experience in helping individuals just like you navigate life's challenges. Whether you're grappling with stress, anxiety, relationship dilemmas, parenting challenges, or need a boost in self-esteem and motivation, I'm here to help. My practice creates a warm, open environment where your feelings and thoughts are given the respect and attention they deserve, completely free of judgment. I know the first step towards therapy can seem daunting, and just by being here, you're already winning! I applaud your courage in taking this crucial step. You're not alone in this journey, and I'm here to support you every step of the way!
Thomas Pugel
I am licensed in California with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, & 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.
Jeffrey Taynton
I am licensed in California and I have been providing therapy for children, teens, and adults for nine years. I work hard to ensure that clients feel valued, understood, and accepted just as they are because this provides the foundation for effective therapy. When rapport and trust are established, the change process becomes available. I believe that people change by actively modifying the way they think, feel, and act in their daily lives. Therefore, I aim to give clients the insight, tools, and skills they need to make the changes they desire. I emphasize practical plans for applying new skills and tools learned in therapy sessions. I use interventions and tools from various approaches such as Person-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. I have experience in helping clients with a range of issues including depression, difficulty regulating emotion, relationship issues, and communication problems. It is a true privilege to partner with clients in their journeys toward a better life.
Joshua Helman
I am licensed in California with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with lgbtq+ related issues, relationship issues, trauma , & compassion fatigue. 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!
Renee Gaubert
I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) from New Orleans, Louisiana. My expertise is in treating trauma-related disorders. I began my social work career as a housing case manager for fellow New Orleanians displaced by Hurricane Katrina, then worked as a domestic violence victim advocate through the Orleans Parish District Attorney's office. I also provided in-home mental health rehabilitation services and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy throughout the greater New Orleans area for several years. Now I practice online therapy full-time from my home, serving adults across the country. My passion is helping others overcome adversity through authentic self-expression and safe, meaningful connection. I look at problems through an intersectional feminist framework and use cognitive behavioral interventions that help my clients manage overwhelming emotions, change self-destructive habits, improve personal relationships, and feel more in control of their lives. Cognitive behavioral therapy is considered the gold standard for treating anxiety and depression. It involves a lot of writing out our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors so that we can notice patterns and find alternative choices. This is why weekly Live Chat sessions, along with sending messages and completing worksheets in between sessions, are a perfect modality for this treatment approach. While the therapeutic relationship is a professional one, it's important that you experience me as a real person with genuine interest and care for you, so I'll share a bit about myself here. I identify as a bisexual cis woman, and an advocate for social justice. I am located in New Orleans, Louisiana where I have lived most of my life. I have a BA in sociology and women's studies from Loyola University and a master's in social work from Tulane University. I took a 3-year hiatus from social work to move to New York City, where I worked as a ballerina, yoga instructor, and Broadway theatre bartender. I started my private practice back in New Orleans when COVID hit. I share my home with my 3 pets: a goldador named Bella, a chihuahua-mix named Rex, and red-tail boa named Kaa. I like to take road trips, and most of my vacations are spent in a campground or at a music festival. I also perform with local community theaters and dance companies. Though most of the people I’ve treated have experienced trauma, it's not what brings most people into therapy. I start with the changes you'd like to see in your life right now. Having a supportive person you feel safe with and understood by is neither a luxury nor aid you have to qualify for; it's what all humans need to thrive. I will build a brave space with you, where you can explore how your past experiences have shaped patterns of thoughts and behaviors. You will clarify your values and learn to live them authentically in the present. Oftentimes this process involves uncovering and processing past trauma. I have found trauma is not something you get over, but something you move through. As a trauma survivor myself, I’ve experienced the transformative power of therapy from the client side, too. I know how much courage it takes to open up to someone new, and let them see who you are and who you want to become. I would be honored to step into your world and move through it with you.
Susan Faix
I am licensed in California with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, family conflicts, 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.
Dennis Le
I am licensed in California with 11 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, & 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.
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:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Crisis Text Line:Text HOME to 741741
- Veterans Crisis Line<:Call 1-800-273-8255 (and press 1) or text 838255. For support for the deaf and hard of hearing community, please use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255.
- Trevor Lifeline(LGBTQ Lifeline): (866)488-7386
- SAMHSA National Helpline: (Substance Use): (800)662-4357
- National Eating Disorder Association Helpline:1-800-931-2237 (M-Th: 9 AM-9 PM EST, Fri 9 AM - 5 PM EST
- Child Help Hotline Call 1-800-422-4453 or use the online chat featur
- National Anti-Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293)
- Physician Crisis Support Line: Call 1-888-409-0141 if you are a first responder or medical provider experiencing crises related to Covid-1
- Sexual Assault Hotline: Call RAINN at 1-800-656-4673
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.
Popular cities in California
- Los Angeles, CA
- San Diego, CA
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- San Francisco, CA
- Fresno, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- Long Beach, CA
- Oakland, CA
- Bakersfield, CA
- Anaheim, CA
- Santa Ana, CA
- Riverside, CA
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