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. Annabel Fields

Offering therapy in California
License: J.D.,Psy.D.
Stress, AnxietyAnger managementSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
19 years of experience

Hello, and congratulations on taking a big first step on the path to becoming a happier, healthier you. I help people along their paths with a primary focus, not on your diagnosis, but on the symptoms that are causing difficulty in your daily functioning. In order to do that, we'll utilize interventions from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and a variety of other treatment modalities depending on your individual needs. I hold a license in Clinical Psychology from the states of California and Arizona. I received my doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Widener University in Pennsylvania in 2008. I have worked in a variety of treatment settings, which has afforded me the opportunity to work with clients with a wide range of concerns. Some of these concerns include motivation, depression, anxiety, communication issues, anger management, relationship issues (straight or LGBTQIA+, monogamous or polyamorous), as well as issues related to transgender status and gender identity. My therapeutic style is warm and inviting. I am accepting of all individuals regardless of race, religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation. We will work together to develop an individualized treatment plan designed to help move you from where you are on your life path to where you'd like to be. My goal is for each of my clients to feel accepted, seen, heard, and respected throughout our therapeutic relationship.

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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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Kandie Brown

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

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California. I have a Master’s degree in Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, TX. I follow a systemic approach to therapy and believe that to understand people and their challenges it is important to understand the systems and relationships they are a part of. I believe that the therapeutic relationship should be one of authenticity, collaboration and one that feels safe and supportive. I focus on the client’s strength and resiliency. I strive to help clients find tools to cope with life’s stresses. I use a humanistic approach, CBT, existential, EMDR, narrative, solution focused, and mindfulness approaches and/or other modalities tailored to the client's needs. I strive to help clients find more adaptive habits that lead to more meaningful and fulfilling lives. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, depression, relationship issues, anger management, trauma, abuse and low-motivation, lack of self-esteem and lack of confidence. I work with my clients in California 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 and empower you in that journey. About me: I enjoy gardening, quilting, researching, reading, walking, hiking, travel and enjoying my dog and family.

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Shannon Nelson

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyAnger managementSelf esteemDepressionADHD
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, anger management, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. Most of my professional experience comes from time in school settings supporting children, teens, and young adults with ASD, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and other mental health needs. 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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Angela Phillips

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

I’m a licensed California therapist with over a decade of practice experience. I have helped clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, 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. 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 Herbert

Offering therapy in California
AddictionsLGBTFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGrief
4 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 4 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, lgbtq+ related issues, family conflicts, & trauma and abuse. 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.

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Bradley Heidenberg

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepressionCompassion fatigue
10 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, 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. 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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Viviana Hernandez

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

Hi, my name is Viviana Hernandez, and I am licensed in California with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, motivation, self-esteem, confidence, and depression. All my work has been in community mental health which has provided several opportunities to be in different roles and manage different programs. I’ve worked with clients as young as 5 years old and as old as 65 years old. I’ve also conducted one-time assessments to determine parental capacity or appropriate services for children after being removed from their home. 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 and empower you in that journey.

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Debra Brittain

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

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, & 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. 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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Elizabeth Shartle

Offering therapy in California
License: MA,PCC-S
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsFamily conflictsSelf esteemCoping with life changes
15 years of experience

I am a licensed clinical counselor in Ohio. For over fifteen years, I have worked with adults with addiction, anxiety, grief and depression. Many of my clients experienced past trauma, family conflicts, and issues with motivation and self-esteem. My vision of counseling is to come along side the person who is hurting to offer understanding and encouragement as you share your story so that together we can figure out a plan for moving forward. My counseling techniques emphasize behavioral strategies and interpersonal skills, while drawing on the tenets of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT emphasizes living and engaging in life according to your values so that you make intentional choices and feel better with the choices you make. My overall approach is person-centered, and our interaction will always be underscored by respect and genuine care. We want our lives to matter, and we want to be important to those we love. Being seen and heard is crucial, and sometimes, just feeling understood for a moment is priceless. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to work with you here in this forum!

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Amada Battista

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
10 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & 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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Anna Sawicka

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemCoping with life changesADHD
10 years of experience

My door is open to clients of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and relationship-expansive communities. My passion is to help others during their healing and growing journey. I understands therapy as a collaborative process that allows trust and authenticity to foster insight and growth, exploring how the past impacts the present. I believe that each person is unique and thus requires individualized care to support them. I aim to remind clients of their own resourcefulness as they work to create and enhance a life worth living. I provide a safe and non-judgmental space where clients can feel comfortable to open up, explore and process everything that stops them from living the life they want. I most often use the following theoretical orientations: Integrative (CBT/DBT/ACT, Psychodynamic, Attachment, Humanistic, Mindfulness, and GestaltI. I am licensed in California and Florida with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & 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. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. I previously worked in the past as a Primary Therapist in Intensive Outpatient and Outpatient settings in West Los Angeles and as a Counselor at Clearview Treatment Programs in a Residential facility for women. I completed her graduate training at Southern California Counseling Center, providing therapy to adult individuals. I coordinated the care and treatment of acute cases of mental health disorders. I have not only provided individual, couples, and family therapy, but have also facilitated Process, Anger Management, Managing Depression, Managing Anxiety, Family Systems, Mindfulness, Behavioral Activation, CBT, DBT, and ACT groups. Moreover, I am originally from Poland and can provide therapy in her native language. In the last 17 years, I traveled extensively and lived in five different countries. I was fortunate to work with people from all over the world. This experience has helped me realize the importance of understanding other cultures, belief systems, and approaches to psychological issues. I provide a safe and non-judgmental space where clients can feel comfortable to open up, explore and process everything that stops them from living the life they want. My clients and friends would say that I am a positive, warm, supportive and empathetic person.

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Christopher Trujillo

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
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, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & 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. 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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Frances Bennett

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsGriefSelf esteemCoping with life changes
5 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 5 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 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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Natalie Thill

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseSelf esteemCoping with life changesADHD
5 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, trauma, abuse, motivation, self esteem, confidence, coping with life changes, & concentration, memory. I also have experience working with focus (adhd). 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!

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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