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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Marilyn Hall

Offering therapy in California
License: M.A.,LMFT
Stress, AnxietyLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsCoping with life changes
24 years of experience

Thanks for taking the time to look at my profile. Being of service is my primary goal in working with others and it is the reason I am a therapist. I thoroughly enjoy helping others achieve their life goals in a manner that is as supportive and respectful as possible. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California. I have over 25 years of experience helping people gain control over their lives, emotions, relationships, and family conflict. I specialize in helping others through difficult transitions in life. My experience includes working with depression, anxiety, separation and divorce, grief, and trauma. I look forward to meeting you!

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Hiroko Makiyama

Offering therapy in California
Addictions
10 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 17 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients coping with addictions. 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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Karen Cairel

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyParenting issues
25 years of experience

Hello! I am a licensed clinical social worker in California with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients in a variety of areas. I look forward to working with you to decrease the stress in your life. It is an honor for me to work with clients around issues such as anxiety, life transitions (new parent, job change, caregiver role), parenting stress, infertility challenges, and other areas that are important to you. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. The professional relationship we build is vital to the success of treatment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. I look forward to meeting you. :)

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Enros Manaligod

Offering therapy in California
License: MA,MFT,IMFT
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuse
8 years of experience

Currently, my availability on BetterHelp is Mondays only. If more availability is required, another provider may better fit your needs. Welcome! My name is Enros, and I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT). I work with individuals (children, adolescents, and adults), families, and couples. I welcome all families, traditional and non-traditional. I am fully licensed in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Florida, Nevada, Ohio, and Vermont. My specialties include relationships, families, grief, and trauma. Additionally, as a military veteran, I have a unique perspective of veterans: separation, deployment, and the rigors of military life. I approach therapy as a collaborator, not an expert. I find the most joy in learning about you directly from you. Relationships are complicated, especially the relationships that are most important to us. Many of us feel the need for connection, security, and love. However, sometimes we end up hurt and alone. Relational pain can show up as anxiety, fear, depression, or grief, among other things. I firmly believe that relationships, empathy, and humor are the most powerful tools for helping clients experience lasting change. My most significant reward as a professional helper is watching my clients go from despair to possibility. I look forward to working with you!

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Patricia Nelson

Offering therapy in California
License: LCSW-R
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseDepression
25 years of experience

I am a Social Worker licensed in California and New York State with over 25 years experience working as a psychotherapist and life coach. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, addiction, relationship issues, parenting problems, career challenges, OCD and ADHD. I also helped many people who have experienced physical trauma or emotional abuse. My counseling style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating anyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, psychodynamic and rational-emotive counseling. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek for a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. If you are ready to take that step I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you!

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Grace Szeja

Offering therapy in California
License: LCSW
Stress, AnxietySelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
10 years of experience

Greetings, I am glad you are here today. My name is Grace and I have been a clinical social worker for more then 9 years. I use the pronouns her/she. My clinical experience is in a hospital setting, I have worked with a variety of people (age 5 to 90) with an equally vast range of issues and disorders. I enjoy hearing from people who identify with in the LGBTQ+ community, and anyone from the iGen / Gen Z. I always strive to meet my clients with compassion and respect, regardless of age, skin color, or identification. As we navigate our own path in life, it can be scary, lonely, with the footing unknown. I want to help you traverse your challenges, whatever they may be. Before pursuing a career as a clinical social worker, my passion and work experience is in fine arts. I have faced those challenges of forging your own path when everyone around you offers nothing but obstacles. After obtaining my dream career (comic illustrator) I found that my dream job was not the same as having a dream life. I am fortunate that I was able to explore my other strengths, and found a career in “being the person I wish I had” in my life growing up. Do you struggle making yourself and your needs a priority? Are you living each day to the fullest? Are you letting go of the past and not fearing the future? Are you learning to like and love yourself? Struggling to break a toxic cycle? Have you always wanted to allow yourself to be you? Do you have dreams you're afraid to follow? It's time to let go of what is holding you back, and weight down your heart and spirit. Working from a client centered approach, I utilize many expressive creative art therapies, including zendoodle, zen journal, sand tray, drawing, painting, clay (and more) alongside Cognitive Behavioral Therapy practices (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Practices (DBT). I believe that therapy is for anyone who would like to developing new thought patterns, increasing your healthy coping skill, discarding your old beliefs about yourself, and gaining awareness of your internal and external resources. Don't waste another precious day being miserable or unhappy, its time to allow yourself to be free and find joy. If you don't like something, then change it so you do. Life is too short and too precious to waste it to fear, past hurt, or unhappiness. In my free time, I enjoy gardening, distance running, and hiking. I have three cats, and two rabbits. Others would describe me as kind, gentle, and a meme expert. I worked as a fine artist before I became a therapist. I know first hand the grief we place upon ourselves when we live our lives according to the needs and wants of others. We can't change yesterday, but we still have the power to navigate tomorrow. “You have to get a little lost on your way to being found.” Pronouns: she/her

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Ranique Hopkins

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

Ranique Hopkins is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist based in southern California. She combines nurturing support with direct guidance to empower her clients and facilitate their growth and healing. Ranique tailors her mental health services to each individual’s preferences and personal needs. She understands that emotional well-being is crucial, akin to the air we breathe. Ranique does her best to create a safe, non-judgmental, and open environment to aid her client’s in working towards desired outcomes and goals. Ranique uniquely focuses on both the mind and body. She employs cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed care, and somatic therapies to promote overall wellness.

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Sophia Amargi

Offering therapy in California
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesCoaching
27 years of experience

I am licensed Marriage Family Therapist in California with 27 years of professional work experience. I specialize in healing complex and unresolved childhood Trauma and its impact on adult functioning. I work with helping clients understand how early childhood development can be deeply impacted and at times derailed by Trauma. If this goes unrecognized and unhealed it can severely impact us in adulthood with relationship issues, family conflicts, with what we believe about ourselves and how we see and understand the world and if we fundamentally feel safe in it, including 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Zaida Casillas

Offering therapy in California
AddictionsTrauma and abuseGriefDepressionCoping with life changes
9 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 9 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, trauma, abuse, coping with grief, coping with loss, & depression. 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.

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Gillermina Alvarado

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

I am licensed in California with 9 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, trauma, abuse, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & depression. 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. 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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