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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Tinia Holleman-Soto

Offering therapy in California
License: MA LMFT,PPS
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepression
15 years of experience

Hello and Welcome. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist located in the state of California. I graduated from the University of Southern California with my Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy and Pupil Personnel Service Credential. During my studies I began working in the counseling field as a Behaviorist with children ages 0-3 with Developmental Delays. I had the opportunity to collaborate with Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Marriage and Family Therapists, and the Regional Center. In 2009 I transitioned my career to work with children, teenagers, and families dealing with a range of challenges; during this time I was able to work with Psychiatrists, Social Workers, Case Managers, and School Districts. I have experience working with a variety of concerns including parental support with children diagnosed with a Developmental Delay, Depression, Anxiety, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (children and families who had experience sexual, physical, and domestic abuse), crisis interventions, and ADHD. In my work with client's I typically utilize a Person-Centered, Cognitive-Behavioral and Existential approach, meaning I will meet the client where he or she feels comfortable and safe, while assisting client's in understanding how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are related and also challenging client's to live and act authentically in their lives. I am honored and passionate to be a part of someone’s personal life experience(s), as our problems and feelings are unique to each individual. I like to approach my sessions as a team, assisting each individual in feeling free from judgment, criticism, and pain. It takes courage and motivation to reach out for additional support 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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Peter Jastermsky

Offering therapy in California
License: LCSW
Stress, AnxietyGriefCareer difficultiesDepressionCoping with life changes
35 years of experience

Hello! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and hold active licenses in California, Pennsylvania, and North Dakota. I have more than 30 years of experience helping people in a variety of settings, from Employee Assistance (EAP) to Outpatient Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol. In addition to my counseling experience, I have been a clinical supervisor and trainer of therapists. I am also a Certified Grief Counseling Specialist. Congratulations for taking this brave first step to find support, and to make positive changes in your life! I offer individual counseling for adults, 21 and up, who live in California, Pennsylvania, or North Dakota. I have a supportive, conversational style. We will start wherever you “are” in your life. I see my role as a guide who will help you consider your choices, to examine the consequences of changing versus not changing behaviors or circumstances, to set meaningful goals, and to support your decisions. In uncertain, stressful times, it is easy to get overwhelmed and “stuck,” but I believe there is always “the one thing” a person can do to take meaningful action. While I agree that knowing “why” we behave in certain ways can be useful, I do feel that people seek out counseling to “move beyond.” I believe that YOU are the expert on you, and I will encourage you to take the next steps to improve your life.

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Traci Williams

Offering therapy in California
License: LPCC,M.Ed
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseParenting issuesSelf esteem
7 years of experience

Welcome to Betterhelp. I am pleased you are taking this time in your life to seek self care and support. I am a licensed professional clinical counselor in California with over 20 years of experience working as a counselor in both nonprofit and public school settings. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, life transition and career challenges. My primary objective in therapy is to develop a trusting and warm connection. Once that foundation of trust and respect is established, the likelihood and potential for you to overcome your barriers toward stability and well-being is high. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, client-centered and psychodynamic. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards 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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Lisa Tran

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesParenting issuesSelf esteemDepression
8 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, relationship issues, parenting issues, & 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

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Sara Contreras

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseDepressionCoping 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 and anxiety, trauma and abuse, 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. I am mostly available Monday, Wed, or some Thurs evenings. I have morning sessions as well or by appointment times that we can coordinate together. Feel free to let me know what you need. :)

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Krystyna Soch Ridenour

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyAnger managementSelf esteemDepression
6 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 5 years of professional work experience working with a wide range of clients including adults, teens, and children as young as 3. 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. My aim is to assist clients in developing the insights to make positive, healthy change in their lives and mental health. 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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Deonae Shackelford

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepressionCoping 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 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Tracy Ward

Offering therapy in California
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsSelf esteemCoping with life changesCoaching
10 years of experience

I am licensed in California with over 30 years of professional work experience. I have over 10 years of providing direct mental health services. My areas of focus are relationship issues, trauma, abuse, coping with grief and loss, general motivation, addressing self-esteem concerns, and building confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. 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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Esmeralda Chavez

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseParenting issuesDepression
6 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, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, & parenting issues. 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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Pamela Gerhard-Johnson

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

I am a licensed therapist in California with 21 years of professional work experience. My areas of expertise include relationship issues, family conflicts, codependency, women's issues, addiction, body images issues, mood disorders and couples therapy. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our sessions 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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Shareipha Myvett

Offering therapy in California
Family conflictsSelf esteemCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
10 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 18 years of professional work experience. I have been licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist for 7 years. I have experience in helping clients with family conflicts, motivation, self-esteem, and confidence, & coping with life changes. I also have experience working with compassion fatigue. 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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Elizabeth Penelope Jacobo

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsGriefDepressionCompassion fatigue
3 years of experience

I am licensed in California with over 12 years of experience working with older adults and adults experiencing mental illness. I am also experienced working with caregivers experiencing burnout. I have worked with clients through issues such as stress and anxiety, family conflicts, coping with grief and loss, & depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. While my techniques mainly focus around your thoughts, behaviors, and mindfulness, I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Creating lasting changes through therapy is not always as easy process, but I will be here to support you every step of the way. 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. Barbara Levy

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefSelf esteemDepression
9 years of experience

I am a licensed psychologist in California with a total of 14 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, depression, relationship issues, coping with grief and loss, motivation, self-esteem issues, and lack of confidence. I believe that you are the expert of your story and have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step toward seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

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Elizabeth Zamierowski-Wenger

Offering therapy in California
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsParenting issuesSelf esteemCoping with life changes
22 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 22 years of professional work experience and I LOVE PEOPLE. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, family conflicts, parenting issues, & 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 here to help!

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Liza Saffo-Mott

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

Hello! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California. I've been practicing social work since 2013 and have been licensed since 2021. I have experience working with all age groups and my expertise is in helping clients manage anxiety, depression, negative thinking patterns, communication issues, grief/loss, major life changes and issues related to identity. I use an eclectic treatment approach meaning that I don't feel there is one modality that fits all. The therapeutic approaches I tend to use most often include CBT, DBT, Solution-Focused and ACT. After gathering an understanding of what brings you to therapy I am happy to provide you with more information on which modalities I feel may be the most helpful to you and why.

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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