Finding a therapist in California can be challenging. Even in some of the biggest California cities, concerns about cost or a lack of available providers can make finding an in-person therapist 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. From young adults needing help managing ADHD to seniors struggling to heal from past events, therapists can help adults of any age navigate the challenges in their lives and learn 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.

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Dr. Paula Alvarez

Offering therapy in California
License: EdD,LCSW,MBA
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseAnger managementBipolar disorderDepression
30 years of experience

Greetings! I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in the states of California, Illinois, and Missouri, and I have a doctorate in Organizational Psychology. I have worked in locked and outpatient mental health facilities for the last 30 years. I facilitated group treatment of domestic violence perpetrators in Spanish and English for eight years. I specialize in treating trauma-related symptoms, anxiety and depression, anger management, geriatric well-being, mental health recovery, cultural diversity issues, and self-esteem issues. My doctorate degree (EdD) In Leadership and Learning with a specialization in Organizational Psychology was conferred on May 27, 2021. I use a client-centered approach (Carl Rogers), and I know that the client is the expert. I tailor my therapy sessions to what the client wants. I used cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with those who like CBT interventions. I offer homework assignments and bibliotherapy for those clients who want those interventions. I also use Brief-Solution Focused Therapy, Trauma-Informed Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing techniques. I invite you to contact me to see if I am a good fit to help and empower you on your journey to better living.

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Rachel Carlos

Offering therapy in California
License: MA,LMFT
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseSelf esteemCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
9 years of experience

Hello! My name is Rachel and I am Licensed in the State of California as a Marriage and Family Therapist and have been providing clinical support services for over 10 years. Most of my career I have worked with at risk populations including those involved in the foster care and juvenile justice systems. I also have years of experience in social work and currently manage and oversee the operations of a non-profit program that provides clinical case management services. I am a major advocate for self-love, self acceptance and emotional well-being in both my personal and professional lives. Because of this, I use a strength based and client driven approach in therapy. Its very important to me to offer a safe and comfortable space for all of my clients. I enjoy incorporating Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in my work with those looking for support in trauma, depression, self-love and work-life balance. I am very culturally competent and have an open minded approach in all aspects of the work that I do.

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(Louise) Karin Wiese

Offering therapy in California
License: LMFT,MA,BEd Hons. BA Psych
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse
6 years of experience

Well done for reaching out for help...your first step towards healing! As a licensed marriage and family therapist we will work together on resolving conflicts, and learning new coping skills for the stressors you are experiencing. I also specialize in couple counselling, infidelity and betrayal issues, blended families, divorce and single parenting. I have a passion for empowering individuals to reach their unique potential. I am creative in helping clients find their strengths in challenging situations by applying effective therapeutic and inter-personal skills. I use an eclectic approach embracing CBT, solution focused therapy and EFT and Gottman method for couples. I have a MA in Clinical Psychology, BA Psychology, BED post grad in School Guidance and counseling, Mediator and Divorce Mediator, Teacher Certification and EMDR Cert. I am South African; I have lived and worked in many multicultural settings which has equipped me with compassion and understanding for differences in culture and beliefs. My life experience as a wife, mother, grandmother and educator, has been beneficial in broadening my understanding as a professional in my career as a licensed therapist. Remember : whatever the problem, there is always hope, a new day and a new beginning.... Psychology Today Listing: (Louise) Karin Wiese https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/karin-wiese-springfield-mo/489831 EMDR certificate

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Erean Larry-Fiakpuyi

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefDepression
22 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 22 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, & coping with grief and loss. 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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Christine Piddington

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefDepression
11 years of experience

Hello! I'm a California-licensed therapist with 11 years of professional experience dedicated to helping individuals navigate life's challenges. My passion and deep expertise lie in coping with grief and loss, profoundly shaped by my background as a hospice social worker. I understand the unique complexities that come with navigating profound loss. For the past 7.5 years, I've worked exclusively via remote sessions, providing comprehensive support to clients across California. I'm here to help you with a wide range of concerns, including: Stress & Anxiety Family Conflicts Trauma & Abuse Grief & Loss (specialty area) Depression Beyond these, I bring a strong background in client advocacy, stemming from my two years in the Peace Corps in Belize advocating for those with HIV/AIDS, and my broader work championing the rights of underprivileged communities. This includes experience with disability leave in the workplace and securing Emotional Support Animals (ESA) in housing. My diverse journey also includes experience in prison and hospital settings, enriching my understanding of varied client needs. I believe you are the expert of your own story and possess immense strengths. Taking the first step towards a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage, and I am here to support you in that process. While I'm currently based in Alaska and pursuing licensure here, I maintain my active California license and am committed to helping you on your healing journey.

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Derrell Tidwell

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsDepression
41 years of experience

I am licensed mental health practitioner in California and Washington with over 40 years of professional work experience. I'm experienced in helping clients with stress, anxiety, depression, LGBTQ+ related issues, relationship issues, & family conflicts especially for people of color. I strongly believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming your challenges. My goal is to provide you clarity and assist you in utilizing your "natural toolbox" toward successfully addressing your challenges. I work Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturday mornings from 9 AM - 1 PM. If you anticipate my work days/hours don't match your general availability, I encourage you to initiate a "request for therapist change" process by clicking the icon in the upper right corner of your account page and using the pull down menu. Taking the first step to sign up for assistance takes courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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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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Michael Ames

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

I am licensed in California with 35 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, 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!

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Amanda Gale-Bando

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigue
19 years of experience

TRANSFORMATIONAL HEALING AND PEAK PERFORMANCE My name is Dr. Bando and my passion is helping you thrive using the most efficient and profoundly effective science-backed techniques. My clients perform in the top 1 - 5% of their chosen fields using the silver bullet techniques I teach. I have a Ph.D. in Health Psychology and 19 years of clinical experience. My focus is peak performance through holistic health. This means that I work with you to be the best version of yourself, mind, body and spirit, regardless of your starting point. You decide where you want to go in life and I help you get there through tangible skills and strategies applied expertly by harnessing your strengths and strategically removing obstacles. I help you navigate life with more ease and fulfillment, guiding you through a transformative healing process. You can let go of struggling to work harder and do better. You have the ability to relax, breathe, and enjoy life while being more inspired, productive and fulfilled than you may have ever experienced! Are you ready to transcend your view of what you believed was possible and reach your true potential?

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June Cichowicz

Offering therapy in California
Relationship issuesGriefSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
23 years of experience

I am licensed in California with more than 20 years of professional counseling experience. My work began after completing graduate work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety and depression, coping with relationship issues , and motivation and self esteem. My work includes assisting clients who are coping with life changes and transitions ( including serious illness, grief and loss). I completed a two year mental health fellowship at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles working with a broad and diverse client population from children to teens and adolescents, as well as adults with a variety of abilities and backgrounds. My personal life experience has served me well as a roadmap and path toward my goal of assisting others in managing life transitions and changes. It may surprise you to know that I find a sense of humor can be a helpful tool in many, but not all situations. You may ask why I do this work: My reward is the abiity to be part of a goal oriented team with members/clients. I feel gifted by the opportunity to participate in the change process. 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, although you may not always be aware of that . Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and satisfying life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. June A. Cichowicz. M.S.S.W., L.C.S.W.

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Beth Ringheim

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

I am licensed in California with 24 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 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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Yasin Aquil

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepression
10 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma, & abuse. 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. 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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Michael Edward Quackenbush

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseGriefDepression
28 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 28 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, coping with addictions, trauma, abuse, coping with grief, & coping with loss. I also have experience working with 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.

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Sherri Kardell

Offering therapy in California
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefSelf esteem
6 years of experience

I offer trauma informed psychotherapy to individuals grappling with some of life's more challenging transitions. Whether you are experiencing a recent loss, the end of the a significant relationship, have a broken heart, or are in a cycle of stops and starts, but never feeling a sense of inner calm or just feeling stuck in a rut, I have extensive clinical training and have received the highest level of education in my field. I work with individuals in order to improve self confidence and live more authentic lives, resolve relationship conflicts, and process early relational wounding and trauma in order to resolve faulty belief systems and address unconscious patterns. I use a variety of evidence based modalities, including EMDR. I work primarily from an attachment based understanding of human development that seeks to reclaim aspects of the self that were left by the wayside in order to adapt to early conditioning, often related to cultural norms, rigid gender conditioning, and outdated social expectations. I offer a depth of tools designed to help you reconnect with your core sense of self, and heal early wounds that have shaped your belief systems and sense of worthiness in the world. In addition to 6 + years of clinical experience , I have undergone a decade if spiritual practice, which enables me to see through entrenched defense systems and patterns, and has helped me to develop a deep sense of empathy and attunement to the unconscious whispers of the soul. I offer a highbred approach to psychotherapy that often includes life-coaching. I conceptualize my role akin to the Irish concept of " soul friend" a Celtic concept that emphasizes the importance of having someone that acts as a confidant that connects and understands you at the deepest level. Thus, I believe in treating others with respect, sensitively and compassion. I will tailor our dialogue and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific goals. I understand, from my own experience, that taking the first step towards a more fulfilling life often takes courage and I am here to support you in that process.

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 BetterHelp therapists in California does not offer diagnostic or medication management services in therapy.

Why do people choose to work with a licensed counselor or therapists?

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, working with:

  • Challenging situations or life stressors
  • Eating disorders requiring therapy
  • Anxiety disorders in need of therapeutic support
  • Depression or depressive mental health conditions
  • Adjustment issues in need of therapeutic support
  • Emotional support for a terminal illness
  • Chronic pain emotional support
  • Grief therapy
  • Personality disorders
  • Trauma therapy
  • Relationship conflicts and mental health concerns

Finding a therapist in California 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 therapy site. If you are in life-threatening danger, call 911. If you require support for a crisis, reach out to the therapy 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 therapy with a licensed therapist cost?

Mental health professionals can differ in price. Forbes found that the average cost of in-person California therapy in the US is around $100 to $200 per hour. Pricing can also vary based on your location. 

BetterHelp offers payment plans of $65 to $100 per week. 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.

Is it possible to find a therapist, counselor, or psychology practitioner that offers affordable therapy?

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.

What can a psychologist help me with in therapy?

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 in-person or online therapy with a therapist in California?

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.

Are online therapy sessions 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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