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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Vani Burnette

Offering therapy in California
License: LMFT
Stress, AnxietySelf esteemCareer difficultiesDepressionCoping with life changes
18 years of experience

I am a marriage and family therapist licensed in California with over 10 years of experience and also hold an undergraduate degree in nutrition and dietetics. I have worked with clients experiencing a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, career challenges, and stress management. I have also helped many people who have experienced physical trauma or emotional abuse. My counseling style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused, and a variety of other client centered modalities. 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 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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Laura Lien-Mitobe

Offering therapy in California
License: LMFT
Stress, AnxietyLGBTGriefParenting issuesCoping with life changes
30 years of experience

Hello and welcome to my profile! My primary goal as a therapist is to provide a client-centered, non-judgmental, caring, supportive, safe space for you to explore experiences, patterns and feelings that may be causing you pain and/or hindering your personal goals and growth. I have been a licensed MFT therapist for over 20 years and worked with people from all lifestyles and cultures. I have experience in a number of therapy modalities and as a teacher. It takes courage to participate in the process of therapy. My wish is to accompany and assist you as you determine the path that leads to a more enriched life. • My experience includes counseling: Individuals, Couples, Families, and Groups Person-centered, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution-focused therapies are some of the therapy modalities that I use. But most importantly, the therapy must be tailored to the needs of the client. • Some of the issues that I have helped people with are: Stress, Anxiety and Depression Grief Special interest: Pet loss (It has an unique impact on people who lose a beloved pet) Compassion fatigue (special interest in veterinarians and staff, as well as, others in helping roles) Chemical dependency and Co-dependency Issues with eating Seniors experiencing life transitions Motivational Coaching Parenting

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Richard Pais

Offering therapy in California
AddictionsGriefSelf esteemDepression
10 years of experience

I am licensed in California with over 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, coping with grief and loss, & motivation, self esteem, and 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 declaring your courage in addressing what has not been working and taking the first steps in changing what is needed in order to find self, and i feel honored to be able to join that journey with you.

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Leticia Servin

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

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and I am currently licensed by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences to provide psychotherapy for families, couples, individuals. It takes a lot of courage for you to seek out help and starting the therapeutic process. This journey can be very daunting. Many people get so caught up in their lives with work, family etc where we forget about ourselves and our own well being. I would like to create a safe and welcoming environment for you to be able to gain insight, learn new skills, and have emotional support so that you are able to work on achieving your goals. I am committed to working with you on your voyage of self discovery, well being and becoming a better self. Specialties in working with individuals with anxiety, depression, coping skills, anger issues, behavioral issues, emotional disturbances, family conflict, grief, self harming, trauma, abandonment, attachment issues, guilt /shame.

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Holly Adema

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

I am licensed in California with 13 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I believe humans are resilient and capable of great change. It is my goal to offer an empowering, client-centered approach to therapy that is tailored to meet the needs of each individual. 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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Cindy Claflin

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietySelf esteemBipolar disorderDepressionCompassion fatigue
5 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 5 years of professional work experience and 3 years as a biblical counselor. I enjoy helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, bipolar disorder, & 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

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Desiree Alvarado

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression
3 years of experience

I am Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the states of California and Texas. I have more than 10 years of combined professional experience working in child welfare and abuse, domestic violence, mental health court programs, substance use disorders and complex trauma. As well as working with law enforcement/first responders. *EMDR trained therapist *Certification in Domestic Violence Peer Counseling and Advocacy *Certification in Child forensic Interviewing *Currently working on a Drug and Alcohol Counselor Certification I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, depression, coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, motivation, self-esteem, and confidence. I work within a client centered focus forum and frequently utilize cognitive behavioral therapy. My focus is to help you unravel those thoughts/behaviors that create negative responses in your life and guide you through developing realistic tools that will yield a positive outcome, whatever that may look like 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. I believe in establishing rapport and trust with my clients, so they are able to feel as open as needed to unpack things that hinder you from being your best self. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support and guide you through that process.

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Joanne Nitchman

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefDepression
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, trauma and abuse, & coping with grief and loss. 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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Christine Sumner

Offering therapy in California
LGBTRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseGriefSelf esteem
24 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 23 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with lgbtq+ related issues, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & coping with grief and loss. 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 looking forward to helping you getting started!

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Glenda Dillingham

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyLGBTRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseDepression
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, lgbtq+ related issues, relationship issues, & trauma and abuse with adolescents , couples and adults. 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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Angela Diamante

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietySelf esteemBipolar disorderDepressionADHD
7 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 7 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, & 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

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Liz Amaral

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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

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Catherine Schwartz

Offering therapy in California
Relationship issuesGriefIntimacy-related issuesCareer difficultiesCoping with life changes
20 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, coping with grief, coping with loss, intimacy related issues, & career difficulties. 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.

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Dominic Marania

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyLGBTTrauma and abuseSelf esteemCoping with life changes
10 years of experience

Hi, I'm a licensed therapist, working with clients in CA for over 10 years now. I am a queer, non-binary (they/she pronouns) person who enjoys working with people also in the QT+ community. Helping people overcome life difficulties and traumas while strengthening their inner confidence is a big part of my passion as a therapist. I'm excited to partner with you to support you in becoming who you want to be in life.

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Evie Harris-Fitzsimons

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
7 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 7 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & 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.

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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