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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Raechel Butterfield

Offering therapy in California
License: LCSW
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseDepression
18 years of experience

Hello, congratulations on making the first step toward mental health healing! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the state of California with over 6 years of experience working in the field. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, anger management issues, substance abuse/addiction issues, and unresolved abuse and/or trauma history. My counseling style has been described as friendly, approachable, down to earth, yet direct and effective. I treat everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy (Mindfulness) and solution focused therapeutic modalities. I will always 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 change and a healthier you. 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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Kaniecia Mixon

Offering therapy in California
License: MS,LMFT
Family conflictsTrauma and abuseParenting issuesSelf esteemDepression
3 years of experience

Welcome to my profile. I am so glad you are here and chose courage over comfort in reaching out for help. My name is Kaniecia Mixon and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with about 10 years of experience providing behavioral support and therapy. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, social relationship issues, parenting problems, life changes, anger issues, and ADHD. I also have helped many people who have experienced trauma including physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. I have my B.A. in Psychology and my M.S. in Counseling/Marriage and Family Therapy. Most of my experience has been with individuals and families in crisis stabilization, creating safety plans, identifying and developing healthy coping skills, increasing natural supports, and increasing knowledge and awareness of their struggles. I have provided therapy and behavioral support to individuals 5-19. I have been a Therapeutic Behavioral Services Clinician who provided case management and assisted parents with learning parenting strategies to better manage their child's behaviors. I am currently a Program Supervisor to clinical staff who provide those same therapeutic services to people ages 0-21. My counseling style is warm, authentic, and collaborative. I believe in treating everyone with respect, compassion, generosity, and meeting them where they are without stigmatizing labels. I believe that everyone knows what is needed for themselves and I aim to walk alongside you in identifying those needs and goals and supporting and holding you accountable to meeting the goals you set. I have a trauma-informed, strengths-based, and eclectic approach which combines person-centered, cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused, psychodynamic, motivational interviewing, mindfulness practices, and and any other approaches that are needed. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. I enjoy incorporating art, creativity, and play into therapy! 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 journeying with you!

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Sandra Lynn-Fulcher

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesIntimacy-related issuesCoping with life changes
40 years of experience

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist living in Southern California with 40 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship and intimacy related issues. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our sessions 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 change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey. I approach our therapeutic relationship with the understanding that each person is unique via their experiences both socially and in their families and that each person views life from their own special point of view. I see my part as understanding each client and learning from you on how you experience and see the world. My background is very diverse. I have had the privilege of working with a multicultural clientele in both inpatient and outpatient settings as well as in private practice. I also taught counseling for many years helping students of many cultural and ethnic backgrounds to become qualified counselors. I have two adult children and step grandchildren and one deceased child. I have been happily married for 35 years to my current husband after divorcing my first husband after 17 years of marriage. I have had the experiences of children from infants through adulthood as well as the grief of a dying and deceased child. I was also a returning student going back to school at age 30. My counseling experience is wide and diverse counseling those with substance abuse issues and their families, helping families with divorce and reconciliation, family transitional issues, stress management and anxiety issues, grief issues, relationship and family issues. It has been my honor to work with each of my above clients who shared their lives with me. It is my privilege to have been a small part of their lives in helping them reached their desired goals. My therapy style is always person centered as it is the only way to empathetically understand another. With this understanding and co-partnership with you, we can begin the journey in helping you reach your goals. My therapy style is influenced by the Cognitive Behavioral Approaches, Gestalt, Systems and Structural Therapies. It is my hope that we can collaboratively work together to meet your goals. It takes a lot of strength and courage to take the steps necessary to create a happier and more fulfilling life.

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DeAnn Bilotta Clark

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsGriefParenting issuesCoping with life changes
3 years of experience

I am a licensed therapist in California with over 20 years of professional work experience. My experience includes helping clients with stress and anxiety; motivation, self esteem & confidence; and work around coping with life changes and grief/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!I

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Joseph Tillman

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

I am licensed in California with 40 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, & coping with grief and loss. 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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Lori Salinas

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseParenting issuesAnger managementDepression
17 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 17 years of professional work experience. I have experience in treating clients with stress, anxiety, trauma, abuse, parenting issues, & anger management. I also have experience working with teens. My expertise with teens is teaching tools surrounding social anxiety, OCD, depression and parent-teen conflict. 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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Richard Miller

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyGriefSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
40 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 40 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with , coping with grief, coping with loss, motivation, self esteem, confidence. I also have experience working with coping with the aging cycle, life transition, I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and a sense of humor. You and 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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Vanessa Garcia

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefAnger managementDepression
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, coping with grief, coping with loss, & anger management. 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. If you are feeling stuck, I am here to help you feel unstuck. We can do this together by processing what you are experiencing so that maybe someday you can get move on and experience a better quality of life.

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Karinna Sanchez

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyGriefParenting issuesDepressionCoping with life changes
3 years of experience

Hello! My name is Karinna and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I have 3 years of experience working with various mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, negative body image, low self-esteem, and interpersonal conflicts. Initial sessions with me are about getting to know the person and then getting to know the problem later. I firmly believe that a diagnosis is not the person, a diagnosis gives us a guideline of what symptoms to target and what possible interventions may work. My main focus as a therapist is to accompany you in your healing process and help you tune into your wisdom. Together, we will work on identifying what is no longer serving you, develop goals and a plan that work for you to make changes to reduce, and even eliminate, these feelings and behaviors causing pain and distress in your life today. It takes a lot of courage to ask for help, and it is an honor to be trusted with your healing journey.

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Megan Kooyman

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseCoping with life changes
6 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 6 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 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.

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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