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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Harvey Pacht

Offering therapy in California
License: MA, LMFT,Life Coach Certificate
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesSelf esteemCareer difficulties
3 years of experience

I have been coaching people for the past 15 years. My training is based primarily within the Strategic Family Systems school. This experience has been honed through the Tony Robbins-Cloe Madanes Training Center certification program. I have also had extensive experience coaching people within Landmark Worldwide. This all gets combined with my background as an Orthodox Jew and the wisdom that this tradition brings regardless of whether a client is "religious" or not. My main focus is on working with couples who are fighting or communicate in such a way that they come away feeling more distant, lonely, frustrated and eventually resentful. These couples have developed a pattern of interaction. When we work together, I have you bring the fight to me!! I will interrupt your pattern and train you to interact so that what previously drove you apart, will now leave you connected with a feeling of closeness and love. We will work together to create new emotional patterns that have you fulfill your needs in a way that is good for you, good for others in your life and good for society as well. Let's set up a time to explore what you want to accomplish and how you would like your life to be so you can be back in the driver's seat of living life.

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Meghan Carroll

Offering therapy in California
License: LCSW
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefDepression
6 years of experience

I am a Clinical Social Worker, licensed in California, Texas, and Alabama and I have been practicing Social Work for seven years. I currently live in Alabama so I am in Central Time for scheduling purposes. I have worked in various settings, including residential psychiatric treatment facilities, in-home therapy, as well as providing therapy in an office setting and through telehealth services. I have worked with adolescents, adults, couples, families, and the older adult population. I have a large amount of experience working with anxiety, depression (including intense training on post-partum mood disorders), trauma, family conflicts, grief/loss, and parenting issues. My approach to therapy is to first and foremost build a strong and positive therapeutic relationship with my clients. As a therapist, I focus on each person's specific individual needs, meeting the client where they are at in the present moment, and adjusting my style to meet their needs. I am a solution focused, strengths based therapist but I also utilize components of cognitive therapy and trauma-informed therapy as needed. My ultimate purpose as a therapist is to provide positive support and a safe space for someone to open up and process any thoughts, feelings, and emotions that they find would be helpful for them. I look forward to working with you!

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Dr. Tabitha Thompson

Offering therapy in California
License: LCSW,EdD
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsAnger managementSelf esteem
10 years of experience

Dr. Tabitha Thompson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who finds value in helping others see the strengths in themselves and achieve their personal and professional goals. In working with clients, the experience is a partnership in which Dr. Thompson works collaboratively with client to ensure the outcome is in the best interest of all involved stakeholders. Her passion is using relationship building techniques to work with people of varying ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Some of her personal values that influence lifelong decisions and clinical approaches are honesty and accountability. She truly believe that honesty should be the primary response for all situations that arise. With honesty and integrity, she is able model the exact behavior for others. There are two Gandhi quotes that most correlate with her personal philosophy and therapeutic style. They are “the difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems” and “happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” These are profound statements that encompass her personal values of honesty, work ethic and accountability as it relates to clinical guidance. As she continue to develop herself as a transformational leader and clinical therapist, Dr. Thompson continues to make every effort to improve in the eight emotional intelligence competencies including developing others, teamwork, collaboration, organized awareness, building bonds, visionary leadership, empathy, respect and open communication to create a positive and supportive learning environment. Her human relations approach is to utilize effective communication with all involved parties. This includes making sure all relevant parties are informed of all necessary information and time is permitted to discuss all pertinent opinions. An important part of communication is not only sharing your opinion but also being able to listen attentively to others’ viewpoints. This model best describes her ongoing attempts to use effective communication and a positive attitude to fulfill the client’s goals related to therapy and the best possible outcomes for all clients. In any given situation, clients should also expect Dr. Thompson to listen attentively to their opinions and always try to understand all angles of the situation. She will always advocate for the right decision to be made for the well-being and safety of all clients as well as provide opportunities for further education along the way. She is dedicated to developing client specific treatment plans and working collaboratively to create realistic expectations for clients so long term goals can be achieved. It takes great strength and an incredible amount of courage to seek help and take the first steps toward being your best you! I look forward to working collaboratively with you as you take these first steps! Also experienced in: Relationship issues , Family conflicts , Trauma and abuse , Grief , Parenting issues , Anger management , Self esteem , Bipolar disorder , Coping with life changes , ADHD , Adoption and Foster Care , Blended Family Issues , Caregiver Issues and Stress , Communication Problems , Family Problems , Guilt and Shame , Posttraumatic Stress , Self-Love Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy

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Marcia Pontoni

Offering therapy in California
LGBTRelationship issuesGriefDepressionCoping with life changes
25 years of experience

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California with 25 years of professional experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, coping with grief and loss, career difficulties, anxiety and depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I use different treatment types such as Cognitive Behavioral therapy and utilize mindfulness in my work with clients. 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. I work best in the video and telephone modalities. I work part-time for Better Help. My primary availability is Tuesdays and Fridays and I can be flexible as needed. I look forward to working with you.

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Esmeralda Garcia

Offering therapy in California
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsParenting issuesCareer difficulties
6 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, family conflicts, & parenting issues. I also have experience working with career difficulties. 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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Justin Hartford

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesGriefDepression
4 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 4 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship issues, & 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. 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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Maria Favela Castro

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseSelf esteem
4 years of experience

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in trauma-informed, culturally responsive therapy for individuals, couples, and families. My approach is grounded in cultural humility and evidence-based practices, including EMDR and CBT, and I provide therapy in both English and Spanish. I work with clients across a range of backgrounds, helping them feel respected, understood, and empowered in their healing journey. Throughout my career, I have focused on supporting individuals with a variety of needs, from personal and relational challenges to more complex issues such as substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. In addition to individual and family therapy, I facilitate group sessions, lead crisis interventions, and collaborate with community resources to offer comprehensive, long-term support. I also have a strong foundation in child and family services, where I’ve worked extensively with youth and adults experiencing trauma, behavioral challenges, and life transitions. My goal is to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients can openly explore their struggles and receive guidance tailored to their unique strengths and circumstances. Whether you’re seeking to overcome personal challenges, improve family dynamics, or navigate a difficult transition, I am here to support you with compassion, empathy, and dedication. Together, we’ll work toward achieving your mental health and wellness goals, building resilience and hope for the future.

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Christina Atkinson

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSelf 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, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, abuse, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. 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. 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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Christina Tyhurst

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsParenting issuesAnger management
10 years of experience

I am a licensed clinical social worker in California privileged to have 10+ years of professional work experience providing various therapies to my wonderful clients. After earning my bachelors degree in psychology at UC Davis, I worked at a school that served children with a primary diagnosis of autism. While I was a member of a team that helped teach 8-10 year old boys various skill acquisition tasks, I learned a great deal in this line of work as well. The program was loosely based on applied behavior analysis where we focused on using positive reinforcement to teach various competencies and decrease maladaptive coping skills. Following this I began providing ABA services in home for kids with autism aged 3-7yo. I worked helping kids learn more daily living skills, school readiness, behavior modification, and more. I then had a short stint as a nanny (and definitely used my behavior modification knowledge to my advantage). Following that I earned my MSW at the University of Southern California where I had an internship as a school counselor (and earned my PPSC), and at a partial hospitalization program at UCLA’s neuropsychiatric hospital working with families with kids who struggled with school for various reasons. Upon graduation I went back to ABA as a supervisor and managed a caseload of 10-15 families with children on the autism spectrum providing case management, parent training, staff training, program planning, behavior modification strategies and most importantly, doing all of this while building a strong and positive rapport with my clients and their families. Since 2017 I’ve shifted my focus to working with adults and focusing on relationship and life skills such as boundaries, mindfulness, anger management, assertiveness, how to choose a healthy partner, how to have a healthy relationship, emotion identification, expression, regulation, and communication. I also love exploring how our attachment styles and coherent narratives impact our ability and path of growth. I believe that the relationship between a therapist and a client is one that requires an important fit. It’s ok to shop around to find someone that fits you and if I’m the lucky therapist who works with your personality, then I truly look forward to working with you to improve your life. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started! Your mental health is worth EVERYTHING.

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Jaala Freed

Offering therapy in California
Relationship issuesParenting issuesSelf esteemDepressionCompassion fatigue
8 years of experience

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, parenting issues, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. My therapy style is warm, accepting and supportive. My approach combines solution focused therapy mixed with motivational interviewing and a cognitive behavioral approached. In my work with clients I believe in identifying and uncovering the many strengths that are unique to each individual. Creating a treatment plan that is tailored specifically for your desired goals is key for defining the path of our time together and to get you to your ultimate goals. I will help you create and implement solutions for your goals, while address things that may be getting in the way of you living your best life in your present situation. You have taken a brave step in searching for help in your life. You should be proud. Finding the right match of a therapist is important in that journey. If my style and expertise speaks to you then please reach out.

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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