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.
Marilyn Hall
Thanks for taking the time to look at my profile. Being of service is my primary goal in working with others and it is the reason I am a therapist. I thoroughly enjoy helping others achieve their life goals in a manner that is as supportive and respectful as possible. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California. I have over 25 years of experience helping people gain control over their lives, emotions, relationships, and family conflict. I specialize in helping others through difficult transitions in life. My experience includes working with depression, anxiety, separation and divorce, grief, and trauma. I look forward to meeting you!
Dr. Carol Schmidt
Do you feel isolated and alone, trying to cope with the ramifications of Covid19? Are you struggling, worrying about your family, your job, and the future? Do you have feelings and thoughts that trouble you? Emotional stress has known effects on physical health, so maybe now is the time to take care of yourself and sort things out. I am an energetic, approachable, and compassionate Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California with an MSW from UCLA and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from USC. I have 10+ years of experience providing integrative psychological therapy, treating anxiety, depression, relationship, and family conflict, as well as grief. I utilize CBT, Psychodynamic, Positive Psychology, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Psychotherapy improves awareness of needs, appreciation of strengths, and a deeper understanding of stressors. I look forward to helping you feel better and I feel confident that you will meet your personal therapeutic goals. We will work together as a collaborative team to improve your overall life satisfaction.
Lucinda Guarino
I am licensed in California with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. 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.
Shannan Faust
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, trauma and abuse, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. 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!
Chula Tran
I am licensed in California with 11 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with family conflicts, trauma and abuse, parenting issues, & bipolar disorder. 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!
Jonathon Yassanye
LIFE CAN BE FULFILLING! We have ALL experienced stress, anger, anxiety and depression at different points of time, yet sometimes having one or all of these emotions can be overwhelming to the point of creating constant dysfunction in day-to-day living. Therapy is a liberating avenue to explore oneself and find inner peace that may be hidden under internal and external factors. It is important to feel heard and validated, especially when one is at their wits’ end. I am a firm believer in meeting each client where they are at in their journey of life and learning how they would like to approach their presenting problem(s), whether it be though visiting past experiences or keeping the discussion within the present moment; we will be able to co-create an individualized plan to help alleviate symptoms, as well as promote a healthier you, through psychoeducation, healthy interventions and self-care techniques. I am a graduate of Case Western Reserve University and bring six years of clinical expertise to the field of adult mental health. During graduate school, I interned at Circle Health Services (formerly The Free Clinic) in Cleveland, Ohio, where I advanced my therapeutic skills in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), anger management skill training and brief psychodynamic therapies, while keeping a person-centered approach to the therapeutic relationship with my clients. Later, I had the privilege to join Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland (JFSA), where I completed additional education in Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. Here, I learned not only about different causes of cognitive decline and the biological facets that may be affected, but how to engage with an individual no matter what stage of cognitive impairment they are experiencing. In addition to working with affected individuals, I provided on-going psychotherapy to family caregivers, to help reduce the stress and burden that often occurs while caregiving. Throughout my time at JFSA, I earned my clinical license in social work, while being supervised by a clinical social worker who helped deepen my breadth of knowledge in Gestalt therapy, as well as grief and loss, experientialism, depression and anxiety. I have been trained by the co-founder, Dr. Carey Sherman, PhD., to facilitate the Savvy Caregiver Program and by Dr. Elizabeth O’Toole, MD, to administer an array of psychological measures, including the GDS, MoCA, PHQ-9, The Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire, QOL-AD, and the Revised Scale for Caregiving Self-Efficacy. Additionally, I have completed training and one-on-one supervision with Dr. Todd Pressman PhD. who created and certified me in his Deconstructing Anxiety model. https://toddpressman.com/certified-practitioners/
Loraine (Lori) Sawyer
I am a therapist licensed in Hawai'i with over 10 years of experience. I have worked with clients with a wide range of challenges including depression, PTSD, anxiety, relationship issues, and parenting challenges. I have specialized experience supporting parents of children with special needs. I also have extensive experience working with young adults who have experienced trauma and want to learn new skills that can help them to thrive. I utilize a cognitive behavioral approach and have a comprehensive understanding of trauma informed care which means I strive to be empathetic , kind, and compassionate. I am a proponent of positive psychology and focus on using strengths to support change. It takes courage to ask for help and my goal is to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you!
Jendayi Ford
Listen; life happens and in this life there will be ups and downs. My job as an LCSW with over 10 years of practical experience is to help share strategies and tools to help you cope with life and find more ways to identify and celebrate you; your journey, your spirit, your resilience
Robin Monk
Welcome to BetterHelp! I’ve been a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of FL since 2009. I provided individual therapy to a diverse population in a community behavioral health center until I resigned and became a counselor with BetterHelp. In 2024, I also became licensed in CA as Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. I previously worked for 5 years as an in-home parent educator for the University of Florida's Nurturing Program. My therapy specialties are : Stress/Anxiety, Coping With Life Changes, Coping with Grief/Loss, Improving Self Esteem I have a passion for helping others and believe in treating everyone with compassion and respect regardless of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. I find it rewarding to work with people one on one. I especially like helping people discover strengths they didn't realize they had. People tend to seek counseling when they feel down, worried, frustrated, or upset. Many feel stuck, even hopeless, because what they have been doing hasn't improved the situation. Counseling can often help. Talking about your problems can give you a fresh perspective and help you find solutions. My clients say it's comforting to have someone to talk to that makes them feel safe and heard. They say counseling gives them hope that they can lead more satisfying lives. I prefer strength based client centered approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Brief Solution–Focused Therapy. My counseling style is eclectic, so I draw from other approaches too if I think it can help someone. If you're ready to make changes in your life and want more support in moving forward, please call I’d love to work with you. Services Offered Messaging Live Chat Phone Video
Laura Sims
I am licensed in California with 12 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, trauma, abuse, coping with grief, coping with loss, depression, & concentration, memory. I also have experience working with focus (adhd). 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.
Dena Carr
I am licensed in California with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, trauma, abuse, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & depression. 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!
Bobbie Paul
I am licensed in California with 32 years of professional work experience. I have training and experience helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, abuse, depression and 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. 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 confident we can develop the necessary tools so you can prevail over your current challenges and achieve your goals. If you wish to know more about my approach to therapy visit my website at https://www.bobbiejpaul.com.
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:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Crisis Text Line:Text HOME to 741741
- Veterans Crisis Line<:Call 1-800-273-8255 (and press 1) or text 838255. For support for the deaf and hard of hearing community, please use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255.
- Trevor Lifeline(LGBTQ Lifeline): (866)488-7386
- SAMHSA National Helpline: (Substance Use): (800)662-4357
- National Eating Disorder Association Helpline:1-800-931-2237 (M-Th: 9 AM-9 PM EST, Fri 9 AM - 5 PM EST
- Child Help Hotline Call 1-800-422-4453 or use the online chat featur
- National Anti-Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293)
- Physician Crisis Support Line: Call 1-888-409-0141 if you are a first responder or medical provider experiencing crises related to Covid-1
- Sexual Assault Hotline: Call RAINN at 1-800-656-4673
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.
Popular cities in California
- Los Angeles, CA
- San Diego, CA
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- Fresno, CA
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- Long Beach, CA
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- Anaheim, CA
- Santa Ana, CA
- Riverside, CA
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