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.

Cathy Simmons
I am licensed in California with 24 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, & parenting issues. 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!

Heather Rink-Rosas
I am licensed in California with 18 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, & anger management. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. My theoretical orientation can be described as eclectic, using techniques from various models of therapy as deemed appropriate with the current treatment and client. I utilize most from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as I assist clients in exploring and expressing thoughts, feelings/emotions, and behaviors in an attempt to identify maladaptive patterns contributing to distress. 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!

Tomasann Miller
I am licensed in California with 9 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy related issues, & 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. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

Susan Merletti
I am licensed in California with 39 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety and depression, relationship issues, cancer and chronic illness & unresolved trauma. 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 your healing process.

Dr. Deborah Gioia-Hasick
I received my MSW in 1981 and my clinical licensing a couple of years later. My early career was engaged in mostly working with teens, young and emerging adults. I worked for 18 years with young adults with schizophrenia and their family supports. This is where I really learned about serious mental illness (SMI) and its consequences on individuals and families. I also learned about the team's approach to the thoughtful application of any diagnosis for an individual. I ran groups with young adults and monthly multi-family groups. The evidence-based practices I used with this group of individuals was focused on psychosocial education, symptom-management and building back communication and cognitive skills. I received additional training for a year in sexual health and sex therapy interventions at UCLA and did couples counseling through this program. The training I have pursued on my own is centered on mindfulness-based stress reduction treatments which I have taught to students and used in group settings. Since 2001, I have taught Master's and PhD students after completing my PhD in 2000. The title of my dissertation was Meaning of Work for Young Adults with Schizophrenia. I am very interested in vocational identity development and helping the young adult attain their personal goals in this realm. I have taught clinical and research courses. The clinical courses involve hands-on evidence-based treatments including CBT, DBT, MBSR. I favor always using motivational interviewing as my philosophical approach prior to the client's agreement to begin to do the work required of the more targeted approach based on their diagnosis. Currently, I have received training on climate-focused trauma and resiliency and am very interested in seeing clients who are experiencing issues related to climate

Marie Mohapp
I am licensed in California with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbtq+ related issues, parenting issues, & 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. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Elsa Busch
I am licensed in California with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with various anxiety conditions (i.e., Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Agoraphobia, Specific Phobias and etc.), eating disorders, anger management, & bipolar disorder. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I specialize in Cognitive Behavior Therapy and will tailor our treatment plan to also incorporate other modalities (Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Mindfulness) 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 and to help you meet your treatment goals.

Ashley Perkins
I am licensed in California with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, intimacy related issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & career difficulties. My educational background is BA Sociology from UC Riverside and MSW from Columbia University. I have worked closely in community activism, community organizing, women's health, mental health, and herbalism. I am a public speaker, community event planner and organizer, radio/podcast personality, tv personality, and herbalist. Empowerment is my approach to every avenue that I interact with, and therefore I believe that everyone can achieve growth if that is what they truly wish to achieve and work towards. I have lived and worked in different areas of the United States and have also lived abroad while working within the field of herbalism.

Susan Hallett
I am licensed in California with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, coping with grief, coping with loss, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & depression. 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.

Michelle Cervantes
I am licensed in California with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, trauma, abuse, 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 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 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:
- 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 feature
- 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 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.
Popular cities in California
- Los Angeles, CA
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- Fresno, CA
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- Long Beach, CA
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- Bakersfield, CA
- Anaheim, CA
- Santa Ana, CA
- Riverside, CA
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