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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Kristy Hamilton

Offering therapy in California
License: LCSW
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesIntimacy-related issuesSelf esteemDepression
10 years of experience

My name is Kristy Hamilton, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California, having also worked professionally in Colorado. I work as a Medical/Hospice Social Worker, and have a small private practice called Malibu Walk and Talk Therapy. I have also worked in a dual-diagnosis facility as a Program Manager and therapist, and Clinic as their Behavioral Health Provider. My experience working with individuals and families has covered a wide range of concerns related to stress, mood, parenting, family conflict, moves and life transitions, obsessions and compulsions, addictions, organizational issues, hoarding, workplace issues, care-giver challenges, and aging issues. I grew up and attended a variety of churches over the years as we have moved and spent time abroad, and find that these experiences have enabled me to grow and love the uniqueness of individuals and the place one's past and environment have on the present. The connection between therapist and client is one of the biggest factors for success, and so I will listen to best understand your current situation and concerns. My counseling style is collaborative and interactive, respectful, warm, and practical. I draw from cognitive-behavioral, client and solution-focused, motivational, attachment-based, existential, and dialectical behavior therapies. I focus primarily on present circumstances and work collaboratively to better understand one's past and environment, and to adjust unproductive patterns of thinking and behaving as you move forward. My license allows me to provide professional counseling in California and Colorado, and am available via phone, live chat, or video for counseling sessions almost every day of the week since my schedule is flexible. The life experience I have as a parent and professional may be very helpful for you as you courageously reach out during this time. I want you to get the short or long-term support and counsel best suited for you and your present situation.

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Karena Franses

Offering therapy in California
License: LCSW
AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesGriefSelf esteem
28 years of experience

Welcome and thank you for taking the time to read my profile page. It has been my aspiration and commitment through my work life to collaborate with those seeking help and together make every effort to understand what is causing the suffering and in doing so to find some relief from the pain. I have been a practicing Buddhist for many years, and I meditate daily. I love that His Holiness the Dalai Lama said, “Kindness is my religion," because we all need it, we all benefit from it when we give it and receive it and without it life is just harder and lonelier. Buddhism informs my life and therefore my work. It has helped bring humility and compassion to my life and work. I believe that the answers to each person’s suffering lies within themselves. Most work involves clearing the clouds that mask the liberation in each of us. My work life has played out in two quite different areas of care. The first was a county hospital, and the second a private practice, both in San Francisco. I worked for 21 years as a social work supervisor in a busy outpatient HIV clinic with 2,800 patients. Motivational Interviewing was the most effective type of counseling to use with the population we worked with. In the other setting, I had a small psychodynamic self-psychology informed psychotherapy practice, working with individuals and couples. Both settings offered me the opportunity to discover, explore and develop different skills as I encountered the vast diversity of human experience, where pain, trauma, and resilience came together as a gift to be tended with care, love, and compassion. At the hospital AIDS clinic, we were initially faced with dying patients so much of the work involved just being with the dying. As fewer patients died when the medications improved, we were then faced with issues of severe addiction, trauma, depression, and a population who had experienced ongoing racism, homophobia, poverty, and homelessness. At my private practice, I met with clients who presented also with addiction issues and in addition those with relationship problems, impact of homophobia, body image issues, self-harm, trauma, and abuse. I could never have imagined such a career when I started out. Now I feel deep appreciation and gratitude to all the clients and patients I served on this path. To all those who shaped my career, and taught me how to be a social worker and therapist through their kind and generous feedback, which at times let me know how much I meant to them, and at other times how I missed an opportunity to be empathic. I hope we get a chance to meet and explore whatever issues are of most concern to you and together work to clear the clouds and find relief. Thank you again for your kind attention.

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Jeremee (Mimi) Bouchard

Offering therapy in California
License: LCSW
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
15 years of experience

As a therapist, I create a warm, safe, nonjudgmental environment for people to be able to open up and share their feelings and make sense of what is troubling them. I strive to empower people and help them realize the strength and potential they possess. My experience has prepared me well to be able to interact and connect with a wide variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds. I have 21 years experience working in the mental health field, 18 years of which as a therapist. I have a great deal of experience focusing on areas like relationship issues, parenting, communication skills, mood management, and conflict resolution. In my practice, I utilize a number of theoretical orientations and therapy styles, as I find that different techniques work with different people. I primarily draw from humanistic, positive psychology, cognitive behavioral, and solutions focused theories. My approach to therapy is meeting the client where they're at, I follow your lead. I begin by asking questions to get a sense of what kinds of things you're struggling with, and see if we can figure out a direction we want to move in. We go at a pace that you're comfortable with. Sometimes just having someone to talk with to help you identify and process your feelings can provide some relief, especially if there's a lot of stuff bottled up. Then we can work toward identifying areas of your life that you're not satisfied with, and develop some basic goals to drive our work together. *Please note that I currently only have availability Monday - Friday in the mornings/early afternoons.

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Leah Southwick

Offering therapy in California
License: LMFT
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesDepression
15 years of experience

Hi, I am Leah, and I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I have been licensed for 15 years. I went to UCLA for undergrad and graduated Magna Cum Laude. I went to CIIS in San Francisco to get my Masters in Counseling Psychology. I loved my graduate program. Not only did it have amazing teachers, but it emphasized experiential learning, mindfulness meditation and your own personal growth. Over the years, I have worked with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. I believe in meeting people where they are at, building on their strengths and working collaboratively. I continue to work on myself and learn new skills and I look forward to working with you on this path toward healing and self discovery.

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Frankie Morris-Dadzie

Offering therapy in California
License: LCSW
Stress, AnxietyLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflicts
10 years of experience

Hello, I am Frankie. I am from the San Francisco Bay Area. I've been a therapist and social worker for many years, working with a vast cross-section of society. My experience has been primarily focused on working with families dealing with domestic violence and child abuse. I have also worked in the areas of substance abuse, homelessness, and mental health and illness. My goal as a therapist is to help people make the most of their lives, despite obstacles. I believe that happiness is created within. I want to assist in developing true, healthy, and inspirational narratives that support your current goals.

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Shannan OConnor

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesSelf esteem
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, relationship issues, family conflicts, & intimacy related 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. 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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Autry Jamison

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseGriefDepression
8 years of experience

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology. I have worked with individuals, couples, families, and groups for over 8 years, in person and telehealth. I am currently licensed in California and Texas. I was the Executive Director at Discovery Counseling Center for several years and transitioned to Director-at-Large in 2022 when I relocated to San Antonio, TX to focus on my nonprofit, Isaiah D. Jamison Community Wellness Center. We are a community and faith-based organization that offers multiple programs and services that is fluid and designed to provide a continuity of care for the population we serve. I am currently providing consultation, training, and clinical supervision to staff and colleagues at Discovery Counseling Center in Morgan Hill, CA. Due to my journey and rich exposure to multicultural, diversity, and intersectional experiences: I can effectively serve culturally diverse populations from all SES. I also appreciate the beautiful diversity in God's creations, and am open to assisting/supporting clients from the Queer Community. My clinical experience includes helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, 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. I am here to help you heal, explore, and discover a full healthier you. I enjoy working from an integrative approach that is uniquely tailored to help meet the needs of clients based on their individual experiences. I also have a compassion for teaching individuals how to connect, communicate, utilize resources, and build and restore relationships. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started! You can find additional information about me by visiting my website or on Psychology Today at: https://idjcommunitywc.org/ or https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/autry-jamison-san-antonio-tx/347822

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Nanci Jacobs

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyLGBTTrauma and abuseGriefBipolar disorder
10 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 10 years of professional work experience. 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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Susan Hayatghaib

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemBipolar disorderDepression
25 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with depression, stress and anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & bipolar disorder. 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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Kathleen Lynch

Offering therapy in California
Trauma and abuseGriefAnger managementCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
30 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 29 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, anger management, & 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.

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Olivia Cook

Offering therapy in California
AddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseAnger management
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 addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, & trauma and abuse. 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. I look forward to meeting you.

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Melody Williams

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietySelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCoaching
12 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 12 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, career difficulties, & 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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Milagros Villarreal

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.

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Cynthia Espinosa-Reynoso

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

I am licensed in California with 21 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. 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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Rachel Taylor

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseCareer difficultiesDepression
9 years of experience

Life can be tough sometimes, and it can be a vulnerable act to reach out for support. I do my best to provide a person centered approach to help you reach your goals and resolve stuck beliefs that may be holding you back. I integrate various modalities, and tailor my approach to fit your needs. My approach was built from my experiences working in a trauma facility, community mental health care, and a managed care setting. If you think we may be a fit, please reach out and we can work together to create a plan that works for you.

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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