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.

This is Ryan Lisman's avatar and link to their profile

Ryan Lisman

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyLGBTTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression
5 years of experience

Hello, my name is Ryan Lisman and I am licensed in California with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, LGBT-related issues, trauma and abuse, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence among many other categories. I currently also work as a Psychotherapist and Drama therapist at the Huntington Hospital's mental health unit in Pasadena, California. I primarily utilize a humanistic therapy approach that aims to be client-centered, allowing you to guide the therapy process with unconditional positive regard and cater to your therapeutic needs. I'm trained in a variety of modalities, so please feel free to let me know what therapy style and techniques you would like to explore with me. I am also registered as a Drama Therapist, which allows for an embodied and creative approach to Therapy. I want to commend you for taking the brave steps to pursuing therapy. As a long-term therapy client myself, my therapy process transformed my life in a profound way and I'm deeply passionate about helping to give others that same opportunity for growth.

This is Jaime Askew's avatar and link to their profile

Jaime Askew

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseDepression
24 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 24 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship issues, & 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. 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.

This is Janelle Alexander's avatar and link to their profile

Janelle Alexander

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression
20 years of experience

I am licensed clinician in California and Florida with over 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, PTSD, abuse, motivation, empowerment, self esteem, and confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect and dignity. Showing compassion and being sensitive to each other is also important. My therapeutic approach is of an eclectic style which means i use different treatment modalities while we work together. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I commend you for getting started!

This is Dr. Stephen Scherer's avatar and link to their profile

Dr. Stephen Scherer

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseSleeping disordersDepressionCoaching
17 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 18 years of experience as an individual practitioner. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, sleeping disorders, addictive behaviors, mood disorders, and problems with communication. I was a college-level instructor for ten years, and as such I have experience in communicating complex ideas in an understandable manner. My work is focused on Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), techniques useful for significant behavioral challenges. I am also versed in Behavior Analysis, which is helpful to address problematic habits and the establishment of new, more productive behaviors. If you feel that I might be of help for you, please reach out and we can discuss your needs further.

This is Brandie Blount-Turner's avatar and link to their profile

Brandie Blount-Turner

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesAnger managementSelf esteemDepression
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, relationship issues, anger management, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. 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.

This is Anna Guha's avatar and link to their profile

Anna Guha

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
6 years of experience

Hello, I'm Anna Guha, an LMFT with six years experience in clinical counseling. I have worked closely with individuals struggling with addiction, depression, anxiety, chronic illness, and relationship issues. I've helped people from age six to eighty-six feel better about themselves and learn how to manage and thrive in change. My therapeutic approach blends person-centered and humanistic therapies, with an existential stance. Our freedom is a mixed-bag, liberating us while weighing us down with responsibility. You are the expert on your life, and your preferences and goals will guide the therapeutic process. I will help you embrace the freedom to create your own meaning and purpose, and help you learn how to navigate life’s challenges with authenticity and resilience.

This is Tara Rappaport's avatar and link to their profile

Tara Rappaport

Offering therapy in California
Relationship issuesIntimacy-related issuesSelf esteem
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, 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.

This is Andrea Plate's avatar and link to their profile

Andrea Plate

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
18 years of experience

I am licensed in California, with 18 years of professional work experience. For nearly 15 years I ran a residential substance abuse treatment program within the West Los Angeles Department of Veterans Affairs, serving those suffering from homelessness and chronic mental illness. Now working with individuals in the population at large, I do my best to help clients cope with: anxiety, personal and professional setbacks, addiction, major life changes, relationship conflicts and career concerns. I also refine and enhance my practice through teaching social welfare and addiction at a major West Los Angeles university. 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.

This is Stephen Altbaum's avatar and link to their profile

Stephen Altbaum

Offering therapy in California
LGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsParenting issuesDepression
29 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 29 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with lgbtq+ related issues, relationship issues, family conflicts, & 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. 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.

This is Marina Dormer's avatar and link to their profile

Marina Dormer

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesEating disordersParenting issuesSelf esteem
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, relationship issues, eating disorders, & parenting issues. 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!

This is Tiffany Lewis-Hill's avatar and link to their profile

Tiffany Lewis-Hill

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigue
5 years of experience

I am licensed in Louisiana with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, executive and professional coaching, & compassion fatigue. 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.

This is Dr. Todd McGinnis's avatar and link to their profile

Dr. Todd McGinnis

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyAnger managementBipolar disorderDepressionADHD
17 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 17 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, anger management, bipolar disorder, & depression. 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. "Take back your mind"

This is Melanie McKinney's avatar and link to their profile

Melanie McKinney

Offering therapy in California
License: LMFT
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseDepressionADHD
20 years of experience

Hello and welcome, so happy you reached out to make changes for the better in your life. My name is Melanie Mckinney and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in New Mexico. I was born and raised in New Mexico and received both my undergraduate degree in Psychology and graduate degree in Family and Consumer Sciences. I have been practicing as a therapist for the last 20 years. I take great pride in being able to form strong therapeutic relationships with my clients and make them safe and comfortable in sharing and making the most out of therapy. I have been privileged to work with clients in a private practice setting, community agencies and hospital settings. . My specialties include working with individuals that may be experiencing problems in their relationships, individuals contemplating a divorce or ending a relationship and women’s issues, such as miscarriage and parenting concerns. Using a client centered approach, meaning therapy is about you and your needs and wants. I will listen to you and bring understanding and compassion to the therapy process, allowing healing to begin. Together will find out the most goals you have for positive changes in your life. Using Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy to help you change the way you see and think about issues in your life. we will identify thought patterns that may be holding you back as well as providing strategies to live your life with joy and purpose and stay focused on the present moment. Specialties Stress, Anxiety Relationship issues Family conflicts Depression Coping with life changes Also experienced in: LGBT , Trauma and abuse , Grief ,

This is Wendy Aguirre's avatar and link to their profile

Wendy Aguirre

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepression
14 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 14 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma, & abuse. 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. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

This is Kellie Knox's avatar and link to their profile

Kellie Knox

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyLGBTRelationship issuesParenting issuesCoaching
25 years of experience

I am licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in California with more than 25 years of professional experience providing therapy and clinical supervision. I have experience in helping people with stress, anxiety, GLBTQI+ related issues, relationship issues, parenting issues, & management coaching/consultation. I partner with individuals to create a space in sessions that is comfortable, open and safe, where thoughts and feelings can be shared and worked through without fear of judgment. Take a chance on yourself, you deserve to feel better.

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.

Find the right therapist for your needs
Match with a qualified therapist