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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Kevin Farrell

Offering therapy in California
License: MSW,LCSW
AddictionsLGBTSelf esteemCoping with life changes
20 years of experience

My name is Kevin Farrell and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California (#22616). I have almost 20 years experience as a Clinical Social Worker and Psychotherapist. I previously had a successful career in media and in my mid-30s I returned to school to obtain a Masters Degree in Social Work in order to find a more rewarding career path for myself. As a Psychotherapist, I have worked with a wide variety of adults and I use a range of therapeutic tools. I view therapy as a partnership and for me the most important aspect of therapy is the therapeutic alliance, which refers to the quality and strength of the collaborative relationship between client and therapist. This is strongest when there is agreement on goals and objectives. I work closely with each client to establish goals and achieve a strong alliance built on mutual trust. I utilize an eclectic approach to therapy with reliance on core theoretical concepts from Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Existential Therapy, among others. I tend to emphasize solution-focused strategies that assist a client in understanding themselves, improving their problem-solving/coping techniques, and building resiliency for future challenges. I seek ongoing feedback and collaboration with clients to evaluate and improve a client's experience in therapy. I have been told that my non-judgmental style engages people and they find me respectful, sincere, and easy to relate to. My primary goal with clients is to successfully address a client's challenges in order to improve overall quality of life.

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Cheryl Williams

Offering therapy in California
License: MA
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseGriefSelf esteemDepression
12 years of experience

Hello. I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and a Certified Biblical Counselor. I have a passion to help individuals and couples find their way to wholeness and good mental health. I have over 12 years of experience working in the mental health industry. I earned a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology. There comes a time in everyone’s life when they really need someone safe to talk to. They need someone who will not use their pain against them. So often they end up holding that pain inside, masking it with a smile or adherent behavior. I can provide a safe place for you to empty your pain and take off the mask, help you clean up your garden of life so that your quality of life can improve. Every client needs something different; I use various evidence-based approaches that will fit my client’s needs. I am skilled in cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic, mindfulness, solution focused therapy, narrative therapy, positive therapy, and biblical counseling. I will utilize my skills to treat and support clients with depression, anxiety, self-esteem, family conflict, and grief. I also help clients who are experiencing challenging interpersonal relationships, shame, and guilt by improving communication skills, setting boundaries, and understanding the power of “no”. I walk with my clients through the gardens of their lives and help them identify any unwanted weeds and uproot them, so that they can regain their voice and move forward. I enjoy working with adults, couples to help them resolve their issues through a client centered approach offering empathy and a non-judgmental environment to support clients in establishing their goals so that they can identify and develop their inner strengths. If you are ready to do the work, I am ready to support you to be the person you desire to be. I’m looking forward to working with you.

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Julia Westney

Offering therapy in California
License: LMFT
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesEating disordersDepression
3 years of experience

I am a family and marriage therapist licensed in California with almost 20 years of experience working as a psychotherapist and eating disorder specialist. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, career challenges, postpartum depression, and food and body issues. I also helped many people who are experiencing grief, loss and life transitions. My therapy style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, psychodynamic and rational-emotive therapy. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards change. If you are ready to take that step, I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you!

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Michele Lando

Offering therapy in California
LGBTGriefSelf esteemCompassion fatigueADHD
13 years of experience

Hello. I am licensed in California with 13 years of professional therapeutic work experience. In my private practice in Northern California, I provide therapy and professional consultation. I am 2e (Twice Exceptional), Neurodivergent & LGBTQIA affirming. My training and specialization center on trauma-informed integrative therapy. Certification and training including mindful CBT, Brain-spotting & Trauma Informed Yoga Therapy, PSI Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders, Solution Focused Narrative therapy, & Motivational Interviewing. Additional areas of competency include working with Neurodivergent/Autistic/ADHD/2e (Twice Exceptional) clients. Interventions utilized include mindfulness, CBT/DBT/ACT, EFT attachment therapy, grief & loss, motivation, self esteem & confidence, & managing compassion fatigue. Relational, attachment & somatic therapies such as Brain-spotting help us to heal our nervous systems and grow resilience. Identifying strengths and navigating challenges together through narrative and family systems therapy builds skills to form more secure attachments and improve relationships. When we shift our focus toward resilience, we set ourselves up for growth.

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Heather Rink-Rosas

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseAnger managementBipolar disorder
18 years of experience

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!

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Kandie Brown

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

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California. I have a Master’s degree in Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, TX. I follow a systemic approach to therapy and believe that to understand people and their challenges it is important to understand the systems and relationships they are a part of. I believe that the therapeutic relationship should be one of authenticity, collaboration and one that feels safe and supportive. I focus on the client’s strength and resiliency. I strive to help clients find tools to cope with life’s stresses. I use a humanistic approach, CBT, existential, EMDR, narrative, solution focused, and mindfulness approaches and/or other modalities tailored to the client's needs. I strive to help clients find more adaptive habits that lead to more meaningful and fulfilling lives. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, depression, relationship issues, anger management, trauma, abuse and low-motivation, lack of self-esteem and lack of confidence. I work with my clients in California 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 and empower you in that journey. About me: I enjoy gardening, quilting, researching, reading, walking, hiking, travel and enjoying my dog and family.

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Thomas Cobb

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietySleeping disordersSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changes
40 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 40 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, sleeping disorders, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & career difficulties. 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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Christine Sumner

Offering therapy in California
LGBTRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseGriefSelf esteem
24 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 23 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with lgbtq+ related issues, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & coping with grief and loss. 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 looking forward to helping you getting started!

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Corinne Boulger

Offering therapy in California
AddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsSelf esteemCoping with life changes
6 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, & 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!

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Jovanni Holloway

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

I am licensed in California with 3 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 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.

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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