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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Anastasia Rivera

Offering therapy in California
License: MSW,LCSW
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsParenting issuesSelf esteemDepression
7 years of experience

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California with experience working as an adult and Teen therapist. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting challenges, career challenges, behavior issues and end of life issues. I also helped many children and adults who have experienced trauma or emotional abuse. My counseling style is solutions focused and interactive. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, solution focused, psycho-dynamic and client centered approach. I will tailor our sessions and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. You are always the lead in sessions and I do my best to ensure you are challenged but comfortable. It takes courage to seek a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a 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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Amanda Mills

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefSelf esteem
6 years of experience

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist experienced in cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, solution-focused and play therapy. I am a gender affirming therapist who uses a humanistic approach and empathy to provide a safe space free of shame or judgement for clients. Since 2014, I have worked with children, adolescents, and adults in various settings including non-profit organizations and education settings. 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 and empower you in that journey.

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Kathryn Shafer

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsSelf esteemDepression
10 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & 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.

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Claudia Santiago

Offering therapy in California
AddictionsRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression
11 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & 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. 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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Shannon Williams

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

I am licensed in California with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & 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. I enjoy advocating and empowering others to advocate for themselves. I look forward to working with each client and am willing to meet you where you are. My work experience has been a combination of Psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral interventions and system approaches to treatment. I joined the BetterHelp team to be able to offer services in a more flexible way than the traditional structure of treatment when it comes to scheduling and choosing a therapist that is right for you. Over the years I have worked with individuals of various ages in community settings, forensic environments and via telehealth. I have also worked with families and groups. My focus at BetterHelp will be individual treatment and tailored as needed. I enjoy face-to-face sessions, however will honor what is best for each client. When that time comes, we will discuss the parameters of availability and what that will look like for us structurally moving forward. 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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Dr. Vincent Camarda

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemCoping with life changesCoaching
34 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 34 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & 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. 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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Dr. Joni Carrasco

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseParenting issuesAnger managementCompassion fatigue
17 years of experience

I am licensed in California and Utah with 17 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. To be transparent, I have a neurological disorder that sometimes impacts my speech patterns, however it does not impact me cognitively. Because of my speech impediment I completely understand if you ask me to repeat myself or just need to work with another therapist. I use worksheets and help to find support group suggestions on the Better Help platform for almost everyone. I love those resources, they really work!

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Jerry Knight

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyGriefAnger managementDepressionCoping with life changes
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, coping with grief and loss, anger management, & 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Bonnie Mills

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsGriefSelf esteemCoping with life changes
20 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with grief and loss, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & 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. 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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Regina Burnette

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCoping with life changes
17 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 17 years of professional work experience with clients from diverse backgrounds and areas of concern. I provide person centered approaches to assist members of the community in releasing traumas, hurts, and other obstacles that are holding them back so they can restore themselves to a higher level of functioning and happiness. 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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Kaylan Bryant

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesParenting issuesSelf esteem
10 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, & parenting issues. I also have experience working with 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. 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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Linda Uribe

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseGriefCareer difficultiesDepression
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, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, & career difficulties. 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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Candice Wilkins

Offering therapy in California
Grief
5 years of experience

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California with five years of experience as a Master's-level social worker, and I have been providing grief counseling since 2011. I specialize in helping clients navigate all types of grief and loss. My approach is grounded in a narrative theoretical framework, which emphasizes the strength and power we have to shape and redefine our own life stories. I also incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and I am trained in EMDR therapy. My goal is to create a safe and welcoming space where you can share your thoughts and emotions without fear of judgment. Taking the first step toward a more fulfilling and joyful life takes courage, and I am here to support and empower you every step of the way.

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Teri Jones

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyAnger managementSelf esteemDepression
9 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 9 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, anger management, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I also have experience working with 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.

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Quinesha Gatlin

Offering therapy in California
GriefIntimacy-related issuesCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
11 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 11 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with grief, loss, motivation, ambivalence & coping with life changes. I also have experience working with 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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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