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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Alison Murphy

Offering therapy in California
License: LCSW
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseDepression
7 years of experience

Hi, my name is Alison. If you're here, that means you're looking for something, and I'd love to help. Congratulations on taking a huge step in thinking about asking for support. Over the years, I've helped lots of people at many different stages of their life work to have more control, more safety and more stability. Whether you are dealing with something new, a long term challenge, or if you just know something's not right and you can't put a finger on it, we should talk. I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker from California and my work with individuals and couples has been to support people in cultivating tools to improve how they manage the challenges they are facing. I'm an experienced therapist who has worked with diverse individuals around issues of trauma, depression, grief & loss, anxiety, substance abuse and interpersonal difficulties. My work with individuals is centered around the goals we develop together to improve their relationships, coping skills and emotional experiences. I approach the work with an open mind, an open heart and without judgement. You are the expert in your experience and I am here to help you identify where we can focus your energy to maximize your use of therapy. Together, we can use my clinical experience and training to personalize interventions that make the most sense for your individual goals. You should know that I attended San Francisco State University for my bachelors in Social Work (2005) as well as my for Masters in Social Work (2007) which provided a strong foundation in the value of Social Justice which is integrated into all my clinical work. My approach to this work is also guided by the ethical guidelines of the National Association of Social Workers and promotes self-determination, respect for others and the importance of human relationships. Since my work is based in these principles, if we work together, I promise you will feel seen, you will feel safe and you will feel better. Thank you for reading, I look forward to hearing from you.

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Dr. kathy cox

Offering therapy in California
License: LCSW, Ph.D.
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseGriefDepressionCompassion fatigue
30 years of experience

Hello, my name is Kathy (Kathleen). I am a licensed clinical social worker with 25 years of counseling experience. If you decide to work with me, my goals will be to establish a trusting relationship and fully understand your needs, concerns. and aims for counseling. I am skilled at connecting with the strengths in my clients that, with support, allow them to overcome their challenges. I have ample experience working with young, middle-aged, and older adults who struggle with depressed/anxious moods, anger, grief and loss, relationship issues, compassion fatigue or secondary traumatic stress. I am also trained in trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy. In addition to being a therapist, I am a semi-retired social work professor. I have published 2 books; one is focused on social work practice and the other on self-care for professional counselors. In my spare time, I enjoy yoga, swimming, and playing with my dogs. I am widowed and have 3 adult children. I look forward to working with you and participating in your healing and growth!

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Thomas Lyon

Offering therapy in California
License: LMFT
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesAnger managementDepressionCoping with life changes
23 years of experience

Hello and thank you for looking at my profile and considering me for doing therapy together. My name is Tom Lyon. I am a Marriage and Family Therapist licensed in the state of California since 1998. My personality is generally warm, sensitive, gentle, and caring. My nature is to treat everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. But with this comes the responsibility to not be afraid to work with you on the seemingly overpowering experiences of your life. The type of therapy I practice is called Depth Psychotherapy and it refers to helping people work through deep inner processes within themselves that affect them personally and in relationship with others. I help engage the various parts of a person’s self that have been neglected, hurt, undeveloped, unappreciated and hidden away. I provide a safe, non-judgmental space where you will experience being heard and understood. In collaboration, we will listen deeply to utilize your thoughts, feelings, thoughts, intuitions, and sensations, all of which offer valuable insight into parts of your inner wisdom. Our sessions are where you can explore your struggles as well as your dreams and desires. As painful and confusing experiences are explored in a safe way, you can connect more honestly and compassionately with your struggle, becoming the true person you want to be. I want to hear your story, and about what is bringing you to this therapeutic conversation. While I can facilitate helping you find specific solutions that you may be looking for, I provide therapy with a holistic view to listen and see you and accept everything you wish to discuss, to hear your story. I will tailor our therapeutic time together to develop a beneficial treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. As with many things in life, therapy may be too intense for you, or I may not have the skills to work as effectively with you as I would like, or for some other reasons. Through our interaction, we may come to the conclusion that we would not be able to work together therapeutically to achieve your goals. Hopefully, we will have a better idea about this during our first session. But as the adage says . . . "nothing ventured, nothing gained." The development of your personality, your own uniqueness, to engage the world in a useful, purposeful, meaningful way in psychotherapy is often a courageous undertaking and I am hopeful that we can develop a trust and rapport to confidently help you grow in a process that unfolds over time. It may be one of the most unique, and at times most difficult, collaborations of your life and together we can explore your hopes and goals, determine the pace of your work, and explore the stories, struggles, and questions you bring into a session. I look forward to working with you! Tom

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Angelique (Gigi) Tsontos

Offering therapy in California
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCoaching
15 years of experience

I am Gigi, a licensed in California and Kansas with 14 years of professional work experience. My focus helping clients with work, professional development, stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & trauma and abuse. 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 seek a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

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Jonathan Pearson

Offering therapy in California
AddictionsRelationship issuesIntimacy-related issuesSelf esteemDepression
3 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, 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.

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Candace Delis

Offering therapy in California
License: LPC
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsBipolar disorderDepression
6 years of experience

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master of Arts in Community Counseling from Lakeland University and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. I work to create a safe, comfortable and accepting environment for my clients. I have previously worked in crisis intervention as well as group therapy settings and like to focus on providing positive support for my clients. I've been told I'm not the "typical" therapist type - I have tattoos and a pretty progressive viewpoint, and I also work really hard to be relatable to my clients. I'm married and have an 18 year old stepson. The rest of my family is made up of 3 rescue dogs, 3 adopted cats, and we recently reached what I call the "livestock level" of quarantine and got chickens and goats. It's a pretty full house. I have worked with adolescents, adults, and couples. I have worked with a wide range of issues, but some of my areas of specialization include: emotional regulation (anger, anxiety), depression, self-esteem building, bipolar disorder, PTSD, grief and loss, assertiveness building, marital issues and relationship building skills. I also have experience with end of life care. My counseling style is interactive, and I believe in treating people as individuals and not labeling them with their mental health issues. You are not your illness, it is only a small part of who you are. I believe in treating people with the same respect, sensitivity, and compassion as I would like to be treated. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, client-centered, and solution focused counseling. I will do my best to tailor our conversations and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek support and take steps towards making a change. Life can throw us curveballs and unexpected circumstances can arise with even the best of planning. If you are ready to take that step I am here to support you and help you find the tools that will help you succeed. I look forward to working with you! My current hours are (all are CST): Mondays 9am-8pm Tuesdays 8am-8pm Wednesdays 8am-8pm Thursdays 8am-8pm Fridays 8am-7pm Saturdays 8am-4pm Some Sundays upon request

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Jill Sheetz

Offering therapy in California
AddictionsFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefDepression
20 years of experience

I am a Marriage and Family Therapist licensed to practice in California. I have twenty years of experience in the mental health field. I have experience in helping clients of various ages in coping with depression, anxiety, trauma, loneliness, family relationships, substance use disorders and grief and loss amongst other concerns. I am a strength-based, client centered therapist who constantly strives to create an open and safe environment where individuals can share their experiences without fear of judgment. It takes courage to look inside oneself in order to pursue a more fulfilling life. I am here to support you in this process of growth and change.

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Tina Paxton

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefDepressionCoping 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, 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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Tracy Ward

Offering therapy in California
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsSelf esteemCoping with life changesCoaching
10 years of experience

I am licensed in California with over 30 years of professional work experience. I have over 10 years of providing direct mental health services. My areas of focus are relationship issues, trauma, abuse, coping with grief and loss, general motivation, addressing self-esteem concerns, and building confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. 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.

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Lorren Ratley

Offering therapy in California
License: LISW-Supervising
Family conflictsTrauma and abuseParenting issuesDepressionADHD
7 years of experience

When I'm working with you, the focus is you--nothing else. You deserve to be truly heard and responded to with support, directness, and honesty. You may want assistance with seeing things in a new way and developing new ways to approach challenges. You may want to better understand what has held you back or why you have certain fears. I'm here to help you explore and understand these things and come away with practical solutions and useful tools. I practiced family and individual counseling in an urban setting for 7 years, and began supervising other therapists during that time as well. I've worked with parents to help them better support their children and teens, and worked with their kids individually as well. I believe I can help guide you through the challenge you're facing right now, and see you through to the other side where there's more hope that you might have thought. Look forward to meeting you...

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Linda Weng

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietySelf esteemCareer difficultiesDepressionCoping 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 stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & career difficulties. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. My experience includes both medical and inpatient psychiatric and outpatient clinics. I have been trained in feminist theory, domestic violence and PTSD. My preference here on this platform is to offer supportive therapy to stable clients who are looking for support in coping with career and general life stresses and life transitions. I like to work with creative types, entrepreneurs and children/ preteens. I do believe that providing play therapy with children is difficult virtually though. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. I am also a certified hypnotist so I may incorporate hypnosis in sessions to help you relax or have you listen to guided meditations in between sessions. People describe my personality as compassionate, down to earth and funny. I listen and offer feedback as needed and offer you options. Ultimately, you make the final decisions in your life. I prefer to work with you in short term 6-12 week sessions and we will re-evaluate your progress then. If you have any questions, please write them down and we may address them in the first session. Generally, the first session, I will gather more information and establish what goals you wish to work on in therapy. We will also establish the messaging treatment options. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy takes courage and I am proud of you for getting started! I look forward to meeting you soon.

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Dr. Andrea Shirley

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsSelf esteem
27 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 27 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbtq+ related issues, relationship issues, & family conflicts. 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.

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Evelyn Saavedra-Funes

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsSelf esteemCoping with life changes
18 years of experience

Hello, I'm Evelyn! I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT 52303) in California. I have been serving children, adolescents, adults and families of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds for over 17 years. I aim to work collaborately with those I serve to improve their quality of life and overall functioning. I utilize a Client-Centered approach, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused, trauma-informed/focused approach and a family systems approach. I specialize with working with children, adolescents, parents and young adults. I also work with adults and families. I treat diagnoses such as anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, interpersonal relationship struggles and phase of life issues, as well as several other diagnoses. When working with me your voice will be heard and privileged. You will have a protected space that is non-judgmental and protected. Treatment will be centered on your needs and goals to improve your overall emotional and relational functioning. I take on a collaborative approach with goal setting with clients. We will identify your current stressors and symptoms and identify what changes you want to make to improve your functioning and quality of life. You can expect to share about your symptoms and the impact they have on your daily functioning. I will ask about what you want to focus on in treatment and how you want your life to improve. We will also discuss your treatment plan and treatment goals. I will answer any questions about how we will go about reaching your goals.

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Ilese Buchanan

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuse
12 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 12 years of professional work experience. I specialize in trauma and attachment using both EMDR and EFT. 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.

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Ashanti Miranda

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietySelf esteemCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
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, motivation, self esteem, confidence, recovering from people pleasing & coping with life changes. As a Navy veteran, non profit owner and mental health advocate, I specialize in compassion fatigue and helping you begin to feel like yourself again. I believe in treating everyone with respect, curiosity, and compassion. I will tailor our time to fit your unique treatment plan that will address your 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. In addition to 1: therapy, I also offer Ketamine assisted psychotherapy, integration sessions and small groups. specialties: groups, Bipoc, women, LGBTQIA2+,veterans Modalities: TF-CBT, ACT, Strengths based, solution focused, whole person integration

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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