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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Tim Leslie

Offering therapy in California
License: LMFT
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsDepression
12 years of experience

I received my M.A. in Clinical Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy Specialization in 2011. Since then, I have worked with children and adults both individually as well as with couples and families in Residential, Intensive Outpatient and Outpatient settings. I tailor my approach to what would be best for the client needs at the time. As a result, I have experience providing both brief and more solution focused therapy as well as therapy geared towards exploration and insight with the potential for deeper change. I believe the therapy journey is a collaborative one and that clients are most successful when they are both motivated by and patient with the therapeutic process. I balance active listening with interventions in order to allow the therapeutic relationship to develop in a positive manner that will allow the client to get the most out of the more tangible work. If you have questions about my experience with specific issues or areas of expertise, please feel free to ask me.

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Rosette Schapira

Offering therapy in California
License: Licensed MFT
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsAnger managementSelf esteem
20 years of experience

Do you find yourself feeling depressed or sad? Do you worry a lot and feel scared? Are you having a difficult time in your relationship? We often hold in our feelings of anger, sadness, fear, and even happiness. This leads to feeling depressed and anxious. People often seek therapy for not living the life they want. Therapy can provide a space to help with life challenges and to achieve healthier relationships. Together, we can begin to explore your feelings and beliefs, which will allow your depression and anxiety to lift. Repairing low self esteem will get you to achieve the things you want. I provide individual and relationship counseling for those who are interested in living their lives from a place of balance, wholeness and compassion. 

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Arkila Covington

Offering therapy in California
License: MA,LMFT
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepression
6 years of experience

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California, Missouri and Texas with over 5 years of experience working as a psychocounselor, behavior modification specialist and life coach. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, career challenges, OCD, substance use, LGBT-related issues and ADHD. I also helped many people who have experienced physical trauma or emotional abuse. My therapy style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating anyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, psychodynamic and narrative 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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Lisa Rakusin

Offering therapy in California
License: LCSW
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsGriefDepressionCoping with life changes
11 years of experience

I am licensed in the state of California with 11 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with Stress, Anxiety, Trauma, Life Transitions & Grief. 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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Francisco Olmos

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseGriefDepressionCoaching
8 years of experience

I am licensed in California, with 8 years of professional work experience. Together with my clients we work to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be expressed without fear of judgment. I assist clients suffering/coping/working through stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief and loss, depression, self-esteem, existential crisis, life coaching, and other mental health/relationship issues. 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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Colter Diehl

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefDepressionCoping 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 stress and anxiety, relationship issues, coping with grief and loss, & 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. 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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Lucinda Guarino

Offering therapy in California
Relationship issuesTrauma and abuseGriefSelf 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 relationship issues, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, & 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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Xkizin Wright

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepression
8 years of experience

*NOW ACCEPTING MEMBERS INTERESTED IN EMDR:Limited Space available * YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Often times we go through tough situations by ourselves because we feel no one will understand us or we are told "get over it". So we suffer in silence. I am here to tell you that you do not have to be alone. My name is Xkizin Wright, LMFT and an EMDR Trained therapist. With my support you can become the best and healthiest version of yourself in ALL aspects of your life. I help individuals, couples, and families with: the inability to deal with negative emotions and negative thinking, not feeling supported, loneliness, not being heard and feelings of uncertainty due to life tribulations. Individually, I can help you quiet those unwanted thoughts or feelings by acknowledging, releasing and replacing them with positive ones to help increase belief in yourself and improve your relationships. As a couple and/or family, learn ways to communicate and interact effectively as a unit in a healthy matter. My mission is to provide a SAFE, Non-Judgmental, Understanding and Encouraging space for you to be your true self, so you have the opportunity to Heal, Ease into Forgiveness, Let go and Push Forward to live the life you have always wanted too. H.E.L.P is Here. ***** ATTENTION ATTENTION PLEASE READ: If you find me to be a potential fit, in supporting you on this journey and due to the federal health laws and regulations set by the Board of Behavioral Sciences, the organization that monitors my license, there are expectations as a therapist I will have to abide by. With that, Immediately after scheduling an appointment this information would need to be submitted: full name, date of birth, phone number, email address, the address of where you will be when we will meet, the name of the local police department that serves that address, the name, relationship and the phone number of a local emergency contact, any medications you are taking and the name of the treating psychiatrist, if there is one, and upload a copy of a state or federal issued photo ID. After this information is received the appointment will be confirmed. If the information is not received immediately or within a 24 hour window of scheduling, the appointment will be delayed and removed off the schedule until the information is received. All this information is deemed confidential and cannot and will not be shared with anyone else. Thank you for your understanding. **** Updated: October 3, 2024

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Andrea Throndson

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesGriefDepression
14 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, coping with addictions, relationship issues, & 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 have expertise in grief, addictions and trauma. I also am certified in DBT. 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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Phyllis Crow

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseSelf esteemCoaching
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, coping with addictions, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & career difficulties. 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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Daniel Vigil

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsSelf esteemDepression
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, relationship issues, family conflicts, & 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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Jamie Fowler

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. 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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Michelle Santana

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

I am licensed in California with over 15 years of clinical experience. I specialize in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & 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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Patricia Artieda

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseGriefParenting issuesDepression
5 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, trauma, abuse, coping with grief, coping with loss, & parenting issues. I also have experience working with 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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Aaron Manfre

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietySelf 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, 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. 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 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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