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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Erik Metzger
I have worked with adults, teens, couples and families for seven years; I specialize in facilitating people’s own insights and resilience to access more resourced and contented lives. Living in California can be exhausting with its high paced culture; allow me to work with you on achieving insight(s) about the origins and solutions to anxiety, substance abuse, and dissatisfaction with relationships and work. With my background as a yoga instructor, meditation practitioner, and competitive runner and triathlete, I can join you in bringing awareness to maladaptive coping strategies. I strive to normalize and validate your experiences! I started my career in addiction counseling, via Hazelden Betty Ford's graduate program, and I then received a counseling psychology masters from Palo Alto University; I have been working for a large hospital as a psychotherapist for the past six years. My specialty is working with addiction of all kinds. With two decades of sobriety from alcohol and drugs, I can assist you and your loved ones in getting relief from anger, restlessness, and grief. I can support you in recovering from bereavement after losing a beloved person or animal. Recovery has varied approaches; let’s find yours and develop new skills. I commend you for channeling your strength and wisdom into positive action. Asking for assistance and implementing new life skills is not easy; "we cannot fix a problem with the same mind that created it," Einstein is known to have said. Most everyone deals with shame, guilt, and self-criticism, and now’s your time to achieve a respite from the human condition. Congratulations on taking your first step in realizing your potential! I look forward to working with you.
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Christi Fields
Hi! My name is Christi and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 9 years’ experience providing counseling, clinical case management, and parenting psycho-education. My professional practice areas have included working with individuals and families, often with court- related, criminal justice and/or child welfare involvement. I have experience working with folks who are navigating thoughts and feelings of depression, anxiety, shame, anger, and grief. I have worked with individuals experiencing trauma, domestic violence, substance use, homelessness, divorce/separation, family, parenting, and employment issues, among others. My practice philosophy is rooted in client self-determination and empowerment. I believe in providing services though a non-judgmental, harm-reduction lens, where we are not always striving for perfection but rather finding what works for us individually and our own valuation of “good enough”. Through a Person-In-Environment approach, with a short-term, integrated use of Client Centered, Solution Focused, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy modalities, I hope to support you in creating that path to the life experience you want. I look forward to working with you! Christi Fields, LCSW she/her/hers https://christi-fields.clientsecure.me/
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Marissa Shennan
If you’re looking for a therapist with a great mix of empathy and compassion, a collaborative nature, and a straightforward approach, with over a decade of experience working with both everyday as well as complex needs, I may be a good fit for you. I am licensed in several states and have several years of experience making telehealth and virtual therapy both helpful and effective, whether we’re working to manage everyday life stressors, or more intensive concerns, such as trauma. Think of me as a co-pilot in this journey – we will work together to identify our destination and goals, as well as tailor ways to make the improvements and changes you desire. I utilize a variety of theoretical approaches, interventions and modalities to make therapy impactful, supportive, and effective. I also have extensive experience working with trauma, attachment, EMDR, cognitive-behavioral therapies, solution-focused approaches, and more, which I will draw from to personalize a plan to get where you want to be.
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Ryan Lisman
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.
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Dr. Sharon Myers
I am licensed in California with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, depression, & coping with life changes. 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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Stephanie Hochman
I am licensed in California with more than 20 years of professional work experience. I have helped clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, parenting 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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Linda Abdelbaki
I am licensed in California with 17 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, 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. 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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Rosy Provino
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California with 18 years of professional work experience. I graduated from Cal Poly Humboldt in 2006 with a Master's in Social Work. My approach is collaborative with an emphasis on radical self-acceptance and normalizing the human experience. I especially enjoy working with people who are navigating life transitions, including career changes, entering or exiting relationships, newly sober, and those caring for children and/or elders. My clients describe me as an empathetic and direct therapist who uses warmth and humor in her practice. Together we will explore your concerns, identify your strengths, and learn new ways to deal with old patterns so you can thrive in your life. I look forward to working with you.
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Thomas Cobb
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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Korina Echeverria
I am licensed in California with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & 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!
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Amanda Birescik
I am licensed in California with 9 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma, abuse, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. 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!
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Corine Semper
I am licensed in California with 4 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with trauma and abuse, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, depression, & 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 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:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Crisis Text Line:Text HOME to 741741
- Veterans Crisis Line<:Call 1-800-273-8255 (and press 1) or text 838255. For support for the deaf and hard of hearing community, please use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255.
- Trevor Lifeline(LGBTQ Lifeline): (866)488-7386
- SAMHSA National Helpline: (Substance Use): (800)662-4357
- National Eating Disorder Association Helpline:1-800-931-2237 (M-Th: 9 AM-9 PM EST, Fri 9 AM - 5 PM EST
- Child Help Hotline Call 1-800-422-4453 or use the online chat featur
- National Anti-Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293)
- Physician Crisis Support Line: Call 1-888-409-0141 if you are a first responder or medical provider experiencing crises related to Covid-1
- Sexual Assault Hotline: Call RAINN at 1-800-656-4673
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.
Popular cities in California
- Los Angeles, CA
- San Diego, CA
- San Jose, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Fresno, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- Long Beach, CA
- Oakland, CA
- Bakersfield, CA
- Anaheim, CA
- Santa Ana, CA
- Riverside, CA
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