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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Amy Stoffel
I am licensed in California with over 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with trauma and abuse as well as 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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Denise Gutirrez-Miller
I am licensed in California and Oklahoma with 23 years of professional work experience. I have experience 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. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. I have worked with many populations, from developmentally disabled to SED teens to adults. I enjoy meeting people and seek to make others' lives better. I would love to work with you and help you become the best version of yourself. I am a born-again Christian and available for those needing to understand themselves according to Scripture.
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Jennifer Merva
Hello! My name is Jennifer Merva and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Long Beach, California. I have 5 years of experience providing direct therapy to children, youth and families with a variety of presenting issues including stress, anxiety and depression, low motivation and self-esteem, grief and loss and relationship and family issues. We live in such a fast-paced society it can be difficult to prioritize our mental health. It’s easy to distract ourselves and bury our issues instead of facing them head-on. I will provide a safe, empathic space for you. I believe relationships and attachments are crucial for healing. Our connections matter. Your environment and relationships are interconnected and can have a huge impact on your thoughts and behaviors. My therapeutic approach is strengths-based. You are already coming in with so many strengths! I am here to help you identify them and use them as skills. You will develop a more positive outlook and improve your resiliency. I am here to help you work though conflict in healthier ways. You will learn skills and strategies to manage the stressors of life. We can work on strengthening your relationships; both with yourself and others. Together we can help you find the joy and happiness of life again. Our therapeutic relationship will be a collaborative one. I will work with you to help reach your goals. I want to thank you for taking the time to tend to your needs. I look forward to meeting you and helping you along this journey. Education • The University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Master of Social Work May 2019 • The University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA Bachelor of Arts, Psychology; Department: Children, Youth & Families Minor: Child & Youth Studies May 2012 Certificates • Understanding Male's Psychology in Community Mental Health November 2023 • Changing the ADHD Brain: Moving Beyond Medication October 2023 • Art and Play in Therapy February 2023 • The Faraway-Nearby of Loss: How We Mourn October 2022 • Trauma Informed Strategies: Working with Individuals with ID/DD/ASD for Clinical Staff April 2022 • Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Clinical Guide for General Practitioners April 2021 • Providing Clinical Services to African American Men/Youth Experiencing Trauma Grief April 2021 • Providing Care for Clients who Identify as Trans, Nonbinary and/or Gender Nonconforming March 2021 • Domestic Violence in the Lives of Children March 2021 Trainings • Motivational Interviewing (MI) • Problem Solving Therapy (PST) • Compassion Focused Therapy • Trauma-Focused CBT, Bullying • Eating Disorders 101 • Effective Parenting Strategies • Grief and Loss • Suicide Risk Management and Assessment NASW (National Association of Social Workers) Member ID: 886753466
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Leslie LaMay
Hi there! My name is Leslie and I'm so excited to meet you. I am a licensed professional in California (LCSW 123946). My areas of expertise include working with the impacts of trauma and abuse, stress and anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, and self esteem. During my day job, I oversee a therapy program for teens and young adults at a local non profit. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion - and my sessions will always be a safe space. My approach is humanistic and person-centered, and I customize my chosen interventions based off the individual needs that we'll identify together. 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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Roslyn Trahan
I am licensed in California with 10+ years of professional work experience. 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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Kendal Lardie
I am licensed in California with 9 years of professional work experience. I have experience in multiple areas, including addiction, relationship issues, self-esteem building, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. I believe the most important part of therapy is the relationship you have with your therapist, which should be one of respect and understanding. I believe in treating all people with care an compassion. Our sessions will be focused on what you believe the most important concern is at that time, as well as how that ties into your ultimate goal for treatment. I commend you for seeking out help and taking the time to better yourself, and I am excited to be a part of the process.
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Kenyada Wagoner
Do you struggle with managing your emotions and mood? Have you experienced a traumatic event? Do you struggle to fit into social settings? Do intrusive thoughts cause a daily impairment in your life? Are you unhappy with a relationship or grieving a loss? Do you find yourself feeling in a down or low mood? Does anxiety appear to rule your life? I would like to support you in finding a balanced life. I am confident that you can and will get to a better place. Therapy is meant to meet the client where they are. None of us are built the same, and for that reason, therapeutic approaches are most effective when treatment is individualized. Therapy is meant to meet the client where they are. None of us are built the same, and for that reason, therapeutic approaches are most effective when treatment is individualized.
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Maria Garde
I am licensed in California with 21 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, coping with grief, & coping with loss. I also have experience working with compassion fatigue. 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! Due to conflict of interest, I cannot accept any clients that are Kaiser consumers.
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Tamara "Tammy" Grayson
I am licensed in California with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, trauma, abuse, coping with grief, coping with loss, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I also have experience working with depression, anxiety, and PTSD in First Responders and families. 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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Lisa Collins
Originally from Ireland, I have been living in California for almost 30 years. I am licensed in California with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, coping with addictions, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. My overall training is in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy though I will tailor our time 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 and empower you in that journey.
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:
- 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 feature
- 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 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.
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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