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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Eliot Rosenstock

Offering therapy in California
License: M.A., Clinical Psychology
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefBipolar disorderDepression
8 years of experience

Hello, my name is Eliot Rosenstock. I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and I want to help you feel better. Let’s talk about what you want, and where you want to go in life. In my practice, I utilize dream analysis as well as a more cognitive-rational approach to integrate the unconscious and conscious mind to achieve your desired result from therapy. When you come to therapy, you want a concrete, positive change in your life. I don’t believe the idea that you come to therapy to feel better is very complex, nor do I believe you need your values totally rearranged to achieve a result which is life changing! Some therapists offer you a totally different way of seeing things, where as I want to offer you a clearer you. I don’t want to turn you into me, nor do I offer you a fast food religious experience. Through our conscious minds as well as our unconscious minds, we hold the key to a life where we feel better, more fulfilled, and less compromised by negative feelings and symptoms. Let’s help get you to the best you: feeling good, and thinking clearly!

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Susan Cristol

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefDepressionADHD
15 years of experience

When a therapist is welcoming and non-judgmental, it is much easier to seek help. I am passionate about working with clients to find more effective communication strategies. You can make positive changes in your life. There are ways to regulate anger and anxiety and I can help. I can also show you the path toward healing unresolved grief and loss, as well as trauma. These issues can keep you from living your best life without shame and sadness. I have spent most of my working life in a helping profession. I have been providing counseling for 14 years. Before becoming a licensed therapist, I had a career as a special education teacher. That experience informs my work today whether I am working with children, adolescents, couples or adults. I stay current on clinical research and the many writings in the areas of psychology, sociology and marriage and family therapy. My specialized training includes (but not limited to) cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma and abuse, domestic violence and play therapy. I look forward to meeting potential clients and joining them in their path toward becoming their best selves and living their best lives. I have an eclectic toolbox that includes many aspects of different psychological theories and interventions. At the beginning, there is an assessment process taking place for the first few sessions. I determine at that time what drawer in the toolbox would work most effectively. I may have the client complete certain questionnaires as part of the assessment. Throughout therapy, there is a fine tuning of the process. It is important to mention that during the initial phase of therapy, the primary focus is on meeting the client where they are. This is a collaborative relationship that is driven by the direction the client needs to go and my experience and knowledge in helping them get there. I am very curious and observant, as every good therapist should be. Some of the therapies I utilize are Person-Centered, Cognitive Behavioral, Psychodynamic and Narrative. We can certainly go into greater detail about these orientations when we meet.

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Theresa Leal

Offering therapy in California
Family conflictsParenting issuesSelf esteem
20 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with family conflicts, 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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Bianca Bannerman

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyGriefAnger managementCoping 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, coping with grief and loss, & anger management. I also have experience working with 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. 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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Monica Garnett

Offering therapy in California
License: LCPC,LAADC,CADTP
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCompassion fatigue
3 years of experience

Hi I’m Monica, Are you feeling stuck, unsettled and ready to regain some normalcy in your life? Are you hoping to become the best version of yourself? Allow me to assist you in becoming more self-aware and regaining more control of your life. I am a licensed counselor for the state of Illinois and a certified substance abuse counselor for California. My experiences have allowed me to work with diverse clientele ranging from children and adolescents to adults with varying needs. My therapeutic style is collaborative and engaging and I assist you in learning to live an enriched and full life. I have fifteen years’ experience working with individuals who needed help with emotional regulation, developing coping strategies, struggling with alcohol, drug or behavioral addictions as well as with individuals or couples needing to enhance their communication skills. I also have several years of experience working with veterans. I offer phone and video sessions for clients who are distancing or quarantined. I have immediate openings for new clients. Allow me to assist you in taking the next step towards living a more fulfilled life!

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Liena McCord

Offering therapy in California
License: LCSW
Stress, AnxietyLGBTTrauma and abuseCareer difficultiesDepression
25 years of experience

My name is Liena Hsieh McCord, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I have been providing mental health support to adults, adolescents, families, and couples for over 24 years in various settings. I have extensive experience working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, work concerns, and professional as well as personal relationship concerns. My clinical practice entails heightened sensitivity and awareness to diversity and cultural factors, such as race and ethnicity, racial trauma, generational differences, biculturality, LGBTQIA+ awareness, and more. I have a particularly strong passion for understanding and embracing diversity, especially when it comes to mental health impact on people of color. I am a first generation (and a half) Chinese American and speak Chinese Mandarin. My therapy approach is eclectic with a main goal of helping my clients become more aware of their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors while increasing self-compassion and limiting self-judgment so that they can lead a content and satisfying life. My therapy style is solution-focused with a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy approach while helping my clients better understand their history so that they can continue to move forward. I commend you for coming this far and I hope you will find the right therapist for you to support you along this journey!

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Larry Newson

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseAnger managementDepression
7 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 7 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, & anger management. 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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Okairy Rodriguez

Offering therapy in California
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefSelf esteemCoping with life changes
13 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 13 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, family conflicts, coping with grief and loss, & 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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Beverly Chevalier

Offering therapy in California
License: LCSW
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepression
15 years of experience

I am a clinical social worker, licensed in the states of California, Connecticut and Maine. For more than a decade I have worked with racially, economically, sexually, and culturally diverse persons who struggle with issues and conditions related to trauma. I believe that the effective healing journey is unique, authentic, and addresses the whole person: mind, body and spirit. To this end, I apply knowledge and experience from several related professional trainings [clinical social work, clinical trauma professional, certified mental health integrative medicine professional lifestyle medicine professional and certified personal trainer, and ordained minister] to counsel and coach clients in gaining awareness, understanding, and skills to manage and transform the distressing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are the consequences of adverse and/or traumatic experiences; and that are interfering with them living a healthy, well-functioning life. I engage evidence-based therapeutic approaches that integrate traditional, holistic, and creative client-centered therapeutic processes and interventions to help clients overcome limiting, self-defeating thoughts and feelings about self-worth, relationships and choices that underlie distress and dysfunction.

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Renee Gaubert

Offering therapy in California
License: LCSW
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseDepressionCoping with life changes
12 years of experience

I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) from New Orleans, Louisiana. My expertise is in treating trauma-related disorders. I began my social work career as a housing case manager for fellow New Orleanians displaced by Hurricane Katrina, then worked as a domestic violence victim advocate through the Orleans Parish District Attorney's office. I also provided in-home mental health rehabilitation services and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy throughout the greater New Orleans area for several years. Now I practice online therapy full-time from my home, serving adults across the country. My passion is helping others overcome adversity through authentic self-expression and safe, meaningful connection. I look at problems through an intersectional feminist framework and use cognitive behavioral interventions that help my clients manage overwhelming emotions, change self-destructive habits, improve personal relationships, and feel more in control of their lives. Cognitive behavioral therapy is considered the gold standard for treating anxiety and depression. It involves a lot of writing out our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors so that we can notice patterns and find alternative choices. This is why weekly Live Chat sessions, along with sending messages and completing worksheets in between sessions, are a perfect modality for this treatment approach. While the therapeutic relationship is a professional one, it's important that you experience me as a real person with genuine interest and care for you, so I'll share a bit about myself here. I identify as a bisexual cis woman, and an advocate for social justice. I am located in New Orleans, Louisiana where I have lived most of my life. I have a BA in sociology and women's studies from Loyola University and a master's in social work from Tulane University. I took a 3-year hiatus from social work to move to New York City, where I worked as a ballerina, yoga instructor, and Broadway theatre bartender. I started my private practice back in New Orleans when COVID hit. I share my home with my 3 pets: a goldador named Bella, a chihuahua-mix named Rex, and red-tail boa named Kaa. I like to take road trips, and most of my vacations are spent in a campground or at a music festival. I also perform with local community theaters and dance companies. Though most of the people I’ve treated have experienced trauma, it's not what brings most people into therapy. I start with the changes you'd like to see in your life right now. Having a supportive person you feel safe with and understood by is neither a luxury nor aid you have to qualify for; it's what all humans need to thrive. I will build a brave space with you, where you can explore how your past experiences have shaped patterns of thoughts and behaviors. You will clarify your values and learn to live them authentically in the present. Oftentimes this process involves uncovering and processing past trauma. I have found trauma is not something you get over, but something you move through. As a trauma survivor myself, I’ve experienced the transformative power of therapy from the client side, too. I know how much courage it takes to open up to someone new, and let them see who you are and who you want to become. I would be honored to step into your world and move through it with you.

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Graciela "Gracie” Wangsnes

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression
10 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 10 years of professional work experience. I am bilingual. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, Major depressive disorder, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. My therapy style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating anyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. . My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, psychodynamic and rational-emotive therapy. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. 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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Marc Kitano

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

I am licensed in California and Texas with 10 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.

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Estella Barrios

Offering therapy in California
Relationship issuesGriefParenting issuesSelf esteemCareer difficulties
13 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 13 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, chronic health issues, general anxiety, relationship issues, parenting issues, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I also have experience working with 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. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started. I believe that we're all capable of goodness, and worthy of happiness, and some of us just need extra support to achieve both.

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Linda Mohr

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesParenting issues
26 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 26 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, & relationship issues. I also have experience working with 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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Matthew Rodgers

Offering therapy in California
AddictionsLGBTIntimacy-related issuesSelf esteemCoping with life changes
5 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, lgbtq+ related issues, intimacy related issues, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. 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 spent most of my professional career work with Veterans. I am experienced with helping patients with PTSD, substance use issues, and in general helping individuals with their goals to become independent and to thrive. I also have a background in Gerontology (MA), LGBTQIA+ culture and sex therapy.

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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