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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Dr. Carol Carrell

Offering therapy in California
License: NMD, LMFT
Stress, AnxietyLGBTDepressionCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
30 years of experience

I have been a counselor for 30 years with experience in treating clients from 18 months to 98 years. As a professor and supervisor I utilize a variety of modalities and believe that each client is special and unique. One approach does not fit all. I have experience working with depression, anxiety, first responders, professionals, dealing with illness and care giver fatigue, chronic pain, trasuma, abuse and addiction. I have worked with children that have faced difficult health challenges that have not only affected them but their family as well. In addition I have worked with adolescents in the juvenile justice system, learning disabilities, suicidality, LGBTQI issues, trauma and abuse. It is important to establish an atmosphere of trust and safety where adolescents can express themselves and feel heard and accepted. When working with couples it is important to establish an atmosphere that is safe to explore the family issues. I work with couples that have chronic medical issues that have caused stress and communication problems. It is important to address the caregiver fatigue aspect in chronic medical issues. In addition, is important to identify and strengths that each brings to the relationship and how to communicate effectively. Communication is a key element in being able to set goals and move forward in their relationship. I have worked with LGBTQI clients in their process of coming out to their family and community. Therapy is a gift that you give yourself. I look forward to working with you to work towards the change you desire

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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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Mark Ryle

Offering therapy in California
License: MA,LCSW
Stress, AnxietyLGBTTrauma and abuseGriefCareer difficulties
13 years of experience

I am a therapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 15 years of experience helping individuals and families overcome obstacles at home and at work. Prior to my work as a therapist, I held C-suite positions in corporate finance, investment banking and private equity. I have significant experience in treating anxiety, depression and the impact of intimate partner violence. I also enjoy and am quite skilled at life coaching and executive coaching. I believe in putting you first, centering you in the work ahead of us and leaving you with the skills to continue progress without me.

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Lauren Greeley

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyGriefDepression
18 years of experience

I am licensed in California with over 20 years of professional social work experience in various capacities. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety & depression. 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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Stephanie Howard

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseParenting issuesDepression
17 years of experience

Hello and Welcome to my therapy practice! My name is Stephanie Howard and I am a licensed therapist in the state of California with 17 years of professional work experience. I have worked in a variety of settings including inpatient and outpatient mental health facilities, schools, and community-based non-profits and clinics. I graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with my master's degree. I utilize Cognitive Behavioral and Psychodynamic therapy techniques in my practice. I believe in using a strengths-based, client focused approach to help clients reach their personal goals in therapy. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & 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. 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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Jerome Hoffman

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression
20 years of experience

As a therapist whose been seeing clients for over 20 years in a variety of settings, I feel that I can be helpful in the majority of circumstances you might find yourself in. I tend to work from a Cognitive Behavioral Framework (which basically means to bring one's thoughts, actions and feelings together to challenge problem areas). I believe that providing a place of trust, safety and support is key to doing the hard work. I am also a person of Faith and if this is important to you please let me know. Otherwise, our work together will focus on the problem areas we identify. Trouble areas may include anxiety issues, sadness, loneliness, family dynamics, past traumas and/or abuse, or any other roadblocks preventing you from achieving your goals. I look forward to meeting you and assisting you in finding the solutions that will create a new future.

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Megan Quinn

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyParenting issuesDepressionCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
5 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, parenting issues, depression, & 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Michael Levittan

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseParenting issuesAnger management
30 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 30 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & parenting issues. 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 genuinely dedicated to support & empower you in that journey.

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Kandie Brown

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression
5 years of experience

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California. I have a Master’s degree in Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, TX. I follow a systemic approach to therapy and believe that to understand people and their challenges it is important to understand the systems and relationships they are a part of. I believe that the therapeutic relationship should be one of authenticity, collaboration and one that feels safe and supportive. I focus on the client’s strength and resiliency. I strive to help clients find tools to cope with life’s stresses. I use a humanistic approach, CBT, existential, EMDR, narrative, solution focused, and mindfulness approaches and/or other modalities tailored to the client's needs. I strive to help clients find more adaptive habits that lead to more meaningful and fulfilling lives. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, depression, relationship issues, anger management, trauma, abuse and low-motivation, lack of self-esteem and lack of confidence. I work with my clients in California 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 and empower you in that journey. About me: I enjoy gardening, quilting, researching, reading, walking, hiking, travel and enjoying my dog and family.

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Eva Marcelli

Offering therapy in California
Relationship issuesTrauma and abuseGriefDepressionCoping with life changes
24 years of experience

My License is in Marriage and Family Therapy and have about 20 yrs. experience working with a diverse range of clients, primarily in the public system. I have particularly worked in the field of trauma, abuse, conflict due to race or religion, change of life events, situational depression, and adjustment difficulties. I volunteered abroad to be available for those impacted by war trauma, whether they were civilians, veterans, or first responders. Having been part of several volunteer engagements in the community and abroad has also provided me with several years of experience working with displaced families representing many different cultures and ethnic groups. I hope you will take your first step in beginning this journey of healing towards a more fulfilling life. It is understandable if at the beginning the whole process may feel a bit uncomfortable, but I can assure you a safe space for you to share your feelings. You will not be alone. We will work together on leading you out of that place of pain. To help you make the right choice, you may need to know that I am an "old-fashioned" Therapist, so if your therapy preference is chatting and messaging over live video sessions, perhaps I am not the best choice. My approach is tailored according to each client's needs. The psychodynamic model has been my preference, but I will incorporate any of the many other tools and treatments that have proved effective according to best practices. My greatest reward is to see you through the end of the therapeutic relationship with an increased ability to function comfortably, having acquired some tools to give you the confidence that you can manage yourself and thus move forward in your life.

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Diane Kato

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseSelf esteem
23 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 23 years of professional work experience working with children, youth, adults, families, and couples. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & trauma and abuse. Life's journey can be challenging with endless wandering paths. Do you feel lost and unable to find your way out? I will walk with you using strength-based, person-centered therapeutic relationship approach utilizing a flexible and creative process. 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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Lisa Bahar

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsFamily conflictsAnger managementDepression
20 years of experience

I am licensed in California and specialize in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) which are skills that help clients work through anxiety, interpersonal conflicts, emotion dysregulation, and distress tolerance. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, family conflicts, & anger management. 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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Juan Alonso

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepression
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, relationship issues, family conflicts, & trauma and abuse. 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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Kristen Silva

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression
6 years of experience

I am licensed in California and have had 6 years of professional work experience between being a grad student, AMFT, and LMFT. 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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Joseph Tillman

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseGriefDepression
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, trauma and abuse, & 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. 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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