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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Patrick O'Leary

Offering therapy in California
License: LMFT
AddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefDepression
39 years of experience

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the golden state of California with 39 years of experience in the field of psychology and active practice. My background covers a very wide range of life issues and concerns including anxiety, depression, life cycle issues, parenting problems, chronic mental health problems, ADHD, addictions, psychosis, trauma and abuse, grief and loss. (I work with a very wide range of issues and concerns across the life spectrum). My personal counseling style is engaging, warm, and interactive. I don't believe a diagnosis identifies who a person is. As Mr. Rogers quoted across the last fifty years, you are "OK", just the way you are! Regarding my counseling style my approach includes and combines client centered and a cognitive behavioral approach during a session. I am not limited to these two modalities, as most counselors today use interventions that are from a multiple of modalities of therapy that are acceptable and appropriate and with researched and evidenced based practices. I will adjust our interactions and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. I truly look forward to working with you.

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Heather Rink-Rosas

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseAnger managementBipolar disorder
18 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 18 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, & anger management. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. My theoretical orientation can be described as eclectic, using techniques from various models of therapy as deemed appropriate with the current treatment and client. I utilize most from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as I assist clients in exploring and expressing thoughts, feelings/emotions, and behaviors in an attempt to identify maladaptive patterns contributing to distress. 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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Milah Jordan

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsParenting issuesSelf esteem
4 years of experience

Greetings, My name is Milah Jordan! I have been licensed since 2009, and have a clinical therapy background combined with 17 years of inner city classroom teaching of youth and teens. I have a Masters in Social Work and a Masters in Education. As I am returning to the field of therapy, I seek to utilize my knowledge and expertise of working with youth, parents and families. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming the things that challenge you - I am simply here to assist. My vision is that you and I can partner together to help you navigate this portion of your life. Thank you for trusting me to be a part of your emotional, spiritual and physical journey to wellbeing. I am excited that you are getting started!

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Stephanie Wideman

Offering therapy in California
License: MSW,LCSW
Stress, AnxietySelf esteemDepression
20 years of experience

Hi there! I am so glad you are here. Take a moment. Yes, right now, take a deep breath. I’ll be here. Exhale. Be proud of yourself. Today, you showed up. You are here and you are willing to consider taking the next step. Well done! I believe, life is full of emotion. It makes us laugh and cry… sometimes both in the same moment. It can be hard as we journey through it to see the forest for the trees… to see beauty instead of pain. Wherever you are along your journey you do not have to travel alone. My name is Stephanie Wideman. I am a licensed clinical social worker based in Missouri. I have 20 years of experience coming alongside others, from children to older adults, on their journey as a guide. You will always lead, because we are going where you want to go. Together we can forge a path of perspective and self awareness; replacing lies with truth and be able to take in all of the beauty of the journey along the way. Each person's destination and goals are unique. My guidebook (clinical approach techniques) is diverse. Be prepared to roll up your sleeves, because I believe you get out of therapy what you put into it. I am a Christian and draw my clinical approaches heavily from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (known as CBT) aligned with the Biblical principles of grace, love, and mercy. At all times, as your guide it is important to me that you feel safe, respected, heard, encouraged, empowered, and challenged. Yes, we can do hard things. Now, you did not come this far to only come this far. Grab your favorite mug and find a place of solace. Let’s journey through together.

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Lucille Estrada

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietySelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changesADHD
19 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 19 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Lynette Alarcon

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsEating disordersDepression
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 addictions, & eating disorders. I also have experience working with 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. 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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Kyra Smith

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesDepressionCoping 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 stress and anxiety, relationship issues, & depression. 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Willishia Johnson

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietySelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCoaching
8 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, career difficulties, & 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.

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Victoria Brown

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSelf 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, trauma and abuse, & 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Heather Navarro

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
12 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 12 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & 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 and look forward to hearing about your needs.

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Michal Pomeranetz

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

I am licensed in California with 14 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & depression. 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Rosa Shetty

Offering therapy in California
Trauma and abuse
17 years of experience

I have been in the field of trauma healing and recovery since 2007. I specialize in helping women heal from complex childhood trauma stemming from sexual abuse. I have advanced training in research-based trauma recovery models: EMDR, Havening, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems, and Trauma-Focused Yoga 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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