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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Jane Winston Doman

Offering therapy in California
License: M.A. Clinical Psychology
Stress, AnxietyGriefSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
10 years of experience

Hello, I am Jane Winston Doman a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist in the state of California. I look forward to helping you find ways to reach your goals. I made a career change later in life knowing that I wanted to be in a helping profession. I went back to school and received my Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University in 1993. Being an older student with life experience was one of the best decisions I have ever made although not an easy one. I understand how difficult it can be to make changes in your life and to ask for help along the way. Since then I have worked individually with adults, couples and many older adults and adult children caring for a parent. I consider it a privilege to get to know my clients and build a trusting and supportive relationship. I have additionally worked in community mental health, assisting older adults and caregivers coping with stress and existential issues. My approach is to provide a safe, caring atmosphere while exploring ways that are most helpful for you to gain insight while encouraging growth and healing. We will work collaboratively to find appropriate coping strategies to help you with your goals. I use an integrated approach to treatment drawing from Client Centered, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Family therapy and Existentialism. I look forward to meeting you and working together. SPECIALTIES Anxiety, Panic disorder Depression Self esteem Crisis management Grief and Loss Adult children caring for parents Older adult issues Family dynamics and relationship issues

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Chester Reyes

Offering therapy in California
License: LCSW,BCD
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
13 years of experience

Hello there! Your search for help has led you to this moment. My name is Chester, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I’ve been fortunate to have worked with unique populations that have shaped my therapeutic approach. I have worked as a school-based social worker with inner-city children, teenagers, and at-risk young adults; veterans in homeless and residential treatment programs settings; and military service members. My fields of expertise are trauma (child abuse, domestic violence); anxiety and depression; substance abuse; and relationship issues. I am fully committed to your success by being empathetic, non-judgmental, and compassionate. I will be your biggest advocate, and work with you through an interactive and collaborative process from start to finish. Thank you for placing your trust in me, and I look forward to meeting and working with you.

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Dr. Lisa Sullivan

Offering therapy in California
License: Ph.D.
Stress, AnxietyGriefParenting issuesCoping with life changesADHD
10 years of experience

Dr. Lisa Sullivan Are you a smart and driven parent dealing with myriad demands from your children, spouse, employer, family, and/or community? Is your life good, but not at the level of fulfillment that you desire? Are you ready to experience positive change? If so, let’s connect. I am a Ph.D. psychologist with experience in successful clinical therapy. And, importantly, I too have personally dealt with the real-world challenges of living a driven lifestyle in the face of today’s challenges. My academic training coupled with hands-on experience provide the analytical tools to identify and help resolve the root cause of constraints that inhibit true fulfillment. I am particularly effective with parenting challenges (including parenting children with learning differences), women’s issues, relationship concerns, midlife crises, anxiety, and somatization (the physical expression of stress and emotions through the mind-body connection). I use both client-centered and solution-focused therapies to generate true fulfillment and personal success. I earned my Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 2000. Thereafter, I provided professional services, including psychological test assessments, to adults, adolescents and children. I am licensed in clinical psychology in California.

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Dr. Katherine Phillips

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesDepressionCoping with life changes
12 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship issues, & depression. 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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Rachael Sanders

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsCoping with life changes
10 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & intimacy related 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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Kim Sainten

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
11 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 11 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I also have experience working with depression. 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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Dean Del Giudice

Offering therapy in California
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesAnger managementCoaching
24 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy related issues, & anger management. 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.

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Jill Tiedeman

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepression
14 years of experience

Hi. I'm Jill Tiedeman, a licensed marriage and family therapist for over fourteen years based in California. Whether you are young and just getting started, wise in years, or somewhere in between, life, as we are only all too aware, is not always smooth sailing. As your therapist, I provide you with both skills and tools to help you learn to successfully navigate rough waters. Reaching out for help to either unravel the pain of your past or squarely face an uncertain or challenging future is clearly not easy, and the decision to seek out professional therapy is both brave and courageous. The good news, however, is you will almost always experience and enhancement to the quality of your day-to-day life as a result of your efforts. Client-centered therapy is at the heart of what I do, and the first thing you will instantly note is that I do not – and will not – judge you. Rather, we will become a closely knit team working together to help you move beyond both your physical and mental pain and to re-establish positive and productive life patterns. My methodology combines both Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy techniques to help you to: - Increase mindfulness and distress tolerance - Decrease depression and anger - Reduce and manage negative thought patterns Assisting and guiding you along your road to recovery and both a fulfilling and mindful life is my foremost goal. I have worked for many years with clients in mental health crisis as well as clients with relationship challenges, life transition issues, depression, anxiety, and more. I also have knowledge about chronic illness and chronic pain and how to get through life in spite of the ups and downs. I have experience with clients of all ages, lifestyles, and addictions. Chances are very good that you can change your life, and, in that process, restore both the happiness and peace you seek and deserve. I look forward to working with you soon!

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Chris (Christopher) McKillop

Offering therapy in California
License: LCMHC,NCC
Stress, AnxietyAnger managementDepression
11 years of experience

Hi, my name is Chris McKillop and I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in North Carolina. I have been involved in the area of mental health and developmental disabilities since 1993. I received my Masters in Counseling in 2004 from the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. I have worked in community-based settings, group homes and transitional housing settings, as well as working as a school counselor for 2 years and a Juvenile Court Counselor for 6 years. I strive to promote an atmosphere of trust and acceptance where clients feel safe, supported and validated. That trust and security will facilitate challenging thoughts, assumptions and beliefs that can be self-defeating and counterproductive to growth and having a life worth living. I believe the therapeutic relationship is the most important aspect of therapy, as it is the foundation upon which all other specific skills and techniques are based. Without that open and trusting relationship, the specific skills and techniques will be far less effective. I primarily use a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focus, with elements of Behavioral Activation, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI). I strive to be adaptive and flexible in approach, working with the client’s strengths to best address the client’s concerns.

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Juanita Equils

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsSelf esteemDepression
15 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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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