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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Martha Padilla

Offering therapy in California
License: MA,LMFT
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsDepressionCoping with life changes
10 years of experience

Hi there! I'm glad you're here. I know that life can get tough leaving us feeling stuck, confused or overwhelmed. Counseling can certainly help, so I am glad you're considering this option. I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I'm also bilingual, and offer services in both English and Spanish. My approach to therapy has been described by previous clients as "insightful and practical". My counseling style is client-centered - this means that you are the focus of therapy, and I consider you to be the ultimate expert on yourself. That being said, our work together will involve drawing out your strengths, building upon them, and helping you move forward in a warm and supportive environment. I have been working with families, individuals, children and teens in a mental health capacity for 8 years now. I have worked with a diverse range of populations and with various mental health issues. More specifically, it has been my privilege to help people heal from and work through issues such as chronic depression, grief, social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, multigenerational issues including sibling and parenting issues, boundary setting in relationships, and history of trauma or abuse. If you decide to work with me, I'm hopeful that together we can find a way to help you move forward, and feel in control of your life once again.

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Cherie Harper

Offering therapy in California
License: LMFT, LNHA
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseBipolar disorderDepressionCoping with life changes
15 years of experience

ABOUT ME Hello, My name is Cherie Harper; I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and an advocate for those who may suffer from a mental illness or have experienced a mental health crisis. With expert knowledge and 21 years of experience, my goal has always been to help erase the stigma that shadows around those who may suffer of a mental illness. My experience includes in-patient settings, community mental health, crisis residential, individual and couple’s counseling. I have a wide range of experience working with adults, older adults and Transitional Age youth. Growing up I witnessed close family members and friends who suffered from a mental illness have difficulty receiving the help they so desperately needed. This has not only motivated me but has inspired me to advocate at the forefront for all those who are underserved and disadvantaged. I use a person centered, recovery, and integrative approach in treatment, I believe in meeting a person where they are at in life. My approach is different in that I believe that a person can recover from mental illness and learn to manage their lives fully and recognize when they are experiencing a mental health crisis. I use evidenced base techniques including Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Mindfulness. Most of the time I don’t take myself seriously, I know that I have flaws and have learned to live with them and appreciate some of my flaws. My approach is warm, friendly and empathetic, I am ready to take on complicated issue’s and assist you to tackle your struggles head on. If you are looking for a counselor who will listen, provide honest feedback and guide you to a better you than I am the counselor for you. My areas of expertise include: ● Depression, Stress and Anxiety ● Couples Counseling ● Trauma and Abuse ● Chronic Mental Illness ● Relationship Issues ● Anger Management ● Career Difficulties

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Mara Bruckner

Offering therapy in California
License: M.A.,L.M.F.T.
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesDepression
22 years of experience

I am a licensed Marriage & Family Counselor in Southern California with over 22 years of experience working in private practice and county and state funded agencies that offer behavior therapy to young children, teens and adults diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder. Treatment included play therapy, ABA, social skills groups and guidance for parents. In private practice, I have a great deal of experience with teens and adults with Asperger’s or high functioning autism, as well as teens and adults with anxiety, depression and other disorders associated with adolescence. I also work with adults of any age. I have been certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which is an evidence-based approach that is very effective for numerous problems and disorders including depression, anxiety, phobias, OCD and relationship issues. My counseling style is warm and interactive with some humor inserted at strategic times. I strongly believe that a sense of humor and the ability to laugh does wonders toward lightening the perception of many “heavy” issues. I treat all clients with respect, and can tailor my treatment approach to each individual client’s needs. I use any appropriate combination of cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic, solution-focused and client centered therapy, and I believe in taking a collaborative approach with my clients, allowing them to participate more actively in their sessions. I am greatly looking forward to working with YOU!

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Jeffrey Stambook

Offering therapy in California
License: LMFT
Relationship issuesAnger managementDepressionCoping with life changes
16 years of experience

As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I enjoy working with a diverse set of clients. Licensed in California since 2006 I have had the pleasure of sitting down to talk with a great number of individuals who were struggling with a variety of concerns. My work in mental health began in 1998 in a small farming community just outside of Bakersfield, CA. I was fortunate enough to be hired by a community health clinic to provide mental health case management for children and families. It was there that I realized my desire to help others and found my motivation to continuing me education and training. I went on to work at a variety of jobs including a mental hospital for a period of time so that I would have the skills necessary to serve clients in private practice. I began seeing clients in my own office shortly after getting licensed. I believe that one of the very best things that I can offer my clients is the gift of being heard. I will provide a safe space where clients can share their greatest challenges and know that I am listening. I will not judge them but will do my very best to encourage them and help them find solutions to their problems. I promise to treat every client with the highest level of respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I tend to approach my work from a cognitive-behavioral perspective. My work with individuals often involves some effort to change old habits including negative thinking. Marriage counseling has always been a significant part of my work. Those who do marriage well, take time to know what is going on with one another and make time to enjoy each other. I have had training in the methods of Drs. John and Julie Gottman and use their material with most of the couples that I see. You do not need to be “crazy” or be in significant distress to seek counseling. Sometimes our beliefs or expectations of ourselves or of counseling result in a delay in seeking help until situations become serious, or we are already in crisis. Many people tell us that they wish they had come to counseling sooner. Save yourself some avoidable distress and seek counseling earlier rather than later.

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Anne Fox

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseParenting issuesAnger management
20 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 25 plus years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with struggles that I believe affect us all. It is the human condition to experience stress and anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, & parenting issues. No one is exempt from struggles in life. I believe in treating my clients with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our discussions to what you want to achieve and a treatment plan to meet your specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and we can work together to deal with the situations and struggles that you want to overcome.

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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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Qyonna Grady

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyGriefIntimacy-related issuesCareer difficultiesDepression
4 years of experience

I am licensed in Alabama with 2 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, intimacy related issues, & 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

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Lauren Graovac

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemCoping with life changesCoaching
20 years of experience

I am a wellness coach and licensed psychotherapist combined for over 20 years in NY, and California. I bring my enthusiasm for healing and helping my clients reclaim their lives. My approach is holistic and includes mindfulness, DBT, Somatic and Psychodynamic. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & 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. 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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Jonathan Trost

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesCoping with life changes
36 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 36 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, anger management, & career difficulties. 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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Kurt Kozma

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseParenting issuesSelf esteemCoping with life changes
37 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 37 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, parenting issues, & 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. 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.

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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