Many people associate mental health care with difficult challenges like domestic violence, residential programs for substance use, and anger management. And while therapy can offer a healing space to work through these issues, there are so many more people who can also benefit from support. A professional clinical counselor can walk alongside when you feel stuck, teach strategies for stress relief, offer coping skills for life change, and share research-backed lifestyle habits that promote mental and physical health. 

When it comes to finding a therapist, Pico Rivera, CA may offer more options than surrounding rural areas, but finding the right therapist can be complicated, even in a city. One reason for this is that the therapeutic approach you want may not be available in an area convenient to you. Or your preferred choice has a waiting list, or is not taking new clients. Another reason may be that you may be seeking therapy with someone who specializes in a specific population like POCs or LGBTQ+, and have trouble finding a practice that offers this in your area. That’s where online therapy can help. 

BetterHelp is an online platform that offers a wide variety of mental health providers from licensed professional clinical counselors to social workers. These professionals specialize in a broad range of therapeutic approaches and techniques, and have experience working with diverse populations. Simply fill out an online questionnaire and BetterHelp will match you to the therapist that best meets your needs. In addition, because a strong therapeutic alliance can be key to success, if you need to change therapists you can do so at no additional cost. 

Online therapy is a convenient solution for busy professionals, parents, and students. Online sessions fit easily into any schedule, and with video chat, phone, and text messaging options you can meet with your therapist from the comfort of your own home. 

If you’ve been thinking of seeking therapy to focus on your well-being, contact BetterHelp to get started, or check out the list of Pico Rivera-based online therapists below for more information.

Psychologist Andrea McLellan providing different types of therapy in Pico Rivera

Andrea McLellan

Clinician
License Type(s): MA,LMFT
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesParenting issuesDepression
14 years offering treatment

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." — Ralph Waldo Emerson In my journey, I have learned that the roots of our disharmony must be identified – we must become aware of the underlying causes of our problematic issues before we can recover our authentic self. In addition to doing individual therapy, I am an adjunct at a university where I teach Psychology and I am a court-recognized expert on sexual assault and child abuse. In this role, I do Forensic Psychology consultation work with attorneys who represent court-dependent minors. I look closely into the lives of people harmed, both physically and emotionally, within the context of the family. Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, the maltreatment of children, and the elderly – vulnerable people who were harmed instead of protected by the family system. I am keenly aware of the negative impact, generationally, of this childhood exposure to family chaos and trauma. These experiences led me to intensely examine underlying motivations and to the advanced study of a psychological theory—family systems theory. I have learned that while justice is an important component of healing, it is not the whole picture. Authentic recovery must include awareness, responsibility, courage, and forgiveness. I help my clients discover for themselves these vital components of authentic healing. On a personal level, I enjoy nature and outdoor activities – the beach, hiking, bird-watching, and camping. I would like to include a note to our modern-day warriors – today’s public servants - those individuals who must daily share the pain of others- up close – our first responders. You may find yourself having significant impairment in your social or occupational areas of functioning, or you may have the need to process a stressful event you have experienced. If you begin experiencing increased emotional arousal (anger, irritability, fear, depression) in daily events, you may be experiencing acute stress response. There are critical components involved in coming to terms with acute or post-traumatic stress, and I would be honored to help you recognize and implement these steps. I have been there. To anyone considering therapy, no matter the source of their emotional pain, authentic healing involves understanding the fundamental processes of life and using the principles inherent in that understanding. Once the roots of our disharmony are identified—awareness—we can employ the principles of responsibility, courage, and forgiveness to recover genuine emotional health. My clients have taught me that they prefer practical, goal-driven therapy. Because of this, I like to use solution-focused and Cognitive Behavioral theories in my work. Many of my past clients have reported that they prefer these theories. They prefer improving negative symptoms during treatment via solution-focused therapy and setting clear, concise, and realistic goal-setting concepts found in Cognitive Behavioral treatment. Thank you for taking the time to read about me. I wish you the emotional health needed to live the life you dream of. In considering me as a therapist for yourself, I can't overstate my gratitude to you for allowing me to serve you in this way.

Psychologist Andrea  Perez Portillo providing different types of therapy in Pico Rivera

Andrea Perez Portillo

Clinician
License Type(s): LCSW
Mental Wellness Specialties: Family conflictsParenting issuesCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
4 years offering treatment

I am a licensed clinical social worker licensed in California with experience working with immigrant, Communities of Color, and LGBTQIA2S+ folks across the lifespan. I have predominantly worked with youth and families and operate from a person-in-environment, relational and liberatory approaches that recognize the impact systems of oppression, historical, and personal trauma have on marginalized communities. My communication style is collaborative and empathetic. My role is to create a safe space for exploration and affirmation of your life and experiences therein and build upon your strengths. Together we can identify goals and supportive strategies along the way to help you live your best life. I look forward to working with you!

Psychologist Alia Smith providing different types of therapy in Pico Rivera

Alia Smith

Clinician
License Type(s): LMFT , MBA , CATC
Mental Wellness Specialties: AddictionsTrauma and abuseSelf esteemCoping with life changesADHD
15 years offering treatment

I am licensed in California with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients of all ages and walk of life. I have assisted clients in their journey with coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, 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.

Psychologist Dr. Jan Capaccioli providing different types of therapy in Pico Rivera

Dr. Jan Capaccioli

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: AddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseAnger management
23 years offering treatment

I am licensed in both Texas and California with 23 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, 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. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

Psychologist Nancy Tracy providing different types of therapy in Pico Rivera

Nancy Tracy

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: LGBTRelationship issuesGriefSelf esteemCoping with life changes
26 years offering treatment

I am licensed in California with 26 + years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients both adults and teens, with LGBTQ+ related issues, relationship issues, coping with grief and loss, motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I also enjoy working with couples working on relationship issues and conflict resolution. 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.

Psychologist Maria Luisa Rodriguez providing different types of therapy in Pico Rivera

Maria Luisa Rodriguez

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesParenting issuesDepressionCoping with life changes
10 years offering treatment

I am licensed in California with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, challenges related to parenting, & 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Psychologist Kendra Kelly providing different types of therapy in Pico Rivera

Kendra Kelly

Clinician
License Type(s): LPC,NCC,MPH
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemCoping with life changes
10 years offering treatment

Greetings, I am Kendra Kelly and I am a Licensed Counselor in Georgia and California. I maintain a counseling license in the state of Georgia, a National Board certificate in counseling, and a certificate in Reiki level I. I appreciate nature, the arts, spirituality, and helping people become their best selves. I am also in the world of entertainment and performing arts in the field of dance, film, stage, and fashion, so I have a diverse outlook on Creative individuals and their need for mental and emotional wellness in that career and passion field. I help my clients manage through anxiety, stress, depression, identity intersectionality, life transitions, and relationship dynamics. I spent many years working with children, youth, and young adults in the foster care system explore their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors while remaining resilient. It is my belief that each person is unique and dynamic and I prefer to integrate perspectives from multiple theoretical approaches to align with what is best for the person. I am trained in Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Solutions Focused Brief therapy, Midnfulness techniques, as well as Motivational Interviewing. Whether it is career concerns, life changes, relationships-of any types, a "stuck" feeling that has been lingering or something that just comes up in your life, gaining the support and insight to journey through is sometimes necessary. I believe that every adversity or misstep, each success and every joy, each moment and situation is an opportunity to grow, learn, heal, and live the life that you love. I work with primarily women clients, cis-gender or feminine identifying individuals, yet gender does not define my ideal client. I also have the openness to work with individuals of alternative, varying and open relationship styles and sexual identities and expressions. As your counselor, I will not have all of the answers, yet it is my job to help navigate with you to gain the answers for yourself. My work focuses on building self-esteem and self-concept, increasing coping skills, and decreasing disruptive actions and thought patterns while fostering creativity, self-love, and personal insight and emotional intellect. I offer therapeutic space and time for you to get what you need for your best life and the journey along your way. My mission is to provide you with the space, therapeutic relationship, tools/resources, and opportunity to grow through what you are going through and live in and create the life you love. The overall goal of counseling can vary from person to person. I help to guide you towards your goals for counseling and your life. I can assist in fostering self-discovery and confidence, facilitating innate growth and healing, and strengthening interpersonal relationships, decision making and overall coping and life skills. You are to expect some changes as you go through the counseling process. With change can come growth, yet change may not always pleasant, easy, or desired. As navigate through our lives, we may sometimes become lost, frustrated, or overwhelmed. Seeking guidance and support through counseling can be the first step that we take toward achieving balance, wellness, and personal fulfillment in our lives and relationships. I encourage you to write as often and as much as you like - this room is open 24 hours a day, seven days per week. I typically respond to all messages within 24 - 48 hours. The only exception is when I take off on Sundays to rest and have extended self care. It's also possible to schedule a live phone or chat session - if you click on the schedule tab on the left hand side of the page, you can see what times I have available. These sessions will last 35-45 minutes and we can meet for one session per week. Feel free to move forward and schedule a time for us to meet. I have flexibility in my schedule - message me if you do not see a date or time that works for you!

Psychologist Julia Szpakiewicz providing different types of therapy in Pico Rivera

Julia Szpakiewicz

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseEating disordersCoping with life changes
15 years offering treatment

I am licensed in California, New Jersey and Texas with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & eating disorders. 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.

Psychologist Jennifer Pelo providing different types of therapy in Pico Rivera

Jennifer Pelo

Clinician
License Type(s): MA,LPC,NCC
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseCoping with life changes
9 years offering treatment

Greetings! I am a licensed professional counselor and have been a professional School counselor for the past 20 years. I started a private practice 9 years ago. My philosophy of therapy is all about building a solid relationship with you. You will need to feel you can trust me first. I also believe that each person holds their own answers to life’s questions. You have the wisdom and strength inside of you to know what to do. I am here to support you and walk beside you on this part of the journey. Trying therapy for the first time takes courage. It can also be hard if you have tried therapy in the past and didn’t have a good experience. People are different, so not every therapist or type of therapy will fit the best for every person. You will know what is best for you and I will always respect your right to choose that. Please feel free to reach out and let me know if you are interested in working together!

Psychologist Melinda Meeks providing different types of therapy in Pico Rivera

Melinda Meeks

Clinician
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefIntimacy-related issuesDepression
23 years offering treatment

I am licensed in California with 23 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, coping with grief, coping with loss, & intimacy related issues. I also have experience working with 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Find a therapist serving clients in California

Types of therapists available to clients in Pico Rivera

Understanding the type of therapy you'd like to search for is crucial before finding a therapist or psychologist. Be sure to narrow your search for therapists in Pico Rivera that can offer psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), talk therapy, group therapy, marriage and family therapy for individuals or couples, or couples therapy depending on your needs.

Licensed therapists & mental health professionals available through BetterHelp's online platform

Mental health therapists in Pico Rivera available through BetterHelp are accredited to help individuals and couples. Pico Rivera therapists' credentials can include licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and clinician or doctor of psychology (PsyD). Regardless of their licensure, Pico Rivera therapists are trained in any type of therapy in the Pico Rivera region and in the state of California.

How a therapist can help you destress, manage your emotions, and guide you towards the life you want 

Therapists in Pico Rivera can help clients in improving healthy relationships, communication skills, working through life transitions, couples challenges, managing a mood disorder, improving coping skills, self help tips, offer life coaching, family life, or change in negative thinking patterns. A therapist in Pico Rivera may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain, or that simply want a psychological assessment. 

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