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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Dr. Arlene Unger

Offering therapy in California
License: PhD
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesGriefDepression
30 years of experience

No one really gets through life's ups and downs unscathed. Change has a way of bringing out the best and worst in all of us. I serve folks from all walks of life, and both young and old. You might be seeking coping tools for an immediate life challenge, chronic stress, early trauma, or loss. Drawing from my background in Cognitive Behavioral, Emotional Brain Training and Acceptance Commitment Therapies, I'm here to help you find hope and relief in daily living. With a PhD in Clinical Psychology and certification in nutrition, wellness, mindfulness, life coaching and substance abuse, I'm better able to understand and assist you in finding balance, identifying as well as supporting their need for change and working collaboratively with you through the healing process. Please check out my 7 mindfulness visualization exercise books and numerous articles at http://drarleneunger@com. I'm ready to empower you. The first step takes courage but knowing I'm only a text, phone call or video session away makes reaching out for help much easier. I’m here for you right now!

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Erika Haines

Offering therapy in California
License: MA,LMFT
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesAnger managementDepression
12 years of experience

I am a licensed Marriage and Family therapist in the state of California. I can only provide therapy to clients that reside in the state of California. I have been working for about 10 years with clients that have a vast range of issues and concerns, such as anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), ADHD, relationship issues, domestic violence, abuse (physical and emotional), anger management, chemical dependency/coping, stress management, parenting problems, and teen issues. I enjoy working with the elderly and with all my clients. My counseling style is compassionate and understanding. I like to use humor when it is appropriate. I try to create a warm and inviting atmosphere so it is easier to talk about issues and concerns. My approach is Cognitive Behavioral therapy, because it is helpful to understand the relationship between yours thoughts and feelings and your behavior. I use Client Centered therapy as well, providing an empathetic understanding of what is going on. Solution Focused therapy is very effective for brief counseling, finding solutions in the present to help better your future. I am happy to accompany you in your journey to feel better and stronger to have a happier and fulfilled life. I hope to work with you soon.

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Shannon Amabile

Offering therapy in California
License: LMFT
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefCoping with life changes
8 years of experience

Hi there! I’m Shannon and I’m a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in Los Angeles, California. I have been working with creative clients in entertainment since 2015. I have extensive experience supporting the nuanced social and emotional challenges creative professionals face. I aim to help clients navigate the emotional experience of interacting with the “machine” of entertainment and the culture it’s built on and around, so they can cultivate a meaningful and joyful quality of life. I strive to empower clients to process and resolve interpersonal and personal struggles, heal from the pain that echoes from those struggles and prepare clients to feel confident and equipped to meet and overcome future challenges. I like to use solution-oriented models with a focus on behavioral interventions, to hopefully bring clients a sense of relief as soon as possible and help empower them to make the changes they want to make. I'm passionate about working from a curiosity based, non-judgemental stance and feel privileged to provide space for clients to tell their stories and feel heard. My work centers on cultivating hope, promoting self-trust by enabling self-discovery, self-identification and self interpretation as well as improving communication skills and building mindfulness and de-escalation skills in moments of crisis. I like to empower clients to value that they are the expert in their lives and validate their ability to be the agent of change. I have worked in educational, residential, corporate and production related settings as well as in office and virtually. I have experience supporting clients who face depression, anxiety, challenges in romantic relationships, child rearing, parenting issues as well as personal growth and adjustment/transition issues, including grief/loss, long term maintenance and recovery from addiction, past personal and family of origin related trauma and abuse, interpersonal relational struggles in personal life and collaborative career relationships. The modalities I use in psychotherapeutic treatment are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. I also utilize Bowen Family Systems, Existential Therapy and Trauma Focused CBT.

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Dr. Carol Suter

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesDepression
34 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 35 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & intimacy related issues. The methods I use include traditional talk therapy, Energy Psychology (EMDR, Tapping, and The Emotion code) as well as Clinical Hypnosis. 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. Because I am semi-retired my available times are limited. I hope you can find what you need. Dr. Carol Suter

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Bryan Hixson

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsGriefDepression
15 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, family conflicts, & coping with grief and loss. 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. 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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Geraldo Gonzalez

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsDepressionCoping with life changes
8 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 8 years of professional work experience. I help clients with stress, anxiety, family conflicts, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. I also work with athletes who have experienced trauma and/or high stress. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

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Jennifer Gleizer

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsCoping with life changes
13 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 13 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship issues, & family conflicts. 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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Lucinda Beckley

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

I am licensed in California with 25 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. 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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Monica Perez

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsGriefSelf esteemDepression
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, family conflicts, coping with grief and loss, & motivation, self esteem, confidence, and prevent burn out . 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. I have worked in various mental health settings, including private practice, non-profit organizations, and crisis units. Inspired by my own experiences in therapy, I’m dedicated to dispelling the stigma and negative perceptions of mental health within culturally diverse communities, particularly the Latinx community. I’ve earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology, with a minor in Spanish, from California State University, San Marcos. I then completed a Master of Science degree in Professional Clinical Counseling from California State University, San Bernardino. During my master's program, I’ve focused on researching mental health practices as they pertain to the Latinx community. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with at-risk youth, and children. Additionally, I have experienced working with adults, and couples in community settings and private practice. The extensive experience has equipped me to effectively support culturally diverse populations, with an emphasis on the Latinx community. I’m here to provide the best possible care for you by fostering an environment of understanding and empowerment.

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Coryll Walsh

Offering therapy in California
AddictionsRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseParenting issues
4 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 4 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, relationship issues, & trauma and abuse. I also have experience working with 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 here to support & empower you in that journey.

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Stephanie Mejia

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression
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, 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

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Sarah Novia

Offering therapy in California
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefSelf esteemCoping with life changes
23 years of experience

With 23 years of professional work experience, I have guided clients through relationship issues, family conflicts, coping with grief and loss, motivation, self esteem, and confidence. On BetterHelp, I work with clients on the phone for the short-term only (no more than 4 sessions), to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment, and work can be done quickly and efficiently. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. If you think we might be a good fit, please feel free to schedule with me.

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Nicole Ferrari

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyGriefCareer difficultiesDepressionCoping with life changes
14 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 14 years of professional therapy practice. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, career difficulties, & 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

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Dr. Kevin Kilbane

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyLGBTGriefAnger managementDepression
24 years of experience

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Ph. D. in Depth Psychology. I specialize in working with men's issues. I help men overcome anger issues, anxiety and panic disorders, depression, midlife crisis concerns and help them learn to communicate their feelings more effectively to others. I also have extensive experience working with people who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and other life threatening illnesses. I am also adept at working with women and their various issues, such as relationships, parenting, life-threatening illnesses, and phase of life concerns. I have extensive experience working with individuals from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. I have tremendous respect and sensitivity for people and the issues that confront them. My preferred approach to psychotherapy is from a psychodynamic perspective with emphasis on Object Relations and will tailor the modality to the need of the individual. As psychodynamic therapist, my goal is to help you uncover your true potential and lead a life that is worth celebrating. While we can't change difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and resolve challenges in your life. By applying complementary therapy approaches and techniques, we will unearth long-standing behavior patterns or negative perceptions that may be holding you back from experiencing a more fulfilling and meaningful life.If you're looking for extra support and guidance through a challenging situation or you're just ready to move in a new direction in your life, I look forward to working with you to achieve your goals

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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