In a city with towering growth and new heights, sometimes it’s hard to meet these expectations. If you feel like you're having trouble with meeting expectations, and building new connections in life, a counselor in Rancho Santa Margarita can help you. 

The city is known for more than just having the longest name for a city in California, it also contains the Santa Margarita Lake Tower, which is a beautiful tower in the city. You can reach new heights in this budding city, and with the help of a counselor, all is possible. 

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Starr Lee

Offering therapy in CA
License: MA,LMFT
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsDepression
9 years of experience

Hello, my name is Starr Lee, a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT) in the state of California. I have nine years of experience as a clinical therapist, working with individuals and families from diverse communities. I worked with a wide range of clients struggling with PTSD, trauma, grief and loss, stress, anxiety, depression and relationship issues. I provide person-centered therapy with the focus of self-awareness and self-acceptance to encourage growth. My therapeutic stance is to encourage self-exploration of thoughts and feelings, looking at every aspect of a person’s life to identify strengths and build resiliency. Therapy is focus on you and exploring the use of your skills and abilities to develop small changes that will lead to bigger changes. I have training in a range of modalities including art therapy, parenting skills, grief counseling, solution-focused, strength-based model, family therapy, existential therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. I take a holistic approach to therapy, addressing an individual as a whole person. My goal is to build a meaningful relationship with you through unconditional positive regard, empathy, and genuineness on your path to regain health, wholeness and wellness. I am looking forward to getting to know you on your journey of self-discovery and healing.

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Mahsa Minagar

Offering therapy in CA
License: LCSW
Stress, AnxietyAnger managementSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
10 years of experience

Dealing with challenges that life brings can be daunting and difficult and that is where counseling can help! Having someone to listen to you and help you deal with problems that come up, help you work on improving your mood and functioning, or help you identify ways to enhance your relationships in your life is my goal. I have a supportive, non-judgmental, open minded approach with clients and it is my goal to make people feel heard and understood while helping them address the concerns that brought them to counseling. I graduated from University of Southern California with my Masters in Social Work in 2013 and I have been providing individual and couples counseling since then. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker I have experience working with diverse people from various backgrounds and ages on a variety of issues. I believe I can help you overcome obstacles in your life by utilizing evidence based approaches and techniques that can help you effectively tackle challenges and issues and enhance your day to day life!

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Ralph Monroy

Offering therapy in CA
License: LMFT
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepression
7 years of experience

My approach is friendly, relaxed, and motivational. Along with providing therapy for relationship complications and mental disorders, I am also a youth soccer coach where patience, understanding, and teamwork are must haves. I have worked with several folks with various diagnosis and have found success by applying a Cognitive Behavioral approach or at times a Rational Emotive Behavioral approach. Another strength of mine is trauma processing, where I apply Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I am light hearted and work hard to ensure good quality sessions, while maxing out the abilities of the folks who see me. I currently hold a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and undergraduate studies in Social Science. My experience ranges from crisis interventions, to dealing with critical diagnosis such as Schizophrenia, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), to working with sleep disturbances and anxiety disorders.

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Brandy Malloy

Offering therapy in CA
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
7 years of experience

I am Licensed Clinical Therapist in California. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including stress management, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, establishing boundaries, self esteem issues, grief/loss, caregiver stress, and life transitions. My therapy style is collaborative . I believe in being truthful with my clients. I believe in treating them with respect and compassion. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral therapy, problem solving therapy, and acceptance commitment therapy. However, I’m able to tailor sessions and treatment plan to meet your unique needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life. Making a decision to take the first steps towards a change can be scary. I am here to support and empower you in that journey.

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Jason Stringer

Offering therapy in CA
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepression
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, relationship 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.

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Perla Campos Ruiz

Offering therapy in CA
Stress, AnxietyParenting issuesSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
7 years of experience

My name is Perla and I have been providing therapeutic services to individuals of ages 4 and older since 2017. I have been providing individual therapy to victims of crime, domestic violence and with open cases with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). In addition, I have worked in the correctional health care and hospital setting with individuals who suffer from anxiety, depression, grief, PTSD and substance abuse issues. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, it is important to allow you to have a safe space to share your narrative/experiences and provide you a different perspective in order for you to identify healthy coping skills to implement in your day to day life. As a therapist, it is important to help you understand how your experiences affect the way you feel and the decisions you make. As a therapist, it is important to help you understand how your experiences affect the way you feel and the decisions you make. Therapy can be scary at first, because you have to share and be vulnerable. I want to let you know, I am not here to judge you, but rather be an empathetic listener.

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Jennifer Quirina

Offering therapy in CA
Stress, AnxietyLGBTSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changes
15 years of experience

I am a clinical social worker licensed in California and Illinois with 15 years of professional work experience. I believe that all good social work begins with a safe relationship where one can let down the defenses that protect us in our journey and find the transformation we seek. My personal and professional experience provides me with a particular interest in supporting individuals navigating the perinatal and new parenting time, adoptees, LGBT+ issues and major life changes. My treatment approach includes the use of tools from solution focused, cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavioral therapies. My priority is to help my clients feel heard, validated, and identify ways to manage the stressors that we all face.

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Erica Carrington

Offering therapy in CA
Stress, AnxietyLGBTSelf esteemDepressionADHD
15 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 15 years of professional experience working with diverse populations. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbtq+ related issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & 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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This is Kendra Kelly's avatar and link to their profile

Kendra Kelly

Offering therapy in CA
License: LPC,NCC,MPH
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemCoping with life changes
10 years of experience

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!

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This is Carrie Frey-Davis's avatar and link to their profile

Carrie Frey-Davis

Offering therapy in CA
Stress, AnxietySelf esteemBipolar disorderDepressionCoping with life changes
9 years of experience

I am licensed in Florida with 9 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, bipolar disorder, & 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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How to find counseling in Rancho Santa Margarita

Finding the best therapist close by in Rancho Santa Margarita can feel challenging, but know that once you narrow your search for a counselor serving your area, you can find a therapist in your city that is accepting new clients and fits your goals. Whether you're struggling with depression, anxiety, marriage, family issues, or other emotional challenges, feel proud that you have begun your search to find the mental health care services that work best for you in order to begin your personal journey towards emotional healing.

Understanding the type of therapy you'd like to search for is crucial before finding a therapist or psychologist in Rancho Santa Margarita. Perhaps you're interested in narrowing your search for a psychotherapist that can offer psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), talk therapy, provide group therapy, marriage and family therapy for individuals or couples, or couples therapy. Each type of therapy can offer various benefits and address or treat different disorders. If you're still unsure or are new to counseling in Rancho Santa Margarita, feel free to contact the provider via email to find out which methods they practice.

It is also important to understand that mental health professionals in the United States are accredited to provide care, helping individuals and couples, with a variety of licenses. These include licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and clinical psychologist or doctor of psychology (PsyD). Regardless of their licensure, they are trained to treat individuals and couples counseling, and sometimes children, in any type of therapy. Find a therapist under any of these distinctions and know that the sessions they offer can provide a safe place to heal.

Mental health professionals working through their own in- person therapy practice in Rancho Santa Margarita or online may assist clients in improving healthy relationships, communication skills, working through life transitions, managing a mood disorder, improving coping skills, or change in negative thinking patterns. They may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain. Verified providers can provide licensed marriage and couples therapy, tailor to individual needs, and create a therapeutic relationship as a National Certified Counselor.

There are all kinds of therapists working with clients today across the United States and in the greater Rancho Santa Margarita area in different types of therapy, including:

  • CBT
  • DBT
  • Substance use therapy
  • Couples therapy

When you're ready to start your search and find therapists, have in mind what type of therapy you'd like your provider to be most experienced with and choose an experienced provider with a practice located near you in the city of Rancho Santa Margarita, elsewhere in Orange, or in the greater state of California.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Some other commonly asked questions on therapy with a licensed counselor and BetterHelp serving the Rancho Santa Margarita area can be found below:

How does the cost of in-person counseling compare to the cost of BetterHelp with a licensed Rancho Santa Margarita therapist?

The average price of an in-person therapy session in the US is $100 to $200 per hour. These prices may be higher in Rancho Santa Margarita due to a higher cost of living. The price also depends on the type of provider you are looking for. See the following average prices for various mental health providers without insurance:

  • Counseling with a psychiatrist: $150-$500
  • Counseling with therapists: $100-300
  • Therapy with a psychologist: $100

While many psychologists in Rancho Santa Margarita may not take health insurance, some in the state of California may work on a sliding scale, meaning they'll factor in your income and charge what you can afford per session. With BetterHelp or clinicians throughout the state of California you can expect significantly more affordable options, with sessions ranging from $65 to $100 per week (billed every four weeks).

How is a licensed therapist on this online therapy platform verified?

Therapists in Rancho Santa Margarita, California working on BetterHelp are licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited as a doctor of psychology (PhD / PsyD), licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW / LICSW), or licensed professional counselors (LPC). All of these psychology clinicians have a Masters Degree or a Doctorate Degree in their field of psychology sciences, and follow the APA Code of Ethics. They have been qualified and certified by their state's professional board after successfully completing the necessary education, exams, training and practice with a patient, and extensive experience in a healthcare clinic or treatment centers, in order to become a mental health provider. While their lived experience, expertise, careers, and background vary, they all possess at least 3 years and 1,000 hours of hands-on experience with adult and sometimes teen patients, and have the necessary therapist credentials to provide a safe space for long lasting emotional healing in therapy. 

Please note BetterHelp does not offer or provide care from psychiatrists to prescribe a drug as treatment, or perform psychological assessments.

How does working with a counselor in BetterHelp online therapy sessions work?

BetterHelp clinicians treat clients online across the United States (individuals and couples) through life transitions, inner child exploration, long term depression or anxiety, and more. An online mental health professional, including the therapists in Rancho Santa Margarita above, can work with young adults, children, adolescents, and adults virtually as an accredited licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) or licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT). You do not have to commute to a an office as a psychotherapy client.

Through BetterHelp therapy, you can partake in video, phone, or live chat therapy sessions with your licensed therapist. You can work through various symptoms, use the in app journaling feature, and receive worksheets. You'll also find support groups or group therapy lead by a therapist in Rancho Santa Margarita helping individuals on topics including managing life transitions, symptoms affecting sexual health, behavioral health, coping skills for anxiety or depression, trauma, stress, marriage counseling, and more. 

What mental health issues can psychotherapy address?

BetterHelp's verified Rancho Santa Margarita therapists specialize and have clinical experience in a wide range of mental health issues and modalities, helping clients to feel better and improve their lives every day. See below for examples.

Specialties on BetterHelp include:

You may also be struggling with relationship problems that could be addressed in couples therapy or with a sex therapist. In that case, you may choose to work with one of BetterHelp's experienced cognitive-behavioral therapists or licensed marriage family therapists (LMFT) who work with clients in relationships. You can also try a Rancho Santa Margarita therapy provider through BetterHelp's sister platform, ReGain, which is dedicated to couples and spouses worldwide. 

How do I know if online counseling is right for my family?

One of the potentially rewarding aspects of working with a therapist is the validation and active listening they can provide. Your friends and loved ones may also be available to listen, but you may feel that they may lack the skills to provide objective guidance. Counselors are trained to respond to various concerns, symptoms, and mental health conditions.

A psychologist in your city can support you toward a healthier emotional state, regardless of your mental health, life concerns, or healing needs. While supporting individuals in developing healthier habits, another good benefit of therapy is having an understanding, safe space with a non-judgmental party who can support you through challenging experiences.

Many people have sensitive topics that they may feel ashamed to discuss with their friends or partner. A Rancho Santa Margarita therapist can help you confront these concerns and open up through unique methods of support. There are also many types of therapy, such as art therapy, where you may find you can express yourself through creativity instead of words.

With a lot of people in CA, providers may be booked out with clients. Through the list of profiles above and others within BetterHelp's team, you may be able to find a psychologist within 24 to 48 hours. If you're searching to find a a nearby psychotherapist close to 92679 or the surrounding zip codes, consider others available through the BetterHelp site. No matter if you are seeking help in your area or beyond, online therapy can be a great option.

How should I prepare for my first therapy session with a Rancho Santa Margarita counselor?

Before seeing your therapist, prep for your session by reading to understand the therapy process. You might write a list of questions you want to ask your psychotherapist, any emotional pain you may feel, and the ways in which you hope to improve. When you attend your session, let them know if you have any concerns about therapy or feel unsure about what to talk about. They may help guide you with open-ended therapeutic questions. The first session will often serve as an intake to get to know you as a person and learn why you're attending therapy.

Should I find a therapist or psychologist if I feel fine? 

Some simply don't feel the need to see a psychologist. However, some people may avoid attending therapy due to stigma or preconceived notions of what therapy entails. Although psychologists often support people with mental health conditions, 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 feedback and advice. A Rancho Santa Margarita licensed clinical social worker may help you gain power over your life and emotions while you navigate day-to-day experiences.

Gaining a new perspective on yourself through various therapies might allow you to improve your self-esteem, work through relationships, and gain a better sense of your mental health goals. The success you may find through therapy can be dependent on your process.

People may also attend therapy for specific motives, such as bullying, an autism diagnosis, a desire to learn mindfulness meditation, personality concerns, trouble with office workers, specific phobias, and many other principles.

Is mental health care and therapy worth it? 

Therapy is effective and has the power to change individuals' lives. Each client is at a different stage of their emotional healing journey in life, as each human can be unique in their personality, expression, skills, and goals. A psychologist can target various symptoms, experiences, and personalities to help you feel your best and put you on the path to healing. Unlike advice from a friend, family, or non-professional, a mental health professional has an understanding of various disorders like ADHD and depression with many hours of experience in treating adults in their practice. For this reason, seeing an evidence based psychologist in Rancho Santa Margarita, California can be worth it. Over 41 million adults in the US attend therapy services each year, showing it's a popular option and is proven to be effective.

Rancho Santa Margarita has many clinicians who practice person or client-centered individual therapy in-person and through online therapy to assist clients in their healing journey. If you opt into online therapy, you might also be able to meet with providers all over the United States and change therapists easily at any time. Many people struggling with anxiety and depression, substance abuse, body image issues, and more find therapists that are a good fit for them, feel supported, and gain further insight into their lives through internet-based therapy.

Do therapists judge you in therapy sessions?

The boundaries between you and a therapist are in place to help you and them regarding ethical concerns. Mental health professionals are held by ethical standards through the American Psychological Association (APA) and are not allowed to judge or harm their clients. If you are concerned about sharing details about yourself, feel free to withhold personal information. Their job in the therapeutic relationship is to create a safe place, help you gain a deeper understanding of your mental health, and support you. You might consider changing counselors if you don't feel safe or respected.

Stay up to date with the leading online counseling platform

To stay up to date with BetterHelp's initiatives through their social channels, you can follow them on Pinterest, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. For mental health tips, check out the BetterHelp YouTube channel.

Take some time today to learn more about the team of therapists at BetterHelp to understand the services available to you clearly. If you are new to therapy or have any questions about the services and terms, please reach out through the contact page or send an email to contact@betterhelp.com.

If you’re ready to sign up for online therapy, consider signing up with a platform like BetterHelp and get matched within 24 to 48 hours.

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:

A woman meets with a therapist online in her home city of Rancho Santa Margarita.

Below are some of the zip codes served by BetterHelp therapists in Rancho Santa Margarita:

92679, 92688

Popular cities near Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

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