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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This is Carlos Cavazos's avatar and link to their profile

Carlos Cavazos

Offering therapy in California
License: MA, LPC
LGBTRelationship issuesIntimacy-related issuesSelf esteem
4 years of experience

Hi, Im Carlos, a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Sexologist and Relationship Coach . I have years of experience working with couples and individuals on relationships, communication, self esteem ,LGBT issues, various mental health disorders and have contributed my expertise to Health , Cosmopolitan , Well + Good, Bustle and other publications. I have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Counseling. I currently provide Mental Health Consultation for a Fortune 500 company and provide therapy to the local LGBT community. Having worked in many settings including private practice, crisis residential clinics, and community mental health clinics has provided me the ability to assist all sort of individuals with all types of needs and backgrounds. I am a Kink and Poly Friendly Therapist whose approach is pretty eclectic, as everyone is different and has different needs. I do like Solution Focused approaches with an emphasis on Narrative therapy, to help my clients rewrite their past and create the bright future they deserve. I take a very modern approach to therapy and will work with you to help achieve a better you.

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Naomi Smith

Offering therapy in California
License: LMSW
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsDepression
23 years of experience

My name is Naomi Smith. I am a licensed master social worker with 23 years of experience in working in mental health and also providing therapeutic services to Individuals. My primary focus as a clinician is helping my clients meet their needs and build their confidence. As a therapist, I have the skill to compassionately listen, be non-judgmental, and at all times provide support, encouragement and empowerment. My approach to therapy is simple: “Restoring peace, one day at a time, one piece at a time.” My commitment to my clients is to be open and honest in all my communication and to help each client reach their personal goals. The process of change is a heart issue and that change can only come from within. I believe every client has a purpose to fulfill and the ability to realize that purpose in their present life. This is why I enthusiastically use Person-Centered Planning with clients. In order to be successful, a client must be willing, dedicated, and committed to accomplishing their individual plan. My commitment as a therapist is to help guide, impart, and facilitate that change process. The integrity of my character and words are of the highest standard. My communication is honest and open. I am excited and privileged to be a part of your journey to change, success, and a future that looks much brighter. I look forward to working with you! SPECIALTIES • Bi-polar Disorder • Depression • Anxiety • Grief and Loss • Self-Esteem • Anger Management Also experienced in: Spiritual Counseling, Emotional Issues, Behavioral Issues, Substance Abuse, Life Application Coach, Forgiveness, Communication Problems, Caregiver issues and Stress, Abandonment, Co-dependency, Guilt and Shame Clinical approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Psychodynamic Therapy Years of Experience: 23

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Robin Monk

Offering therapy in California
License: LMHC
Stress, AnxietyGriefSelf esteemCoping with life changesADHD
14 years of experience

Welcome to BetterHelp! I’ve been a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of FL since 2009. I provided individual therapy to a diverse population in a community behavioral health center until I resigned and became a counselor with BetterHelp. In 2024, I also became licensed in CA as Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. I previously worked for 5 years as an in-home parent educator for the University of Florida's Nurturing Program. My therapy specialties are : Stress/Anxiety, Coping With Life Changes, Coping with Grief/Loss, Improving Self Esteem I have a passion for helping others and believe in treating everyone with compassion and respect regardless of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. I find it rewarding to work with people one on one. I especially like helping people discover strengths they didn't realize they had. People tend to seek counseling when they feel down, worried, frustrated, or upset. Many feel stuck, even hopeless, because what they have been doing hasn't improved the situation. Counseling can often help. Talking about your problems can give you a fresh perspective and help you find solutions. My clients say it's comforting to have someone to talk to that makes them feel safe and heard. They say counseling gives them hope that they can lead more satisfying lives. I prefer strength based client centered approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Brief Solution–Focused Therapy. My counseling style is eclectic, so I draw from other approaches too if I think it can help someone. If you're ready to make changes in your life and want more support in moving forward, please call I’d love to work with you. Services Offered Messaging Live Chat Phone Video

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Doris Lassiter

Offering therapy in California
License: LMFT , MS
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseBipolar disorderDepression
10 years of experience

Hello: I am happy to meet with you! I am a caring, kind and altruistic therapist with you in mind. I start my sessions with a assessment of your personal goals and what you want to achieve in the therapeutic relationship. I will use all the appropriate therapy approaches to support you with attaining the goals you identified in the initial session. I will use all my skills with a caring positive stance to help you in the process of recovery from the symptoms that caused you to seek therapy. I have worked in the field of mental health since 1996 at various capacities. I began as a recreation therapist in 1996 and provided recreation programs for adults and children with mental or physical disabilities. In 2011, I completed my master's degree in Marriage and Family therapy, and I am licensed in the state of Nevada and California. I have been working as a therapist for over 14 years.; I am delighted to be serving you in the awesome and pleasant process of achieving you dream life and desired outcomes. As I have stated, I have many years of service as a mental health professional and have vast experience helping people cope with complex issues, mental health symptoms and working towards their identified goals. I also have done counseling from a Biblical perspective, and can support people who want Christian based counseling, resolve issues and achieve their goals. My work as a Christian counselor includes using Biblical ethics of establishing peace, health and emotional wellness while working on the individual's desired outcomes. My experience also includes extensive work with the teenage population. I use all therapeutic interventions appropriate for the individual to support them with self-esteem, healthy boundaries, living a healthy, happy life, while working on their identified goals. Finally, I have counseled many couples and have the experience and skills to support them with resolving relational issues, keeping the relationship strong and healthy, and achieving amicable communication between each partner. I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with you, help you cope with the issues that you want to resolve in the therapeutic relationship. It is my greatest desire to support you with achieving a beautiful life.

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Michelle Varady

Offering therapy in California
License: LCSW CADAC,LCSW
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression
10 years of experience

I am licensed in California, Massachusetts and Nevada with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, 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. 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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Blanca Nicassio

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesAnger managementSelf esteemDepression
8 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, anger management, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I also have experience working with depression. 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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Peter Hilliard

Offering therapy in California
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseAnger managementCoping with life changes
40 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 40 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & anger management. 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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Eugene Yamamoto

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietySelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changesCoaching
30 years of experience

I am a licensed clinical social worker LCSW therapist in California with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, depression, & 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Lakisha Callahan

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

I am an empathetic and compassionate Licensed Clinician in California with 8 years of professional work experience, dedicated to helping others overcome personal obstacles while improving overall well-being. I am interested in what has happened to you, how your experience impacted, and what repair or moving forward looks like for you. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, motivation, self-esteem, and confidence, & depression. Life isn’t fair, no matter what life may throw your way, no matter how unfair it may seem, you can get through this; we can get this. Hold on, you are capable of living through tomorrow-connect with me and lets discuss more. 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Pak Poon

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

I am licensed in California and Texas with 8 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. 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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Dr. Andrea Shirley

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsSelf esteem
27 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 27 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbtq+ related issues, relationship issues, & family conflicts. 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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Jaclyn Decarlo

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsSelf esteemDepressionADHD
5 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with depression, life changes, stress and anxiety. Additionally, I have helped people cope with addictions, and increase motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I have previously worked in substance use treatment, housing first agencies, and with the forensic mental health population. I am LGBTQ+ friendly and have enjoyed working with teenagers in the past. 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 as I believe in meeting each individual where thy are are at. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process and am glad you are here.

This is Devon Doan Ortiz's avatar and link to their profile

Devon Doan Ortiz

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseAnger managementDepression
26 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 26 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma, abuse, & anger management. 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!

This is Karen Swanson's avatar and link to their profile

Karen Swanson

Offering therapy in California
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefSelf 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, anxiety, relationship issues, coping with grief, coping with loss, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. 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. 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 a counselor support you?

Therapists 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 CA, and one out of five Americans has a mental health condition. Searching for local licensed professionals 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 therapists in California does not offer diagnostic or medication management services in therapy.

Why do people choose to work with a licensed counselor or therapists?

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, BetterHelp can match you with a licensed professional tailored to your preferences noted when you sign up.

The mental health therapists in California support clients with varying issues through therapy, working with:

  • Challenging situations or life stressors
  • Eating disorders requiring therapy
  • Anxiety disorders in need of therapeutic support
  • Depression or depressive mental health conditions
  • Adjustment issues in need of therapeutic support
  • Emotional support for a terminal illness
  • Chronic pain emotional support
  • Grief therapy
  • Personality disorders
  • Trauma therapy
  • Relationship conflicts and mental health concerns

Finding a therapist in California 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 to contact in a crisis

If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, don't use the BetterHelp therapy site. If you are in life-threatening danger, call 911. If you require support for a crisis, reach out to the therapy hotlines below:

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Some of the most commonly asked questions about therapy can be found in the section below.

How much does therapy with a licensed therapist cost?

Mental health professionals can differ in price. Forbes found that the average cost of in-person California therapy in the US is around $100 to $200 per hour. Pricing can also vary based on your location. 

BetterHelp offers payment plans of $65 to $100 per week. 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.

Is it possible to find a therapist, counselor, or psychology practitioner that offers affordable therapy?

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.

When should I get a therapist in California?

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.

What can a psychologist help me with in therapy?

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 can allow clients seeking therapy to experience professional help through video, phone, or live chat sessions without commuting to an office.

Does insurance cover the cost of in-person or online therapy with a therapist in California?

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.

Are online therapy sessions the safe option?

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.

In today's fast-paced society, mental well-being has become a cornerstone of a fulfilling life. Amid the daily challenges and stressors that can overwhelm even the most resilient individuals, seeking professional guidance often offers a path to clarity and balance. The journey toward improved emotional health involves understanding personal triggers, embracing self-compassion, and developing effective coping strategies. While self-help books and online resources provide valuable information, nothing compares to the personalized support offered by a qualified mental health professional. One-on-one sessions with experienced experts can help uncover the underlying issues contributing to anxiety, depression, or other emotional hurdles. With a careful and empathetic approach, these professionals tailor their advice to suit individual needs, ensuring that each person receives strategies that work best for their unique circumstances. Whether through cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, or other innovative methods, the aim is to foster resilience and empower individuals to take control of their inner lives. For those living in bustling urban centers, engaging in face-to-face sessions in a welcoming environment can be particularly beneficial. Access to a caring clinician provides not only a safe space to explore difficult emotions but also builds a support network essential for long-term recovery. The process encourages self-reflection and greater insight into behavioral patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed. While the journey can be challenging at times, the rewards include enhanced emotional stability, improved interpersonal relationships, and a renewed sense of self-worth. In one notable case, the guidance provided by a highly trained therapist proved instrumental in navigating a tumultuous period. Through structured sessions and tailored interventions, the individual learned to identify stressors and develop healthier responses to adversity. This experience underscored the transformative impact that dedicated support can have on one's overall quality of life. In a region like Texas, community-based initiatives and accessible mental health programs further reinforce the value of professional help. These efforts emphasize early intervention, preventive care, and continuous support, ensuring that more people are equipped to face life's inevitable challenges. Ultimately, investing in mental well-being is an act of self-care that yields lifelong benefits. By embracing professional support, individuals can unlock new levels of emotional resilience and discover pathways to a brighter, more balanced future. Each step taken toward healing represents a commitment to personal growth, enabling a life filled with renewed optimism and strength. Embracing this transformative journey consistently paves the way for deeper understanding, lasting peace, and meaningful personal progress.
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