Finding a therapist in California can be challenging. Even in some of the biggest California cities, concerns about cost or a lack of available providers can make finding an in-person therapist 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. From young adults needing help managing ADHD to seniors struggling to heal from past events, therapists can help adults of any age navigate the challenges in their lives and learn 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.

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This is Dr. Thomas Browne PhD's avatar and link to their profile

Dr. Thomas Browne PhD

Offering therapy in California
License: CA Psychologist 24087
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseEating disordersDepressionCoaching
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, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, & 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.

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Bruce "Bryce" Thompson

Offering therapy in California
License: CA LMFT 40994
LGBTRelationship issuesIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesCoping with life changes
23 years of experience

As a licensed therapist with over two decades of experience, I specialize in supporting diverse couples and men through complex life transitions and personal growth. My practice centers on helping clients navigate relationship dynamics, intimacy challenges, and personal identity exploration, with a deep commitment to LGBTQ+ affirming care. I bring a compassionate, culturally responsive approach to therapy, focusing on areas like communication skills, self-love, workplace challenges, and men's emotional wellness. My background includes extensive work with veterans, multicultural communities, and individuals exploring sexuality, family dynamics, and life purpose. My therapeutic style emphasizes collaborative healing, creating a supportive space where clients can authentically explore their experiences, develop meaningful insights, and cultivate personal resilience. I'm dedicated to walking alongside you as you navigate your unique journey of self-discovery and transformation.

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Kimberly Kerr

Offering therapy in California
License: CA LMFT 113619, NV LMFT 2651-R
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesParenting issuesSelf esteemCoping with life changes
11 years of experience

I am licensed in California and Nevada with 7 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, parenting issues, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

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Estelle Collins

Offering therapy in California
License: CA LCSW 128381
AddictionsRelationship issuesParenting issuesCareer difficultiesCoping with life changes
5 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, relationship issues, parenting issues, & career difficulties. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. 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!

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Yvette Davis

Offering therapy in California
License: CA LCSW 64798
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changes
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, family conflicts, motivation, self-esteem, confidence, & career difficulties. I also have experience working with 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. By fostering a collaborative and supportive environment, I can help identify those strengths, overcome challenges, and embrace the opportunity to live courageously and authentically. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process from a state of emotional distress to one characterized by resilience, empowerment, growth and healing.

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Peter Hilliard

Offering therapy in California
License: CA LCSW 7475
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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Noreen Rios

Offering therapy in California
License: CA LMFT 14888
Stress, AnxietyLGBTRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseAnger management
51 years of experience

I am licensed in California with over 50 years of professional work experience. I have extensive experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, & trauma and abuse loss and grief, addictions, and co-dependency and anger management . I have worked with GLBTQ both individuals and couples and a diverse population. I love helping individuals & couples improve their communication, resolve conflict, build trust and have more emotional connection and intimacy with each other. 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! I'm here to empower you and support you on your journey.

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Ryan Jordan

Offering therapy in California
License: CA LPCC 17537
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseGriefAnger managementDepression
4 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 4 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, & anger management. 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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Dr. Sean Riley

Offering therapy in California
License: CA Psychologist 19279
LGBTRelationship issuesIntimacy-related issuesDepressionCoping with life changes
25 years of experience

I am a licensed clinical psychologist in California with over 20 years of experience providing therapy to individuals and couples. I've also worked in family clinics, hospitals, substance abuse recovery programs, and college counseling centers. I have experience in helping clients with stress, depression, anxiety, lgbtq+ related 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. 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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Jennifer Salas

Offering therapy in California
License: CA LPCC 17824
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsAnger managementDepression
7 years of experience

I am a bilingual (English/Spanish) Licensed Clinical Counselor (LPC #17824) with 8 years of experience providing trauma-informed, culturally responsive mental health care across children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. I specialize in treating anxiety-related conditions — including panic disorder, chronic worry, adult attachment wounds, abandonment and neglect trauma, and anxiety, depression, trauma, and perinatal mental health, supporting individuals through pregnancy, postpartum adjustment, and family transitions. In addition to individual therapy, I work extensively with couples using Gottman Method–informed interventions and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to strengthen emotional safety, communication, and secure attachment. I am dedicated to serving underserved communities, offering both telehealth and in-person care grounded in evidence-based approaches such as CBT, DBT, TF-CBT, and trauma-informed care. My clinical work emphasizes safety, nervous system regulation, and long-term relational healing.

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Alexis Clemons-Velasquez

Offering therapy in California
License: CA LMFT 112365
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseAnger managementDepression
10 years of experience

My name is Alexis "Lex" Clemons-Velasquez and I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in California. I have a master's degree in counseling with a specialization in marriage, family & child counseling. I have 10 years of professional work experience working with individuals, couples, families, & groups from diverse backgrounds. It has been my privilege to provide counseling and/or psychotherapeutic services to clients in the community mental health, public & non-public school, and military settings. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, anger management, depression, trauma, abuse, and more! 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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Sherri Kardell

Offering therapy in California
License: CA LMFT 113970
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefSelf esteem
7 years of experience

Dear potential client (s) My name is Sherri and I am a licensed marriage family therapist and life coach in California. I offer psychotherapy and life coaching to individuals grappling with some of life's more challenging transitions. Whether you are experiencing grief from the loss of a significant loved one, the end of the a significant relationship, or have a broken heart, I am here to be a calm presence during turbulent times. Perhaps you are experiencing a cycle of stops and starts, but have been unable to access a sense of inner calm. Or you have experienced repetitive patterns of loneliness, an inability to decipher your life's purpose, or you struggle to form and/or maintain intimate partnerships. I work with individuals in order to improve self confidence and live more authentic lives, resolve relationship conflicts, and process early relational wounding and trauma in order to resolve faulty belief systems and address unconscious patterns. I work primarily from an attachment based understanding of human development that seeks to reclaim aspects of the self that were left by the wayside in order to adapt to early conditioning, often related to cultural norms, rigid gender conditioning, and outdated social expectations. I offer a depth of tools designed to help you reconnect with your core sense of self, and heal early relational wounding that have shaped your belief systems and sense of worthiness in the world. In addition to 6 + years of clinical experience, I have earned the highest level of education in my field. Additionally, I have committed myself to a decade if spiritual practice, which has given me the ability to see through entrenched defense systems and patterns, and has helped me to develop a deep sense of empathy and attunement to the unconscious whispers of the soul. I offer a highbred approach to psychotherapy that often includes life-coaching. I conceptualize my role as akin to the Irish concept of "soul friend" a Celtic concept that emphasizes the importance of having someone that acts as a confidant that connects and understands you at the deepest level. Thus, I believe in treating others with respect, sensitively and compassion. I will tailor our dialogue and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific goals. I understand, from my own experience, that taking the first step towards a more fulfilling life often takes courage and I am here to support you in that process.

This is Federico Godina's avatar and link to their profile

Federico Godina

Offering therapy in California
License: CA LCSW 120906
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseAnger managementSelf 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, anxiety, trauma, abuse, anger management, 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. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

This is Kellisha Priester's avatar and link to their profile

Kellisha Priester

Offering therapy in California
License: CA LMFT 131025
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesCompassion fatigue
11 years of experience

As a licensed therapist in California, I bring 11 years of dedicated experience supporting individuals through complex life challenges. My practice centers on creating a compassionate, affirming space for clients navigating relationship dynamics, family conflicts, and personal growth. I specialize in addressing a wide range of concerns, including communication challenges, life transitions, workplace stress, and issues affecting young adults, veterans, and first responders. My approach honors each client's unique identity and experiences, with a particular commitment to supporting individuals facing prejudice, discrimination, and complex family dynamics. Drawing from evidence-based practices, I offer culturally responsive guidance that empowers clients to develop healthier relationships, overcome personal barriers, and cultivate meaningful life purpose. My work is grounded in understanding the intersections of personal experience, systemic challenges, and individual resilience. I am deeply committed to creating a therapeutic environment that feels safe, respectful, and transformative for individuals from all backgrounds.

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 $70 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 BetterHelp accept insurance?

Yes. BetterHelp has joined with major insurance carriers in select states to provide in-network therapy coverage. Coverage may vary by plan, provider, and therapist availability. Insured members pay an average co-pay of $19 per session. Average co-pay is based on current insured BetterHelp members. Explore insurance coverage in major cities like ArlingtonCorpus ChristiPlanoLubbockJacksonvilleMiamiTampaOrlandoSt. PetersburgPort St. LucieHialeahCape CoralTallahasse and Fort Lauderdale.

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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