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.

Read more
This is Mazda Lakpour's avatar and link to their profile

Mazda Lakpour

Offering therapy in California
License: CA LMFT 90471
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepression
14 years of experience

Hello, My name is Mazda Lakpour. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California. My goal is to help people have better relationships, get their feet on the ground and see life as is. My specialty areas are mood and anxiety, anger and stress management, co-occurring disorders, adjustment issues, personal growth and self-esteem. I am experienced with adults, teenagers, couples and families. I utilize an integrative approach of Solution Focused, Cognitive Behavioral and hypnotherapy interventions. I combine elements of psychology, hypnosis, meditation, and imagery with a pledge to always maintain the highest level of integrity, confidentiality, and wisdom. I do this work because I believe that the world becomes a better place when we assist each other towards our individual goals of greater happiness.

This is Menachem Stulberger's avatar and link to their profile

Menachem Stulberger

Offering therapy in California
License: MA LMFT 10000105, NH LMFT 309
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsParenting issuesSelf esteemDepression
12 years of experience

I am a marriage and family therapist with 9 years of experience counseling a wide range of clients. I have worked with clients on grief and loss, depression and anxiety as well as substance abuse concerns. I take a warm approach with clients and use a client centered approach to therapy. I have been trained in cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy and approach the sessions in a collaborative manner always working together with people I am working with. I respect that you took this step to seek out a listening ear and I look forward to working together with you on this journey. I was born in New York and as a young child my family moved out to Los Angeles and I have been here ever since. Growing up I was always fascinated by the field of psychology and when I was going for my Bachelors Degree I therefore choose to major in psychology. I attended Touro College Los Angeles for my Bachelors degree and then pursued my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy through Touro University Worldwide. When working with clients I take a warm and empathetic approach and really try to hear what the client is saying. Therapy can be very rewarding but it is often challenging to talk about the difficulties that we face. In session I strive to create a supportive and safe space where we can work together mindfully and without judgement to increase wellness. Thank you for taking the time to look over my profile. I look forward to working together!

This is Julissa Sparks's avatar and link to their profile

Julissa Sparks

Offering therapy in California
License: CA LPCC 7942
Stress, AnxietySelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changesCoaching
10 years of experience

Hi, I’m a licensed therapist in California, and for the past 10 years I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside people as they navigate life’s challenges — finding their footing again, rebuilding confidence, and learning to trust themselves. I work with people who are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, stuck, or unsure of what’s next. Whether you’re going through a big life change, struggling with self-esteem, or just trying to feel more like yourself again, you don’t have to do it alone. I believe you already hold the answers and the strength you need — sometimes you just need a safe space and a little support to uncover them. Reaching out for help isn’t easy, and taking this step says so much about your courage. I’m really proud of you for being here and beginning this journey.

This is Dr. James Decker's avatar and link to their profile

Dr. James Decker

Offering therapy in California
License: CA LCSW 9715
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression
45 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 45 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 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 Denise Gutirrez-Miller's avatar and link to their profile

Denise Gutirrez-Miller

Offering therapy in California
License: CA LCSW LCSW87095
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
22 years of experience

I am licensed in California and Oklahoma with 23 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & 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. I have worked with many populations, from developmentally disabled to SED teens to adults. I enjoy meeting people and seek to make others' lives better. I would love to work with you and help you become the best version of yourself. I am a born-again Christian and available for those needing to understand themselves according to Scripture. My availability is 10am to 4pm Central Time.

This is Dorothy Holley's avatar and link to their profile

Dorothy Holley

Offering therapy in California
License: FL LCSW SW6320, GA LCSW CSW005226
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse
30 years of experience

I am licensed as a clinical social worker in both Georgia and Florida with more than 25 years of professional work experience. 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 Stacy Brown's avatar and link to their profile

Stacy Brown

Offering therapy in California
License: CA LPCC LPCC20476, TX LPC 69278
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsEating disordersAnger managementADHD
16 years of experience

I am licensed in Texas with 12 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, eating disorders, & 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. 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.

This is Dr. Andrea Shirley's avatar and link to their profile

Dr. Andrea Shirley

Offering therapy in California
License: CA LMFT 42752
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.

This is Dr. Ida Greene's avatar and link to their profile

Dr. Ida Greene

Offering therapy in California
License: CA LMFT 14774
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefAnger managementCoaching
36 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 30 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, coping with grief, coping with loss, anger management, & executive coaching. I also have experience working with professional coaching. 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!

This is Cristina Dawes's avatar and link to their profile

Cristina Dawes

Offering therapy in California
License: CA LMFT 45948
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseSelf esteemCoaching
16 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma, abuse, depression, & executive coaching. I also have experience working with professional coaching. 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!

This is Sherri Kardell's avatar and link to their profile

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 Frank Head's avatar and link to their profile

Frank Head

Offering therapy in California
License: CA LMFT 153148
AddictionsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesAnger managementSelf esteem
6 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, trauma, abuse, intimacy related issues, anger management, motivation, & self esteem. I also have experience working with 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.

This is Marc Sherman's avatar and link to their profile

Marc Sherman

Offering therapy in California
License: CA LMFT 141246
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
7 years of experience

I am licensed in California with over 7 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & depression. 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. 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 Hyun Lee's avatar and link to their profile

Hyun Lee

Offering therapy in California
License: CA LMFT 146052
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesSelf esteem
11 years of experience

As a licensed therapist in California, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex personal challenges. My practice centers on helping clients explore self-love, life purpose, and interpersonal dynamics with compassion and cultural sensitivity. I have extensive experience addressing relationship issues, family conflicts, social anxiety, and attachment challenges. My approach is deeply rooted in understanding each person's unique journey, particularly for young adults, multicultural communities, and individuals exploring identity and personal growth. I offer a warm, affirming therapeutic space that honors diverse experiences and supports clients through transitions, relationship dynamics, and personal development. Fluent in both English and Korean, I bring a nuanced, multicultural perspective to my practice. My therapeutic style emphasizes collaborative exploration, helping clients build self-esteem, navigate complex emotions, and develop meaningful strategies for personal transformation. 캘리포니아 공인 치료사로서, 저는 개인이 복잡한 삶의 도전을 헤쳐 나가도록 돕는 데 전문성을 가지고 있습니다. 제 치료는 자기 사랑, 삶의 목적, 그리고 관계 역동성을 공감과 문화적 민감성을 가지고 탐색하도록 지원하는 데 초점을 둡니다. 관계 문제, 가족 갈등, 사회불안, 애착 문제 등 다양한 영역에서 풍부한 임상 경험을 가지고 있습니다. 저의 치료적 접근 방식은 각 개인의 독특한 여정을 깊이 이해하는 데 뿌리를 두고 있습니다. 특히 청년층, 다문화 커뮤니티, 그리고 정체성과 개인적 성장을 탐색하는 내담자들을 주로 돕고 있습니다. 저는 따뜻하고 지지적인 치료 공간을 제공하여 다양한 삶의 경험을 존중하고, 관계의 변화나 인생의 전환기, 개인의 성장 과정을 함께 동행합니다. 영어와 한국어에 모두 능통한 저는 다문화적 시각을 섬세하게 통합하여 치료에 반영합니다. 제 치료 스타일은 협력적 탐색을 중심으로 하며, 내담자가 자기 존중감을 회복하고 복잡한 감정을 다루며, 개인적 변화를 위한 의미 있는 전략을 세워가 되도록 돕습니다.

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.
Find the right therapist for your needs
Match with a qualified therapist