Malibu has many clinicians who practice person or client-centered individual therapy in-person and through online sessions to assist clients in their healing journey. If you opt into trying ti online, you might also be able to meet with providers all over the United States and change 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 treatment.
Surfers as well as residents love Malibu’s beaches, or “the Bu” as surfers call it. The beaches offer the perfect place to surf or play in the ocean. It is very easy to swim out and catch a tall wave to ride wild and free. Sometimes life throws big waves at us, and we can seem on the verge of a wipeout. When that wave is looming and there seems no way to ride it out, that’s when you need to ask for help.
Counselors in the Malibu area are able to do just that. These therapists can guide you past the big waves and help you find your way safely back to shore. If you are in need of someone to talk to, contact a counselor today.

Shallymar Bender
Hello and welcome to BetterHelp! My name is Shallymar Bender and Iearned my Masters in Social Work in California in 2013 and have practiced in California since. I have experience in working with children ages 0-21 in individual and group settings, as well as working with parents to provide parenting skills and techniques to help achieve the child's goals. I have worked with children independently in school settings, office settings, as well as in their homes. My focus was helping to stabilize crisis situations (i.e. depression, anxiety, bipolar, etc.) as well as helping to maintain progress that had been made. In providing services, I have also acted as a parent partner in team treatments, and with this I helped parents learn and apply skills and techniques to promote positive behaviors and improve relationship with child and parents. Currently, I have been working with individuals struggling with depression and/or anxiety, providing support in meeting personal goals, as well as providing education about future goals individuals may have (i.e. college, work force, etc.). I use skills from Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) as well as other areas to help individuals work toward feeling better. I feel that being open minded and non-judgmental is important when someone shares their personal story with me, as well as the client's comfort in working with a therapist. I do want to ensure that you are comfortable in the therapy relationship with me as it is important for you to get the best fit as possible. My focus is strength based, meaning I see strength in all my clients and will use this to empower clients to improve and work through life's struggles. I look forward to working with you and help you to meet your goals. Feel free to message me and we can connect and discuss best therapy methods for you. Thank you, Shallymar

Christi Fields
Hi! My name is Christi and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 9 years’ experience providing counseling, clinical case management, and parenting psycho-education. My professional practice areas have included working with individuals and families, often with court- related, criminal justice and/or child welfare involvement. I have experience working with folks who are navigating thoughts and feelings of depression, anxiety, shame, anger, and grief. I have worked with individuals experiencing trauma, domestic violence, substance use, homelessness, divorce/separation, family, parenting, and employment issues, among others. My practice philosophy is rooted in client self-determination and empowerment. I believe in providing services though a non-judgmental, harm-reduction lens, where we are not always striving for perfection but rather finding what works for us individually and our own valuation of “good enough”. Through a Person-In-Environment approach, with a short-term, integrated use of Client Centered, Solution Focused, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy modalities, I hope to support you in creating that path to the life experience you want. I look forward to working with you! Christi Fields, LCSW she/her/hers https://christi-fields.clientsecure.me/

Marlo Lewis
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Psychotherapist. I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Psychology from California State University, Hayward in 2002 and a Master's of Social Work from California State University, East Bay in 2008. I offer a supportive environment where we can work together to increase your happiness and emotional wellness. It takes strength and courage to facilitate change. My passion is helping clients overcome obstacles and barriers so they can enjoy their best selves. Together, we will work to uncover and resolve underlying issues that are causing negative feelings and develop new thought patterns and behaviors to help enhance your mental and emotional wellbeing. We will also focus on establishing your personal goals, make adjustments as needed and develop a plan to achieve them together. Let's plant and nurture the seed of hope as a part of your journey. I am currently offering video and phone chats only.

Cynthia Bracamontes
I am licensed in California with 12 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & parenting issues. 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.

Roberto Garcia II
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist certified to provide mental health services in the state of California. I have been providing mental health services for the past 5 years working with non-profit community mental health clinics, probation offices & court systems, middle school, high schools and now as a private practice clinician. Within these settings, I have had the privilege of working with individuals, couples, parents, teenagers, children and families at many different phases of life and personal development. When in session, I utilize trauma-informed and cultural-humility practices to ensure a sense of true respect, sensitivity and compassion for my clients' needs. Because of this, all sessions and services are tailored specifically to address the concerns of each client in their specific life settings. The modalities of therapy that I employ most regularly with my clients include: Psychodynamic, CBT, Existential, Narrative, and Solution Focused. My list of service experience includes: Couple's Counseling/Intimacy issues, Personal Self-Esteem and Decision-Making, LGBTQIA+2 issues, Faith-Based Issues, Anxiety/Depression/Stress, and much more. My hope is that my experience and expertise can be utilized to provide you a safe and secure space where you feel comfortable enough to process your concerns without fear of judgement or rejection. I want to congratulate you on taking this step in your journey to explore the best options for you. I also want to encourage you to continue this process and I hope to have the pleasure of meeting you soon!

Bryan Busse
Hi. My name is Bryan Busse and thank you for considering me for your counselor. People look to BetterHelp for many reasons and desire many different outcomes but one of the most important factors in successful counseling is establishing rapport and trust. It is with that in mind I share the following. I diligently work to build and maintain the kind of empathic relationship where you explore, work through, and resolve the issues that are important to you. As everyone is unique, I take an eclectic approach to counseling, using skills acquired from 28 years of licensure and a lifetime of personal experiences. If you’d like more specifics, continue reading, if not you can skip to the next to the last paragraph for important "housekeeping" information. I hold a Master’s degree with honors from my graduate Counseling Psychology program. Interning exposed me to substance abuse and addiction therapy working in a methodone treatment center for opiate users and in a high school setting for adolescents who were experimenting. Those two programs led to interning at a county school for emotionally disturbed, at-risk youth and later practice with the same population for a county-mandated residential care program. Afterward, a professor contacted me to work with him in a neuropsychology practice treating traumatic brain injuries, brain disorders, dementia, and pain management. It was there I trained in neurofeedback and biofeedback which exposed and trained me in a more medical model of counseling in addition to utilizing psychology. Shortly thereafter I sat for the California State Board Exams and was fully licensed as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in 2004. I have worked in private practice and clinical settings but it was as a caregiver for, and survivor of, a family member with Alzheimer’s Disease dementia that inspired me to specialize in geriatric care. I have worked with hospice care, home health, personal assistant services, independent and assisted living communities, and memory care. Personally, I am a father of one and stepfather to another, both adults now. I have been married and divorced as well as coming from a divorced family of origin. I am a survivor of a parent with life-limiting dementia and cancer as well as another with alcoholism, emphysema, and early childhood trauma. I have lived well and had to pick myself up from the floor and move forward at times. I’ve traveled the world, mostly to developing countries, and gained the insight, perspective, and respect that international travel affords. Lastly, I had a previous career in business and finance which grounds me in reality and solutions. As I am new to the BetterHelp platform, I have purposely limited my availability to M - F in 45-minute time blocks during specific hours. Should you want to schedule other times or decrease your sessions to 30 minutes, please discuss that with me. I suggest a minimum of 1 scheduled video session per week but have found it more productive to schedule 2, especially as our relationship begins. Of course, our session frequency and duration will always be open to adjustments as needed. Feel free to reach out to me on the BetterHelp platform when issues arise that you think have some urgency. I do shelter time for my family and friends but will try to answer any communication within 12 to 24 hours unless I am away from internet connectivity. At those rare times, I ask for your patience and understanding. I will respond as soon as I am able. If an emergency arises, please call 988 or 911 for immediate help, and if possible, leave a message for me here on the BetterHelp platform as soon as you are able. From these lenses, experiences, perspectives, and practicalities I can offer assistance. It is said, “The first step in problem resolution is recognition”. The second is reaching for help. You are already on your way. I look forward to our first session and those that follow. Warm Professional Regards, Bryan Busse, LMFT

Melissa Beck
I am licensed in California with 14 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy related issues, & 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!

Michael Miller
I am licensed in California with 10+ years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, anger management, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & coping with life changes. 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.

Laura Hunter
I am licensed in California with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy related issues, 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

Hannah Karolewicz
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida with over 6 years of experience. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, parenting problems, communication disorders, ASD, and ADHD. I have worked with clients of all ages ranging from 3 to 95 and have done so in individual and group settings. My counseling style is warm, collaborative, empowering, and interactive. I treat all my clients with respect, sensitivity, and compassion and my clinical approach is cognitive-behavioral. I strongly believe that our mindset is very powerful and it is important to evaluate our thinking style as it greatly contributes to the way we feel and the actions we take. I tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs and I will always challenge you to dive a little deeper and explore new opportunities. You are brave. I know that taking the first steps to living a more fulfilling and joyful life, takes courage and you have taken that first step towards change. You should feel proud of yourself! Once you are ready to take the next step, I am here to work with you to execute the change that you desire. You are powerful. You are able. You are valuable. You are lovable. And you deserve the life you dream of. I am here for you, I am ready to support you. I look forward to working with you!

Asha Wilburn
I am a licensed professional clinical counselor in California with 7 years of professional work experience. Much of my experience comes from treating adolescents, young adults, and early middle age adults in areas of anxiety, depression, life transitions, mood disorders, interpersonal and family conflict, work stress, and body image. I believe in a collaborative client-centered approach to therapy to allow clients to have an active role in the therapeutic journey. My communication style is calm, personable, and supportive. I aim to provide honest feedback and I take pride in genuinely building rapport with my clients by providing a non-judgmental and safe space for them to process. I hope to support you in understanding the root cause of whatever is causing distress and explore useful strategies that will allow you to build your personal "toolbox" that will ultimately lead you on a path of living a meaningful life.

Kenyetta Cooper
I am licensed in North Carolina, South Carolina and Colorado with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, coping with grief and loss, & 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 to find a therapist in Malibu
Finding the best therapist close by in Malibu can feel challenging, but know that once you narrow your search for a counselor serving your area. You can get connected with a clinician 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 with therapists in Malibu 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 psychologist. Perhaps you're interested in narrowing your search for a psychotherapist that can offer psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral (CBT), talk therapy, provide group therapy, marriage and family therapy for individuals or couples, or couples therapy. Each type of support of this kind with BetterHelp therapists can offer various benefits and address or treat different disorders. If you're still unsure, 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 for therapists. These include licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and clinician or doctor of psychology (PsyD). Regardless of their licensure, they are trained able to treat individuals and couples, and sometimes children, in any type of therapy in the Malibu region and in the state of California. Find a therapist under any of these distinctions and know that the sessions they offer can provide a safe place to heal.
A mental health professional working through their own in-person therapy practice in Malibu or online may assist clients in improving healthy relationships, communication skills, working through life transitions, couples challenges, managing a mood disorder, improving coping skills, self help tips, offer life coaching, family life, or change in negative thinking patterns. A may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain, or that simply want a psychological assessment. 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 Malibu area offering therapy for:
- CBT
- DBT
- Substance use
- Couples
When you're ready to start your search keep in mind what support 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 Malibu, elsewhere in Los Angeles, or in the greater state of California. Get matched with one of the therapists working on the BetterHelp platform today.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about therapists and mental health services
Some other commonly asked questions on therapy with a licensed counselor and BetterHelp serving the Malibu area can be found below:
How does the cost of in-person sessions with a therapist compare to the cost of BetterHelp?
The average price of an in-person therapy session in the US with most therapists is $100 to $200 per hour. These prices may be higher in Malibu due to a higher cost of living, and a limited number of therapists taking new clients. 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:
- With a psychiatrist: $150-$500
- With therapists: $100-300
- With a clinician: $100
While many psychologists in Malibu 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 a BetterHelp therapist 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).
Read more about this cost related question here. Contact us now for help, and supportive personalized mental health services. BetterHelp will help you find and connect to a licensed professional counselor helping people. Get started today to book a personalized consultation appointment online.
How is a licensed therapist on this Malibu online therapy platform verified?
Therapists in Malibu, 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. Therapists 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, therapists here 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.
Please note BetterHelp does not offer or provide care from Malibu psychiatrists to prescribe a drug or medication as treatment, or perform psychological assessments and other psychiatric services.
Read more about this license question here. Contact us now for help, and supportive personalized mental health services. BetterHelp will help you find and connect to a licensed professional counselor helping people. Get started today to book a personalized consultation appointment online.
How does working with a professional 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, post traumatic stress disorder, and more. An online mental health professional, including the therapists in Malibu 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 for in person sessions.
Through BetterHelp, you can partake in video, phone, or live chat therapy sessions.You can work through various symptoms, use the in app journaling feature, and receive worksheets. You'll also find support groups or group therapy helping individuals on topics including managing life transitions, symptoms affecting sexual health, behavioral health, coping skills for anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, marriage, and more. Get matched today.
Read more about this question here. Contact us now for help, and supportive personalized mental health services. BetterHelp will help you find and connect to a licensed professional counselor helping people. Get started today to book a personalized consultation appointment online.
What mental health issues can psychotherapy address with the help of psychologists?
BetterHelp's verified 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.
Our therapy specialties on BetterHelp include:
- Cognitive behavioral
- Behavior
- EMDR
- Talk therapy
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders counselor
- Stress
- Eating disorders
- Grief
- Attachment
- Relationships
- Children, adolescents, and teens
- Addiction (substance abuse)
- Divorce
- Trauma or PTSD
- Bipolar disorder
- Psychodynamic treatment with a counselor
- Career
- Alcohol use disorders
- OCD counselor
- ADHD
- Mood disorders
- Sex addiction
- Complex trauma
- Life transition
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 Malibu provider through BetterHelp's sister platform, ReGain.us, which is dedicated to couples and spouses worldwide with licensed therapists.
Read more about this psychotherapist question here. Contact us now for help, and supportive personalized mental health services. BetterHelp will help you find and connect to a licensed professional counselor helping people. Get started today to book a personalized consultation appointment online.
How do I know if BetterHelp is right for my household in Malibu?
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.
Therapists 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 in Malibu 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 therapist can help you confront these concerns and open up through unique methods of support. There are also many types of therapy, where you may find you can express yourself through creativity instead of words with a psychotherapist.
With a lot of people in CA, therapists 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 90265 or the surrounding zip codes, consider others available through the BetterHelp site where you can schedule a session based on your and the therapist's schedule. No matter if you are seeking help from therapists around or in your area or beyond, online therapy can be a great option.
Read more about this family question here. Contact us now for help, and supportive personalized mental health services. BetterHelp will help you find and connect to a licensed professional counselor helping people. Get started today to book a personalized consultation appointment online.
How should I prepare for my first therapy session with a Malibu counselor?
Before seeing your therapist near you, prep for your session by reading to understand the 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, you can let our therapists know if you have any concerns or feel unsure about what to talk about. therapists near you may help guide you with open-ended therapeutic questions while offering mental health services. The first session will often serve as an intake to get to know you as a person and learn how to best help and support you.
Read more about this first session question here. Contact us now for help, and supportive personalized mental health services. BetterHelp will help you find and connect to a licensed professional counselor helping people. Get started today to book a personalized consultation appointment online.
Should I find a therapist or psychologist for therapy 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 it might entail. Although psychologists often support people with mental health conditions, you do not need a diagnosis or specific condition. You can discuss grief, relationship concerns, stress, or life changes and ask for general feedback. A Malibu 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 with a Malibu counselor 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 that a counselor can help with.
Read more about this question here. Contact us now for help, and supportive personalized mental health services. BetterHelp will help you find and connect to a licensed professional counselor helping people. Get started today to book a personalized consultation appointment online.
Is mental health care and therapy worth it?
Therapy with a licensed counselor 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. An experienced clinician 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 therapist 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 licensed clinician in Malibu, 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.
Do therapists judge you in therapy sessions during telehealth appointments?
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 BetterHelp platform some people love for Malibu, California
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 Malibu therapists at BetterHelp to understand the services available to you clearly. If you are new to BetterHelp or have any questions about the services and terms, please reach out to customer service 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.
- Thehotline.org - National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- Suicidepreventionlifeline.org - National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Crisistextline.org - Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
- Veteranscrisisline.net - Veterans Crisis Line: Call 1-800-273-8255 (and press 1) or text 838255. For support for the deaf and hard of hearing community, please use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255.
- Thetrevorproject.org - Trevor Lifeline (LGBTQ Lifeline): (866)488-7386
- Samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline - SAMHSA National Helpline (Substance Use): (800)662-4357
- Nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support/contact-helpline - National Eating Disorder Association Helpline :1-800-931-2237 (M-Th: 9 AM-9 PM EST, Fri 9 AM - 5 PM EST)
- Childhelphotline.org/resources-for-teens/ - Child Help Hotline: Call 1-800-422-4453 or use the online chat feature
- Fraternallaw.com/help-us-stop-hazing - National Anti-Hazing Hotline for young adults, adolescents, and adults: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293)
- Physiciansupportline.com - Physician Crisis Support Line: Contact 1-888-409-0141 if you are a first responder or medical provider experiencing crises related to Covid-19
- Rainn.org - Sexual Assault Hotline: Call RAINN at 1-800-656-4673
