When it comes to finding a therapist, San Francisco, CA has more options than many other more rural areas, but independent practice practitioners in your PPO plan may not be what you need. And using out of network benefits on a licensed psychologist not in your network can get expensive in the city. That’s where online therapy with an online platform like BetterHelp can help. BetterHelp offers over 30,000 licensed professionals that provide online psychotherapy comparable to what you can get with in-person sessions. 

Online psychotherapy with BetterHelp can target any number of mental health challenges like unresolved trauma, social anxiety, stress management, and improving emotional intelligence. In addition, therapists are trained in a variety of specialties such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and emotionally focused therapy. To get started, you’ll fill out an online questionnaire that will match you with a licensed therapist that meets your wants and needs. If you don’t feel that you have a good rapport with your therapist, you can switch until you find your perfect match at no additional cost. 

With online therapy it can be easier to take that first step of seeking the help you need, whether you want to find treatment for a mental health condition like depression or anxiety, or have been meaning to work on self-actualization. If you are looking for any type of talk therapy in the San Francisco area, the licensed professional therapists at BetterHelp can get you started on your journey to better mental health and well-being.

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Psychologist Maria Biasiotto providing different types of therapy in San Francisco

Maria Biasiotto

Clinician
License Type(s): CA LMFT 49116
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseBipolar disorderDepression
30 years offering treatment

My therapy style is warm, interactive, action orientated and focused. I have experience working with adults, both in Individual and Group Therapy for many years. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. Spiritual/Religious, as well as cultural sensitivity is included in my approach. My approach combines humanistic, cognitive-behavioral/CBT, and brief solution focused therapy. I am here to meet your unique and specific needs. Clients that I have interacted with have included those with issues involving Self Esteem, Complex Trauma, MST, PTSD, CPTSD, Bipolar, Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Substance Abuse, Sexual Trauma, and Domestic Violence and Behavioral issues. These clients over all have reported reduction in unwanted symptoms and improvement in quality of life. A quote I share here was from a client I had been seeing for about a year: "I did not think this could help and one day I realized that it really was helping and I never believed it could." "The Longest journey BEGINS WITH A SINGLE STEP." My Masters is in psychology and I hold a License as a Family Therapist, LMFT. I have a RN and I am Certified in Behavioral Health by the ANCC, RN-BC. Please feel free to ask any questions about my experience, that may be of a help for you.

Psychologist Stacey Sugar providing different types of therapy in San Francisco

Stacey Sugar

Clinician
License Type(s): MD LCPC LC4288, CA LPCC 10045
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesCoping with life changes
14 years offering treatment

“Anyone can tell you what to do, but the true ability to grow comes from understanding who you are.” In 15 years of clinical practice, I've realized that within our uniqueness, we have one thing in common: We are all constantly writing our life stories. Many of us are passive biographers, believing that our book is already written, and that the ending is set in stone. Here's the secret: Our lives are not linear, and we have the power to edit our narrative at any--and every--moment. While we cannot change our past, we can learn to change our perspective of it. Once we unlock our unconscious defenses, we gain insight about who we've become and unleash the potential to transform into who we authentically want to be. When entering any new relationship, it is perfectly healthy--and encouraged-- to take the time you need to test it out and make sure it feels right. I promise to meet you where you are, and provide you with the tools to explore yourself deeper and make transformations at your own pace. I will support you to find the strength and motivation that will allow you to be more open and committed to making the changes you desire. In our time together, we will explore the full range of your emotions, including feelings that you may not be aware of--yet! Bringing these unconscious elements into your present experience offers you a series of a-ha moments that lay the foundation for greater self-awareness and enable you to live your best life. If you're ready to dig deep, it is my honor to join you on your journey. Let's remove the barriers that are blocking you from realizing your wants, needs, and actualizing your full potential!

Psychologist Dr. Katharine Clarke providing different types of therapy in San Francisco

Dr. Katharine Clarke

Clinician
License Type(s): CA Psychologist PSY14015
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGrief
38 years offering treatment

I am licensed in California with 38 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Psychologist Patricia Riley providing different types of therapy in San Francisco

Patricia Riley

Clinician
License Type(s): CA LCSW 25356
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsParenting issuesDepression
20 years offering treatment

I am licensed in California with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & 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.

Psychologist Dr. Paula Alvarez providing different types of therapy in San Francisco

Dr. Paula Alvarez

Clinician
License Type(s): CA LCSW 19790, IL LCSW 149.023704
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseAnger managementBipolar disorderDepression
35 years offering treatment

Greetings! I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in the states of California, Illinois, and Missouri, and I have a doctorate in Organizational Psychology. I have worked in locked and outpatient mental health facilities for the last 30 years. I facilitated group treatment of domestic violence perpetrators in Spanish and English for eight years. I specialize in treating trauma-related symptoms, anxiety and depression, anger management, geriatric well-being, mental health recovery, cultural diversity issues, and self-esteem issues. My doctorate degree (EdD) In Leadership and Learning with a specialization in Organizational Psychology was conferred on May 27, 2021. I use a client-centered approach (Carl Rogers), and I know that the client is the expert. I tailor my therapy sessions to what the client wants. I used cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with those who like CBT interventions. I offer homework assignments and bibliotherapy for those clients who want those interventions. I also use Brief-Solution Focused Therapy, Trauma-Informed Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing techniques. I invite you to contact me to see if I am a good fit to help and empower you on your journey to better living.

Psychologist Michele Downey providing different types of therapy in San Francisco

Michele Downey

Clinician
License Type(s): CA LMFT 23607
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesDepressionCompassion fatigue
35 years offering treatment

I am licensed in California with 35 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship issues, & 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.

Psychologist Kendall Jones providing different types of therapy in San Francisco

Kendall Jones

Clinician
License Type(s): CA LCSW 74812
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyLGBTTrauma and abuseGriefDepression
25 years offering treatment

My work as a psychotherapist emerges from the many diverse experiences I have had in life, from my encounters with people of different cultures and languages, from my travels throughout various parts of the world, and from my own soulful journeys in search of self. Like Santiago, in Coelho’s classic novel, The Alchemist, I have been in search of the very things for which clients often come to me and dream of becoming. Each of us, in some way or other, is in search of love, to love or to be loved and on a mysterious quest—deeply longing for something far greater than ourselves within ourselves. I know the journey can seem, at times, long and hard. There are times along the way when you may feel sad, hopeless, frustrated, overwhelmed, numb, anxious, fearful if not terrified, disappointed in yourself or betrayed by another. You may have experienced or witnessed something that has traumatized you—leaving you bereft of any sense of meaning. Perhaps you are angry or resentful about something that has or hasn’t happened. Maybe you’re feeling alone, abandoned, left behind or believe that you never really mattered or are rejected for who you truly are. Or you’re just maybe a little lost right now and don’t know who you are anymore, much less where you’re going. Wherever you find yourself in this journey of life, on this personal quest of yours, chances are I’ve been there too. What I bring to my clients in psychotherapy are the very things I myself have learned—some from books (and academic research) but mostly from my own richly vast experiences. From these, I have formed a personal, genuine, client-centered, strength-affirming, hope-sustaining, meaning-finding and an unconditionally accepting therapeutic approach. If you are on such a journey and seek not so much an all-knowing guide but rather the company of a compassionate, caring, insightful and understanding person to walk beside you, then I will be both humbled and honored to work with you in psychotherapy. Let’s begin this awesome and amazing journey together...

Psychologist Dr. John DeGaglia providing different types of therapy in San Francisco

Dr. John DeGaglia

Clinician
License Type(s): CA LPCC 16726, FL LMHC MH5115
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCoaching
25 years offering treatment

The selection of a psychotherapist is an intensely personal private intimate decision. Therapy is about one thing: focused communication. With the appropriate modification of language, we can think differently. If we think differently, we can change behaviors. And if we consistently change behaviors, they can become long-term, therapeutic, healthy change. Yes, that journey begins with the first step. My journey began last century with graduate school and licensure. Spent many years working with our incarcerated brothers and sisters. Their needs are real and varied. Being on the “outside” doesn’t mean you aren’t still incarcerated. Spent over a dozen years working with a Native American community. So many needs and so little time. A very special time in my life working with all ages, all needs, often through the assistance of an interpreter. From that chapter, I moved into substance abuse eventually becoming clinical director at several programs. Sobriety like therapy is a day-to-day process and there is nothing wrong with that. Perfection is not possible but excellence is attainable! Lastly, as a former first responder, spent over a decade assisting that community with critical incident stress. Actually, earned a doctorate with the research we all generated together. Nothing quite prepares you for that profession and the significant costs it exacts but if you would just like the opportunity to be, in a kind of ministry of presence, that is one of the reasons I am here . . . And for all, sometimes absolutely the best therapy comes from being with someone in a special moment without saying a word. So, how bout it? Even if it is not me, will you continue your search and seek? Why? Because there are some people on this Earth who do not need to meet you, be in a relationship with you, who know without a shadow of a doubt you are special! Unique! You are worthy! And although it may not be fashionable, will tell you are loved! Enjoy your journey and take that step and just maybe our paths will cross. Looking forward to it . . .

Psychologist Eric Aldaco providing different types of therapy in San Francisco

Eric Aldaco

Clinician
License Type(s): CA LMFT 116682
Mental Wellness Specialties: Self esteemCoping with life changes
16 years offering treatment

I am licensed in California with 14 years of professional work experience. I believe that you are the expert of your life journey 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 life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. I am a Christian therapist and my approach to therapy is from a biblical perspective. I look forward in meeting you and collaboratively engaging in a strength base therapeutic model in treatment.

Psychologist Saquia Mcneil providing different types of therapy in San Francisco

Saquia Mcneil

Clinician
License Type(s): CA LPCC 23277, SC LPC 9576
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseAnger managementDepression
4 years offering treatment

As a licensed therapist in South Carolina, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes. My practice centers on helping clients address challenges like depression, anxiety, trauma, and interpersonal dynamics. I bring a compassionate, culturally responsive approach to therapy, creating a supportive environment where individuals can explore their experiences and develop meaningful strategies for personal growth. My expertise spans a wide range of focus areas, including women's issues, social anxiety, communication challenges, and healing from past trauma. I'm committed to understanding each client's unique journey and providing tailored support that honors their individual experiences and strengths. Through evidence-based practices, I aim to help clients build self-love, process difficult emotions, and develop healthier coping mechanisms. My goal is to walk alongside you as you work towards greater emotional well-being and personal empowerment.

Psychologist Abbe Goodman providing different types of therapy in San Francisco

Abbe Goodman

Clinician
License Type(s): CA LMFT 18873
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesEating disordersSelf esteemDepression
40 years offering treatment

I am licensed in California with 40 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, eating disorders, motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I work with patients of all ages, including children, teens, seniors and families to positively create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Let me further emphasize that the adolescent population can freely discuss feelings and situations with me. I encourage you to take the first step towards seeking a more fulfilling and happier life which takes courage. I emphasize that I am here to support you in that process.

Psychologist Alejandro Holguin providing different types of therapy in San Francisco

Alejandro Holguin

Clinician
License Type(s): CA LCSW 82320
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesAnger managementDepressionCoping with life changes
13 years offering treatment

As a licensed therapist in California, I help individuals navigate life’s emotional challenges with compassion and clarity. My work focuses on supporting those experiencing stress, anxiety, and difficulties in relationships or personal growth. Together, we’ll explore the thoughts and emotions that may be holding you back and build practical strategies to help you move forward with confidence. I have extensive experience working with mood disorders, attachment concerns, panic attacks, and struggles related to self-worth, guilt, and shame. I also provide specialized support for fathers navigating the complexities of parenting, identity, and connection. My approach is grounded in evidence-based therapies and a deep respect for each client’s unique story. I strive to create a space where you feel seen, understood, and empowered to create lasting change. Therapy with me is collaborative, culturally responsive, and centered on helping you strengthen your relationship with yourself and others. If you’re ready to begin your journey toward healing and emotional balance, I’d be honored to walk alongside you.

Psychologist Deborah Perez providing different types of therapy in San Francisco

Deborah Perez

Clinician
License Type(s): CA LMFT 132357
Mental Wellness Specialties: Stress, AnxietyAddictionsSelf esteemDepressionADHD
7 years offering treatment

I am licensed in California with 7 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, coping with addictions, motivation, self esteem, confidence, depression, concentration, & memory. I also have experience working with focus. 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. My therapeutic style is centered on a collaborative and equal relationship to work towards your personal goals using different modalities and interventions. I am Bilingual speaking-English and Spanish and greatly value your individual and collective cultural experiences.

Psychologist Cheryl Garnica providing different types of therapy in San Francisco

Cheryl Garnica

Clinician
License Type(s): CA LMFT 160078
Mental Wellness Specialties: Relationship issuesFamily conflictsAnger managementDepressionCoping with life changes
11 years offering treatment

As a licensed therapist in California, I bring over a decade of compassionate mental health experience in supporting individuals through life's complex challenges. My approach centers on understanding each person's unique journey, with specialized expertise in addressing depression, anxiety, trauma, stress, and self-esteem concerns. I am deeply committed to creating a safe and supportive, therapeutic environment where clients can openly share their concerns, explore their experiences, and develop individualized and meaningful 'tools' and effective coping strategies symptom/problem specific, effective coping strategies. My practice honors diverse perspectives and individual needs, offering a welcoming space for personal growth and healing. Drawing from evidence-based practices, I help clients navigate their way through trauma/PTSD, substance use and addiction issues, seeking sobriety, living sober, effectively responding to crises and sudden unexpected events, grief and loss of people and pets, stressful events, learning to control and manage overwhelming, negative emotions, personal and family life transitions, addressing distressing changes, situations, life transitions, and emotional challenges with empathy, unconditional positive regard, and professional guidance. My goal is to empower individuals to build resilience, discover inner strengths, and create positive pathways forward. I understand that seeking therapy takes courage, and I'm dedicated to walking alongside you with respect, understanding, and genuine care as you work towards your personal wellness goals.

*BetterHelp insurance availability, coverage, and cost may vary by state, plan, provider network, therapist availability, and deductible status.

Find a therapist near you in San Francisco, California

Finding a therapist near you in San Francisco, California starts with matching to a licensed professional who fits your needs, schedule, and goals. California is home to people with diverse mental health needs across urban, suburban, and rural communities, which can make it challenging to find care. BetterHelp connects you with a licensed therapist through tailored matching, so you can begin care from home or wherever works for you. 

The network includes over 30,000 licensed therapists globally, and over 4 million people have used BetterHelp to find support through online therapy. During matching, 93% of user preferences are met, which helps you connect with a therapist suited to what you are looking for. Whether you are searching for help with anxiety, trauma, affordable or insurance covered therapy, weekend or flexible scheduling, or virtual sessions, you can find a therapist and get started when you are ready.

Why work with a licensed therapist near you?

Working with a licensed therapist near you gives you access to professional mental health support from someone trained to help you understand and manage what you are going through. A licensed therapist can offer evidence-based approaches, a steady space to talk, and guidance tailored to your situation. In California, online therapy can make that care more accessible, since sessions happen from home or wherever you are, without the need to travel to an office. This can help if your schedule is full, if travel is difficult, or if you simply prefer a more discreet setting. You can learn more about what a therapist does on the therapist role page.

Online therapy can be especially helpful for people living across California, where access to in-person mental health care may vary by location.

What concerns can therapists help with?

Therapists can help with a wide range of concerns, including anxiety and stress, depression, trauma and PTSD, self-esteem and identity, people-pleasing and fear of rejection, insomnia and racing thoughts, workplace stress and burnout, substance use, parenting and co-parenting stress, grief and loss, and relationship and family challenges. Therapists on BetterHelp may draw on approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), depending on your needs and goals. You can explore support for specific concerns on pages such as generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and eating disorders.

Please note that therapists on BetterHelp do not provide psychiatric medication management or formal diagnoses.

Online therapy vs. in-person therapy in California

Online therapy and in-person therapy both connect you with a licensed professional, and the main difference is how you meet. In California, online therapy through BetterHelp lets you have sessions by phone, video, or in-app messaging, so you can meet from home or on a schedule that fits your life. In-person therapy takes place at an office and may involve travel and set appointment windows. Online therapy may be more accessible for people with busy schedules, limited transportation, or a preference for a more discreet setting. Both formats can support meaningful progress, so the right choice often comes down to what fits your life.

Finding a therapist that accepts insurance in California

BetterHelp accepts insurance through many major insurance plans. Insurance availability and coverage may vary by state, plan, provider network, and therapist availability, and deductible status. Eligible members' average copay is $23 per session. 

You can check your in-network status on the BetterHelp site through the sign up flow. If you prefer to pay without insurance, BetterHelp subscriptions range from $70 to $100 per week, billed as an alternative way to access the same care, and you can use HSA and FSA funds toward the cost. For a full breakdown of how BetterHelp works with insurance plans, see BetterHelp insurance coverage.

How BetterHelp helps you find the right therapist in California

BetterHelp helps you find the right therapist in California through personalized matching that considers your needs, preferences, and goals. After you answer a few questions during the sign up flow, you can be matched with a licensed therapist from a network of over 30,000 professionals, and 93% of user preferences are met during matching. The search and location matching cover common near-me needs, including anxiety, trauma, affordable or sliding-scale support, weekend or flexible scheduling, and virtual sessions. If your first match is not the right fit, you can switch therapists at no extra cost. When you are ready, you can get started and begin the process.

Therapists near you in California

Below, you’ll find licensed therapists authorized to provide online therapy to adults across California, including residents in San Francisco.

Each provider meets state licensing requirements and has experience supporting clients with a wide range of mental health concerns using evidence-based therapeutic approaches.

Please note: Therapists on BetterHelp in California do not provide psychiatric medication management or formal diagnoses.

Frequently asked questions about finding a therapist near me

How much does therapy cost near me?

Therapy costs near you can vary by provider, format, and payment method. With BetterHelp, subscriptions range from $70 to $100 per week, and you can use HSA and FSA funds toward the cost. BetterHelp also accepts insurance through many major insurance plans, and eligible members' average copay is $23 per session. Insurance availability and coverage may vary by state, plan, provider network, and therapist availability, and deductible status.

Does BetterHelp accept insurance?

Yes. BetterHelp accepts insurance through many major insurance plans. Insurance availability and coverage may vary by state, plan, provider network, and therapist availability. Eligible members' average copay is $23 per session. Check your in-network status on the BetterHelp site through the sign up flow. For a full breakdown of how BetterHelp works with insurance plans, see BetterHelp insurance coverage.

Is online therapy effective?

Online therapy can be an effective way to receive licensed mental health care for many common concerns. Research suggests that online therapy may support progress in ways comparable to in-person care for concerns such as anxiety and depression. On BetterHelp, you connect with a licensed therapist who can use evidence-based approaches such as CBT and DBT, and you can meet by phone, video, or in-app messaging.

Do I need a diagnosis to see a therapist?

No, you do not need a diagnosis to see a therapist. Many people begin therapy to work through stress, life changes, relationships, or personal growth without any diagnosis. Please note that therapists on BetterHelp do not provide psychiatric medication management or formal diagnoses. If you are looking for a starting point, personalized matching can connect you with a licensed therapist suited to your goals.

How quickly can I start therapy?

You can often start therapy within 24 to 48 hours of signing up with BetterHelp. After you answer a few questions during the sign up flow, personalized matching connects you with a licensed therapist, and you can schedule your first session once you are matched. This process is designed to help you begin care at your own pace, without a long wait.

Can I switch therapists if it’s not the right fit?

Yes. If you feel your therapist is not the right match, you can request to be matched with another licensed provider at no additional cost. You are able to do so through the BetterHelp user portal and select switch therapists if needed.

Is online therapy discreet?

Online therapy with BetterHelp offers a discreet setting where you can connect with a licensed therapist from the comfort of your home. Sessions take place by phone, video, or in-app messaging, so you can meet without going into an office. Your account and sessions are protected with strong safeguards, and you choose how and where you attend. This can make therapy feel more comfortable for people who prefer a discreet way to get support.

Find a Therapist in San Francisco, California

Ready to begin? BetterHelp can match you with a licensed therapist serving San Francisco and the surrounding CA area. When you are ready to take the next step, get started.

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