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.
Patricia Riley
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.
Debra Kabrin
I have been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 2010 and been working as an intern since 2002. I have experience working with all age groups and with issues such as depression, anxiety, relationships, parenting and ADHD, My counseling style is warm, caring, and supportive. I am sensitive to diversity - racial, religious, gender. I tailor the sessions to each individuals needs. It takes courage to seek out help towards a happier and more fulfilling life. You have taken your first steps to creating that. I am excited to assist you in your journey and I look forward to working with you ! Please go into scheduling and select an open session for your initial appointment. If you do not see an open spot that works for you please let me know as I can possibly accommodate you.
Chauncey Chatman
I have over 15 years of experience providing therapy services to adolescents, couples, families and adults. My approach is a combination of collaborative talk therapy with a strong emphasis on mindfulness practices that foster self-awareness and behavior modification that result in more positive outcomes. My approach: My approach also includes active use of the principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Solution Focused therapy. I currently work with individual adult clients. I have worked as a School Counselor/Case Manager and Marriage and Family Therapist in various hospital and mental health clinic treatment settings in California to include work as a member of mental health treatment service teams that included psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, peer counselors and family service workers. I earned a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Chapman University. I am licensed in the State of California as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). I also hold certification as a Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor (SUDCC).
Samantha Nelums
I have over 6 years of clinical experience as an LCSW and over 14 years of experience as a social work practitioner in working with individuals that have a variety of needs. I use an eclectic approach by integrating different evidence-based intervention techniques to tailor treatment to the individual. I specialize in working with adults on family issues, relationship stressors, sexuality and coming out; and self-esteem/self-trust. I provide feedback and I am directive, therefore I try not to 'just listen and validate' I also like to be engaged in what you are saying.
Andrea Plate
I am licensed in California, with 20 years of professional work experience. For nearly 15 years I ran a residential substance abuse treatment program within the West Los Angeles Department of Veterans Affairs, serving those suffering from homelessness and chronic mental illness. Now working with individuals in the population at large, I do my best to help clients cope with: anxiety, personal and professional setbacks, addiction, major life changes, relationship conflicts and career concerns. I also refine and enhance my practice through teaching social welfare and addiction at a major West Los Angeles university. 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.
Christine Block
As a licensed therapist in California and Florida with two decades of experience, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes. My practice centers on creating affirming, compassionate spaces for clients exploring challenges related to stress, anxiety, relationships, and personal growth. I bring deep expertise in supporting LGBTQ+ individuals, addressing workplace dynamics, and helping clients work through life transitions. My approach is rooted in understanding each person's unique journey, with a particular focus on issues like social anxiety, communication challenges, self-love, and personal identity. My therapeutic style emphasizes collaborative healing, drawing from evidence-based practices to help clients develop resilience, insight, and meaningful strategies for emotional well-being. I'm committed to supporting diverse experiences, including those related to sexuality, cultural identity, and personal transformation. Whether you're confronting relationship difficulties, managing anxiety, or seeking deeper self-understanding, I'm dedicated to walking alongside you with empathy, respect, and professional guidance.
Derrell Tidwell
I am licensed mental health practitioner in California and Washington with over 40 years of professional work experience. I'm experienced in helping clients with stress, anxiety, depression, LGBTQ+ related issues, relationship issues, & family conflicts especially for people of color. I strongly believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming your challenges. My goal is to provide you clarity and assist you in utilizing your "natural toolbox" toward successfully addressing your challenges. I work Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturday mornings from 9 AM - 1 PM. (As of March 2026, my only openings are on Thursday mornings.) If you anticipate my work days/hours don't match your general availability, I encourage you to initiate a "request for therapist change" process by clicking the icon in the upper right corner of your account page and using the pull down menu. Taking the first step to sign up for assistance takes courage and I am proud of you for getting started!
Cynthia "Cindi" Christiansen
I am licensed in California with 21 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship issues, & depression. 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.
Alexandra "Lexy" Spett
As a licensed therapist with 24 years of experience in California, I specialize in supporting late adolescents (16-19), young adults (20–30), and their parents through life’s transitions and challenges with clarity and confidence. Please note: I do work with adults (35-64) on a case by case basis. Becoming an adult is not easy. Whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, family conflicts, or issues with motivation, self-esteem, or confidence, I’m here to help. With parents of emerging adults, I offer compassionate guidance to navigate relational shifts while fostering a stronger, more meaningful connection with your young adult. My style is warm, direct, honest, and rooted in compassion. I believe in creating a safe, respectful space where we can collaborate to build a treatment plan tailored specifically to you. Your journey is unique, and I’m committed to meeting you exactly where you are. Taking the first step toward change can feel overwhelming, but it’s also an act of courage and self-care. Together, we’ll work to identify your strengths, build your confidence, and help you create the life you want. I'm ready to take this journey with you!
John Hammond
I am licensed in California with 40 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, 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.
Sophia Dyer
I am licensed in California with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, trauma, abuse, parenting issues, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I also have experience working with depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.
Christopher Lum
I grew up navigating the space between cultures—balancing the desire to fit in with my peers while honoring the Chinese roots my family cherished. Those early experiences taught me how complex identity, belonging, and cultural expectations can feel, especially for those who move between multiple worlds. That understanding eventually led me to AAPI Studies and psychology, where I discovered my passion for supporting Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. Throughout my training, I sought out opportunities to work directly with AAPI individuals and other marginalized groups. I volunteered with AADAP on community health initiatives, supported research on AAPI depression and perfectionism, and taught CBT-based social skills to veterans with dual diagnoses. Hearing a Hmong social worker speak about the power of multilevel social interventions was the moment I realized social work was where I belonged. After earning my MSW, I worked with veterans experiencing homelessness and with individuals in psychiatric inpatient settings. Today, I serve as a medical social worker in emergency and outpatient settings at the VA and Kaiser. Much of my work has involved supporting geriatric clients through dialysis, end-of-life issues, caregiving challenges, and placement decisions. In recent years, I’ve felt called to reconnect with my roots by creating healing spaces for BIPOC and AAPI communities. My own healing journey has shaped my approach as well. Through mindfulness and loving-kindness practices, I learned to soften the inner critical voice that so many of us carry—especially in communities where perfectionism, pressure, and family expectations can feel ever-present. I also bring lived experience: navigating mental health challenges, AAPI sexuality/gender expectations/conflicts, speech therapy in childhood, addiction, depression, social anxiety, and the pressure of not fitting the “model minority” image. These experiences deepen my belief that therapy should be a compassionate, culturally attuned space where clients feel seen, understood, and supported. Today, I am committed to holding space for AAPI and BIPOC individuals as they explore identity, generational differences, trauma, and healing. I believe there are many different cultural masks that one is wearing at a time that shapes the roles and expectations of what it means to be one's self in the moment. My approach is grounded in mindfulness, self compassion, CBT, ACT and cultural humility—and in the belief that every person has the capacity to grow with the right support.
William Money
I am licensed in California with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, abuse, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I also have experience working with despression. 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.
Kimberly Moret
You are successful on the outside—but internally exhausted, overwhelmed, emotionally depleted, or silently struggling. High-achieving women often carry enormous pressure while balancing careers, leadership roles, caregiving responsibilities, relationships, health concerns, and unrealistic expectations of perfection. Whether you are experiencing burnout, chronic stress, anxiety, compassion fatigue, emotional exhaustion, body image concerns, chronic pain, or the aftermath of narcissistic abuse, therapy and coaching can provide a space for restoration, clarity, healing, and transformation. I specialize in working with high-functioning professional women- business owners and other corporate executives, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, fitness competitors, and individuals navigating major life transitions. Many of my clients are outwardly successful yet privately struggling with emotional overwhelm, nervous system dysregulation, self-worth issues, relationship trauma, disordered eating and sleeping patterns, or chronic stress-related health concerns. Together, we work to address the underlying emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and physiological factors contributing to distress while creating sustainable change and greater alignment between mind and body. My approach is integrative, trauma-informed, and rooted in the biopsychosocial understanding that emotional well-being and physical health are deeply interconnected. Treatment may incorporate evidence-based psychotherapy modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based interventions, somatic psychotherapy, attachment-focused work, nervous system regulation, meditation practices, breathwork, and mind-body interventions designed to support emotional resilience and overall wellness. I also specialize in working with individuals struggling with emotional eating, binge eating, body dysmorphia, muscle dysmorphia, weight-related concerns, and the complex psychological relationship many people have with food, body image, achievement, and self-worth. I provide support for clients pursuing weight loss and weight management goals, including those navigating bariatric surgery (WLS) and the emotional, behavioral, and psychological aspects of GLP-1 medications. Additionally, I work with fitness competitors and bodybuilding athletes facing perfectionism, identity challenges, compulsive exercise patterns, body image distress, or eating disorder recovery concerns. For survivors of narcissistic abuse, therapy can help rebuild self-trust, emotional safety, boundaries, identity, and confidence after experiences of manipulation, gaslighting, emotional invalidation, or relational trauma. For healthcare professionals, therapists, caregivers, and helping professionals, I offer support for compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, burnout, and chronic over-functioning patterns that often emerge when caring for others at the expense of oneself. I also work extensively with individuals living with chronic pain and stress-related physical symptoms. Chronic pain is not simply a physical experience—it is deeply influenced by emotional stress, trauma, nervous system activation, and psychological factors. Through integrative psychotherapy and somatic interventions, we work toward improving emotional well-being, coping, nervous system regulation, and overall quality of life. My therapeutic style is compassionate, collaborative, insight-oriented, and action-focused. I strive to create a supportive and nonjudgmental environment where clients can feel understood while also being challenged toward meaningful growth and sustainable change. Healing is not about becoming someone different—it is about reconnecting with yourself beneath the stress, survival patterns, and exhaustion. Therapy can help you move from simply functioning to truly living with greater balance, clarity, authenticity, and emotional freedom. I appreciate the opportunity to walk alongside you on your journey!
Find a Therapist Near You in San Francisco , California
Finding a licensed therapist near you in California can be an important step toward improving your mental health and overall well-being. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, stress, or major life changes, working with a qualified mental health professional can offer meaningful support.
California is home to people with diverse mental health needs across urban, suburban, and rural communities. Online therapy makes it easier to connect with a therapist near you without being limited to nearby offices. BetterHelp connects you with licensed therapists authorized to practice in California, allowing you to attend sessions online from the comfort of your home.
Why work with a licensed therapist near you?
Working with a licensed therapist near you ensures that your provider meets state licensing requirements and professional standards in California (CA). Licensed therapists use evidence-based approaches to help individuals manage emotional challenges, develop coping skills, and work toward personal goals.
People seek therapy for many reasons. Some are navigating ongoing mental health concerns, while others want guidance during stressful periods or major life transitions. You do not need a mental health diagnosis to work with a therapist. Many individuals seek therapy to improve communication, strengthen relationships, manage stress, or gain greater self-awareness.
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 on BetterHelp support adults across California with a wide range of mental health concerns and life challenges, including:
- Anxiety and stress
- Depression and mood-related concerns
- Trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Grief and loss
- Relationship and family challenges
- Life transitions and adjustment concerns
- Self-esteem and confidence
- Job stress and burnout
- ADHD-related challenges
- Sleep concerns
- Parenting stress
- Eating disorder support
Therapists use approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and other evidence-based methods tailored to individual needs.
Online therapy vs. in-person therapy in California
When searching for a therapist near me in California, many people compare online therapy with traditional in-person care. Online therapy offers several potential advantages:
- Greater accessibility: Attend sessions from anywhere with an internet connection
- Reduced wait times: Many people are matched in as little as 24-48 hours, faster than typical in-person availability
- Flexible scheduling: Sessions that fit around work, family, or school commitments
- Expanded provider options: Access licensed therapists across California, not just nearby offices
Research shows that online therapy can be effective for many mental health concerns. Online therapy may also reduce barriers such as transportation challenges, long commutes, or limited local availability, especially in larger or more rural counties across California.
Finding a therapist near me that accepts insurance
Many people looking for a therapist near me in California want to know whether insurance is an option.
Many providers on BetterHelp now accept major insurance carriers in select states. In many states, certain therapists on BetterHelp may be in-network with specific insurance plans. Coverage depends on your plan, provider, and therapist availability.
When sessions are covered, insured members typically pay an average copay of about $19 per session. Coverage varies by state and provider availability, so it’s important to check your in-network status directly on the BetterHelp site.
If insurance coverage is not available, BetterHelp’s flexible subscription model remains an option, with online therapy typically costing $70 to $100 per week, billed weekly or monthly. Additional discounts or financial aid may also be available for a lower price.
How BetterHelp helps you find the right therapist in California
BetterHelp simplifies the process of finding a therapist near you in California without requiring you to search through tons of profiles on your own.
Here’s how it works:
- Complete a brief questionnaire about your needs, preferences, and goals
- Get matched with a licensed therapist authorized to practice in California (CA)
- Begin online therapy sessions through video, phone, or live chat
BetterHelp works with one of the world’s largest networks of licensed therapists, with over 30,000 qualified providers globally. Many members are matched in as little as 24 to 48 hours, and 93% of user preferences are met during the matching process.
You can request a new therapist at no additional cost if your needs or preferences change.
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 vary depending on provider and location. In-person therapy sessions may cost $100 to $200 or more per session. BetterHelp offers online therapy subscriptions that typically range from $70 to $100 per week, billed weekly or monthly, depending on factors such as location, source, preferences, and therapist availability. Additional discounts or financial aid may also be available for a lower price. BetterHelp now accepts major insurance plans in select states and members pay an average copay of $19 per session. Coverage varies by plan, provider, and therapist availability. You can check coverage on the BetterHelp site.
Does BetterHelp accept insurance?
Yes. Many providers on BetterHelp now accept major insurance carriers in select states. In many states, certain therapists on BetterHelp may be in-network with specific insurance plans. When sessions are covered, insured members typically pay an average copay of about $19 per session. Coverage varies by plan, provider, and therapist availability. You can check coverage on the BetterHelp site.
Is online therapy effective?
Yes. Research shows that online therapy can be effective for many mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship challenges. Online therapy allows you to connect with a licensed therapist without commuting to an office.
Do I need a diagnosis to see a therapist?
No. You do not need a mental health diagnosis to seek therapy. Many people work with a therapist for stress management, relationship concerns, grief, life transitions, or personal growth.
How quickly can I start therapy?
Many people are matched with a licensed therapist in as little as 24 to 48 hours after completing the initial questionnaire. Match times may vary based on preferences and therapist availability.
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 private and secure?
Online therapy through BetterHelp allows you to communicate with your therapist in a discreet setting through video, phone, or messaging tools.