When it comes to finding a therapist, Chula Vista, CA might seem like an option. Mental health services are typically available in a city, especially one located so near San Diego. However, it’s not always easy to find a therapist, even in a populated area. Mental health concerns can be very different, and manifest differently depending on the individual. There are a number of evidence-based therapeutic approaches, and what is effective for one mental illness may not work as well with another. The type of therapy you need may not be available in your area. Not to mention the importance of working with a therapist with whom you build a good rapport and who makes you feel comfortable. 

Online therapy with a platform like BetterHelp can make truly person-centered therapy possible. BetterHelp offers over 30,000 practitioners in the mental health field, including licensed professional clinical counselors, social workers, psychologists, and family therapists. These professionals specialize in the treatment of a variety of occurring mental illnesses from obsessive compulsive disorder to borderline personality disorder, and any number of co-occurring disorders in between. 

BetterHelp is also a convenient option for many who have difficulty making it to in-person appointments. With video chat, phone, and text messaging options, you can talk with your therapist anywhere, even from residential treatment settings. Busy professionals, students, and members of families experiencing mental health challenges can schedule sessions anywhere and anytime that works for them. 

It can sometimes feel overwhelming to take that first step on your mental health journey. BetterHelp offers a simple, easy, and timely way to get started talking to a licensed mental health professional. If you have been thinking about seeking therapy for any reason, contact BetterHelp to get matched with the right therapist to meet your needs. 

This is Jessica Ortiz's avatar and link to their profile

Jessica Ortiz

Offering therapy in CA
License: LMFT
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseParenting issuesSelf esteemDepression
15 years of experience

Hello, my name is Jessica Ortiz. I am a licensed Marriage and Family therapist with over 16 years of experience. I am licensed in the states of California and Texas. I received my Masters in Psychology from Antioch University in 2008. I have experience working with a diverse population of clients with a wide range of clinical problems including: depression, anxiety, individual psychological problems, marital problems, and child-parent problems. I work with adults, couples, adolescents, children and families. My goal is to help you resolve issues in your life in order for you live a healthier and happier one. I like to use cognitive and behavioral approaches to help my clients achieve their goals quicker and within a specified time. I am trained in several modalities in therapy and will adjust my approach to my client needs. I’m here to help you resolve any issues that you are finding difficult to figure out on your own. I can provide suggestions and insight, but ultimately my goal is to empower you to feel confident in making decisions that are right for you. I am ready to help.

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Aviva Euripides

Offering therapy in CA
License: M.A.,LMFT
Stress, AnxietyLGBTRelationship issuesDepressionCoping with life changes
22 years of experience

Hello, I am Aviva Euripides and I am pleased to meet you here. Our clinical work involves tracking and assessing how it assists you in meeting your goals. This solution focused work is thus overall practical but is rooted in academic and clinical rigor. I graduated from the University of California at Berkeley and attended New College of California where the focus was on meeting the clinical needs of a diverse community with relevance and meaning. I have supervised and trained clinicians in treatment settings ranging from the counselor's office to acute mental health facilities. This has led to a deep understanding of clinical work. My specializations include depression, anxiety, life changes, self esteem, career and relationships. These are all human issues and are in need sometimes of clinical intervention as a tool and resource. The work begins with me listening carefully to where the pieces are at in your puzzle at this time. This allows for us to consider rearrangement and repositioning to best work for you. I have extensive experience providing counseling via telephone and online platforms and thus feel quite comfortable doing so. While this may be new to some it may resemble other aspects of life online in significant ways. Like counseling, it just takes some getting used to. I typically have appointments available via live chat between 10 am and 4 pm Monday-Friday and appointments available early mornings and weekends via video/phone session.

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Gary Santorella

Offering therapy in CA
License: LCSW
Stress, AnxietyGriefCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCoaching
27 years of experience

My training is in brief cognitive-behavioral therapy. This means that we will deal in the here and now. When we discuss family history, it will be in the context of understanding how over-learned behaviors are influencing you current situation, then develop new ways (behaviors and thinking) to deal with the challenges you are facing. I work best with clients who have a specific goals that they are trying to achieve. That doesn't mean that we can't spend some time figuring this out. But once we do, we will come up with a jointly derived game plan and measures to determine if we've gotten there. Besides being a therapist, I'm a Lean implementation specialist, have been an executive coach for 25 years, and have extensive experience helping people improve their leadership/people skills and working through difficult workplace issues. I have also treated victims of trauma and have a great deal of experience working with PTSD. I co-authored a paper titled: Occupational Exposure of Healthcare Workers to HIV: Stress Reactions and Counseling Interventions which appeared in the journal Social Work in Healthcare. I have also authored a professional book titled Lean Culture for the Construction Industry: Building Committed and Responsible Teams published by Taylor & Francis.

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Ann Kite

Offering therapy in CA
Stress, AnxietyLGBTTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesCoping with life changes
28 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 28 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbt-related issues, trauma and abuse, & intimacy related 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.

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Dr. William Conti

Offering therapy in CA
Stress, AnxietyLGBTRelationship issuesDepressionCoping with life changes
30 years of experience

I am licensed in Hawaii, California and Pennsylvania with 30 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbt-related issues, 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Dr. Anna Gray

Offering therapy in CA
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseAnger managementSelf esteemDepression
20 years of experience

I am a licensed psychologist in California with 20 years of professional work experience in the mental health field. For the last seven years I have been working as a prison psychologist at California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in the psychiatric inpatient program. Through this experience I have gained an extensive knowledge base in treating trauma, complex trauma, self-harm, suicidal ideation and suicidality, serious mental illness, and severe personality disorders. In general, I find that clients seem to open-up quite easily in working with me. Receiving mental health treatment works best when a trusting relationship between practitioner and client is built on a platform of confidentiality and a non-judgmental approach to each client. I also believe that not one size fits all in creating a working relationship and a little creativity that is often not taught in schools is used to meet the needs of each individual person. While most of us have the common experience of facing life’s phases and challenges each person has their own subjective experience and perception that needs to be validated. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

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Margarita Colon

Offering therapy in CA
Trauma and abuseGriefAnger managementSelf esteemCoping with life changes
19 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 19 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, anger management, & motivation, self-esteem, and confidence. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started! I am a strength-based therapist who believes that everyone deserves to be treated with respect. I also work from a psychodynamic approach and incorporate motivational interviewing in my therapeutic relationship style. I know how important the decision to start a therapeutic process is, and I am proud of you for taking the first steps into this journey. We will work together to make this experience a life-changing one. See you soon!

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This is Randi Butwin's avatar and link to their profile

Randi Butwin

Offering therapy in CA
License: LMFT
LGBTRelationship issues
3 years of experience

Hello, I am a marriage and family therapist licensed in California. My area of expertise is relationship issues and identity development. I work with teens and adults who are working to transition out of harmful relationships with a partner, family member or friend group. Relationships are my specialty. I have worked in a variety of settings including with hospice for end of life and bereavement support, at a school working with children, teens, parents and families as well as at a community clinic working with transitional youth who have had to cut ties with their family and in private practice working with couples. I believe you have the strength and resources to build the life you are hoping for. Let me help you figure out how.

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This is Sally Dunn's avatar and link to their profile

Sally Dunn

Offering therapy in CA
AddictionsLGBTTrauma and abuseBipolar disorderDepression
26 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 26 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, lgbtq+ related issues, trauma and abuse, & bipolar disorder. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

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This is Angelina Rey's avatar and link to their profile

Angelina Rey

Offering therapy in CA
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsParenting issuesCoping with life changes
4 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 4 years of professional work experience. I am Level 3 Gottman Trained and specialize in relationships and parenting. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & parenting issues. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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How to find counseling in Chula Vista

Finding the best therapist close by in Chula Vista can feel challenging, but know that once you narrow your search for a counselor serving your area, you can find a therapist 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 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 therapist or psychologist in Chula Vista. Perhaps you're interested in narrowing your search for a psychotherapist that can offer psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), talk therapy, provide group therapy, marriage and family therapy for individuals or couples, or couples therapy. Each type of therapy can offer various benefits and address or treat different disorders. If you're still unsure or are new to counseling in Chula Vista, 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. These include licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and clinical psychologist or doctor of psychology (PsyD). Regardless of their licensure, they are trained to treat individuals and couples counseling, and sometimes children, in any type of therapy. Find a therapist under any of these distinctions and know that the sessions they offer can provide a safe place to heal.

Mental health professionals working through their own in- person therapy practice in Chula Vista or online may assist clients in improving healthy relationships, communication skills, working through life transitions, managing a mood disorder, improving coping skills, or change in negative thinking patterns. They may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain. 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 Chula Vista area in different types of therapy, including:

  • CBT
  • DBT
  • Substance use therapy
  • Couples therapy

When you're ready to start your search and find therapists, have in mind what type of therapy 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 Chula Vista, elsewhere in San Diego, or in the greater state of California.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Some other commonly asked questions on therapy with a licensed counselor and BetterHelp serving the Chula Vista area can be found below:

How does the cost of in-person counseling compare to the cost of BetterHelp with a licensed Chula Vista therapist?

The average price of an in-person therapy session in the US is $100 to $200 per hour. These prices may be higher in Chula Vista due to a higher cost of living. 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:

  • Counseling with a psychiatrist: $150-$500
  • Counseling with therapists: $100-300
  • Therapy with a psychologist: $100

While many psychologists in Chula Vista 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 BetterHelp or clinicians 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).

How is a licensed therapist on this online therapy platform verified?

Therapists in Chula Vista, 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. They 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, they 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 in therapy. 

Please note BetterHelp does not offer or provide care from psychiatrists to prescribe a drug as treatment, or perform psychological assessments.

How does working with a 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, and more. An online mental health professional, including the therapists in Chula Vista 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.

Through BetterHelp therapy, you can partake in video, phone, or live chat therapy sessions with your licensed therapist. You can work through various symptoms, use the in app journaling feature, and receive worksheets. You'll also find support groups or group therapy lead by a therapist in Chula Vista helping individuals on topics including managing life transitions, symptoms affecting sexual health, behavioral health, coping skills for anxiety or depression, trauma, stress, marriage counseling, and more. 

What mental health issues can psychotherapy address?

BetterHelp's verified Chula Vista 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.

Specialties on BetterHelp include:

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 Chula Vista therapy provider through BetterHelp's sister platform, ReGain, which is dedicated to couples and spouses worldwide. 

How do I know if online counseling is right for my family?

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.

A psychologist 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 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 Chula Vista therapist can help you confront these concerns and open up through unique methods of support. There are also many types of therapy, such as art therapy, where you may find you can express yourself through creativity instead of words.

With a lot of people in CA, providers 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 91921 or the surrounding zip codes, consider others available through the BetterHelp site. No matter if you are seeking help in your area or beyond, online therapy can be a great option.

How should I prepare for my first therapy session with a Chula Vista counselor?

Before seeing your therapist, prep for your session by reading to understand the therapy 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, let them know if you have any concerns about therapy or feel unsure about what to talk about. They may help guide you with open-ended therapeutic questions. The first session will often serve as an intake to get to know you as a person and learn why you're attending therapy.

Should I find a therapist or psychologist 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 therapy entails. Although psychologists often support people with mental health conditions, 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 feedback and advice. A Chula Vista 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 through therapy 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.

Is mental health care and therapy worth it? 

Therapy 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. A psychologist 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 professional 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 psychologist in Chula Vista, 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.

Chula Vista has many clinicians who practice person or client-centered individual therapy in-person and through online therapy to assist clients in their healing journey. If you opt into online therapy, you might also be able to meet with providers all over the United States and change therapists 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 therapy.

Do therapists judge you in therapy sessions?

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 online counseling platform

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 therapists at BetterHelp to understand the services available to you clearly. If you are new to therapy or have any questions about the services and terms, please reach out 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.

If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, don't use this site's online services. If you are in life-threatening danger, call 911. If you require support for a crisis, reach out to the hotlines below:

A woman meets with a therapist online in her home city of Chula Vista.

Below are some of the zip codes served by BetterHelp therapists in Chula Vista:

91902, 91908, 91909, 91910, 91911, 91912, 91913, 91914, 91915, 91921

Popular cities near Chula Vista, CA

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