In California, the challenge is not always finding a therapist nearby. Sometimes it is finding the right fit in a state where traffic, long drives, and regional differences can make care harder to access than it may seem. This page helps you browse California-licensed providers who offer online care, so you can compare options in one place and focus on the kind of support that feels right for you.
Use the filters to narrow your search by specialty, therapy modality, language, age group, insurance, and type of service, including therapy and medication management. You can also compare payment options, such as in network benefits, out of network reimbursement with a superbill when available, and self pay.
Type of care
Specialty
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“Adult and elder individuals only”
“I work with adults 18+ across the lifespan, both individually and in couples counseling. I specialize in working with neurodivergent folks, perinatal mental health, LGBTQIA+ and folks in the ENM/polyam and kink communities, especially BIPOC folks at the intersections of any of these.”
“I work with individuals, children, and families who are navigating trauma, relational challenges, and emotional pain. I support clients who want to reduce distress, work through difficult experiences, strengthen their relationships, and build greater resilience.”
“I work with children, teens, young adults, and adults, as well as couples seeking to strengthen their connection. Whether you are navigating the hurdles of growing up, the pressures of adulthood, or the complexities of partnership, I provide a steady, non-judgmental space to heal. My practice focuses on helping clients break free from the grip of depression, anxiety, and chronic stress. I also have a deep commitment to those processing trauma, helping you move from a state of survival toward lasting stability. No matter the stage of life or the dynamic of your relationship, we will work together to dismantle the obstacles in your way and reclaim your peace.”
“I work with high-functioning adults who are tired of their own patterns. You're intelligent, self-aware, and have probably tried to think your way out of things that thinking alone can't fix. You might be navigating anxiety that never fully turns off, burnout that's crept into everything, trauma you've carried longer than you should have, or relationships that keep hitting the same walls. My clients are people who know something needs to change — they just haven't found an approach that gets there. Many have tried traditional talk therapy and felt it only scratched the surface. They're ready to go deeper, work at the subconscious level, and actually come out different on the other side. I also work with expectant parents preparing for birth using hypnobirthing, and with individuals preparing for or integrating psychedelic and plant medicine experiences.”
“I specialize in working with youth, families, and adults to process their past traumas and adverse childhood experiences. I enjoy working with clients who are motivated to explore themselves, whether managing anxiety, processing trauma, enhancing personal growth, or strengthening relationships. Together, we’ll work at your pace to help you feel empowered and aligned with your goals. I believe that meaningful growth is possible for everyone, and I’m here to help you take the next steps toward the life you want. Parents are never given a handbook on parenting their child. So what do you do when they act out, have a tantrum, or struggle emotionally? As a certified PCIT clinician and trainer, I can help you learn positive parenting skills to enhance your parent-child relationship and provide appropriate discipline strategies to manage difficult behaviors.”
“I work primarily with couples navigating sexual issues, infidelity, and relationship crossroads — including couples on the brink of divorce who aren't sure whether to stay or go. Many come to me after a betrayal that has shaken everything, or around sexual disconnection, mismatched desire, or questions about what they want that they've never felt comfortable enough to ask out loud. I also work with individuals who want to understand and embody their sexuality more deeply and become more self-expressed in all areas of life, and those struggling with out-of-control sexual behavior. I'm LGBTQ+ and kink-affirming, and competent in working with ethically non-monogamous relationships. If you're dealing with something too intimate or complicated to bring to just anyone, you're in the right place.”
“Are you struggling with feeling stuck, wanting a change but don't know what it is or how to get it? Life can be hard at times and even more challenging at others. The feelings of stress, anxiety and depression are signs we are not happy and need something different or new. Left unvalidated or ignored only makes the voices become louder and emotions stronger. Areas of Focus: Feelings of not being good enough. Identifying relationship / attachment patterns that are keeping you stuck and preventing you from getting your wants and needs met. Feelings of loneliness and lack of connection. Flow States / Performance Enhancement - Helping creatives and athletes find or rediscover flow states. Weight Loss Management (GLP-1) - Creating a lifestyle of balance between mental, physical and nutritional wellbeing while on weight loss meds. Psychedelic Integration - Integrating a journey / experience”
“I have made a point to get experience helping people navigate multiple types of challenges. Some challenges I support people with include neurodivergence, anxiety, life transitions, relationships with body image, and relationships with food. I have made a point to seek training and experience to support those in the LGBTQ+ community. I also provider relational counseling and support relationships that might incorporate Kink or ENM practices.”
“I work with adults from diverse walks of life and am particularly interested in supporting Porn and Sex Addicts, Asian Americans, Christians, and Veterans. My focus is to help you examine, grasp, and manage your difficulties to nurture your well-being.”
“Feeling down or anxious? Navigating a life transition? Struggling in your relationships or with parenting issues? These are just a few of the common concerns I see in my practice. I work with individuals of all ages, couples, families, teens, and children. Come join me in a safe, compassionate space where together we can explore what’s going on beneath the surface. I can help you face life’s challenges, deepen your self-understanding, and guide you towards more satisfying ways of living and relating.”
“I work primarily with young adults navigating past trauma, anxiety, identity exploration (religious, gender, sexuality, or a deeper sense of belonging), life transitions, family conflict, and emotional dysregulation.”
For many people, online therapy in California offers more flexibility and a wider range of choices. It can make it easier to look beyond the nearest office and focus on the kind of support you actually want, whether you are looking for help with trauma, anxiety, relationships, parenting stress, burnout, neurodivergence, or care for a child or teen. Remote care can also save time in a state where getting across town may take longer than expected and where the right specialist may be in another city or region.
Online care can be especially practical in California because everyday logistics are not always simple. In major metro areas, traffic, parking, and long commutes can make in person appointments harder to keep, while in other parts of the state the challenge may be distance or limited local specialty care. Wildfire season, regional weather, work travel, and school schedules can also affect how easy it is to stay consistent with appointments. The resources below can help you verify licenses, review crisis supports, and explore public mental health options if you need a lower cost place to start.
Because California is so large, it often helps to start with your non-negotiables instead of your ZIP code. You can filter by specialty, therapy modality, language, age group, insurance, and whether you are looking for therapy or medication management. Then spend a little time with the profiles. Look for clues about the provider’s style, experience, and availability, and notice who feels like they may understand what you want help with. Reaching out to a few good options can make it easier to compare fit before you commit.
Beyond confirming that the therapist can see clients in California, it can be helpful to ask what kinds of concerns they work with most often, what early sessions usually feel like, and how they approach treatment. You may also want to ask about cost, insurance, scheduling, and whether they offer a consultation. The first conversation does not need to tell you everything, but it should help you get a sense of whether you feel comfortable, understood, and interested in working with them.
Not necessarily. A therapist may live in California or somewhere else. What matters more is whether they are authorized to work with clients who are physically in California during the session. If you travel out of state, your therapist may or may not be able to continue seeing you while you are away, since that can depend on the rules of the state where you are located at the time. If travel is likely to be part of your routine, it is worth discussing that before you begin, and our find a therapist licensed in multiple states page may also help.
Depending on the provider, you may find individual therapy, child or teen therapy, couples counseling, family therapy, group therapy, medication management, and testing and evaluations. The right option depends on what kind of support you want and what each provider offers through telehealth.
In California, county systems are often the front door for public mental health care. The Department of Health Care Services directs people seeking non-crisis mental health services or information to their County Mental Health Department, and its County Mental Health Plan contact list can help you find the right county contact. For crisis support, California 988 is available statewide, and 211 California can help connect you with local services.
Use the official board lookup tools. For LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs, the Board of Behavioral Sciences directs consumers to the DCA License Search. Psychologists can be checked through the Board of Psychology, physicians through the Medical Board of California, and nursing licenses through the Board of Registered Nursing.
Often, yes. Many California plans cover online therapy. In California, if your plan covers a therapy visit in person, it generally cannot refuse to cover that same service just because it happens online. Your copay or coinsurance also should not be higher for a telehealth visit than it would be for the same appointment in person. It still helps to check whether the therapist is in network and what your plan will charge for each session. Many people compare three common payment options: using in-network benefits, paying out of pocket and requesting possible out-of-network reimbursement with a superbill if the practice offers one, or choosing self pay. Before the first appointment, ask about session fees, billing timing, and cancellation policy.
For most online therapy appointments, it is best to meet from a secure location with privacy and a reliable internet connection. A computer or laptop is usually ideal, though a phone or tablet may also work depending on the provider and platform. Most sessions happen by video, but depending on the provider and service, phone calls, texting, secure messaging, or email may also be part of telehealth or follow-up communication. Many providers also have their own policies about where sessions can take place, so it is best to check ahead of time if privacy or location may be an issue.
Yes, but the reasons can look different depending on where you live. In some parts of California, online therapy helps people avoid long commutes and packed schedules. In others, it opens up more options when local providers are limited. Seasonal weather related issues such as wildfires, smoke, extreme heat, storms, flooding, or power outages can make it harder to keep in-person appointments. All of that can make online care easier to keep up with.
Online therapy may not be the best fit if you are in immediate crisis, need emergency support, need a higher level of care, or do not have a private place for sessions. In those situations, in-person care or local crisis services may be a better fit. If you are in immediate danger or need urgent help, contact local emergency services or call or text 988 right away. California’s 988 program says support is available by call, text, or chat.
24/7 support by call, text, or chat for people in distress or worried about someone else.
State information on behavioral health programs and services, including how to access support.
Free emotional support resources for Californians, including warm line support and coaching tools.
Education, advocacy, and support resources for individuals and families.
License lookup and regulations for LMFT, LCSW, LPCC, and LEP professionals.
License verification and consumer information for psychologists in California.
Physician license lookup and consumer resources.
License verification for nurses and nurse practitioners.
Licensing and regulatory board for physician assistants in California. Use this site for license verification, applications and renewals, complaints, and the Physician Assistant Practice Act and regulations.
Browse another state or explore options for care in more than one state.
Need urgent support? Therapy Expanded is not a crisis service. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If you need urgent mental health, suicide, domestic violence, substance use, or LGBTQIA+ support, visit our crisis and mental health resources page.
