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
Showing providers who list that they are accepting new clients.
Select Update results after changing or clearing a selection.
“I work with clients who need complex trauma therapy, or a different trauma therapy, if previous attempts have not worked.”
“I work with high-achieving women of color who may appear strong and capable on the outside while privately navigating emotional exhaustion, relationship struggles, anxiety, unresolved trauma, or patterns that keep repeating. I support women working through childhood, relational, and generational trauma, PTSD/CPTSD, attachment concerns, codependency, grief, and difficulties with boundaries and self-trust. My work is especially supportive for women who are ready to understand the experiences shaping their relationships, heal old emotional wounds, and reconnect with themselves with greater confidence, authenticity, and emotional freedom.”
“Some days you hold it all together. Other days, the weight is harder to hide, restless nights, a tightness in your chest, a feeling of being untethered. You may also see it in your teen: the spark dimming, smiles fading, or unexplained aches and tension. What you want is simple, but feels far away, ease, connection, a sense of safety in your own skin. Therapy can be a place to gently untangle what’s been carried too long, helping you or your child feel lighter, more grounded, and more connected to yourself and others.”
“You’re feeling overwhelmed, overstimulated, or emotionally stuck, even though you’re doing your best. You may be navigating relationships, parenting, work, or family dynamics that feel draining or hard to manage. You want more clarity, calm, and confidence in how you show up, but patterns of stress and exhaustion keep getting in the way. You’re looking for support that feels practical, validating, and attuned to how your mind and nervous system work. If you’re feeling stuck, burned out, or unsure how to move forward — you’re not alone, and support is here.”
“Blueprint Evaluations, founded by licensed educational psychologist Chelsea Quann, provides specialized psychoeducational assessments for secondary students and young adults in California. The practice focuses on diagnosing learning disorders, ADHD, and autism to secure vital academic accommodations for college transitions and high-stakes professional exams.”
“I help clients manage stressors tied to school, work, and identity. Since everyone feels differently, I tailor my approach, integrating tools to regulate emotions while honoring the unique systems and environments you live in. Many of the people I work with come to therapy feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, OCD, ADHD, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, or emotions that feel difficult to manage. Others are navigating life transitions, identity development, family conflict, or the unique challenges that come with growing up in today’s world. I especially like helping clients better understand themselves, strengthen their relationships, and develop practical tools they can use long after therapy ends. I enjoy working with children and tweens with big emotions, with a strong emphasis on parent involvement. I also have a passion for working with children of immigrant families and individuals navigating cultural or generational experiences within their families.”
“I work with couples experiencing ongoing conflict, emotional disconnection, and recurring relationship challenges who want to rebuild trust and strengthen their connection. I also support individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, insecurity, unresolved trauma, or persistent emotional distress, even when they understand logically that things "should" be okay. My goal is to help clients develop healthier relationships with themselves and those they love.”
“I work with clients who appear to be holding things together but feels overwhelmed, scattered, or constantly on edge beneath the surface. I help those who struggle with focus, overthinking, or anxiety. They’re seeking thoughtful, efficient psychiatric care that helps them feel calmer, more focused, and more confident—so they can show up better in their daily life, be more present for those they care for.”
“LGBTQ+, Men's Issues, Self-Esteem, Life Transitions, Anxiety, Depression”
“When you're finally in a safe enough place in your life, the been difficult experiences or harmful relationships you've been through can come back to haunt you. You can go from being the person who has it all together, to unraveling as these experiences start to impact your work, your relationships, and your mood. You might be thinking “I just want to move on with my life. I should be over this already.” But no matter how many times you try to move on, you still feel stuck. You are not alone. I specialize in working with people who have experienced trauma at the hands of another person, including sexual assault or abuse, physical abuse or neglect, emotional abuse or neglect, and verbal abuse.”
“Adults, Men, Couples. Specialties: Addiction (Substance, Alcohol, Porn, Sex). Infidelity, Affairs. Sexual Trauma.”
“I work with adults and couples looking for support along their sexual journey. Most clients are seeking guidance in relation to their possible mismatched desire with their partner, healing through sexual trauma, psychoeducation around sex and intimacy, learning new communication skills to have vulnerable conversations about sex with both themselves and their partner, sexual dysfunction concerns, and more.”
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.
