Find a therapist in Lake Forest, CA — covered by insurance


Top therapists in Lake Forest, CA accepting new patients
Lake Forest residents can access holistic mental health support through Headway's extensive network of 9,007 providers. From Foothill Ranch to neighboring Orange County areas, find empowering therapists offering flexible in-person or virtual sessions. Free intake consultations available, with many clients saving significantly through insurance coverage.
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Berkeley, CA, and I’ve worked in mental health care since 2012. My background includes community-based work, trauma-informed care, and leadership in training and clinical development. I earned my MSW from NYU and specialize in treating anxiety, self-esteem challenges, and life transitions. I enjoy working with adults navigating changes - career shifts, identity questions, or simply trying to feel more at home in themselves. Clients often say they feel safe, understood, and more at ease after we talk. I believe therapy works best with a good sense of humor - even in hard sessions, there’s room for relief and laughter.
I have been working in private practice for a few years and before that I worked in non-profits with a variety of individuals and groups. I am the parent of two adult sons and have three grandchildren that I thoroughly enjoy spending time with. I have an educational background in the study of philosophy, spirituality and counseling psychology. I have experience with helping people with histories of trauma, severe mental illness, as well as, symptoms of anxiety and depression. I also have experience and some expertise with clients struggling with substance use.
I am a bicultural, 55-year-old and very proud father of two adolescents. In this growing age of isolation and need for sincere, genuine human connection, it has never been more important to regain our sense of control and serenity. The foundation of our work together is based on restoring this basic human need. I believe the answers lie in the path itself, not just in reaching the destination. Together, we will learn to welcome challenges as opportunities.
I specialize in helping children, families, and adults navigate anxiety, depression, grief, family stress, and men's mental health. I work with clients from infants and toddlers through adults, which means I can support the whole family, not just one person. I don't believe in one-size-fits-all therapy, and I won't treat you like a checklist. The work I do is practical, collaborative, and focused on helping you direct your life, not just understand it.
Thank you for considering me. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California. I have a Masters in Social Work from the University of Southern California where I studied Adult Mental Health an Wellness and Military Social Work. I specialize in the Veteran and First Responder populations.
As a Nurse Practitioner, I believe healthcare should be a partnership, not a prescription. My approach combines advanced clinical skills with a deep commitment to patient advocacy, ensuring every individual has the tools and confidence to take charge of their health. I specialize in creating personalized treatment plans that honor the whole person — mind, body, and spirit. Whether I’m diagnosing, prescribing, or simply listening, my mission is to make every patient feel seen, heard, and cared for. I strive to turn sessions into moments of trust, learning, and hope."
I am board certified in Family Practice as well as Psychiatry and have been in practice for 25 year. I work with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, bipolar disorder, as well as address physical symptoms or issues that may affect mental health. I hold a Doctorate degree in education and Master Degrees in Advance Practice Nursing and education.
Robert Troy Vander Zwart obtained his Master's Degree at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary and has over 25 years of experience. Prior to beginning in his private practice Troy worked in a variety of clinical settings. Troy's specialty is counseling individuals with symptoms of depression and anxiety and who have experienced trauma. He also has a passion for couples counseling, marriage and pre-marriage counseling, and family therapy.
Hello, my name is Tamra Smith. I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in Sacramento, CA. I have over 20 years of experience in the field of Mental Health Services, especially providing therapy and consultation. My practice name is Path to Wellbeing Therapy Services, and I truly lead each person on a path to their own emotional health and wellbeing.
I use family systems thinking to understand how relationships shape your experiences, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I'm also interested in how attachment styles influence your choices and connections. I believe in meeting you where you are and tailoring our work to what fits you best.
You may have held doubts about talk therapy and perhaps are thinking therapy may not work at all for what you are dealing with. Psychotherapy like all science is continually changing. Both new and long held approaches to well-being are vast. I invite you to consider Brainspotting before you rule out therapy entirely. My role as a Brainspotting clinician is to offer you support, as you discover your innate capacity for positive self change. I specialize in trauma focused therapy, specializing in treating anxiety disorders. I focus on various forms of addiction, OCD, behavioral issues, depression, bi-polar and mood disorders.
I am a masters level trained Brainspotting clinician and a U.S. Army veteran. I believe in facilitating change in a supportive environment, following and observing your amazing capacity to heal from trauma in your therapeutic work. I work with veterans, first-responders, and other populations struggling with unresolved trauma and anxiety disorders.
Your unique circumstances are to be understood, honored respected and explored in a judgement free, supportive and caring environment. The issues that you bring into therapy remain entirely up to you. I will listen to your wants and needs; joining you on the journey towards your desired sense of well-being.
In my studies at Antioch, I have specialized in Spiritual and Depth Psychology with CBT, DBT, Humanistic-Existential, Client-Centered, Gestalt Theories, Mindfulness, and based on my past experiences have developed a passion for working with a variety of diverse population from 12 years old children and their families to elder adults. I also took courses on World Religions and Women Role in Religion at CSUN, studied in Rabbinical School (AISH Ha’Torah) in Jerusalem, with Buddhist Guru in Nepal and a Hindu Guru in India with knowledge of Vedic (Vedantic), Hindu, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Tradition.
For over 15 years being on spiritual path and self-discovery journey, I became a Spiritual Guide, Reiki Master, and a Minister. Lead Spiritual Retreats and trainings around the world, including, India, Nepal, Tibet, Russia, Ukraine. This experience prepared me to work with people from a diversity of backgrounds and cultures.
Worked with a vast variety of symptoms and problems providing needed support to my clients suffering from trauma, anxiety, depression, PTSD, low self-esteem. All of these issues and symptoms have a point to make for us to understand our selves better. Working with adolescents in Residential Treatment Centers, Transitional Youth Living Programs, adult and veterans of all ages, there is one common denominator - if you want your life to be better, we can find your individual path and you might become your own Master. We'll apply, or challenge, your believe system, to make positive changes.
I help my clients resolve their problems, learn coping skills, and set their spiritual and/or religious path. Increasing client's understanding of self and accepting life with all the pluses and minuses, learning from the past without the judgment might be a difficult goal to achieve.
It is my prayer to build a practice that helps you reach a place where your mental health is truly at the forefront. My hope is that with each appointment—and each day—you feel supported in moving closer to the best version of yourself.
About our therapists located within 20 miles of Lake Forest, CA



- 98%Anxiety
- 96%Depression
- 83%Stress management
- 77%Relationship issues
- 75%Trauma

- 97%Aetna
- 74%Anthem Blue Cross California
- 72%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 62%Cigna
- 50%Providence Health Plan

- 97%English
- 18%Spanish
- 4%Farsi
- 2%Hindi
- 2%Mandarin

- 93%In-person or online
- 7%In-person only

- 79%Woman
- 21%Man

- 48%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist
- 18%Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- 17%Nurse Practitioner
- 11%Clinical Psychologist
- 7%Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

- 100%Individual therapy
- 34%Family therapy
- 22%Couples therapy
- 15%Child or adolescent therapy
Frequently asked questions


Find the right therapist for you
Headway makes it easy to find support for your mental health — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Therapist in Lake Forest
Searching for therapists in Lake Forest starts with knowing what kind of support you want and which therapist’s experience matches it. People often look for therapy for anxiety, depression, grief, relationship concerns, trauma, life changes, or work stress. As you compare therapists, look for specialties and approaches that fit your needs, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, or trauma-informed care. A therapist’s profile can also show how they describe their style, what concerns they often support, and what you can expect in sessions.
In a smaller city like Lake Forest, local in-person appointment options may be more limited than in larger parts of Orange County. Virtual therapy can expand your options while still letting you work with a therapist licensed in California. Some people prefer an office visit close to home, work, or nearby areas like Foothill Ranch, while others choose virtual sessions for schedule flexibility. As you narrow your search, compare appointment times, whether the therapist is accepting new clients, and whether they offer a free phone consultation. Reading bios before booking can help you understand communication style, session structure, and fit.
Therapy in Lake Forest can be a significant expense without insurance. Using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to lower session costs and understand what you may pay before care begins. Headway helps you search for therapists who match your preferences, take a wide range of insurance plans, and offer in-person or virtual appointments. You can enter your insurance details, see estimated out-of-pocket costs before booking, review therapist profiles, and book directly when you’re ready.
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