Find a therapist in Santa Cruz, CA — covered by insurance


Top therapists in Santa Cruz, CA accepting new patients
Headway serves Santa Cruz across all neighborhoods, connecting you with 8,398 warm and solution-oriented providers. Get started with a free intake call, find availability as soon as tomorrow, and benefit from insurance coverage that can reduce your session costs significantly.
Weather you have been considering therapy, worked with therapy in the past or loved ones are suggesting reaching out-welcome to my practice. I work with individuals, couples and families in the assessment and treatment of anxiety, depression, relationship issues, career issues, job dissatisfaction. My specialty areas included the assessment and treatment of Perinatal and Postpartum Depression/Anxiety and Grief and Loss.
I was always drawn to people who went unseen or unheard. Others told me I had a calm voice and that they could tell me anything. That led to a lifelong study of how people free themselves from their own patterns, later deepened by psychoanalysis and professional work in eating disorders, addiction treatment, and managed care settings like Kaiser.
I work in a collaborative process with older teens (15yrs old and above), couples, and individual adults who are motivated to find their inner voice and know their highest selves. My clients are focused on setting boundaries, assertive and effective communication skills, healthy relationships, self-advocacy, and self-efficacy. My clients are willing to reflect on sessions outside of the therapeutic hour, and are receptive to occasional homework. I am here to meet you halfway.
Hello, I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in California. I received my Doctorate Degree from Alliant International University in Fresno. I was born in Southern California and raised in the Bay Area. I have been practicing for 10 years and I enjoy empowering adults in their journey of overcoming their mental health challenges. I motivate clients for change and promote their personal growth.
Hi! I'm Olivia. I've been in therapy practice for six years, and am grateful for the opportunity to get to know you! As a queer and neurodivergent person, my career as a therapist has always moved in tandem with my commitment to social and economic justice. My work has taken me to settings with folks experiencing homelessness in South Los Angeles; with justice-involved adults in treatment court diversion programs in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood; in young adult shelters for art therapy groups; with low-income immigrant parents of young children; and with teens and young adults with significant trauma histories.
Through all my roles I always commit to centering community and individual strengths that help arm my clients with the tools necessary to repel various types of systemic violence and oppression. I believe that therapy is inherently political because being human is political.
Hello, I'm Dr. Judy C Kelly, PsyD, LMFT. I'm a licensed marriage and family therapist in California with over ten years of experience working with teens, adults and couples. I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Southern California (USC), graduate studies at Argosy University and doctorate at California Southern University.
Life can feel overwhelming at times, whether you're dealing with depression, relationship challenges, parenting stress, trauma, or grief. You don't have to navigate it alone. I provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you can feel heard, understood, and empowered.
I’m a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who believes mental health care should feel human—not rushed or impersonal.
I provide a non-judgmental space where you can speak openly and feel understood. My approach integrates thoughtful medication management with psychotherapy when appropriate, always tailored to your individual needs.
Diagnosis can be an important part of understanding your experience, but it’s only one piece of the picture. I look at your mental, physical, and emotional well-being, as well as the life experiences that shape what you’re going through.
I offer collaborative, grounded care to help you move toward a more balanced, integrative, and holistic sense of well-being.
My clients describe me as relatable, supportive, and easy to open up to. As a first-generation Latina and part of the same generation as many of my clients, I understand the unique pressures young adults face—from family expectations to finding your own path—and I’m here to help you navigate it all with empathy and real-world perspective.
About our therapists serving Santa Cruz, CA



- 98%Anxiety
- 92%Depression
- 88%Stress management
- 82%Relationship issues
- 79%Trauma

- 98%Aetna
- 79%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 76%Cigna
- 75%Anthem Blue Cross California
- 66%Blue Shield of California

- 97%English
- 17%Spanish
- 2%Farsi
- 1%Mandarin
- 1%Hindi

- 89%Online only
- 11%In-person or online

- 80%Woman
- 20%Man
- 1%Non-binary

- 48%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist
- 31%Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- 7%Clinical Psychologist
- 7%Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
- 6%Nurse Practitioner

- 100%Individual therapy
- 37%Family therapy
- 23%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 an Anxiety Therapist in Santa Cruz
Searching for therapists in Santa Cruz starts with finding someone whose experience matches what you want support with. Therapists may focus on concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, grief, ADHD, or life transitions. As you compare options, look for training and specialties that fit your needs, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, couples counseling, family therapy, or work with a licensed marriage and family therapist. A therapist’s bio can help you understand their approach, communication style, and what sessions may look like.
In a smaller city like Santa Cruz, local in-person therapy options may be more limited by office location, commute, and appointment times. Virtual therapy can expand your choices while still connecting you with a therapist licensed in California. Some people prefer meeting in a physical office, while others choose virtual sessions for scheduling flexibility. To narrow your search, review whether a therapist is accepting new patients, has appointment times that fit your calendar, offers a free phone consultation, and works with the type of support you’re seeking, including couples counseling, marriage counseling, or family therapy.
Therapy in Santa Cruz can be a significant investment without insurance. Using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to reduce session costs and see your estimated cost before you book. Headway helps you compare therapists who are accepting new patients, review detailed profiles, check insurance coverage, and book directly when you’re ready. This makes it easier to find a Santa Cruz therapist who matches your needs, accepts your plan, and offers care in a format that works for you.
If you're experiencing or worried about violence, threats, or coercion in your relationship, couples therapy isn't usually the right starting point — individual support is safer. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788\) can help you think through next steps.
If anyone in your family is experiencing or worried about abuse, threats, or coercion, joint family or couples therapy usually isn't the right starting point — individual support is safer. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-422-4453) and National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788\) can help you think through next steps.
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