Find a therapist in California — covered by insurance
Top therapists in California accepting new patients
Headway brings mental health support to California residents with 8,439 empowering providers ready to help. With sessions available virtually or in-person and accepted by 70+ insurance plans, many clients save significantly on their mental health care.
Hi! My name is Kary and I am a Chinese-American transnational adoptee living in San Francisco, CA. I grew up in San Francisco, but spent a decade living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest (Oregon & Washington) where I completed a Masters in Social Work at the University of Washington and worked with unhoused young adults and young girls of color in various non-profit settings. I returned to San Francisco seven years ago and have been working as a community-based therapist for children, youth, and families, as well as supervising a team of therapists in a Dialectical Behavioral Therapy clinic.
I will join you on your healing journey and support you with compassion and education/tools. I will ask thought-provoking questions, challenge limiting beliefs, help you with grief, and celebrate your wins. I enjoy working with adults with giftedness, ADHD/AuDHD, echoism, and the anxiety that can accompany those traits in the modern world. I want you to thrive.
Whether you are going through a life transition, struggling to cope with the challenges thrown your way, or simply needing a space to feel heard, I enjoy supporting clients in becoming the next version of themselves.
I believe healing happens in the context of safe and supportive relationships. At Hope Restored Counseling, my goal is to walk alongside you with compassion and understanding as you work through life’s challenges. Whether you’re working through relationship struggles, stress, or personal growth, I provide a nonjudgmental space where you can feel truly heard. My clients often share that they feel encouraged, cared for, and empowered in our work together. I want you to know that you don’t have to do this alone—there is hope, and I’m here to help you restore it.
I'm a first-generation, openly gay, Asian American therapist with a unique understanding and experience working with a broad spectrum of individuals.
Professional Journey
Melissa became licensed in California in 2010 as an LCSW, following her Master’s Degree. Since then, she has continued learning and growing. Her career began in 2006, working with families experiencing various crises and trauma. Melissa has pursued additional training to specialize further. She has worked with depression, life transition issues, anxiety, panic disorders, identify questions, and lgbtqia populations.
Specialized Training
Melissa is trained in somatic therapy and EMDR therapy, which are effective for treating clients with experiences of sexual abuse and assault. She has also studied sexuality and somatic sex therapy, coaching clients on how to reconnect erotically with themselves and others.
About our therapists serving California
- 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
- 1%In-person only
- 80%Woman
- 19%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 a Therapist in California
Searching for therapists in California means choosing from a wide and varied mental health care landscape. Available therapists and areas of focus can differ across urban, suburban, and rural parts of the state, so it helps to start with what you want support for. You might look for a therapist with experience in anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, grief, or major life changes. From there, review each therapist’s listed specialties, therapy style, and background to see whether their training matches what you want from care.
Location and format also shape your search. In Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and other parts of California, you may find therapists who offer in-person sessions, virtual sessions, or both. Some people prefer meeting in an office, while others choose virtual appointments for schedule fit or access outside their immediate area. As you compare therapists, look at appointment availability, whether they offer a free phone consultation, and how they describe their approach. A therapist’s bio can help you understand what sessions may be like before you book.
The cost of therapy in California varies, and using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to lower session costs. Headway helps you find California therapists who are accepting new patients, match your preferences, and may take your insurance. Nationally, Headway partners with over 100 insurance plans, and you can enter your plan details to see your estimated out-of-pocket cost before booking. From there, you can browse therapists, review bios, and book directly when you’re ready.
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