Find a therapist in California — covered by insurance


Top therapists in California accepting new patients
Headway brings mental health support to California residents with 9,083 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.
I believe the best work happens when you feel comfortable, understood, and supported. My goal is to create a space where you can be yourself—no pressure, no judgment, and no need to have everything figured out before you start. We’ll work together to explore what’s bringing you in, what matters most to you, and what you’d like to change or better understand.
I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all approaches. Each person is different, so our work will be tailored to your needs, your goals, and your pace. Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, going through a transition, or simply wanting to better understand yourself, I’m here to help you move forward in a way that feels manageable and authentic.
What I Bring to Our Work
- A welcoming, nonjudgmental space
- Thoughtful listening and honest, compassionate feedback
- A balance of insight and practical tools you can use outside of sessions
- Support that’s personalized to you, not a preset formula
If you’re looking for someone who is easy to talk to, genuinely supportive, and invested in your growth, I’d be glad to work with you and see if we’re a good fit.
Perhaps you are visiting today to obtain answers to confusion, peace in the torment, clarity from the chaos, healing from the pain. Maybe you just want someone to understand your pain. You might be feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or hopeless. Whatever your reasoning may be, I am dedicated to help you achieve hope and healing. Thank you for taking the first step to work toward your personal healing journey.
I’m Elba Alvarado, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. My work is rooted in the belief that healing begins in relationships — with ourselves, with others, and with the stories we carry. I hold space for people navigating the quiet weight of expectations, the complexity of identity, and the patterns that shape how we show up in the world.
I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Vanguard University and my Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Azusa Pacific University and I have been providing therapy since 2018.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in California with a Master’s degree from the University of Southern California. I’ve worked in the mental health field for over a decade and have spent the past eight years providing therapy to adolescents and adults. My work focuses on supporting clients through challenges related to self‐esteem, anxiety, family and peer relationships, body image, depression, academic and work stress, grief and loss, and anger management.
Great to meet you!
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and I’m really glad you’re here. Reaching out for support isn’t always easy, so taking this step already says a lot about your willingness to grow. I work with clients navigating anxiety, stress, relationship challenges, and patterns that can feel hard to break. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the same cycles or unsure why certain things keep coming up, you’re not alone — and that’s exactly the kind of work we can explore together.
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
- 10%In-person or online
- 1%In-person only

- 79%Woman
- 20%Man
- 1%Non-binary

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

- 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.
Browse by city
Explore the cities patients search for most.- Los Angeles, CA
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- La Palma, CA
- Auburn, CA
- Los Alamitos, CA
- Sierra Madre, CA
- Westlake Village, CA
- Sebastopol, CA
- Ojai, CA
- Nevada City, CA






































