Find a therapist in California — covered by insurance


Top therapists in California accepting new patients
Headway brings mental health support to California residents with 9,015 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.
Are you ready to create a life worth living? I take a collaborative compassionate approach to help people work through trauma and manage anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges that may stand in the way of their goals. It’s always possible to learn new ways of thinking and behaving to live more effectively. I offer a safe, respectful space where you can share your experiences and begin to heal. Together, we’ll work toward improving your daily life and building the future you want.
A core priority in my work is helping clients reclaim the power of their voice. Therapy is most meaningful as a collaborative process where you are not only heard, but truly attempted to be known. As an Iranian American therapist, I understand the richness and complexity of holding multiple cultural identities. I especially enjoy supporting Highly Sensitive People (HSPs), as well working with teenagers and adults navigating identity formation, relationships, and the often tender process of growing into themselves
I'm a bilingual/bi-cultural Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in CA, w/ 9y of clinical experience. I've treated children, at-risk adolescents, adults and families in various settings, such as: in-home, school-based (k-12), telehealth, pediatric clinic & private practice. My therapeutic experiences are working with individuals to resolve symptoms including, but not limited to: anxiety, depression, ADHD, behavioral issues, divorce, relationships, grief, self-esteem, trauma, & family conflicts.
As an experienced therapist specializing in trauma, I partner with clients on their journey toward authentic living and deep healing. We combine evidence-based Western psychology with Eastern wisdom traditions to create lasting transformation.
I work well with sensitive, creative, and high achieving women who have experienced significant trauma and grief. Many of my clients experience anger, mood swings, emotional distress, and loss of "self". These women might identify as neurodivergent later in life.
Core areas: Complex/intergenerational trauma recovery; neurodivergent women; patterns of abuse and re-victimization; religious trauma; psycho-spiritual development and integration; self-worth/authentic identity work; life transitions, and personal growth.
Hello and welcome! My name is Shannon Merritt and I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT). I am based in Southern California and offer telehealth services to clients across the state. My expertise includes supporting individuals through life transitions, managing depression and anxiety, coping with loss, and addressing various mental health challenges. I am also passionate about helping people recover from addiction and/or trauma.
What is your approach to therapy?I draw from various modalities and tailor my approach to each individual and their specific needs. I aim to create a safe and supportive environment where clients feel at ease, can build resilience, and ultimately thrive. My communication style is straightforward, calm, and approachable. I offer clear and honest feedback in order to foster clients' wellbeing while developing hope for their future.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions, then dive into the specific challenges you're facing. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions. Clients can expect to develop valuable insight and gain the tools needed to make meaningful changes in their lives.
Hello, I’m Charles, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) dedicated to helping adults build healthier, more fulfilling lives. I work with individuals and couples facing anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, grief, relationship difficulties, self-esteem concerns, and major life transitions. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and grounded in trauma-informed care. I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental environment where you can openly explore your experiences, gain insight into patterns that may be holding you back, and develop the tools needed to heal, grow, and move forward with confidence.
I’m dedicated to helping clients create meaningful change through a collaborative, compassionate, and goal oriented approach. I specialize in crisis intervention and draw from proven, evidence-based therapies (EMDR, IFS, CBT, DBT, ERP) tailored to your unique needs. I believe every person’s story is unique, and I work to create a safe, supportive space where you can explore challenges, build on strengths, and move toward the life you want. I earned my Master’s in Educational & Clinical Counseling from Azusa Pacific University and have received specialized training in trauma focused care and crisis interventions. I’ve worked in community mental health settings, crisis intervention programs, and private practice; which has allowed me to support individuals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
With over 20 years of experience in the mental health field, I am passionate about guiding individuals on their journey to balance, mindfulness and joy. Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of working with diverse populations and addressing a wide range of mental health challenges. This journey has reinforced my belief that each person's path to well-being is unique and deserves a personalized approach.
My goals as your therapist to help you address the factors in life —personal, familial, spiritual, academic etc.— that weigh heavy on you. Also, I'll introduce interventions that empower you to manage and strive the changes you want to make in your daily life. I specialize in working with clients who struggle with depression and anxiety.
I’m Kali, and I have been licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in California since 2007. I want to help you have the relationships you want with yourself and with others. I have an MA in Applied Behavioral Science, with a concentration in Systems Counseling. What this means for you, practically speaking, is that as I work with you, I am also thinking about all of the other people, family and friends, co-workers and acquaintances, who are a part of and influential in your life, and you in theirs. I’m also thinking about the relationship you have with yourself, and how all of the parts of you, past, present and future interplay with each other and the world around you. Which is a long-winded way of saying I want to help you have the relationship you want with yourself and with others. I want you to find happiness, joy and health. I'd like to help you identify and meet your goals, and I am a warm, supportive presence whether or not you have any idea as to what your goals might be.
I have a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work, and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), working in private practice as a Psychotherapist. I live in Los Angeles, and work in-person or hybrid, with adults, teens, couples and the aging population. I specialize in anxiety, life transitions, relationship issues, work stress/dissatisfaction, career goals, sleep disorders, substance use, trauma (ptsd/complex/acute), obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD/OCPD), attention deficit disorders (ADD/ADHD). In addition I deal with grief, isolation, and breaking creative blocks.
I specialize in helping clients navigating trauma, anxiety, panic disorder, depression, LGBTQ+ issues, grief, & much more. I earned my MSW from New York University in 2011 and have worked as a forensic social worker in NYC at The Legal Aid Society & have also worked with Gay Men's Health Crisis, Services for the Underserved, Footsteps & Office of the Appellate Defender. I moved to Los Angeles in 2017 and have been in private practice since 2018.
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
- San Diego, CA
- San Jose, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Fresno, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- Long Beach, CA
- Oakland, CA
- Bakersfield, CA
- Anaheim, CA
- Santa Ana, CA
- Riverside, CA
- Stockton, CA
- Irvine, CA
- Chula Vista, CA
- Fremont, CA
- San Bernardino, CA
- Modesto, CA
- Fontana, CA
- Moreno Valley, CA
- Santa Clarita, CA
- Oxnard, CA
- Glendale, CA
- Huntington Beach, CA
- Ontario, CA
- Rancho Cucamonga, CA
- Santa Rosa, CA
- Oceanside, CA
- Elk Grove, CA
- Garden Grove, CA
- Corona, CA
- Hayward, CA
- Lancaster, CA
- Salinas, CA
- Palmdale, CA
- Sunnyvale, CA
- Escondido, CA
- Torrance, CA
- Roseville, CA
- Pasadena, CA
- Orange, CA
- Fullerton, CA
- Van Nuys, CA
- Visalia, CA
- Santa Clara, CA
- Concord, CA
- Thousand Oaks, CA
- Simi Valley, CA
- Victorville, CA
- Vallejo, CA
- Berkeley, CA
- Fairfield, CA
- Murrieta, CA
- Carlsbad, CA
- Temecula, CA
- Clovis, CA
- Costa Mesa, CA
- Antioch, CA
- Downey, CA
- Ventura, CA
- Inglewood, CA
- Santa Maria, CA
- West Covina, CA
- San Mateo, CA
- Rialto, CA
- Chico, CA
- El Cajon, CA
- Burbank, CA
- Vista, CA
- Vacaville, CA
- San Marcos, CA
- Menifee, CA
- Tracy, CA
- Mission Viejo, CA
- Redding, CA
- Santa Barbara, CA
- Santa Monica, CA
- Citrus Heights, CA
- North Hollywood, CA
- Redwood City, CA
- Lake Forest, CA
- Hemet, CA
- Whittier, CA
- Newport Beach, CA
- Alhambra, CA
- Mountain View, CA
- Pleasanton, CA
- Folsom, CA
- Tustin, CA
- Napa, CA
- Alameda, CA
- Upland, CA
- Panorama City, CA
- Apple Valley, CA
- Redlands, CA
- Walnut Creek, CA
- Camarillo, CA
- Rocklin, CA
- Northridge, CA
- Woodland Hills, CA
- Redondo Beach, CA
- Laguna Niguel, CA
- Palo Alto, CA
- Santa Cruz, CA
- San Clemente, CA
- Encinitas, CA
- Petaluma, CA
- Gardena, CA
- La Mesa, CA
- San Rafael, CA
- Arcadia, CA
- Colton, CA
- Sherman Oaks, CA
- Palm Springs, CA
- San Luis Obispo, CA
- Covina, CA
- La Jolla, CA
- Encino, CA
- Brea, CA
- Campbell, CA
- Studio City, CA
- Culver City, CA
- Valencia, CA
- Monrovia, CA
- Claremont, CA
- Manhattan Beach, CA
- Beverly Hills, CA
- Laguna Hills, CA
- Los Gatos, CA
- Atascadero, CA
- South Pasadena, CA
- Newhall, CA
- Calabasas, CA
- Laguna Beach, CA
- Yucca Valley, CA
- Arcata, CA
- El Segundo, CA
- La Palma, CA
- Auburn, CA
- Los Alamitos, CA
- Sierra Madre, CA
- Westlake Village, CA
- Sebastopol, CA
- Ojai, CA
- Nevada City, CA







































