Trauma Therapists in California

Finding a therapist who has knowledge and experience in trauma can be one of the most important factors that therapy seekers look for in a provider. Trauma is generally considered to be a psychological injury that occurs in reaction to an intensely distressing experience. Types of trauma experiences can range from upsetting events, such as an accident or the loss of a loved one, to more extreme events, such as sexual assault, war, or a natural disaster. Following such an adverse event, it’s normal and natural to experience a short period of psychological distress. Symptoms present differently from person-to-person but often include feelings of fear, anxiety, sadness, anger, and guilt; sleep and appetite problems are also common. A majority of people find that these symptoms settle down in the days and weeks following the trauma and are then able to move on.

469 Matching Therapists with Availability

Jonathan  Newsum's profile picture
Vetted

Jonathan Newsum

Therapist

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Addiction - Anxiety - Couples counseling - Depression - Developmental disorders
 In-person & online

Next available consults:

New Birth Family Counseling's profile picture
Vetted

New Birth Family Counseling

Group practice

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Body image - Child mental health - Depression - Eating disorders & disordered eating - Relationship issues
 In-person & online
Lauren  Siegel's profile picture
Vetted

Lauren Siegel

Therapist

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Anxiety - Depression - Life transitions - Parenting - Childhood trauma
Online only

Next available consults:

Jenny  Werba's profile picture
Vetted

Jenny Werba

Therapist

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Infertility counseling - Pregnancy, perinatal, postpartum mental health - Loss, grief, and bereavement - Couples counseling - Parenting
Online only

Next available consults:

Manali  Deolalkar's profile picture
Vetted

Manali Deolalkar

Therapist

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - ADHD - Relationship issues - Work stress - Women's issues - LGBTQIA, gender, & sexuality topics
 In-person & online

Next available consults:

Lily Theresa Gatica's profile picture
Vetted

Lily Theresa Gatica

Therapist

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Anxiety - Life transitions - Loss, grief, and bereavement - Couples counseling - First or Second Generation Hispanic/Latinx Adults
Online only

Next available consults:

Fabian  Escobedo's profile picture
Vetted

Fabian Escobedo

Therapist

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Alcohol use disorder & addiction - Anxiety - College & graduate student mental health - Family issues - Childhood trauma
Online only
Miranda  Enriquez's profile picture

Miranda Enriquez

Therapist

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Addiction - Adolescent mental health - Anxiety - Life transitions - Relationship issues
Online only
Cecil  Devers's profile picture

Cecil Devers

Therapist

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Anxiety - Communication issues - Depression - Life transitions - Relationship issues
Online only
Ruth  Robles's profile picture
Vetted

Ruth Robles

Therapist

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Anxiety - Couples counseling - Depression - Life transitions - Loss, grief, and bereavement
 In-person & online
Natalie  Arbid's profile picture
Vetted

Natalie Arbid

Therapist

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Anxiety - Cultural adjustment - Depression - Relationship issues - Values clarification
Online only
John (Andy) Bradshaw's profile picture

John (Andy) Bradshaw

Therapist

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Anxiety - Depression - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) - Substance abuse - Social anxiety
 In-person & online

Next available consults:

Keren  Khait's profile picture

Keren Khait

Therapist

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Anxiety - Depression - Life transitions - Perfectionism - Work stress
Online only
Savannah  Jones's profile picture
Vetted

Savannah Jones

Therapist

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Anxiety - Depression - Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)
 In-person & online

Next available consults:

Allegra  Parks's profile picture
Vetted

Allegra Parks

Therapist

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Anxiety - Couples counseling - Depression - LGBTQIA and sexuality topics - Loss and grief
Online only
Adi  Zief-Balteriski's profile picture

Adi Zief-Balteriski

Therapist

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Depression - Existential crisis & challenges - LGBTQIA, gender, & sexuality topics - Loss, grief, and bereavement - Women's issues
Online only
Linda Marie Snell's profile picture
Vetted

Linda Marie Snell

Therapist

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Adjustment difficulties & disorders - Attachment issues - Codependency - Life transitions - Emotion regulation
 In-person & online

Next available consults:

Joanna  Lovinger's profile picture
Vetted

Joanna Lovinger

Therapist

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Anxiety - Artists' mental health - Codependency - Depression - Loss, grief, and bereavement
 In-person & online
Manny  Romero's profile picture
Vetted

Manny Romero

Therapist

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Anxiety - Depression - Relationship issues
 In-person & online

Next available consults:

Sheri D. Keller's profile picture
Vetted

Sheri D. Keller

Therapist

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Anxiety - Parenting - Mindfulness - Life transitions - Addiction
 In-person & online
Jason  Sackett's profile picture
Vetted

Jason Sackett

Therapist

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Medical professionals' mental health - Work stress - Career counseling - Anxiety - Mood disorders
Online only

Next available consults:

The Emerald Therapy Collective's profile picture
Vetted

The Emerald Therapy Collective

Group practice

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Eating disorders & disordered eating - Loss, grief, and bereavement - Relationship issues - LGBTQIA, gender, & sexuality topics - Men's health
 In-person & online
Kelli  Forsythe's profile picture
Vetted

Kelli Forsythe

Therapist

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Life transitions - Depression - Relationships - Anxiety - Intentional living
Online only
Rodman  Walsh's profile picture
Vetted

Rodman Walsh

Therapist

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Addiction - Anxiety - Depression - Relationship issues - Self-esteem
 In-person & online
Raquel  Molina-Ravenna's profile picture
Vetted

Raquel Molina-Ravenna

Therapist

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Anxiety - Depression - Mindfulness - Life transitions - Pregnancy, perinatal, postpartum mental health
 In-person & online

Next available consults:

Juan  Maillo's profile picture
Vetted

Juan Maillo

Therapist

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Anxiety - Depression - Men's issues - Relationship issues - Emotion regulation
Online only

Next available consults:

Gwen  Harville-Washington's profile picture

Gwen Harville-Washington

Therapist

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Adoption & foster care - Caregiver stress & support - Life transitions - Stepfamily/Blended Family Issues - Women's issues
 In-person & online
Debbie  Murad's profile picture
Vetted

Debbie Murad

Therapist

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Divorce & separation - Relationship issues - Mood disorders - Mind-body connection - Life purpose & meaning
 In-person & online
Cheryl  Farole-Roman's profile picture

Cheryl Farole-Roman

Therapist

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Group Therapy - Support for Therapists - Medical professionals' mental health - Sports psychology - Relationship issues
 In-person & online
James E. Walton's profile picture
Vetted

James E. Walton

Therapist

Accepting clients from California

Trauma - Couples counseling - Anxiety - Anger management - Grief - Divorce and separation
 In-person & online

Next available consults:

1-30 of 469 providers who match your search criteria

FAQs about how to find a therapist in California

How do I find a therapist in California?

Find a therapist near you in California on Zencare. Narrow your search by using filters like insurance, therapy budget specialty, and provider identity. Mental health professionals on Zencare are vetted for their extensive experience treating individual adults, children and adolescents, as well as couples and families. Explore each potential therapist profile to learn more about their specialties, and watch an introductory video to get a sense of their personality. Book a free initial call to find the right therapist for you!

Does insurance cover therapy in California?

Yes, most California health insurance carriers provide mental health benefits that cover therapy. However, the exact amount of coverage will vary based on the plan details and whether the selected provider is in-network or out-of-network with your insurance. If the therapist is in-network with your insurance, you’ll pay only a copay at each session after meeting your annual deductible. If the therapist is out-of-network with your insurance, you may still be able to receive reimbursement after paying the fee at the time of therapy session. If you have a PPO or POS insurance plan, you can likely receive some reimbursement when you see a therapist out-of-network in California. If you have an HMO, EPO, or Medicaid/Medicare plan, you likely cannot receive reimbursement, and would be responsible for the full out-of-network session fee. Note that services designed to treat topics which are not diagnosed mental health conditions, such as couples counseling and life coaching, are not typically covered by health insurance. The potential mental health provider must also be a licensed therapist in your state for the insurance company to cover services.

How do I find an affordable therapist in California?

Therapists located in California offer session fees from <$100/session. To find a therapist who meets your budget, filter by session fee on Zencare. Many therapists offer a sliding scale, or a range of session fees based on financial need to clients who would not otherwise be able to afford typical therapy rates in California. If you are struggling to pay for therapy, consider asking for a sliding scale, looking for an in-network therapist, or seeking services through a local agency, college counseling center, or hospital.

How can I make an appointment with a therapist in California?

Start your search for an appointment with a therapist in California on Zencare. Many mental health professionals located in California require clients to have an introductory call before booking a full appointment online. In this free call, the prospective therapist will ask about your goals for treatment, and make sure that their skills, specialized training, and scope of private practice are a match for your mental health issues. At the same time, you should assess if you feel comfortable talking with the therapist, as studies show that the most important determinant of successful therapy is the relationship between therapist and client. After an initial call, you’ll typically be given the option to book an appointment with the therapist, or continue your search if it’s not a good fit. At the initial session, you’ll likely discuss the therapeutic process and determine goals for your personal growth. Common therapy goals include learning effective coping strategies to deal with negative feelings, increasing self-awareness, and gaining a deeper understanding and insight into relationship patterns.

How can I find a therapist in California who sees clients after hours?

Find a therapist who sees clients after hours on Zencare. Many therapists in California offer appointments outside of traditional business hours. Simply filter by Office Hours under More Filters to choose the time of day that works best for you, whether that be early morning before work, in the evenings, or even over the weekend. After hours sessions are a good option for busy individuals, couples, and families dealing with hectic schedules and who need a flexible option for their mental health care.

How do I find a therapist in California who offers in-person sessions?

Find a therapist who offers in-person sessions on Zencare. Many therapists in California have resumed offering in-person sessions; you can filter by “In-Person” to find a provider who is accepting new clients for in-office sessions. You can also search by map to find providers in California near you. While some clients prefer in-person sessions because they offer a safe, neutral ground for the session to take place, for the widest range of therapist options, consider expanding your search to also include providers licensed in your state who offer telehealth, or therapy sessions via remote video call.

How do I find a therapist in California who offers online sessions?

Find a therapist who offers online sessions on Zencare. Most therapists in California continue to offer appointments online; you can filter by “Online” to find a provider who is accepting new clients for teletherapy sessions. In order to see a therapist, they must be licensed to provide online sessions to clients living in your state. Online therapy is different from text therapy, or asynchronous therapy; online therapy offers the same consistent relationship with a local California therapist that an in-person session would, with sessions taking place via phone or a video sessions through a secure teletherapy platform. Online therapy sessions are a convenient way to find a therapist near California without leaving the comfort of your home or office.

Where can I get mental health therapy in California?

Start your search for mental health therapy in California on Zencare. Many therapists are quality-vetted for excellence in clinical care. When you’re struggling with your mental health, it might be time to seek professional support in the form of counseling services, couples therapy, or psychiatric medication management. There are a wide range of private practice therapists to choose from in California; consider narrowing your search by criteria like insurance carrier, therapy budget, specialty, or provider identity to find a great fit!

How can I start therapy in California?

Start your search for a great therapist in California on Zencare. First, consider any logistic limitations, like how far you are willing to travel outside of California or if you are open to online sessions with a local provider. Also consider how much your therapy budget is, and when you are available for therapy. Then, make a list of priorities for your ideal therapist: do they match your identity, or have expertise in a specific area like anxiety or depression? There is no one reason to start therapy; many individuals in California go see a therapist when they need help to move forward through a difficult time, cope with symptoms of a mental illness such as a mood disorder, navigate life transitions, process relationship difficulties or improve their behavioral health. Use your priorities to filter on Zencare by insurance, speciality, and availability. Look through a few provider profiles to find the therapist you might click with, watch their introductory videos, and book a free call to find a great personal fit!

What kinds of mental health providers are available in California?

There are many different kinds of mental health providers available in California, including psychologists, clinical social workers, and mental health counselors. As long as the provider is licensed in your state, the factor that matters most to therapy outcomes is the therapeutic alliance, or the relationship you build with your therapist. Common types of therapy provided in California include cognitive therapies, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and insight-oriented therapies like psychodynamic therapy. Other providers offer a blend of techniques for a more interpersonal, holistic approach. Some mental health therapists in California also offer specialized treatment services, like couples therapy, premarital counseling, and family therapy. While most California providers are qualified to treat general challenges, like depression, anxiety disorders, trauma, relationship difficulties, and low self-esteem, for concerns such as substance abuse, personality disorders, and eating disorders, consider seeking expert care. Together with your therapist, you’ll build a treatment plan that addresses your reasons for seeking therapy and monitor progress toward your wellness goals and overall well being.

How does paying for therapy work in California?

There are several options for paying for therapy in California. For many people, the most affordable way to seek mental health services is to look for a provider who is in-network with your insurance. Due to high demand and low availability, in-network providers often have long waitlists; to widen your options and start therapy sooner, you might also consider looking for an out-of-network provider. When you see an out-of-network therapist in California, you can ask for a sliding scale if you are unable to afford their typical session fees, or seek reimbursement from your insurance company if you have a PPO or POS plan. For clients who have an insurance plan with a high deductible and low medical costs, therapy costs are often comparable when you see a therapist in- or out-of-network. While paying for therapy can be a substantial investment, it’s also a great way to improve relationships, boost self-esteem, address symptoms of mental illness, and ultimately live a happier, more self-directed life.

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