Find Trauma-Informed Therapists in California

Browse therapists serving California.

Therapists in California

Overview of therapy availability in the state

California is home to a wide range of therapists, counselors, and mental-health professionals, including many who focus on trauma, domestic violence, and relationship-based harm. Because the state is large and diverse, people may find options in big cities, suburban areas, small towns, and some rural communities, as well as throughout the state via online sessions.

In many parts of California, there are therapists who center survivors, LGBTQIA+ communities, people of color, immigrants and refugees, people with disabilities, and others who may want culturally aware support. Availability can vary by region; urban areas such as Los Angeles, the Bay Area, San Diego, and Sacramento may have more choices than smaller or more remote counties, where online therapy can sometimes increase access.

Some therapists in California work in private practices, while others are connected to group practices, community agencies, campus services, or nonprofit organizations. Many offer telehealth to people located anywhere in the state, which may be especially helpful for those who prefer to meet from home, have transportation or childcare barriers, or live in areas with fewer in‑person options.

Types of support listed

Therapists in California listed in directories like this one may describe their work using different focus areas, populations served, or approaches. Profiles often highlight:

• Trauma- and survivor-informed support related to domestic violence, intimate partner violence, childhood harm, or other past experiences.
• Support around relationships and family, including boundaries, communication, separation, co‑parenting, or navigating complex family dynamics.
• Culturally responsive and identity-affirming care for communities such as LGBTQIA+ people, people of color, faith communities, immigrants, and mixed‑status families.
• Support for stress and life changes, including work stress, burnout, parenting, caregiving, grief, or moving and immigration adjustments.
• Therapy for young people, including children, teens, and young adults, sometimes involving caregivers or family systems in flexible ways.
• Healing-focused approaches that may include somatic, mindfulness-based, narrative, or other frameworks that pay attention to both body and mind.
• Practical support themes, such as coping skills, self‑worth, identity exploration, and rebuilding life after difficult or unsafe situations.

Many California therapists also note the languages they speak, their lived experiences, and their familiarity with specific communities or movements, which some people find helpful when looking for a better fit.

Considerations for choosing a therapist in the state

Finding a therapist in California can involve weighing several practical and personal factors. Some people start by thinking about whether they prefer in‑person sessions, online sessions, or a mix, and then look at which providers are available in their region of the state. Others focus first on identity fit, lived experience, or specific areas of focus, and then consider logistics.

Common factors people consider include:

• Location and format – whether the therapist’s office is accessible by public transit or car, and whether they offer telehealth anywhere in California.
• Cost and payment – whether they accept certain insurance plans, offer superbills, sliding scale spots, or low‑fee options through group or community settings.
• Licensure in California – many people prefer to confirm that a therapist is licensed in the state, especially if meeting online from a different city or county.
• Approach and focus areas – how the therapist describes their style, values, and areas of experience, especially around trauma, domestic violence, and safety‑conscious care.
• Identity and cultural fit – whether the therapist names experience working with certain cultural, linguistic, or community backgrounds that feel important to you.
• Accessibility – considerations such as language access, physical accessibility of an office, sensory needs, technology comfort, or flexible scheduling.

Some people explore multiple profiles, read how therapists describe their values, and notice what feels comfortable or hopeful. Others find it helpful to combine a therapist search with information from survivor‑focused resources or advocacy organizations to feel more supported in the process.