Meet the best therapists* in .

palm trees with on a beach with blue skies; best long beach therapists

What kind of therapist do you need?

Note that most therapists specialize in multiple issues, so therapists in different categories may still be able to help you.

Anxiety therapist
Child or teen therapist
Couples therapist
Depression therapist
EMDR therapist
Family therapist
Grief therapist
OCD therapist
Trauma therapist

Our process

Fact checked

All updates to our vetting process and content are clinically reviewed by licensed psychotherapists.

We only reference peer-reviewed psychological and medical journals, trusted media outlets, esteemed mental health experts, or reputable mental health organizations.

Why trust Best Therapists?

We developed a vetting process specific to therapists that checks for the things we wish we knew about a therapist before starting treatment.

We're therapy seekers ourselves, and our team is comprised of mental health experts, writers, and licensed therapists who fact check everything we create and develop.

Meet our team of expert contributors or learn more about why you should choose Best Therapists when seeking a therapist.

Best therapists in

4 stars or higher online

Peer reviewed

Screened for burnout

Trauma-informed

No items found.
No items found.

Best anxiety therapists

4 stars or higher online

Peer reviewed

Screened for burnout

Trauma-informed

Virtual Only

$200

per session

Helps you get reimbursed for therapy

United/Optum, Aetna

Not available

California, PsyD 30108

Melissa Kae, Psychologist

Vetted and verified

No Google reviews

Modalities

EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Trauma-focused, Strengths-based therapy

Specialties

Trauma, LBGTQ+ sexuality, Anxiety

Additional Areas of focus

Anxiety, Body image, Anger management, Bicultural or multicultural experience, Career counseling/coaching, Caring professionals, Codependency, Dating, Depression, Gender identity, Highly sensitive people, LBGTQ+ sexuality, Life transitions, Medical trauma, Midlife stress, Mindfulness and/or meditation, Panic attacks, Polyamory/non-monogamy, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Transgender people, Trauma, Social anxiety, Self esteem/self worth, Stress

Virtual Only

$200

per session

Helps you get reimbursed for therapy

Not available

California, LCSW #128351

Caitlin Blair, LCSW

Vetted and verified

No Google reviews

Modalities

Gottman method, Internal family systems (IFS), Family systems, Mindfulness based, Narrative, Trauma-focused, Somatic therapy, Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Specialties

Anxiety, Burnout, Racial/cultural identity

Additional Areas of focus

Aging, Bicultural or multicultural experience, Biracial or multiracial experience, Caring professionals, Couples counseling, Dating, Depression, First generation immigrant experience, First responders, Highly sensitive people, Grief and/or loss, Insomnia, Intercultural/interfaith relationships, Life transitions, Midlife stress, Mindfulness and/or meditation, Panic attacks, Second or third generation immigrant experience, Self esteem/self worth, Social anxiety, Socioeconomic issues, Spirituality, Stress, Trauma

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Best children and teen therapists

4 stars or higher online

Peer reviewed

Screened for burnout

Trauma-informed

No items found.
No items found.

Best couples therapists

4 stars or higher online

Peer reviewed

Screened for burnout

Trauma-informed

Virtual Only

$200

per session

Helps you get reimbursed for therapy

Helps you get reimbursed for therapy

Not available

California, LCSW #135761; Illinois, LCSW #149027131

Sara Olkon, LCSW

Vetted and verified

No Google reviews

Modalities

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment based, Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), Gottman method, Mindfulness based, Strengths-based therapy

Specialties

Couples counseling, Dating, Anxiety

Additional Areas of focus

Aging, Blended families, Coparenting, Divorce counseling, Step parenting, Body image, Burnout, Codependency, Self esteem/self worth, Sex therapy, Premartial counseling, Polyamory/non-monogamy, LBGTQ+ sexuality, Infidelity/affairs, Intercultural/interfaith relationships, Polyamorous/non-monogamous couples counseling

Virtual and In Person

$200

per session

Helps you get reimbursed for therapy

Helps you get reimbursed for therapy

Not available

Arizona, LMFT #15896; California, LMFT #157331

Nicole Rizkallah, LMFT

Vetted and verified

No Google reviews

Modalities

Art therapy, EMDR, Emotionally focused therapy (EFT), Faith-based counseling, Internal family systems (IFS), Gottman method, Family systems, Psychodynamic, Trauma-focused, Psychoanalytic, Strengths-based therapy, Somatic therapy, Prolonged exposure therapy

Specialties

Couples counseling, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), First generation immigrant experience

Additional Areas of focus

ADHD, Abuse, Anxiety, Bicultural or multicultural experience, Biracial or multiracial experience, Burnout, Codependency, Chronic illness or pain, Caring professionals, Career counseling/coaching, Dating, Polyamorous/non-monogamous couples counseling, Divorce counseling, Existential questioning, Family counseling, Depression, Developmental disorders, First generation immigrant experience, First responders, Grief and/or loss, Intercultural/interfaith relationships, Life transitions, Midlife stress, Mindfulness and/or meditation, Military families, Neurodivergence, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Polyamory/non-monogamy, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Racial/cultural identity, Premartial counseling, Second or third generation immigrant experience, Self esteem/self worth, Self harm, Sex therapy, Spirituality, Socioeconomic issues, Social anxiety, Sexual harassment, abuse, and/or assault, Stress, Substance misuse/dependency, Trauma, Veterans/military services

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Best depression therapists

4 stars or higher online

Peer reviewed

Screened for burnout

Trauma-informed

Virtual and In Person

$205

per session

Helps you get reimbursed for therapy

Helps you get reimbursed for therapy

Not available

California, LCSW #102118

Molly Vasa Bertolucci, LCSW

Vetted and verified

No Google reviews

Modalities

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), EMDR, Trauma-focused

Specialties

Postpartum depression, Anxiety, Trauma

Additional Areas of focus

Pregnancy and/or infant loss, Stress, Depression, Grief and/or loss, Parenting, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Virtual and In Person

$375

per session

Helps you get reimbursed for therapy

Helps you get reimbursed for therapy

Not available

California, LMFT #140374; Florida, LMFT #1680

Lisa Chen, LMFT

Vetted and verified

No Google reviews

Modalities

Depth psychotherapy, Attachment based, Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), EMDR, Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), Gottman method, Psychodynamic, Psychoanalytic, Strengths-based therapy, Somatic therapy, Trauma-focused

Specialties

Couples counseling, Trauma, Depression

Additional Areas of focus

Anxiety, Abuse, Biracial or multiracial experience, Chronic illness or pain, Codependency, Divorce counseling, First generation immigrant experience, Fertility treatment, Premartial counseling, Second or third generation immigrant experience, Social anxiety, Stress, Trauma, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Existential questioning, Family counseling

Virtual and In Person

$150

per session

Helps you get reimbursed for therapy

Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Aetna, Anthem, Evernorth, Cigna, Magellan, United Healthcare

Helps you get reimbursed for therapy

Not available

California, LMFT #129403; LPCC #11600

Joy Zembruski, LMFT

Vetted and verified

No Google reviews

Modalities

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Emotionally focused therapy (EFT), Psychodynamic, Strengths-based therapy

Specialties

Anxiety, Depression, Substance misuse/dependency

Additional Areas of focus

ADHD, Anger management, Life transitions, Self esteem/self worth, Stress, Substance misuse/dependency

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Best EMDR therapists

4 stars or higher online

Peer reviewed

Screened for burnout

Trauma-informed

Virtual Only

$200

per session

Helps you get reimbursed for therapy

Not available

California, LPCC #16376

JennyMae Martin, LPCC

Vetted and verified

No Google reviews

Modalities

Attachment based, Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), EMDR, Trauma-focused, Somatic therapy, Psychodynamic, Solutions-focused brief therapy, Mindfulness based

Specialties

Anxiety, Trauma, Stress

Additional Areas of focus

ADHD, Caring professionals, Children, Chronic illness or pain, Depression, Family counseling, Fertility treatment, Grief and/or loss, Highly sensitive people, Life transitions, Medical trauma, Midlife stress, Mindfulness and/or meditation, Panic attacks, Parenting, Phobias, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Self esteem/self worth, Social anxiety, Stress, Dating

Virtual Only

$195

per session

Helps you get reimbursed for therapy

Not available

California, LCSW #110808

Kayla Pineda, LCSW

Vetted and verified

No Google reviews

Modalities

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), EMDR, Family systems, Gottman method, Solutions-focused brief therapy, Strengths-based therapy, Trauma-focused, Narrative

Specialties

Anxiety, Trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Additional Areas of focus

Abuse, ADHD, Adolescents/teens, Aging, Bipolar disorder, Anxiety, Burnout, Career counseling/coaching, Caring professionals, Depression, Dating, Codependency, Couples counseling, Divorce counseling, Family counseling, Existential questioning, Grief and/or loss, Highly sensitive people, Infidelity/affairs, Intercultural/interfaith relationships, Life transitions, Midlife stress, Mindfulness and/or meditation, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Panic attacks, Parenting, Pregnancy and/or infant loss, Personality disorders, Phobias, Physical disabilities, Postpartum depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Premartial counseling, Sex therapy, Self harm, Self esteem/self worth, Social anxiety, Socioeconomic issues, Spirituality, Suicidal thoughts, Stress, Trauma, Substance misuse/dependency

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Best family therapists

4 stars or higher online

Peer reviewed

Screened for burnout

Trauma-informed

Virtual and In Person

$220

per session

Helps you get reimbursed for therapy

Not available

California, LMFT #47797; South Carolina, LMFT #4612

Jeannette York, LMFT

Vetted and verified

No Google reviews

Modalities

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Specialties

Family counseling, Premartial counseling, Couples counseling

Additional Areas of focus

Polyamorous/non-monogamous couples counseling, Dating, Infidelity/affairs

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Best grief therapists

4 stars or higher online

Peer reviewed

Screened for burnout

Trauma-informed

No items found.
No items found.

Best OCD therapists

4 stars or higher online

Peer reviewed

Screened for burnout

Trauma-informed

No items found.
No items found.

Best trauma therapists

4 stars or higher online

Peer reviewed

Screened for burnout

Trauma-informed

Virtual and In Person

$200

per session

Helps you get reimbursed for therapy

Not available

California, LMFT #120399; Colorado, LMFT #0002359; Arizona, LMFT #16027

Tanya Dantus, LMFT

Vetted and verified

No Google reviews

Modalities

Somatic therapy, Depth psychotherapy, Attachment based, Psychodynamic, Family systems

Specialties

Bicultural or multicultural experience, Codependency, Trauma

Additional Areas of focus

Addiction, Anxiety, Burnout, Existential questioning, Highly sensitive people, Life transitions, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Self esteem/self worth, Spirituality, Stress, Parenting, Caring professionals

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FAQs

Frequently asked questions about therapy

What's the difference between in-person and virtual therapy?

Although there is no research that suggests in-person or virtual therapy is more effective, you may prefer one over the other. Some people prefer the intimacy of being in the same physical space as their therapist, while others prefer receiving treatment in the comfort of their own home. If you have a tight schedule, virtual therapy is a great option since you won’t commute to your therapist’s office. Virtual therapy also allows you to see any therapist throughout your state, which means one less barrier to finding your soulmate therapist!

When should someone start therapy?

Deciding when to start therapy is a very personal decision, but we recommend starting sooner rather than later. Along with running the risk of your mental health declining, you also miss out on time spent working on yourself, repairing your relationships, and so much more. Life is short, so why not make it the best possible as soon as possible?

What type of therapy is right for me?

Your therapist will carefully customize your treatment plan, and they will likely rely on a variety of therapeutic methods. There are some treatment methods that are better for specific disorders (like exposure therapy for OCD or phobias), but a combination of several will likely be the best option for you.

Is going to therapy worth it?

We’re huge advocates for therapy at Best Therapists, but we know that not everyone has a good experience in therapy. Working with a high quality therapist (with whom you have a great relationship) can be life changing. You can change harmful behaviors or thought patterns, shed or improve hurtful relationships, increase your resilience and coping methods for dealing with mental illness, and much more. We think that that’s pretty frigging worth it, but finding the right therapist for YOU is crucial to this equation.

What's the difference between a psychotherapist and a psychologist?

The main difference between psychotherapists and psychologists is their education. Psychologists receive more education, and in some cases, psychologists focus more on research than clinical work. But both therapists and psychologists go through thousands of hours of clinical training. When choosing a therapist, the skill of the therapist and your relationship with them matters way more than which degree your therapist has.

Do therapists offer free consultations?

Yes, most therapists offer free consultations. This not only benefits you, but the therapist too! Therapists want to see if you are a good fit before doing an official therapy session with you to save you (and them) time and energy. Although your relationship has barely begun, you both will feel out your chemistry. You won’t be BFFs by the end of the consultation, but should get a sense of whether or not you’ll work well together.

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About Us

Hi, we’re Best Therapists.

We vet therapists, so you can focus on fit—not quality.

Through peer reviews, license verification, online reviews, and requiring acknowledgement of trauma-informed care, we do our best to make sure that your best therapist provides high quality care (and that's regardless of your race, sexual orientation, or background).

But your friend’s best therapist might not be your best therapist. That's why personality fit between you and your therapist is crucial. It’s not something that we can verify for you, so we encourage you to schedule free consultations with multiple therapists to get a sense of your chemistry together.

Why choose Best Therapists

There are plenty of therapist directories to choose from.

But other therapist directories like Psychology Today, Good Therapy, Choosing Therapy, and more have hundreds (if not thousands) of results for therapists in your city alone. The search for your best therapist becomes instantly overwhelming, which stops some therapy-seekers in their tracks. Our involved vetting process goes way beyond a basic license check (unlike the other guys), which simplifies YOUR search.

Finding the best therapist for you is hard enough, so we curate lists like these so you can get quality care as quickly and seamlessly impossible. And no need to check a therapist's availability or add your name to their waitlist—all Best Therapists are currently accepting new clients.

Not feeling any of the therapists on our list? No worries. Keep scrolling to find other vetted therapists in cities near you.

When to not choose Best Therapists

In some situations, we may not be the best therapist directory for you. For example...

  1. If you are looking for free therapy or want therapy that's supplemented by another organization, Best Therapists isn't the best therapist directory for you.
  2. If you're only open to seeing a therapist that's in-network with your insurance provider, Best Therapists might not be a good fit. Many of our therapists don't work directly with insurance companies, so we encourage you to check your out-of-network mental health benefits (use our free benefits checker). Don't let your insurance company prevent you from working with your soulmate therapist!
  3. Finally, this site is not intended for medical emergencies. If you are in an immediate mental health crisis, please call the national suicide hotline at 988.

Want to learn more about starting therapy? Read our guide on how to start therapy.