Licensed to practice in California and accepts 54 insurances. Specializes in Addiction, Anxiety, Depression and 14 more.
Justin C.
Justin has been working in the field of behavioral healthcare since 2014. He began his career as a mental health technician within a locked psychiatric hospital in Los Angeles, supporting two units of adolescent and adult psychiatric patients. It was this experience that solidified Justin’s passion for providing compassionate, client-centered care in the mental health, and co-occurring dual diagnosis treatment field. Justin has done extensive work providing direct client care as a facilitator of individual, group and family therapy providing crisis intervention and mental health services to youth and adults identified as at-risk in Los Angeles. Justin has served various treatment programs in Los Angeles and the Bay Area. Over the years, Justin’s roles have included Residential Counselor, Case Manager, Primary Therapist, and Program Director. Justin Cowell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). An alumnus of the University of Arizona and San José State University, where he earned his Master’s degree (MSW), has experience in mental health, counseling, and community-based settings. Before joining the Grow team, Justin worked with diverse populations and adolescents. He enjoys incorporating CBT, mindfulness, and positive psychology into his sessions and is eager to bring these modalities to work with the recovery population at Grow Therapy. Born and raised in Inglewood, CA, Justin loves all LA sports teams, Lakers, Dodgers, Kings, and Rams, and loves going to games. Both personally and professionally, Justin is a proponent of self-care, having fun, and trying new things, and is excited to be a member of the Grow team.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
We will create a safe and supportive environment during the first session to address your needs and establish trust. We will discuss the following: sharing your concerns, assessment and evaluations, goal setting, understanding the therapeutic process, confidentiality and ethical guidelines, and treatment options.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
With warmth, kindness, and compassion, Justin works closely with his clients to support them through healing and learning to cope with mental issues, helping them maintain mental well-being, and achieve the goal of creating lasting change in their lives.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
-Adults with Mental Health Issues -Co-Occurring Disorders (Mental Health and Substance Use) -Individuals in Recovery -Families and Caregivers -Individuals Seeking Trauma-Informed Care -High-Risk and At-Risk Populations -Individuals Seeking Holistic Approaches to Mental Health
Specialties
Top specialties
Addiction
Anxiety
Depression
Other specialties
Bipolar Disorder
Coping Skills
Family Conflict
Men's Issues
Mood Disorders
Peer Relationships
Personality Disorders
Racism
Self Esteem
Self-Harming
Sexual Abuse
Spirituality
Suicidal Ideation
Trauma and PTSD
I identify as
Black / African American
Man
Serves ages
Adults (18 to 64)
Licensed in
California
Accepts
Aetna
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
Amerihealth Administrators
Anthem
Blue Cross
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
Arlo
AvMed
Blue Shield
Blue Shield of California - Medi-Cal
Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
Carelon Behavioral Health (Commercial)
L.A. Care PASC-SEIU
L.A. Care Covered
L.A. Care Covered Direct
Sutter Health Plan
IHSS Healthy Workers
Cash - $100 per session
Centivo
Central California Alliance for Health (Medi-Cal)
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
Evernorth
GTEB
Gold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
Golden Rule
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
Health Net (Medi-Cal)
Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley (Medi-Cal)
CalViva Health (Medi-Cal)
Health Plan of San Joaquin/Mountain Valley Health Plan – Medi-Cal
L.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Partnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal)
San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
Santa Clara Family Health Plan - Medi-Cal
Sharp Health Plan
Surest (formerly Bind)
Tufts Health/Cigna
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
Location
Virtual
My treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Justin uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and challenge negative thought patterns that contribute to emotional distress, mental health issues, and substance use. For adolescents, adults, and those in recovery, CBT aids in managing anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance use, while also improving family communication and resolving conflicts. By integrating mindfulness and positive psychology, Justin supports clients in building emotional resilience, healthier thinking, and effective coping strategies, empowering them to make lasting changes and improve their well-being.
Trauma Informed Care
Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) will be an essential framework that Justin will use to create a safe, empathetic, and empowering space for clients with trauma histories. By focusing on safety, trust, choice, and collaboration, Justin will help clients heal and reclaim their lives without re-traumatizing them. As a trauma-informed therapist, Justin will need to be sensitive to the impact of trauma on his clients, validating their experiences and emotions. He will work at each client’s pace, offering choices and respecting their autonomy throughout the therapeutic process. This approach will allow clients to feel empowered and supported as they begin their healing journey.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing (MI) will be a key approach Justin will use to help clients build motivation for change. By fostering collaboration, empathy, and respect for client autonomy, Justin will guide clients in resolving ambivalence and making informed decisions. Using MI, Justin will listen actively, reflect clients' feelings, and encourage them to express their own reasons for change. This non-judgmental, supportive approach will empower clients to take ownership of their decisions and move toward meaningful change.
Supportive
Supportive Therapy will be an approach Justin will use to provide emotional support and help clients cope with life challenges. By offering validation, encouragement, and a non-judgmental space, Justin will help clients strengthen their coping skills and improve their overall well-being. In supportive therapy, Justin will focus on active listening, providing reassurance, and fostering a sense of hope. He will create a safe, trusting environment where clients feel understood and empowered to navigate difficulties and enhance their emotional resilience.
Psychodynamic
Psychodynamic Therapy will be an approach Justin will use to explore the unconscious processes influencing clients' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. By focusing on past experiences and how they shape current relationships and emotions, Justin will help clients gain insight into underlying conflicts and patterns. In psychodynamic therapy, Justin will facilitate self-reflection, explore unresolved issues, and help clients make connections between past and present. This process will allow clients to better understand themselves and work through emotional difficulties, leading to personal growth and healing.
47 ratings with written reviews
June 14, 2026
based on his profile i assumed justin could be a good therapist for me but by the end of the intake he referred me to another therapist without any explanation. i told this guy quite a bit of what i was dealing with & had dealt with in life basically for no reason. i was going thru quite a lot & was really looking forward to finally opening up to someone who could help me regulate emotionally, but that whole experience really hurt and affected me. i get this is a skill issue but it still sucked.
Verified client, age 25-34
June 7, 2026
Justin was professional and considerate. Caring and intelligent. Solution oriented.
Verified client, age 35-44
June 4, 2026
I have seen multiple therapists over time and this was by far the worst experience I’ve had. In our first session, I felt judged rather than supported. When I mentioned that I sometimes come across as robotic, he made a robot voice to imitate me. He spent almost the whole session questioning whether I was suited for my chosen profession based on my personal struggles. I’ve worked with therapists who knew me far longer than one session, and none of them ever made me feel judged the way he did.