Aetna Therapists in California

Accessing therapy covered by Aetna insurance can simplify and reduce the cost of therapy, helping you find therapist that fits your budget. With 959 verified therapists in California accepting Aetna, you can choose from therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and mindfulness-based therapy to address concerns like anxiety, depression, or major life changes. Each Grow Therapy-verified provider listed below is open to new clients and has upcoming availability, making it easier to connect with a therapist who meets your needs within the scope of your Aetna plan.

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Los AngelesSan DiegoSacramentoOaklandSan Francisco

Availability updated: 1/2/2026

Open-minded
Warm

Specialties

Anxiety
Self Esteem
Serious Mental Illness
Being a therapist is a lifelong passion for me and is rooted in my dedication to supporting adults, children, families, and communities in building safety, resilience, and hope. My journey has taken me from my home county of Santa Cruz where I advocated and ran groups for youth living in situations including domestic violence from 2011-2013, to working as a shelter counselor in Oakland for youth 13-21 from 2016-2018. I worked in serving famillies with San Francisco Child and Family Services, where I partnered with families navigating reunification with their children while providing psychoeducation and crisis counseling during critical moments from 2018-2022. I have been licensed with my LCSW since May 2025 and focused my prior professional development around harm reduction and culturally focused treatment, aligning with my commitment to social justice and culturally responsive care.
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Intelligent
Authentic
Open-minded

Specialties

Anger Management
Anxiety
Child or Adolescent
+6
I am a Licensed Clinical Social worker in California with a demonstrated ability to develop rapport with people from various backgrounds. As a social worker, I have had the opportunity to work in various settings from medical and psychiatric hospitals, community mental health agencies and the criminal justice system (juveniles and adults). I have also worked with individuals challenged by addiction. Through the use of interpersonal dynamics, I can support individuals in accessing various psychological parts of themselves while focusing on the past, present and future.
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Empowering
Authentic
Warm

Specialties

Family Conflict
Peer Relationships
Women's Issues
+10
Hello, my name is Tyra Hughes and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I live and work in the Bay Area of California. For 21 years I worked as a social worker for children and families in the foster care system. And for the past 2 years I've worked as a clinician for Alameda County. In addition, since 2017, I have been a licensed therapist and I have experience providing therapy to children, adults, and couples in English and Spanish. I also supervise others on their journey to becoming therapists. I have a BA in Social Welfare from UC Berkeley and a Masters in Social Work from San Jose State. In addition to my formal education, I take trainings to help me grow as a therapist on a regular basis. Personally, I am a single mother to two teenagers and I love nature, travel, and sports. I look forward to working with you if you feel we would be a good match. Currently I only provide individual therapy, not couples or family counselling.
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Authentic
Direct

Specialties

Anxiety
Life Transitions
Mood Disorders
+10
I've been working with children, teens and families for 40 years, and adults, couples and seniors for 20. Early in my career, I was a houseparent and counselor in group homes for delinquent teens, a teacher’s aide in a special education school and a counselor in a residential treatment center for emotionally disturbed children. I also taught in junior high and high schools and was a rehabilitation group therapist in psychiatric hospitals. In the last 15 years, in addition to facilitating group therapy and seeing individuals and couples in private practice, I've continued my work with teens, families and adults in day treatment programs and long term living facilities. I obtained my Master’s degree in Psychology from California Institute of Integral Studies in 1993 and PhD in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in 2013. ​My treatment approaches and therapeutic orientations include: ​Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) Dialectical Behavioral (DBT) Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy Expressive Arts Therapies (role play, psychodrama, art, poetry) ​Humanistic Person Centered Jungian Depth Psychology ​Liberation Psychologies Object Relations Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Solution Focused Structural-Strategic Family Therapy
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Frequently rebooked

Open-minded
Warm

Specialties

Anxiety
Depression
Spirituality
+8
I am a clinician interested in understanding the human experience and empowering the client to remember their wholeness, intelligence, and goodness. I strive to create opportunities for the client to relax and open up to the joys in life. I look to find ways to connect the client back to themselves, to have a fuller, more honest, authentic and compassionate relationship with themselves and the world.
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Warm
Solution oriented
Authentic

Specialties

Anxiety
Coping Skills
Depression
+3
Hi there, I'm Leanne. Do you feel pulled in a million directions, unable to fit it all in? Are you struggling to keep up with your relationships, work and health? Is it hard to be kind to yourself? Whether you're dealing with overwhelm, relationship issues or cycles of anxiety and depression, I'm here to help. Seeking therapy can feel scary but you're making the right choice. You deserve a safe space to heal and grow. In our sessions together, I'll meet you with compassion and evidence-based techniques so you can overcome the hangups and habits holding you back. Let's work together!
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New to Grow

Specialties

Anxiety
Child or Adolescent
School Issues
+7
Hi there, I'm Staci! Are you a kid or teenager who is struggling managing all the things going on in your life? It's tough balancing school, home, friendships, and all the other aspects of being a kid. I have been a mental health provider for schools for almost 10 years and specialize in ages 5-19y. Together, we can help identify stressors and helpful coping strategies to manage them. It's not easy growing into adulthood - but, I am here to support and empower you to face everyday with confidence. I understand that seeking therapy and extra support can feel overwhelming and/or scary, but I am here to walk with you and work together on your goals. This is a safe place for you.
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Authentic
Empowering
Warm

Specialties

Anxiety
Coping Skills
Depression
+4
As a psychiatrist in California, I offer therapy covered by Aetna to help adults navigate challenges like family conflict, anxiety, and self-esteem issues. I strive to provide a supportive space where you can explore your goals and build on your strengths, and I also offer services in Spanish.
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Authentic
Open-minded
Warm

Specialties

Anxiety
Depression
LGBTQ
+3
I started my professional career in child welfare. I transitioned to mental health and primarily work with adolescents, providing mental health resources and interventions and family supports. I am open to meeting with clients during some weekday evening hours and some weekends as well. I hope to provide you the space and support needed to help guide you through your current distress.
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Warm
Humorous

Specialties

Trauma and PTSD
I am amazing. so amazing! i have life experience and work experience that i bring to the table. Would you like fries with that? If you don't like that, we can get you dessert instead. My mom always said, "dessert first". She also taught me that taking a chance on a person can change a life and alter the course towards amazing. I am amazing because she took a chance on me.
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Frequently rebooked

Empowering
Warm
Open-minded

Specialties

Anxiety
Life Transitions
Peer Relationships
+8
Hello & welcome! I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) based in Southern California. I received my masters from Azusa Pacific University and have been practicing therapy since 2015. I help adults of all ages struggling with life stressors/transitions, anxiety, trauma, difficulties with interpersonal relationships; to name a few, work through & better understand these challenges, helping identify healthy coping skills. My hope is to offer support to get you in a better headspace to be able to thrive and be the best version of you.
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Warm
Authentic
Intelligent

Specialties

Career Counseling
LGBTQ
Self Esteem
+9
At my core, I am a therapist who believes in the transformative power of depth, empathy, humor, and the arts. I’ve spent my career helping people understand themselves more fully — not only by reducing symptoms, but by uncovering the narratives, emotions, and self-limiting beliefs that have kept them small or stuck. I work from a humanistic and psychoanalytic foundation, integrating mindfulness, ACT, and solution-focused strategies to help clients access resilience, self-compassion, and real change. I bring a warm, grounded, and creative presence into the room. My background as an artist and writer shapes my work: I’m attentive to symbolism, story, imagination, and the deeper layers of a person’s emotional life. Humor is also one of my most natural tools, not to avoid pain, but to help clients feel safe, open, and connected as they explore difficult experiences. Across corporate mental health, trauma work, refugee support, and private practice, I’ve seen how people flourish when they’re permitted to be fully themselves. I help clients build self-esteem through honesty, curiosity, and acceptance; loosen rigid patterns; and move beyond the internalized messages or roles that no longer serve them.
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Authentic
Open-minded
Warm

Specialties

Anxiety
Depression
Grief
+7
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Northern California. I received by MSW in Social Work at California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) and I also have a MS in Child Development from UC Davis. I have a background in working in the medical and psychiatric field, as well as 15+ years working with individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. I have been practicing as a Social Worker for 10 years.
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Intelligent
Solution oriented
Direct

Specialties

Anxiety
LGBTQ
Men's Issues
+3
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California, I offer therapy covered by Aetna to help you overcome anxiety, depression, and life’s challenges, so you can reconnect with what matters most. I’m dedicated to supporting you as you rediscover your motivation and build healthy coping skills.
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Warm
Intelligent

Specialties

ADHD
Health/Medical Issues
Life Transitions
+10
You may be on the right path, but stumbled, fell, or got lost along the way. Or you may be struggling to find the path. I want to help. In therapy, I aim to create a calm, sturdy, emotionally open, and radically nonjudgmental space where you can be deeply curious about your own experience. A patient, open-ended space where you can take your time. A space where you can slow down, breathe, reflect, be quiet or silent. A space where you can be loud, angry, triggered, upset. A space where you don't have to make sense, but we can try to make sense of things together. A space where we both can be genuinely curious about who you are.
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Frequently rebooked

Empowering
Solution oriented
Warm

Specialties

Anxiety
Depression
Grief
+8
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California, I offer therapy covered by Aetna, supporting adults through challenges like anxiety, depression, grief, and major life transitions. Using approaches like CBT and emotionally focused therapy, I help clients find practical tools for healing and growth.
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Authentic
Empowering
Open-minded

Specialties

Anxiety
Self Esteem
Trauma and PTSD
+8
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California, I provide therapy covered by Aetna to teens, adults, and older adults dealing with anxiety, trauma, depression, and life challenges. I’m here to support you through difficult times so you can feel and function better.
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Authentic
Warm
Intelligent

Specialties

ADHD
Anxiety
Trauma and PTSD
+5
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has been practicing for seven years in a nationally recognized outpatient healthcare clinic. After completing my Bachelor’s degree in psychology at Chapman University, I decided to change careers and pursue a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. Working for the clinic has provided an extraordinary learning environment and allowed me to benefit from collaboration with amazing clinicians who share my passion to help others.
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Frequently rebooked

Warm
Authentic
Empowering

Specialties

ADHD
Anxiety
Depression
+9
Welcome to my profile. I appreciate the chance to help. My name is Angela. I am a psychotherapist with a Psy.D. ABD in Clinical Psychology: Marriage and Family Therapy. We all feel out of balance from time to time. Uncertainty, unexpected disappointments, life transitions and personal traumas can have a real impact on how we feel and experience the world. It can be difficult to navigate on our own. Together, we can figure it out. I have expertise in providing mental health services to individuals both neurotypical and neurodivergent. I have used my skills and competencies in various settings including school-based/educationally-related services and residential treatment settings. I have provided clinical mental health services to K-12 students with Individualized Education Plans (IEP) as well as general education. I have worked with individuals struggling with mood, anxiety, personality and psychotic disorders. I utilize various therapy techniques to assist in healthier living. I will help you counter problematic behavior with healthy alternatives to enhance mental, emotional and physical wellness. I hope to inspire your curiosity and courage to develop a strong sense of self-acceptance, and healing and to promote self-esteem, autonomy and agency. "Growth occurs when individuals confront problems, struggle to master them and through that struggle develop new aspects of their skills capacities and views about life." ~ Carl Rogers, Humanistic Psychologist.
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Authentic
Humorous
Direct

Specialties

Anxiety
Bipolar Disorder
Depression
+9
My goal as a therapist is to help clients face both the real and perceived challenges in their lives with clarity, support, and renewed strength. I approach each person as a unique human being with their own story, strengths, and struggles, and I see therapy as a collaborative process of moving forward together. I work in a way that is direct and pragmatic, drawing on psychoeducation and clinical experience to give clients new ways of seeing, understanding, and coping with life’s difficulties. At the same time, my style is deeply connection-based, rooted in empathy and authenticity, with room for levity when appropriate. I am a hopeful therapist who believes in the process of growth and in our ability as human beings to continually renew ourselves. I find it a genuine honor to share in a client’s journey, and I approach the work with respect, presence, and care. I work with a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety and anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, relationship and coupling challenges, parenting stress, OCD, and many others.
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Warm
Solution oriented

Specialties

Anxiety
Depression
Grief
+1
Hello and welcome! I’m glad you are here. A little bit about myself, I have been working in the mental health field for over 15 years, and it has been a meaningful journey. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, with a focus on Mental Health. I gained an understanding of the importance of accessible and compassionate care. As I gained experience, I developed an interest in family systems and decided to further my education by pursing a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Since then, I have had the privilege of working with individuals, couples, families, and children, providing both individual therapy and group facilitation. In 2020, I became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Through this journey, I have had experiences that allowed me to better understand the broader systems that impact people’s lives and to focus on finding collaborative, strength-based solutions that support real, lasting change.
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Frequently rebooked

Empowering
Warm

Specialties

Anxiety
Perinatal Mental Health
Post Partum
+3
Hello! My name is Martha Hurtado-Garcia and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 10 years of experience supporting individuals with a wide range of challenges, including perinatal depression and anxiety, major life transitions, and the foster care system. Additionally, I have worked directly with teens and their parents for over 9 years providing support to those struggling with communication issues, self esteem, depression and anxiety. I am currently pursuing certification in perinatal mental health to deepen my ability to serve parents and families during such an important stage of life. At the heart of my practice is a genuine love for helping others. I strive to meet my clients where they are, empowering them to define their own goals while walking alongside them with compassion and respect. Hablo Español!
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Warm
Open-minded

Specialties

Anxiety
Coping Skills
Spirituality
+4
I believe it is in coming together to awaken that true transformation is possible. We are all individuals with different perspectives that weave a web of one; We can enlighten each other into new ways of learning or perceiving the world around us. I understand that to be a capable helper, to help guide people through their own fires, I must be willing to pass through the dark myself, and grasp and embody how to navigate those pathways. It was only after dancing with my own shadows, holding steady and falling apart in scary and confusing times, experiencing deep and powerful medicine, and not understanding how it fit into my everyday reality, moving through that fire and fumbling my way through the dark, trusting lightness, finding the courage to move forward, that I felt ready to take a step, embodied and empowered to honor my calling, the ways in which I give back. It is a continual journey. I am still learning. I have spent the last 25+ years working and playing with conscious personal growth, traversing pathways of dark and light, with dance, namely the Open Floor and 5Rhythms movement meditation as my main spiritual practice. Throughout my many years of traveling through countries in Europe, Asia, North and South America, I have learned so much from life, different cultures, and teachers of indigenous traditions, settling on the Big Island of Hawai'i on my off-grid homestead. It has been through these lenses that I learned the most about how to be with, accept, and move through stuckness, struggle, and transition. My personal experiences all inform me, offering a greater perspective, and are woven together with my training to create a truly unique practice for us to explore together the magic of the healing journey.
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Authentic
Humorous

Specialties

Anxiety
Chronic Illness
Substance Misuse
+2
Hello, my name is Michael Chavez, LCSW, and I provide individual therapy to adults facing a variety of challenges, including anxiety, depression, work related stress, and relationship issues. I understand how tough life can be. Before I became a therapist, I went through my own challenges — unhoused, unemployed, and struggling with substance use. Getting sober and working my way through college wasn’t easy, but it shaped the way I show up for others now: with understanding, patience, and zero judgment.
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Open-minded
Authentic
Intelligent

Specialties

Anxiety
Grief
Couples Counseling
As a psychiatrist in California, I offer therapy covered by Aetna to help adults and older adults manage anxiety, grief, and relationship challenges. My approach supports you in moving toward a more meaningful life while accepting and working through life's inevitable struggles.
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Frequently asked questions

Why filter by California rather than a city like LA?

When looking for online therapy, you can see anyone that is credentialed in the state. We want you to find the best fit, therefore, Grow Therapy shows available therapists across California from San Francisco to San Diego! If you’d rather see someone in-person, you can change the filter from virtual and find a therapist near you in California.

Will my therapist take Aetna?

Yes! If you use Aetna you’ll be asked to verify your Member ID at the time you book the appointment. However, if you don’t have Aetna you can select cash. Our therapists will have their cost of appointment on their profile. Individual session costs will vary.

How does the Specialty Filter work? Can I find a therapist that focuses on a specific issue?

The specialty filter is optional. You don’t need to check any boxes to see a provider. However, fit is very important when selecting an online therapist. If you have knowledge or experience to recognize what specialties you may need.

Why use Gender, Age, and Identities filters?

Finding a provider with a similar life experience can be beneficial because it can be easier to establish rapport and potentially be understood quicker and clearer.

What to expect during your first session?

Your first therapy session is for you and your therapist to meet each other and to ask any questions that you have about the counseling process. This is where you can expect your therapist to do the same as they will ask questions to gain insight into your specific situation. In this first session the therapist is doing their part to gather as much information so they can better assess if they are able to meet your therapeutic needs. Depending upon your provider's specialty, you may also discuss the methods the therapist will use. For additional information on therapy methods, please visit the Grow Therapy Help Center.Some people feel nervous before their first appointment, and that is totally normal! Coming prepared with a list of questions for your therapist may help. Remember, you're taking a brave step by seeking therapy, and it is okay to be nervous as you try something new.