Optum Therapists in California

Finding a therapist who accepts Optum insurance can make accessing mental health support more manageable and affordable. With 763 verified therapists in California who accept Optum insurance, you can filter by therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and solution-focused therapy to address issues like anxiety, depression, or relationship challenges. Each Grow Therapy-verified therapist is currently welcoming new clients and has availability within the next 30 days, ensuring you have access to quality care that fits within your Optum insurance coverage.

Availability updated: 5/23/2026

Solution oriented
Authentic
Direct

Specialties

Anger Management
Anxiety
Coping Skills
+7
I am not taking Couples, but I am taking individuals that are or are not in a relationship and need help. We were never taught how to be in a relationship of any kind. Yes there are tons of books of how to, however to put them to practical use can be very difficult. This can also relate to a relationship with a family member, friends or co-workers. Sometimes our own mental health can influence all of our relationships, and you may need coping techniques for anxiety and or depression type symptoms. I will work with you individually to help you gain insight to your own behavior that may be influencing your relationship. I am here to help beit coping strategies for anxiety and depression symptoms or learning how to communicate more effectively with others.
VirtualAvailable

Often rebooked

Warm
Empowering
Authentic

Specialties

Addiction
Anxiety
Depression
+3
Hi! I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California. I graduated from California State University Northridge with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, and furthered my education at Antioch University Los Angeles, where I obtained a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology, specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy. I’ve had the privilege of working with different demographics in a range of therapeutic environments. I’ve worked with teens in the high school setting, with individuals struggling with substance abuse and eating disorders, as well as patients with depression, anxiety, low self esteem, trauma, toxic relationships, and co-dependency. I generally combine the use of both humanistic and client-centered psychotherapy in my work. With that said, I tailor my services to each client and their clinical needs. While accompanying my clients on their journey of change and growth, I provide them with unconditional compassion and acceptance. My goal is to cultivate an authentic human connection with my clients by creating a safe and comfortable space to explore, promoting growth, and facilitating change.
VirtualAvailable

Often rebooked

Authentic
Solution oriented
Warm

Specialties

Anxiety
Trauma and PTSD
Women's Issues
+4
Hello! I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California. I received my Masters from CSU Stanislaus and have been practicing for over 12 years. I work collaboratively with adults around a variety of life stressors to help them meet their individual goals. Some of my specific areas of expertise include working with anxiety disorders, life transitions, and women’s health.
VirtualAvailable

Often rebooked

Authentic
Empowering
Warm

Specialties

Anxiety
Chronic Illness
Trauma and PTSD
+4
I work with adults navigating chronic illness, medical trauma, and the emotional impact of ongoing health stress. My approach is calm, collaborative, and trauma-informed, with attention to nervous system safety and pacing. I aim to create a space where clients don’t have to explain or minimize their experience. I also have managed a chronic illness and have a lot of personal experience with the Medical Industrial complex.
VirtualAvailable
Warm
Direct
Humorous

Specialties

Coping Skills
Life Transitions
Peer Relationships
+9
Finding a place where you can be completely honest about how you’re doing shouldn't be so difficult. I’m Elizabeth, and I help people navigate the deeper, more complex parts of their lives that often feel hard to put into words. I believe that the challenges you’re facing today are usually connected to a larger story. Whether you are dealing with the long-term effects of trauma, the weight of life changes, or a persistent feeling that something is 'off,' I’m here to help you make sense of it. My goal is to move beyond just managing symptoms so we can understand and address the root causes of your distress.
VirtualAvailable

Often rebooked

Authentic
Warm
Challenging

Specialties

Anxiety
Depression
Self Esteem
+9
You're an Asian-American professional who has achieved much in your life, and yet, despite all of your successes, you're still unhappy. You find yourself angry with other people, worried about how things will turn out, disappointed when things don't go your way, and frustrated with all of the above. You know that there has to be more to life than your robotic routine, but you haven't been able to figure out what that is yet. I was in the same situation that you're in, and I've learned how to do better. I speak from personal experience, not from book learning. I specialize in helping Asian-American professionals bridge the gap between cultures, overcome their harsh inner critic, and develop true confidence and self-respect. Happiness is your natural birthright. It is my privilege and joy to work with clients and help them discover what is blocking them from the happiness that is already inside of them. If you would like to work with me and discover more of what's in you, please reach out. I look forward to hearing from you.
VirtualAvailable
Warm
Authentic
Empowering

Specialties

Family Conflict
Life Transitions
Self Esteem
+10
Hello, my name is Sang Wu and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California. I received my Masters from Alliant International University and have been practicing for nine years. I work with adults who feel stuck in their current lives, and individuals who struggle with anxiety and depression. I assist in helping them navigate crucial moments, difficult forks in the road of life, uncertain futures, and help them live their best lives.
VirtualAvailable
Authentic
Warm
Humorous

Specialties

Anxiety
Depression
Trauma and PTSD
Welcome to my professional profile. My name is Paul Quezada, and I am a bilingual (Spanish) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist located in Southern California. Thank you for taking the time to consider me as a potential ally on your journey towards improved mental health and overall well-being. First and foremost, I want to acknowledge your courage in seeking help. Your mental health is paramount, and I commend you for prioritizing it. I am here to offer my support and guidance as you navigate life's obstacles and challenges. My role is to provide you with the necessary tools and support to manage the various struggles impacting your mental health. Whether you are grappling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or navigating significant life transitions, I am here to accompany you on your journey towards healing and self-discovery. Thank you for considering me as a potential partner in your therapeutic journey. I look forward to the opportunity to work together and support you in achieving your goals.
VirtualAvailable

Often rebooked

Warm
Empowering
Authentic

Specialties

Sex Addiction
Spirituality
Trauma and PTSD
+10
I’m an LMFT/ CSAT/ CMAT doing private practice counseling and group therapy in Los Angeles. I’ve been a therapist for almost 7 years, experienced in treating sex/ porn addictions, trauma, depression, anxiety, grief, substance use, ADHD, and church hurt in private practice, recovery clinics, and faith-based settings. As a CSAT, I pay special attention to intimacy disorders, and believe the best way to treat addiction, depression, or sin is about finding real hope and meaningful connection rather than “managing bad behaviors.” What I really want you to know about me is that I believe so much in the therapy process, because my life was changed forever by the counselors that have helped me to overcome my own mental health struggles. A little more about me that makes me who I am as a therapist? I was a pastor for 17 years and I feel humbled when I can come alongside ministry leaders in a crisis of faith. As a gay Christian, I’m especially proud to share my story with other LGBTQ+ individuals who long for self-acceptance and inclusion in the church. I was a songwriter in my younger days and enjoy finding creative ways to help people heal. I believe we find our greatest purpose in the center of our pain, and I will probably get super excited when you do too.
VirtualAvailable

Often rebooked

Solution oriented
Direct
Open-minded

Specialties

Anxiety
Coping Skills
Life Transitions
+3
Hello, I’m Sharon Hill-Anderson, LMFT. I’m a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who takes a person-centered, collaborative approach to working with adults navigating life transitions, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues. My goal is to create a safe, non-judgmental, and supportive environment where you can begin your journey toward healing and personal growth. I value open, supportive, and non-judgmental conversations. My style is rooted in active listening, ensuring you feel heard and understood. This space is for you—to reflect, explore, and grow at your own pace.
VirtualAvailable
Empowering
Solution oriented
Authentic

Specialties

ADHD
Anxiety
Coping Skills
+10
I empower my clients to become more confident, achieve the goals they set for themselves, and to better communicate with the people around them. I aid my clients in gaining a better understanding of themselves and help them explore how to solve problems while staying aligned with their core values. I approach my work from a person-centered lens, while also utilizing CBT and solution focused practices with a dash of narrative therapy and humor. This allows my clients to feel both seen and heard, while also enabling the creation of lasting changes in their lives.
VirtualAvailable

Often rebooked

Authentic
Solution oriented
Empowering

Specialties

Anxiety
Couples Counseling
Trauma and PTSD
My focus is to provide support and guidance. I provide individual, couples, and family therapy (ages 5+) using a client-centered approach. I use a wide variety of therapeutic approaches, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), etc. I am bilingual in English and Spanish. I provide a client-centered approach with motivational interviewing. I use a wide variety of therapeutic approaches.
VirtualAvailable

Often rebooked

Authentic
Warm
Empowering

Specialties

ADHD
Anxiety
Grief
+6
At a young age, I came to the United States from Pakistan through an arranged marriage. My experience as a young woman fresh to this country inspired my journey to making a difference in the community through activism and therapy. I went through my own therapeutic journey and now am excited to help my clients empower themselves in their narrative paths.
VirtualAvailable
Authentic
Warm
Direct

Specialties

Depression
Grief
Trauma and PTSD
+7
Hello, my name is Marisol Garcia. I am first generation Mexican-American who has worked in a community mental health clinic for the past 12 years. I've gone through my own life experiences, from which I've worked on overcoming through therapy. I believe this have given me the opportunity to empathize with client, while also drawing knowledge I've gained through my education and training, as well as my own therapy, in order to help you, the client.
VirtualAvailable

Often rebooked

Warm
Authentic
Empowering

Specialties

Anxiety
Depression
Life Transitions
+6
Hi! Hola! Welcome to my page! I'm a bilingual, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California. I received my Masters from Notre Dame de Namur University in Clinical Psychology and have been practicing for 8 years. I enjoy working with families, youth, and adults navigating through life challenges that include grief, anxiety, depression, trauma, generational relational trauma, and life stress.
VirtualAvailable

Often rebooked

Intelligent
Solution oriented
Authentic

Specialties

Anxiety
Hello, I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in California. With a passion for supporting individuals, couples, and families to navigate the complexities of relationships and personal growth, I've dedicated my career to fostering a safe and nurturing environment where my clients can explore challenges, heal, and thrive. My approach is grounded in empathy, evidence-based practices, and a deep commitment to understanding each client's unique dynamics and strengths. Whether addressing communication issues, conflict resolution, emotional intimacy, or personal development, I aim to empower my clients to achieve greater harmony, understanding, and fulfillment in their lives and relationships.
VirtualAvailable
Authentic
Solution oriented
Warm

Specialties

Anxiety
Depression
Coping Skills
+2
I’m a licensed therapist who works with adults navigating anxiety, depression, grief, and relationship challenges. My approach is collaborative, trauma-informed, and insight-oriented, blending practical tools with deeper exploration of patterns. I create a grounded, supportive space where clients can gain clarity, better understand their emotional responses, and move toward meaningful, sustainable change. I value building strong therapeutic relationships and meeting clients where they are while helping them move forward at a pace that feels steady and manageable.
VirtualAvailable
Authentic
Warm
Empowering

Specialties

Anxiety
Depression
Trauma and PTSD
+9
Hello, my name is Veronica. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) dedicated to providing compassionate support and professional guidance to individuals. With a strong commitment to mental health and well-being, I strive to create a safe and supportive environment where clients can explore their challenges and work toward positive change. As a licensed social worker, I am extensively trained in a variety of evidence-based treatments, including Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD. Additionally, I utilize Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to support clients dealing with depression and anxiety, ensuring that my therapeutic interventions are both effective and adaptable to individual needs. I am passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of those I serve. My goal is to help clients navigate life's challenges, foster personal growth, and promote well-being through compassionate and ethical social work practice.
VirtualAvailable
Authentic
Open-minded
Solution oriented

Specialties

Anxiety
Depression
Self Esteem
+6
Hello, I'm Amber Potter, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 15 years of experience. I work with people who are open to growth and curious about the patterns shaping their relationships and experiences. I’m especially drawn to clients who are learning to accept themselves more fully, including the parts that feel imperfect or stuck. Together, we will work toward greater understanding, resilience, and meaningful change.
VirtualAvailable
Warm
Empowering
Authentic

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.
VirtualAvailable
Authentic
Warm
Solution oriented

Specialties

Anxiety
Depression
Self Esteem
+3
Hi and thank you for your consideration. 📘 Introduction Relationships with professors led to my first becoming a therapist as an undergraduate student majoring in Community Service at University of Oregon. After receiving a master's degree in social work, the majority of my career was working 23 years for the National Center for PTSD. I had the extraordinary experience of creating my own job description as a Health Scientist in the emerging field of Disaster Mental Health. Over the course of these years, I responded to a dozen Presidentially declared catastrophic events. Additionally, I created a therapy integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and meditation endorsed by a leading 20th century cognitive therapy psychologist who assisted the work being published in an international clinical journal. 📘Overview: • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) helping clients cope with anxiety, depression and traumatic events to achieve behavioral change. • In 2022, I began offering telemental health therapy and have been enjoying the work and the progress with my clients. • Former Health Science Specialist and Editor-in Chief of clinical journal at National Center for PTSD. • Career spans research, emergency response, clinical practice, clinical training, administrative consultation, 30+ publications, and international humanitarian response. Primary author of "Disaster Mental Health Services: A Guidebook for Clinicians & Administrators". One of the most referenced manuals in disaster mental health. Twenty-nine publications in all. Research, Trainer, & Publications covering: • Disaster mental health systems (national, state, & community) • Interventions for PTSD, anxiety, emergency responder self-care Field Experience • Provided direct services, training, and consultation in the aftermath of terrorist attacks, plane crashes, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, & civil unrest. International Work • Assembled American Disaster Mental Health Team, Ukraine (2014) Post-Maidan Revolution • Fulbright Grant: Ukraine (2018)
VirtualAvailable
Solution oriented
Open-minded
Empowering

Specialties

First Responders/Healthcare Workers
Military/Veterans
Trauma and PTSD
+4
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who provides counseling to adults and couples using a trauma-informed approach. I am trained in EMDR, Brainspotting, and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), and I help clients process and heal from complex life experiences. I bring a unique depth of experience to my work, having served 25 years as a police officer and over 13 years supporting first responders through peer support programs. I am also a certified domestic violence counselor with experience working with both adults and children impacted by trauma, and a U.S. Army veteran with four years of active-duty service.
VirtualAvailable
Intelligent
Warm
Authentic

Specialties

Coping Skills
Crisis Intervention
Military/Veterans
+4
As a Clinical Licensed Social worker with over 10 years of experience, I bring deep understanding of the complexities of mental health to my work with clients. With a strong background in social services, I have developed a particular expertise in working with adolescents struggling with severe mental health. My experience as a foster parents has given me a unique perspective on the challenges faced by vulnerable population, and I am passionate about advocating for the well-being of children and families. My work with veterans has allowed me to develop a specialized understanding of unique needs and challenges faced by military families and veteran. I am committed to providing compassionate, evidence based therapy that empowers clients to achieve their goals and improve their overall well being.
VirtualAvailable
Authentic
Open-minded
Solution oriented

Specialties

Anxiety
Grief
LGBTQ
+10
I am an alternative, openminded, non-judgmental therapist for those folks who have felt marginalized, ostracized, bullied, and judged for expressing parts of themselves that may be deemed "weird" or misunderstood. I am educated and experienced in LGBTQIA+ issues, trauma recovery, grief, relationship issues in unconventional relationships (poly, kink, platonic, etc.) I seek to help clients explore their values that have likely been buried by trauma, shame, and people-pleasing, and help form a structure to living a life that feels more genuine.
VirtualAvailable

Often rebooked

Warm
Empowering
Authentic

Specialties

Parenting
Self Esteem
Women's Issues
+3
*Please note: my current openings for California clients are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during various times between 6am - 2pm PST only* Congratulations on taking the first step in finding support - it's not easy to ask for help! My name is Bryssa (Bree-sa) and I am here for you. I aim to provide all of my clients with empathy, care and authentic support for what they are experiencing. I want to help my clients set boundaries, learn to identify and communicate their emotions, find their power and develop their sense of self worth. I have my Bachelors in Social Work (BSW) as well as my Masters in Social Work (MSW), though I joke that I was born a social worker. I hold an LCSW license (Licensed Clinical Social Worker #118448) and am committed to the values of social work in everything that I do: service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity and competence.
VirtualAvailable
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 California. 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 Optum?

Yes! If you use Optum you’ll be asked to verify your Member ID at the time you book the appointment. However, if you don’t have Optum 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 happens during the first therapy 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.