Blue Shield Therapists in California

Accessing mental health services with Blue Shield can simplify the path to quality, affordable care. With 7 verified therapists in California who accept Blue Shield, you can choose from therapeutic approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, and mindfulness-based therapy to help with issues such as stress, anxiety, or personal growth. Each Grow Therapy-verified therapist listed below is accepting new clients and has appointments available soon, making it easy to find in-network support that aligns with your Blue Shield coverage.

Availability updated: 6/30/2025

Jody evans

Jody evans, LMFT - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
LMFT
1 year of experience
Virtual
Hi. My name is Jody Evans and I am a licensed marriage and family therapist. I have been practicing for the past 10 years. I graduated from Pepperdine university top of my class. I help adults struggling with depression, anxiety and addictions to learn coping skills to manage these disorders. I can provide individual, couples or family therapy. I have experience working with individuals who are going through divorce or any life transition.

Christine Rivlin

(she/her)

Christine Rivlin, LPCC - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
LPCC
9 years of experience
Virtual
I am an LPCC in California and an LPC in Texas. My educational background consists of earning my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master's in clinical counseling, and a Master's in Addictions. I am a National Certified Counselor and am a certified addictions counselor. My past clinical experience includes working for a crisis center where the majority of clients experienced issues related to suicide, homicide, domestic violence, and child and elder abuse. These issues impact people of all ages, races, and ethnic groups. I have also worked for a county-based permanent assisted housing development where all of the clients have experienced episodes of homelessness, and have been significantly impacted by issues of trauma, depression, addictions, domestic violence, and child abuse.

Kristy Turner

(she/her)

Kristy Turner, LMFT - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
LMFT
22 years of experience
Virtual
Hi, I am Kristy. As a psychotherapist my approach to therapy for over the last 20 years with individuals, couples and families is rooted in some key elements including building a therapeutic relationship, uncovering unconscious processes, promoting self-reflection and insight, and facilitating emotional processing. As a psychotherapist while working with you, I am dedicated to helping you develop self-awareness, gain insight into your inner world, make lasting changes in your life and create a safe and supportive therapeutic environment. By creating a safe and supportive environment I allow you to heal and help overcome challenges, develop healthier coping strategies and achieve therapeutic goals.

Jonnetta Appianing

(she/her)

Jonnetta Appianing, LMFT - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
LMFT
5 years of experience
Virtual
Hello! I am Jonnetta Appianing, Licensed Marriage & Child Family Therapist of 5 years of post graduate experience. Being a Licensed Mental Health Therapist has given me the opportunity to work in a variety of different roles, settings, and diagnosis from all cultures facing many of life stressors including, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideations, trauma, PTSD, OCD, substance abuse, interpersonal relationship, addictions and eating disorders. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with children, teens adults and couples. Throughout my years, I gained experience supporting and empowering people with different challenges and it has been very rewarding.

Melissa Yaeger

(she/her)

Melissa Yaeger, LPCC - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
LPCC
10 years of experience
Virtual
Hi there, my name is Melissa Yaeger and I am a licensed professional counselor in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and a licensed professional clinical counselor in California. Do you feel misunderstood by parents or family? Do you just want to be heard? I work with adolescents and adults who struggle in a number of areas. These include depression, anxiety, self-harm, eating disorders, substance abuse, personality disorders, recovery from physical/emotional abuse and the processing of grief. More importantly, I am accessible to those who simply need someone to talk to during a difficult time or if you are feeling like there is really no one else in your life who listens. My hope for any of my clients is they feel validated and heard during each and every session. I also hope to empower my clients to be able to set boundaries when needed, believe in who they are and what they can achieve and feel hopeful about their future and healing from their past.

Anastasia Rivera, MSW

Anastasia Rivera, MSW, LCSW - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
LCSW
8 years of experience
Virtual
Are you feeling defeated, overwhelmed, hopeless or simply “not yourself” anymore? My name is Anastasia and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California. I specialize in working with adults and teenagers suffering from symptoms related to mental health challenges. I have the experience and competence to help individuals and families cope with relationship problems, feelings related to depression, challenges from social anxiety and trauma, coping with anger, grief and loss, and life transitions. I believe that therapy should be a safe space for you to ventilate without judgment. In therapy, you should be challenged to grow your skills and strengths so that you can return to the person you once were before mental health challenges were present. My specialized modalities include cognitive behavioral therapy, client-centered therapy, psychodynamic therapy and strengths-based approaches. My goal is to support you while challenging you at a comfortable pace to see positive change in your life. * Please note I do not provide letters for service animals or special accommodations. Please feel free to reach out with any questions at 661-487-1779

Lisa Thayer, Ph.D.

(she/her)

Lisa Thayer, Ph.D., LP - California Therapist at Grow Therapy
LP
20 years of experience
Virtual
Your well being is important to me. I am passionate about this work because I am passionte about the healing we all deserve. Uncomfortable emotions sound the alarm to what distresses us and harkens us back to all the feeling memories related to the emotional hurt we feel right now. In therapy, we can get to know your attachment style and the way experience emotional disconnection when it occurs in your relationships today. Emotional connection is so important to our experience of safety in the world, and I want to help you to validate the defenses you learned and earned to help you survive and cope. I work with couples and individuals experiencing emotional distress. I aim to validate your needs to communicate your distress, to make sure that distress matters and is understood. From there we can work on cultivating the compassion and care you have for you and others and help you find the peace and happiness you deserve to survive and thrive. I follow a stepwise process. I objectively notice and intervene where it matters most. Together we collaborate to acknowledge, aim and validate the reasons for protest or withdrawal when that occurs. Therapy is a soothing process and instills a growth mindset. When we slow down to experience your authentic core feelings in session, I work to give you the safety you deserve to make sure a secure attachment connection can happen. I care for individuals, couples and families. I help my clients to develop their own personal map of self-protective relationship reactions that challenge or derail risk taking for authentic connection and self-actualization. As your therapist, I want to be a helper and guide you to know and share your authentic self in the ways you desire. We all need and want nurture, care and protection and when we take care of important feeling moments, life almost magically organically takes care of us.

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 Blue Shield?

Yes! If you use Blue Shield you’ll be asked to verify your Member ID at the time you book the appointment. However, if you don’t have Blue Shield 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 Eating Disorders?

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. For example, your selected specialty, Eating Disorders, is filtering therapists in California that work with patients with similar concerns.

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.