Therapists that accept Cash Pay in California

Choosing a cash pay option for mental health care can provide flexibility and access to quality support without the constraints of insurance networks. With 103 verified therapists in California who accept cash pay, you can explore therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, and supportive counseling to address a range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Each Grow Therapy-verified therapist that has a cash pay option listed below is currently welcoming new clients and has availability soon, offering you a straightforward path to compassionate, accessible care on your terms.

Availability updated: 8/16/2026

New to Grow

$200/session

Specialties

LGBTQ
Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD)
Phobias
+1
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker dedicated to helping individuals overcome anxiety and reclaim their lives from fear, uncertainty, and self-doubt. I specialize in the treatment of anxiety disorders, including Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), and related conditions such as Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs). My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and evidence-based. I strive to create a supportive, nonjudgmental space where clients can openly explore their challenges while developing practical skills to manage anxiety and build confidence. I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and other proven therapeutic approaches tailored to each client's unique needs. I understand how overwhelming anxiety can feel and how much courage it takes to seek help. My goal is to empower clients to face their fears, reduce distress, and move toward a life that is guided by their values rather than their anxiety. Whether you are struggling with intrusive thoughts, excessive worry, appearance-related concerns, or compulsive behaviors, I am committed to helping you achieve meaningful and lasting change.
Available

$375/session

Authentic
Empowering
Warm

Specialties

Trauma and PTSD
ADHD
Anxiety
+7
Hi there, I am a licensed clinical psychologist in California. Over the past decade, I have been helping others explore and process current and past challenging thoughts, emotions, and experiences to help them live a more fulfilling life. I believe that you have what you need inside of you to not just survive but thrive and my job is to help you reconnect with it. I believe that regardless of where you are in life or what you have been through, you can be whole, you can live, you can have safe, healthy, happy, stable relationships with others and yourself. Therapy is not easy, finding and protecting your peace takes work. If you are ready to take that next step, I will happily join you and walk along side you. You are not in this alone, and I will be rooting for you!
VirtualAvailable

$110/session

Authentic
Humorous
Direct

Specialties

ADHD
Anxiety
Trauma and PTSD
+9
CJ Medina, here. I am a trauma-informed Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has worked with at-risk youth, veterans, and people with disabilities. Though, I primarily work with children, I have worked with adults in many capacities. I would like to have a balance of adults and children in my practice so I am not taking children right now. Adults need to access their inner child, too. I have 15 years experience with kindergarten through higher education and beyond. Special Education is my specialty, and I am old and wise in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) process, disability law, and targeted counseling services. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is my original specialty for children and adults and I have extensive knowledge, psychoeducation, and coping skills/tools to share. I also am a trauma-informed counselor. A sexual assault trained counselor. And super funny to talk to.
Available

$95/session

Solution oriented
Authentic
Direct

Specialties

Anxiety
LGBTQ
Substance Misuse
+8
I’m Dr. Andy Davis, a licensed psychologist with 18 years of experience in the mental health field. Thirteen of those years were spent serving in the U.S. Air Force, where I had the privilege of working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. My clinical focus includes depression, anxiety, PTSD, stress, grief, personality disorders, LGBTQ+ issues, and concerns related to sex and pornography addiction. As a sex-positive therapist, I provide a safe and affirming environment for clients to explore sensitive areas of their lives without fear of judgment. My therapeutic style is both solutions-focused and rooted in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). I believe therapy should be proactive and goal-driven, helping clients not only gain insight but also develop strategies for change. Clients often describe me as direct and honest, while also compassionate and collaborative—I strive to give practical feedback and advice that can be applied both in and outside of sessions. I especially enjoy working with veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and young adults. These groups often face unique challenges, and I consider it an honor to walk alongside them as they navigate life’s complexities. In addition to my clinical work, I have an extensive background in clinical research. While serving in the Air Force, I conducted sleep studies and developed modern treatment approaches for PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. This research continues to inform my practice, and I place strong emphasis on developing healthy routines, quality sleep schedules, and consistent self-care as foundations for mental health. I often work with clients to build structure into daily life, recognizing these habits play a powerful role in resilience and long-term well-being. Above all, my goal is to provide a safe, supportive space where clients feel empowered to face challenges, discover new perspectives, and build lasting resilience.
VirtualAvailable

Often rebooked

$200/session

Warm
Authentic
Humorous

Specialties

Anxiety
Life Transitions
Self Esteem
+9
Welcome to your first step into a new therapeutic journey. I aim to create a safe, compassionate therapeutic environment that allows you to explore strengths and empower you to have more control over your life. I have helped clients gain new skills and explore experiences that can get in the way of their current happiness. Whether they are struggling with depression, anxiety, identity, and/or relationships, I focus on helping clients feel happier and more confident in their everyday lives. After graduating from Northwestern University with a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy, I have spent the last four years helping people struggling with acute depression and anxiety symptoms as well as any other symptom that has significantly impacted their lives. I have helped clients make life-changing steps toward recovery to create the lives they want to live.
VirtualAvailable

$235/session

Solution oriented
Intelligent
Direct

Specialties

Anxiety
LGBTQ
Trauma and PTSD
+7
Do you feel stuck? Ever feel like your past is a ghost haunting your present? Struggling with relationships, battling self-hatred, or constant self-criticism? You want peace, self-acceptance, and healthier connections but trauma keeps pulling you back? When you go through something really tough, your mind can get stuck on negative thoughts and beliefs about yourself and the world. Therapy can help you identify and challenge these thoughts, so they don't control your life. Imagine breaking free, understanding yourself better, and finally moving forward with confidence. That’s what you truly deserve. I am a Stanford-trained and educated clinical psychologist with over 15 years of experience. With a compassionate approach, I help people identify and challenge these thoughts, so they don't control your life. By working through these patterns, you can start to feel less overwhelmed and more in control, making it easier to move forward and heal. I understand how tough it can be. With all the confusing advice floating around, it's easy to feel like hope is slipping away. But it's not. Reach out to me today, and let's dive into a world of science-backed tools together. We'll craft a plan that's not just doable, but approachable, and most importantly, leads to tangible improvements in your life.
VirtualAvailable

New to Grow

$200/session

Specialties

ADHD
Anxiety
Depression
+6
I have rich experience covering a wide range of issues. I utilize CBT and Existential Therapy. When people are empowered through being heard, emotionally supported, and helped to develop skills, they have a greater ability to lead emotionally healthy lives. I have treated people suffering from mild emotional issues and those with severe psychological dysfunction. These issues range from anxiety and depression to PTSD, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. I have worked with people from all walks of life and professional backgrounds.
Available

New to Grow

$150/session

Specialties

Anxiety
Life Transitions
Men's Issues
+4
I’m a licensed professional counselor with 20 years of experience in community mental health settings. As a therapist and behavioral health practitioner, I have worked with complex trauma, psychosis, mood disorders, anxiety, depression, and co-occurring substance use. I have a masters degree in clinical psychology from the University of Amsterdam and lived in the Netherlands for six years. There, I also began building my family, and that international foundation shaped both how I think and how I work. I work with adults navigating a wide range of life challenges — from anxiety, depression, and relationship patterns to identity, major transitions, and the quieter but persistent sense that something just isn’t working. This includes people working through faith transitions or untangling the psychological weight of a strict or high-control religious upbringing — something I understand not just clinically, but personally. Whether you’re in crisis or simply ready to understand yourself better, I meet people where they are.
Available

$158/session

Authentic
Empowering
Solution oriented

Specialties

LGBTQ
Life Transitions
Trauma and PTSD
+8
My practice, Raíz Psychotherapy, is deeply grounded in the understanding of how systemic issues of the world we live in play major roles in our mental health. Acknowledging the system impacts to individuals’’ lives, I take a liberatory approach as we dive deeper in our work together to explore the factors influencing your day-to-day life to better support you in meeting your therapeutic goals. I love to work with people who are motivated to engage in therapy, and that can look many different ways. Sometimes motivation manifests as curiosity to look at certain patterns or areas of your life in new ways, it can also look like knowing exactly what changes you want to make in your life and knowing it's time to start that work, and or others being motivated looks like finally taking the big step to ask for support. Regardless of how motivation looks for you, if this resonates with you, we can do great work together to get to the root of your experience and create change. Past clients have described me as collaborative, understanding, trustworthy, authentic, and supportive.
Available

$150/session

Empowering
Authentic
Warm

Specialties

Anxiety
Depression
Trauma and PTSD
+5
Hello! I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, proudly based in Oakland, California. I have supported folks over the last decade and was called to social work while employed at an art studio for adults with various health needs. In 2017, I received my Master's in Social Welfare from the University of California, Berkeley. I have been practicing as a social worker for 9 years. I support folks 18+ in navigating trauma and self worth. As a Lebanese-American therapist, I aim to work with folks who are seeking the opportunity to re-examine their cultural storyline and get creative in unpacking their identity. Together, let’s challenge societal expectations and strive to center your authentic self. A little about me, personally: I identify as an artist and child of the earth, as diaspora has scattered my ancestors across the Arab world, Africa, Europe, and North America. I am fascinated by intersectionality and the powerful ways that resilience shapes our multi-hyphenate individuality. It is important that I take care of myself so that I can be a pillar of support to my clients. The way that I release painful feelings is by channeling them into creative projects. I also work hard to stay connected to my body and my surroundings. Whether it’s through writing, building clay sculptures, beading, or making collages, self-expression is a healing practice. I encourage everyone to play a little bit!
VirtualAvailable

$150/session

Authentic
Humorous
Warm

Specialties

Child or Adolescent
Depression
Mood Disorders
+9
"Healing may not be so much about getting better, as about letting go of everything that isn't you – all of the expectations, all of the beliefs – and becoming who you are." - Rachel Naomi Remen Hello! I am Lauresha Hawkins, LCSW, MSW, MPH. I am the CE0 and Founder of Mental Wellness University, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Inc., which is located in California. I am licensed in the state of California and Alaska. I am independently contracted with Grow Therapy. With trust and rapport as the foundation of our therapeutic alliance, my approach is eclectic in style and based on meeting the unique needs of who I serve. Possessing a passion for serving and inspiring people from all walks of life, I have experience working with individuals who have challenges with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, trauma, substance abuse, and perinatal mental health disorders. With fifteen years of experience in the field of social work, I have dedicated eight of those years to providing mental health services as an associate and licensed mental health professional in various settings, including residential therapeutic treatment facilities, outpatient clinics, and hospitals. Currently, I hold a three-year license. My passion lies in serving youth, Transitional Age Youth (TAY), adults, and mature adults, particularly those who are vulnerable and at risk, such as the LGBTQIA+ community and individuals with dual diagnoses.
VirtualAvailable

$150/session

Authentic
Empowering
Warm

Specialties

Anxiety
Grief
Men's Issues
+8
Hi, hello, howdy! Fancy seeing you here. I suppose this is the part where I share if you'd be my "optimal client" but I would rather let you decide if you feel like I would be your “optimal" therapist. My therapeutic focus is increasing awareness of environments and everyday situations, opening one’s perception of life choices, and intensifying feelings of empowerment and liberation in our work together. My ACT/Solution- Focused style is interactive and fun while honoring my client’s relationships, helping them discover what is truly needed from these relationships and inspiring them to live authentically. I am a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 5 years of experience in providing mental health services. I have a B.S. in Social Work from Sacramento State and an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from University of San Francisco. I am certified in Mental Health Nutrition via PESI, and have training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, as well as Trauma Focused-CBT. I’ve had the privilege of working in community mental health (2 years), a group practice setting (2 years), and in a university health center (currently for over 1 year now) with a very wide variety of age ranges, presenting concerns, and communities. I feel that these experiences have given me a broad and rich overview of the human experience across the lifespan and have made me a better practitioner. Currently, I am an LMFT at CSU Sacramento in their health & wellness center on-campus supporting college students with their mental health, and conducting telehealth private practice via Grow during the evenings Monday-Thursday. In my free time I enjoy international travel with my Husband & going to live pop music concerts
VirtualAvailable

$180/session

Authentic
Direct
Intelligent

Specialties

Anxiety
Depression
LGBTQ
+3
Are you looking for a new direction or searching how to live your best life? Life is challenging however there are opportunities to gain new insights and learn new skills in order to enjoy life and all that it has to offer. I enjoy incorporating active things into therapy, a sense of humor, and mindfulness. If you are trying to manage anxiety, depression, stress, work challenges, relationship problems, we will work together to find the solution that works best for you. Counseling offers a safe space to explore, learn new skills, and gain the ability to truly enjoy your life. I am available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in person, most other days are via telehealth.
Available

$150/session

Authentic
Warm
Empowering

Specialties

Anxiety
Depression
LGBTQ
+10
Hi, I’m Ryan Ingram, PsyD, a licensed psychologist in California. I work with adults, teens, and couples who are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of their next steps - whether that’s related to anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, identity, or major life transitions. I specialize in working with individuals and strive to create a space that feels affirming, safe, and grounded in respect for your lived experience. Therapy with me is collaborative and supportive. We’ll move at your pace, focusing on what feels most important to you while building insight, coping tools, and self-understanding along the way. LGBTQ+ affirming and sex positive.
VirtualAvailable

$175/session

Warm
Empowering
Authentic

Specialties

Depression
Peer Relationships
Trauma and PTSD
+7
I am a licensed therapist (LMFT) and have been practicing for the past 7 years with a wide range of diverse clients. I received my bachelors degree in Psychology from UCLA and my masters degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University in Los Angeles. My clients describe my style as genuine, comfortable, patient and educational. I lead with my heart while also helping people connect with reason, skills and resources.
VirtualAvailable

$180/session

Warm
Authentic
Open-minded

Specialties

Anxiety
LGBTQ
Trauma and PTSD
+10
Hello there, I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist working out of California. I attended the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) in San Francisco, CA, where I earned a degree in Integral Clinical Counseling. I am an integral therapist, and support people who have experienced trauma in facilitating both healing and in creating a thriving sense of self.
VirtualAvailable

$120/session

Empowering
Direct
Authentic

Specialties

Anxiety
Chronic Illness
LGBTQ
+4
Hello, I am a therapist who focuses on improving the lives of his clients. I will help empower them to enrich their lives. Together we can explore methods on helping the individual deal with everyday life stressors and also past trauma. I am someone who wants to see their clients excel and be able to manage life's difficulties. Hoping to help my clients see positive results in therapy.
VirtualAvailable

$180/session

Authentic
Humorous
Intelligent

Specialties

LGBTQ
Military/Veterans
Trauma and PTSD
+10
I created Mental Scandles after my own mental health journey brought light, calmness, and comfort into my world. Everyone has a mental health journey and I am here to assist in acknowledging the shifts with ease and patience. Through humor, patience, empathy, and respect I will assist you ensuring you hold yourself up even when you feel the mental scandal is too much.
Available

$175/session

Warm
Authentic
Open-minded

Specialties

Anxiety
Life Transitions
Trauma and PTSD
+2
Hi, I'm Vanessa Mann, LCSW. I aim to help adults navigate anxiety, trauma, grief, relationship challenges, and life transitions. As a therapist and human, I hope that you feel warm, compassionate, and collaborative support as we work together. Our collaboration will work to guide you into a better understanding your experiences, build on your strengths, reconnect with yourself, and create meaningful, lasting change that aligns with your values.
Available

$120/session

Warm
Authentic
Humorous

Specialties

Depression
Eating Disorders
LGBTQ
+8
Do you feel like nothing you do is ever right or that you have to put yourself last to make sure everyone else in your life is taken care of? Maybe you’ve been struggling with self-criticism or setting appropriate boundaries, either with yourself or with others. Life is hard enough without us getting in our own way. You deserve to live a life that is in line with your values or priorities; a life filled with joy and success, however, you want to define it. I help people see their potential and to use their strengths to make changes in their lives. I also help people learn to live in the present moment and to find peace in the current situations they find themselves in. I work with older teens and adults struggling with depression, anxiety, life transitions, eating disorders, assertiveness/boundary setting, self-criticism, and family/relationship conflicts. I use a blend of many different therapy approaches; my focus is on finding what works for you. I only see clients over video so that therapy can happen around your busy life and in a place where you feel comfortable. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I graduated with my master’s degree in social work in 2016. I also hold bachelor's degrees in psychology and multicultural queer studies. In my free time, I enjoy reading, playing board games with friends, and watching the waves at the beach near my home.
VirtualAvailable

$100/session

Authentic
Warm
Empowering

Specialties

Anxiety
Depression
LGBTQ
+10
I am a licensed therapist who believes that meaningful change begins when we slow down and meet ourselves with curiosity instead of judgment. My path to this work wasn’t linear; I spent fifteen years in a different career before making my own midlife transition to mental health a decade ago. That experience taught me firsthand the courage it takes to reinvent yourself. My clinical foundation was forged in community mental health and crisis work, where I had the privilege of working with a beautifully diverse cross-section of people—including LGBTQIA+ individuals, neurodivergent folks, elders and other marginalized communities. This rich background has shaped me into a practitioner who values inclusivity, honors identity, and meets every client exactly where they are in their healing journey. See my website Returning Presence for more info about my approach and background.
Available

New to Grow

$175/session

Specialties

Chronic Illness
LGBTQ
Trauma and PTSD
+6
I am a licensed clinical social worker specializing in supporting trauma survivors, LGBTQIA+ clients, gender affirming therapy for trans and non-binary clients, and those seeking to explore patterns of thinking and feeling and how they can connect to the past, trauma, or difficult family dynamics. In my sessions, I’m hoping clients will feel my authenticity, sincerity, warmth, and humor. I hope to create a space where people look forward to coming and spending time together as we explore and make space for healing & self discovery. Trauma or difficult dynamics with caregivers can leave us feeling hurt, angry, confused, or anxious. We also might feel like we don't know ourselves, like everything is our fault, that we have to be perfect, or like bad things are bound to happen. Trauma can get played out in our relationships which can cause conflict, confusion, and hurt. Because trauma happened in relationships, it can be healed in relationship. I try and create a sense of safety, care, and emotional warmth so we can begin the important work of healing. These elements can give people a restorative experience where they can express feelings and truly feel held and seen. I also use a psychodynamic lens; looking at the past and childhood to make sense of current feelings and behaviors. This can involve looking toward the unconscious to help reveal important themes and emotional needs. I value a collaborative and strengths-based approach, working together to build on your strengths and discover ways you hope to grow, change, expand or explore themes in your life. Together, we can work toward creating a more stable or stronger core sense of self. I’m also newly trained in EMDR and have found this incredibly helpful for clients needing to reprocess difficult memories, experiences, or ways of thinking and feeling.
Available

New to Grow

$135/session

Specialties

Anxiety
Trauma and PTSD
Women's Issues
+10
Starting therapy can feel overwhelming — especially if you’ve spent years feeling anxious, emotionally exhausted, disconnected from yourself, or trapped in unhealthy relationship patterns. You may be carrying the effects of trauma, chronic stress, people-pleasing, or narcissistic abuse while trying to hold everything together on the outside. If that sounds familiar, you are not alone, and healing is possible. I work with adults and adolescents who struggle with anxiety, trauma, low self-worth, emotional overwhelm, relationship wounds, and the lasting impact of narcissistic or emotionally abusive partner or parent/childhood relationships. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling stuck in survival mode — constantly overthinking, walking on eggshells, questioning themselves, or feeling emotionally drained. Together, we work to help you feel safer in your body, more confident in your boundaries, and more connected to who you truly are. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and grounded in creating a space where you feel genuinely seen and understood without judgment. I believe therapy should feel supportive and empowering, not clinical or cold. I integrate evidence-based approaches while also focusing deeply on emotional safety, self-awareness, nervous system regulation, and practical tools you can use in everyday life. Whether you are recovering from trauma, navigating difficult partner relationships, struggling with anxiety, or trying to rebuild your sense of self after emotional abuse, therapy can help you regain clarity, confidence, and peace. You do not have to continue carrying this alone. Reaching out for help takes courage. If you’re ready to begin healing and creating healthier patterns, I’d be honored to support you.
Available

$150/session

Authentic
Direct
Humorous

Specialties

Anxiety
Self Esteem
Women's Issues
+10
“Sometimes, you have to make a decision that will break your heart but heal your soul.” - Trent Shelton. Sometimes you just can’t. Can’t say no, can’t find motivation, can’t sit through another meeting, can’t stop worrying, can’t wear the mask and pretend to be okay, and/or can’t get out of bed. The list goes on, because at some point or another, we all feel like our struggle is too much to handle. But “trouble don’t last always” and you do not have to face your battles alone. Through a solutions-focused and person-centered approach, my goal is to help you nourish you. I help clients find solutions to issues involving boundaries, self-care, time management, trauma, and stress. Together we can visualize, explore, and define who you are and what you want out of life.
VirtualAvailable

$175/session

Authentic
Empowering
Warm

Specialties

Eating Disorders
LGBTQ
Life Transitions
+10
My name is Nate (he/him) and I'm a transgender Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California. I provide individual therapy to adults and older adults navigating a range of challenges, from symptoms to life transitions. I aim to create a warm, non-judgmental space where clients feel truly seen and accepted. My understanding of stigma and systemic barriers comes firsthand, informing my commitment to social justice and empowerment. I offer evidence-based therapeutic tools while honoring each person's inherent wisdom and autonomy in their healing process.
VirtualAvailable
Frequently asked questions

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.

When booking you’ll be asked to verify with your Member ID. However, if you don’t have any of the insurances available you can select cash. Our therapists will have their cost of appointment on their profile. Individual session costs will vary.

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.

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.

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.