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 53 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: 8/17/2026

$150/session

Authentic
Warm
Open-minded

Specialties

Serious Mental Illness
Coping Skills
Depression
+7
Currently not accepting couples, fully accepting you! I work exclusively with adults in individual therapy. If you’ve been stuck in the endless therapist scroll, trying to figure out who actually feels safe, relatable, and honest enough to open up to... welcome! I hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Iowa with an emphasis in mental health. This background allows me to approach your concerns with a holistic and informed perspective. Many of the people I work with are carrying anxiety, depression, emotional overwhelm, relationship stress, identity exploration, burnout, anger, shame, grief, or the pressure of always having to “hold it together.” Some feel disconnected from themselves. Others are tired of surviving and want to start living more intentionally. My approach is warm, grounded, direct, and deeply human. Therapy with me is not about analyzing you from a distance or pretending to have all the answers. It is a collaborative space where you can slow down, speak honestly, make sense of your experiences, and begin responding to yourself and your life differently. Clients often tell me they appreciate that I balance compassion with honesty. I will support you, challenge you when needed, and help you notice patterns that may no longer serve you without judgment or shame. I work best with clients who are open to reflection, ready for meaningful change, and willing to engage in the process at their own pace. If you’re looking for a therapist who feels authentic, conversational, and intentional in the work, we may be a good fit.
VirtualAvailable

$195/session

Open-minded
Authentic
Challenging

Specialties

Serious Mental Illness
Anxiety
Men's Issues
+10
Hello, I am Marco, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 8 years of experience supporting clients from all backgrounds. My areas of focus include men's issues, anxiety, depression, relationship dynamics, and psychotic disorders. I believe the most effective therapy is rooted in authenticity and mutual respect. My approach is collaborative and direct; I provide a safe, honest space to explore your challenges, focusing on practical truths rather than avoidance.
Available

$180/session

Warm
Authentic
Empowering

Specialties

Serious Mental Illness
Anxiety
Depression
+9
Hi, I’m Ange. I help people who are stressed, stuck, or just plain worn out from trying to hold it all together. My style is pretty down to earth. Some days we’ll get into the deep stuff, other days we might laugh about how messy life can be. I also speak Cantonese and Mandarin, so you can show up in whatever language feels most natural.
VirtualAvailable

$200/session

Authentic
Warm
Intelligent

Specialties

Serious Mental Illness
Anxiety
Depression
+10
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I take a client-centered approach to treatment, ensuring that each session is tailored to the unique needs and goals of my clients. In my sessions, I would like to hear from you. Think of me as an observer in your art gallery, not as a critic, but as someone who appreciates your vision and the story you tell. You are the artist, and as such, you will explain to me your pieces, your vision, and your creations. I will take these all in and reflect back to you your work, and if appropriate, draw parallels from your earlier creations.
VirtualAvailable

Often rebooked

$150/session

Authentic
Holistic
Open-minded

Specialties

Serious Mental Illness
Addiction
Bipolar Disorder
+10
I bring both professional and personal experience to my work as a therapist. Having a Bipolar 1 diagnosis has given me a unique perspective on the challenges of navigating the institutional and often stigmatized aspects of mental health and the impact on life. This lived experience allows me to approach therapy with empathy, a genuine curiosity and appreciation for each client’s journey, while also emphasizing overall holistic living for optimal wellness of mind and body. Professionally, I’ve worked in psychiatric residential treatment, addiction medicine, youth detention and private practice settings. These experiences have strengthened my ability to support clients through a wide range of concerns from mild to severe forms of mental health challenges and their impact on daily living. I integrate a lot of somatic and sensory-based tools focusing on emotion and nervous system regulation, including brainspotting, drumming, sound therapy, aromatherapy, meditation and shamanic techniques and other mindfulness tools, along with an emphasis on nature therapy, nutrition in relation to mental health and sleep hygiene. Alongside these approaches, I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) to examine and reframe unhelpful thought patterns, strengthen emotion regulation, and collaborate with clients to develop the most applicable coping strategies in those areas. I have extensive experience supporting clients with addictions, complex PTSD/trauma history, ADHD, BPD, bipolar and schizophrenia, among others. "Based on your exceptional client engagement and outstanding care, you’ve officially qualified as a 2026 Grow Therapy Thriver! 🎉 (roughly 600 out of 25,000+ providers) This recognition reflects the meaningful relationships you build with clients from the start and the trust you inspire through your work. Becoming a Thriver places you among a select group of providers who set the tone for excellence across the Grow platform. We’re honored to celebrate this milestone with you."
VirtualAvailable

Often rebooked

$160/session

Authentic
Direct
Intelligent

Specialties

Serious Mental Illness
Anxiety
Men's Issues
+9
I’m a therapist who primarily works with men dealing with relationship struggles, trauma, and anxiety that’s started to affect work, family, and daily life. I’ve worked in a men’s trauma center as well as in private practice, so I’m very comfortable sitting with the heavier stuff that most guys have learned to keep to themselves. My style is direct, non‑judgmental, and very relational, think real conversation, honest feedback, and a focus on what actually helps you feel and live better, not just “talking about your feelings” for an hour.
VirtualAvailable

$175/session

Authentic
Open-minded
Warm

Specialties

Serious Mental Illness
Anxiety
Self Esteem
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.
VirtualAvailable

$150/session

Authentic
Warm

Specialties

Serious Mental Illness
Life Transitions
Trauma and PTSD
+3
I enjoy working collaboratively to develop goals that are realistic, meaningful, and lead to positive change. I view therapy as a journey—one that helps you find steadier footing and supports you as you move along your unique path. Although much of my background has been in public service settings working with severe mental illness, acute crises, and trauma, I welcome concerns of any size. No problem is too small or too overwhelming to bring into therapy. I invite you to give the therapy process a chance to work for you! I have been in the behavioral health field for more than 30 years and have been licensed since 2012. I have a practical, down-to-Earth style with an open-minded, solution focused approach. There is likely no issue too complicated or difficult for me to work with. I like to establish a clear treatment path with attainable goals, making it easier for you. I encourage you to give the therapy process a chance to work for you. My goal is to offer steady support and thoughtful guidance as you discover a healing path that truly fits your life. While life can be challenging, you don’t have to navigate it alone—therapy can provide a safe space to find clarity, resilience, and hope.
VirtualAvailable

$260/session

Empowering
Authentic
Warm

Specialties

Serious Mental Illness
Sexual Abuse
Trauma and PTSD
+10
I help my clients realize their personal goals through a trauma-informed and empathic approach. My expertise is working with people who have experienced a traumatic event and/or are experiencing mental health struggles/issues, helping them uncover obstacles that hinder their ability to reach their fullest potential. My lived experience brought me to help others as I would have loved to be helped: someone to tell me I’m not alone. Life is hard, and traumas become unbearable without someone in your corner to help process what you have been through.
VirtualAvailable

$180/session

Direct
Authentic
Empowering

Specialties

Serious Mental Illness
Crisis Intervention
Suicidal Ideation
+10
Hi and thanks for stopping by! My name is Diana and I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I've been a social worker/therapist for over a decade and feel lucky and proud to be able to do what I get to do, which is to help and support people. I enjoy working with individuals of all ages, but my work has primarily been with the adult population. My treatment has focused on trauma, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation and mood management.
VirtualAvailable

$125/session

Authentic
Open-minded
Warm

Specialties

Serious Mental Illness
Anxiety
Self Esteem
+8
Hello! I am a License Clinical Social Worker based in California. I received my Master of Social Work from California State University Long Beach. I received my BA in Psychology degree from California Stated University Fullerton. I have been practicing mental health counseling for 17 years. I help adolescents, adults and older adults struggling with careers, stress and burnout, traumatic life events, experiencing depression and anxiety to be able to function as normal as they can be.
VirtualAvailable

$150/session

Authentic
Direct
Solution oriented

Specialties

Serious Mental Illness
Anxiety
Grief
+10
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I provide a supportive and collaborative space where clients can explore challenges, discover strengths, and build meaningful change. I have over 10 years of experience working with a variety of populations, addressing multiple issues to give clients the encouragement for creating change in their lives. In our sessions, you can expect a warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental environment. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe enough to share openly while also supported in taking steps toward meaningful change. I bring a genuine curiosity to your story, while also helping you identify strengths and tools to move you forward.
VirtualAvailable

New to Grow

$130/session

Specialties

Serious Mental Illness
Crisis Intervention
Men's Issues
+6
I'm a gentleman in my early 50s who has worked in the mental health field for over 20 years now (licensed MFT since 2014). I finally have time and availability for a private practice am very excited to tap into my growth and experience to help others make positive changes in their lives. My other roles have included case management for seriously mentally ill people and also crisis evaluations.
Available

$145/session

Intelligent
Authentic
Warm

Specialties

Serious Mental Illness
LGBTQ
Trauma and PTSD
+10
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 10 years of experience supporting individuals with complex and high acuity mental health needs. My work is grounded in trauma informed and trauma responsive care, with a strong commitment to creating inclusive, affirming spaces for BIPOC, LGBTQI+, neurodivergent clients, and individuals in rural communities. I work across the lifespan, including children (6+), adults, older adults, families, and couples. My approach is collaborative and empowering, centered on the belief that clients are the experts in their own lives. I often describe my role as “working myself out of a job” helping clients build the insight, skills, and confidence needed to advocate for themselves and navigate systems independently. As a trauma specialist, I use evidence-based and trauma-responsive approaches tailored to each client’s needs. My primary modalities include Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), somatic therapy, Internal Family Systems-informed interventions, and psychodynamic therapy. My EMDRIA certification is currently pending. I also have extensive experience using Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, exposure-based interventions, mindfulness, and other integrative approaches. I modify interventions to support neurodivergent clients and individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, recognizing that therapy should adapt to the client and not require the client to adapt to therapy. To learn more about my clinical approach, specialties, services, book an initial consultation, and private practice, please visit Mapping Resilience Therapy Center at https://mappingresiliencetherapycenter.com/
VirtualAvailable

$150/session

Authentic
Direct
Empowering

Specialties

Serious Mental Illness
Depression
Mood Disorders
+10
My name is Felicia Burnett-Lopez, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have been working in the mental health field for over ten years. I earned my Bachelors’ Degree in Psychology and earned my Masters’ Degree in Social Work. My education and experience include human behavior; environmental and biological psychology, substance abuse and addiction; understanding and working in mental health, with people with mental illnesses, within all populations.
VirtualAvailable

$160/session

Empowering
Solution oriented
Warm

Specialties

Serious Mental Illness
Anxiety
Bipolar Disorder
+10
Hello! I’m Yasaman Sharifi, Licensed Family and Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT), a dedicated mental health professional with a passion for helping individuals navigate their challenges through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). With a focus on fostering self-awareness and resilience, I work collaboratively with clients to identify and reshape negative thought patterns, develop effective coping strategies, and achieve their personal therapy goals. I address the roots and underlining issues to assist individual with faster recovery with the current problems. Whether you’re facing anxiety, depression, or relationship issues, I am here to provide a supportive and empowering environment for your growth and healing. Let’s embark on this journey together!
Available

$150/session

Authentic
Warm
Empowering

Specialties

Serious Mental Illness
Anger Management
Anxiety
+8
Hello! I'm a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in California. I am also a Marine Corps veteran. I received my Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D.) from the California Professional School of Psychology (CSPP) at Alliant International University in 2017. I have been practicing in settings like the California Department of Corrections and the Department of Veterans Affairs, Central California Health Care System for nine years. My experience is primarily with adults who have a severe mental illness, or merely symptoms that are disrupting their sense of wellness and are a barrier to their happiness.
VirtualAvailable

$150/session

Warm
Authentic
Humorous

Specialties

Serious Mental Illness
Anxiety
Suicidal Ideation
+6
Hello! I’m Danielle. I am from Massachusetts where I completed my undergraduate (Criminal Justice & Psychology) and graduate (social work) studies. During undergrad, I volunteered with a program that help inmates with serious mental health disorder re-enter to the community. I was told the most efficient way to engage in that type of work was to go to a MSW program, so I did. During my graduate program, I heavily explored crisis intervention/assessments. Since then I have worked at a variety of places, including therapy, case management, prisons, and emergency response. As someone who has been in and out of therapy since I was young, I never wanted to be administering therapy. I thought being a therapist would be boring and I didn’t really understand it. However, as I’ve explored what therapy should be- treating someone using an evidenced-based practice- I enjoy administering mental health treatment, using a scientific approach. My goal is to help you gain relief from symptoms, maintain or enhance daily functioning, and improve quality of life. Ultimately, I want you to gain a sense of independence and confidence in your ability to navigate life’s challenges, using the tools and insights you’ve developed in therapy.
VirtualAvailable

$180/session

Authentic
Direct
Intelligent

Specialties

Serious Mental Illness
Anxiety
Sex Addiction
+10
I help my clients to gain a deeper understanding of the behavioral issues, triggers, coping mechanisms, and traumas that may be contributing to their challenges. I offer a safe, non-judgmental space for you to explore your story and find healing. Your security and safety are my top priority, and I will work with you every step of the way to ensure you feel comfortable and supported. So come as you are, and let's start our healing journey together.
VirtualAvailable

$150/session

Authentic
Open-minded

Specialties

Serious Mental Illness
Anxiety
Crisis Intervention
+10
Hello, I am so glad you are here to start this journey with me! My name is Bailey Armstead, I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and I have been practicing for 8 years now in multiple areas of this field, with multiple populations and diagnoses. I have a strong background in social work, crisis intervention and case management while also having experience working in behavioral health hospital settings, community settings (non-housed shelters, temporary housing locations, medical hospitals), and forensic settings. I specialize in working with those who have mood disorders, thought disorders, ADHD, anxiety and depression.
Available

$200/session

Open-minded
Direct
Authentic

Specialties

Serious Mental Illness
Anger Management
Anxiety
+8
I am Jaron Haynes, an African American/Native American licensed therapist with 20 years of clinical experience which includes working with families, adolescents, the chronically mentally ill, those struggling with substance abuse and addiction, PTSD, trauma, anxiety, domestic violence, and personality disorders. As an expert in Marriage & Family Therapy he brings to the team a wealth of knowledge and vast experience to provide the highest quality of care and patience necessary for even those high conflict parenting clients. Jaron is a licensed professional that exhibits compassion and empathy. His passion to help those in need and his desire to give back to the community that helped shape him has led him to work with clients from diverse populations and cultural backgrounds.
VirtualAvailable

$120/session

Direct
Authentic
Open-minded

Specialties

Serious Mental Illness
Coping Skills
Crisis Intervention
+10
Hello. My name is Frank Garcia. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I am an easy going, yet upfront and honest Clinician who advocates, educates, and empowers clients to make the best of their circumstances and overcome the impossibilities. I keep life simple! I give my best to the people I serve and put what's in front of me as priority.
Available

$175/session

Authentic
Warm
Intelligent

Specialties

Serious Mental Illness
Depression
Trauma and PTSD
+10
Hi! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Los Angeles, CA. I received my Masters in Social Work from Columbia University and have been practicing for over 14 years, both as a therapist and in community mental health settings. I help adults who are feeling stuck with depression, relationship issues, and challenging childhood issues become the best versions of themselves. I help clients come to terms with their past, heal, grow, and move forward.
VirtualAvailable

$120/session

Authentic
Warm
Empowering

Specialties

Serious Mental Illness
Anxiety
Depression
+9
Greetings, my name is Dr. Katherine Andrade, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have 28 years of experience working in Medical, Health, Mental Health, and Substance Use. I have worked as a school, mental health, medical, and military social worker. I have a Master's and Doctorate degrees in Social Work. I specialize in working with adults/seniors with mental health and substance use challenges as well as family issues, stress, adjusting to medical challenges, and military/veteran issues.
VirtualAvailable

$105/session

Solution oriented
Authentic
Direct

Specialties

Serious Mental Illness
Couples Counseling
Family Therapy
+10
I have been providing mental health services since 2003. Throughout my career I have worked communities large and small and have provided services to client of all ages and clinical presentations. I have worked with Foster Youth struggling with attachment all the way to helping Older Adults find purpose and meaning. I specialize in trauma, particularly that which occurs in the context of the relationship. I enjoy working with couples and individuals struggling in relationships. I like to focus on promoting healthy connections with others and how to ensure this creates a lasting structure to manage life's challenges. In addition to this I encourage areas of strength to ensure our life has purpose.
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. For example, your selected specialty, Serious Mental Illness, is filtering therapists in California that work with patients with similar concerns.

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.