How to Find a Therapist in Los Angeles

If you're looking for a therapist in Los Angeles, you're in luck! Los Angeles, the City of Angels, is a place of dreams, creativity, and endless possibilities. However, the fast-paced lifestyle, cultural diversity, and constant buzz can also contribute to stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. Fortunately, Los Angeles is home to a vast network of experienced and compassionate therapists who can help you navigate life's challenges and achieve your mental well-being goals.

To make finding your best Los Angeles therapist easier, we broke the task into six easy-to-follow steps and offer a comprehensive guide to carry you through each.

Los Angeles Therapists - Finding One the Right Way

Step 1: Clarify your Goals for Therapy

Step 2: Pick the Right Kind of Therapist

Step 3: Choose your Preferred Setting

Step 4: Find Los Angeles Therapists

Step 5: Vett the Therapist

Step 6: Reach out!

Step One: Clarify your Goals for Therapy

The first thing you need to do is stop and clarify why you want to see a therapist in the first place. While all therapists are experts in human behaviour, that’s a big subject, so each type of therapist has their own focus, approach, and skill set. If you clarify why you want to see one, choosing the best professional for your needs becomes easier.

How to Identify/Clarify Your Goals for Therapy

If you are clear about your reasons, skip to step two.

Don’t worry if you do no know your goals; this could be why you want to see a therapist. For many people, all they know is that they want to feel better. And that's fine, too; these suggestions might help you find the words you need.

• Reflect on your feelings and behaviour: Ask yourself what is troubling you. Is it something about you, your child, your relationship, or your family? Are you experiencing complicated feelings like anxiety, sadness, anger, or despair? Are you concerned about your behaviour?
• Consider your goals: What do you hope to accomplish by seeing a therapist? Is it symptom reduction? Does your child need an educational assessment? Would you like to improve your marriage? Do you want to be a better person?
• Look at your life circumstances: Have life events contributed to your struggles? Are you experiencing a significant change, such as moving, trauma, grief, a job loss, or the end of a relationship? Or does this have more to do with your past?

Reasons People See Therapists

The top reasons people seek therapy in Los Angeles are similar to those in other cities, but some unique cultural factors play a role. Here are some of the most common reasons why people in Los Angeles see therapists:

• mental health concerns amidst the fast-paced environment: Los Angeles is known for its fast-paced lifestyle, competitive atmosphere, and constant buzz, which can significantly contribute to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and stress. Therapists provide a safe and supportive space for individuals to process emotions, develop coping mechanisms, and work towards mental well-being in the face of these challenges.
• Navigating relationship dynamics: Relationship dynamics can be complex and challenging, and Los Angeles' diverse population and cultural tapestry can add complexity to interpersonal relationships. Therapists offer guidance on communication, conflict resolution, and building healthy relationships, helping individuals navigate the unique relationship challenges faced by Angelenos.
• Coping with life transitions: Los Angeles attracts individuals from all walks of life seeking new opportunities and experiences, often leading to significant life transitions such as career changes, job loss, or relocation. Therapists assist individuals in adapting to new environments, managing career transitions, and coping with loss or grief, helping them navigate these life changes in a healthy and resilient manner.
• Addressing substance abuse: Substance abuse is a prevalent issue in Los Angeles, and therapy plays a crucial role in addiction treatment and recovery. Therapists help individuals address the underlying causes of addiction, develop strategies for long-term sobriety, and find support within the city's recovery community.
• Processing trauma in a diverse and dynamic city: Los Angeles' history, cultural background, and social context can contribute to trauma exposure, such as violence, crime, and exposure to natural disasters. Therapists provide trauma-informed care to help individuals process traumatic experiences, develop resilience, and manage the psychological effects of trauma, particularly within the unique context of Los Angeles.

Step Two: Decide on the Kind of Therapist

Now that you have clarified why you want to see one, consider which type is most likely equipped to meet your needs. This list covers the main types of therapists in Los Angeles and what they typically do. Of course, every professional brings a unique background, and some will have broader skills.

The main regulating body for mental health professionals in Los Angeles is the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS). The BBS is responsible for licensing, regulating, and disciplining psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, and other mental health professionals in California.

Kinds of Therapists

• Psychologists: Psychologists are mental health professionals with doctoral degrees who have undergone extensive training in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental health disorders. They can provide various services, including individual therapy, group therapy, psychological testing, and neuropsychological evaluations.
• Social Workers: Social workers are mental health professionals with master's degrees who have training in providing social services, counselling, and therapy to individuals, families, and groups. They can help with a wide range of issues, including mental health, substance abuse, poverty, and domestic violence.
• Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs): MFTs are mental health professionals with master's degrees who have specialized training in working with couples, families, and other relationships. They can help with various issues, including communication problems, conflict resolution, and parenting skills.
• Licensed Educational Psychologists (LEPs): LEPs are psychologists who have specialized training in working with children and adolescents in educational settings.
• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs): LPCCs are mental health professionals with master's degrees who have training in providing individual and group therapy.
• Registered Art Therapists (ATR-BCs): ATR-BCs are art therapists with specialized training in using art to address mental health issues.
• Licensed Mental Health Technicians (LMHTS): LMHTS are mental health professionals with associate's degrees who provide support services to mental health professionals, such as conducting assessments and collecting data.

Go back to your notes and ask which aligns most with your concern; that’s the kind to search for. As mentioned, overlap and variation exist, and some therapists have studied to broaden their scope. However, all things equal, looking for the kind whose initial skill set matches your needs is best.

Step Three: Choose your Preferred Setting

So far, you have clarified your issue and identified the kind of therapists to look for. Before you set out to do that, you must decide on your preferred setting (online or in person) and location (local, national, or international). Not all therapists work online, and not all work in person. Knowing your preference (or what is likely best for you) helps.

Online or In-Person

There is a reason you want to find a therapist, and you want the process to be as effective as possible. So, setting up your sessions to achieve this outcome should guide your decision. While holding your first meeting online is possible, some matters require in-person sessions. Psychometric assessments, play therapy, intense emotion or risk management, and in-depth therapy are good examples.

There are exceptions, of course, e.g., you might be too afraid to meet in person and will only meet in person after growing comfortable with online work. In this case, starting online is the only way to achieve your goals. It is the same if online is the only way to access a service, e.g., you need a therapist who speaks an otherwise unavailable language or lives far away.

If your situation allows you to choose between online or in-person sessions, take the decision seriously. Yes, online meetings can bring convenience, improve access, enable you to meet in the comfort of wherever and obliterate travel time. But there are also downsides, especially for therapies that require a deep emotional connection or exposure (if you fear leaving home, getting out may be an essential part of treatment).

In-person sessions have their advantages, too. Sitting in a room with someone you have grown to trust is helpful even before the power of therapy. Plus, time to process your thoughts while travelling to and from sessions allows you to gather, consolidate, and reflect. Sometimes, having somewhere to go and planning to get there can help you through the most challenging times.

Important: Some popular insurance providers (medical aid) have rules and exclusions for online sessions or sessions with people in other countries. Check with yours for more details.

Location - Local is Best

We think there is no contest when choosing between local therapists or looking further into the field.

You could have heard of especially great therapists in a specific city even though you live in a different one. And yes, therapists differ in talent, and some are more specialised. But decades have taught us that no psychologist holds a magic bullet.

Los Angeles therapists are well-trained, and the relationship you build together will count more than a PhD or popularity. So, the therapists near your home or work are likely best unless you need something locally unavailable.

Choosing local has other advantages, too. The process becomes easier to sustain by reducing travel time and cost. Scheduling sessions to fit your routine is more straightforward, and traffic congestion becomes less of a worry. As a result, you cancel less, avoid late cancellation fees, and have more opportunities to benefit.

Step Four: Find Therapists in LA

At last, the search begins. But before you start, remember this: if therapy is what you are after, your goal is to find someone highly skilled whom you can form a connection with and who you believe might get and accept you. Keep this in mind every step of the way.

But how do you find nearby therapists in Los Angeles? Follow the steps below and keep a list of favourites (you may need to approach more than one) as you proceed.

Visit online directories: Therapist directories are the most convenient way to find therapists. TherapyRoute.com is one option. Not only will you find many mental health professionals, but its features will also speed up and smooth the process. For example, the homepage instantly displays the closest therapists (and other therapists) and shows which have availability.

If you need to look elsewhere, you can use the search box to search by location. This is helpful, as therapists typically practice in affluent suburbs, so there may be more choices near your office than your home.

TherapyRoute also helps you find your best-fit therapists by providing filters like professional type, language, issue, client group, and identity, e.g., black, male, female, LGBTQ, and more. So, all you need to do is visit TherapyRoute.com , use the dropdowns, open the profiles you like best, and read them to see which ones resonate most.

Ask for recommendations: While it does mean exposing yourself a bit more, this is another popular approach. Turn to people you trust, especially those you know who have seen therapists before, and ask if they know anyone to recommend.

It is usually best to see a therapist without connections to your social circle. Good boundaries help enable you to be more honest and open. So, even if you don’t see their therapists, their therapists could link you with another suitable, trusted colleague.

Asking your Doctor: This is another popular strategy since they often have referral relationships with local therapists. Ask for a referral to someone they can vouch for and who they know helped their other patients.

Schools: When it comes to family and children, schools are often a good port of call. Schools frequently call upon therapists, and the teachers see which ones benefit their scholars. Ask your child’s teacher if they have someone to recommend based on their observations.

Whichever approach you choose, once you have a list of therapists to choose from, the next step is to vet them for any red flags. We will tell you how to do this next.

Step Five: Vetting the Therapists

Call us paranoid, but the world isn't known for its lack of scammers. Taking a moment to confirm someone's credentials and peeking at their online footprint is a good idea.

In Los Angeles, the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) Licensee Search allows you to access information about registered mental health professionals.

The BBS Licensee Search allows you to search for licensed mental health professionals by name, license number, city, zip code, and speciality. You can also view a professional's profile, which includes their education, training, experience, and disciplinary history.

To use the BBS Licensee Search, you can follow these steps:

1. Use this online search tool to verify a license issued by the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) for the professions listed under license type: Click Here

3. Enter the information you want to search for in the search bar.

4. Click on the "Search" button.

A list of licensed mental health professionals who match your search criteria will be displayed. You can then click on a professional's name to view their profile.

The point of checking is to see their status, note judgments or offences, and confirm the information corresponds with their self-description.

Once satisfied that each therapist is in good standing, the next step is to Google their name. Stalking is a bad idea (better stick with their professional selves), but do look out for red flags. Do you see a pattern of negative reviews? Do worrisome news articles appear? Does their online footprint look like a professional's should, e.g., are they mentioned on relevant websites?

If all still seems promising, it is time to reach out.

Step Six: Contact the Therapist

Hooray, finally! It's time to reach out. You could fire off a few quick one-line messages or use this as a final opportunity to learn more about the therapist to see if they are the right therapist for you before committing to a meeting.

Your aims here are to find out if they have availability that suits you, whether they think they can help with your concern, and to clarify their process and requirements. Also, if you have deal breakers (e.g., the therapists must be trans-affirming), now is the time to ask about them.

There is no one way to reach out, so don’t take our pointers too seriously; we put them together to help you along. Read through them and give them a bit of thought. Ask yourself if we missed something vital to you. Then, once you know what you want to say, draft a text to send or to use to prompt you through the jitters if you decide to phone them.

Trusted Resources

Mental Health Clinics:

Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health: The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) is a government-funded organization that provides a wide range of mental health services, including individual therapy, group therapy, and medication management. They have clinics located throughout Los Angeles County.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Los Angeles: NAMI is a non-profit organization that provides support and advocacy for people with mental illness and their families. They offer a variety of programs and services, including support groups, educational workshops, and a 24-hour helpline.

Cedars-Sinai Mental Health Center: Cedars-Sinai is a private hospital that offers a comprehensive range of mental health services, including inpatient and outpatient treatment, medication management, and addiction treatment.

Additional Resources:

The Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counsellor.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to speak with a crisis counsellor.

The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health 24-Hour Helpline: Call 800-854-7771 to speak with a crisis counselor.

Please remember that this is not an exhaustive list, and many other mental health resources are available in Los Angeles. If you are feeling overwhelmed or need help finding a therapist, please contact one of these resources.