Oakland, CA, is a waterfront city that sits on the Oakland Estuary of the San Francisco Bay. There are countless outdoor recreational activities to participate in here. The gorgeous weather, numerous green spaces and parks, and abundant waterfront activities provide opportunities for everything from hiking to golf to fishing to community gardening. If you have mental health concerns that are preventing you from enjoying life’s adventures, talking to a therapist Oakland CA can help.

Finding an Oakland-based therapist can be challenging, especially if you have a busy schedule that you have to work around. With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can find a wonderful therapist who can help you through life's challenges from the comfort of home at a time that fits your schedule. Plus, with so many therapists on the platform, you can change therapists anytime for no additional charge to make sure you find the right fit.

If you feel overwhelmed and want to explore more areas of personal growth, the right therapist can use a range of therapeutic approaches and create a supportive environment to help you focus on your well being. Whether you struggle with a mental health condition like social anxiety or depression, or you want to celebrate your progress and need help figuring out what’s next, talk to an Oakland-based therapist to get started.

 

This is Shallymar Bender's avatar and link to their profile

Shallymar Bender

Offering therapy in CA
License: LCSW
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsSelf esteemDepression
9 years of experience

Hello and welcome to BetterHelp! My name is Shallymar Bender and Iearned my Masters in Social Work in California in 2013 and have practiced in California since. I have experience in working with children ages 0-21 in individual and group settings, as well as working with parents to provide parenting skills and techniques to help achieve the child's goals. I have worked with children independently in school settings, office settings, as well as in their homes. My focus was helping to stabilize crisis situations (i.e. depression, anxiety, bipolar, etc.) as well as helping to maintain progress that had been made. In providing services, I have also acted as a parent partner in team treatments, and with this I helped parents learn and apply skills and techniques to promote positive behaviors and improve relationship with child and parents. Currently, I have been working with individuals struggling with depression and/or anxiety, providing support in meeting personal goals, as well as providing education about future goals individuals may have (i.e. college, work force, etc.). I use skills from Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) as well as other areas to help individuals work toward feeling better. I feel that being open minded and non-judgmental is important when someone shares their personal story with me, as well as the client's comfort in working with a therapist. I do want to ensure that you are comfortable in the therapy relationship with me as it is important for you to get the best fit as possible. My focus is strength based, meaning I see strength in all my clients and will use this to empower clients to improve and work through life's struggles. I look forward to working with you and help you to meet your goals. Feel free to message me and we can connect and discuss best therapy methods for you. Thank you, Shallymar

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This is Alexander "Alex" Dannin's avatar and link to their profile

Alexander "Alex" Dannin

Offering therapy in CA
License: LMFT
Relationship issuesSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoaching
5 years of experience

Greetings! It’s my passion and pleasure to assist any person wishing to make a significant change to how they’re thinking and/or feeling. I start with the premise that every individual’s natural state of being is healthy (feeling at peace, worthy, capable etc.). It’s our negative experiences in life that temporarily shift us away from our natural state to one of imbalance. We inherently know something isn’t right based on our “negative” feelings (anger, sadness, fear etc.). I consider all feelings (and emotions) to be inherently neutral—they’re really just indicators to help us know that we’re either in alignment with our natural self or out of alignment. In other words, our feelings don’t exist in a vacuum. They are meant to serve us by drawing our awareness to what we believe about ourselves and whatever situation we’re experiencing. It’s my job to find the beliefs generating the “negative” feelings and to assist the individual with making the necessary changes in thoughts, behavior, actions to facilitate the shift to their natural self. In terms of modalities, I generally use tools and techniques from: CBT, Solution-Focused, Client-Centered, Psycho Dynamic, and Rapid Resolution Therapy. I’m not attached to a specific model. In other words, I don’t try to fit the client into my model. Instead, I try to use whatever system (tools and techniques etc.) that benefits the client. I reside in San Diego and I’m licensed as a Marriage Family Therapist in California (LMFT). I have 5 years of experience in the field and have served the following populations: active-duty, first responders, corporate professionals, retirees, young adults, and the homeless. Prior to working in mental health, I worked in several corporate positions in information technology and finance. Although it took me a while, I switched careers to follow my passion!

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Dr. Katherine Walker

Offering therapy in CA
License: PhD
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseBipolar disorderDepression
32 years of experience

Hello! I am a newly retired middle-aged female who worked for a large health care organization for over 30 years both as a therapist and a manager. During my career there I had a chance to work with a wide variety of clients ranging from those with serious mental illness (Bipolar, Schizophrenic) to those that were coping with life issues such as divorce, loss, or job stress. I completed my undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley and then (after a brief hiatus working as a respiratory therapist) attended graduate school at the California School of Professional Psychology. I enjoy working with a wide range of clients and use an approach that is based in my very strong belief that there is goodness and strength in all people and that all progress in therapy is directly attributable to the efforts that are put in by the client, with my guidance.

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Alexis Tyson

Offering therapy in CA
License: LMFT
AddictionsRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseBipolar disorderDepression
9 years of experience

I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist committed to helping individuals pinpoint and solve emotional, mental and interpersonal problems. My work focuses on targeting ineffective behaviors, habits, and beliefs that interfere with your daily life. I believe in taking a collaborative approach to helping clients reach their goals. I have 9 years of experience working with anxiety, depression, trauma and addiction. Under the umbrella of a humanistic, existential, and cognitive behavior-based approach, modalities used in treatment include Client Centered Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, CBT, and mindfulness-based interventions. If you’re struggling to cope with anxiety, trauma, depression or addiction, I can help you navigate these struggles, and together find a path forward. It takes courage to seek a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards change. If you are ready to take that step, I am here to support and empower you.

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Richard Pais

Offering therapy in CA
AddictionsGriefSelf esteemDepression
10 years of experience

I am licensed in California with over 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, coping with grief and loss, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I also have experience working with depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for declaring your courage in addressing what has not been working and taking the first steps in changing what is needed in order to find self, and i feel honored to be able to join that journey with you.

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Xanthippe (Xan) Walker

Offering therapy in CA
Addictions
21 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 21 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

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Cynthia Fullwood-Fleck

Offering therapy in CA
Stress, AnxietySelf esteemCoping with life changes
20 years of experience

I am licensed in the states California and North Carolina, as an LMFT, 20+ years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, & motivation, self esteem, sex education, and confidence. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

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Chelsea Davis

Offering therapy in CA
Stress, AnxietyEating disordersSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
8 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, eating disorders, motivation, self esteem, & depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

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Michelle Walker

Offering therapy in CA
AddictionsRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression
6 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, relationship issues, couples, trauma and abuse, motivation, self-esteem, and confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

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This is Cylystina Nevel's avatar and link to their profile

Cylystina Nevel

Offering therapy in CA
Stress, AnxietyLGBTGriefSelf esteemDepression
9 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 9 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbtq+ related issues, coping with grief and loss, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialogue and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

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How to find counseling in Oakland

Finding the best therapist close by in Oakland can feel challenging, but know that once you narrow your search for a counselor serving your area, you can find a therapist in your city that is accepting new clients and fits your goals. Whether you're struggling with depression, anxiety, marriage, family issues, or other emotional challenges, feel proud that you have begun your search to find the mental health care services that work best for you in order to begin your personal journey towards emotional healing.

Understanding the type of therapy you'd like to search for is crucial before finding a therapist or psychologist in Oakland. Perhaps you're interested in narrowing your search for a psychotherapist that can offer psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), talk therapy, provide group therapy, marriage and family therapy for individuals or couples, or couples therapy. Each type of therapy can offer various benefits and address or treat different disorders. If you're still unsure or are new to counseling in Oakland, feel free to contact the provider via email to find out which methods they practice.

It is also important to understand that mental health professionals in the United States are accredited to provide care, helping individuals and couples, with a variety of licenses. These include licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and clinical psychologist or doctor of psychology (PsyD). Regardless of their licensure, they are trained to treat individuals and couples counseling, and sometimes children, in any type of therapy. Find a therapist under any of these distinctions and know that the sessions they offer can provide a safe place to heal.

Mental health professionals working through their own in- person therapy practice in Oakland or online may assist clients in improving healthy relationships, communication skills, working through life transitions, managing a mood disorder, improving coping skills, or change in negative thinking patterns. They may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain. Verified providers can provide licensed marriage and couples therapy, tailor to individual needs, and create a therapeutic relationship as a National Certified Counselor.

There are all kinds of therapists working with clients today across the United States and in the greater Oakland area in different types of therapy, including:

  • CBT
  • DBT
  • Substance use therapy
  • Couples therapy

When you're ready to start your search and find therapists, have in mind what type of therapy you'd like your provider to be most experienced with and choose an experienced provider with a practice located near you in the city of Oakland, elsewhere in Alameda, or in the greater state of California.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Some other commonly asked questions on therapy with a licensed counselor and BetterHelp serving the Oakland area can be found below:

How does the cost of in-person counseling compare to the cost of BetterHelp with a licensed Oakland therapist?

The average price of an in-person therapy session in the US is $100 to $200 per hour. These prices may be higher in Oakland due to a higher cost of living. The price also depends on the type of provider you are looking for. See the following average prices for various mental health providers without insurance:

  • Counseling with a psychiatrist: $150-$500
  • Counseling with therapists: $100-300
  • Therapy with a psychologist: $100

While many psychologists in Oakland may not take health insurance, some in the state of California may work on a sliding scale, meaning they'll factor in your income and charge what you can afford per session. With BetterHelp or clinicians throughout the state of California you can expect significantly more affordable options, with sessions ranging from $65 to $100 per week (billed every four weeks).

How is a licensed therapist on this online therapy platform verified?

Therapists in Oakland, California working on BetterHelp are licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited as a doctor of psychology (PhD / PsyD), licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW / LICSW), or licensed professional counselors (LPC). All of these psychology clinicians have a Masters Degree or a Doctorate Degree in their field of psychology sciences, and follow the APA Code of Ethics. They have been qualified and certified by their state's professional board after successfully completing the necessary education, exams, training and practice with a patient, and extensive experience in a healthcare clinic or treatment centers, in order to become a mental health provider. While their lived experience, expertise, careers, and background vary, they all possess at least 3 years and 1,000 hours of hands-on experience with adult and sometimes teen patients, and have the necessary therapist credentials to provide a safe space for long lasting emotional healing in therapy. 

Please note BetterHelp does not offer or provide care from psychiatrists to prescribe a drug as treatment, or perform psychological assessments.

How does working with a counselor in BetterHelp online therapy sessions work?

BetterHelp clinicians treat clients online across the United States (individuals and couples) through life transitions, inner child exploration, long term depression or anxiety, and more. An online mental health professional, including the therapists in Oakland above, can work with young adults, children, adolescents, and adults virtually as an accredited licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) or licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT). You do not have to commute to a an office as a psychotherapy client.

Through BetterHelp therapy, you can partake in video, phone, or live chat therapy sessions with your licensed therapist. You can work through various symptoms, use the in app journaling feature, and receive worksheets. You'll also find support groups or group therapy lead by a therapist in Oakland helping individuals on topics including managing life transitions, symptoms affecting sexual health, behavioral health, coping skills for anxiety or depression, trauma, stress, marriage counseling, and more. 

What mental health issues can psychotherapy address?

BetterHelp's verified Oakland therapists specialize and have clinical experience in a wide range of mental health issues and modalities, helping clients to feel better and improve their lives every day. See below for examples.

Specialties on BetterHelp include:

You may also be struggling with relationship problems that could be addressed in couples therapy or with a sex therapist. In that case, you may choose to work with one of BetterHelp's experienced cognitive-behavioral therapists or licensed marriage family therapists (LMFT) who work with clients in relationships. You can also try a Oakland therapy provider through BetterHelp's sister platform, ReGain, which is dedicated to couples and spouses worldwide. 

How do I know if online counseling is right for my family?

One of the potentially rewarding aspects of working with a therapist is the validation and active listening they can provide. Your friends and loved ones may also be available to listen, but you may feel that they may lack the skills to provide objective guidance. Counselors are trained to respond to various concerns, symptoms, and mental health conditions.

A psychologist in your city can support you toward a healthier emotional state, regardless of your mental health, life concerns, or healing needs. While supporting individuals in developing healthier habits, another good benefit of therapy is having an understanding, safe space with a non-judgmental party who can support you through challenging experiences.

Many people have sensitive topics that they may feel ashamed to discuss with their friends or partner. A Oakland therapist can help you confront these concerns and open up through unique methods of support. There are also many types of therapy, such as art therapy, where you may find you can express yourself through creativity instead of words.

With a lot of people in CA, providers may be booked out with clients. Through the list of profiles above and others within BetterHelp's team, you may be able to find a psychologist within 24 to 48 hours. If you're searching to find a a nearby psychotherapist close to 94624 or the surrounding zip codes, consider others available through the BetterHelp site. No matter if you are seeking help in your area or beyond, online therapy can be a great option.

How should I prepare for my first therapy session with a Oakland counselor?

Before seeing your therapist, prep for your session by reading to understand the therapy process. You might write a list of questions you want to ask your psychotherapist, any emotional pain you may feel, and the ways in which you hope to improve. When you attend your session, let them know if you have any concerns about therapy or feel unsure about what to talk about. They may help guide you with open-ended therapeutic questions. The first session will often serve as an intake to get to know you as a person and learn why you're attending therapy.

Should I find a therapist or psychologist if I feel fine? 

Some simply don't feel the need to see a psychologist. However, some people may avoid attending therapy due to stigma or preconceived notions of what therapy entails. Although psychologists often support people with mental health conditions, you do not need a diagnosis or condition to attend therapy. You can discuss grief, relationship concerns, stress, or life changes and ask for general feedback and advice. A Oakland licensed clinical social worker may help you gain power over your life and emotions while you navigate day-to-day experiences.

Gaining a new perspective on yourself through various therapies might allow you to improve your self-esteem, work through relationships, and gain a better sense of your mental health goals. The success you may find through therapy can be dependent on your process.

People may also attend therapy for specific motives, such as bullying, an autism diagnosis, a desire to learn mindfulness meditation, personality concerns, trouble with office workers, specific phobias, and many other principles.

Is mental health care and therapy worth it? 

Therapy is effective and has the power to change individuals' lives. Each client is at a different stage of their emotional healing journey in life, as each human can be unique in their personality, expression, skills, and goals. A psychologist can target various symptoms, experiences, and personalities to help you feel your best and put you on the path to healing. Unlike advice from a friend, family, or non-professional, a mental health professional has an understanding of various disorders like ADHD and depression with many hours of experience in treating adults in their practice. For this reason, seeing an evidence based psychologist in Oakland, California can be worth it. Over 41 million adults in the US attend therapy services each year, showing it's a popular option and is proven to be effective.

Oakland has many clinicians who practice person or client-centered individual therapy in-person and through online therapy to assist clients in their healing journey. If you opt into online therapy, you might also be able to meet with providers all over the United States and change therapists easily at any time. Many people struggling with anxiety and depression, substance abuse, body image issues, and more find therapists that are a good fit for them, feel supported, and gain further insight into their lives through internet-based therapy.

Do therapists judge you in therapy sessions?

The boundaries between you and a therapist are in place to help you and them regarding ethical concerns. Mental health professionals are held by ethical standards through the American Psychological Association (APA) and are not allowed to judge or harm their clients. If you are concerned about sharing details about yourself, feel free to withhold personal information. Their job in the therapeutic relationship is to create a safe place, help you gain a deeper understanding of your mental health, and support you. You might consider changing counselors if you don't feel safe or respected.

Stay up to date with the leading online counseling platform

To stay up to date with BetterHelp's initiatives through their social channels, you can follow them on Pinterest, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. For mental health tips, check out the BetterHelp YouTube channel.

Take some time today to learn more about the team of therapists at BetterHelp to understand the services available to you clearly. If you are new to therapy or have any questions about the services and terms, please reach out through the contact page or send an email to contact@betterhelp.com.

If you’re ready to sign up for online therapy, consider signing up with a platform like BetterHelp and get matched within 24 to 48 hours.

If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, don't use this site's online services. If you are in life-threatening danger, call 911. If you require support for a crisis, reach out to the hotlines below:

A woman meets with a therapist online in her home city of Oakland.

Below are some of the zip codes served by BetterHelp therapists in Oakland:

94601, 94602, 94603, 94604, 94605, 94606, 94607, 94608, 94609, 94610, 94611, 94612, 94613, 94614, 94615, 94617, 94618, 94619, 94620, 94621, 94623, 94624, 94649, 94659, 94660, 94661, 94666, 94704, 94705

Popular cities near Oakland, CA

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