San Jose, CA, in the southern San Francisco Bay area, is considered the heart of Silicon Valley. This region is a global center for innovation and home to major tech companies. If you’re searching for innovations and striving for advancements in your own life, it can feel overwhelming. Working with a therapist San Jose CA can help you manage everything from underlying mental health issues to interpersonal effectiveness to distress tolerance to personal growth.

If you have decided to seek counseling, finding the right therapist can be challenging. BetterHelp, an online therapy platform that’s been around for over ten years, can help.

With BetterHelp, most people are matched with a therapist in as little as 48 hours. If it’s not a good fit, you can change therapists anytime. Suppose you’re interested in a specific type of therapy, like dialectical behavior therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, or you want to find someone with experience in clinical psychology or working with clients for specific reasons, like family conflict, self esteem issues, or overwhelming stress. In that case, BetterHelp can help you find a qualified, licensed, client informed professional to guide and walk alongside you.

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Karena Franses

Offering therapy in CA
License: LCSW
AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesGriefSelf esteem
28 years of experience

Welcome and thank you for taking the time to read my profile page. It has been my aspiration and commitment through my work life to collaborate with those seeking help and together make every effort to understand what is causing the suffering and in doing so to find some relief from the pain. I have been a practicing Buddhist for many years, and I meditate daily. I love that His Holiness the Dalai Lama said, “Kindness is my religion," because we all need it, we all benefit from it when we give it and receive it and without it life is just harder and lonelier. Buddhism informs my life and therefore my work. It has helped bring humility and compassion to my life and work. I believe that the answers to each person’s suffering lies within themselves. Most work involves clearing the clouds that mask the liberation in each of us. My work life has played out in two quite different areas of care. The first was a county hospital, and the second a private practice, both in San Francisco. I worked for 21 years as a social work supervisor in a busy outpatient HIV clinic with 2,800 patients. Motivational Interviewing was the most effective type of counseling to use with the population we worked with. In the other setting, I had a small psychodynamic self-psychology informed psychotherapy practice, working with individuals and couples. Both settings offered me the opportunity to discover, explore and develop different skills as I encountered the vast diversity of human experience, where pain, trauma, and resilience came together as a gift to be tended with care, love, and compassion. At the hospital AIDS clinic, we were initially faced with dying patients so much of the work involved just being with the dying. As fewer patients died when the medications improved, we were then faced with issues of severe addiction, trauma, depression, and a population who had experienced ongoing racism, homophobia, poverty, and homelessness. At my private practice, I met with clients who presented also with addiction issues and in addition those with relationship problems, impact of homophobia, body image issues, self-harm, trauma, and abuse. I could never have imagined such a career when I started out. Now I feel deep appreciation and gratitude to all the clients and patients I served on this path. To all those who shaped my career, and taught me how to be a social worker and therapist through their kind and generous feedback, which at times let me know how much I meant to them, and at other times how I missed an opportunity to be empathic. I hope we get a chance to meet and explore whatever issues are of most concern to you and together work to clear the clouds and find relief. Thank you again for your kind attention.

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John Henry

Offering therapy in CA
License: LMFT
LGBTFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseParenting issuesDepression
31 years of experience

My name is John Henry, M.Ed., LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist). I have practiced as a mental health clinician for thirty-one years. Prior to working in the mental health field, I was an educator for thirteen years. During ten of those thirteen years, I acquired an expertise in early childhood education where I conducted parenting workshops and provided supervision and consultation in early childhood education classrooms. My clinical mental health experience includes working with trauma, LGBQT issues, anxiety, depression, work issues, relationships including couples work, dealing with parenting challenges, and providing consultation for twenty years to teachers in Oakland, California after school programs. I have provided numerous parenting workshops over the years for assisting parents in developing effective communication skills with their children. These workshops included managing the child's behavior, understanding the underlying feelings and meaning of the behavior, and problem resolution. I have extensive work in providing individual, adolescent, family, and adult therapy. For about twenty-three years, I provided training and supervision to graduate school interns and mental health clinicians. My experience is varied and across settings. I have worked mostly within a community mental health organization with additional experience in latency age children in a group home setting and as an adolescent and family therapist in a psychiatric hospital setting. My theoretical approach is psychodynamic that focuses on the clients relationships with others in their life that impact their daily life functioning. Relationships are a key element in how we relate and interact with others. During the sessions, I am compassionate and empathic . I also use eclectic approaches such as trauma focused treatment, cognitive behavioral strategies, family structural work, solution based therapy, and client centered approaches.

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Catrina Flores

Offering therapy in CA
Stress, AnxietyLGBTTrauma and abuseGriefDepression
14 years of experience

Catrina Flores, MSW, LCSW is a licensed independent clinician in California with more than 15 years in the health and human services field. Ms. Flores has a masters degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan and a bachelors degree in Collaborative Health and Humans Services from CSU Monterey Bay. While at CSUMB, she graduated and received 2 of the 5 graduating senior awards. She proudly received the Social Justice Award and Alumni Vision Award for her work in Women's Services, Substance Use, Mental Health and HIV/AIDS field. Ms. Flores is currently Senior Clinical Director and Director of a transitional age youth program at a Mental Health of America agency based in California. Ms. Flores has been both a therapist and a supervisor in the field of mental health for the last 10 years. Ms. Flores' specialty is in treating depression, anxiety, trauma, sexual abuse, attachment disorders, bi-polar, schizophrenia, paranoia, domestic violence, self harm, LGBTQI issues, as well as women issues. Ms. Flores' treatment approach is set on the foundation of having a therapeutic relationship, to include using theory's such as cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused, narrative therapy, mindfulness, attachment theory's, and being patient centered. My schedule is open Monday - Thursday from 3pm-9pm, with some Friday and weekend hours.

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Geoffrey Faustman

Offering therapy in CA
License: MA,LMFT
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
3 years of experience

I offer a direct, active, goal-oriented approach in helping you find relief from the anxiety, anger, depression, shame, or whatever it is that leaves you feeling stuck. By taking a look at 1) What are you trying to achieve? 2) What are you trying to preserve? 3) What are you trying to avoid? and 4) What are you trying to eliminate? we can highlight the sometimes-complex interaction among your thoughts, decisions, actions and outcomes. Knowing yourself, making use of your personal strengths & your tools at hand while allowing your values guide you, you can propel yourself toward becoming the best, most fulfilled version of yourself. I use a combination of evidence-based treatments tailored to suit your strengths to overcome your core fears and reach your goals. These include Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which can help with different kinds of problems and degrees of suffering. I don’t want you in therapy forever. I want you to reach your goals, and live your life to the fullest.

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Kristen Miller Burton

Offering therapy in CA
Compassion fatigue
20 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 20+ years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & coping with life changes. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. **On this platform, I focus on providing short term therapy, for adjustment and phase of life concerns. Currently, I’m only accepting clients for chat/messaging sessions. ***

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Kelly Smith

Offering therapy in CA
License: LCSW-R
Stress, AnxietyLGBTRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseDepression
26 years of experience

I am a clinical social worker licensed in NY with over twenty five years of experience working as a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor. I have worked with people with a wide range of situations and circumstances including but not limited to depression, anxiety, relationship dynamics, parenting, OCD, ADHD, and LGBTQ+ related challenges . I have also helped many individuals who have experienced trauma . My therapy style is warm, interactive and engaging. I believe feeling validated is key in a persons life as well as being treated with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, psychodynamic and family systems modalities. I will tailor our dialogue and professional partnership to meet your unique and specific needs. 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 you on your journey of empowerment. I look forward to working with you!

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Mark Wojciechowski

Offering therapy in CA
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsSelf esteemDepression
11 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 11+ years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. 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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Crystal Compton

Offering therapy in CA
Stress, AnxietyGriefParenting issuesSelf esteemCoping with life changes
10 years of experience

Hi! I am licensed Marriage and Family therapist in California with over 10 years of professional work experience. I have worked with clients as young as 4 and as old as 98, though I love working with mothers, young adults, and teens. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, navigating life changes, parenting issues, postpartum adjustments, fertility struggles, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. 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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Dr. Jesse Weller

Offering therapy in CA
Stress, AnxietyLGBTRelationship issuesDepressionCoping with life changes
14 years of experience

I am a licensed clinical psychologist who graduated from The Wright Institute in Berkeley. I understand that life can feel overwhelming at moments and that it is common to feel stuck, lost, or defeated. My priority in the therapy process is to help you feel better, change unhelpful patterns or behaviors, and to help you create new ways of navigating stress, anxiety, and relationships. From our first session together, you will see that our work will be collaborative, active, and practical. We will work together on a plan that is unique and specific for you. I believe that for behavioral change to occur, the tools and strategies must be practiced in your everyday life so there will be assignments or additional activities between sessions so we can track, monitor progress, and evaluate results. To facilitate this process, I combine my professional knowledge and experience for treating anxiety, chronic worry, depression, and relationship issues, with empirically supported treatments that work. My primary treatment approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a therapy approach that is based on research, which focuses on the relationship between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and how you respond to situations. I also integrate treatment approaches from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which is an action-oriented therapy, which includes elements of acknowledgment, acceptance, and commitment to making necessary changes. For more information, you may visit my website at DrJesseWeller.com

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Connie Stringfellow

Offering therapy in CA
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefSelf esteemDepression
10 years of experience

I am licensed in California with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, coping with grief and loss, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. 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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How to find counseling in San Jose

Finding the best therapist close by in San Jose 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 San Jose. 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 San Jose, 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 San Jose 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 San Jose 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 San Jose, elsewhere in Santa Clara, 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 San Jose area can be found below:

How does the cost of in-person counseling compare to the cost of BetterHelp with a licensed San Jose 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 San Jose 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 San Jose 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 San Jose, 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 San Jose 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 San Jose 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 San Jose 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 San Jose 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 San Jose 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 95134 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 San Jose 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 San Jose 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 San Jose, 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.

San Jose 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 San Jose.

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

95002, 95008, 95013, 95037, 95101, 95103, 95106, 95109, 95110, 95111, 95112, 95113, 95115, 95116, 95117, 95118, 95119, 95120, 95121, 95122, 95123, 95124, 95125, 95126, 95127, 95128, 95129, 95130, 95131, 95132, 95133, 95134, 95135, 95136, 95138, 95139, 95141, 95148, 95150, 95151, 95153, 95154, 95155, 95156, 95157, 95158, 95159, 95160, 95161, 95164, 95170, 95172, 95173, 95190, 95191, 95192, 95193, 95194, 95196

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