9,840 licensed MFTs across California. Search by city, specialty, or insurance — and find care near you or via telehealth anywhere in the state.
Find licensed Marriage and Family Therapists in California's major cities. Click a city to browse local therapist profiles.
California MFTs offer expertise across a wide range of mental health concerns. Browse by the type of support you're looking for.
Browse a selection of licensed MFTs across California's major cities — from San Francisco to Sacramento and beyond.
Licensed for 14 years, Dr. Chen helps couples and individuals reconnect through evidence-based approaches including Emotionally Focused Therapy and CBT. Serving the Bay Area and telehealth clients statewide.
Elena provides bilingual (English/Spanish) therapy for families and individuals navigating cultural identity, immigration stressors, and intergenerational conflict. Based in East LA with telehealth availability.
Dr. Torres specializes in trauma recovery and PTSD, with extensive experience supporting veterans and active-duty military families in the San Diego area. Certified in EMDR and trauma-focused CBT.
Dr. Johnson works with adolescents, young adults, and families in Sacramento, with a focus on depression, identity development, and school-related stressors. LGBTQ+ affirming practice.
California is home to more licensed Marriage and Family Therapists than any other state in the nation — by a significant margin. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) licenses and regulates MFTs in the state, and California was the first state to license marriage and family therapists, beginning in 1963. Today, more than 40,000 individuals hold an active LMFT license or MFT Associate registration in California, reflecting the state's deep investment in accessible mental health care.
To become a licensed MFT in California, practitioners must complete a qualifying graduate degree — a master's or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or a closely related field — from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must then accumulate a minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience over no fewer than two years, with specific requirements for individual supervision, client contact hours, and experience with couples and families. After completing the supervised hours, candidates must pass two examinations administered by the BBS: the California Law and Ethics Examination and the California MFT Clinical Examination. The clinical examination assesses competency in evidence-based assessment and treatment of individuals, couples, and families across the lifespan.
California MFTs are bound by the ethical standards of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) as well as the BBS's laws and regulations governing professional conduct. The state has strong consumer protection provisions: clients may verify any therapist's license status, look up disciplinary history, and file complaints directly with the BBS. California also has robust telehealth provisions allowing licensed MFTs to provide services to clients anywhere within the state via secure video or phone platforms. For those interested in becoming an MFT in California, the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) provides resources, continuing education, and advocacy for the profession.
Answers to common questions about finding and working with a Marriage and Family Therapist in California.
You can search MFTFinder using the search bar above, filtering by city or ZIP code, specialty, and insurance. Every therapist listed on MFTFinder holds a current state license. You can also verify any therapist's license status independently through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) license lookup at bbs.ca.gov. Simply enter the therapist's name or license number to confirm their license is active and in good standing. Most therapists on MFTFinder offer a free 15–20 minute consultation call — a great opportunity to assess fit before committing to an appointment.
An LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) in California has completed their qualifying graduate degree, accumulated all 3,000 required supervised hours, and passed both the California Law and Ethics Examination and the MFT Clinical Examination administered by the BBS. An LMFT may practice independently without a supervisor. An MFT Associate has completed their graduate degree and is registered with the BBS but is still in the process of accumulating the required supervised hours under an approved supervisor. MFT Associates are trained clinicians and provide legitimate, effective care, but they practice under supervision and have not yet achieved full independent licensure. When searching on MFTFinder, you can filter for fully licensed LMFTs or include associates if you prefer.
Yes. California Medi-Cal (the state's Medicaid program) covers mental health services including individual therapy, family therapy, and counseling when provided by a licensed MFT or through a county-funded mental health plan. Coverage and provider availability vary by county. Most counties have a Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) program, and you can contact your county's behavioral health department for referrals to Medi-Cal providers. Use the insurance filter on MFTFinder to find California therapists who accept Medi-Cal or Medicaid. Some therapists also offer sliding-scale fees based on income for those who are uninsured or underinsured.
Generally, a California-licensed MFT is authorized to provide telehealth services to clients who are physically located in California at the time of the session. Providing therapy to a client physically located in another state typically requires the therapist to hold a license in that state as well, unless a specific interstate telehealth compact or exemption applies. Licensure compacts for mental health counselors are evolving, and California is monitoring developments in this area. If you are a California resident temporarily in another state, you should confirm with your therapist whether they are able to provide services during your absence. For the most current guidance, therapists and clients should consult the BBS or an attorney familiar with interstate telehealth law.
Looking for an MFT in a neighboring state, or searching for telehealth therapists licensed elsewhere? Browse by state.