GUIDE TO FIND AN AFFORDABLE THERAPIST
- Shantay Davies-Balch
- Jul 23
- 6 min read
Mental health care access is an important part of overall health and well-being. Whether you’re covered by Medi-Cal, private or employer-issued insurance, or plan to pay out of pocket, this guide is designed to help you find affordable mental health resources and services. While the focus is on the Central Valley, some resources extend beyond the region.
Get health insurance today! Start with Covered California here.
Find Your Care Plan
Medi-Cal is California’s free or low-cost health coverage program. If you are enrolled, you have access to mental health services through a Managed Care Plan or through your county’s specialty mental health program. Each county works with different Medi-Cal plans. Here’s what is available in the Central Valley:
Fresno County - Managed Care Plans:
Kern County – Managed Care Plans
Kings County – Managed Care Plans
Madera County – Managed Care Plans
Merced County – Managed Care Plans
Stanislaus County – Managed Care Plans
Tulare County – Managed Care Plans
You can use the Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan Directory to confirm your plan and get in touch with someone.
Contact Your Plan to Access Mental Health Services
Each managed care plan has a network of mental health providers. Contact your plan's member services to:
Request a list of in-network therapists
Obtain referrals for mental health services
Inquire about telehealth options
Each county has a Mental Health Plan that helps people with Medi-Cal get connected to Specialty Mental Health Services. These services are for people who need to see a mental health specialist – like a psychiatrist or therapist who treats more severe mental health conditions. You can call your county’s MHP directly. They can explain your options and connect you with the right care.
Here are the numbers for Mental Health Plan’s in the Central Valley:
Fresno County - (800) 654-3937
Kern County - (800) 991-5272
Kings County - (800) 655-2553
Madera County - (888) 275-9779
Merced County - (888) 334-0163
Stanislaus County - (888) 376-6246
Tulare County - (800) 320-1616
Use Online Tools for Med-Cal Providers
If you receive insurance through your job, Covered California, or a private plan, California law requires it to include mental health coverage. Finding a therapist and other mental health services will depend on the type of insurance plan you have.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
Check your insurance plan’s provider directory or call the number on the back of your insurance card. Ask for a list of in-network mental health providers in your area, or confirm whether a specific provider is covered under your plan.
Check your Insurance Provider’s website
Visit your insurance provider’s website and find your member portal. Make sure you have your member ID number, which is listed on your insurance card. Most insurers offer a secure member portal where you can log in and search for in-network providers.
Look for tools like “Find a Doctor,” “Provider Directory,” or “Search Providers.”
You can usually filter your search by:
Plan type (e.g., PPO, HMO)
Location
Specialty (e.g., therapist, OB/GYN, pediatrician)
Provider name, if you have someone specific in mind
Call the Provider’s Office
If you’re interested in a particular therapist or clinic, call their office and ask:
“Do you accept [Insurance Company Name], and am I in-network under [Plan Name]?”
Know What to Ask Before Your First Appointment
Once you find a therapist or mental health counselor who accepts your insurance, it is important to ask a few key questions to make sure you understand your benefits and avoid surprise costs.
Here are some helpful things to ask:
What is my copay or deductible for therapy?
How many sessions are covered per year?
Do you cover telehealth/virtual visits?
Is pre-authorization required?
You should also check with your human resources department to see if your employer offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). These programs often provide free short-term therapy sessions at no cost to you.
When you are in between insurances, there are still affordable mental health services. Many mental health providers and therapists offer sliding scale rates, which means they charge based on your income. Others offer low-cost services provided by interns or community agencies.
Use Online Directories to Find a Therapist - Here's a list!
There are online tools and platforms to help you search for therapists and mental health counselors who accepts Medi-Cal, private/employer insurance, and self-pay.
These tools allow you to filter by location, insurance, price, specialty, therapy type, if they are offering sliding scale, and more:
Psychology Today – Find a therapist based on location, their specialty, types of insurance accepted, types of therapy offered, price, etc.
Headway – Find a therapist or psychiatrist based on your zip code and insurance plan.
Zencare – Find an online or in person therapist based on their specialty, insurance accepted, gender, identity, office hours, etc.
Alma – Find a provider by browsing a directory or by searching for individual therapy, couples therapy, medication management, child/adolescent therapy, or family therapy.
Inclusive Therapists - Find an online therapist, coach, or behavior specialist based in your community. You can filter by identity, insurance, and specialty.
Therapy for Black Girls - Find a therapist who specializes in working with Black women and gender non-conforming folks.
Check Out Your County Health Departments and Centers
Your county health department is a great option especially for those with Medi-Cal or paying out of pocket. These agencies offer free, low-cost, or sliding scale services based on your income.
Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health provides mental health services to children, adults, and families who are Fresno County residents. Services include assessment, therapy, medication, crisis intervention, and more. No person seeking behavioral health services will be denied access due to inability to pay.
Kern County Behavioral Health Recovery Services including medication, individual and group counseling, rehabilitation and recovery services, and family counseling.
Kings County Behavioral Health’s Full Service Partnership (FSP) Program offers health assessments, counseling services, community resource linkages, and support with basic needs. All FSP services are free of charge to Kings County residents who are experiencing severe mental illness or emotional disturbance.
Madera County Behavioral Health Services offer mental health and substance abuse services for children, youth, adults, older adults, and their families. Services can include education, prevention, assessment, evaluations, peer services, individual and group therapy. Madera County Behavioral Health Services accepts Medi-Cal, private insurance, offer payment plans, and do not refuse services based on ability to pay.
Merced County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services provides prevention and crisis services to all Merced County residents regardless of insurance.
Stanislaus County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) provides mental health services for adults with a serious mental illness and children and youth with a serious emotional disturbance. The BHRS also offers emergency services including a mobile crisis team, a community emergency services response team, and access crisis and support line.
Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency Behavioral Health Branch provides services Tulare County residents with mental illness or substance use disorders. Mental health services offered include individual, group, and family therapy, health care referrals, services at school for children, and more.
The Fresno Family Counseling Center (FFCC) at Fresno State offers affordable high-quality counseling services to residents of Fresno County and the surrounding area. The FFCC offers a full range of counseling services such as parenting, anger management, and co-parenting classes. Learn more about FFCC’s services and make an appointment here
Centro La Familia offers free or low-cost health, mental health, and other social services to encourage a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Centro La Familia has 3 locations in Fresno, Ca and 1 in Kerman, Ca. Learn more here
Turning Point of Central California provides children and family mental health services. Services include individual and family counseling, group therapy, and mental health support for conditions such as ADHD. Programs and service vary based on each branch. Find the complete program list and branches here
Central Valley Family Therapy provides in-person and telehealth therapy and counseling services for a wide range of needs including maternal and perinatal mental health, therapy for teens, therapy for parents, grief and loss, and more. Services are FREE for Medi-Cal patients. Central Valley Family Therapy also offer reduced fee services which are available on a limited basis. Learn more about services offered and contact information here
If You’re in Crisis and Need Immediate Help
Call 911 if you or someone else is in immediate danger or experiencing a life-threatening emergency. Make sure to clearly explain that it is a mental health crisis.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988 anytime for free, confidential support. This crisis line is available 24/7 for mental health, substance use, or emotional distress.
