Compare 5 therapists in Stratford, CA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
The first session (often called an intake) lasts about 50 to 60 minutes. Your therapist will ask about your background, current concerns, goals, and any relevant history. They are not judging you; they are building a picture of how to help. Together you will set a direction for treatment. Follow-up sessions are usually weekly.
Consider seeing a therapist if you are struggling with persistent sadness or worry, difficulty sleeping, relationship conflicts, the aftermath of a traumatic event, a major life change (divorce, job loss, grief), substance use concerns, or simply feeling stuck. You do not need a diagnosis to benefit from therapy.
Session (in-network copay): $20-50 · Session (out-of-network): $100-250 · Sliding scale: varies
Therapists use evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help you understand anxiety triggers, challenge unhelpful thought patterns, and build practical coping skills that work in real life.
Therapy for depression helps you identify the patterns keeping you stuck and develop strategies to re-engage with life. Most people notice meaningful shifts within eight to twelve sessions.
Whether you are navigating conflict with a partner, family tension, or patterns that keep showing up in your relationships, therapy offers a space to understand what is happening and change course.
Chronic stress erodes your health, your focus, and your patience. Therapy helps you identify what you can change, set boundaries where you need them, and build resilience for what you cannot control.
Losing someone you love changes everything. Therapy provides a safe space to process grief at your own pace, without anyone telling you to move on before you are ready.
Mental health parity laws require most insurance plans to cover therapy at the same level as medical care. You will typically pay a copay or coinsurance per session. Check whether your plan requires a referral, how many sessions are covered per year, and whether your therapist is in-network. Out-of-network therapists are common. Ask about superbills for possible reimbursement.