Where can teens and young adults find therapy?

Wanting therapy is a strong, smart choice. You don't have to be in crisis to deserve it. Here is where to look, starting with the easiest doors. This is general information, not medical or legal advice.

Can I get therapy without my parents?

Often, yes. In California, if you are 12 or older and mature enough to take part, you can agree to outpatient counseling on your own. This has applied since July 1, 2024, and it applies in Medi-Cal too. Two limits sit right beside that right:

• The counselor is expected to involve your parent or guardian, unless they decide that would be inappropriate.
• You still need a parent's consent for mental health medicine.

A provider may also refuse to show your records to a parent if that would harm you or your relationship with the provider.

Where can I go in the Bay Area?

allcove. Made for ages 12 to 25 with mild to moderate needs, like stress, anxiety or sadness. No referral is needed, and most services do not need a parent's consent. Services are free or low cost, and they confirm the cost before your appointment. allcove San Mateo does not bill insurance. allcove Palo Alto may bill insurance. They offer mental health care, peer support, substance use support, family support, and help with school and work. Some drop in times exist, or call to schedule.

• San Mateo: 2600 South El Camino Real, Suite 300. English, Spanish and Cantonese.
• Palo Alto: 2741 Middlefield Road, Suite 102. English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

Your county. San Mateo County's ACCESS line, (800) 686-0101, gives information, an assessment and a referral. Staff speak English, Spanish and Chinese, with free interpreters for other languages. The East Palo Alto Community Counseling Center serves youth and adults at 2415 University Ave, Suite 301, (650) 363-4030. In Santa Clara County, call (800) 704-0900, press 1. Most Santa Clara therapy programs are for people on Medi-Cal, and staff can check if you qualify and help you enroll.

Community clinics. Ravenswood Family Health Network in East Palo Alto offers counseling for children and adults. You can refer yourself: (650) 330-7400. Its page does not list fees, so ask about cost when you call. Health centers funded by the federal Health Center Program may not turn you away because you can't pay, and they offer a sliding fee. Ask any clinic if it is one.

In East Palo Alto and East Menlo Park, the Children's Health Council Ravenswood Initiative offers bilingual individual and family therapy and skills groups: 650-702-2487.

Outside the Bay Area. Call your county's behavioral health line from the DHCS county list, search for a community clinic on Find a Health Center, or try Soluna (below), which works anywhere in California.

At school. Ask your school counselor. What a student 12 or older tells a school counselor is mostly confidential under California law. Ravenswood City School District offers school based and group counseling.

Medi-Cal covers you if you are under 19 {#under-19}

Children up to age 18 can get full Medi-Cal no matter their immigration status, if they meet the other rules. They do not pay a premium. Medi-Cal covers confidential mental health care for children and youth under 21. For mild to moderate needs, go through your Medi-Cal health plan or doctor. For more serious needs, your county behavioral health plan provides specialty care. Apply online, by phone, by mail or at a county office.

Worried about your family's information? Under California law, a health provider must protect immigration status it knows about. It may not share it for immigration enforcement without your permission, a court order or a judge's warrant, except as the law allows. See Will my therapist share my information with immigration?

Options without Medi-Cal {#no-medi-cal}

Since January 1, 2026, most adults 19 and older without a qualifying immigration status cannot newly enroll in full Medi-Cal. If you already had it, you can keep it if you renew on time. If you were in foster care at 18, you can still apply up to age 26.

Without Medi-Cal, try:

• allcove San Mateo, which does not bill insurance.
• A federally funded health center, which must offer a sliding fee and may not turn you away for being unable to pay.
• Soluna, a free state app for ages 13 to 25 living in California. It offers coaching by chat, video and phone, in English and Spanish, regardless of insurance or immigration status. Coaching is not the same as therapy, but it is a real place to start.

If you have private insurance, a plan regulated by the Department of Managed Health Care must give a routine therapy appointment within 10 business days. If it doesn't, call the DMHC Help Center: 1-888-466-2219.

Who can help?

Contact them to confirm hours, languages and openings. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service.

• allcove San Mateo: (650) 226-7030. allcove Palo Alto: (650) 798-6330
• San Mateo County ACCESS Call Center: (800) 686-0101, TTY 711
• Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Call Center: (800) 704-0900, press 1
• Ravenswood Family Health Network counseling: (650) 330-7400
• East Palo Alto Community Counseling Center: (650) 363-4030
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988. Spanish: press 2, or text AYUDA

Related questions

• Who can a teen talk to about problems?
• How can I help my teen who is struggling emotionally?
• Mental health care without fear

Healing takes time, and you are worth that time. One call this week is a real start.