Online therapy across state lines: CA
Psychologists (PSYPACT)
CA does not currently participate in PSYPACT, and it has no out-of-state telehealth-registration pathway for psychologists, so a psychologist must be licensed in CA to see you by video. We only list providers whose CA authority we can verify. (California’s established-client telehealth allowance offers a narrower route for some other license types: an out-of-state LMFT or LCSW (not a psychologist) may keep seeing an established client for up to 30 days a year while that client is in California — it does not cover new clients — source.) Primary source: psypact.gov.
Counselors (Counseling Compact)
The Counseling Compact is not yet issuing privileges for CA (many states have enacted it but are not yet operational — enacted is not issuing). Counselors need a CA license to see you by video. Primary source: counselingcompact.gov.
Right now in CA
0 license-verified therapists with a provider-reported open-capacity status dated within 14 days are listed for CA: see them.
Common questions about therapy across state lines in CA
Can a psychologist in another state see me by video in CA?
Not on an out-of-state license alone. CA does not currently participate in PSYPACT and has no out-of-state telehealth-registration pathway for psychologists, so a psychologist must be licensed in CA to see you by video. What matters legally is where you are located during the session. This is general information about how these rules work, not legal advice about your situation.
Can my therapist keep seeing me if I move to CA?
It depends on your therapist's license and CA's rules. A psychologist can continue by video only if they are licensed in CA, because CA does not participate in PSYPACT. A licensed counselor (LPC) can only if they are licensed in CA, because CA is not yet issuing Counseling Compact privileges. What governs is where you are during the session, so tell your therapist before your first appointment after you move. This is general information about how these rules work, not legal advice about your situation.
Does CA let out-of-state counselors practice via the Counseling Compact?
Not yet. CA is not currently issuing Counseling Compact privileges — enacting the compact is not the same as issuing privileges under it. A counselor must be licensed in CA to see you by video. This is general information about how these rules work, not legal advice about your situation.
How can I verify a therapist is licensed in CA?
Check the CA licensing board's primary-source license lookup, or use a Kairn profile, which shows the date each license was verified. Kairn checks every license against primary sources — the NPPES registry and state boards — and verifies PSYPACT authority against verifypsypact.org.