Online Addiction Counseling in California
Licensed addiction counseling, from wherever you are in California
Secure video sessions with the same counselors, the same sliding scale, and no commute
Every counselor on our team is licensed in California, which means we can see you by video whether you’re in Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Fresno, or a town of 800 people in the Sierra foothills. Online sessions cost the same as in-person — from $30 on our sliding scale — and Medi-Cal covers them at the same rate as office visits.
Telehealth matters more in addiction care than almost anywhere else. The hardest part of counseling is often just getting there — and for a lot of people, walking into a building marked “addiction services” is a real barrier. A video session from your parked car on a lunch break removes both problems.
Your first online session in four steps
01
Book a time online
Pick a slot through our contact form — including evenings and weekends. No phone call required if you’d rather not talk to anyone yet.
02
Get your secure link
We email you a private video link. No account to create, no app to download — it opens in your browser and runs on HIPAA-compliant video.
03
Meet for 50 minutes
Your first session covers what’s going on, your history with substances, and what you want to change. No lectures, no judgment, no forms read aloud at you.
04
Build the ongoing plan
Together you’ll set a schedule — usually weekly at first — plus concrete goals you’ll actually track between sessions.
Online vs. in-person: an honest comparison
We offer both, so we have no reason to oversell either. Here’s how they genuinely differ:
| Factor | Online | In person |
|---|---|---|
| Effectiveness for counseling | Research consistently finds video therapy works about as well as in-person for most substance use counseling | The benchmark — and slightly better if you struggle to focus at home |
| Privacy | No waiting room; nobody sees you walk in | Depends on your comfort in a clinical setting |
| Cost to you | Same session rate; zero travel, parking, or time off | Same session rate, plus LA traffic and parking |
| Scheduling | Evenings and weekends are easier; sessions fit into work breaks | Limited by office hours and your commute |
| Drug & alcohol testing | Not possible remotely | Available when a program or court requires it |
| Best for | Ongoing counseling, busy schedules, rural areas | Court-mandated programs, early acute recovery, in-person group work |
What online counseling covers
We work with alcohol, cannabis, stimulants, opioids, prescription medications, and behavioral addictions like gambling — along with the anxiety, depression, and trauma that usually travel with them.
A typical first month looks like this: weekly sessions, a written relapse-prevention plan by week two, one optional family session, and honest check-ins about what’s working. If your counselor believes you need a higher level of care, they’ll tell you in the first session — not the tenth.
When online counseling isn't enough
Video counseling is the right level of care for a lot of people — and the wrong one for some. If you’re drinking heavily every day, or using opioids or benzodiazepines daily, stopping suddenly can be medically dangerous; talk to a doctor about supervised detox before counseling becomes the main tool. If you’ve tried outpatient counseling several times and relapsed quickly each time, an intensive outpatient program (IOP) with multiple sessions a week is usually the better next step — we’ll help you find one, and we can continue as your counselor afterward.
And if you’re in crisis right now, call or text 988. It’s free and answers 24/7.
One license, the whole state
We regularly see clients by video in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, Fresno, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Riverside, Santa Ana, Stockton, Irvine, and Chula Vista — and everywhere in between. If you’re in California, you’re in our service area; our Areas We Serve page covers our in-person locations too.
One detail worth knowing: licensing law cares about where you’re physically located during the session, not where you live. If you travel outside California, sessions pause until you’re back — we’ll tell you this up front rather than cancel on you at the last minute.
Your first session can be this week
Book online, get your secure link, and meet your counselor by video — from $30 on our sliding scale.
- Browser-based, HIPAA-compliant video
- Evenings and weekends available
- Covered by Medi-Cal at $0 for most members
Frequently asked questions
What people ask before their first video session.
Does online addiction counseling actually work?
For standard outpatient counseling, research consistently finds video sessions work about as well as in-person care — and completion rates are often higher, because it’s easier to keep showing up. It’s not a substitute for medical detox or residential treatment when those are needed.
What do I need for a session?
A phone, tablet, or computer with a camera, a decent connection, and a private spot for 50 minutes. Plenty of our clients take sessions from a parked car — it absolutely counts.
Is it private and secure?
Sessions run on HIPAA-compliant video and are never recorded. Your counseling records carry the same legal confidentiality protections as in-person therapy.
How much does it cost?
The same as our in-person care: $30–$90 per individual session on our sliding scale, based on household income. Medi-Cal managed care members typically pay $0.
Can I be anywhere in California?
Yes — anywhere in the state during your session. What matters legally is where you’re physically located at session time, so sessions pause if you travel outside California and resume when you’re back.
Can my family join remotely?
Yes, and it’s one of telehealth’s biggest advantages: a parent in Fresno and a sibling in San Diego can join the same family session from three different cities.
What if I'm court-ordered to attend counseling?
It depends on your court’s requirements — some accept telehealth documentation, others require in-person attendance or testing. Send us your paperwork before booking and we’ll tell you honestly whether we can satisfy it.
What happens if I relapse during counseling?
You tell your counselor, and you keep coming. Relapse is data, not failure — the plan gets adjusted, and if a pattern suggests you need more structure than weekly sessions, we’ll say so and help you step up to it.
