34 verified providers in San Diego, CA · sourced from SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov · refreshed monthly · Last reviewed: June 2026 · Data refreshed from SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov
Comparing mental health treatment options in San Diego, CA? Senova lists 34 verified SAMHSA-listed mental health providers drawn directly from SAMHSA's FindTreatment.gov national directory. Information is refreshed monthly.
About mental health treatment in San Diego, CA
Mental health treatment includes counseling, therapy, psychiatric services, crisis support, and specialized programs for conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Both inpatient and outpatient options exist depending on severity.
Services typically offered
- Individual and group therapy
- Psychiatric medication management
- Crisis intervention
- Partial hospitalization programs
- Inpatient psychiatric care
- Specialized programs for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression
Insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid coverage
Federal mental health parity laws require most insurance plans (private, Medicare, Medicaid) to cover mental health at the same level as physical health. Many providers below also offer sliding-scale fees and state-funded programs for uninsured residents.
Medi-Cal covers mental health treatment through the Home and Community-Based Alternatives (HCBA) waiver program. To qualify, residents typically need to meet the financial threshold (about 138% FPL ($1,732/month for an individual in 2026)) and have a documented care need that would otherwise require nursing-facility-level care. Applications go through California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), which is also the licensing authority for these providers.
California Medicaid & eligibility deep dive
Eligibility for Medi-Cal
To qualify for mental health treatment under Medi-Cal, applicants generally need to meet two criteria: financial eligibility and a documented care need. Financial eligibility is based on income — typically 138% FPL ($1,732/month for an individual in 2026) — and on countable assets, usually capped around $2,000 for an individual (with separate rules for spouses). The care-need test typically requires a level-of-care assessment showing the applicant would need nursing-facility-level care without home- and community-based support.
The Home and Community-Based Alternatives (HCBA) waiver program
California's primary vehicle for mental health treatment coverage is the Home and Community-Based Alternatives (HCBA) waiver. Covered services typically include outpatient counseling, intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization, residential treatment for qualifying conditions, medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorder, and crisis intervention. Some programs require pre-authorization through a managed-care organization.
How to apply
- Complete the Medicaid application through California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) (www.dhcs.ca.gov/), by phone, in person at a local office, or through healthcare.gov.
- Provide income documentation (pay stubs, tax returns, Social Security benefit letters), bank statements, and proof of citizenship or legal residency.
- Once enrolled in Medicaid, request a long-term services and supports (LTSS) assessment to determine eligibility for the Home and Community-Based Alternatives (HCBA) waiver.
- If approved, you can choose any participating mental health treatment provider — the ones listed below all accept Medicaid where they have contracts.
Application timelines vary: Medicaid itself can be approved in 30–45 days for most applicants, while waiver enrollment may take 60–180 days due to assessments and waitlists. Some California regions have shorter waitlists than others — typically urban metros move faster than rural counties.
San Diego, CA mental health treatment by the numbers
- 34 verified SAMHSA-listed mental health providers in San Diego.
- Sourced from SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov (the federal substance use & mental health directory), refreshed monthly.
- Medi-Cal is California's primary public payer for mental health treatment.
- Average wait time to start care varies — urban metros generally start within 7–14 days; rural counties may take 30+ days.
How much does mental health treatment cost in San Diego, CA?
| Payer | Coverage | Out-of-pocket |
|---|
| Medicare | Limited — outpatient mental health visits covered with copay; substance-use treatment partially covered | 20% coinsurance after Part B deductible |
| Medi-Cal | Yes — through Home and Community-Based Alternatives (HCBA) waiver for qualifying low-income residents | $0 for most enrollees; small copays in some states |
| Private insurance | Most plans cover mental health treatment subject to network rules and prior auth | Deductible + 10–30% coinsurance typical |
| Private pay | Outpatient: $50–$200/session. IOP: $3,000–$10,000. Residential: $5,000–$30,000+ for 30 days | Full cost |
| Long-term care insurance | Generally not — designed for chronic-care services | Per policy |
Costs are 2026 estimates. Verify with the specific provider before scheduling.
How to choose a mental health treatment provider
When you compare mental health treatment providers, focus on five things: (1) certification status (Medicare- or Medicaid-certified for clinical care; SAMHSA-listed for behavioral health), (2) services offered relative to the specific need, (3) which insurance plans and Medicaid waivers they accept, (4) how quickly they can start, (5) patient and family reviews where available. Reputable providers explain coverage, costs, and care plans up front; high-pressure sales tactics are a red flag.
Before signing a care agreement, ask for the answers to these questions in writing: which services are billed to Medicare/Medicaid versus billed to you out of pocket; who is the primary care coordinator; how the agency handles after-hours calls and emergencies; the typical response time for new requests; and two or three references from current patients or families. Providers who refuse to share references are a yellow flag — keep looking.
Related guides
What you'll find on this page
This page covers every mental health treatment provider with a verified address in San Diego, CA. For a wider radius, see the <a href="/california-mental-health">California state page</a> or use the <a href="/search?q=Mental%20Health%20Treatment%20in%20San%20Diego%2C%20CA">search</a>. Click any provider's name below to view their full profile — address, phone, services, ownership, certification details, and how to contact them. Senova never charges patients or families for these listings, and providers cannot pay to appear higher on this page.
About this data
Senova is a free, independent directory of care providers. We do not run any of the agencies listed below — we surface them from authoritative federal data so you can find them faster. Our data source is SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov. If you spot outdated or incorrect information, the source dataset is publicly auditable and refreshed by the federal government on a monthly basis. To request a correction directly, contact SAMHSA at 1-877-SAMHSA-7 or the provider directly.
- Abc Sober Living Llc
810 Emerald Street, San Diego, CA, 92109
866-314-3222
- Alvarado Parkway Institute
5538 University Avenue, San Diego, CA, 92105
619-667-6106
- Apex Recovery
2810 Camino Del Rio South Suite 106, San Diego, CA, 92108
619-756-6424
- Betty Ford Center
11720 El Camino Real Suite 200, San Diego, CA, 92130
858-766-9685
- Center For Discovery
4421 Carmel Valley Road, San Diego, CA, 92130
714-828-1800
- Coastal Detox Of Southern California
San Diego, CA, 92109
619-386-7740
- Community Research Foundation
San Diego, CA, 92113
619-232-4357
- Community Research Foundation
1465 30th Street Suite K, San Diego, CA, 92154
619-428-1000
- Comprehensive Community Behav Health
4157 Fairmount Avenue, San Diego, CA, 92105
619-285-7097
- Crash Inc
835 25th Street, San Diego, CA, 92102
619-239-9691 x304
- Crf Behavioral Health
892 27th Street, San Diego, CA, 92154
619-575-4687
- Crf Behavioral Healthcare
7917 Ostrow Street Suite A, San Diego, CA, 92111
858-300-8282
- Discovery Mood And Anxiety Program
5414 Oberlin Drive Suite 100, San Diego, CA, 92124
877-514-4723
- Euclid Family Counseling Center
286 Euclid Avenue Suite 302, San Diego, CA, 92114
619-662-4100
- Family Wellness Center
6386 Alvarado Court Suite 310, San Diego, CA, 92120
619-668-6200
- Freedom Within Therapy And
2254 San Diego Avenue Suite 305, San Diego, CA, 92110
619-363-1920
- Healthy Life Recovery
1010 Turquoise Street, San Diego, CA, 92109
858-888-5332
- Hope Family Therapy Group Inc
San Diego, CA, 92117
858-333-6856
- House Of Metamorphosis
4017 42nd Street, San Diego, CA, 92105
619-236-9217
- Infinity Recovery
9486 Owl Court, San Diego, CA, 92129
858-967-4140
- King Chavez Health Center
950 South Euclid Avenue, San Diego, CA, 92114
619-662-4100
- Maac Project
1127 South 38th Street, San Diego, CA, 92113
619-262-4002 x0
- Mental Health Systems Inc
1011 Camino del Rio South Suite 300, San Diego, CA, 92108
619-287-8225
- Mental Health Systems Inc
4660 Viewridge Avenue Suite 100-A, San Diego, CA, 92123
760-227-1354
- Mental Health Systems Inc
1954 Komet Way, San Diego, CA, 92111
858-573-2600
- Park Mental Health Treatment Of
2859 El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego, CA, 92104
866-420-2524
- San Diego American Indian Health Ctr
2630 1st Avenue, San Diego, CA, 92103
619-234-2158
- San Diego Center For Children
3002 Armstrong Street, San Diego, CA, 92111
858-277-9550
- Scripps Mercy Hospital
4077 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA, 92103
619-294-8111
- Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital
4275 El Cajon Boulevard Suite 100, San Diego, CA, 92105
858-836-8434
- Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital
7850 Vista Hill Avenue, San Diego, CA, 92123
858-836-8434
- Sober Life Recovery Solutions Llc
3930 4th Avenue Suite 300, San Diego, CA, 92103
619-542-9542
- Stepping Stone Of San Diego Inc
3767 Central Avenue, San Diego, CA, 92105
619-278-0777 x100
- Therapy Connection
2423 Camino del Rio South Suite 101, San Diego, CA, 92108
619-293-3741
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does mental health treatment cost in San Diego, CA?
Cost varies dramatically based on level of care. Outpatient counseling can be $50–$200 per session with insurance; intensive outpatient runs $3,000–$10,000 for a typical course; residential treatment ranges from $5,000 to $30,000+ for 30 days. Medi-Cal covers mental health treatment for qualifying residents, and most providers below accept sliding-scale or state-funded coverage for the uninsured.
Does Medicaid cover mental health treatment in California?
Yes. Medi-Cal covers mental health treatment through Home and Community-Based Alternatives (HCBA) waiver. Eligibility is based on financial need (typically 138% FPL ($1,732/month for an individual in 2026)) and a documented care need that would otherwise require nursing-facility-level care. Apply through California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) or use the federal portal at healthcare.gov.
How do I choose the right mental health treatment provider?
Compare providers on five things: (1) certification status — Medicare/Medicaid certified or, for behavioral health, SAMHSA-listed; (2) services offered relative to your specific needs; (3) which insurance plans and Medicaid waivers they accept; (4) how quickly they can start care; (5) patient and family reviews where available. Reputable agencies provide written care plans, clear cost breakdowns, and answer questions without high-pressure sales tactics.
How quickly can I get a mental health appointment in San Diego, CA?
Wait times vary significantly by provider type and severity. Crisis/emergency services are immediate — call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to a community mental health center. Standard outpatient appointments often have 2–6 week wait times. Many providers in this listing offer walk-in intake or same-week telehealth for urgent (non-emergency) cases. SAMHSA's helpline (1-800-662-4357) is free, confidential, and 24/7 if you need help finding immediate care.
Are these providers verified?
Yes. Every facility on this page is listed in the federal SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov national directory and refreshed monthly. SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) is the U.S. government agency responsible for behavioral health services. Inclusion in their directory means the facility has reported its services and contact info to the federal government.
Does Senova charge for using this directory?
No. Senova is free for patients and families. We never charge to view providers, request a callback, or save vendors to your account. We don't sell your contact information. Providers can also list their agency for free; we offer optional paid plans only for premium features like priority placement on relevant searches.
Can I request a call back from a specific provider?
Yes. Click "Request vendor to contact me" on any provider card. If you're not signed in, you'll be prompted to create a free account first (takes 30 seconds) so the provider has your contact info. Your request is logged in your profile under "Callback Requests" — you can track which providers you've contacted and when.
Are reviews on Senova verified?
Reviews labeled "Verified" come from users who used Senova to request a callback from that provider — meaning they had a real interaction. Unverified reviews come from any signed-in user. We don't allow anonymous reviews and we don't accept paid reviews from providers. If you spot a review that looks fake, contact us at hello@senova.info.
What's the difference between Medicare and Medicaid for mental health treatment?
Medicare is the federal health insurance for people 65+ and certain younger adults with disabilities — it covers mental health treatment when criteria are met (homebound status, physician order, skilled need). Medicaid is the joint federal-state program for low-income Americans — it covers mental health treatment more broadly through state HCBS waivers. Many people qualify for both ("dual-eligible") and use them together to maximize coverage.
What if I'm in a mental-health or substance-use crisis right now?
Don't wait for a directory listing — call or text 988 immediately for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (free, confidential, 24/7), or call SAMHSA's helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for substance use treatment referrals. If there's immediate danger to yourself or someone else, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. The providers below are for ongoing treatment after the immediate crisis is stabilized.
How often is the data on this page updated?
Senova refreshes the underlying federal datasets on the 1st of every month. SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov publishes updates approximately quarterly, and we sync within 24 hours of their release. Provider information that changes more often (phone numbers, addresses, accepted insurance) is only as current as the federal source — call the provider directly to confirm critical details before scheduling care.