How to Find a Child Psychologist or Pediatrician in California: A Parent’s Guide

Looking for a pediatrician, child psychologist or child psychiatrist in California? Parenting Pathway lists 1,960 child health and mental health providers across California. This guide explains where to start, how to pay for care and which free state programs can help your family.

Start with a pediatrician

For most concerns, including behavior, anxiety, attention, sleep or development, your child’s pediatrician is the best first step. They can rule out physical causes, screen for common conditions and refer you to the right specialist. Many California pediatricians also diagnose and manage ADHD themselves. Not sure who does what? Read pediatrician vs child psychologist vs child psychiatrist.

Browse providers in California by type:

• Pediatricians in California
• Child Psychologists in California
• Child Psychiatrists in California
• All providers in California by city

Paying for care in California

If you have private insurance, call the number on your card to check your mental health benefits, whether you need a referral and whether testing needs prior authorization. Federal parity law means most plans cannot make mental health care harder to access than medical care. Our guide to finding a child psychologist covered by insurance walks you through it.

Children in California may qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, which covers children in eligible families. You can check eligibility and find your state’s application at InsureKidsNow.gov. For typical prices, see how much a child psychologist costs.

Babies and toddlers: free early intervention

If your child is under 3 and you are worried about how they are developing, such as their speech, movement, play or social skills, you can contact Early Start, the early intervention program for California, directly. You do not need a referral from a doctor, and evaluations are free. Our milestone checker shows what most children do at each age.

School-age children: help through school

From age 3, your local public school district must evaluate children who may have a disability affecting their learning, at no cost to you. Ask in writing for an evaluation. If your child qualifies, they may receive support through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 plan, which can include counseling, accommodations and classroom support.

Children’s hospitals and specialist care in California

Major pediatric centers include Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego and UC Davis Children’s Hospital in Sacramento. Specialist services such as developmental-behavioral pediatrics, child psychiatry and neuropsychological testing are often based at these centers, and waits can be long, so ask your pediatrician to refer early if they think it is needed.

California is a very large state with long waits for child mental health specialists in many areas, so telehealth appointments with California-licensed psychologists can widen your options, especially in rural counties.

If your child is in crisis

If your child is at risk of harming themselves or others, call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), go to your nearest emergency department or call 911.

Find providers in California’s largest cities

• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Los Angeles (111 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in San Diego (109 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in San Francisco (44 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Sacramento (41 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in San Jose (39 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Chula Vista (31 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Oakland (27 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Irvine (24 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Long Beach (24 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Santa Ana (23 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Los Gatos (22 listed)
• Pediatricians and child psychologists in Torrance (22 listed)

See every city in California.

This guide is general information, not medical advice. Program names and eligibility rules can change, so check official state sources for the latest details.