How do I check a therapist's licence in California?

Psychologists are licensed by the Board of Psychology, and LMFTs, LCSWs and LPCCs by the Board of Behavioral Sciences. Search either through the Department of Consumer Affairs licence lookup.

What is the difference between a therapist and a psychiatrist?

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication. Therapists, including psychologists and licensed counselors, provide talk therapy.

What is Gottman therapy?

A couples-therapy method based on John and Julie Gottman's research, focusing on communication, conflict management and friendship. Certified Gottman Therapists have completed advanced training.

Does insurance cover therapy?

Many plans cover outpatient mental health care. If a therapist is out of network, ask for a superbill to submit for possible reimbursement.

Best therapists and counselors in Encinitas, CA

At a glance

Therapists and counselors

Listings	5
Inside city limits	5
Combined reviews	537
Data source	Google Maps^[1]
Boundary	Census place 0622678^[2]
Checked	November 9, 2026

Map: Healing Hearts Counseling (listing 1) (map data: Google)

This page lists five therapists and counselors in Encinitas, California, chosen by a published method from public Google Maps data checked on November 9, 2026.^[1] 5 of the five have addresses inside the city limits.^[2] Ratings and review counts are shown as published on Google; this wiki does not write or edit reviews.

Selection rule: Businesses needed an address inside the Encinitas city boundary, a Google rating of 4.5 or higher from at least 25 reviews, and a matching business category. They are ordered by a review-weighted score that balances rating against the number of reviews. Full details are in the methodology.

Listings

1. Healing Hearts Counseling

Counseling practice on North El Camino Real.

Address: 317 N El Camino Real #508, Encinitas, CA
Phone: (760) 458-1600
Website: healingheartscounselingsd.com
Google rating: 4.9 from 135 reviews^[1]
Map: Google Maps listing

2. Grayson Wallen Professional Counseling

Couples-focused counseling practice; its therapist is a Certified Gottman Therapist, per its website.

Address: 662 Encinitas Blvd #248, Encinitas, CA
Phone: (619) 292-8433
Website: graysonwallen.com
Google rating: 5.0 from 34 reviews^[1]
Map: Google Maps listing

3. Driftwood Therapy Collective

Group therapy practice offering individual, couples and family therapy.

Address: 662 Encinitas Blvd #248, Encinitas, CA
Phone: (619) 215-1945
Website: driftwoodtherapycollective.com
Google rating: 5.0 from 30 reviews^[1]
Map: Google Maps listing

4. Coastal Therapy Group

Practice of doctoral-level therapists offering individual and couples therapy, per its website.

Address: 169 Saxony Rd #211, Encinitas, CA
Phone: (760) 334-6262
Website: coastaltherapygroup.com
Google rating: 5.0 from 27 reviews^[1]
Map: Google Maps listing

5. LifeStance Therapists & Psychiatrists Encinitas

Encinitas office of LifeStance Health, offering in-person and telehealth therapy and psychiatry.

Address: 351 Santa Fe Dr Ste 200, Encinitas, CA
Phone: (858) 279-1223
Website: lifestance.com
Google rating: 4.7 from 311 reviews^[1]
Map: Google Maps listing

Comparison

At-a-glance comparison
Business	Located in	Rating	Reviews	Phone
Healing Hearts Counseling	Encinitas	4.9	135	(760) 458-1600
Grayson Wallen Professional Counseling	Encinitas	5.0	34	(619) 292-8433
Driftwood Therapy Collective	Encinitas	5.0	30	(619) 215-1945
Coastal Therapy Group	Encinitas	5.0	27	(760) 334-6262
LifeStance Therapists & Psychiatrists Encinitas	Encinitas	4.7	311	(858) 279-1223

Together the five listings have 537 Google reviews, with an average rating of 4.92.^[1]

Of the five listings, 5 have Encinitas addresses.^[3] Listed addresses cluster on El Camino Real, Encinitas Blvd, Santa Fe Dr, Saxony Rd. The most-reviewed listing is LifeStance Therapists & Psychiatrists Encinitas, with 311 Google reviews; the least-reviewed has 27.^[1] Review counts reflect how long a business has been listed and how actively it asks customers for reviews, as well as customer satisfaction. Treat them as one signal among several.

Choosing a therapy practice in Encinitas

When choosing a therapist in Encinitas:

Licence type. Psychologists (Board of Psychology), LMFTs, LCSWs and LPCCs (Board of Behavioral Sciences) are licensed in California; verify through the Department of Consumer Affairs search.^[4]
Specialty and method. Couples work (for example Gottman method), trauma therapy (EMDR) and child therapy are specialties.
Fit. Many therapists offer a short free consultation.
Insurance. Ask whether the practice is in-network or provides superbills for out-of-network reimbursement.

In a crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or 911.

Common questions

How do I check a therapist's licence in California?: Psychologists are licensed by the Board of Psychology, and LMFTs, LCSWs and LPCCs by the Board of Behavioral Sciences. Search either through the Department of Consumer Affairs licence lookup.
What is the difference between a therapist and a psychiatrist?: Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication. Therapists, including psychologists and licensed counselors, provide talk therapy.
What is Gottman therapy?: A couples-therapy method based on John and Julie Gottman's research, focusing on communication, conflict management and friendship. Certified Gottman Therapists have completed advanced training.
Does insurance cover therapy?: Many plans cover outpatient mental health care. If a therapist is out of network, ask for a superbill to submit for possible reimbursement.

Notes and sources

Google Maps business profiles (ratings, review counts, addresses, phones). Google Maps, retrieved November 9, 2026.
TIGERweb: Encinitas city (GEOID 0622678). U.S. Census Bureau.
Census Geocoder (coordinates to incorporated place). U.S. Census Bureau.
License Search. California Department of Consumer Affairs.