We’re sorry, but we don’t accept or bill insurance. If you have a health plan that covers out-of-network services for mental health, you can contact your insurance provider and ask about possible reimbursement. You will need to pay the fee for services up front at the time of each session, and your therapist can provide a superbill for you to submit to your insurance company. Then, if approved, your insurance company will reimburse you directly.

The easiest way to get started is by completing our online Appointment Request Form. This helps us match you with the therapist best suited to your needs. We respond the same day and usually get you in for your first appointment within the week.

Yes. We take your privacy very seriously and follow all HIPAA guidelines to protect your information. Your therapy is completely confidential within legal and ethical standards, and our therapists work to create a safe, welcoming space where you can be fully yourself.

Yes! We offer in-person therapy six days a week at our five locations across Orange County and the South Bay, or virtual telehealth sessions via Zoom and phone for anyone living in California. Whatever works best for you, we’ll make it easy to connect with a therapist.

We like to keep things simple and stress-free. We accept all major credit cards, as well as FSA and HSA cards with a Visa or Mastercard logo. Payment happens on the day of your session.

Most sessions last about 45–50 minutes. At times, longer sessions can create more space for deeper work, especially for EMDR, couples, or family sessions.

We offer several options so you can find a fit that aligns with both your needs and your budget.

Our licensed therapists offer sessions in the $200–$250 range.

We also offer support through our pre-licensed team:

• Graduate trainees start at $90 per session

• Associate therapists start at $115 per session

If cost is a concern, let us know. We have a limited number of sliding scale spots, and we’ll do our best to see if you’re eligible.

Consistency is an important part of the healing journey, so most clients begin with weekly sessions at a regular day and time. As you settle in and your needs evolve, you and your therapist can talk about adjusting the frequency to match what supports you best.

There’s no “standard” timeline because every story and every season is different. Your therapist will walk alongside you, helping you set meaningful goals, checking in along the way, and honoring the pace that feels right for you. Therapy isn’t about rushing; it’s about creating space for lasting change.

Yes! We want care to be accessible in the way that feels most comfortable for you. Most of our therapists offer both in-person and virtual sessions, and a few offer virtual-only care. You can explore the Our Therapists page to filter by location, specialty, and care format.

Please note: CIFT therapists can only see clients who are physically located in California.

With over 50 therapists and five welcoming locations across Orange County and the South Bay, we do our best to meet you where you are. Our team offers sessions six days a week:

• Monday–Friday: morning, afternoon, and evening options

• Saturday: morning and afternoon

• Sunday: closed

When you submit your appointment request, simply share your availability and any preferences you have. Our team will thoughtfully match you with a therapist whose training, approach, and schedule align with your needs.

When you walk into the lobby, you’ll see an iPad kiosk. Simply tap your therapist’s photo to check in, then settle in and take a breath. Your therapist will come meet you when it’s time. Our hope is that the moment you arrive, you feel welcome and at ease.

Your first session is really about beginning a relationship with your therapist. You’ll talk about what brought you here, what you hope for, and what you need. Your therapist will also walk through the paperwork you completed in the client portal and make sure there’s room for any questions or concerns. We want this first conversation to feel grounding, safe, and honoring of your story.

Pre-licensed therapists — whether they’re in the final stages of their master’s program or working as associates — are deeply committed to their craft and receive ongoing, thoughtful supervision from Licensed Therapists.

Supervisors don’t join your sessions; instead, they provide guidance behind the scenes. From time to time, a pre-licensed therapist may record a session for training or supervision purposes only.

Christian counseling integrates the best of clinical, evidence-based therapy with a spiritual perspective rooted in the Christian faith. At its heart, it’s about tending to the whole person — mind, body, and spirit — in a way that honors your story, your questions, and your relationship with God.

In Christian counseling, you can expect the same high-quality therapeutic care you would receive in any professional setting, with the added freedom to bring your faith into the conversation if you choose. This might include exploring how your beliefs shape your relationships, your sense of purpose, your emotional life, or the challenges you're facing. 

You’re always in the driver’s seat. Some clients lean heavily into spiritual themes; others simply appreciate having a therapist who understands their faith background and can hold it with respect and sensitivity.

In short, Christian counseling offers a compassionate space where your emotional and spiritual worlds are both welcomed — and where healing is approached with clinical wisdom, spiritual depth, and genuine care.

No. AI tools provide information and general guidance. Therapy at CIFT is a relational, clinical process grounded in professional expertise, empathy, and genuine human connection.

Yes. AI can support learning, reflection, and basic coping strategies, especially for mild stress or as a first step. It works best as a supplement, not a substitute, for therapy.

Humans are created for relationship. Our brains are wired for empathy and emotional attunement, which develop through real, human connection. While information can influence behavior in the short term, lasting transformation occurs through relationship, as God designed. The vulnerability, presence, and mutual responsiveness essential to healing require a real person and cannot be replicated by AI.

CIFT therapists bring clinical training and a trusted relationship. They listen carefully, notice emotional and relational nuance, respond with discernment, and walk alongside you with care and wisdom over time.

Yes. AI cannot diagnose, create treatment plans, or determine when additional care is needed. It also cannot responsibly manage complex concerns such as trauma, safety issues, or significant emotional distress.

We view AI as a helpful tool, not a replacement for therapy. At CIFT, we believe meaningful growth and healing happen best through thoughtful, relational care that is rooted in clinical excellence and a distinctly Christian understanding of the person.