Counseling & Support Resources

Mental health support looks different depending on who needs it and what's available through your insurance or funding sources. This page is organized to help you find the right resource quickly — whether that's a crisis line, a calming tool for a young child, support for a teen or young adult, or help for yourself as a caregiver.

Accessing Counseling: Insurance & Funding Options

Private insurance: Families with private insurance can check with their hospital or plan directly for counseling services and community resources. Many plans offer free or discounted mental health sessions.

Medi-Cal: Mental health services are also covered through Medi-Cal, though how you access them depends on the severity of need. Mild to moderate needs are typically served through your Medi-Cal managed care plan; more significant needs are served through county Behavioral Health / Mental Health Services. Contact your county's Behavioral Health department directly, or ask your Medi-Cal plan for a mental health referral, to get started.

Through Regional Center: If your family member is Regional Center-eligible, counseling and behavioral health supports can sometimes be included as part of their Individual Program Plan (IPP). Ask your service coordinator whether this applies to your situation — it doesn't replace insurance-based counseling but can supplement it. See our Regional Centers page for more on how IPPs work.

County-funded programs: Depending on your school district and county, additional mental health support may be available through Mental Health Services Act (MHSA)-funded programs or school-linked services. Ask your student's case manager or your district's special education office whether these apply in your area.

Support for Parents & Caregivers

Caring for a child with significant behavioral or support needs takes a toll, and that toll is real — not a sign anything is being done wrong. A few starting points:

• Regional Center parent support groups — many Regional Centers run or can connect you to caregiver support groups; ask your service coordinator

• Respite care — short-term relief care may be available through Regional Center or Medi-Cal waivers; ask about this directly, since it isn't always offered proactively

• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) — nami.org offers family support groups and education, including for caregivers of children and adults with developmental and behavioral needs

• County caregiver support programs — many California counties fund caregiver resource centers; search "[your county] caregiver resource center" or ask your Regional Center coordinator for a local referral

If you're feeling overwhelmed, that's worth naming out loud to your child's care team, not just carrying alone — case managers and service coordinators can often point you toward support you didn't know existed.