CHAMPVA Psychologists in California
5,196 psychologists in California accept Medicare assignment, which means they can bill CHAMPVA. Here is how to find one and what to ask before you book.
| Psychologists in California | 5,196 |
| Where California ranks nationally | 1st, the largest pool in the country |
| Share of all US psychologists | 13.3% |
| All CHAMPVA-billable providers in California | 296,350 |
| California cities with verified local listings | 19 |
Counts come from the federal CMS Doctors and Clinicians registry, refreshed 2026-09-07. The VA publishes no CHAMPVA provider directory, so this is the closest thing to one.
Military California is home to Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, the Presidio of Monterey, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms and 4 more installations, so practices in those communities see CHAMPVA families regularly and are often the easiest yes.
Search psychologists in California
Results come from the federal NPPES registry with real practice addresses and local phone numbers. Add a city to narrow it down.
Psychologists by city in California
Each city page opens with the psychology filter already applied.
How psychologists compare in California
Among the seven clinician types we count by state, psychology is the 7th largest in California with 5,196 providers, behind cardiologists (5,619) and psychiatrists (6,484). That matters when you are deciding how wide to cast your net: a larger pool usually means a shorter drive and a faster appointment.
The deepest benches in California are Ridgecrest with 169 verified local providers, Monterey with 168 verified local providers, Lompoc with 160 verified local providers, and we list 16 more California cities. Start with the nearest one, then widen if nobody is taking new patients.
What CHAMPVA covers for psychology
Outpatient therapy sessions are covered with the $50 yearly deductible and a 25 percent cost share, and no referral is needed. The VA's preauthorization list covers inpatient mental health care and substance use treatment, not routine outpatient counseling. Telehealth therapy is a practical option for families far from a psychologist's office; confirm the practice bills CHAMPVA for video sessions.
The rules above are federal, so they read the same in California as anywhere else. Our psychologists page has the full detail including anything that needs advance approval.
Common questions
How many psychologists in California can bill CHAMPVA?
5,196 clinicians in California are listed in the federal CMS registry under clinical psychologists, and clinicians who accept Medicare assignment can bill CHAMPVA. That is the most of any state. Each practice still decides for itself, so confirm with the billing office before you book.
Do I need a referral to see a psychologist in California with CHAMPVA?
No. CHAMPVA does not require referrals anywhere in the country. A short list of services needs preauthorization instead, such as inpatient mental health care and organ transplants.
What will I pay to see a psychologist in California?
After a $50 per person yearly deductible you pay 25 percent of the CHAMPVA allowable amount, and your family's out-of-pocket costs for covered care stop at $3,000 a year. A provider who accepts CHAMPVA cannot bill you above the allowable.
More on CHAMPVA and psychologists or every CHAMPVA provider in California.