80/100RP Score
Ranked #1 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health service”, 5.0★ from 23 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Best Therapists And Counselors in National City, CA (2026)
485 therapists and counselors ranked by RP ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Best overall in National City: Bendis Breathwork, RP Score 80/100; 5.0★ from 23 Google reviews; open 7 days a week.
- 8
Most-reviewed: Perlman Wellness, 1,241 Google reviews at 4.9★, the most of 485 ranked; ranked #8.
Rankings can't be bought. Psychologists can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
485 National City therapists and counselors are ranked here by RP Score, from eight published factors. 190 open Saturdays and 76 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.9★ across 485 rated practices.
Top 10 therapists and counselors in National City at a glance
Ranked by the RP Score from public listing data, not by treatment outcomes; Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank.
| Rank | Business | RP Score | Google rating | Based in | Hours | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bendis Breathwork | 80 | 5.0★ (23) | National City | Sat · Sun · Evenings | Overall |
| 2 | Flynn Skidmore | 78 | 5.0★ (36) | National City | Sat · Sun | — |
| 3 | Radar Recovery Center | 76 | 4.4★ (201) | San Diego, 3 mi away | Sat · Sun · Evenings | — |
| 4 | Counseling Associates, Inc. | 75 | 4.5★ (8) | National City | Sat · Sun · Evenings | — |
| 5 | Akua Mental Health Acute Care Facility San Diego | 75 | 4.9★ (11) | San Diego, 3 mi away | Sat · Sun · Evenings | — |
| 6 | HGR Drug Rehabs San Diego California | 75 | 5.0★ (33) | San Diego, 5 mi away | Sat · Sun · Evenings | — |
| 7 | Unwind Your Mind Therapy | 75 | 5.0★ (3) | National City | — | — |
| 8 | Perlman Wellness | 75 | 4.9★ (1,241) | San Diego, 6 mi away | Sat · Sun · Evenings | Most reviews |
| 9 | Jackson House San Diego Mental Health Treatment Center | 74 | 4.9★ (105) | San Diego, 7 mi away | Sat · Sun · Evenings | — |
| 10 | Alter Behavioral Health - San Diego | 73 | 4.9★ (48) | San Diego, 7 mi away | Sat · Sun · Evenings | — |
The 485 best therapists and counselors in National City, ranked
Ordered by RP Score, a 0–100 score from eight published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.
Ranked by the RP Score from public listing data, not by treatment outcomes; Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank.
Based in National City
78/100RP ScoreRanked #2 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Psychotherapist”, 5.0★ from 36 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 3 mi away
76/100RP ScoreRanked #3 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health service”, 4.4★ from 201 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in National City
75/100RP ScoreRanked #4 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Family counselor”, 4.5★ from 8 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 3 mi away
75/100RP ScoreRanked #5 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health service”, 4.9★ from 11 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 5 mi away
75/100RP ScoreRanked #6 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health clinic”, 5.0★ from 33 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in National City
75/100RP ScoreRanked #7 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health service”, 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 6 mi away
75/100RP ScoreRanked #8 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health service”, 4.9★ from 1,241 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 7 mi away
74/100RP ScoreRanked #9 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health clinic”, 4.9★ from 105 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 7 mi away
73/100RP ScoreRanked #10 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health service”, 4.9★ from 48 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 7 mi away
73/100RP ScoreRanked #11 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health service”, 4.8★ from 41 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 6 mi away
73/100RP ScoreRanked #12 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health service”, 5.0★ from 19 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 6 mi away
73/100RP ScoreRanked #13 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health service”, 4.9★ from 117 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Chula Vista, 3 mi away
73/100RP ScoreRanked #14 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Family counselor”, 4.6★ from 10 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 7 mi away
72/100RP ScoreRanked #15 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health clinic”, 4.4★ from 118 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
#16 OmOmbre
Based in National City
72/100RP ScoreRanked #16 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health clinic”, 5.0★ from 58 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in National City
72/100RP ScoreRanked #17 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “EMDR psychotherapist”, 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 5 mi away
72/100RP ScoreRanked #18 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health service”, 3.8★ from 52 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in La Mesa, 8 mi away
72/100RP ScoreRanked #19 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health service”, 4.6★ from 168 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 7 mi away
72/100RP ScoreRanked #20 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Family counselor”, 5.0★ from 94 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 4 mi away
72/100RP ScoreRanked #21 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health service”, 4.4★ from 19 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
#22 Isis Center
Based in San Diego, 7 mi away
71/100RP ScoreRanked #22 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health service”, 4.5★ from 19 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 6 mi away
71/100RP ScoreRanked #23 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health service”, 4.9★ from 47 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in San Diego, 6 mi away
71/100RP ScoreRanked #24 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health service”, 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
#25 New Vistas
Based in San Diego, 4 mi away
71/100RP ScoreRanked #25 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Mental health service”, 4.3★ from 17 Google reviews.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Therapists and counselors ranked #26 to #50
#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #50, in RP Score order; each links to its profile. We publish the top 50 of 485 ranked therapists and counselors here; the rest are on their profiles.
Also serving National City
20 more therapists and counselors within 15 mi that we can't rank yet: too few reviews, or a specialty we couldn't confirm. Listed A to Z.
| Business | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Allison Wise, LCSW | 5.0★ (1) | In National City |
| Ally Program | In National City | |
| Avani Family Counseling, Inc. | 5.0★ (1) | In National City |
| Awakening Counseling Center | 3.0★ (2) | In National City |
| Child Psych San Diego | 5.0★ (2) | In National City |
| Christauria Welland, Psy.D. | 5.0★ (1) | In National City |
| David S. Womack, PsyD | In National City | |
| DD | In National City | |
| Dr. Gregory S. Paniccia, MD | 4.2★ (6) | In National City |
| Dr. Joshua Pal | 5.0★ (1) | In National City |
| Dr. Vincent Barbieri Psychology | 5.0★ (1) | In National City |
| Katie Miles, LMFT | 5.0★ (1) | In National City |
| Kelly Tarbell Therapy | 5.0★ (1) | In National City |
| Mohammed Bari MD | 5.0★ (3) | In National City |
| Neuromatters and Wellness | In National City | |
| Rooky Hayman Therapy | 5.0★ (2) | In National City |
| SAMUEL KUGEL MD | 2.5★ (41) | In National City |
| Soule Therapy with Ariana Dulberg Soule | 5.0★ (1) | In National City |
| South San Diego Clinic - Psychiatry and Therapy | In National City | |
| WOMANHOOD COUNSELING | 5.0★ (1) | In National City |
How we ranked National City therapists and counselors
We scored 485 National City therapists and counselors on eight factors, weighted as shown. A practice is ranked when its specialty is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. A practice with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 13, 2026.
Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Sponsored businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.
| Factor | Weight | Computed from | In National City data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reputation | 25% | Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back it | Measured |
| Review volume | 5% | Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed practice on the list | Measured |
| Recency | 5% | Share of Google reviews from the last 12 months | Not yet collected |
| Availability | 10% | Weekly open hours, Saturday, Sunday, and round-the-clock or same-day availability | Measured |
| Specialty focus | 25% | How clearly the practice does this specialty (its Google category and name) | Measured |
| Proximity | 15% | Based in the city scores highest, less the farther away it is | Measured |
| Claimed profile | 10% | The practice has claimed its Ranked Psychologists profile (free or paid earn the same) | Measured |
| Partnered | 5% | The practice links to Ranked Psychologists from its own website with our badge, checked periodically | Measured |
How to choose a therapist
- Check the license with the state or provincial board that issued it; most boards publish a free online lookup.
- Make sure they regularly work with clients who have your concern, and ask what approach they use and why.
- Check which license they hold (for example LPC, LCSW, LMFT or RP) and look it up with the board or college that issued it.
- Ask about fees, insurance and the cancellation policy before the first session. In the US, if you are uninsured or paying yourself, you can ask for a good faith estimate of expected charges.
- Check practical fit: in-person or online sessions, evening times, and how soon they have an opening.
- After a few sessions, ask yourself whether you feel heard. Changing to a different provider is common and fine.
Questions to ask a therapist
- Are you accepting new clients, and how soon could I start?
- Which license do you hold, and in which state or province?
- How often do you work with concerns like mine?
- Which license do you hold, and in which state or province?
- What do you charge per session, and do you take my insurance or provide a superbill?
- Do you offer online sessions?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- What do you keep confidential, and when would you have to share information?
Terms explained
- PhD / PsyD
- Doctoral degrees in psychology. A PhD usually has a stronger research focus, a PsyD a stronger clinical focus; both can lead to a psychologist license.
- Licensed psychologist
- A person licensed by a state or provincial psychology board to practice psychology. The title is protected by law.
- Psychological associate
- In some states and provinces, a master’s-level practitioner licensed or registered by the psychology board, often with supervision requirements.
- LPC / LMHC / LCPC
- US licenses for professional or mental health counselors (the name differs by state). They provide counseling and therapy.
- LCSW
- Licensed clinical social worker: a master’s-level social worker licensed to provide therapy.
- LMFT
- Licensed marriage and family therapist: licensed to treat individuals, couples and families with a focus on relationships.
- RP / RCC
- Registered psychotherapist (Ontario) and registered clinical counsellor (British Columbia): Canadian titles for licensed therapy providers.
- PSYPACT
- An interstate agreement that lets psychologists licensed in a member state provide telepsychology to clients in other member states once they hold the required authorization.
- Telehealth
- Sessions held by secure video or phone instead of in person. The provider generally needs to be licensed where the client is located.
- CBT
- Cognitive behavioral therapy: a structured talk therapy that works on the links between thoughts, feelings and behavior.
- DBT
- Dialectical behavior therapy: a form of CBT that teaches skills for managing intense emotions and relationships.
- ERP
- Exposure and response prevention: a form of CBT used for OCD.
Therapists and counselors in National City: frequently asked questions
Who is the best therapist in National City?
By RP Score, the highest-ranked therapist in National City, CA is Bendis Breathwork with an RP Score of 80/100. It has 5.0★ from 23 Google reviews. It is open 7 days a week. Flynn Skidmore (#2) and Radar Recovery Center (#3) follow. We ranked 485 therapists and counselors on eight factors, last updated November 13, 2026.
How many therapists and counselors are there in National City?
RankedPsychologists ranks 485 therapists and counselors serving National City, CA. 12 of them are based in National City; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Another 20 within 15 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.
What should I do if I need help right now?
In crisis or thinking about suicide? Call or text 988 (US and Canada), any time. In an emergency, call 911. This site cannot help in an emergency.
Which therapists and counselors in National City work on weekends?
190 of 485 ranked therapists and counselors post Saturday hours and 76 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Bendis Breathwork (#1), Flynn Skidmore (#2) and Radar Recovery Center (#3). Posted hours are office hours; many practices also offer evening or online sessions by appointment.
What Google rating do National City therapists and counselors have?
The median Google rating among 485 rated therapists and counselors in National City is 4.9★, with a median of 9 reviews. Perlman Wellness has the most, 1,241 reviews, and ranks #8. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.
How does RankedPsychologists rank therapists and counselors?
Each therapist gets a 0–100 RP Score from eight published factors, led by reputation (25%), specialty focus (25%), proximity (15%) and availability (10%). A practice with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only practices with a confirmed specialty and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.
Do therapists and counselors outside National City count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 15 mi of the National City city center, our service radius for therapists and counselors. Each listing shows where the practice is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 15% of the RP Score, so a nearby practice gets a small edge.
Can therapists and counselors pay to rank higher on RankedPsychologists?
No. The RP Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured practices may appear above the list, labelled Sponsored and showing their honest rank.
How are therapists and counselors in National City ranked?
Each practice gets an RP Score from 0 to 100 from 8 published factors, including its Google rating, how clearly it focuses on therapy and counseling and how close it is. Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank. The score does not measure treatment outcomes.
Is a licensed counselor the same as a psychologist?
No. Licensed professional counselors, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists and, in Ontario, registered psychotherapists hold their own licenses and answer to their own boards or colleges. They provide talk therapy for many of the same concerns; formal psychological testing is usually done by a psychologist.
Can I see a therapist online?
Often, yes. Licensing generally follows where you are during the session, so the provider needs to be licensed or authorized there. In the US, psychologists in PSYPACT member states can offer telepsychology to clients in other member states; counselors and social workers have their own rules. In Canada, ask whether the provider is registered in your province.
What if I need help right now?
Do not wait for a consultation. Call or text 988 (US and Canada) if you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, at any time. In an emergency, call 911.
Update log for National City
- November 2026: RP Scores recalculated for 485 therapists and counselors serving National City.
- November 2026: 3 duplicate listings merged.
More therapists and counselors and National City pages
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Other specialties in National City
- Psychologists in National City212 ranked
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- Couples therapists in National City191 ranked
- Family therapists in National City168 ranked
- Neuropsychologists in National City8 ranked
- Psychological testing practices in National City5 ranked
- Anxiety and OCD therapists in National City10 ranked
- Trauma and PTSD therapists in National City40 ranked
- Eating disorder therapists in National City16 ranked
- Psychiatrists in National City293 ranked
- Clinical social workers in National City59 ranked
- Addiction counselors in National City108 ranked
- ABA therapy providers in National City38 ranked
- All psychologists in National City