The short answer is YES!

Before you are able to file for bankruptcy protection you must receive a credit counseling session from an approved credit counseling agency.  The certificate you receive from the approved credit counseling agency will need to be file along your bankrutpcy petition. 

Also, after you file a bankruptcy case, and before your debts can be discharged, you must receive a second counseling session.  The post-bankrutpcy filing counseling is then called a "financial education session."  It too must be done with an approved credit counseling agency. 

You don't have to use the same credit counseling agency to do both courses.  Let the money do the choosing.  Most if not all approved agencies will charge you a fee to either do the course or for the copy of the certificate.  And, of course you, guessed it ... you need a copy of the certificate of completion so your attorney can file with the bankruptcy court as proof that you took the course.

The link below will take you to the list of approved credit counseling agencies in California.   

http://www.justice.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/ccde/CC_Files/CC_Approved_Agencies_HTML/cc_california/cc_california.htm

Keep in mind that many approved credit counseling agencies will provide counseling services in languages other than English.  All you need to do is ask.