Finding a therapist is fairly simple — simply googling “How to find a therapist” will give you access to many counselors in your area, but it’s important to know that not all counselors are licensed professional counselors (LPC’s). It can get confusing pretty quick, so it’s imperative to figure out what you’re going to therapy for because that will determine which kind of therapist you seek.

A couple of solid websites to find a therapist are Psychology Today and Good Therapy. Both sites can help you find a therapist by simply entering your zip code. The search will provide a profile picture of each clinician, their credentials, biography, therapeutic approach, insurance accepted, cost per session, website (if they have one), contact info, and specialty. They both make looking for a therapist less overwhelming by simplifying the process for you. No insurance? No problem! Seeing a therapist is still a possibility even if you don’t have insurance, and here are a few ways you can do it:

Talkspace

Simply put, Talkspace is an online therapy company. Some people think seeing a therapist in person is awkward and uncomfortable, and if you feel that way, Talkspace may be perfect for you. Once you create an account, you take an assessment that’s used to match you with a therapist. Next, you choose your payment plan — Unlimited Messaging Therapy allows you to message your therapist, any time, any day for $49 a week and LiveTalk Therapy includes live video and audio sessions with your therapist for $79 a week. TalkSpace even provides online couples counseling for $79 a week as well. The average cost per session to see a therapist if you don’t have insurance is $100, so Talkspace offers a solid discount.

University Counseling Centers

Most college campuses have a counseling center available to students for free. If you’re a student, take advantage of this! You’re most likely already paying for it in your tuition anyway. If you live in Texas, you already know that there are PLENTY of university’s here and I know that much of my audience is still in school. Get in contact with your university’s counseling center if you’ve been thinking about therapy but don’t have the money right now.

BetterHelp

Our sponsor, BetterHelp, strives to make professional counseling accessible, affordable, and convenient. They offer access to licensed, experienced, and accredited psychologists (PhD / PsyD), marriage and family therapists (LMFT), clinical social workers (LCSW / LMSW), and board licensed professional counselors (LPC). They also offer many resources for self-care covering a wide range of topics..

Many therapists offer a sliding scale, or fee arrangement between the counselor and client where the counselor allows the client to pay for what they can afford. If you don’t have insurance, you’re not a student, and would like to see a therapist in person, search for one with a sliding scale and create a payment plan with your therapist during the first session. Finding a therapist takes a little effort, but has a big payoff.