This guide shows you how to find a therapist in Georgia, even if you have no insurance or very little money. It covers who is allowed to treat you, what sessions cost, how Medicaid works and where to find free or cheap help. Every fact comes from a page listed at the end.
If you are in crisis right now. Call or text 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), at any hour. In an emergency, call 911. In Georgia you can also call the Georgia Crisis and Access Line on 1-800-715-4225. The full list of Georgia crisis numbers is in Crisis help in Georgia.
How to find a therapist or psychologist in Georgia, step by step
Start with the route that matches your situation. You can work through the steps in order, and you can run two routes at the same time.
- Decide what you can pay per session. Look at the cost table below and pick a number you can keep up for several weeks.
- Choose your route. With no insurance, start with a university training clinic or the state's public system. With Medicaid, start with your care plan. With a private plan, start with the number on your insurance card.
- Make a short list of three to five places. Do not wait for the first one to answer before you contact the next.
- Check each license. Use the state lookup in the section on checking a license. It takes a couple of minutes.
- Send one clear message to each place. Say that you are looking for therapy, what days suit you, and what you can pay. A sample message is further down.
- Ask about fees before you book. Ask if there is a sliding scale, a trainee rate or a lower fee for the first weeks.
- Book a first session and see how it feels. You can switch if it is not a fit.
Where to search for names
- Your insurer's provider finder. Use the member portal or the number on your card. This is the list to start from if you want to use your plan.
- Georgia Psychological Association Find a Psychologist. Filters include specialty, insurance accepted, city and language.
- APA Psychologist Locator. Search by ZIP code or city, and by name or specialty.
Directory listings are written by the therapists themselves. Confirm the license in the lookup below, and confirm the insurance and the openings with the therapist.
Read more about the process across the country on the find a therapist hub.
Therapist, counselor, psychologist: Who can treat you in Georgia
"Therapist" is a general word. In Georgia, the license title tells you what the person is allowed to do. Two boards under the Secretary of State do the licensing. One covers counselors, social workers and marriage and family therapists. The other covers psychologists.
| License | What it means | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Counselor (LPC) | Licensed by the counselors, social workers and marriage and family therapists board. | Georgia license search |
| Associate Professional Counselor (APC) | An associate-level license. It is valid for only 5 years from the date it is issued. | Georgia license search |
| Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) | Licensed by the same board as counselors and social workers. | Georgia license search |
| Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) | An associate-level license. It is valid for only 5 years from the date it is issued. | Georgia license search |
| Clinical Social Worker and Master Social Worker | Both are licensed by the same board as counselors. | Georgia license search |
| Psychologist | Licensed by the Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists. | Georgia license search |
Georgia law lists diagnosing and treating mental and nervous disorders and illnesses, and psychological testing, as part of the practice of psychology. If you need a formal evaluation, check that the person holds a psychologist license.
An associate is not automatically a worse choice. What matters is knowing which license you are booking. We could not confirm the exact title wording for psychologists or the short forms for social work titles, so read the title as it appears on the lookup.
How to check a therapist's license in Georgia
Both boards sit under the Georgia Secretary of State. The Georgia licensee search is the lookup. Choose Individual, pick a profession type, and fill in at least two fields, such as a first name, a last name or a license number.
Compare the name and license type with what the therapist told you. For a problem, you can read how to file a complaint on the board pages for counselors, social workers and marriage and family therapists or for psychologists. The search page lists the licensing division phone as 404-424-9966.
Online therapy in Georgia: Can you see a therapist from another state?
Georgia's psychology rules also cover psychologists who live elsewhere and treat people in Georgia. A psychologist must hold a current Georgia license or PSYPACT authorization to practice telepsychology. The Georgia board says it will report out-of-state psychologists who treat people here without one of the two.
The compacts stand like this.
- Psychologists. Georgia is on the PSYPACT list of states with final legislation. A psychologist with an ASPPB E.Passport and a PSYPACT telepsychology authorization may practice by video, subject to Georgia rules. For short in-person visits, a doctoral psychologist licensed in another state may practice up to 30 days a year after telling the board.
- Professional counselors. The Counseling Compact is live in Georgia. The Georgia board began issuing privileges on June 2, 2026. Only a Licensed Professional Counselor who is licensed in Georgia and lives here can apply to practice in the other live states. Associate Professional Counselors are not eligible. The Counseling Compact site shows the current list of live states.
- Social workers. Georgia has passed the Social Work Licensure Compact language. The compact has reached activation, but multistate licenses are not yet being issued.
We found no verified information on a compact for marriage and family therapists in Georgia. The Georgia board tells counselors who work across state lines to consider the rules of the state where the client lives. If you want to see an out-of-state therapist, ask which license lets them work with someone in Georgia, and check it.
How much does therapy cost in Georgia?
One 2026 Atlanta guide puts an average private session at $150 to $225. This is a consumer guide, not a price survey. It says group therapy runs $50 to $75, and a public sliding scale runs $30 to $75 a session. It lists university clinics at $18 to $60, with waits of six to 12 weeks.
LifeStance, a provider chain, says most copays with insurance run $25 to $40 in Georgia. That is one company's claim, not a state average. We did not find an official figure for the whole state.
| Route | What it costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private pay, licensed clinician | About $150 to $225 per session | Atlanta guide, 2026. Not a survey |
| Group therapy | About $50 to $75 per session | Atlanta guide |
| Public sliding scale | About $30 to $75 per session | Atlanta guide. Based on income |
| University of Georgia Love and Money Center | $15 to $75 per session | Sliding scale by income. UGA students $15 |
| Georgia Southern University Psychology Clinic | $5 to $30 per session | Sliding scale. First appointment $5 |
| Georgia State University Psychology Clinic | Low cost, call for fees | 404-413-6229 |
| Emory University Psychological Center | Sliding scale | Ask for the current fee |
| Private insurance | Varies, ask your plan | LifeStance says most copays are $25 to $40 |
| Medicaid | Varies, ask your plan | Ask what your plan charges |
Ask for the fee in your first message.
Does Medicaid cover therapy in Georgia?
Georgia Medicaid and its children's program, PeachCare for Kids, are run by the Georgia Department of Community Health. Members get care through either a Care Management Organization or fee-for-service. The three organizations listed are Amerigroup, CareSource and Peach State.
Georgia has not adopted the Medicaid expansion. For some low-income adults, the route in is Georgia Pathways to Coverage. It is for adults aged 19 to 64 with household income up to 100 percent of the federal poverty level, who do not qualify for traditional Medicaid. In 2026 that is $15,960 a year for one person. Members must complete qualifying activities for 80 hours each month to keep coverage. The Pathways site says the eligibility requirements change on January 1, 2027, so read the current rules before you apply.
Pathways lists mental health services among its covered benefits. We did not find a page that says what therapy traditional Medicaid covers for adults, so ask your plan directly.
To find a covered therapist, call your plan's member services and ask for the behavioral health line. Ask each therapist if they take your specific plan. For help with an application, the Georgia Medicaid site lists (877) 423-4746, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern. You can apply online through Georgia Gateway.
Using private insurance: How to find a therapist in your network
In-network means the therapist has a contract with your insurer. Out-of-network means they do not, and you may pay more or the whole fee. A directory listing does not prove a therapist takes your plan, so check with the insurer.
- Call the number on your insurance card and ask for the behavioral health line.
- Ask for a list of in-network therapists, and ask if you need a referral.
- Ask what you pay per session, and if a deductible applies first.
- Call the therapist and confirm they still take that exact plan.
If your therapist is out of network. Ask the therapist for a superbill, which is an itemized receipt for your session. Call your insurer and ask what your out-of-network mental health benefits are, and whether the deductible applies first. Ask whether they reimburse you after you submit the superbill. If you have a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA), ask your plan if therapy fees are eligible. IRS Publication 502 treats amounts paid to a psychologist for medical care as medical expenses, but your plan decides what it pays.
Georgia has a mental health parity law, HB1013. If your plan is private and you think it broke that law, the Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire takes complaints and parity reports. Its phone lines are (404) 656-2070 and (800) 656-2298, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern. Complaints about Medicaid, PeachCare or the State Health Benefit Plan go to the Department of Community Health.
Free and low-cost therapy in Georgia
University training clinics are one of the best-value routes. Students see clients under supervision, and the fees are low. Some have long waits, so contact more than one.
- University of Georgia Love and Money Center, Athens. Graduate students supervised by licensed marriage and family therapists see clients. Fees run from $15 to $75 a session by household income, and UGA students pay $15. It does not take insurance. Clients must be in Georgia during telehealth sessions. The page says couple and family therapy is free from September 15 through the end of 2026.
- Georgia Southern University Psychology Clinic, Statesboro area. Doctoral students work under licensed psychologists. The first appointment is $5, and therapy is $5 to $30 a session by family size and income. Phone 912-478-1685.
- Georgia State University Psychology Clinic, Atlanta. The clinic describes its services as low cost. Phone 404-413-6229 for fees. It is open Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Emory University Psychological Center, Atlanta. Doctoral students work under licensed psychologists. Fees follow a sliding scale based on income and household size. The page shows a therapy waitlist of 5 to 6 months.
The state's public system. The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) runs the state's public system. To reach outpatient providers in your area, call or text 988. You can also search online with the DBHDD provider search, which covers over 600 providers, or contact a regional field office. The Georgia Crisis and Access Line also helps non-emergency callers reach a state-funded provider. The pages we read do not state fees or who qualifies, so ask when you call.
Why therapists don't call back, and what to send instead
A listing may be out of date, or the therapist may have no openings. A long message can also get lost. A short, specific message is easier to answer than a vague one, and email lets someone reply when they have a gap.
Send the same message to several places. Keep it short, and ask one question at a time.
Hello, I am looking for a therapist and found your practice online. I am free on weekday evenings. Are you taking new clients, and what is your fee per session? If you have a sliding scale or a trainee rate, I would like to hear about it. Thank you.
If you hear nothing in a week, send a short follow-up or move to the next name on your list. You can also ask for a waitlist spot and keep looking.
While you wait. Book the first opening you are offered, even if it is weeks away. You can cancel later. Ask to join the cancellation list. Keep contacting two or three other places. In the meantime, you can talk to a primary care doctor, and you can call or text 988 at any hour. The Peer2Peer Warm Line on 888-945-1414 is free and open 24 hours a day.
How to tell if a therapist is a good fit
You will not know in the first minute. Give it two or three sessions, and use the first call to ask a few plain questions. Ask whether they offer a free short phone call before you book. If they do, use it to decide.
- What do you usually help people with, and do you work with my issue?
- What approach would you use, and how do sessions usually go?
- How often would you suggest we meet?
- What is the fee, and can it change if my budget changes?
- What happens if I need to cancel?
Watch for red flags. The person dismisses your concerns. They will not tell you their license details. They pressure you to book many sessions up front. If you see any of these, you can stop and look elsewhere. It is normal to switch therapists, and it does not mean you did something wrong.
Crisis help in Georgia
Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, at any hour. In an emergency, call 911.
- Georgia Crisis and Access Line, 1-800-715-4225, open 24 hours a day, every day. Staff can talk you through a crisis, send a mobile crisis team and help find an open crisis bed.
- Behavioral Health Crisis Centers take walk-ins 24 hours a day for a crisis assessment.
- Peer2Peer Warm Line, 888-945-1414, open 24 hours a day. It is free and staffed by Certified Peer Specialists.
The DBHDD crisis page has more detail on the state crisis system.
Sources40
- Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists (Georgia Secretary of State), https://sos.ga.gov/board-professional-counselors-social-workers-and-marriage-family-therapists
- The Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (Georgia Secretary of State), https://sos.ga.gov/georgia-state-board-examiners-psychologists
- About the The Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, https://sos.ga.gov/page/about-georgia-state-board-examiners-psychologists
- Georgia Licensing Boards, https://sos.ga.gov/page/georgia-licensing-boards
- How to Guide: Professional Counselor, https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-guide-professional-counselor
- How to Guide: Clinical Social Worker, https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-guide-clinical-social-worker
- How to Guide: Marriage and Family Therapist, https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-guide-marriage-and-family-therapist
- Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage Therapists FAQ, https://sos.ga.gov/page/georgia-board-professional-counselors-social-workers-and-marriage-therapists-faq
- Counseling Compact (Georgia Secretary of State), https://sos.ga.gov/page/counseling-compact
- Social Work Licensure Compact (Georgia Secretary of State), https://sos.ga.gov/page/social-work-licensure-compact
- Licensee Search, https://goals.sos.ga.gov/GASOSOneStop/s/licensee-search
- Rule 510-5-.07. Telepsychology, https://rules.sos.ga.gov/gac/510-5-.07
- Rule 510-9-.03. Permission for Limited Practice, https://rules.sos.ga.gov/gac/510-9-.03
- Final PSYPACT Legislation, Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), https://psypact.gov/page/statelegislation
- Counseling Compact, https://counselingcompact.gov/
- Compact Jurisdictions, Social Work Licensure Compact, https://swcompact.org/compact-jurisdictions/
- Social Work Licensure Compact, https://swcompact.org/
- Atlanta Mental Health & Well-Being (Cities Insider), https://citiesinsider.com/country/united-states/atlanta/mental-health-&-well-being/en
- Therapists & Psychiatrists Accepting Insurance in Georgia (LifeStance), https://lifestance.com/insurance/ga/
- Georgia Medicaid, https://medicaid.georgia.gov/
- Medicaid Managed Care (Georgia Department of Community Health), https://dch.georgia.gov/medicaid-managed-care
- Status of State Action on the Medicaid Expansion Decision, KFF State Health Facts, https://www.kff.org/medicaid/state-indicator/state-activity-around-expanding-medicaid-under-the-affordable-care-act/
- About Pathways (Georgia Pathways to Coverage), https://pathways.georgia.gov/about-pathways
- Mental Health Parity Information (Georgia Department of Community Health), https://dch.georgia.gov/how-do-i/mental-health-parity-information
- Complaints & Fraud (Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire), https://oci.georgia.gov/insurance-resources/complaints-fraud
- Therapy Services (UGA Love and Money Center), https://www.fcs.uga.edu/loveandmoneycenter/therapy-services
- Psychology Clinic (Georgia Southern University), https://www.georgiasouthern.edu/research/centers/psychology-clinic
- About (Georgia State Psychology Clinic), https://psychologyclinic.gsu.edu/about/
- Contact Us (Georgia State Psychology Clinic), https://psychologyclinic.gsu.edu/contact-us/
- Emory University Psychological Center, https://psychology.emory.edu/psychological-center/
- Find DBHDD Services, https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/how-do-i-find-dbhdd-services
- The Crisis System of Georgia, https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/crisis-system-georgia
- Adult Mental Health Community Services (DBHDD), https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/be-dbhdd/be-supported/mental-health-adults/adult-mental-health-community-services
- Peer2Peer Warm Line (GMHCN), https://www.gmhcn.org/peer2peer-warm-line
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, https://988lifeline.org/
- 911.gov, https://www.911.gov/
- Psychologist Finder (Georgia Psychological Association), https://www.gapsychology.org/search/custom.asp?id=2175
- Psychologist Locator (American Psychological Association), https://locator.apa.org/
- Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses (IRS), https://www.irs.gov/publications/p502
- O.C.G.A. Section 43-39-1, Practice of Psychology definitions (FindLaw copy of the statute), https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-43-professions-and-businesses/ga-code-sect-43-39-1/