This guide shows you how to find a therapist in Illinois, 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. The full list of Illinois crisis numbers is in Crisis help in Illinois.
How to find a therapist or psychologist in Illinois, 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. With Medicaid, start with your health 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.
- Illinois Psychological Association psychologist directory. Filters include state, city, areas of specialization, treatment modalities, insurances accepted and assessment or testing. You can also search near a ZIP code.
- 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 Illinois
"Therapist" is a general word. In Illinois, the license title tells you what the person is allowed to do. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) licenses all of these professions. Each one has its own board.
| License | What it means | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) | IDFPR lists this as a counselor license. The board is the Professional Counselor Licensing and Disciplinary Board. | IDFPR license lookup |
| Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) | A second counselor license that IDFPR lists next to the LPC. | IDFPR license lookup |
| Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist | Licensed by IDFPR. An associate version of the license also exists. | IDFPR license lookup |
| Licensed Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Social Worker | IDFPR lists both as separate licenses. The board is the Social Work Examining and Disciplinary Board. | IDFPR license lookup |
| Clinical Psychologist | IDFPR also licenses prescribing psychologists. The board is the Clinical Psychologists Licensing and Disciplinary Board. | IDFPR license lookup |
We could not confirm from the IDFPR pages whether an LPC can practice on their own. If you are booking an LPC or an associate, ask who supervises the work and what the license allows.
How to check a therapist's license in Illinois
One IDFPR portal covers these professions. Open the IDFPR license lookup and search the person by name. IDFPR also has a Check a License page that explains the tool. The data updates daily, and a new license can take up to 24 hours to appear.
The lookup page does not say that it shows discipline. For disciplinary records, IDFPR points people to a public records (FOIA) request, and it links to a page of enforcement actions.
You can also call IDFPR on 1 (888) 473-4858. The TTY line is 1 (866) 325-4949.
Online therapy in Illinois: Can you see a therapist from another state?
We did not find an Illinois page that states which state's license is needed when you are sitting in Illinois. Ask any out-of-state therapist for the license or compact authority that lets them treat you in Illinois, and check it.
Here is where the compacts stand.
- Psychologists. Illinois is on the list of states with final PSYPACT legislation. We could not verify the dates it took effect.
- Professional counselors. Illinois is not a member of the Counseling Compact. The compact is live in 11 states so far: Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Wyoming.
- Social workers. Illinois is not among the jurisdictions that have passed the Social Work Licensure Compact language.
We found no verified information on a compact for marriage and family therapists in Illinois.
How much does therapy cost in Illinois?
We found no neutral Illinois average for a private session. One large provider chain, LifeStance, says its typical self-pay range in Illinois is $184 to $468 per visit. That is one company's range, not a state average.
University training clinics state much lower fees. The table shows what each one says.
| Route | What it costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private pay, LifeStance | $184 to $468 per visit | One provider chain, not a state average |
| UIC Office of Applied Psychological Services | $15 to $50 per session | Sliding scale by family income. Does not accept insurance |
| Family Institute at Northwestern, Bette D. Harris clinic | No cost to eligible clients | Trainees. A screening decides eligibility |
| Northern Illinois University clinic | $5 for NIU students | Others pay on a sliding scale by income and household size |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign clinic | Ask the clinic | The page states no fee |
| Community mental health center | Varies, ask | See the free and low-cost section |
| Private insurance | Varies, ask your plan | Depends on your plan |
| Medicaid | Varies, ask your plan | Ask what your plan charges |
Ask for the fee in your first message.
Does Medicaid cover therapy in Illinois?
Illinois Medicaid is called Medical Assistance, and the state agency HFS describes it on its Medical Programs page. Most members choose a health plan through HealthChoice Illinois.
Illinois adopted the Medicaid expansion, and it began on 1 January 2014. Adults 19 to 64 who were not eligible before can qualify with income up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. HFS says its behavioral health services cover both mental health care and substance use recovery. The page gives no list of services, so ask your plan what counseling it covers and what you pay.
To apply or check eligibility, use ABE. To pick a plan, go to EnrollHFS. HFS also has a plan comparison page. To find where to apply in person, call 1-800-843-6154 (TTY 1-800-447-6404).
The HFS HealthChoice page has no provider search. Call the member services number on your plan card and ask for the behavioral health line. Ask each therapist if they take your specific plan, since a therapist may take one plan and not another.
Children are covered through age 18. Families with income within 147 percent of the poverty level can qualify for FamilyCare and All Kids Assist. You can start at the HFS Medical Programs page.
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.
The Illinois Department of Insurance has an Office of Consumer Health Insurance. Its phone is 877-527-9431 and the email is DOI.Complaints@illinois.gov. See the department's contact page for details. Its offices are open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Free and low-cost therapy in Illinois
University training clinics are one route to lower fees. Each clinic below sets its own fees and rules.
- University of Illinois Chicago Office of Applied Psychological Services, Chicago. Fees run from $15 to $50 a session by family income. UIC students and households under $30,000 pay $15. The clinic does not accept insurance. Phone (312) 996-2540.
- Bette D. Harris Family and Child Clinic, Family Institute at Northwestern University. Graduate trainees see clients under licensed supervisors at no cost to eligible clients. It offers telehealth and in-person sessions, in Spanish and Mandarin too. A screening decides who fits, and the page says it is not right for some situations, such as severe suicidal thoughts. Phone 847-733-4300.
- Northern Illinois University Psychological Services Center, DeKalb. NIU students pay $5 a session. Other clients pay on a sliding scale based on income and household size. Phone 815-753-0591.
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Psychological Services Center. It serves the Champaign-Urbana community as well as campus. The page states no fee, so ask when you call 217-333-0041.
Community mental health centers. Illinois law describes a community mental health center as a place that offers outpatient services and 24-hour emergency care. The page has no list of centers. We could not open the state locator, so we cannot give you a fee or an eligibility rule. Ask any clinic you contact if it is a community mental health center and what it charges.
Peer support by phone. The Illinois Peer Support Warm Line is a peer support line, not a therapy service. See the crisis section for the number and hours.
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 Illinois Peer Support Warm Line on 866-359-7953 is a peer support line, not a crisis line, and it is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday.
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 Illinois
Call or text 988, or chat at chat.988lifeline.org, at any hour. Calls, texts and chats are free and confidential. Spanish text and chat are available. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, the 988 site has a page for that. In an emergency, call 911.
- CARES line, 1-800-345-9049. Mobile crisis response for someone in a mental health crisis. It runs 24 hours a day, every day. The number comes from the HFS behavioral health pages, which do not say who else may call.
- Illinois Peer Support Warm Line, 866-359-7953. Run by NAMI Chicago, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday, closed on listed holidays. It is not a crisis line. Use 988 or 911 for a crisis.
Sources33
- Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, https://idfpr.illinois.gov/
- Check a License (IDFPR), https://idfpr.illinois.gov/checklicense.html
- Professional Counselor (IDFPR), https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/profcounselor.html
- Psychologist Clinical (IDFPR), https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/psych.html
- Social Worker (IDFPR), https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/socialworker.html
- Marriage and Family Therapy (IDFPR), https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/marrfamtherapy.html
- Professional Counselor Licensing and Disciplinary Board, https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/boards/profcounselor.html
- Clinical Psychologists Licensing and Disciplinary Board, https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/boards/psy.html
- Social Work Examining and Disciplinary Board, https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/boards/swork.html
- Marriage and Family Therapy Licensing and Disciplinary Board, https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/boards/marfamtherapy.html
- Final PSYPACT Legislation, Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), https://psypact.gov/page/statelegislation
- Compact Map, Counseling Compact, https://counselingcompact.org/map/
- Counseling Compact, https://counselingcompact.gov/
- Compact Jurisdictions, Social Work Licensure Compact, https://swcompact.org/compact-jurisdictions/
- Find a Therapist, Psychiatrist or Psychologist That Accepts Your Insurance in Illinois (LifeStance), https://lifestance.com/insurance/il/humana/
- 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/
- Medical Programs (HFS), https://hfs.illinois.gov/medicalclients/medicalprograms.html
- HealthChoice Illinois (HFS), https://hfs.illinois.gov/healthchoice.html
- HealthChoice Illinois plan comparison, https://hfs.illinois.gov/healthchoice/reportcard.html
- Behavioral Health Home (HFS), https://hfs.illinois.gov/medicalclients/behavioral.html
- Contact Us (HFS Behavioral Health), https://hfs.illinois.gov/medicalclients/behavioral/contactus.html
- Contact Us (Illinois Department of Insurance), https://idoi.illinois.gov/aboutus/contactus.html
- Sliding scale fee structure (UIC Office of Applied Psychological Services), https://oaps.uic.edu/?p=245
- Affordable Counseling (Family Institute at Northwestern University), https://family-institute.org/affordable-counseling
- Cost (NIU Psychological Services Center), https://www.niu.edu/psychology/resources/psc/cost.shtml
- Psychological Services Center (Illinois Wellness), https://wellness.illinois.edu/mental-health-resources/psychological-services-center
- Community Mental Health Centers (IDPH), https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/health-care-regulation/health-care-facilities/community-mental-health-centers.html
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, https://988lifeline.org/
- Illinois Peer Support Warm Line (NAMI Chicago), https://namichicago.org/?p=4601
- 911.gov, https://www.911.gov/
- Directory (Illinois Psychological Association), https://ipa.ce21.com/directory
- Psychologist Locator (American Psychological Association), https://locator.apa.org/
- Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses (IRS), https://www.irs.gov/publications/p502