This guide shows you how to find a therapist in Indiana, even if you have no insurance or very little money. It covers who is allowed to treat you, what sessions cost, how insurance and Medicaid work 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 Indiana crisis numbers is in Crisis help in Indiana.
How to find a therapist or psychologist in Indiana, 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 a community mental health center. With Medicaid, start with your 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.
- Indiana Psychological Association Find a Psychologist. Search by ZIP code, county or name, and by practice focus. Only member psychologists are listed.
- 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 Indiana
"Therapist" is a general word. In Indiana, the license title tells you what the person is allowed to do. Two boards inside the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) license these professions. The Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board covers counselors, marriage and family therapists, social workers and addiction counselors. Psychologists have their own board, the Indiana State Psychology Board.
| License | What it means | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| LMHC (licensed mental health counselor) | Master's level, with 2 years of experience. | PLA license lookup |
| LMHCA (mental health counselor associate) | The associate title for mental health counselors. Ask what the person still needs for the full license. | PLA license lookup |
| LMFT (licensed marriage and family therapist) | Master's level, with 2 years of experience. | PLA license lookup |
| LMFTA (marriage and family therapist associate) | The associate title for marriage and family therapists. Ask what the person still needs for the full license. | PLA license lookup |
| LCSW (licensed clinical social worker) | Master's level, with 2 years of experience. | PLA license lookup |
| LSW (licensed social worker) | Master's level. A different title from the LCSW. | PLA license lookup |
| LCAC (licensed clinical addiction counselor) | Master's level, with 2 years of experience. Focuses on addiction. | PLA license lookup |
| Psychologist | Licensed by the Indiana State Psychology Board. Indiana Medicaid also refers to psychologists endorsed as health service providers in psychology (HSPP). | PLA license lookup |
Indiana law lists the testing of abilities and personality, and the diagnosis and treatment of mental and behavioral disorders by a health service provider in psychology, as part of the practice of psychology. If you need a formal evaluation, check that the person holds a psychologist license.
The associate titles are separate from the full license. Ask which one the person holds.
How to check a therapist's license in Indiana
The PLA runs one verification search for its licenses. Use the PLA license lookup and search by the therapist's name. We could not open the search page itself, so check what it shows when you try it. The Psychology Board page also links a separate discipline search.
If you cannot find a name, ask the therapist for the exact license title and number, and check again. You can also call the PLA on 1-800-457-8283.
Online therapy in Indiana: Can you see a therapist from another state?
Indiana bases the rule on where you are. The PLA says all practitioners must be properly licensed in Indiana to practice in Indiana, even to provide telehealth. A practitioner outside the state is providing care in Indiana when they start a provider-patient relationship with someone located in Indiana. Since 1 July 2024, out-of-state practitioners no longer file the old telehealth certificates. The license rule still applies.
Here is where the compacts stand.
- Psychologists. Indiana was on the list of states with final PSYPACT legislation when we checked on 21 October 2026. We could not find a verified start date.
- Professional counselors. Indiana is a member of the Counseling Compact, and the compact is live for Indiana licensees. It is live in 11 states so far: Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Wyoming.
- Social workers. Indiana is not on the list of jurisdictions that passed the Social Work Licensure Compact.
We found no verified information on a compact for marriage and family therapists. If you want to see an out-of-state therapist, ask what license or compact authorization lets them treat you while you are in Indiana, and check it.
How much does therapy cost in Indiana?
Thriveworks, a national chain of therapy practices, lists Indiana at $132 per session. It does not say what year the Indiana figure comes from, and it cites a SimplePractice blog post for state rates. Treat it as one company's figure, not a state average. We found no government or insurer average for Indiana.
| Route | What it costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private pay | $132 per session, per Thriveworks | One company's listing. Ask each practice for its fee |
| Indiana University Bloomington CBT clinic | Low cost, sliding scale. Evaluations are free | Adults in the Bloomington area. Graduate students provide the therapy |
| Indiana State University Psychology Clinic | Sliding scale based on income | No insurance accepted. Ask for your rate |
| Indiana Wesleyan University counseling clinics | Varies, ask | The clinic page does not list fees |
| Community mental health center or CCBHC | Sliding scale, small fees based on income and family size | 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 Indiana?
Indiana adopted the Medicaid expansion, and it took effect on 1 February 2015. Indiana Medicaid has several programs. The Medicaid members page lists Hoosier Healthwise for children and pregnant women, the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) for adults, Hoosier Care Connect and Traditional Medicaid.
The HIP page says HIP covers Hoosiers ages 19 to 64 whose income is within set limits. The 2026 yearly limits are $22,026.00 for one person, $29,870.40 for a couple and $45,546.00 for a family of four. The page also highlights HIP work requirements but gives no detail, so read the current rules before you apply. For help, call 877-438-4479.
The state's covered services page lists mental health care as covered under full Medicaid and under Hoosier Healthwise Package C, with some limits on Package C. It lists no copay for mental health care. It does not list HIP, so ask your HIP plan what it covers for therapy and how many visits it allows.
To find a therapist, use the Provider Directory on the Medicaid members page or call Member Services on 1-800-457-4584. Plan enrollment lines are HIP 877-438-4479, Hoosier Care Connect 866-963-7383 and Hoosier Healthwise 800-889-9949. Ask each therapist if they take your specific plan, since a therapist may take one plan and not another.
The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is part of Hoosier Healthwise. It is for children up to age 19 in families with slightly higher incomes, with a low monthly premium and some copays. The plans are Anthem, CareSource and Managed Health Services.
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.
- 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.
If your insurer denies coverage or you have a complaint, the Indiana Department of Insurance has a consumer services page with an online complaint form. It lists 800-622-4461 and 317-232-2395 for insurance questions. We could not confirm how the department handles mental health parity complaints.
Free and low-cost therapy in Indiana
University training clinics are one low-cost route. Students do the therapy under licensed supervisors. Ask each clinic about fees before you book.
- Indiana University Bloomington, Cognitive Behavior Therapy Clinic. Services are low cost on a sliding scale, and evaluations are free. Advanced clinical psychology graduate students provide the services under faculty supervision. It serves adults in the Bloomington area. Phone (812) 855-2313.
- Indiana State University Psychology Clinic in Terre Haute. Fees are on a sliding scale based on income, and the clinic does not accept insurance. It serves children, teens and adults. Most therapy comes from Psy.D. students supervised by licensed clinical psychologists. The fees page gives no dollar rates. Phone (812) 237-3317.
- Indiana Wesleyan University counseling clinics in Marion and Indianapolis. Practicum and internship students provide the sessions under licensed supervisors. The page does not state fees, so ask. Marion (765) 677-2571, Indianapolis (317) 713-6154.
Community mental health centers are another route. Indiana has 24 state-certified community mental health centers, and the state's Find a Local Service Provider page lists them by county. It also covers Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), which serve anyone regardless of diagnosis, insurance, residence or age.
The state says CCBHCs must serve people regardless of ability to pay. Uninsured and underinsured people can use a sliding fee scale, with small fees based on income and family size. Anyone can walk in to be screened. See the CCBHC page for people receiving services. The mental health services page links a tool to find a provider near you. For other local help, call 2-1-1.
Why therapists don't call back, and what to send instead
Replies can be slow, and some therapists have no openings. A short, specific message is easier to answer than a vague one.
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.
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.
Crisis help in Indiana
Call or text 988, or chat at chat.988lifeline.org, at any hour. The state's 988 Indiana site says you can call from anywhere in Indiana, and it mentions mobile crisis teams and an option for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
The state page lists no other Indiana crisis numbers. For local help that is not an emergency, call 2-1-1. In an emergency, call 911.
Sources31
- Behavioral Health and Human Services licensing information (Indiana Professional Licensing Agency), https://www.in.gov/pla/professions/behavioral-health-and-human-services/behavioral-health-and-human-services-licensing-information/
- PLA: Behavioral Health and Human Services, https://www.in.gov/pla/professions/behavioral-health-and-human-services
- PLA: Psychology Home, https://www.in.gov/pla/professions/psychology-home
- PLA: Home, https://www.in.gov/pla/
- PLA license verification search, https://mylicense.in.gov/EVerification/Search.aspx
- Telehealth Regulatory Changes & Termination of Telehealth Certifications for Out-of-State Practitioners (IPLA press release, 7 June 2024), https://www.in.gov/pla/files/IPLA-Press-Release-Telehealth-Regulatory-Changes-and-Termination-of-Telehealth-Certifications-for-Out-of-State-Practitioners-Telehealth-Page.pdf
- 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/
- How much does therapy really cost? Here's what to expect (Thriveworks), https://thriveworks.com/help-with/beginning-therapy/how-much-does-therapy-cost
- 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/
- Indiana Medicaid for Members: Home, https://www.in.gov/medicaid/members/
- HIP: Home, https://www.in.gov/fssa/hip/
- What is Covered by Indiana Medicaid, https://www.in.gov/medicaid/members/member-programs/what-is-covered-by-indiana-medicaid/
- Behavioral Health Services (IHCP provider reference module), https://www.in.gov/medicaid/providers/files/modules/behavioral-health-services.pdf
- Indiana Medicaid for Members: Hoosier Healthwise, https://www.in.gov/medicaid/members/member-programs/hoosier-healthwise/
- IDOI: Consumer Services, https://www.in.gov/idoi/consumer-services/
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy Clinic (Indiana University Bloomington), https://psych.indiana.edu/clinic/cbt-clinic/index.html
- The Psychology Clinic (Indiana State University), https://www.indianastate.edu/academics/colleges/arts-sciences/psychology/psychology-clinic
- Fees (Indiana State University Psychology Clinic), https://www.indianastate.edu/academics/colleges/arts-sciences/psychology/psychology-clinic/fees
- Division of Counseling (Indiana Wesleyan University), https://www.indwes.edu/academics/caps/school-of-integrated-health/division-of-counseling/division-of-counseling
- DMHA: Find a Local Service Provider, https://www.in.gov/fssa/dmha/find-a-local-service-provider
- DMHA: Individuals Receiving Services, https://www.in.gov/fssa/dmha/certified-community-behavioral-health-clinic/individuals-receiving-services
- DMHA: Mental Health Services, https://www.in.gov/fssa/dmha/apply-for-services/mental-health-services
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Free Help 24/7 (988 Indiana), https://988indiana.org
- 988 Lifeline, https://988lifeline.org/
- Find a Psychologist (Indiana Psychological Association), https://www.indianapsychology.org/
- Psychologist Locator (American Psychological Association), https://locator.apa.org/
- Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses (IRS), https://www.irs.gov/publications/p502
- Ind. Code Section 25-33-1-2, Practice of Psychology definitions (FindLaw copy of the statute), https://codes.findlaw.com/in/title-25-professions-and-occupations/in-code-sect-25-33-1-2/