This guide shows you how to find a therapist in Louisiana, even if you have no insurance or very little money. It covers who is allowed to treat you, 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 Louisiana crisis numbers is in Crisis help in Louisiana.
How to find a therapist or psychologist in Louisiana, 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 your local human services district. 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 board lookups 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.
- Louisiana Psychological Association Find a Psychologist. Filters include credentials, location, age or population served, specialty, insurance accepted, approach, services offered, testing and evaluations, and language. 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 Louisiana
"Therapist" is a general word. In Louisiana, the license title tells you which board oversees the person. Different boards license psychologists, counselors and social workers.
| License | What it means | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Psychologist | Licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists. The board also licenses specialists in school psychology. | Psychologist license search |
| Licensed professional counselor | Licensed by the Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners. The same board sets rules for marriage and family therapy. | Contact the board, see the next section |
| Provisional licensed professional counselor | A title covered by the same board's rules. Ask the counselor what it allows and who supervises the work. | Contact the board, see the next section |
| Social worker | The Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners lists these license types: LMSW, LCSW, LCSW-BACS, RSW and CSW. | Social work license search |
The social work board does not explain the letters on its site. Ask the person which license they hold and what it allows.
How to check a therapist's license in Louisiana
Each board runs its own search.
For psychologists, use the LSBEP search. It is free and covers current and former licensees. The board sells an official verification for $15 plus a $0.74 fee, but you do not need it for a quick check. The board's phone number is 225.295.8410.
For social workers, use the Social Work Examiners search. You can filter by RSW, CSW, LMSW, LCSW or LCSW-BACS. The board says the information is primary source verification and shows in real time. Its phone number is (225) 756-3470.
For counselors, contact the Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners directly and ask it to confirm the license. We could not verify an online lookup, so we have no link. Ask the therapist for the exact license title and number.
Online therapy in Louisiana: Can you see a therapist from another state?
For counselors, the board's rule looks at where the client sits. A counselor must follow the licensing rules of the state where the client is located at the time of the session. A counselor from another state who wants to provide therapy in Louisiana needs approval from the board. Since November 2025, counselors and therapists licensed in other states can register with the board to offer telehealth if their license has no restrictions.
We found no verified Louisiana rule for out-of-state psychologists or social workers. Ask the psychologist board on 225.295.8410 before you book.
Here is where the compacts stand.
- Psychologists. Louisiana was not on the PSYPACT list of states with final legislation when we checked on 22 October 2026.
- Professional counselors. Louisiana is a member of the Counseling Compact, and the compact is live there. A counselor licensed and living in Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee or Wyoming can apply for a privilege to practice in Louisiana. Ask the counselor if they hold one.
- Social workers. Louisiana has passed the Social Work Licensure Compact. 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. If you want to see an out-of-state therapist, ask what authority they have to treat you in Louisiana.
How much does therapy cost in Louisiana?
We found no verified figure for what a private session costs in Louisiana, so ask each practice for its fee before you book. The routes below give the numbers we could confirm.
| Route | What it costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private pay | Varies, ask | Ask for the fee in your first message |
| University of Louisiana at Lafayette counseling clinic | $25 one-time intake fee, then free | Graduate students provide the therapy |
| LSU Psychological Services Center | Sliding scale based on income | Graduate students supervised by faculty |
| Louisiana Tech Psychological Services Clinic | "Low cost," no figure given | Ask the clinic for the current fee |
| Local human services district | Varies, ask | The Department of Health says everyone gets help whether or not they can pay |
| Private insurance | Varies, ask your plan | Depends on your plan |
| Medicaid | Varies, ask your plan | Ask what your plan charges |
Does Medicaid cover therapy in Louisiana?
Louisiana Medicaid is called Healthy Louisiana. The state adopted the Medicaid expansion, and KFF lists it as adopted, with a 2016 start. We could not open a state page with current income limits. One third-party guide says adults under 65 qualify with household income up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. Check the current limit when you apply.
You can apply any time at MyMedicaid.la.gov or call (888) 342-6207, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Children can qualify for LaCHIP, the state's children's health insurance program.
The Department of Health lists mental health rehabilitation as a Medicaid behavioral health provider type. It names community psychiatric supportive treatment and psychosocial rehabilitation as two of its services. We could not verify what counseling Medicaid covers for adults. Contact Healthy Louisiana at (888) 342-6207 and ask directly.
To find a provider, use the "Find a Provider" tool in the Healthy Louisiana mobile app, or call the number on your health plan card. Members can change plans up to two times a year. Ask each therapist if they take your specific plan, since a therapist may take one plan and not another.
Some Medicaid members will face new federal work requirements from 1 January 2027. Medicaid will send letters to affected members, so keep your contact details up to date.
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 you have a problem with your insurer, the Louisiana Department of Insurance runs a consumer hotline on 1-800-259-5300.
Free and low-cost therapy in Louisiana
University training clinics are one low-cost route. Graduate students provide the therapy, and faculty supervise them.
- LSU Psychological Services Center, Baton Rouge. The center is open to anyone in the area, and fees are on a sliding scale based on income and ability to pay. Phone 225-578-1494.
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette Clinic for Counseling and Personal Development. It serves the Acadiana community. There is a one-time $25.00 intake fee, paid by check or money order, and later services are free. Phone 337-482-1018.
- Louisiana Tech Psychological Services Clinic, Ruston. Counseling psychology doctoral students provide the therapy under licensed psychologists. The site says the cost is low but gives no fee. Phone 318.257.3410.
Your local human services district is another route. Louisiana has 10 of these local governing entities, and each one delivers health and human services in its own parishes. The Department of Health list shows which one covers your parish and gives its phone number. A few examples follow.
- Metropolitan Human Services District, covering Orleans, St. Bernard and Plaquemines. Phone 504-568-3130.
- Capital Area Human Services District, covering East Baton Rouge and six nearby parishes. Phone 225-922-2700.
- Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority. Phone 504-838-5215.
- Acadiana Area Human Services District, covering Lafayette and six other parishes. Phone 337-262-4100.
The Department of Health says these clinics treat adults and children with serious mental illnesses or emotional disturbances. It adds that everyone gets help, no matter if they can pay or not. We could not confirm sliding fees at each district, so ask when you call.
If you are 16 or 17, Louisiana's Children's Code lets you apply for voluntary admission to a licensed treatment facility, which includes mental health centers, with the same rights as an adult patient. The child welfare agency adds that outpatient programs usually ask a caretaker to consent too. For younger children, a parent or tutor consents.
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.
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, look elsewhere.
Crisis help in Louisiana
Call or text 988, or chat at chat.988lifeline.org, at any hour. The service is free and confidential. Spanish text and chat are available.
The Department of Health runs the Louisiana Crisis Response System. For information, visit LouisianaCrisisHub.org or call 855-24CARE5 (855-242-2735). The system includes mobile crisis teams and walk-in behavioral health crisis centers that are open 24 hours a day. The department lists the walk-in centers for adults 18 and older.
In the Houma area, the South Central Louisiana Human Services Authority lists a Crisis Assist Link Line on 877-500-9997. We could not confirm the hours for either state line, so call 988 if you need help at once.
Sources25
- The Website for The Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, https://www.lsbep.org/
- License Search and Verification (Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists), https://lsbep.org/verifications/
- Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners, https://www.labswe.org/
- Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (licensee search), https://www.labswe.org/index.cfm/licensee-search
- Louisiana Register Vol. 51, No. 11, November 20, 2025 (Teletherapy Registration, LAC 46:LX.503 and 505), https://admin.opportunitylouisiana.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Nov.-2025-Register-Rule.pdf
- 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/
- Healthy Louisiana (Louisiana Department of Health), https://www.ldh.la.gov/healthy-louisiana
- 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/
- Medicaid eligibility and enrollment in Louisiana (healthinsurance.org), https://www.healthinsurance.org/medicaid/louisiana/
- Mental Health Services (Louisiana Department of Health), https://www.ldh.la.gov/page/mental-health-services
- Local Governing Entities (Louisiana Department of Health), https://www.ldh.la.gov/page/local-governing-entities
- Louisiana Crisis Response System (LA-CRS), https://www.ldh.la.gov/page/4190
- Louisiana Department of Insurance, https://ldi.la.gov/
- About the Center (LSU Psychological Services Center), https://apa.lsu.edu/psc/psccenter.php
- Programs for Children & Families, Department of Counseling (University of Louisiana at Lafayette), https://counseling.louisiana.edu/node/68
- Psychological Services Clinic (Louisiana Tech University), https://web2025.latech.edu/education-human-sciences/research-innovation/psychological-services-clinic.php
- Mental/Behavioral Health, Substance Abuse (Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services), https://dcfs.louisiana.gov/page/695
- Louisiana Children's Code arts. 1404 and 1464, statute text via Justia, https://law.justia.com/codes/louisiana/children-s-code/article-1464/
- 988 Lifeline, https://988lifeline.org/
- Psychologist Directory (Louisiana Psychological Association), https://louisianapsychologicalassociation.org/psychologist-directory/
- Psychologist Locator (American Psychological Association), https://locator.apa.org/
- Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses (IRS), https://www.irs.gov/publications/p502