This guide shows you how to find a therapist in Michigan, 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 Michigan crisis numbers is in Crisis help in Michigan.
How to find a therapist or psychologist in Michigan, 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 community mental health program. 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.
- 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.
- Michigan Psychological Association Find a Psychologist. Filters include ages served, telehealth or in-person, services offered and insurances accepted.
- 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 Michigan
"Therapist" is a general word. In Michigan, the license title tells you what the person is allowed to do. The Bureau of Professional Licensing, part of the state's Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), issues these licenses. There are separate boards for counseling, marriage and family therapy, psychology and social work.
| License | What it means | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Professional Counselor | A full license to practice counseling. | Michigan license lookup |
| Limited Licensed Counselor | Can practice counseling only under the supervision of a licensed professional counselor. | Michigan license lookup |
| Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) | A license to practice marriage and family therapy. An educational limited license also exists. | Michigan license lookup |
| Psychologist (Licensed Psychologist, LP) | The full psychology license. | Michigan license lookup |
| Master's Limited Psychologist (LLP) | A master's-level license. Must be supervised by a fully licensed psychologist, unless the person works for a government agency or a qualifying nonprofit. | Michigan license lookup |
| Master's Social Worker (LMSW) | A license to practice social work at the master's level. Applicants pass the Clinical or the Advanced Generalist exam. | Michigan license lookup |
The state also lists limited licenses for master's and bachelor's social workers. A limited license is not automatically a worse choice. What matters is knowing which license you are booking, so ask the person what theirs allows.
How to check a therapist's license in Michigan
One state lookup covers all of these licenses. Open the Michigan license lookup, choose the license type from the list, and search by name. The state updates the records once a day.
The boards are the Board of Counseling, the Board of Marriage and Family Therapy, the Board of Psychology and the Board of Social Work. All sit under the Bureau of Professional Licensing.
If something looks wrong, the bureau answers questions at BPLHelp@michigan.gov or on (517) 241-0199. Its home page also links to a form for filing a complaint.
Online therapy in Michigan: Can you see a therapist from another state?
We found no Michigan state page that states the rule for video sessions with a therapist in another state. The safest step is to ask any out-of-state therapist for a Michigan license number, and check it in the lookup above. The Bureau of Professional Licensing can answer questions on the contact details in the section above.
Here is where the compacts stand.
- Psychologists. Michigan joined the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) in 2022, under Public Acts 254 and 255. The compact lets a licensed psychologist from a member state practice in other member states with PSYPACT authorization. For video sessions, the psychologist must start contact while physically in the state where they hold their license. Michigan is on the PSYPACT list of states with final legislation.
- Professional counselors. Michigan 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. Michigan is not on the list of states that have passed the Social Work Licensure Compact.
We found no verified information on a compact for marriage and family therapists in Michigan.
How much does therapy cost in Michigan?
LifeStance, a large national provider, says its typical self-pay range for a therapy visit in Michigan is $168 to $272. With insurance, it says typical copays run $21 to $33, before any deductible or coinsurance. That is one company's range, not a state average.
A 2026 cost guide from Your Present Self puts couples therapy in Michigan at about $100 to $250 per session. The guide says its numbers are estimates from other published guides, not an official fee survey. We found no verified state average for single sessions.
| Route | What it costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private pay, large provider chain | $168 to $272 per visit | One company's range |
| Private pay, couples therapy | About $100 to $250 per session | Estimate from a 2026 cost guide |
| Private insurance | Copays of $21 to $33 at LifeStance | Varies by plan, ask your insurer |
| Western Michigan University Psychology Clinic | $40 for a 45-minute session | Reduced rate possible with proof of income |
| Michigan State University Couple and Family Therapy Clinic | $20 to $80 per session | Sliding scale by family income and size |
| Michigan School Psychological Clinic | $10 to $40 for individual therapy | Sliding scale. Not reimbursable by insurance |
| Eastern Michigan University Counseling Training Clinic | No fees | Donations are welcome |
| Community mental health program | Varies, ask | See the free and low-cost section |
| Medicaid | Varies, ask your plan | Healthy Michigan Plan members may pay co-pays |
Ask for the fee in your first message.
Does Medicaid cover therapy in Michigan?
Medicaid in Michigan is run by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Adults can qualify through the Healthy Michigan Plan, which is the state's Medicaid expansion program. You are eligible if you are 19 to 64, live in Michigan, and have income at or below 133 percent of the federal poverty level. You also must not be on Medicare or another Medicaid program, and must not be pregnant.
The state says work requirements are due to begin on January 1, 2027. The Healthy Michigan Plan page has the details. You can apply at michigan.gov/mibridges, by calling the Michigan Health Care Helpline on 1-855-789-5610, or at your local MDHHS office.
The plan covers "mental health and substance use disorder treatment services, including behavioral health treatment." Who treats you depends on how severe your needs are. Under fee-for-service Medicaid, mental health professionals treat mild to moderate needs. People with more involved or severe conditions are referred to the specialty mental health system.
Most people on Medicaid must join a health plan. To find a therapist, call your plan and ask for its list of behavioral health providers. The Beneficiary Help Line is 1-800-642-3195. MDHHS also publishes a list of Medicaid health plans by county. Ask each therapist if they take your specific plan, since a therapist may take one plan and not another.
For a child or teen, the state runs Healthy Kids and MIChild. Call 1-888-988-6300 to ask which one fits. MIChild mental health services come through the local community mental health program.
We found no verified page that sets a number of covered therapy visits. Ask your plan how many visits you get.
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.
In May 2024 Governor Whitmer signed Senate Bill 27, a mental health parity law. It requires insurers to cover mental health and substance use treatment at the same level as physical health. If you have a mental health claim that you cannot settle with your insurer, you can call the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) on 877-999-6442, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also file online at Michigan.gov/DIFScomplaints. Read the state's parity overview for details.
Free and low-cost therapy in Michigan
University training clinics are one of the best-value routes. Students see clients under supervision, and the fees are low.
- Western Michigan University Psychology Clinic, Kalamazoo. A 45-minute session costs $40, with a reduced rate if you can show your income. It takes Priority Health Medicaid and Meridian Medicaid. Phone (269) 387-8302.
- Michigan State University Couple and Family Therapy Clinic, East Lansing. The sliding scale runs from $20 to $80 a session. It serves individuals, couples, families and groups, in person only. Phone 517-432-2272.
- Eastern Michigan University Counseling Training Clinic, Ypsilanti. The page says there are no fees. Advanced graduate students see clients under licensed professional counselors. Clinic coordinator phone 734.487.4410.
- Michigan School Psychological Clinic, Farmington Hills. Individual therapy is $10 to $40 on a sliding scale. Insurance cannot reimburse it.
Your local community mental health program. Michigan's public mental health services run through Community Mental Health Services Programs (CMHSPs). They offer Medicaid-funded services that are medically necessary, and regional plans manage them. Find yours on the state's Get Help Now map. The Community Mental Health Association of Michigan keeps a directory of 46 programs with non-crisis phone numbers. The pages do not state fees or who qualifies if you are not on Medicaid, 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, you can call or text 988 at any hour, and you can call the Michigan Peer Warmline on 1-888-733-7753 between 10 a.m. and 2 a.m.
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?
- 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 Michigan
Call or text 988, or chat through 988lifeline.org, at any hour. In Michigan, the Michigan Crisis and Access Line (MiCAL) answers 988 calls from the state. In an emergency, call 911.
- Michigan Peer Warmline. 1-888-PEER-753 (1-888-733-7753), seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Certified peer support specialists answer. It is for people living with persistent mental health or substance use conditions.
- Frontline Strong Together. 1-833-347-8766, at any hour. It is for first responders and their families.
- Your county crisis line. Each community mental health program runs its own crisis and access line. 988 and MiCAL do not replace these lines.
Find your county program on the Get Help Now map or the state crisis services page.
Sources36
- Professional Licensing (Bureau of Professional Licensing), https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bpl
- Health Professional Licensing, https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bpl/health
- Counseling, https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bpl/health/hp-lic-health-prof/counseling
- Marriage & Family Therapy, https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bpl/health/hp-lic-health-prof/marriage
- Psychology, https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bpl/health/hp-lic-health-prof/psychology
- Social Worker, https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bpl/health/hp-lic-health-prof/social
- Master's Social Work Licensing Guide and FAQs, https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bpl/health/hp-lic-health-prof/social/masters-social-work-licensing-guide-and-faqs
- Accela Citizen Access (Search for Licensee), https://aca-prod.accela.com/MILARA/GeneralProperty/PropertyLookUp.aspx?isLicensee=Y&TabName=APO
- Michigan Professional Counseling Licensing Guide, https://www.michigan.gov/lara/-/media/Project/Websites/lara/bpl/Counseling/Licensing-Info-and-Forms/Counseling-Licensing-Guide--FAQ-12626.pdf
- Michigan Limited Licensed Counselor Licensing Guide, https://www.michigan.gov/lara/-/media/Project/Websites/lara/bpl/Counseling/Licensing-Info-and-Forms/Limited-Counseling-Licensing-Guide--FAQ-12626.pdf
- Michigan Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Licensing Guide, https://www.michigan.gov/lara/-/media/Project/Websites/lara/bpl/Marriage-and-Family-Therapy/Licensing-Info-and-Forms/Marriage-and-Family-Therapy-Licensing-Guide-FAQ-12626.pdf
- Bureau of Professional Licensing Psychology FAQ's, https://www.michigan.gov/lara/-/media/Project/Websites/lara/bpl/Psychology/Boards-and-FAQ/Psychology-FAQ.pdf
- Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), https://www.michigan.gov/lara/-/media/Project/Websites/lara/bpl/Psychology/Licensing-Info-and-Forms/Psychology-Interjurisdictional-Compact-PSYPACT-Information.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/
- Therapists and Psychiatrists Accepting Insurance in Michigan (LifeStance), https://lifestance.com/insurance/mi/
- How Much Does Couples Therapy Cost in Michigan? (2026), https://yourpresentself.com/questions/how-much-does-couples-therapy-cost-in-michigan/
- Healthy Michigan Plan, https://www.michigan.gov/healthymiplan
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse (MDHHS), https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/providers/providers/mentalhealth
- Beneficiary Support (MDHHS), https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/assistance-programs/healthcare/beneficiary-support
- Medicaid Health Plans (MDHHS), https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/assistance-programs/medicaid/portalhome/resources/medicaid-health-plans
- DIFS Director Anita Fox Issues Statement After Governor Whitmer Signs State's New Mental Health Parity Law, https://www.michigan.gov/difs/news-and-outreach/press-releases/2024/05/21/difs-director-anita-fox-issues-statement-after-governor-whitmer-signs-states-health-parity-law
- Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (DIFS), https://www.michigan.gov/difs/consumers/insurance/health-insurance/mental-health-parity/mental-health
- Psychology Clinic, Western Michigan University, https://wmich.edu/psychology/clinic
- Couple and Family Therapy Clinic, Michigan State University, https://hdfs.msu.edu/clinic
- Counseling Clinics, Eastern Michigan University College of Education, https://www.emich.edu/coe/clinical-services/counseling-clinics.php
- Clinic Fees, The Michigan School of Psychology, https://msp.edu/clinic/msp-clinic-about/clinic-fees/
- Get Help Now, Behavioral Health (MDHHS), https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/mentalhealth/mentalhealth/get-help-now
- CMHSP Directory (Community Mental Health Association of Michigan), https://cmham.org/membership/cmhsp-directory/
- MI Behavioral Health Crisis Services (MDHHS), https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/mentalhealth/mi-behavioral-health-crisis-services
- 988 Lifeline, https://988lifeline.org/
- Find a Psychologist (Michigan Psychological Association), https://www.michiganpsychologicalassociation.org/site_page.cfm?pk_association_webpage_menu=12403&pk_association_webpage=27569
- Psychologist Locator (American Psychological Association), https://locator.apa.org/
- Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses (IRS), https://www.irs.gov/publications/p502