This guide shows you how to find a therapist in New Jersey, even if you have no insurance or very little money. It covers who is allowed to treat you, what sessions cost, how NJ FamilyCare 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 New Jersey crisis numbers is in Crisis help in New Jersey.
How to find a therapist or psychologist in New Jersey, 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 county mental health administrator. With NJ FamilyCare, 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.
- 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 New Jersey
"Therapist" is a general word. In New Jersey, the license title tells you what the person is allowed to do. Boards and committees under the state Division of Consumer Affairs license therapy providers. They cover psychologists, counselors, marriage and family therapists and social workers.
| License | What it means | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) | Can practice counseling, assessment, consulting and referral. Needs a master's degree, supervised hours and a national exam. | NJ license lookup |
| LAC (Licensed Associate Counselor) | Can do the same work but must work under the direct supervision of a qualified supervisor. | NJ license lookup |
| LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) | Licensed by the State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners. | NJ license lookup |
| LAMFT (Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist) | The associate-level title in the same field. Ask who supervises the work. | NJ license lookup |
| LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) | Can provide clinical services and clinical supervision. | NJ license lookup |
| LSW (Licensed Social Worker) | Can provide clinical social work services when supervised by an LCSW. | NJ license lookup |
| Psychologist | Licensed by the State Board of Psychological Examiners. | NJ license lookup |
New Jersey also has a Certified Social Worker (CSW) title at the bachelor's level. An associate is not automatically a worse choice. They work under supervision, and the training clinics below use supervised trainees. What matters is knowing which license you are booking.
How to check a therapist's license in New Jersey
One portal covers all of these licenses. The Division of Consumer Affairs runs the License Verification System. Choose "Person Search" to look up an individual.
Check that the license is current and that the title matches what the therapist told you. If something looks wrong, call the board. The numbers are (973) 504-6470 for psychologists, (973) 504-6582 for professional counselors, (973) 504-6415 for marriage and family therapists and (973) 504-6495 for social workers.
Online therapy in New Jersey: Can you see a therapist from another state?
If you are in New Jersey, ask for a therapist who holds a New Jersey license. Each board words its rule differently.
- Psychologists. The psychology board says only psychologists with a plenary license issued by New Jersey may provide telehealth to clients located in New Jersey. New Jersey is on the list of states with final PSYPACT legislation, but the board's FAQ does not mention PSYPACT. Ask any out-of-state psychologist for their New Jersey license number and check it.
- Professional counselors. New Jersey is on the Counseling Compact member list, but the compact is not live for New Jersey counselors yet, so a New Jersey license is still the route for now. The compact is live in 11 states so far: Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Wyoming. The counselor board says a license from another state must meet New Jersey standards.
- Social workers. New Jersey has passed the Social Work Licensure Compact language. The compact says multistate licenses are not yet being issued. The social work board says you cannot practice in New Jersey without a New Jersey license, and it cannot issue a temporary one.
- Marriage and family therapists. The board tells out-of-state applicants to use the standard New Jersey license application. We could not verify a compact for this field.
How much does therapy cost in New Jersey?
PayerPriceCheck, which reads health plan price files, reports the rates four insurers (Aetna, Cigna, United and Anthem) pay New Jersey providers. Between June and August 2026, their averages were about $79 to $101 for a 45-minute therapy session and $102 to $139 for a 60-minute session. These are what plans pay providers, not your bill, and not an official state average. What you owe depends on your plan.
For self-pay, the MyWellbeing directory says the average is $120 per session and about $175 in Newark and Jersey City. That is a directory's own figure with no date or source, so treat it as a rough guide and not an official average.
| Route | What it costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private pay | About $120 per session, per the MyWellbeing directory | About $175 in Newark and Jersey City. No date given |
| Insurer rates, 45-minute session | Plans pay providers about $79 to $101 | PayerPriceCheck averages for Aetna, Cigna, United and Anthem, June to August 2026 |
| Insurer rates, 60-minute session | Plans pay providers about $102 to $139 | Your share depends on your plan |
| Open Path Collective | $40 to $70 per session | One-time $65 membership |
| Montclair State University clinic | Sliding fee scale | Based on income and household size. No insurance |
| Rutgers Center for Psychological Services | Sliding scale | Ask the clinic for the current fee |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University clinic | Low fee | Ask the clinic for the current fee |
| County and state services | Varies, ask | See the free and low-cost section |
| NJ FamilyCare | Varies, ask your plan | Ask what your plan charges |
Ask for the fee in your first message.
Does NJ FamilyCare cover therapy in New Jersey?
NJ FamilyCare is the state's publicly funded health insurance program. It includes Medicaid, CHIP and the Medicaid expansion. It covers mental health and substance use services.
New Jersey has adopted the Medicaid expansion. Adults aged 19 to 64 can qualify with income up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. The state lists that as $1,836 a month for one person and $2,489 for a couple. The NJ FamilyCare site warns that the rules to qualify will change starting in fall 2026, so check the current rules before you apply.
Since January 1, 2025, outpatient counseling and psychotherapy have been part of NJ FamilyCare managed care, so ask your health plan about therapy. You choose a plan after you enroll, and each plan has a provider directory. You can find them on the Choosing a Health Plan page.
For help enrolling, call 1-800-701-0710 (TTY 711). The hours are Monday and Thursday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bring both of your cards to every visit, the Health Benefits Identification card and your health plan card. Ask each therapist if they take your specific plan.
For a child or teen, CHIP is part of NJ FamilyCare. Children under 19 can qualify with income up to 355 percent of the federal poverty level. Since January 1, 2023, children can qualify regardless of immigration status. Start at the NJ FamilyCare site.
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. 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.
If you have a problem with your insurer, you can complain to the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance. Its Consumer Hotline is 1-800-446-7467, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The department prefers online complaints. See its consumer page.
Free and low-cost therapy in New Jersey
Several New Jersey universities run training clinics where supervised students see clients. Ask each one who sees clients and what it charges.
- Montclair State University Community Counseling Clinic, Little Falls. Advanced master's and doctoral counseling students see clients, supervised by licensed professional counselors. Fees run on a sliding scale based on income and household size. The clinic does not accept insurance, Medicaid or Medicare. Appointments are required. Phone 973-655-3600.
- Rutgers Center for Psychological Services, Piscataway. Most services come from advanced doctoral students, closely supervised by faculty. The page says a sliding scale is available but gives no fees.
- Fairleigh Dickinson University Center for Psychological Services, Hackensack. The page describes low-fee services for children, teens and adults. Phone (201) 692-2645 ext. 1.
Your county and the state. The state Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) keeps a Directory of Mental Health Services. It lists only providers that get some state funding. Each county has a mental health administrator, and the county administrator list shows who to contact. The page does not state fees or who qualifies, so ask when you call.
NJ Mental Health Cares. This state line gives information and referral to behavioral health services. See njmentalhealthcares.org or call 866-202-4357.
Designated screening centers. Each area has a center that gives emergency psychiatric assessments. The state lists them in a screening centers directory.
Open Path Collective. Sessions are $40 to $70 after a one-time $65 membership, according to its website.
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 Peer Recovery Warmline on 877-292-5588 (weekdays 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., weekends 5 p.m. to 10 p.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 New Jersey
Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, at any hour. It is free and confidential. In an emergency, call 911.
New Jersey also lists these lines on its DMHAS hotlines page.
- NJ Hopeline, 855-654-6735
- NJ Mental Health Cares, 866-202-4357, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays (one state page says every day)
- Peer Recovery Warmline, 877-292-5588, weekdays 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., weekends 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., calls answered by people with lived experience
- NAMI-NJ HelpLine, 866-626-4664, weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Vet2Vet, 866-838-7654, 24 hours, by call, chat, text or email
- Children's System of Care, 877-652-7624, 24 hours
- 2NDFlOOR youth helpline, 1-888-222-2228, 24 hours
Sources39
- Licensing Boards, Division of Consumer Affairs, https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/Pages/Board-Committee-Complaint-Forms.aspx
- Pages - Professional Counselor Examiners Committee, https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/pc/Pages/default.aspx
- Pages - Frequently Asked Questions (Professional Counselor Examiners Committee), https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/pc/Pages/FAQ.aspx
- State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners, https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/mft/Pages/default.aspx
- Pages - Frequently Asked Questions (Marriage and Family Therapy), https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/mft/Pages/FAQ.aspx
- State Board of Social Work Examiners, https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/default.aspx
- Pages - Frequently Asked Questions (Social Work), https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/FAQ.aspx
- State Board of Psychological Examiners, https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/psy/Pages/default.aspx
- Pages - Frequently Asked Questions (Psychological Examiners), https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/psy/Pages/FAQ.aspx
- License Verification, https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/Pages/verification.aspx
- New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs License Verification System, https://newjersey.mylicense.com/verification/
- 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/
- Social Work Licensure Compact, https://swcompact.org/
- PayerPriceCheck Local Rates, https://payerprice.com/specialties/mental-health-therapy/new-jersey
- MyWellbeing New Jersey therapists, https://mywellbeing.com/therapists-and-coaches/new-jersey
- Open Path Collective, https://openpathcollective.org/
- Welcome to NJ FamilyCare, https://njfamilycare.dhs.state.nj.us/
- NJ FamilyCare - Who Is Eligible?, https://njfamilycare.dhs.state.nj.us/who_eligbl.aspx
- NJ FamilyCare - Choosing a Health Plan, https://njfamilycare.dhs.state.nj.us/choos.aspx
- NJ FamilyCare - Using Your Benefits, https://njfamilycare.dhs.state.nj.us/use_benefts.aspx
- 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/
- End of Phase 1 Transition Period Information for Providers, https://nj.gov/humanservices/dmhas/documents/pdf/events-meetings/2025/Behavioral-Health-Integration-BHI-Update.pdf
- NJ Department of Banking and Insurance consumer page, https://www.nj.gov/dobi/consumer.htm
- Community Services (Montclair State University), https://inside.montclair.edu/colleges-schools-research/cchl/community-counseling-clinic
- The Center for Psychological Services (Rutgers GSAPP), https://gsapp.rutgers.edu/node/369
- Center for Psychological Services (Fairleigh Dickinson University), https://www.fdu.edu/academics/centers-institutes/center-for-psychological-services-2/
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Mental Health help, https://nj.gov/humanservices/dmhas/help/mental/
- County Alcohol and Drug Use Directors & County Mental Health Administrators, https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dmhas/about/boards/admin/index.shtml
- Directory of Mental Health Services, https://nj.gov/humanservices/dmhas/documents/pdf/MH_Dir_COMPLETE.pdf
- Designated Screening Services in New Jersey, https://nj.gov/humanservices/dmhas/documents/pdf/MH_Screening_Centers.pdf
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services hotlines, https://nj.gov/humanservices/dmhas/help/hotlines
- DMHAS Hotline helplines April 2026, https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dmhas/documents/pdf/miscl/DMHAS-Hotline-helplines-April-2026.pdf
- Suicide poster (NJ Department of Human Services), https://nj.gov/humanservices/news/publications/Suicide%20horiz%20color.pdf
- 988 Lifeline, https://988lifeline.org/
- Psychologist Locator (American Psychological Association), https://locator.apa.org/
- Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses (IRS), https://www.irs.gov/publications/p502