This guide shows you how to find a therapist in Virginia, 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 Virginia crisis numbers is in Crisis help in Virginia.
How to find a therapist or psychologist in Virginia, 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, a sliding scale clinic or your community services board. With Medicaid, start with your Cardinal Care 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.
- 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 Virginia
"Therapist" is a general word. In Virginia, the license title tells you what the person is allowed to do. Three boards sit inside the Virginia Department of Health Professions (DHP). The Board of Counseling licenses counselors and marriage and family therapists. The Board of Psychology covers psychologists. The Board of Social Work covers social workers.
| License | What it means | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) | Licensed by the Board of Counseling. | DHP License Lookup |
| Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) | Also licensed by the Board of Counseling. | DHP License Lookup |
| Resident in counseling or marriage and family therapy | The Board of Counseling also registers or certifies residents in counseling and marriage and family therapy. Ask what a resident title means for the person's training. | DHP License Lookup |
| Clinical Psychologist | Licensed by the Board of Psychology. The board also licenses applied and school psychologists. | DHP License Lookup |
| Psychological Practitioner | A further license the Board of Psychology lists on its homepage. Ask the person what it means for their training. | DHP License Lookup |
| LCSW, LMSW, LBSW (social workers) | Licensed Clinical, Master's and Baccalaureate Social Workers, all under the Board of Social Work. | DHP License Lookup |
Virginia law says the practice of clinical psychology includes the psychological evaluation or assessment of personal characteristics, and the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders. If you need a formal evaluation, check that the person holds a psychologist license.
We did not find a verified page that sets out what each license may diagnose or supervise. Ask the person directly what their license is and how long they have held it. What matters is knowing which license you are booking.
How to check a therapist's license in Virginia
All three boards share one public tool, the DHP License Lookup. It is free. You can search by license number, or by name with the occupation, state, ZIP code and status.
The results show whether a license is current or expired. The database also keeps expired records from 1 January 2000 onward, so check the status and not just that a name appears. The lookup is for single checks, not bulk use.
We could not confirm from the lookup page whether it displays discipline records. If that matters to you, ask the board or the therapist directly.
Online therapy in Virginia: Can you see a therapist from another state?
Before you book with someone out of state, ask for their Virginia license number or the compact authority they use. We did not find a current official Virginia page that sets out the rule for out-of-state providers, or any temporary exceptions, so do not assume one applies.
Here is where the compacts stand.
- Psychologists. Virginia is on the list of states with final PSYPACT legislation. The Board of Psychology PSYPACT page says psychologists licensed in PSYPACT states apply to the PSYPACT Commission for authority to practice telepsychology, or for a temporary authorization for in-person work.
- Professional counselors. Virginia joined the Counseling Compact, effective 1 January 2024. The Board of Counseling says the compact is not yet operational. The compact is not live for Virginia counselors yet. It is live in 11 states so far: Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Wyoming.
- Social workers. Virginia 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.
How much does therapy cost in Virginia?
We found no statewide average for Virginia. One large provider chain, LifeStance, says its typical self-pay range in Virginia is $209 to $500 per therapy visit. That is one company's range, not a state average, and its copays typically run $25 to $43.
The clinics in the table publish their own fees, and these are often lower.
| Route | What it costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private pay, one provider chain | $209 to $500 per visit | LifeStance range, not a state average |
| Private insurance copay | $25 to $43 per visit | Same chain. Excludes deductibles and coinsurance |
| Open Path Collective | $40 to $70 per session | One-time $65 membership. $30 with student interns |
| George Mason Center for Community Mental Health | $110 per session with a graduate trainee | Sliding scale available. Does not bill insurance |
| George Mason brief intervention | $35 per session for three sessions | A three-session brief intervention |
| VCU Center for Psychological Services and Development | Sliding scale by family income | Does not bill insurers. Gives paperwork for reimbursement |
| Virginia Tech Psychological Services Center | Low cost, sliding scale | Ask the clinic for the current fee |
| Community services board | Varies, ask | See the free and low-cost section |
| Medicaid | Varies, ask your plan | Ask what your plan charges |
Ask for the fee in your first message.
Does Cardinal Care (Virginia Medicaid) cover therapy?
Virginia Medicaid runs as Cardinal Care, which the state describes as a single system of care for all its members. The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) runs it.
Virginia has expanded Medicaid. Adults 19 to 64 qualify if their income is under 138 percent of the federal poverty level and they do not have Medicare. As of 13 January 2026, that is $22,025 a year ($1,836 a month) for one person and $29,864 a year ($2,489 a month) for two. Starting in January 2027, work and community engagement requirements apply to adults in Medicaid Expansion. You can apply at coverva.org or call 1-855-242-8282 (TTY 1-888-221-1590).
DMAS lists behavioral health services among Medicaid benefits. No verified page spells out which counseling an adult gets, so ask your plan directly.
To find a covered therapist, first pick or check your health plan. The listed plans, as of July 1, 2025, are Aetna Better Health of Virginia, Anthem HealthKeepers Plus, Humana Healthy Horizons of Virginia, Sentara Health Plans and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. The Cardinal Care helpline is 1-800-643-2273 (TTY 1-800-817-6608), Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. You can also compare plans and their networks at the enrollment broker. Then ask each therapist whether they take your specific plan, since a therapist may take one plan and not another.
For a child or teen, FAMIS (the Family Access to Medical Insurance Security Plan) is Virginia's health insurance program for children. Start at the CoverVA children's 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.
Virginia Code section 38.2-3412.1 requires group and individual health coverage to treat mental health and substance use benefits in line with medical and surgical benefits, under the federal parity law of 2008. The page for the section is headed "Effective July 1, 2027." If a claim is wrongly refused, ask your insurer in writing for its appeal steps.
Free and low-cost therapy in Virginia
University training clinics are one of the best-value routes. Students see clients under supervision, and the fees are low.
- George Mason University Center for Community Mental Health, Fairfax. A graduate trainee costs $110 a session, with a sliding scale based on income. The center does not accept insurance and takes no walk-ins. It serves children, teens, adults and veterans. Phone 703-993-1370. See the fee list.
- VCU Center for Psychological Services and Development, Richmond. All therapists are doctoral students supervised by licensed psychologists. It offers individual, couples and group therapy, in person or by telehealth, on a sliding scale based on family income. It does not bill insurers but gives paperwork for reimbursement. Phone (804) 828-8069.
- Virginia Tech Psychological Services Center, Blacksburg. It offers individual, couple, family and group therapy for adults, adolescents and children. The page lists low cost, sliding scale fees. Phone 540-231-6914.
Your community services board. Virginia has 39 community services boards and one behavioral health authority. They are local public bodies and the entry point to publicly funded mental health care. They respond to psychiatric emergencies 24 hours a day. The state says they serve as a safety net regardless of ability to pay, mainly for people with little or no insurance or on Medicaid. Some describe a sliding fee scale. If you have private insurance, check with your insurer first. Find yours by city, county or ZIP code on the DBHDS Find Help page or in the CSB directory. When you call, ask what services are offered and what you would pay.
Open Path Collective. Sessions are $40 to $70 after a one-time $65 membership, or $30 with student interns. See Open Path.
If you are under 18. Virginia law treats a minor as an adult for consenting to outpatient care for mental illness or emotional disturbance (Code of Virginia 54.1-2969). A parent can still get other health records unless the clinician decides sharing them would likely cause substantial harm.
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 the Peer Run Warm Line on 866-400-6428 or 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. It is normal to switch therapists, and it does not mean you did something wrong.
Crisis help in Virginia
Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, at any hour. Virginia has its own site at 988va.org. If you use a TTY, use your relay service or dial 711 then 988. Veterans can dial 988 then press 1. In an emergency, call 911.
If you are not in crisis but want someone to talk to, the Peer Run Warm Line is staffed by people with lived experience of mental health recovery. They are not licensed professionals. Call 866-400-6428, or text that number and reply YES. Hours are Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and weekends and holidays 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Spanish call support runs Monday to Friday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. See the Warm Line page.
You can also find health care and other services through 211 Virginia, listed on the DBHDS Find Help page.
Sources35
- Virginia Board of Counseling - Counseling, https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Counseling/
- Virginia Board of Psychology, https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Psychology/
- Virginia Board of Social Work, https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/SocialWork/
- License Lookup (Virginia Department of Health Professions), https://dhp.virginiainteractive.org/Lookup/Index
- Final PSYPACT Legislation, Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), https://psypact.gov/page/statelegislation
- Virginia Board of Psychology - PSYPACT, https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Psychology/PractitionerResources/PSYPACT/
- Virginia Board of Counseling - Counseling Compact, https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Counseling/PractitionerResources/CounselingCompact/
- 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/
- Therapists & Psychiatrists Accepting Insurance in Virginia (LifeStance), https://lifestance.com/insurance/va/humana/
- Fees (Center for Community Mental Health, George Mason University), https://ccmh.gmu.edu/services/fees-and-insurance
- Home - Open Path Psychotherapy Collective, https://openpathcollective.org/
- For Members (Virginia Medicaid), https://www.dmas.virginia.gov/for-members/
- Adults 19-64 Years Old (CoverVA), https://coverva.dmas.virginia.gov/learn/coverage-for-adults/adults-19-64-years-old/
- Benefits and Services (Virginia Medicaid), https://www.dmas.virginia.gov/for-members/benefits-and-services/
- Cardinal Care (Members), https://www.dmas.virginia.gov/for-members/cardinal-care-members/
- Coverage for Children (CoverVA), https://coverva.dmas.virginia.gov/learn/coverage-for-children/
- Coverage for mental health and substance use disorders, Code of Virginia 38.2-3412.1, https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title38.2/chapter34/section38.2-3412.1/
- Center for Community Mental Health (George Mason University), https://ccmh.gmu.edu/
- About - Center for Psychological Services and Development (VCU), https://cpsd.vcu.edu/about/
- Frequently Asked Questions - Center for Psychological Services and Development (VCU), https://cpsd.vcu.edu/about/frequently-asked-questions/
- Psychological Services Center (PSC) (Virginia Tech), https://psyc.vt.edu/clinicalservices/psychological-services
- Community Services Boards and the Behavioral Health Authority (CSBs/BHA) (VACSB), https://vacsb.org/?p=114
- CSB/BHA Directory (VACSB), https://vacsb.org/csb-bha-directory/
- Find Help (Virginia DBHDS), https://dbhds.virginia.gov/find-help/
- Virginia is here to help, Virginia 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, https://988va.org/
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, https://988lifeline.org/
- Mental Health Crisis Services (Texas HHS, source for TTY and veterans routes), https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/mental-health-crisis-services
- Peer Run Warm Line (Mental Health Virginia), https://mentalhealthvirginia.org/warm-line/
- Authority to consent to surgical and medical treatment of certain minors, Code of Virginia 54.1-2969, https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title54.1/chapter29/section54.1-2969/
- Psychologist Locator (American Psychological Association), https://locator.apa.org/
- Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses (IRS), https://www.irs.gov/publications/p502
- Code of Virginia Section 54.1-3600, Definitions, https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title54.1/chapter36/section54.1-3600/