This guide covers Washington State, not Washington, DC. It shows you how to find a therapist, even if you have no insurance or very little money. It explains who is allowed to treat you, what clinics charge, how Apple Health (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 Washington crisis numbers is in Crisis help in Washington.
How to find a therapist or psychologist in Washington, 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 sliding scale clinic. With Apple Health, 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. 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 Washington
"Therapist" is a general word. In Washington, the license title tells you what the person is allowed to do. The state Department of Health (DOH) licenses mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, social workers and psychologists.
| License | What it means | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) | Needs 3,000 hours of supervised counseling after graduating, including at least 1,200 hours of direct counseling. | DOH credential search |
| LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) | Needs a master's or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy, or an equivalent field, and 3,000 supervised hours. | DOH credential search |
| LICSW and LASW (clinical and advanced social workers) | Need a master's or doctorate in social work from an accredited program. LICSW is the independent clinical license. | DOH credential search |
| Associate license | A person with a graduate degree who is still gaining supervised hours toward one of the licenses above. | DOH credential search |
| Psychologist | Licensed through DOH. The psychology law refers to a state examining board of psychology. | DOH credential search |
| Agency affiliated counselor | Can be registered, certified or licensed. Applies to counselors who are employees of a state agency. | DOH credential search |
Washington law defines the practice of psychology to include psychological measurement, assessment and evaluation through testing, and the diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. If you need a formal evaluation, check that the person holds a psychologist license.
DOH says licensed mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists and social workers may assess and diagnose ADHD and autism when they have the training and competence for it. An associate works under supervision. Since 1 October 2025 a person who has submitted a completed associate application may practice under supervision for up to 120 days while it is pending. Know which license you are booking.
One more point. The state law on these professions does not restrict counseling done under the auspices of a church or religious organization. If you see a pastoral counselor, ask what training they have.
How to check a therapist's license in Washington
DOH runs one public tool for all of these professions, the Provider Credential Search. Choose the healthcare provider search. You can search by credential number or by name.
The result shows whether the license is active. It also shows disciplinary actions the state has taken since July 1998. The status should be active.
If something looks wrong, DOH has a complaint process for health care providers. You can find it from the mental health counselor page.
Online therapy in Washington: Can you see a therapist from another state?
Washington has a telehealth law for out-of-state providers. It says a provider may treat a patient located in Washington if they hold a Washington license or are authorized through a compact that Washington belongs to. There are exceptions, such as a consultation, a specialty assessment with no treatment, or follow-up care for an established patient who is only temporarily in Washington. The simplest check is to ask the therapist for their Washington license number and look it up.
Here is where the compacts stand.
- Psychologists. Washington is on the list of states with final PSYPACT legislation. We could not confirm the date it took effect.
- Professional counselors. Washington is a member of the Counseling Compact. The compact is not live for Washington counselors yet. It is live in 11 states so far: Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Wyoming. Ask a counselor in another state for their Washington license number.
- Social workers. Washington has passed the Social Work Licensure Compact. The compact has reached activation, but multistate licenses are not being issued yet.
We found no verified information on a compact for marriage and family therapists.
How much does therapy cost in Washington?
We could not find a sourced Washington average for a private session, so we give no average here. What we can give is what some Washington clinics publish. At the Washington State University Psychology Clinic, a session costs $20 to $80, depending on household income and size. At Antioch University Seattle, a 50-minute session costs $0 to $100 on a sliding scale.
One Seattle practice with a low-fee program charges by yearly income. For a 60-minute session, that is $24 at $0 to $15,000 and $99 at $55,001 to $60,000. This is one practice, not a state average.
| Route | What it costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private pay, licensed clinician | Varies, ask | Each clinician sets a fee |
| Seattle low-fee program (one practice) | $24 to $99 per 60-minute session | Based on yearly income. Examples only |
| WSU Psychology Clinic, Pullman | $20 to $80 per session | Sliding scale. Full-time students $20 an hour |
| Antioch University Seattle clinic | $0 to $100 per 50-minute session | Sliding scale. Does not bill insurance |
| Pacific Lutheran University clinic, Tacoma | $15 to $65 per session | $15 first two-hour session. Per a 211 listing |
| University of Washington clinic | Sliding scale | Two tiers by income. Ask for the current fee |
| Private insurance | Varies, ask your plan | Depends on your plan |
| Apple Health | Varies, ask your plan | Ask what your plan charges |
Ask for the fee in your first message.
Does Apple Health cover therapy in Washington?
Washington's Medicaid program is called Apple Health. The Health Care Authority (HCA) runs it. Washington adopted Medicaid expansion in 2014.
Adults aged 19 through 64 can qualify if they live in Washington, meet the income limit and are not entitled to Medicare. HCA's chart lists $1,835 a month for a single person. It says the limits change every April, so check the current number on the HCA adults page.
HCA says that if you are an Apple Health client seeking mental health services, you have coverage. Contact your managed care plan, or HCA if you are not in managed care. Ask your plan about session limits and copays.
To find a covered therapist, use the provider directory for your plan. The plans are Community Health Plan of Washington (1-800-440-1561), Coordinated Care (1-877-644-4613), Molina Healthcare of Washington (1-800-869-7165), UnitedHealthcare Community Plan (1-877-542-8997) and Wellpoint Washington (1-833-731-2167). Links to each directory are on the HCA Find a provider page. If you have no managed care plan, use the HCA Find a Provider tool on that page. Then ask each therapist if they take your specific plan.
For a child or teen, the program is Apple Health for Kids. It is free at household income up to 215 percent of the federal poverty level. It is available for a monthly premium up to 317 percent.
Using private insurance: How to find a therapist in your network
Ask your insurer which therapists are in network and what you pay for one outside the network. Check with the insurer and the therapist before you book.
- 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.
The Washington Insurance Commissioner says your deductible, copays and coinsurance apply to mental health services. It also says plans cannot refuse medically necessary mental health services. If your insurer will not cover your care, you can file a complaint or appeal the decision. The mental health parity page explains how. The consumer advocacy line is 800-562-6900, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Free and low-cost therapy in Washington
University training clinics are one route. Students see clients under supervision, and the clinics below publish reduced or sliding scale fees.
- University of Washington Psychological Services and Training Center, Seattle. It serves Seattle-area residents at reduced fees set by a two-tier scale based on yearly income. The page gives no dollar amounts, so ask the clinic. Phone 206-543-6511.
- Washington State University Psychology Clinic, Pullman. Doctoral students work under licensed faculty and serve the greater Palouse region. Sessions run $20 to $80 on a sliding scale. The clinic does not prescribe medication.
- Antioch University Seattle Community Counseling and Psychology Clinic. The sliding scale runs from $0 to $100 a session by income. The clinic cannot bill insurance. Phone 206-268-4840.
- Pacific Lutheran University Couple and Family Therapy Center, Tacoma. A Washington 211 listing gives $15 for the first two-hour session and a $15 to $65 sliding scale. It says Apple Health and insurance are not accepted. Phone (253) 535-8782.
Washington 211. Call 211 or 1-877-211-9274. Washington 211 is a statewide helpline and a directory of local services.
Through Apple Health. If you have Apple Health, your managed care plan coordinates mental health care with the rest of your coverage. Regional crisis lines are listed below. We found no single official locator for non-crisis community clinics, so start with your plan or with 211.
If you are 13 or older. Washington law lets a minor aged 13 or older request and receive outpatient mental health treatment without a parent's consent. A parent's authorization is required under 13 (RCW 71.34.530).
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 Washington Warm Line on 877-500-9276 from 2pm to 9pm every day, 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 Washington
Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, at any hour. Crisis lines in Washington are open to everyone, whatever your income or insurance. In an emergency, call 911.
County crisis lines run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Here are regional numbers from the Health Care Authority. The page lists every county, so check it if yours is missing.
- King County, 1-866-427-4747
- Pierce County, 1-800-576-7764
- Southwest (Clark, Skamania, Klickitat), 1-800-626-8137
- Spokane area (Adams, Ferry, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens), 1-877-266-1818
- North Sound (Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Whatcom), 1-800-584-3578
- Salish (Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap), 1-888-910-0416
- Thurston and Mason, 1-800-270-0041
- Great Rivers (Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Pacific, Wahkiakum), 1-800-803-8833
- Greater Columbia (Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Garfield, Kittitas, Walla Walla, Whitman, Yakima), 1-888-544-9986
- North Central (Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Okanogan), 1-800-852-2923
Two more lines are not crisis lines. The Washington Warm Line, 877-500-9276, is peer support from 2pm to 9pm every day. The Washington Recovery Help Line, 866-789-1511, is for substance use and recovery. You can call it at any hour or text from 9am to 9pm.
The full list is on the HCA crisis lines page.
Sources40
- Mental Health Counselor Licensing | Washington State Department of Health, https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/mental-health-counselor
- Mental Health Counselor - Licensing Requirements | Washington State Department of Health, https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/mental-health-counselor/licensing-requirements
- Mental Health Counselor - Counseling Compact | Washington State Department of Health, https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/mental-health-counselor/counseling-compact
- Social Worker and Social Worker Associate - Licensing Requirements | Washington State Department of Health, https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/social-worker-and-social-worker-associate/licensing-requirements
- Psychologist Licensing | Washington State Department of Health, https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/psychologist
- Provider Credential or Facility Search | Washington State Department of Health, https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/provider-credential-search
- RCW 18.225.010, https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.225.010
- RCW 18.225.030, https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.225.030
- RCW 18.225.090, https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.225.090
- RCW 18.19.030, https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.19.030
- RCW 18.19.020, https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.19.020
- RCW 18.83.010, https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.83.010
- RCW 18.134.050, https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.134.050
- RCW 71.34.530, https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=71.34.530
- 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/
- 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/
- Individual adults | Washington State Health Care Authority, https://www.hca.wa.gov/free-or-low-cost-health-care/i-need-medical-dental-or-vision-care/individual-adults
- Mental health services | Washington State Health Care Authority, https://www.hca.wa.gov/free-or-low-cost-health-care/i-need-behavioral-health-support/mental-health-services
- Apple Health managed care | Washington State Health Care Authority, https://www.hca.wa.gov/free-or-low-cost-health-care/i-need-medical-dental-or-vision-care/apple-health-managed-care
- Find a provider | Washington State Health Care Authority, https://www.hca.wa.gov/free-or-low-cost-health-care/i-need-medical-dental-or-vision-care/find-provider
- Health care for children | Washington State Health Care Authority, https://www.hca.wa.gov/free-or-low-cost-health-care/i-help-others-apply-and-access-apple-health/health-care-children
- Mental health crisis lines | Washington State Health Care Authority, https://www.hca.wa.gov/free-or-low-cost-health-care/i-need-behavioral-health-support/mental-health-crisis-lines
- Mental health parity | Office of the Insurance Commissioner, https://www.insurance.wa.gov/mental-health-parity
- Services and Fees | Department of Psychology (University of Washington), https://psych.uw.edu/community/the-clinic/services-and-fees
- About | Department of Psychology (University of Washington), https://psych.uw.edu/community/the-clinic/about
- Fee Schedule | WSU Psychology Clinic | Washington State University, https://psychologyclinic.wsu.edu/fees/
- Psychotherapy Services | WSU Psychology Clinic | Washington State University, https://psychologyclinic.wsu.edu/psychotherapy-services/
- FAQs - Antioch University, https://www.antioch.edu/centers-institutes/aus-counseling-center/faqs
- Couple and Family Therapy offered at Pacific Lutheran University (Washington 211), https://search.wa211.org/search/5a01c166-aac6-5eaa-b0db-6245bf6eb6f0
- Home - Washington 211, https://wa211.org/
- Low-Fee Pricing Guide (Seattle Anxiety Specialists), https://seattleanxiety.com/lowfee-pricing-guide
- Warm Line - Crisis Connections, https://www.crisisconnections.org/wa-warm-line/
- Substance use and recovery support in Washington State, https://www.warecoveryhelpline.org/
- 988 Suicide and Crisis 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
- RCW 18.83.010, Definitions, https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.83.010