How to find a therapist in Florida

This guide shows you how to find a therapist in Florida, check that they are licensed and work out what you can afford. It covers license titles, seeing a therapist by video, insurance rules, low-cost clinics and crisis lines. Where we could not confirm a figure or a phone number from an official page, we say so and tell you what to ask instead. For a wider view, start with the guide to finding a therapist in the US.

How to find a therapist in Florida, step by step

Start with what you can pay, because that decides where to look first.

1. Write down your budget for one session, and whether you have insurance.
2. If you have insurance, call the number on your card. Ask for the behavioral health line and for therapists who are in your network.
3. If you have no insurance, look at training clinics and low-cost options first. They are listed further down this page.
4. Shortlist three therapists. Check each license on the state lookup.
5. Send all three the same short message (a template is below). Ask about fees, openings and whether they see people online.
6. Book a first session with the first one who replies and sounds like a fit. You can switch later.

Who can treat you in Florida

Florida licenses three kinds of counselor under one law, Chapter 491 of the Florida Statutes. The law calls all three "psychotherapists". Psychologists are licensed separately, by a different board.

License	What it means	Where to check
Clinical social worker	Licensed under Chapter 491	Verify a license
Marriage and family therapist	Licensed under Chapter 491	Verify a license
Mental health counselor	Licensed under Chapter 491	Verify a license
Intern in any of the three	Registered, and must practice under supervision	Verify a license
Psychologist	Regulated by the Florida Board of Psychology	Verify a license

You may see short forms such as LCSW, LMFT or LMHC on a therapist's website. We did not confirm those abbreviations on an official page, so check the full title in the lookup.

An intern is not a fully licensed therapist yet. It is fair to ask who supervises them and whether their fee is lower.

How to check a therapist's license in Florida

Two boards cover the people on this page. The Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling covers the three Chapter 491 licenses. The Florida Board of Psychology covers psychologists.

Both boards send you to the same Department of Health lookup, called Verify a License. Search by name, then check that the title matches what the therapist says and that the license is active. If the portal is down when you try, try again later or call the board.

Online therapy in Florida: Can you see a therapist from another state?

The rule is simple. The therapist needs permission to treat people who are sitting in Florida when the session happens.

A therapist licensed only in another state can see you by video only if they are registered with the Florida board or the Department of Health. To register, they need an active license elsewhere that is substantially similar to Florida's. They must have no disciplinary action in the past 5 years, a registered agent in Florida and liability cover. They may not open a Florida office or see patients in person. Emergencies and consultations with a Florida-licensed professional are exempt.

There are also agreements between states, called compacts. Here is where each one stands today.

• Psychologists. Florida is on the list of states with final legislation for PSYPACT, the psychologist compact. The Florida Board of Examiners of Psychologists is listed as the state contact, at (850) 488-0595.
• Counselors. Florida has joined the Counseling Compact. It is not live for Florida yet. The compact says it is live only for licensees in Arizona, Minnesota and Ohio.
• Social workers. Florida is not on the list of states that have passed the Social Work Licensure Compact. Even in states that have, the compact says multistate licenses are not yet being issued.

If a therapist says they can see you from out of state, ask which Florida registration or compact they use. Then check it.

How much does therapy cost in Florida?

One provider says its typical self-pay cost range for a therapy visit in Florida is $182 to $305. That is a single company's figure, not a state average. Fees vary a lot between therapists, cities and levels of training.

Route	What to expect
Private pay, no insurance	Ask the therapist. One provider lists $182 to $305 per visit
Private insurance	Your copay or deductible. Call the number on your card
Sliding scale	Varies. Ask each therapist if they offer one
University training clinic	Low cost, with no fee published on the page we checked
Medicaid	Varies, ask. See the next section

Many therapists will not list a lower fee unless you ask. A fair question is, "Do you have a sliding scale or a reduced rate for people paying out of pocket?"

Does Medicaid cover therapy in Florida?

Florida has not adopted the Medicaid expansion, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). That affects who qualifies. The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) lists no group for any low-income adult. These adult groups may qualify.

• Parents and caretaker relatives of children under 18, within income limits.
• Pregnant women. Coverage continues through pregnancy and 12 months after birth.
• Former foster youth under 26.
• People 65 or older, or with a disability, on a low income (SSI-Related Medicaid).
• Working adults with a disability on a home and community based waiver (Working People with Disabilities).

For SSI-Related Medicaid, call the Social Security Administration on 1-800-772-1213. For Working People with Disabilities, call the DCF customer contact center on (850) 300-4323.

Children and teens. Florida KidCare is income-based health and dental insurance for kids, and it includes mental health services. It also covers children under 18 who do not qualify for Medicaid. You can apply online through the Parent Portal, or call 1-888-540-5437 for a paper application. Enrollment is open year-round.

We could not open the current Medicaid plan directory, so we have no verified way to search for covered therapists. Instead, call the member services number on your card and ask for behavioral health providers in your plan. When you call a therapist, ask which Medicaid plans they accept by name. A therapist may take one plan and not another.

Using private insurance: How to find a therapist in your network

"Takes my insurance" and "in my network" can mean different things. Ask the therapist whether they are in network for your exact plan, and ask your insurer too. Directory lists are often out of date.

Florida law has a rule on mental health coverage. Under section 627.668, group insurers must offer coverage for mental and nervous disorders. Outpatient benefits must be no less favorable than those for physical illness. The exception is that outpatient consultations may be capped at $1,000 per benefit year. Listed providers include psychologists, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists and clinical social workers.

Check your own plan for the cap. If a therapist is out of network, ask whether they can give you a receipt with the details your insurer needs to reimburse you.

Free and low-cost therapy in Florida

Training clinics are one of the better options when money is tight. Students there see clients under the eye of licensed clinicians. These fees come from each clinic's own page.

• Florida State University Psychology Clinic, Tallahassee. Fees use a sliding scale based on household income and number of dependents. Therapy costs $24 to $70 per hour, there is a $25 screening appointment, and group sessions cost $12. Call (850) 644-3006. See the clinic page.
• University of South Florida Psychological Services Center, Tampa. The fee reflects your income or ability to pay and is set at the first phone intake. Therapy costs $15 to $50 per 50-minute session, and group sessions such as DBT cost $15. See the fees page.
• University of Central Florida Psychology Clinic. It does not accept insurance and uses an income-based sliding scale. The page gives no dollar amounts, so call 407-823-4348 to ask. See the clinic page.
• Florida Tech Community Psychological Services, Melbourne. Doctoral students work under licensed clinical psychologists. The clinic describes its fees as low-cost and does not publish a figure or a sliding scale. Call 321-309-3709 to ask. The page also says eligible Florida food and beverage workers can get up to 20 no-cost sessions through the Southern Smoke Foundation. Details are on the clinic page.
• FIU Center for Children and Families (children and teens only). Many services use an income-based sliding fee scale, and some are free through research grants. It accepts some insurance. Call 305-348-0477. See the CCF Clinic page.

Other Florida universities run similar clinics, but we could not confirm their fees from their own pages. Search for the psychology department at a university near you and call to ask about fees and waitlists.

The public mental health system. Florida DCF buys community mental health care through regional managing entities. They do not provide care themselves, but they shape how state funding reaches each region, so a call can point you to local providers. The Managing Entity Contact List (updated August 2026) has a number for each region.

• Northwest Florida Health Network, (850) 410-1020. It covers 18 counties, including Bay, Escambia, Leon and Okaloosa.
• Lutheran Services Florida, (813) 875-1408 as printed. It covers 23 counties, including Alachua, Duval, Marion and Volusia.
• Central Florida Behavioral Health Network, (813) 740-4811. It covers 14 counties, including Hillsborough, Lee, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota.
• Central Florida Cares Health System, (407) 985-3560. It covers Brevard, Orange, Osceola and Seminole.
• SE Florida Behavioral Health Network, (561) 203-2485. It covers Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie.
• Broward Behavioral Health Coalition, (954) 622-8121. It covers Broward.
• Thriving Mind South Florida, (305) 858-3335. It covers Miami-Dade and Monroe.

You can also call 211, a free, confidential helpline for housing, food, healthcare, mental health and more. Ask for mental health services near you.

Why therapists don't call back, and what to send instead

Many therapists work alone and have full schedules. A long message about your history is easy to put off. A short, clear one is easier to answer.

Include your name, the days you can do, how you want to meet (in person or by video), your insurance or budget, and one line on why you want help. Send it to several therapists at once and wait a few days before you follow up.

Hello, my name is [Name]. I am looking for a therapist in Florida for [anxiety, low mood, a relationship problem]. I can meet on [days and times], online or in person. I [have insurance with plan name / am paying myself and can afford up to $X per session]. Do you have an opening, and do you offer a reduced fee? Thank you.

If you hear nothing in a week, send one reminder and then move on.

How to tell if a therapist is a good fit

Use the first call or session to ask a few things.

• What is your training and license, and how long have you worked with problems like mine?
• How do you usually work, and what would the first few sessions look like?
• What do you charge, and what happens if I need to cancel?
• How will we know whether it is helping?

Be careful if a therapist promises a cure, talks mostly about themselves, or brushes off your questions about fees. It is normal to try someone for two or three sessions and decide it is not right. Switching is allowed and common.

Crisis help in Florida

Plain steps for right now.

• 988. Call, or text 988, at any hour. You can also chat at chat.988lifeline.org. It is free and confidential. Text and chat are also available in Spanish.
• 211. The Florida Department of Health lists 211 as a 24 hour, confidential service for finding help.
• 911. Call 911 if someone is in immediate danger.

If you are 13 to 17, Florida law (section 394.4784, in the 2025 statutes) lets a minor in an emotional crisis ask for outpatient crisis counseling from a licensed mental health professional without a parent's consent. It is limited to two visits in one week, and then parental consent is needed. Laws can change, so confirm this with the professional you call.

The Baker Act and asking for therapy. Many people worry that asking for help could lead to a forced hospital stay. The Baker Act is the law on involuntary examination, section 394.463 of the Florida Statutes (2025). A person can be taken for an exam only if there is reason to believe they have a mental illness and have refused a voluntary exam or cannot decide whether they need one. They must also be likely to neglect themselves in a way that risks serious harm, or there must be a substantial likelihood they will soon cause serious bodily harm to themselves or others. Asking for therapy does not meet these criteria. It is not a route for someone who simply wants therapy.

In short

• Check every license on the state lookup before you book.
• Ask about a sliding scale. Many therapists do not mention one unless asked.
• One provider lists $182 to $305 for a self-pay visit. Training clinics usually cost less.
• Florida has not adopted the Medicaid expansion. Ask any therapist which Medicaid plans they accept, and look at KidCare for children.
• For a crisis, call or text 988. For an emergency, call 911.

Sources

• Mental Health - Florida Department of Health, https://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/prevention/mental-health/index.html
• 988 Lifeline, https://988lifeline.org/
• Compact Map - Counseling Compact, https://counselingcompact.org/map/
• Compact Jurisdictions - Social Work Licensure Compact, https://swcompact.org/compact-jurisdictions/
• Social Work Licensure Compact, https://swcompact.org/
• Final PSYPACT Legislation - Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), https://psypact.gov/page/statelegislation
• Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) board contacts, https://psypact.gov/page/BDcontact
• Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, https://floridasmentalhealthprofessions.gov/
• Florida Board of Psychology, https://floridaspsychology.gov/
• Verify a License, Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, https://mqa-internet.doh.state.fl.us/MQASearchServices/Home
• 2026 Florida Statutes, s. 491.003 (definitions), https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/491.003
• 2026 Florida Statutes, s. 491.0045 (intern registration), https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/491.0045
• 2026 Florida Statutes, s. 456.47 (telehealth), https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/456.47
• 2023 Florida Statutes, s. 491.017 (Professional Counselors Licensure Compact), https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2023/491.017
• Optional coverage for mental and nervous disorders required; exception (s. 627.668), https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/627.668
• 2025 Florida Statutes, s. 394.4784 (minors in crisis), https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/0394.4784
• Therapists & Psychiatrists Accepting Insurance in Florida, https://lifestance.com/insurance/fl/humana/
• 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/
• Community Psychological Services, https://fit.edu/community-psychological-services
• Medicaid | Florida DCF, https://www.myflfamilies.com/medicaid
• Home - Florida KidCare, https://www.floridakidcare.org/
• Psychology Clinic | Department of Psychology, https://psychology.fsu.edu/services/psychology-clinic
• UCF Psychology Clinic, https://sciences.ucf.edu/psychology/psychclinic/
• Fees | Clinic Policies | PSC | Psychology | USF, https://www.usf.edu/arts-sciences/departments/psychology/psychological-services-center/clinic-policies/
• CCF Clinic | FIU Center for Children and Families, https://ccf.fiu.edu/families/ccf-clinic/
• FLME Contact List (Managing Entity Contact List), https://www.myflfamilies.com/documents/FLME%20Contact%20List.pdf
• Call 211 for Essential Community Services, United Way 211, https://www.211.org/
• Chapter 394 Section 463 - 2025 Florida Statutes - The Florida Senate, https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/394.463