This guide shows you how to find a therapist in Texas, 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. Last checked on 21 October 2026.
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 Texas crisis numbers is in Crisis help in Texas.
How to find a therapist in Texas, 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 local mental health authority. With Medicaid, start with your 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.
Read more about the process across the country on the find a therapist hub.
Therapist, counselor, psychologist: Who can treat you in Texas
"Therapist" is a general word. In Texas, the license title tells you what the person is allowed to do. The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC) oversees four boards. These cover marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, psychologists and social workers.
| License | What it means | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) | Licensed by the professional counselors board. Counselors in Texas use the title LPC. | BHEC license lookup |
| LPC Associate | Can provide counseling only under a Board-approved supervisor. Not allowed to practice independently. | BHEC license lookup |
| LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) | Licensed by the marriage and family therapists board. | BHEC license lookup |
| LMFT Associate | Can provide therapy only under supervision by a Texas LMFT Supervisor. | BHEC license lookup |
| LCSW, LMSW, LBSW (social workers) | LCSW can get supervisor status (LCSW-S). LMSW and LBSW holders may get only non-clinical independent practice recognition. | BHEC license lookup |
| Psychologist | The psychology board also regulates psychological associates and school psychologists. | BHEC license lookup |
An associate is not automatically a worse choice. They work under supervision, and the cost section lists associate rates from about $65. What matters is knowing which license you are booking.
How to check a therapist's license in Texas
All four boards sit under the BHEC. The public Online Search/Verify a License page covers all four profession types. Its search button opens the official lookup.
The lookup shows the license status, the first license date and the expiry date. It also shows supervisor status and any public discipline history. The status should be active.
If something looks wrong, call the BHEC office on (512) 305-7700. The 24-hour complaints line is (800) 821-3205. The marriage and family therapists board also has a "Find a Supervisor" tool.
Online therapy in Texas: Can you see a therapist from another state?
Texas bases the rule on where you are sitting. If you are physically in Texas, the provider needs a Texas license, even if your permanent home is somewhere else.
There are limited exceptions. Psychologists and marriage and family therapists licensed elsewhere may qualify for a temporary license of up to 30 nonconsecutive days in a year. There are no temporary licenses or waivers for professional counseling or social work.
Here is where the compacts stand.
- Psychologists. Texas is on the list of states with final PSYPACT legislation. Texas adopted PSYPACT in 2019 under H.B. 1501. The BHEC runs a PSYPACT page with a directory of psychologists who have authority to practice this way.
- Professional counselors. Texas is not on the Counseling Compact member list. A bill to join, SB 498, was filed in November 2024 and was still in committee with no passage. Counselors in other states cannot see a Texas-based client without a Texas license.
- Social workers. Texas has not passed the Social Work Licensure Compact. Two bills died in committee. The next chance is the regular session that starts on January 12, 2027.
We found no verified information on a compact for marriage and family therapists in Texas. If you want to see an out-of-state therapist, ask for their Texas license number and check it.
How much does therapy cost in Texas?
A 2026 guide gives about $120 to $220 per individual session with a licensed Texas clinician. The same guide puts psychologists at around $200, and associate-level clinicians from about $65. The guide says these are examples from practice price lists, not a survey.
One large provider chain, LifeStance, says its typical self-pay range in Texas is $134 to $433 per visit. That is one company's range, not a state average.
| Route | What it costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private pay, licensed clinician | About $120 to $220 per session | Psychologists around $200 |
| Private pay, associate | From about $65 per session | Works under supervision |
| Open Path Collective | $40 to $70 per session | One-time $65 membership. $30 with student interns |
| Texas Woman's University clinic | $10 to $70 per session | Sliding scale. Students $10, veterans free |
| Texas State University clinic | $20 per hour | Reduced rates available |
| SMU Center for Family Counseling | $45 maximum per session | Sliding scale. Does not bill insurance |
| UH Clear Lake and University of Houston clinics | Sliding scale | Ask the clinic for the current fee |
| Local mental health authority | Varies, ask | See the free and low-cost section |
| Private insurance | Varies, ask your plan | Depends on your plan |
| Medicaid | Varies, ask your plan | Ask what your plan charges |
Ask for the fee in your first message.
Does Medicaid cover therapy in Texas?
Texas Medicaid and CHIP are run by Texas Health and Human Services (HHS). The programs include CHIP, STAR, STAR Kids, STAR+PLUS, STAR Health and Medicaid for Parents and Caretakers.
Texas has not adopted the Medicaid expansion. For parents and caretakers, the level was 12 percent of the poverty line, as of December 1, 2023. Check the current rules with HHS before you rely on that figure.
No verified page lists what counseling Medicaid covers for adults. The HHS Medicaid page links to a section on mental health and substance use parity, but it gives no coverage detail. Ask your plan directly.
To find a covered therapist, use the HHS Search Providers tool. You can also call the member services number on your plan card and ask for the behavioral health line. Ask each therapist if they take your specific plan, since a therapist may take one plan and not another.
For a child or teen, ask HHS which program fits. You can start at the Medicaid and CHIP 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.
Texas has a mental health parity law, HB 10. It applies to fully insured plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2018. Self-funded plans are regulated federally. If your insurer wrongly refuses a claim, you can file a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance online or call the Help Line on 800-252-3439, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central. Read the parity overview for details.
Free and low-cost therapy in Texas
University training clinics are one of the best-value routes. Students see clients under supervision, and the fees are low.
- Texas Woman's University Counseling and Family Therapy Clinic, Denton. Students pay $10 a session and veterans are free. The sliding scale runs from $10 to $70. Phone 940-898-2600.
- Texas State University Community Counseling and Wellness Center, San Marcos. The fee is $20 per hour with reduced rates. The page says no one is turned away because of payment.
- SMU Center for Family Counseling, Dallas. The maximum is $45 a session. It does not bill insurance. Phone 214-768-6789.
- University of Houston-Clear Lake Psychological Services Clinic. Fees depend on family income, size and ability to pay. Phone 281-283-3330.
- University of Houston psychology clinics. Services are on a sliding scale. Clinical services phone is 713-743-9682.
Your local mental health authority. Texas HHS contracts with 37 local mental health authorities and two local behavioral health authorities. You need to know your county to find yours. Use the local authority locator. Adult services include case management, medication, CBT and cognitive processing therapy. The page does not state fees or who qualifies, so ask when you call.
HHS also lists Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, peer support and the Clubhouse model on its programs page.
Open Path Collective. Sessions are $40 to $70 after a one-time $65 membership, or $30 with student interns.
If you are 16 or older. You may request outpatient mental health services with a signed written request to the facility administrator (Health and Safety Code 572.001).
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.
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.
- 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 Texas
Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, at any hour. Spanish text and chat are available. If you use a TTY, use your relay service or dial 711 then 988. Veterans can dial 988 then press 1. You can also call or text 2-1-1 Texas. In an emergency, call 911.
County crisis hotlines run around the clock through local mental health authorities. Here are examples from the Texas HHS page.
- Harris Center, 866-970-4770
- Austin Travis County Integral Care, 512-472-4357
- MHMR Tarrant, 800-866-2465
- NTBHA (Dallas area), 866-260-8000
- Center for Health Care Services (San Antonio), 800-316-9241 or 210-223-7233
The full county list is on the Texas HHS crisis services page.
In short
- Check the license on the BHEC lookup before you book.
- If you are in Texas, your therapist needs a Texas license, even online.
- Training clinics cost from $10 to $70 a session, against about $120 to $220 for private pay.
- Texas has not expanded Medicaid, so ask HHS or your plan whether you qualify.
- Contact several places at once with a short message that asks about fees.
Sources
- Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, https://www.bhec.texas.gov/
- Online Search/Verify a License, https://bhec.texas.gov/tbhec/verify-a-license/
- LPC Associate, https://bhec.texas.gov/texas-state-board-of-examiners-of-professional-counselors/applying-for-an-lpc-license/lpc-associate/
- Applying for LMFT Associate, https://bhec.texas.gov/texas-state-board-of-examiners-of-marriage-and-family-therapists/applying-for-a-marriage-and-family-therapist-license/applying-for-lmft-associate/
- Applying for a Social Work License, https://bhec.texas.gov/texas-state-board-of-social-worker-examiners/applying-for-a-social-work-license/
- Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, https://bhec.texas.gov/texas-state-board-of-examiners-of-psychologists/
- Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists, https://bhec.texas.gov/texas-state-board-of-examiners-of-marriage-and-family-therapists/
- Virtual Practice and Mobility FAQ's, https://bhec.texas.gov/tbhec/virtual-practice-and-mobility-faqs
- PSYPACT (BHEC), https://bhec.texas.gov/texas-state-board-of-examiners-of-psychologists/psypact
- Final PSYPACT Legislation, Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), https://psypact.gov/page/statelegislation
- Compact Map, Counseling Compact, https://counselingcompact.org/map/
- Texas Legislature Online SB 498 history, https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB498
- Interstate Licensing Compact, https://bhec.texas.gov/interstate-licensing-compact
- Compact Jurisdictions, Social Work Licensure Compact, https://swcompact.org/compact-jurisdictions/
- How Much Does Therapy Cost in Texas (TherapyRoute, reviewed August 2026), https://www.therapyroute.com/article/how-much-does-therapy-cost-in-texas-2025-guide-by-therapyroute
- Therapists and Psychiatrists Accepting Insurance in Texas (LifeStance), https://lifestance.com/insurance/tx/humana/
- Medicaid and CHIP (Texas HHS), https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/health/medicaid-chip
- Medicaid, CHIP and BHP Eligibility Levels, https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/national-medicaid-chip-program-information/medicaid-childrens-health-insurance-program-basic-health-program-eligibility-levels
- 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/
- Search Providers, https://www.hhs.texas.gov/providers
- Insurance coverage and parity for mental health and substance use disorder services, https://www.tdi.texas.gov/health/mental-health-parity-overview.html
- Get help with an insurance complaint, https://www.tdi.texas.gov/consumer/get-help-with-an-insurance-complaint.html
- Counseling and Family Therapy Clinic (Texas Woman's University), https://twu.edu/counseling-family-therapy-clinic/
- CCWC San Marcos (Texas State University), https://www.txst.edu/clas/coun/ccwc/ccwc-sm.html
- FAQ (SMU Center for Family Counseling), https://www.smu.edu/simmons/community/center-for-family-counseling/about-us/faq
- Psychological Services Clinic (University of Houston-Clear Lake), https://www.uhcl.edu/psychological-services-clinic
- UH Psychology Clinics, https://uh.edu/class/psychology/clinics/
- Adult Mental Health (Texas HHS), https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/adult-mental-health
- Find Your Local Mental Health or Behavioral Health Authority, https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/mental-health-substance-use-resources/find-your-local-mental-health-or-behavioral-health-authority
- Behavioral Health Services Providers and Programs, https://www.hhs.texas.gov/providers/behavioral-health-services-providers-programs
- Mental Health Crisis Services (Texas HHS), https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/mental-health-crisis-services
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, https://988lifeline.org/
- Tex. Health and Safety Code Section 572.001, https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._health_and_safety_code_section_572.001