Therapy in Georgia: Costs, Licensing & How to Find Help
A comprehensive guide to therapy in Georgia — average costs, therapist licensing requirements, telehealth rules, insurance coverage, and how to find the right therapist.
$150
Avg. session cost
#42
MH ranking (of 51)
160
Providers per 100K
12.4%
Uninsured rate
Therapist Licensing Requirements
Overseen by the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists.
| Credential | Title | Supervised Hours | Required Exams |
|---|---|---|---|
| LPC | Licensed Professional Counselor | 3,000 | NCE, NCMHCE |
| LCSW | Licensed Clinical Social Worker | 3,000 | ASWB Clinical |
| LMFT | Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist | 2,000 | MFT National Exam |
| Licensed Psychologist | Licensed Psychologist | 4,000 | EPPP |
Therapy Costs in Georgia
The average therapy session in Georgia costs $150 — $25 below the national average of $175. Online therapy is typically 15% less.
| Metro Area | Average | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | $165 | $125–$215 |
| Savannah | $140 | $105–$180 |
| Augusta | $130 | $100–$170 |
Telehealth Rules in Georgia
PSYPACT Member (since 2019)
PSYPACT member state. Out-of-state psychologists may practice via APIT. Other therapists must be licensed in Georgia.
Audio-only therapy: Allowed
Medicaid telemental health: Covered
Consent: Written informed consent required prior to the telemedicine visit; consent form must describe risks, benefits, and consequences.
Insurance & Parity in Georgia
Parity enforcement: weak
Medicaid expanded: No (24 session annual cap)
Typical in-network copay: $25–$50
Major insurers: Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Ambetter, Kaiser Permanente, UnitedHealthcare
Crisis Resources in Georgia
Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD)
Crisis Lines
Warm Lines (Non-Crisis Support)
Notable Programs
- The Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL) provides 24/7 crisis intervention, mobile crisis dispatch, and referrals statewide.
- Georgia's Community Service Boards (CSBs) deliver public behavioral health services in every region.
- Apex, the DBHDD's crisis stabilization program, provides short-term residential crisis beds throughout the state.
Therapy Landscape in Georgia
Georgia's mental health landscape is defined by the outsize influence of metro Atlanta. The Atlanta area is home to the majority of the state's licensed therapists and offers a broad range of specialties and modalities. The city's diverse population — including one of the largest Black professional communities in the country — has driven the growth of culturally responsive therapy practices. You will find strong availability of therapists specializing in racial stress, trauma, and identity-related concerns, alongside mainstream modalities like CBT and EMDR.
Outside Atlanta, the picture changes dramatically. Georgia has 159 counties — more than any state except Texas — and many of its rural counties have zero licensed mental health professionals. South Georgia, the rural Black Belt region, and the mountain counties in the north all face critical provider shortages. The state consistently ranks in the bottom third nationally for access to mental health care.
Georgia's military presence also shapes demand. Fort Eisenhower (formerly Fort Gordon), Fort Stewart, Moody Air Force Base, and other installations create concentrated need for veteran and military family therapy. The state's growing immigrant and refugee communities — particularly in Clarkston, one of the most diverse small cities in America — add further demand for multilingual and culturally attuned providers.
Finding a Therapist in Georgia
Georgia's primary therapist credentials are Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and Licensed Psychologist. The Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists oversees LPCs, LCSWs, and LMFTs. The Georgia Board of Psychology licenses psychologists.
Verify licenses through the Georgia Secretary of State's Professional License Search at sos.ga.gov/PLB. This will show active status, license type, and any disciplinary actions.
Psychology Today, Therapy for Black Girls, and the Georgia Psychological Association's Find a Psychologist tool are standard resources. For rural residents, Georgia's network of Community Service Boards (CSBs) — which operate in every part of the state — is the most reliable way to connect with local services.
Barriers to Care and How to Overcome Them
Rural provider scarcity is Georgia's most severe barrier. Many rural counties, particularly in South Georgia, have no psychiatrists and very few therapists. A resident in a small town between Macon and Savannah may face a 90-minute drive to the nearest licensed counselor.
Medicaid limitations compound the problem. Georgia has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA, leaving hundreds of thousands of low-income adults without coverage for therapy. The state implemented a limited Medicaid waiver program, but eligibility remains restricted compared to expansion states.
Stigma around mental health persists in many communities, particularly in rural areas and within some faith-based communities. For some Georgians, the church remains the first — and sometimes only — place they seek emotional support. Bridging the gap between faith communities and clinical care is an ongoing challenge.
Low-cost options include university training clinics at Emory, Georgia State University, University of Georgia, and Mercer. Open Path Collective and the Loveland Foundation (which provides therapy for Black women and girls) serve Georgia residents. Telehealth has become essential — many Atlanta-based therapists now see clients throughout the state.
In metro Atlanta, private-pay therapy typically costs $120 to $200 per session. In smaller cities like Savannah, Augusta, or Macon, rates range from $90 to $160. Insurance copays are generally $20 to $50. Community Service Boards and university clinics offer sessions from $0 to $40 based on income.
Georgia Medicaid covers outpatient mental health services for eligible populations, including children, pregnant women, and individuals with disabilities. However, Georgia has not fully expanded Medicaid, so many low-income adults do not qualify. Those eligible can access therapy through Medicaid managed care (Georgia Families).
Georgia is a PSYPACT member, so psychologists from other PSYPACT states can see you via telehealth. For LPCs and LCSWs, your provider must generally hold a Georgia license. Always confirm that your provider is properly credentialed before starting remote sessions.
LPC and LCSW are the most common independent therapy licenses. LMFT and Licensed Psychologist are also available. Associate-level providers (APC, LMSW) practice under supervision and may offer lower rates and faster availability.
Yes. Georgia's 22 Community Service Boards serve every part of the state with publicly funded mental health services. University training clinics offer reduced-rate therapy. The Loveland Foundation provides therapy specifically for Black women and girls. The Georgia Crisis and Access Line (1-800-715-4225) operates 24/7.
Metro Atlanta has one of the largest networks of Black therapists in the country. Therapy for Black Girls, Melanin and Mental Health, and the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation are excellent directories. Psychology Today also allows you to filter by therapist ethnicity and specialty areas like racial stress and identity.
Georgia has multiple military installations, and several organizations serve military families. Military OneSource provides free confidential counseling. The VA medical centers in Atlanta, Augusta, and Dublin offer therapy for veterans. TRICARE covers outpatient mental health services, and many Georgia therapists have experience with deployment-related concerns.
Taking the Next Step
Georgia's therapy landscape is growing, particularly as telehealth extends Atlanta's provider base to the rest of the state. Whether you are navigating depression, working through PTSD, or seeking family therapy for your household, help is available — even if it takes a bit more effort to find in some parts of the state. Our therapy for beginners guide will walk you through the search process step by step.