Therapy in Louisiana: Costs, Licensing & How to Find Help
A guide to therapy in Louisiana — costs, licensing requirements, telehealth rules, insurance coverage, and how to find a therapist.
$130
Avg. session cost
#43
MH ranking (of 51)
165
Providers per 100K
8.5%
Uninsured rate
Therapist Licensing Requirements
Overseen by the Louisiana Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners.
| 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 Louisiana
The average therapy session in Louisiana costs $130 — $45 below the national average of $175. Online therapy is typically 15% less.
| Metro Area | Average | Range |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans | $140 | $105–$185 |
| Baton Rouge | $125 | $95–$165 |
Telehealth Rules in Louisiana
PSYPACT Non-Member
Not a PSYPACT member; legislation has been pre-filed. Therapists must hold a Louisiana license to treat clients in the state. No interstate telehealth compact participation.
Audio-only therapy: Allowed
Medicaid telemental health: Covered
Consent: Informed consent required addressing rationale, risks and benefits, and alternatives to telehealth.
Insurance & Parity in Louisiana
Parity enforcement: moderate
Medicaid expanded: Yes (no session cap)
Typical in-network copay: $25–$50
Major insurers: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Aetna
Crisis Resources in Louisiana
Louisiana Office of Behavioral Health (OBH)
Crisis Lines
Notable Programs
- Louisiana's Local Governing Entities (LGEs) manage community behavioral health services across every region.
- The Louisiana Coordinated System of Care (CSoC) provides wraparound mental health services for youth with complex needs.
- Louisiana's Permanent Supportive Housing program integrates mental health services with stable housing for adults with serious mental illness.
Therapy Landscape in Louisiana
Louisiana's mental health landscape has been shaped by unique cultural factors and a history of natural disasters. The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina permanently altered the behavioral health infrastructure in the New Orleans area, and subsequent storms have continued to drive demand for trauma-focused care. New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport are the primary centers for therapy services. Session costs are generally affordable, ranging from $85 to $165, though rates in New Orleans can be higher for specialized providers.
The Louisiana Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners licenses LPCs, while the Board of Social Work Examiners oversees LCSWs. Louisiana expanded Medicaid in 2016 under Healthy Louisiana, significantly increasing behavioral health coverage for low-income adults. The Office of Behavioral Health within the Louisiana Department of Health coordinates public mental health services, including a network of local governing entities (LGEs) that manage community-based care.
Finding a Therapist in Louisiana
Check your insurance directory first. Major carriers in Louisiana include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, Humana, UnitedHealthcare, and Vantage Health Plan. If you are enrolled in Healthy Louisiana (Medicaid), behavioral health services are covered through managed care organizations like Aetna Better Health and AmeriHealth Caritas.
Match your needs to the right modality. CBT is widely practiced for anxiety and depression. Given Louisiana's disaster history, many therapists specialize in trauma and grief work, using EMDR and somatic approaches. Substance use treatment is also a major focus, with many providers trained in motivational interviewing and dual-diagnosis care.
Barriers to Care
Rural Louisiana — including the northern parishes, Acadiana, and the River Parishes — faces significant provider shortages. Many parishes have only one or two licensed therapists, and residents in remote areas may need to travel considerable distances for in-person care. The state's high poverty rate compounds this, as even modest copays or transportation costs can be prohibitive.
Disaster-related mental health needs remain an ongoing challenge. Hurricanes, flooding, and industrial events create recurring waves of trauma that strain existing resources. Cultural attitudes in many Louisiana communities — influenced by strong religious traditions and a preference for handling problems within families — can discourage seeking professional help. The state has worked to expand telehealth and integrate behavioral health into primary care settings, but progress has been uneven.
Therapy in Louisiana typically costs between $85 and $165 per session. New Orleans and Baton Rouge are at the higher end. Community behavioral health providers and federally qualified health centers offer sliding-scale options.
Yes. Healthy Louisiana (Louisiana Medicaid) covers outpatient mental health services including individual therapy, group therapy, and psychiatric care. Coverage is managed through five managed care organizations, and you can search their directories for in-network providers.
Yes. Louisiana has developed specialized disaster behavioral health programs. The Louisiana Spirit Crisis Counseling Program activates after federally declared disasters, and many community-based organizations provide ongoing trauma support. FEMA crisis counseling referrals are also available following major storms.
Yes. Louisiana permits licensed therapists to deliver telehealth services, and major insurers and Medicaid cover virtual sessions. Both video and audio-only sessions are allowed, which helps reach residents in rural parishes with limited broadband.
Search the Louisiana Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners website for LPCs, or the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners for LCSWs. Both offer online license verification by name or license number.
Louisiana's Medicaid expansion and affordable therapy rates are real strengths, and the state's experience with disaster mental health has built unique clinical expertise. Rural access and cultural stigma remain the primary barriers, but telehealth and community programs continue to expand.