Therapy in Minnesota: Costs, Licensing & How to Find Help
A guide to therapy in Minnesota — costs, licensing requirements, telehealth rules, insurance coverage, and how to find a therapist.
$175
Avg. session cost
#6
MH ranking (of 51)
340
Providers per 100K
4.4%
Uninsured rate
Therapist Licensing Requirements
Overseen by the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy.
| Credential | Title | Supervised Hours | Required Exams |
|---|---|---|---|
| LPCC | Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor | 4,000 | NCE, NCMHCE |
| LICSW | Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker | 4,000 | ASWB Clinical |
| LMFT | Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist | 4,000 | MFT National Exam |
| LP | Licensed Psychologist | 4,000 | EPPP |
Therapy Costs in Minnesota
The average therapy session in Minnesota costs $175 — at the national average of $175. Online therapy is typically 15% less.
| Metro Area | Average | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | $185 | $140–$240 |
| St. Paul | $175 | $135–$225 |
| Rochester | $160 | $120–$205 |
Telehealth Rules in Minnesota
PSYPACT Member (since 2021)
PSYPACT member state. Out-of-state psychologists may practice via APIT. Other providers must hold a Minnesota license.
Audio-only therapy: Allowed
Medicaid telemental health: Covered
Consent: Informed consent required; must include information about the telehealth modality and patient rights.
Insurance & Parity in Minnesota
Parity enforcement: strong (MN Stat 62Q.47 (Mental Health Parity))
Medicaid expanded: Yes (no session cap)
Typical in-network copay: $25–$50
Major insurers: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, HealthPartners, Medica, UnitedHealthcare, PreferredOne
Crisis Resources in Minnesota
Minnesota Department of Human Services — Behavioral Health Division
Crisis Lines
Warm Lines (Non-Crisis Support)
Notable Programs
- Minnesota's county-based mobile crisis teams provide 24/7 community-based crisis response statewide.
- Minnesota's First Episode Psychosis Program (EPPIC) offers early intervention for young adults experiencing psychosis.
- The Minnesota Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) expand access to same-day mental health services.
Therapy Landscape in Minnesota
Minnesota has long been a leader in mental health policy, thanks in part to its strong public health tradition and institutions like the Mayo Clinic, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, and the University of Minnesota. The Twin Cities metro area has a high concentration of licensed therapists across all specialties, while Greater Minnesota — the term locals use for everything outside the metro — faces more significant access challenges. Therapy costs typically range from $120 to $200 per session in the Twin Cities and $90 to $160 in outstate areas.
The Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy licenses Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs), Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. LCSWs are licensed through the Board of Social Work. Minnesota is distinctive in also licensing Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADCs) through a separate board. The state offers Medical Assistance (Medicaid) and MinnesotaCare — a unique state program that covers people who earn too much for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance.
Finding a Therapist in Minnesota
Check your insurance provider network. Major carriers include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, HealthPartners, Medica, and UCare. If you have Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare, behavioral health services are covered, and you can search your managed care organization's directory for providers.
Consider what approach fits your goals. CBT is widely available for anxiety and depression. Minnesota's connection to Hazelden means the state is also a national center for addiction treatment, with many therapists skilled in motivational interviewing and substance use recovery. For trauma, EMDR and IFS are practiced throughout the metro.
Barriers to Care
Greater Minnesota faces a pronounced therapist shortage. Rural counties in the north and west have some of the fewest mental health providers per capita in the Midwest, and long winters can make travel to appointments difficult. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a genuine concern in Minnesota, increasing demand for services during the months when access is hardest.
Minnesota's large immigrant and refugee communities — including Somali, Hmong, Karen, and Latino populations — often face cultural and language barriers to accessing therapy. Finding a culturally responsive therapist who speaks a client's language can be difficult, even in the Twin Cities. The state has invested in community health worker programs and cultural-specific mental health organizations to help address these gaps.
Therapy in Minnesota typically costs between $110 and $200 per session without insurance. Twin Cities rates are at the higher end. Community mental health centers, university training clinics, and some nonprofit organizations offer sliding-scale or low-cost options.
Yes. Minnesota Medical Assistance covers outpatient mental health services including individual therapy, group therapy, and psychiatric services. MinnesotaCare also covers behavioral health for enrollees who do not qualify for Medical Assistance.
Several organizations in the Twin Cities specialize in mental health for immigrant and refugee communities, including CAPI USA, Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio (CLUES), and the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation. Your managed care plan or county social services office can also provide culturally specific referrals.
Yes. Minnesota has permanent telehealth laws, and insurers must cover virtual mental health sessions. This is especially important for residents in Greater Minnesota where local providers may be limited. Both video and audio-only sessions are covered.
Use the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy license lookup or the Board of Social Work verification tool, depending on the provider's license type. These online tools confirm active status and show any complaints or disciplinary actions.
Minnesota's public health infrastructure, unique coverage programs like MinnesotaCare, and deep clinical expertise make it a strong state for therapy access. Residents in rural areas and immigrant communities may need to look harder, but resources exist to support nearly everyone.