Therapists accepting Medicaid in Washington

Seeing a Therapist Who Accepts Medicaid

Medicaid therapists, psychologists, and counselors are available for in-person appointments and video therapy sessions. 

Therapy with an in-network Medicaid counselor may cost you nothing or no more than your copay, which typically ranges from $0 to $50. Some Medicaid plans may require you to pay coinsurance instead of a copay, which means you’ll cover a certain percentage of the therapist’s fees out-of-pocket. 

You may have to pay the therapist’s full rate if you haven’t met your annual deductible with Medicaid, even if the therapist is an in-network provider with Medicaid.

Depending on your Medicaid insurance plan, there may be restrictions on the types of therapy services covered (e.g. couples counseling, grief counseling, psychological testing). Additionally, some plans may require you to get a referral from your primary care physician.

To check the specific costs and coverage details associated with your Medicaid health insurance plan, give them a call at (877) 267-2323 or visit Medicaid’s website to review your behavioral health benefits online. 

Finding Psychologists, Therapists, and Counselors in Washington

Finding a therapist in Washington may be easier in the city of Seattle. Online therapy may be your best option if you live in more rural areas or if a therapist with a particular specialty is not located near you. 

Out of pocket costs for therapy in Washington will run between $90 - $110+ per session. For couples counseling and family therapy, costs are about $110 - $130+ per session. First appointments with a therapist tend to be a little longer and may cost a little more. Also, it’s important to note that specialized services can cost more.

There are currently over 25,000 counselors working in Washington with licenses, including Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC), and Psychologists (Ph.D. and Psy.D.). 

If you think you might qualify for free or reduced-cost services from the state, take a look at the Washington 211 website and/or see if you qualify for Medicaid.

Licensed clinicians (and even interns) are held to strict practice guidelines to protect clients. If you’d like to learn more about identifying and reporting misconduct, learn more here.