A Mental Health Professional for Everybody!
- May 4, 2023
- 8 min read
Updated: May 11, 2023
Finding the right mental health provider is a journey and we don’t always get it right with our first pick. It can be especially tough when we are looking for a therapist who understands or meets certain criteria. Whether you're looking for a therapist who shares your cultural (racial, ethnic and/or religious) background or other identity factors (neurodivergence, disability), one who looks specializes in neurodivergence or trauma, or who shares in the experience of being LGBTQIA2S+ this list has something for everyone.
Below is an ever updating list of databases, directories, counseling centers, support groups and other resources related to finding a therapist with commonalities.
To add to this list post your resources on our forum's "Contribute Here" page
Though the journey may take time, this list will be helpful to get you started.*
*If you are in a crisis and need to speak with someone immediately please refer to our hotline list instead.
Low cost options: From sliding scale to school-based, to mutual aid/scholarships!
Black Girls Smile - The Charlyne McFarland Therapy Assistance program provides vouchers to individuals identifying as Black/African American and femme (including pronouns she/her/hers and they/their/theirs) for 2 and 6 months of therapy with partnered therapists and organizations.
OpenCounseling - "Fewer than half the people struggling with mental health issues receive the services they need. OpenCounseling is transforming mental health by giving people the information they need to find affordable treatment where they live."
Open Path Collective - "Our nonprofit allows therapists to provide affordable, in-office and online psychotherapy sessions between $40 and $70 ($30 for student intern sessions)."
Big Directories: Great directories for finding mental health professionals by specialty, methodology, communities served/shared, and location. Therapyden - Social justice-oriented therapists. "We are an online community of mental health professionals seeking to make the experience of finding a therapist easy."
Inclusive Therapists (”Inclusive Therapists offers a safer, simpler way to find a social justice-oriented counselor, therapist or coach. We center the needs of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and 2SLGBTQIA+ intersections (QTBIPOC). We amplify the voices and expressions of Neurodivergent and Disabled Communities of Color.”) ig: inclusivetherapists
Ayana Therapy "Mental healthcare for marginalized and intersectional communities." Their Vison: "For the unseen to be seen and heal." Headway.co (is building the first asset-free national network of therapists who accept insurance. This helps therapists build their practices while helping individuals find great care they can afford.) Alma (Mental health care is a very intimate and highly personal experience. There's no one-size-fits-all approach to high-quality care. At Alma, our job is to support providers and champion their expertise so they can focus on meeting clients where they are and partnering with them to achieve lasting results.)
Psychology Today (the world’s largest mental health and behavioral science destination online.) *Psychology Today has a long history of centering whiteness and thinness, promoting racism, transphobia, ableism, dehumanizing language and stigmatizing mental health issues in their magazine.
Zencare "Zencare started as a solution to a common problem: it's difficult to find a great-fitting therapist through an online search. Founder Yuri Tomikawa began Zencare after spending weeks looking for the right therapist. Our goal is to remove the guesswork and logistical hassle from the therapist search, providing a smooth and empowering experience. Our women-led company is based in Brooklyn, New York."
LGBTQ Centric: Pride Counseling "By providing online therapy to the LGBTQ community, we make help accessible and accepting of everyone. We provide a platform for people to get the help they need discreetly, affordably, and conveniently. Message your therapist whenever an issue arises. Schedule sessions that work with your schedule."
World Professional Association for Transgender Health "The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), formerly known as the (Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association (HBIGDA), is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, interdisciplinary professional and educational organization devoted to transgender health. Our professional, supporting, and student members engage in clinical and academic research to develop evidence-based medicine and strive to promote a high quality of care for transsexual, transgender, and gender-nonconforming individuals internationally. We are funded primarily through the support of our membership, and through donations and grants sponsored by non-commercial sources."
Important Instagrams:
Neurodivergent Therapist:
Association of Neurodivergent Therapists - "We are a non-profit organisation run by a group of neurodivergent therapists, primarily, but not exclusively in the UK and Ireland. Our aims are to advocate for, and increase the visibility of neurodivergent therapists, challenging ableism and letting neurodivergent therapists and clients know – we are here!"
Neurodivergent Therapists Directory "Neurodivergent Therapists was created by our founder, Amelia Slama, after she was diagnosed as autistic in her 20’s. At this point in her life, she was already a practicing counselor for over 5 years. She quickly realized that her experiences as an autistic person had significantly impacted how she operated as a counselor. With the therapeutic relationship being the most important factor in the therapy process, she realized that there could be a benefit to connecting neurodivergent clients with neurodivergent therapists due to their shared neurotype. This led to the development of this directory. All therapists listed in this directory have made the decision to be open about their identities to create safe therapy spaces for other neurodivergent folks. We do not ask for proof of diagnosis from our therapists, as we accept those who are formally diagnosed and those who self-identify as neurodivergent. This is also true for clients who are seeking services with therapists listed on the directory."
NeuroClastic’s Directory of Specialists Diagnosing Autism in Adults An international directory"Obtaining a diagnosis is difficult for adults. Often, diagnosticians only work with children, or they have a dated and incomplete notion of how autism looks in adults– a fact that is especially true for women and non-binary autistics. This list is a community-generated list. NeuroClastic has not endorsed or vetted this list and would like to encourage readers to use caution when selecting a provider."
Therapist Neurodiversity Collective "Therapist Neurodiversity Collective initially verifies our Directory applicant credentials, licenses, and agreements to follow our practice guidelines upon membership application for our Directory. However, while we periodically review each business, we make no guarantees that therapists will remain licensed and certified or that they will follow our practice guidelines. We highly recommend that the public exercise due diligence with an appropriate level of investigation, including checking the validity of a professional’s credentials prior to engaging them as a therapy provider."
Therapists of color and religious minorities (databases, connections, and social media accounts):
Therapists by Religion:
Muslim:
Nasheesa (Web therapy for residents of Canada only)
Niyyah Counseling PLLC. (has therapist who identify as LGBTQ+ advocates and allies)
The Khalil Center (NYC)
GigisTherapyWorld - more about Gigi here
Jewish:
Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel & Pomona Valleys’ Jewish Counseling and Referral Network (application based)
By Race/Ethnicity:
Bi- and Multi-racial/cultural:
The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network "We are the UK’s largest independent organisation to specialise in working psychologically, informed by an understanding of intersectionality, with people who identify as Black, African, South Asian and Caribbean. Our primary focus and area of expertise is to support people from these heritages. However, we are open to other People of Colour who are affected by oppression due to the colour of their skin and global white power."
Clinicians of Color "We founded the Facebook group Clinicians of Color, LLC, (COC) in 2016. Currently, it has over 12,000 members. Its purpose is to help therapists of color start or grow a private practice, but we also provide clinical training to help therapists of color develop skills, acquire knowledge, and become successful in business. The group has become a source of tremendous support and a safe place to process life's challenges."
Amira for Her and Amira for Him ”over 50 therapists, women of color, mainly Black and Latinx women, who are trained, interested and suited to meet the needs of their community. We are currently expanding our scope of practice and growing in the populations we serve to represent and ensure the inclusion of service providers who are trained and experienced to work with LGBTQ+ folk.” Accepts vouchers - Doe not take insurance - Must be a NYS Resident
Melanin and Mental Health “Melanin & Mental Health® was born out of a desire to connect individuals with culturally competent clinicians committed to serving the mental health needs of Black & Latinx/Hispanic communities.”
Therapy 4 the People "We're a nonprofit with a mission to reduce common barriers to accessing mental health care in the U.S., especially for people of color and people who are struggling financially."
SWANA (South West Asian/ North African)/AMENA(Arab, Middle Eastern, and Northern African):
American Arab, Middle Eastern, and Northern African Psychological Association "The American Arab, Middle Eastern, and North African Psychological Association (AMENA-Psy) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation dedicated to the development of Arab/MENA psychologists and psychological research and interventions in North America. The organization welcomes anyone interested in American Arab/MENA psychological issues. The word “amena” comes from the Arabic root a-ma-na which relates to honesty, fairness, faithfulness, safety, and peace. We strive to carry those values in our organization’s work."
Asian and Pacific Islander:
Asian Mental Health Collective:"Virtual directory of Asian, Pacific Islander, and South Asian American mental health providers. It is the mission of AMHC to normalize and de-stigmatize mental health within the Asian community."
Asians for Mental Health (United States and Canada)
East Asian:
Success British Columbia - Mandarin and Cantonese Helplines and Counseling
Filipino/a/x/e:
Pacific Islander/Micronesia/Polynesia/Melanesia:
Southern Asian/Desi:
Bengali Mental Health Movement ig: bengalimentalhealthmvmnt
Important Instagrams:
Black/African-American/Canadian:
Black Mental Health Alliance (application based)
Important Instagrams:
Indigenous and First Nations:
Native American Lifelines (Telehealth)
Latine/x:
Queer and Trans Therapists of Color:
National Queer and Trans Therapist of Color ”The National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN) is a healing justice organization committed to transforming mental health for queer and trans people of color (QTPoC). We work at the intersection of movements for social justice and the field of mental health to integrate healing justice into both of these spaces. Our overall goal is to increase access to healing justice resources for QTPoC.”
Therapy for Queer People of Color ”We are a group of psychologists, professional counselors, social workers, and administrative specialists who provide quality mental healthcare exclusively to queer and trans people of color. We center anti-racism, social justice, and the intersectional identities of every client we serve. [...] We provide personalized suggestions on the best therapist matches for you based on your free consultation.”
Community Centers:
Apicha Community Health Center “We proudly serve Asians and Pacific Islanders, Latinos, African Americans and all individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, or those who are living with HIV/AIDS.”
The Center: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Center "The Center is the heart and home of NYC’s LGBTQ community, providing programs for health, wellness, and community connection."
Find your Local LGBTQ+ Center using the international map from CenterLink.
Inclusive Mosque "The Inclusive Mosque Initiative is an intersectional feminist mosque and registered charity dedicated to creating inclusive, safer places for marginalised Muslims. We are not a proselytising organisation and do not seek to convert non-Muslims to Islam. Our work is aimed primarily at Muslims and we welcome all people of any faith or none." (Based in the UK)
Black Mental Health Connections Montreal (BMHC MTL) "is an alliance of organizations and individuals focused on the mental health and well-being of the English-speaking Black community in Montreal. We help our community by developing and offering services that spark bottom-up social change.
Our mission is to use our collective experiences to empower members of Black communities by breaking mental health barriers and promoting healing through culturally competent education and innovative community care.
Though focused on the Black community, BMHC MTL works to be anti-oppressive in all ways and in solidarity with all marginalized communities."
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