Most people in the community find a therapist by asking someone they trust. That still works. This guide covers what to check once you have a name, and where else to look when asking around does not turn anything up.
What the letters after a name mean
Therapists are licensed by the state where the client lives. The license tells you what they are trained and allowed to do.
- LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker). A master's degree in social work plus supervised clinical years. Many therapists in the community hold this license. In Maryland it is written LCSW-C.
- LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor). A master's in counseling plus supervised years. New Jersey calls it LPC, and New York licenses it as LMHC.
- LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist). Trained to work with couples and families as well as individuals.
- PsyD or PhD (psychologist). A doctorate. Psychologists do therapy and can also do formal testing, such as for ADHD or learning issues.
- PMHNP (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner) and psychiatrists (MD or DO). These can prescribe medication. Many see clients for medication visits and leave the weekly therapy to a therapist.
Some providers are pre-licensed. An LMSW in New York or an MHC-LP has finished the degree and is working toward the full license under a supervisor. They can be very good, and they are often easier to get an appointment with. Ask who supervises them.
Coaches are not therapists. A coach can help with goals, habits, parenting or dating, and many are excellent. They are not trained or licensed to treat anxiety, depression, trauma or other mental health conditions. If that is what you are dealing with, start with a licensed therapist.
How to check a license
Every state has an online license lookup, usually run by the state's Office of the Professions or Board of Social Work, Counseling or Psychology. Search the state name plus "license verification". Enter the provider's name and check three things:
- the license type matches what they told you
- it is active
- there are no disciplinary actions listed
For Israel, the Ministry of Health keeps a registry of licensed psychologists and social workers.
FrumHealth.org reviews every listing before it goes live, but we do not check credentials unless the listing has the Verified badge. How verification works.
What makes a therapist a good fit
Training matters, but most people stop going because the fit is wrong. Think about what matters to you before you start calling.
- Hashkafa. Some people want a therapist from their own community. Others prefer someone outside it. What matters is that the therapist respects your values and does not treat them as the problem.
- Gender. Many people are more comfortable with a therapist of the same gender. It is a reasonable thing to ask for.
- Language. If you think or feel in Yiddish or Hebrew, therapy in that language can go deeper. See Yiddish- and Hebrew-speaking therapists.
- In person or online. Online sessions give you many more choices, as long as the therapist is licensed in the state where you are. In-person can be easier for children and for people who have no private space at home.
- What they work with. Look for someone who works with your concern regularly, such as OCD, trauma, eating disorders, couples or teens. General experience is not the same.
- Cost. Ask whether they take your insurance, give an out-of-network receipt, or have a sliding scale.
Questions to ask on the first call
Most therapists will do a short phone call before the first session. Use it.
- How often do you work with what I am dealing with?
- What does a session with you look like?
- How do you work with clients from the frum community?
- What do you charge, and do you take my insurance?
- How soon can you start, and what times do you have?
- If you are pre-licensed, who is your supervisor?
Pay attention to how you feel on the call. If you felt heard, that is a good sign. If you felt rushed or judged, keep looking.
Other ways to get a referral
- Your doctor or your child's school. School guidance staff often keep a list.
- Referral services. Relief matches callers with therapists by phone, based on what they need and their background.
- Friends and family. Ask what they liked about the person, not only whether it helped.
- Your rav or rebbetzin. Many know which therapists families in the community have used.
Using FrumHealth.org
- Browse by city. Each city page lists the therapists and wellness providers in that area.
- Search the directory. Filter by specialty, language, gender, session format and more.
- Describe what you need. Write it in your own words, for example "my son is 14 and anxious about school, Yiddish-speaking, in Monsey". The Wellness Shadchan ranks listings by how well they fit. The matching runs in your browser, and what you type is not sent to us.
Each provider's page lists who they work with, how they work, their languages, where they see clients and how to reach them. When a provider is online you can message or video-call them privately from their page. You do not need an account. Otherwise, use the phone number or email on their page.
If you need help now
If you or someone else is in danger, call 911 in the US or text or call 988. See crisis resources for more numbers.