Therapy Resources

About this Resource

Finding a therapist can be an overwhelming task.

I created this list as an evolving resource to help simplify the process of finding a high-quality therapist in the NYC area. This resource is based solely on my experience with these providers and recommendations from trusted colleagues; I receive no incentives for including anyone on this list. This list emphasizes therapists who are LGBTQ-affirming, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed.

If you have questions or feedback about this resource, feel free to contact me.

Group Practices
(out-of-network providers)

Critical Therapy Center
Gender & Sexuality Therapy Collective
NYC Affirmative Psychotherapy

Therapist Directories (National)

TherapyDen
National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network
Therapy for Black Girls
Latinx Therapists Action Network

Mental Health Clinics
(in-network providers)

The clinics listed accept some insurance plans as in-network providers, and offer sliding scale and/or low-fee options.

Community Counseling & Mediation (CCM):
mental health and substance abuse clinic. Accepts many insurance providers and has multiple locations

Aldea Counseling:
mental health clinic with a culturally-sensitive and holistic focus

Refresh Psychotherapy:
private group practice, accepts many insurance providers

Safe Horizon Counseling Center:
trauma-focused clinic, accepts many insurance providers

Crime Victims Treatment Center:
trauma-focused clinic with a focus on sexual violence. All services are free

Black Women’s Blueprint:
trauma-focused services for Black women

Callen-Lorde Center:
LGBTQ health and mental health center

Insurance & Therapy

Most private therapists in New York are out-of-network providers. This means that patients with "out of network" benefits are reimbursed by the insurance company after receiving services and submitting insurance claims. In other words, the patient pays the therapist, and then insurance repays the patient for some portion of the services afterward. Depending on your insurance plan, your reimbursement rate may work out to a similar amount as your in-network co-pay.

(If you are wondering why so few therapists take insurance, this article explains the barriers for accepting insurance as a private practitioner.)

If you are looking for a therapist that takes insurance directly (“in-network providers”), clinics are often the best bet. In-network providers are paid directly by your insurance company, and then the patient is responsible for any co-pay at the time of services. Because there is higher turnover at clinics, the quality of therapists/services may change more rapidly than at other practices. I recommend the clinics on this list based on my previous work with them over the years, but cannot vouch for their current quality of care.

Determining your out-of-network benefits
If you are interested in working with an out-of-network therapist, it is helpful to determine your coverage before starting therapy. This will clarify your actual cost of therapy.

To determine your coverage, call your insurance provider and ask the following coverage questions (the phone number can be found on the back of your insurance card):

What is my Out-of-Network copay/reimbursement rate?
What is my Out-of-Network deductible (if any)?
Have I met any portion of the deductible this year (if applicable)?
What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
Are there any session limits?
Is pre-authorization required?