Find a Kaiser Permanente Therapist

Medically reviewed by Gabriela Asturias, MD on May 23, 2025
Written by the MiResource team

For the lowest out-of-pocket costs and seamless care coordination, stay within the Kaiser system whenever possible. But if you're facing long wait times, you have the legal right to seek external care. Kaiser offers 24/7 mental health support and self-care tools to help bridge the gap—and you can request an outside referral or file a grievance if timelines aren’t met. You deserve timely, high-quality care. This guide will show you exactly how to get it.

  • Naomi Yohannes, Counselor

    Naomi Yohannes

    Counselor

    12007 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, Virginia 20191

    Naomi Yohannes is a Counselor in Reston, Virginia and has been in practice for 2 years. They treat Social Anxiety, Substance Use, Work/Life Balance.

    Mental health support for college students!

    View profile
  • Nicole Velez-Lasseigne, Psychiatrist

    Nicole Velez-Lasseigne

    Psychiatrist, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Pre-Licensed Professional

    11301 Kellie Jean Court, Great Falls, Virginia 22066

    Nicole Velez-Lasseigne is a Psychiatrist in Great Falls, Virginia. They treat Schizophrenia, Schizophreniform and Brief Psychosis, Self-Harm, Schizoaffective.

    Adult Residential / Virtual IOP

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  • Elizabeth Onyejekwe, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

    Elizabeth Onyejekwe

    Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

    1455 Old Bridge Road, Woodbridge, Virginia 22192

    Elizabeth Onyejekwe is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in Woodbridge, Virginia. They treat Self-Harm, Binge-Eating Disorder, Trauma.

    I believe that your health is your wealth. I believe that when a person thinks right, they do right. You are important. Your mental health matters.

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  • Charlie Health, Psychiatrist

    Charlie Health

    Psychiatrist, Limited Licensed Master Social Worker (LLMSW), Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Work (LSCSW), Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Masters Addiction Counselor (LMAC), Licensed Master Level Psychologist (LMLP), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA), Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC), Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), Counselor, Certified Trauma Professional, Certified Social Worker (CSW), Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP), Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, Certified Clinical Social Worker (CSW), Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

    Remote only

    Charlie Health is a Psychiatrist in undefined, undefined. They treat Obsessive-Compulsive Personality, Athletic Performance, Chronic Illness/Pain.

    Charlie Health offers specialized treatment and curated groups that match clients based on age, life experiences, and mental health goals.

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  • Elizabeth Onyejekwe, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

    Elizabeth Onyejekwe

    Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

    1455 Old Bridge Road, Woodbridge, Virginia 22192

    Elizabeth Onyejekwe is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in Woodbridge, Virginia. They treat Career, Eating Concerns, Anger Issues.

    I collaborate with my clients to set and achieve their best mental health goals, using a holistic approach.

    View profile
  • Kaitlin Traynor, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

    Kaitlin Traynor

    Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

    Remote only

    Kaitlin Traynor is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 7 years. They treat Life Transitions, Trauma, Loneliness/Isolation.

    Hello! My name is Kaitlin (she/her) and I am looking forward to getting to know you!

    View profile

How Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Services Work

Kaiser Permanente mental health services are rooted in a medical-necessity model. If a licensed clinician determines therapy is clinically appropriate, Kaiser must cover it just as it covers a blood test or an X-ray. That said, every Kaiser region writes its own Evidence of Coverage (EOC), so visit limits and co-pays vary. In 2025, the most common plans still feature:

  • $0–$30 copay for individual therapy sessions
  • Unlimited medically necessary visits (no preset cap)
  • Same-day phone intake with a triage clinician
  • A choice between in-house departments or contracted community providers

Kaiser’s Mental-Health Provider Types

Provider Typical Role
Kaiser Therapist
(LMFT, LCSW, LPC)
Talk therapy for anxiety, depression, life transitions
Kaiser Psychologist
(PhD, PsyD)
Testing, complex psychotherapy, specialty modalities
Kaiser Psychiatrist
(MD/DO)
Diagnosis, medication, complex co-morbidities

All three can be booked directly from your member portal or by calling the Appointment & Advice line.


Real-Life Use Case: How Maria Found a Therapist Covered by Kaiser

Maria, a 34-year-old new mom in Oregon, felt lingering sadness and brain fog months after giving birth. Here’s how she found a therapist covered by Kaiser:

  1. Day 1 — Intake Call Maria clicks “Mental Health” in her Kaiser app and schedules a same-day phone screening.
  2. Day 2 — Care Options The triage clinician offers two choices: a video appointment with an internal Kaiser Permanente therapist in 10 days or an external provider three miles away in four days.
  3. Day 3 — Directory Deep Dive She uses the “find a therapist” filter (“Spanish-speaking,” “postpartum”) and chooses Dr. López—one of many therapists that take Kaiser in her county.
  4. Week 2 — First Session Her first three visits cost $0 because preventative maternal-mental-health therapy is fully covered on her family HMO plan.
  5. Week 3 — Psychiatry Consult When Dr. López recommends an SSRI, Maria schedules a 30-minute virtual check-in with a Kaiser psychiatrist the following afternoon.

Maria’s story shows how quickly you can move from symptoms to support when you understand the process.


Step-by-Step: How To Get Therapy Through Kaiser Permanente

Step What to do Why it matters / pro-tips
1. Start the request (no referral needed) Online: Sign in at kp.org → AppointmentsMental Health (or use the KP app).
Phone: Call Member Services 800-464-4000 (24/7; TTY 711). Say: “I’d like to schedule therapy.” The agent will transfer you to your region’s Behavioral-Health Access Center.
Have your medical-record # ready. If you live outside California, the agent will give you the local number, or you can read it off your ID card.
2. Complete the 15–20 min intake call A licensed screener asks about symptoms, safety risks, schedule, language, and therapist preferences. Answer honestly — your responses set the clinical priority and match you to the right provider. Mention any urgent concerns (e.g., thoughts of self-harm) so they can expedite care, often within 24 h.
3. Choose in-house vs. community care Kaiser clinic: integrated records, coordinated med-management; typical wait 2–6 wks.
External network provider: Kaiser-contracted private-practice or telehealth clinicians if you need an opening ≤ 7 days or a specialty Kaiser doesn’t offer. Ask the screener for the first available option in each setting.
If the first offer is too far out, ask: “Can you search community-network availability within X mile radius or via video?”
4. Check your cost share Open your 2025 Evidence of Coverage (EOC) → “Outpatient Mental Health,” or use kp.org/costestimator. HMO & POS plans usually charge $0–$30 per visit once any deductible is met; HDHP plans pay the contract rate (~$120) until the deductible is satisfied, then the normal copay/coinsurance applies. Confirm whether virtual visits bill at the same rate as in-person (in most regions they do).
5. Book and confirm Pick video, phone, or office. You’ll get a confirmation in MessagesAppointments that lists the therapist’s name, license, date, and connection link or address. Add it to your calendar and arrive/check-in 10 min early. If you need to reschedule, you can do it directly from the confirmation message or by calling the Behavioral-Health scheduling line in your After-Visit Summary.
6. Use digital supports while you wait Same-day, no-cost access to Calm, Headspace Care (text coaching + meditations), and myStrength Complete CBT modules at kp.org/selfcareapps. Log in with your kp.org credentials; enrollment takes < 2 minutes and can help bridge the gap before therapy starts.
7. Follow-up & re-book After the first session, decide whether to keep or change providers. Re-book through the KP app or by calling the number in step 1 to maintain momentum. Consistent scheduling (weekly or bi-weekly) improves outcomes and secures your spot in busy clinics.

Following these seven steps will help you find a therapist Kaiser members speak highly of—often within 2 to 14 days, depending on region and urgency.


In-Network vs. Out-of-Network Care

Why stay in-network

  • One chart, one bill — every clinician can see your KP record and medications.
  • Predictable copay or coinsurance, usually $0–$30 once the deductible is met.
  • Built-in coordination with your PCP, pharmacy, and any lab or imaging.

When to seek out-of-network

  • You can’t get an in-network appointment within 15 business days (California standard) or the time-frame promised in other states.
  • You already have a long-time therapist who isn’t on Kaiser’s panel.
  • You need a niche specialty (e.g., trauma-focused EMDR in Spanish) that Kaiser can’t deliver quickly.

How to use out-of-network benefits without surprise bills

  1. Call Member Services first. Ask: “Can you pre-authorize an external referral because the soonest in-network visit offered was later than the timely-access standard?”
  2. Collect a “superbill.” Pay the therapist’s fee, then upload the superbill to kp.org → Coverage & Costs → Submit a Claim for partial reimbursement.
  3. Track deadlines. KP must approve or deny the claim within 30 days and pay approved claims within 45 days.

Going out-of-network means paying the therapist’s full fee upfront, then submitting a superbill for partial reimbursement. If you turn to therapists that take Kaiser but sit outside the official panels, call Member Services first; some regions pre-authorize outside care when internal waits exceed 15 business days.


Digital & Telehealth Options

Tool What it is How to activate
Video or phone therapy 45- to 60-minute visit with a Kaiser therapist or psychiatrist. Book through the Mental-Health Access Center; join from kp.org → Appointments → Join.
Headspace Care (24/7 text coaching + mindfulness app) Unlimited live text chat with a behavioral coach, guided meditations, sleepcasts. Go to kp.org/selfcareapps → Headspace → Get Started and sign in with your KP credentials.
Calm Sleep stories, breathing, and relaxation tracks. Activate from the same self-care apps page.
myStrength Complete Digital CBT programs for depression, anxiety, and substance use. You’ll get an enrollment link in your Mental-Health After-Visit Summary, or request one during the intake call.
Same-day e-psychiatry (select regions) Video consult for urgent medication assessment. Ask the intake clinician: “Is same-day psychiatry available for my region and plan?”

Tip: Digital tools are free extras, not plan benefits. They can be discontinued, so download any worksheets or progress logs you want to keep.


Cost & Coverage

Plan type In-network visit Out-of-network visit
HMO Bronze/Silver $0–$40 after deductible 50 % of Kaiser’s allowed amount after deductible
HMO Gold/Platinum $0–$20, no visit cap 50 % after deductible
Kaiser PPO 10 %–30 % coinsurance 50 % coinsurance + balance bill
Federal Employee (FEHB) First 3 visits $0, then standard copay 30 % coinsurance
Medicare Advantage $25–$30 per visit Not covered (except emergency/urgent)

Always confirm in your Evidence of Coverage (EOC) or kp.org/costestimator — numbers above are mid-range examples, not guarantees.

Find care for you

Recovery is possible. With early intervention, a supportive community, and the right professional care, you can overcome challenges and build a fulfilling life. We’re here to help you find the support you need.

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