Find a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

What is professional clinical counseling?

Professional clinical counseling is the practice of assessing, diagnosing, and treating emotional or behavioral issues through talk-therapy methods such as CBT, DBT, EMDR, solution-focused therapy, and more. A clinical professional counselor is trained to:

• conduct biopsychosocial assessments;
• assign DSM-5-TR diagnoses when appropriate;
• create measurable treatment plans and track outcomes;
• provide individual, group, couples, or family therapy;
• coordinate with physicians, psychiatrists, schools, and community agencies;
• intervene in crises, including suicide-risk assessments.

Medication management (prescribing) remains outside the LPC scope; for that you need a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner.

Education, examination, and supervised practice

Becoming a licensed professional counselor (LPC) or its equivalent title in your state requires several milestones, each designed to protect clients and ensure quality of care.

The journey starts with a graduate degree—typically a 60-semester-hour master’s program (or a doctoral program) accredited by CACREP or MPCAC, or one that meets your state board’s standards. This requirement ensures your counselor has completed counseling-specific coursework rather than a more general psychology degree.

Next comes the national exam. Most states require either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam (NCMHCE). Passing one of these confirms that your counselor is competent in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.

After graduation and exams, new counselors enter a supervised practice period, usually requiring 2,000 to 3,000 clinical hours over 18 to 36 months under the guidance of a board-approved supervisor. This stage gives early-career counselors hands-on coaching before they’re allowed to practice fully independently.

During this supervised stage, many states issue a provisional license. For example, in Michigan, you’ll see “LLPC counselor,” while in Texas, it’s “LPC-Associate.” Provisional license holders provide the same services as independently licensed counselors, but they must disclose their supervision arrangement and may be limited in billing certain insurance plans.

One profession, many titles—check your state letters

Because counseling licensure is regulated at the state level, you’ll see different initials after a counselor’s name depending on where you live.

• In states like California, Colorado, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Ohio, the independent license is called LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor). Provisional counselors in these states may be listed as Associate LPCCs.
• In Arkansas, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Montana, and Nevada, the title is LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor), while provisional counselors may appear as LAC or LGPC.
• In about 25 states plus Washington, D.C., the most common title is LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor). Provisional versions include LLPC, LAPC, or LPC-Associate.
• In Florida, New York, Washington, Massachusetts, and Hawaii, you’ll often see LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor), with provisional licenses listed as LMHCA or LMHCI.

No matter the letters, what really matters is whether the license allows for independent practice. That’s the key distinction between a fully licensed counselor and one still under supervision.

Tip: Always verify a provider’s license through your state board’s website before scheduling. Most boards offer a free “license lookup” tool that not only confirms active status but also shows any public disciplinary history.

What services can an LPC, LPCC, or LCPC therapist provide?

A fully licensed provider may:

• Diagnose anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, etc. (A few states, such as New York, require an added diagnostic privilege endorsement.)
• Deliver short-term or long-term psychotherapy.
• Provide telehealth to any client located in a state where they hold a license.
• Author workplace or school accommodation letters when allowed by local rule.
• Bill private insurance, Medicaid (in all 50 states), or Medicare Part B (starting January 2024 for rural health clinics; nationwide coverage is under federal review).

Telehealth and the Counseling Compact

COVID-era emergency waivers are gone, but nearly 40 states have now adopted the Counseling Compact. The Compact Commission expects to start issuing multi-state practice privileges in late 2025, letting an LPCC in Colorado see a client who is physically in Georgia without a second full license. Until privileges go live:

• The counselor must hold a license in your location at the time of service.
• California offers a 30-day temporary practice allowance for out-of-state LPCCs who meet coursework requirements.

Paying for professional clinical counseling

Commercial insurance & ACA Marketplace plans
The updated 2024 Mental Health Parity rules ban most treatment caps or higher copays on counseling vs. medical care. Check: copay, coinsurance, prior authorization, and whether telehealth bills the same as in-office.

Medicaid
All states reimburse licensed professional counselors; rates and covered billing codes differ. Some states (e.g., California Medi-Cal) publish separate fee schedules for LPCCs. 

Medicare
As of January 1 2024, LPCs can bill Medicare in Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers; nationwide direct billing is slated for 2026.

Private-pay / sliding scale
When you are uninsured or the therapist is out-of-network, expect $80-$180 per 50-minute session, with urban coastal rates on the higher end. Many LPCs reserve a few reduced-fee slots—always ask.

Is a professional counselor the right match for your needs?

A licensed professional counselor (LPC, LPCC, or LCPC depending on your state) can be an excellent fit if you’re looking for weekly, evidence-based talk therapy to address challenges like anxiety, depression, trauma, or major life transitions. Many counselors use structured approaches such as CBT, DBT, or ACT, and they often provide couples or family counseling as well. Another advantage: LPCs typically have shorter waitlists and more affordable fees compared to many doctoral-level providers.

That said, professional counselors aren’t always the right match for every situation. If you need prescription medication management, you’ll need to see a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner. If your main concern is neuropsychological testing—for issues like ADHD, learning disabilities, or cognitive decline—a psychologist is the right specialist. For intensive outpatient or inpatient care, a hospital-based team is better equipped. And if your situation requires specialized evaluations for legal or disability cases, you’ll likely need a psychologist or psychiatrist with forensic training.

Bottom line: Most people do best with a team approach—working with a professional counselor for therapy while partnering with a psychiatrist or primary care doctor for medication management. This way, your emotional growth and medical needs are both supported.

Geographic quirks to know

• Diagnosis authority: New York requires a separate diagnostic privilege for LMHCs; Louisiana allows counselors to diagnose only after 2 000 independent hours.
• Telehealth training: California demands a one-time three-hour telehealth course for all LPCCs licensed after July 2023.
• Medicaid rates: Minnesota pays LPCs 93 % of psychologist rates; Texas reimburses at 60 %, influencing how many counselors take Medicaid panels. (Check your state fee schedule or call the plan.)
• Rural incentives: Colorado’s state loan-repayment program offers up to $12 000 per year for LPCs practicing in mental-health professional-shortage areas.

Key questions to ask an LPC therapist during the first session

1. “Which evidence-based modalities do you use most often?”
2. “How will we track progress—symptom checklists, goal reviews, both?”
3. “What is your cancellation policy and average length of treatment?”
4. “If medication becomes necessary, how do you coordinate with prescribers?”
5. “Are there any state-specific consent forms I should know about (e.g., Good-Faith Estimate, telehealth notice)?”