Find a Therapist for Bipolar Disorder in St. Louis

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

You’re in the right place to find Bipolar Disorder help in St. Louis. Explore trusted therapists, psychiatrists, and treatment resources near you. Compare options, understand care types, and connect with support that fits your needs to manage mood swings and stability.

  • Hider Shaaban, Psychotherapist

    Hider Shaaban

    Psychotherapist, Psychologist

    255 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

    Hider Shaaban is a Psychotherapist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They treat Bipolar Disorder, Perfectionism, Anger Issues.

    Your emotional wellbeing is our priority. We will work together to not just get you unstuck, but help you thrive and flourish.

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  • Benjamin Andrews, Psychologist

    Benjamin Andrews

    Psychologist

    1709 Legion Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27517

    Benjamin Andrews is a Psychologist in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and has been in practice for 11 years. They treat Bipolar Disorder, Perfectionism, Men's Issues.

    Experienced therapist providing compassionate, evidence-based help for people to find their whole selves, reduce their suffering, and achieve their goals

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  • Robert Buzan, Counselor

    Robert Buzan

    Counselor, Psychotherapist, Psychologist

    Remote only

    Robert Buzan is a Counselor in undefined, undefined. They treat Bipolar Disorder, Relationship(s) with Friends/Roommates, Relationship(s) with Parents/Children/Family.

    I am a clinical psychologist with extensive experience working with college students via telehealth. I welcome clients of all backgrounds.

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  • Auran Piatigorsky, PhD, LP, CMPC, Sport Psychologist

    Auran Piatigorsky, PhD, LP, CMPC

    Sport Psychologist

    Remote only

    Auran Piatigorsky, PhD, LP, CMPC is a Sport Psychologist in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 30 years. They treat Bipolar Disorder, Men's Issues, College and School Placement.

    Licensed Clinical Sport Psychologist — services for mental health care & performance enhancement

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  • Susanna White, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

    Susanna White

    Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

    Remote only

    Susanna White is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in undefined, undefined. They treat Bipolar Disorder, Spiritual/Religious Concerns, Anger Issues.

    Are you and your partner navigating life transitions, struggling with communication, healing from breaches of trust, or feeling the slow drift that often

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  • Mary Ellen Bolger, Psychologist

    Mary Ellen Bolger

    Psychologist

    37 Arch Street, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830

    Mary Ellen Bolger is a Psychologist in Greenwich, Connecticut. They treat Bipolar Disorder, Self-Esteem, Autism.

    I am here to help support you through what you find yourself struggling with. My 25+ years experience provides an in depth understanding of your needs.

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Introduction: Finding Mental Health Support in St. Louis 

You’re in the right place to explore mental health resources in St. Louis. This section guides you to local hospitals, outpatient and inpatient psychiatric services, and crisis options, and explains the laws that shape access to care. You’ll also find community programs, peer support, and wellness initiatives that promote well-being. Our goal is to help you understand your options and take the next step with confidence.

Understanding Mental Health and Well-Being 

Understanding Mental Health and Well-Being
Mental health affects how we think, feel, and act in relationships, on the job, and in our bodies—shaping communication, concentration, sleep, energy, and stress responses. When we care for mental health, we tend to navigate conflict more calmly, perform better at work or school, and experience fewer headaches, stomach issues, and chronic pain flares. Early caregiving—through parenting styles and attachment patterns—helps wire our emotional development, influencing how safe we feel, how we regulate feelings, and how we trust others across life. Help is available in St. Louis through resources like Behavioral Health Response (24/7 crisis support), BJC Behavioral Health, Saint Louis Counseling, and NAMI St. Louis, and you can also call 988 for immediate support; seeking support is a sign of strength.

Where to Find Care in St. Louis 

Major Hospitals and Psychiatric Units 

For urgent help or ongoing care, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University Psychiatry provide emergency psychiatric evaluation, inpatient adult care, and specialty outpatient mood-disorder services (including ECT/TMS). SSM Health DePaul Hospital – St. Louis offers adult and senior inpatient units, crisis stabilization through its ER, and step-down partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs. Mercy Hospital South runs adult and geriatric inpatient psychiatry and connects patients to outpatient therapy and addiction-medicine resources.

The state-run Metropolitan St. Louis Psychiatric Center focuses on short-term adult crisis stabilization and involuntary care when needed. For youth, Hawthorn Children’s Psychiatric Hospital provides inpatient stabilization for children and teens, with outpatient services available through providers like SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and Washington University. Additional metro options include CenterPointe Hospital (St. Charles and South County) for adult, adolescent, and dual-diagnosis inpatient care plus PHP/IOP, and VA St. Louis Health Care System – Jefferson Barracks for veterans needing inpatient psychiatry, PTSD, and substance-use programs.

Community Mental Health Centers and Clinics 

In St. Louis, low-cost and sliding-scale care for Bipolar Disorder is available through BJC Behavioral Health (CCBHC)with clinics in North County, South County, and Maplewood offering same-day access, telehealth, and interpreter services in many languages. Places for People in Midtown/Forest Park Southeast provides psychiatry, therapy, peer support, and community-based services with walk-in hours and language access, and the St. Louis County Department of Public Health clinics — John C. Murphy Health Center, North Central Community Health Center, and South County Health Center — offer integrated behavioral health with sliding fees and free interpreters. Federally Qualified Health Centers such as Affinia Healthcare (Downtown, South City/Carondelet, North City/Baden), CareSTL Health (North STL/Hyde Park), and People’s Health Centers / Betty Jean Kerr (Delmar/Wellston and North County) provide therapy and psychiatric care on a sliding scale, are on major bus lines, and support English, Spanish, and other languages via interpreters. Nonprofit clinics including St. Louis Counseling (multiple city/county sites), St. Francis Community Services(Southside, bilingual English/Spanish), and Casa de Salud (Midtown/Grove, immigrant- and refugee-friendly with Spanish and interpreter services) offer affordable counseling with evening/telehealth options. Preferred Family Healthcare and Compass Health Network also serve the metro area with CCBHC/Medicaid-based services, multiple languages, and locations spanning North City, South City, and nearby counties.

Partial Hospitalization (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and Residential Programs 

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) provide full-day, structured treatment while you sleep at home; Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) offer several therapy sessions per week with more flexibility; residential programs provide 24/7 care in a live-in setting—each can help stabilize mood and build skills for managing Bipolar Disorder. In West County, Rogers Behavioral Health – St. Louis offers PHP and IOP focused on depression, bipolar spectrum, OCD/anxiety, and trauma recovery. In Bridgeton, SSM Health Behavioral Health at DePaul Hospital provides adult PHP and IOP for mood disorders and co-occurring substance use. In Webster Groves, McCallum Place offers residential, PHP, and IOP for eating disorders with support for co-occurring conditions like bipolar disorder.

In South St. Louis, Harris House provides residential treatment for substance use with integrated mental health services.

Local Mental Health Laws and Crisis Response 

In Missouri, people in St. Louis can be placed on an emergency psychiatric hold for up to 96 hours if they seem likely to seriously harm themselves/others or can’t meet basic needs due to mental illness; this is usually started by police, licensed clinicians, or a judge and begins with transport to an ER or designated facility where a psychiatrist/physician and a mental health professional assess safety and treatment needs. During the hold, you have the right to be told what’s happening in plain language, get a free interpreter if you need one, contact a support person and an attorney, ask about voluntary treatment, and seek advocacy or appeal (including a court review with a public defender if longer treatment is requested). If you’re in crisis, call or text 988 anytime; in St. Louis, Behavioral Health Response (BHR) is available 24/7 at 314-469-6644 or 800-811-4760 and can dispatch Mobile Crisis Response Teams in the city and county. For advocacy or questions about rights, contact Missouri Protection & Advocacy Services or local groups like NAMI St. Louis. If you need in‑person help, go to the nearest ER, such as Barnes‑Jewish Hospital, SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, Mercy Hospital St. Louis, SSM Health St. Mary’s, or Christian Hospital; call 911 if there’s immediate danger.

Everyday Understanding of Mental Health Challenges 

Common Struggles People Face 

Common struggles people face with Bipolar Disorder can show up in everyday life, like suddenly feeling too drained to get to work after a night of racing thoughts or, on the flip side, taking on too many projects and burning out during busy seasons. In St. Louis, that might look like overspending during an energized upswing—tickets for a Cardinals game, nights on the Delmar Loop, or shopping on Cherokee Street—followed by stress when rent or groceries rise and the bills come due. Long shifts at Barnes-Jewish or navigating I-64 traffic can add pressure, and gray winter days or hot, humid summers can make mood swings feel harder to manage. Some people pull back from friends in South City or the Central West End, worrying others won’t understand, which can lead to feeling isolated. You’re not alone, and reaching out for support is a strong, practical step toward steadier days.

How to Talk About Mental Health with Others 

When you talk with family or friends, use simple language: Bipolar Disorder affects mood, energy, and sleep in cycles, and treatment helps you manage it. Speak with compassion—use “I” statements about what you feel and need—and set healthy boundaries about topics you’re comfortable discussing, when you need support, and when you need space. Be sensitive to cultural values by asking how they understand mental health, listening without judgment, and finding shared language that respects beliefs. If you’re in St. Louis, consider inviting loved ones to learn with you through local support options and community resources, so everyone feels more confident and included.

Community and Preventive Support 

City-Sponsored and Nonprofit Programs 

City of St. Louis Department of Health can connect you to prevention and treatment options; call 314-612-5100 or visit 1520 Market St. (Downtown West). Behavioral Health Response (24/7 crisis and care connection for the St. Louis region) offers phone support and links to services at 314-469-6644 or 800-811-4760. NAMI St. Louis provides free peer-support groups (NAMI Connection), family classes, and advocacy; reach them at 314-962-4670 (office serves the metro area, including the City). Places for People (4130 Lindell Blvd., Central West End) offers outpatient care, psychiatry, and peer services for serious mental illness, including Bipolar Disorder; call 314-535-5600 or. St. Patrick Center (800 N. Tucker Blvd., Downtown) provides mental health case management, housing support, and wellness programs; call 314-802-0700.

Educational and Parenting Resources 

St. Louis parents can find practical support through NAMI St. Louis’ free Family-to-Family classes and speaker series, which explain bipolar disorder and teach communication and problem‑solving skills. FamilyForward and Saint Louis Crisis Nursery offer attachment‑focused workshops (including TBRI-informed approaches) and coaching that strengthen parent‑child relationships. Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute provides psychoeducation and family skills groups, while St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Washington University’s Brown School host public lectures on youth emotional development and resilience. The Special School District of St. Louis County also runs parent trainings that help families collaborate with schools and manage challenging behaviors. Helpful evidence‑based books include The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide (Miklowitz), The Bipolar Teen (Papolos & Papolos), and The Whole‑Brain Child (Siegel & Bryson), often available through St. Louis Public Library and St. Louis County Library, which also host community talks and book discussions.

Holistic and Creative Paths to Well-Being 

Nature and Outdoor Spaces for Mental Health 

Spending time in green spaces can help calm the nervous system, which may make mood swings feel more manageable. Gentle movement outdoors and natural light can lift mood and support better sleep rhythms. Quiet, sensory-friendly settings offer room for mindfulness and grounding when emotions feel intense. Choose places that feel safe and accessible, and go at the pace that works for you.
- Forest Park (Central West End/Skinker–DeBaliviere): Wide, quiet paths, lakes and shaded benches; easy access via MetroLink Forest Park–DeBaliviere and several bus lines.
- Missouri Botanical Garden (Shaw): Tranquil gardens, water features, and many shaded seating areas; paid entry, MetroBus nearby.
- Tower Grove Park (Tower Grove South): Tree-lined, level walking loops with pavilions and restrooms; flat paths good for gentle movement; served by Grand bus.
- Laumeier Sculpture Park (Sunset Hills): Wooded trails and open lawns for unhurried walks with visual focal points; free admission, parking on-site.
- Old Chain of Rocks Bridge & Riverfront Trail (North St. Louis): Mississippi River views, long flat trail ideal for mindful walking or cycling; parking at the bridge and trailheads.

Arts, Culture, and Mindfulness Activities 

St. Louis offers creative spaces that support emotional expression and connection, including the Saint Louis Art Museum, the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, and the Pulitzer Arts Foundation, where quiet galleries and community programs invite reflection and creativity. Local writing groups through the St. Louis Writers Guild and the St. Louis Public Library provide welcoming workshops and open-mic nights to share stories and build supportive peer networks. Yoga and mindfulness options like Urban Breath Yoga, Yoga Six, and local community mindfulness classes encourage grounding, breathwork, and gentle movement. Music venues such as Jazz St. Louis at the Bistro, the Sheldon Concert Hall, and Off Broadway host live performances that nurture joy, community, and a sense of belonging for people living with Bipolar Disorder.

Questions People Often Ask 

1) How do I know when to seek professional help for Bipolar Disorder?
If mood swings are intense, last for days, disrupt sleep, work, or relationships, or include thoughts of harming yourself, it’s time to reach out. Sudden periods of high energy, little need for sleep, racing thoughts, or risky behavior can signal mania or hypomania. Long stretches of low mood, fatigue, or loss of interest can signal depression. Getting assessed early helps you feel better sooner and prevents crises.
2) What’s the difference between therapy, psychiatry, and counseling?
Therapists and counselors provide talk therapy to help you understand patterns, build coping skills, and make changes; many use similar methods and titles vary by license. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can diagnose conditions and prescribe medications, and many also offer therapy. Some people benefit from therapy alone; others do best with a combination of therapy and medication. The right mix depends on your goals, symptoms, and preferences.
3) Can I be hospitalized against my will?
In most places, involuntary hospitalization is only used when there is an immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, or when you cannot care for your basic safety due to a mental health condition. It’s meant to provide short-term stabilization and safety, with legal safeguards and review. You have rights, including to be informed and to ask questions. If you’re in crisis or unsure, call 988 for immediate support and local guidance.
4) Are there affordable therapy options in St. Louis?
Yes. Look for sliding-scale clinics, community mental health centers, and training clinics that offer reduced fees, such as Provident Behavioral Health, BJC Behavioral Health, Places for People, Saint Louis Counseling, WashU’s Psychological Services Center, and SLU’s Center for Counseling and Family Therapy. Federally Qualified Health Centers and telehealth platforms may also lower costs. You can also contact NAMI St. Louis or use the SAMHSA treatment locator to find low-cost options near you.
5) What daily habits support good mental health?
Aim for regular sleep, balanced meals, movement most days, and time outdoors if you can. Keep a steady routine, limit alcohol and drugs, and practice simple stress reducers like deep breathing or brief mindfulness. Stay connected with supportive people and schedule small, doable activities you enjoy. If symptoms persist or worsen, reach out to a professional for added support.

Taking the First Step 

Taking the first step can feel hard, but you don’t have to do it alone. You can explore MiResource’s directory, reach out to a trusted provider, or call a local crisis line in St. Louis to get support right now. Recovery, healing, and connection are possible, and many people find relief with the right help. Reaching out in your own community can make a real difference and is a strong step toward feeling better.

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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