Find a Therapist in St. Louis

Therapy Options in St. Louis

St. Louis offers a wide range of therapy options for individuals, couples, and families. Whether you’re a student at Washington University, a professional working downtown, or a parent managing the demands of family life in the suburbs, you can find local therapists who understand your unique challenges. Many providers in St. Louis specialize in evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed care. There are also therapists who integrate holistic or faith-based perspectives, giving you the chance to choose care that feels right for your background and personal values.

Convenience is another strong benefit of therapy in St. Louis. You’ll find in-person sessions available in neighborhoods like Clayton, Central West End, and South City, but teletherapy is also a popular choice for residents who want flexible, no-commute options. Couples counseling, family therapy, and group support are widely offered as well, so you don’t have to go through challenges alone. Whether you’re looking for short-term help with stress or ongoing support for deeper healing, St. Louis provides the resources you need to take that important step toward better mental health.

Community Mental Health Clinics and Support in St. Louis

Provident Behavioral Health offers sliding-scale counseling and a 24/7 crisis line from its Grand Center office at 2650 Olive St, steps from Powell Hall and the Fabulous Fox Theatre. Places for People provides comprehensive mental health and substance use services at 4130 Lindell Blvd in the Central West End, near the Cathedral Basilica and Saint Louis University. Barnes-Jewish Hospital’s psychiatry services are on the Washington University Medical Campus in the Central West End, adjacent to Forest Park and the CWE MetroLink station. Queen of Peace Center supports women and families with treatment and recovery programs on the St. Vincent Campus along Laclede Ave, near SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital in Midtown. These organizations offer a mix of walk-in, outpatient, and coordinated care options across central St. Louis neighborhoods. 

St. Louis Mental Health Crisis and Emergency Services 

For immediate danger, call 911; for mental health or substance use crises, call or text 988 to reach local counselors, or contact Behavioral Health Response at 314-469-6644 (800-811-4760) and Provident Crisis Services at 314-647-4357; United Way 211 can connect you to shelters and resources. 988/BHR can dispatch mobile crisis teams to locations in the city and county. Major ERs include Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital in the Central West End near Kingshighway/Forest Park (by the Central West End MetroLink station), SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital and SSM Cardinal Glennon near S. Grand and I-44 (reachable via Grand MetroLink and #70 bus), Christian Hospital in North County near I-270/Hwy 367, and Mercy Hospital St. Louis in Creve Coeur off I-270/Olive. MetroLink Red/Blue Lines and MetroBus run late into the evening, and ER entrances are 24/7 and ADA-accessible; Metro Call‑A‑Ride provides paratransit. Expect heavy traffic on I‑64/40, I‑44, I‑55, and I‑270 during weekday rush hours, so consider transit or rideshare when possible.

Places to Relax and Recharge in St. Louis 

Forest Park’s paved trails, free museums, and quiet lakes make it easy for students, hospital staff, and families to grab a restorative walk or picnic between busy schedules. Tower Grove Park’s shady paths, yoga meetups, and weekend farmers market offer low-cost ways to connect with neighbors and nature, especially for south-side residents. On the riverfront, the Arch grounds and the North Riverfront Trail provide wide-open views and bikeable miles that help clear your head after work. Missouri Botanical Garden’s early-morning hours and Laumeier Sculpture Park’s outdoor art trails both blend calm green space with creativity, great for anyone seeking mindful breaks without leaving the city. If you’d like additional support, use MiResource to find licensed therapists in St. Louis for both in-person and online care.

How MiResource Helps You Find a Therapist in St. Louis

- Personalized matches to nearby therapists and psychiatrists across St. Louis—from the Central West End and Tower Grove to North County and South County—with filters for distance, MetroLink/MetroBus access, and telehealth.

- Smart insurance filters for MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid) and major local plans (Anthem, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna), plus sliding-scale options commonly available around the Delmar Loop and South City.

- Easy access to providers practicing near Barnes-Jewish/BJC, SSM Health, and SLU Hospital corridors, along with campus-savvy options for students at WashU, SLU, and UMSL.

- Culturally responsive care, including Bosnian- and Spanish-speaking providers common in South St. Louis, clear wait times and evening/weekend availability, and reminders that fit busy schedules around downtown, Cortex, and Metro East.

Paying for Therapy in St. Louis

Young adults and children under 26: Many can stay on a parent’s plan until age 26. St. Louis therapists commonly accept Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna/Evernorth, and UnitedHealthcare, which generally cover outpatient therapy and telehealth.

Working-age adults: Large local employers include Boeing, BJC HealthCare/Washington University, and Anheuser-Busch. Employees are often covered by Anthem BCBS, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, or Cigna plans. Many St. Louis therapists are in-network with these insurers, including for virtual visits.

Seniors (65+): Eligible for Original Medicare (Part A/B) at 65 or earlier with certain disabilities. In St. Louis, Medicare Advantage options from Anthem, Humana, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare are common. These plans typically cover outpatient mental health care, individual therapy, psychiatry visits, and telehealth.

Use MiResource’s insurance filters to find St. Louis therapists who accept your plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to Do in a Mental Health Emergency in St. Louis?

If there’s immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room—good options in St. Louis include Barnes-Jewish Hospital, SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, and Mercy Hospital St. Louis. For urgent support, call or text 988, or contact St. Louis’s 24/7 Behavioral Health Response (BHR) crisis line at 314-469-6644 (or 800-811-4760). Stay with the person, reduce access to anything they could use to harm themselves, and bring a list of medications/conditions to the ER.

Does Health Insurance Cover Therapy in St. Louis?

In St. Louis, many plans cover outpatient therapy after a co-pay (often $15–$50) or coinsurance once you meet a deductible that commonly ranges around $1,500–$5,000; self-pay therapy is typically about $100–$180 per session. The most common insurers include Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Missouri, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Ambetter (Home State Health), plus Medicare and MO HealthNet (Medicaid). Always check your specific plan’s mental health benefits, deductibles, and network rules, and use MiResource’s insurance filter to find in-network therapists in St. Louis.

Is Online Therapy as Effective as In-Person Sessions in St. Louis?

Research shows online therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy for many conditions, and both telehealth and in-office sessions are widely available in St. Louis. Online care can improve access by avoiding rush-hour congestion on I‑64/US‑40, I‑44, and I‑70 and the time/parking demands of cross‑river commutes, while in-person visits may benefit those who prefer face-to-face interaction or need specialized modalities. For in-person access, residents can use MetroLink light rail, MetroBus routes, and Call‑A‑Ride paratransit through Metro Transit, which can be convenient but may add travel time compared with logging in from home.

How to Get Involved in St. Louis’s Mental Health Community?

Volunteer or join programs with NAMI St. Louis, Mental Health America of Eastern Missouri, and the Behavioral Health Network of Greater St. Louis (committees, advocacy, trainings like Mental Health First Aid). Support direct-service nonprofits such as Provident Behavioral Health (crisis hotline), Places for People (outreach and case management), BJC Behavioral Health, and St. Louis Counseling. You can also engage with Alive & Well Communities, St. Louis Suicide Prevention Network/Coalition, St. Patrick Center’s behavioral health services, Youth In Need, and Epworth by attending events, fundraising, or facilitating peer-support groups.