PTSD: National Center for PTSD

Find a Provider

Available en Español

PTSD treatment works, and you have options. Learn how to find a therapist, counselor or other mental health provider who can help with your recovery.

Things to Consider

• If you are a Veteran, see Help for Veterans.
• Make sure the provider has experience treating people who have been through a trauma.
• Try to find a provider who focuses on evidence-based medications for PTSD or effective talk therapy for PTSD, such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE) or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
• Find out what type(s) of insurance the provider accepts and what you will have to pay (out-of-pocket costs) for care.
• If you don't have health insurance or can't afford to pay out-of-pocket, you may be able to find low-cost care through a clinic funded or run by a government agency. Contact your state health department for more information.
• You may find more than one therapist. Learn about Types of Providers.

First steps

• Contact your family doctor to ask for a recommendation, or ask friends and family if they can recommend a therapist.
• If you have health insurance, call or visit their website to find out which mental health providers your insurance company will cover. Your insurance company may require that you choose a provider from among a list they maintain.

Finding a Provider Using the Internet

Beyond using your insurance company provider lists, the links below can help you find a therapist, counselor or mental health professional. Note: These online locators can be used by anyone, and if you are a Veteran, see the "Help for Veterans" section below for additional options.

Locators for specific trauma-focused talk therapies

• Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD offers an international CPT Provider Roster for mental health professionals who offer this therapy in the community.
• Emory University School of Medicine offers a nationwide list of Prolonged Exposure Providers trained by their programs.
• Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania's Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety offers an international list of therapists trained in Prolonged Exposure.
• EMDR International Association has a locator that lists EMDR providers.

Locators for mental health providers

• Anxiety and Depression Association of America offers a therapist search by location, treatment options and mental health disorder.
• ISTSS Clinician Directory is a service provided by the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) that lets you consider many factors in searching for a clinician, counselor or mental health professional.
• American Psychological Association has a Psychologist Locator that allows you to search by location, specialty, insurance accepted and gender identity of provider.
• Psychology Today offers a therapist directory by location. You can also find treatment centers teletherapists (online services) or support groups.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a Behavioral Health Services Locator by location and type of facility (e.g., inpatient, outpatient, residential). Call for assistance 24 hours a day 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Finding a Provider by Phone

In addition to the resources listed above, you can also find a therapist, counselor or mental health provider in the following ways:

• Some mental health services are listed in the phone book. In the Government pages, look in the "County Government Offices" section, and find "Health Services (Dept. of)" or "Department of Health Services." "Mental Health" or "Behavioral Health" will be listed.
• In the yellow pages, mental health providers are listed under "counseling," "psychologists," "social workers," "psychotherapists," "social and human services," "mental health" or "behavioral health."
• You can also call the psychology department of a local college or university.

Help for Veterans

• All VA Medical Centers and many VA clinics provide PTSD treatment. Some VA facilities also have specialty programs for PTSD. On the locator, enter your location, choose "VA health" for Facility type and "Mental health care" for Service type. Call the mental health or main number for the facility closest to you and ask about an appointment for PTSD assessment or treatment.
• Some VA centers have specialty programs for PTSD. Use the VA PTSD Program Locator to find a VA PTSD program.
• Vet Centers provide readjustment counseling to Veterans and their families after war. Find a Vet Center near you.
• VA Medical Centers and Vet Centers are also listed in the phone book. In the Government pages, look under "United States Government Offices." Then look for "Veterans Affairs, Dept of." In that section, look under "Medical Care" and "Vet Centers - Counseling and Guidance."
• Find more information on Help for Veterans.

You May Also Be Interested In

PTSD Decision Aid

Compare options and make the best choice for PTSD treatment.

AboutFace

Hear from Veterans who have turned their lives around with PTSD treatment.

Understanding PTSD and PTSD Treatment (PDF)

A complete guide to PTSD basics.