Fortunately, there are now there are a number of websites with free search engines to help you find mental health providers in your area who treat PTSD. Of course, you’ll also need to consider the cost of therapy, insurance, location, treatment orientation, and whether the therapist is a good match. This article discusses what PTSD counseling is and some popular websites to help you get started in your search for a PTSD therapist.

What Is PTSD Counseling?

PTSD counseling often involves a variety of treatments for PTSD that can relieve symptoms and help people learn coping skills to better manage their symptoms. In addition to medications, mental health professionals may utilize different types of psychotherapy such as cognitive processing therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). If you have symptoms of PTSD, you should start by talking to a doctor or mental health professional to determine which type of treatment may be most effective for your specific situation. You might also consider utilizing the following resources in your search for a PTSD therapist. This search engine doesn’t list therapists’ specialties. It does, however, provide a telephone service where you can obtain a referral to a psychologist in your area. When you call, the operator will use your location to help you connect with the referral service of the psychological association for your state.​​ For example, you can identify their specialty and narrow your search to therapists who provide specific treatments (for example, group therapy or individual therapy). These online therapy services include sites such as BetterHelp, Talkspace, and ReGain. Each platform differs in terms of what they offer and how they work, so you might begin by exploring some to see which one might be right for your needs. While research suggests that online therapy can be effective in the treatment of a number of conditions, it may not be appropriate on its own if your symptoms are more severe. Online therapy can be a helpful supplement to more traditional treatments and can often be a useful first step toward finding relief from the symptoms of PTSD.  As you are looking for a therapist, there are a few options that you can try. Online directories can be a great place to start your search for a qualified, experienced PTSD therapist in your area. Another option is to utilize an online therapy platform to locate an online therapist. If neither of these options seems right for you, consider asking your primary healthcare provider for a referral. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.