How do I know if an online therapist is licensed and legit?

To confirm if an online therapist is licensed and legit, you must verify their license through your state’s official licensing board website and ensure they specify their license type (e.g., LPC, MSW, PhD) to identify the correct governing board [1][8].

Step-by-Step Verification Guide:

1. Identify the Therapist’s License Type
   Legitimate therapists should list their license type and number after their name on their website, business cards, or therapy directories (e.g., “Jane Doe, LMFT, #12345”) [1]. Common types include:

   • LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor)
   • LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)
   • MSW/ LCSW (Master of Social Work / Licensed Clinical Social Worker)
   • PhD/PsyD (Psychologist)

2. Visit Your State’s Licensing Board Website
   Use Open Counseling’s state-by-state guide to find your state’s board link [1][8]. Examples include:

   • Texas: Texas Behavioral Health Executive [3]
   • California: Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) [4]
   • Maryland: State Board of Professional Counselors [5]
   • Kansas: BSRB License Verification [6]
   • North Carolina: Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors [7]

3. Search for the Therapist
   Enter their last name or license number in the board’s search tool [1][5]. Some boards allow wildcard searches (e.g., “Al*”) if you’re unsure of the exact name [6].

4. Check License Status and Disciplinary History
   Confirm that:

   • The license is active (not expired or inactive) [1][3].
   • There are no disciplinary actions (look for sections like “Reports Available for Download” or “Disciplinary History”) [1][3][4].
   • The therapist is licensed in the state where you reside (therapists must be licensed in the client’s state) [1].

5. Look for Additional Legitimacy Signs

   • Reputable platforms (e.g., BetterHelp, Talkspace) often verify licenses, but you should still double-check [1].
   • Avoid therapists who refuse to provide their license number or type.
   • Be cautious of platforms with no verification process (e.g., unmoderated social media) [2].

Recommended Trusted Platforms:

• BetterHelp and Talkspace: Vet therapists but still verify licenses independently.
• Psychology Today: Includes a license verification tool for therapists [1].
• Open Doctors or Healthline: Offer therapist directories with license details.

If you cannot find the therapist in your state’s board database, they may be unlicensed or practicing illegally. In such cases, avoid using their services and report the concern to the state board.

Always prioritize state-verified licenses over platform claims, as licensing boards provide primary source verification of a therapist’s credentials [3][4][6].