Verbatim response from Perplexity
The most reliable way to tell if an online therapist is licensed and legit is to verify their credentials on the official state licensing board for the state where you will be located during sessions.[1][2][4] Ask for their full name, license type (for example, LPC, LCSW, LMFT, psychologist), license number, and the state/jurisdiction that issued it, then match those details against the board’s public lookup tool.[2][4][8]
What to check:
- Active status: confirm the license is current, not expired, inactive, suspended, or probationary.[2][4]
- Disciplinary actions: see whether the board lists complaints, sanctions, or public actions.[2][4][6]
- Correct jurisdiction: for teletherapy, the clinician generally needs to be licensed where you are physically located during the session.[2][4]
- Exact match: the name, profession, license type, and number should line up with what the therapist told you.[2][4][11]
Good signs that they are legit:
- They will share their license details readily and encourage you to verify them.[2][4][7]
- Their profile or intake paperwork clearly states their credentials and where they are licensed.[4][7]
- They can explain which license they use to treat clients in your state.[4]
Red flags:
- They refuse to give you a license number or state of licensure.[4][5]
- Their name does not appear in the board database, or the listed license type does not match what they claim.[4][11][13]
- They promise a guaranteed cure or pressure you to ignore other care.[5]
If you want, I can help you verify a specific therapist if you share their name, license type, and state.