If you’re a native Spanish speaker looking for psychological support, you may find it helpful to consult with a professional who speaks your first language.
In this article, we’ll explain how to find a licensed Spanish-speaking therapist.
We’ve put together an overview of three different platforms and directories that can help you find the help you need.
Spanish Speaking Therapist Near Me
Below, we’ve explained the best three services you can use to find a Spanish-speaking therapist near you or online.
1. BetterHelp
BetterHelp is an online therapy platform that can connect you with qualified native Spanish-speaking therapists for mental health support.
On the platform, you will find Spanish-speaking counselors who can assist with various psychological issues, including depression, anxiety, relationship problems, and grief.
You can communicate with your counselor when and how it works best for you. Psychological consultations in Spanish are available by phone, chat, or video calls, with one live therapy session included per week on the BetterHelp website or app.
With this platform, you can access support from a specialist from the comfort of your own home, booking in therapy sessions at a time of day that works for you.
When you sign up, you’ll first answer a few short questions about your preferences in a counselor, and what you’d like help with. Here, you can explain that you’d like to be matched with a Spanish-speaking therapist.
The platform will then match you with a qualified therapist who speaks Spanish fluently or natively, depending on your preference, and who has experience helping with the specific issues you’re facing.
Billing occurs every four weeks, and the price depends on your location, preferences, and chosen therapist. You’re free to cancel the subscription or change therapists at any time.
BetterHelp offers a very convenient way of connecting with a Spanish-speaking psychotherapist using online therapy.
It is worth noting, medical insurance is not accepted on this platform, but it is possible to apply for financial aid when signing up, if you’d struggle to pay the full price out of pocket at the moment.
2. Latinx Therapy
Latinx Therapy is a versatile service that can help you find a therapist with a Latin American background, online or in person.
Using this platform, you can find Spanish-speaking therapists in your area, using their online directory.
On this website, there are a range of filters available to search for therapists, including their qualifications and specialties. Once you search, you can browse a wide range of counselors’ profiles, then connect directly to begin your first session.
Each counselor’s profile shows their education, whether they offer sessions online or in person, the languages they speak, and their therapeutic approach.
The downside to this service is, sometimes a lot of effort is required to find the right therapist. The matching process isn’t taken care of for you, like it is on BetterHelp.
Also, depending on where you live, you might not be able to find a native Spanish-speaking therapist you can visit in person using this website, since you’re limited to just counselors located nearby.
However, Latinx Therapy can be useful when searching for Spanish-speaking therapists in your area, especially in larger towns and cities.
3. Online‑Therapy.com
Online-Therapy.com provides access to Spanish-speaking therapists via online video consultations and messaging, similar to BetterHelp—but with a few key differences.
Unlike BetterHelp, this platform also offers helpful tools such as journals, action plans, and worksheets to support your therapy process, although, these resources are not available in Spanish.
However, it’s still easy to get matched with a Hispanic therapist on the platform when you sign up, and if preferred, you can focus on working directly with your counselor after you create an account.
The treatment process on Online‑Therapy.com is quite structured; your therapist will analyze the issues you’re facing, and help you address them step by step. The service is designed to support people experiencing challenges such as anxiety, depression, loss, and a range of other mental health concerns.
Similar to BetterHelp, when using this service, you can receive counseling from a native Spanish speaker, regardless of where you live, and at a time that works for you, which can be very helpful if you have a busy schedule.
It is worth noting though, to access weekly live sessions with your psychotherapist, you will need to purchase a more expensive paid subscription, compared to the regular plan.
By default, on the cheaper plans, you’ll only be able to speak to your therapist via text messaging.
Benefits of using a therapist who speaks your language
Finding a therapist who speaks your native language can help you feel more comfortable getting help with your mental health.
One of the most important factors in determining the effectiveness of psychotherapy is how comfortable you feel in speaking with your therapist, and your ability to open up.
If you feel most comfortable speaking about complex topics in your native language, it’s worth the extra effort to find a therapist you’ll find it easier to communicate with.
A Spanish-speaking therapist can better understand not only your words but also your culture, which can be particularly helpful when dealing with relationship and family-related issues.
How to find a Spanish-speaking therapist in the US
There are three main ways to find a therapist who speaks your native language:
- Use an online therapy service, like BetterHelp. These platforms have a huge range of licensed therapists available, and can match you with a suitable professional for your exact needs—based on their languages spoken, gender, specialties, and more.
- Use a therapist directory, like the one we provide, or Latinx Therapy. Though they require more work to use, since they don’t match you with a therapist on your behalf, directories can be a good place to find Spanish-speaking therapists in your area. If you have insurance that covers mental health treatment, many of these companies also have directories to help you find in-network psychotherapists—though these directories don’t normally have the best language filtering options.
- Ask for a referral from your doctor or a community group. You might be able to find a fellow native Spanish speaker in your area or a medical professional who can refer you to a therapist.
What if there are no Spanish-speaking therapists in your area?
If you’re having trouble finding a suitable Spanish-speaking specialist in your city or county, remember, you’re not alone. This is a common situation in the U.S., especially in smaller towns in the Midwest and Northeast.
To easily connect with a Latino therapist, no matter where you are in the country, you might like to try online therapy.
Nowadays, most therapists are willing to hold sessions remotely, allowing you to get consultations from anywhere in your state. The online format broadens the pool of potential specialists, so you don’t have to limit yourself to counselors based in your city.
Services like BetterHelp can match you with a qualified therapist who is also a native Spanish speaker, allowing you to access therapy sessions via video call from the comfort of your own home.
How much does therapy cost in the US?
If you are looking for a Spanish-speaking counselor in the US, you may encounter a wide range of different prices, mostly depending on the therapist’s experience and location.
On average, a private therapy session without insurance costs around $150, though prices vary by state and provider. In high-cost-of-living states, such as California, prices can exceed $250 with experienced professionals, though some therapists offer sliding scale fees based on your income to make sessions more affordable.
Online therapy generally offers much cheaper rates, because these services can avoid certain overheads such as office rent.
BetterHelp also has a financial aid program that can help to reduce their costs, making therapy accessible even if you’d struggle to afford the regular rate.
Does insurance cover psychotherapy in Spanish in the USA?
Most in-person therapy sessions can be covered by your health insurance, depending on the plan that you have.
This includes treatment from licensed Spanish-speaking therapists, if you can find one that works with your insurance provider.
Insurance coverage can reduce your out-of-pocket costs to zero in some cases, or there may be a small copay.
Here is how mental health coverage works with the most common types of insurance:
- Employer-Sponsored Insurance. Many employer plans cover psychotherapy, but the availability of Spanish-speaking therapists depends on the provider network. You might like to check with your insurance company or human resources department to find in-network therapists who offer sessions in Spanish.
- Marketplace (ACA) Plans. These plans are required to cover mental health services, but finding a therapist with a Latin American background in-network can be challenging. Use your insurer’s provider directory and filter by language, or call customer service for assistance.
- Medicaid. Coverage is usually comprehensive, and most states have Spanish-speaking providers available. Contact your state Medicaid office or check online directories to find Spanish-speaking therapists in the network.
- Medicare. Coverage includes psychotherapy, but finding Latin American providers may be difficult. It’s recommended to contact your Medicare plan or use their online tools to search for therapists offering services in Spanish.
- TRICARE. Covers psychotherapy, including online sessions. Availability of Latino and Hispanic therapists depends on the region and provider network—contact TRICARE or search their directory for guidance.
- COBRA. Extends your previous employer’s insurance temporarily. Spanish-speaking therapy options remain the same as under your old plan—review the provider list carefully.
- Short-Term Health Insurance. Often does not cover psychotherapy. If it does, finding Spanish-speaking therapists may be difficult due to the limited number of networks. Check the details with your insurance advisor.
- Student Health Insurance. Coverage varies, but many campus clinics offer services in Spanish or can refer you to local Spanish-speaking therapists. Contact your university health center for more information.
Is it worth seeing a therapist who works from a foreign country?
As a native Spanish speaker living in the US, you may be considering seeing a counselor or therapist who works remotely from a foreign country, such as Mexico.
However, this is generally best avoided, for a few different reasons:
- Licensing: psychotherapists practicing outside the US are not subject to the legal standards that apply in your state. This can affect things such as confidentiality and the quality of service provided. For example, therapists licensed in your state must follow federal and state laws that protect your privacy and ensure professional standards. Licensing also affects the therapy format and its effectiveness, as different states often have specific regulations about how therapy is delivered.
- Insurance won’t cover the cost. Most American insurance companies will not reimburse your psychotherapy expenses if you receive help from abroad.
- Legal liability: if you face legal issues during therapy (for example, if the therapist discloses your personal information or shares it with third parties), you may struggle to hold them accountable.
- Lack of English ability: if your therapist does not speak English as well as Spanish, they may struggle to interact with your doctor, psychiatrist, or other medical professionals to create a comprehensive treatment plan.
In general, it’s best to search for a therapist licensed in your state.
Often, US-based therapists are qualified to operate in multiple states. As a result, it is normally relatively easy to find a Spanish-speaking psychologist licensed in your state for a reasonable price, especially using online therapy services, even if you live somewhere with a low Hispanic population.
What to expect from a therapy session
If you’re attending therapy for the first time, it’s completely natural to feel a bit uncertain about what the process involves.
The first therapy session usually serves as an introduction. The therapist may ask questions about how you’re feeling, your past experiences, goals, and expectations from therapy. This helps them understand how best to assist you. The information also helps the counselor choose a therapy format that will be most effective for your specific case, and create a treatment plan.
It’s important to remember, this process is built around your needs and feelings. You can say at any time if a topic feels uncomfortable, or if you want to ask a question in return.
A good therapist will work at your pace. They will listen carefully to your wishes and needs without crossing personal boundaries.
Consistency and honesty are key to success. Regular sessions (usually once a week) and openness will help achieve the most noticeable results.
Important tips when choosing a therapist
To sum up, here are a few tips to help you pick a Spanish-speaking therapist:
- Make sure the specialist is licensed in your state, to ensure they are qualified to support you.
- Verify that the therapist is a native Spanish speaker, or is at least fluent, depending on your preference, and therapist availability.
- Read reviews and descriptions of their therapy approaches. We also recommend looking into which specific psychological issues the specialist works with or specializes in.
- Schedule a trial session. Some therapists offer a free first session, and on BetterHelp, you can easily change therapists at any time after your first meeting. Don’t hesitate to change counselors if you don’t feel comfortable during treatment.
Conclusion
When seeking psychotherapy, you deserve to be heard and understood in your native language, by a therapist who understands your cultural context.
If you’re ready to take the first step, start with one of the resources listed above, and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask us below.
