Whether you need help managing the symptoms of a mental illness or are questioning your personal beliefs during challenging times, working with a therapist can make a real difference in your life. If you’re looking for mental health care in Mississippi, consider online treatment. Barriers to care, like a lack of available providers or transportation issues, can make finding an in-person provider in your area challenging. A therapy platform like BetterHelp can make treatment more flexible and convenient.
With BetterHelp, you can work with a licensed mental health counselor, social worker, psychologist, or licensed marriage and family therapist from the comfort of your home at a time that fits your schedule. Every provider on the platform has either a master of science or art degree and meets the qualifications for state licensure.
If you’re looking for an online therapist, MS has many options. The licensed professional counselors on the list below each have at least a master's degree and are licensed to provide therapy statewide. Contact one of the therapists below to begin your journey toward better mental health.
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Merle Montalvo
I am a social worker licensed at LCSW level in Mississippi. Sometimes we need someone to help us make needed changes or keep track of how we’re doing with the many ways we and our lives can change. Becoming a social worker was a midlife transition for me. “It’s never too late.” was a saying that became a mantra as I learned from challenges related to making a new life 30+ years ago. But now, with a stronger cognitive perspective, I’d change that to, “It’s not too late right now”. My cultural background is mixed. To me, each person is unique, but our common humanity makes us alike. My experience is broad including : outpatient, inpatient, IOP, home health and hospice. I take an eclectic approach towards working with others, so that I can fit what I offer to your individual needs. Modalities and techniques I can bring to our work include: humanistic, insight-oriented, cognitive behavioral, wholistic, and solution focused .
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Ashley Whitfield
Hello! I want to commend you for reaching out for support; you have taken a major step toward finding satisfaction in your life. My name is Ashley and I am pleased to join you on this journey of growth and wellness. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia and Mississippi. I have 10 years of experience providing therapy services in many different settings including schools, clinics, and community agencies. I am a wife and mother of three awesome children. From personal experience, I understand how complex trauma and systemic disadvantage can affect families, generation after generation. I am happy to finally be in a position to help heal others and promote wellness in communities. I have dedicated my life to helping others overcome obstacles to find peace, joy, wellness, and fulfillment in life. My therapeutic approach is based in Adlerian/Individual Psychology, Behavioral Counseling, and Strategic Brief Counseling. What this means is that I will work with you to develop a healthy, holistic lifestyle by analyzing your current circumstances and developing more gratifying behavior patterns. I have worked with clients struggling through mood disorders, anxiety, relationship issues, attention deficit, and career/educational advancement. I would love the opportunity to assist with breaking down the barriers that are in your way!
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Debra Shelton
Welcome! It takes courage to seek a more fulfilling and happier life and to take those first steps towards change - I’m glad you are here. The courage you are now using to seek help can lead to great rewards and I would be honored to work with you. I’m a licensed therapist with 20 years of experience and have been providing services for Betterhelp for the past 5 years. Regardless of your situation, (whether you just feel stuck or are trying to manage some big challenges in your life) counseling can be helpful and rewarding. My approach combines principles of different therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavior therapy and humanistic counseling. In plain English, that means I believe you have the answers within you and we can work together to uncover them and to find solutions. I work with you to understand how your challenges developed, but I also help you learn new problem solving skills that you can apply to future challenges. We may look into the past sometimes in order to help you gain insight into your challenges and we will try on some new perspectives and new behaviors in an effort to bring about positive changes in your life. Together, we will determine the goals you want to achieve and from there we will collaborate on how to tackle each of them. If you are ready to take that step, I am here to support and empower you.
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Dr. Jennifer Morgan
I am licensed in Mississippi with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & parenting issues. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. My therapeutic philosophy is I strive to lead my clients towards ambitious outcomes, in order to see them maximize their potential and lead lives of opportunity and joy. I hold my clients with high expectations and push them when necessary to increase their growth mindset. I anticipate challenges, understand each individually, and see them beyond their issues/boundaries. As a counselor, it is imperative for me to motivate and encourage clients to be the best version of themselves.
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Erwin Gilliam
Hi, I am Erwin Gilliam, a Mississippi licensed professional counselor with 3 years of direct professional work experience in therapeutic counseling. This experience includes working with clients with identity issues, stress, depression, relationship &/or marital issues, anger management, motivation, self-esteem, confidence, and career difficulties. My background and experiences have given me a variety of opportunities and have allowed me to see the world from different angles, helping me sharpen my counseling skills. I have a masters degree in organizational counseling psychology. In addition, I also hold an educator's license with endorsements in school counseling and administration. To add to my career experiences, I served as a school counselor for 3 years, as an assistant principal for 7 years, and head principal for one year in a public school setting. When it comes to therapy, I primarily use the cognitive behavioral approach with my clients; however, I am able to utilize other approaches depending on my client's needs. I believe in treating everyone with dignity, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. We will work as a team in setting your goals so that you achieve the outcome you are seeking. This first step, seeking out better health, is a huge milestone in finding the happiness and fulfillment we all desire in life. I am forever grateful that you have given me the opportunity to be a part of your journey.
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Dr. Alisha (LeeLee) Marlow
I am a licensed psychologist in Mississippi with 27 years of professional work experience. I have worked with a variety of clients Some have stress and anxiety, parenting issues, and/or depression. I have also supervised many therapists. I believe that it is important to meet you where you are and help you go in a direction that you feel comfortable and do not feel judged in any way. I am happy to be the person who helps you.
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Brenda Thayer
Hi, my name is Brenda Thayer and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I have been in the mental health field for 27 years, LPC for seven years and Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor for 9 years. I am also a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor in Alaska. I believe in meeting the person where they are at, helping them reach their potential. I believe in treating the whole person for overall wellness and striving for reaching one’s goals and values in life. I use an eclectic approach; cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy fused with motivational interviewing. I have experience using rational emotive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, gestalt therapy and solution focused therapy. What you can expect from sessions include; questions so that I can get to know you better and to see how I can best help you, nonjudgmental and compassionate support, and energy to help you see your potential.

Bret Patterson
I am licensed in Mississippi with 4 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, anger management, & depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. Prior to becoming a professional counselor, I spent 25 years working as a paramedic and clinical educator. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards change. I am here to support you in that journey.
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Melissa Painter
I am located in Mississippi and licensed in Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Mississippi, South Carolin, and Vermont. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, coping with grief and loss, self-esteem, and geriatric. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey, allowing you to take the lead while I help you navigate how to best cope with your issues.

Jonny Berry
I am licensed in Mississippi with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, lgbtq+ related issues, & relationship issues. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!
How can a counselor support you?
Therapists can practice many types of counseling, from marriage and family therapy to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). They may also assist you with symptoms of depression, stress, or anxiety.
Therapists may help you set and achieve career goals, work on current issues you may be facing, or address your past. Over 1,523,527 people live in MS, and one out of five Americans has a mental health condition. Searching for local licensed professionals may help you find mental health support for personal growth, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health concerns. You do not need a mental health diagnosis to seek support from one of BetterHelp's licensed providers above.
The mental health field can include psychiatric medication management, online therapy, marriage counseling, couples therapy, clinical social work, licensed counseling, and other mental health services in person and online. Seeing a licensed provider can help you navigate mental health conditions and life circumstances through mindfulness and other specialized techniques.
Please note that a BetterHelp therapist does not offer diagnostic or medication management services.
Why do people choose to work with a licensed counselor?
People reach out for mental health support for a variety of reasons. Many individuals work with a counselor for general life advice, while others may attend therapy for a specific concern. Whether you live in a large city or a smaller county, BetterHelp can match you with a licensed professional tailored to your preferences noted when you sign up.
The mental health therapists in Mississippi support clients with varying issues through therapy, such as:
- Challenging situations or life stressors
- Eating disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression or depressive conditions
- Adjustment issues
- Emotional support for a terminal illness
- Chronic pain emotional support
- Grief
- Personality disorders
- Trauma
- Relationship conflicts and concerns
Finding a therapist that takes new clients in online therapy can be the first step in finding a treatment plan that works for you. Your therapist can provide a safe space for you to focus on self-care and well-being.
If you're interested in speaking to one of the therapists above or being matched with a counselor in 24 to 48 hours, consider signing up for BetterHelp. BetterHelp has over 35,000 providers, including those listed above.
Emergency services to contact in a crisis
If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, don't use the BetterHelp site. If you are in life-threatening danger, call 911. If you require support for a crisis, reach out to the hotlines below:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Crisis Text Line:Text HOME to 741741
- Veterans Crisis Line<:Call 1-800-273-8255 (and press 1) or text 838255. For support for the deaf and hard of hearing community, please use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255.
- Trevor Lifeline(LGBTQ Lifeline): (866)488-7386
- SAMHSA National Helpline: (Substance Use): (800)662-4357
- National Eating Disorder Association Helpline:1-800-931-2237 (M-Th: 9 AM-9 PM EST, Fri 9 AM - 5 PM EST
- Child Help Hotline Call 1-800-422-4453 or use the online chat feature
- National Anti-Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293)
- Physician Crisis Support Line: Call 1-888-409-0141 if you are a first responder or medical provider experiencing crises related to Covid-1
- Sexual Assault Hotline: Call RAINN at 1-800-656-4673
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Some of the most commonly asked questions about therapy can be found in the section below.
How much does a therapist cost?
Mental health professionals can differ in price. Forbes found that the average cost of in-person therapy in the US is around $100 to $200 per hour. Pricing can also vary based on your location.
BetterHelp offers payment plans of $60 to $90 per session, charged monthly in a lump sum. You can also take advantage of this pricing on one of BetterHelp's sister platforms, like ReGain for couples or TeenCounseling for teens aged 13 to 19.
Many therapists may be upfront about their pricing and whether or not they take health insurance from the beginning. Additionally, some in your area may offer a sliding scale plan to allow those with lower incomes to pay less for therapy. However, services online can often save individuals a few hundred dollars per month.
When should I get a therapist in Mississippi?
Mental health services and mental health providers may help you navigate various concerns. You do not need a diagnosis or condition to attend therapy; You can discuss grief, relationship concerns, stress, or life changes and ask for general advice. A counselor may help you gain power over your life and emotions while you navigate day-to-day experiences.
Mental health issues don't always present as a crisis. Many professionals provide talk therapy and support for life transitions, skills learning, relationship problems, or life coaching. Online therapy sessions can allow clients seeking therapy to experience professional help through video, phone, or live chat sessions without commuting to an office.
Does insurance cover the cost of therapy?
Different counseling services can vary in cost. Therapists must apply to accept insurance through insurance companies, which may take time and money, so not every therapist offers services through insurance. If you cannot find a therapist that accepts your plan, BetterHelp may be cheaper than visiting an in-person therapist.
Is online therapy the safe option?
Online therapy through BetterHelp and its sister platforms is safe. Therapists are licensed, experienced, and vetted before being contracted with the platform. If you experience any concerns with your therapist, you change your counselor through the platform or app at any time.
Popular cities in Mississippi
- Jackson, MS
- Gulfport, MS
- Southaven, MS
- Hattiesburg, MS
- Biloxi, MS
- Meridian, MS
- Tupelo, MS
- Olive Branch, MS
- Greenville, MS
- Horn Lake, MS
- Pearl, MS
- Madison, MS
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