Working with a therapist can help you take the first step toward better mental health. If you’re looking for treatment in South Carolina, consider online therapy. Barriers to care, like a lack of in-network providers or transportation challenges, can make finding in-person treatment difficult. With an online platform like BetterHelp, therapy can be more flexible and accessible.

With BetterHelp, you can get mental health care from a psychologist, marriage and family therapist, or other mental health provider from the comfort of your home at a time that suits your schedule. Providers are skilled in a variety of treatment modalities, like motivational interviewing, narrative therapy, and commitment therapy, and they can help you with anything from relationship difficulties to managing the symptoms of anxiety and depression to improving self-awareness.

While BetterHelp does not provide group therapy, play therapy, or other treatment approaches for children or adolescents, the experienced professionals on the platform can support young adults, middle-aged people, and seniors through various challenges.

If you’re looking for an online therapist, SC has many telehealth services available. The South Carolina therapists listed below are licensed to provide online therapy to people across the Palmetto State.

This is Amanda Polk's avatar and link to their profile

Amanda Polk

Offering therapy in South Carolina
License: MSW,LISW-CP
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepression
8 years of experience

Amanda D. Polk, MSW, LISW-CP, is a dedicated and compassionate licensed clinician with over eight years of experience in the mental health field. Holding a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Walden University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology from the University of South Carolina, Mrs. Polk combines her academic knowledge with a wealth of life experience to provide exceptional care to her clients. A proud veteran with 25 years of service in the Army and The South Carolina Army National Guard, including a deployment in Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan, Mrs. Polk has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to serving others. Her passion for helping her community extends beyond her military service. She has worked as a Guardian Ad Litem, advocating for abused and neglected children, and as a licensed Therapeutic Foster Parent. Mrs. Polk specializes in treating a variety of mental health challenges, including borderline personality disorder, depression, anxiety, trauma, anger management, and parenting skills. Additionally, she has extensive experience working with couples, helping them improve communication, resolve conflicts, rebuild trust, and strengthen their emotional connection. Her therapeutic approach is rooted in building strong, trusting relationships with her clients. Mrs. Polk integrates evidence-based techniques such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and mindfulness to provide patient-centered care tailored to each individual's or couple's unique needs. Whether working with individuals, couples, or families, Mrs. Polk is committed to helping her clients find hope, healing, and practical tools to navigate life’s challenges and build fulfilling relationships.

This is Alfred (Al) Thomas's avatar and link to their profile

Alfred (Al) Thomas

Offering therapy in South Carolina
License: LPC
Stress, AnxietyAnger managementSelf esteemDepression
17 years of experience

I'm Al, Licensed Professional Counselor located in South Carolina. I know it is not easy to take those initial steps to reach out to someone to address things that have been going on in your life, so I commend on doing so. I appreciate your ability to be self-aware and realize that seeking out a professional could be beneficial. I'm here to meet you where you are and discover what you would like to accomplish while you and I work together. I pride myself on building strong relationships with everyone I work with. I see this as a partnership. A partnership which must start with you and I building strong rapport. I believe the relationship between you and I is the most important part of the process. If I show an ability to be open, honest and transparent, you will be more receptive of my recommendations and feel far more comfortable opening up about the things that brought you here. My approach is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This is having an understanding of how our thoughts, emotions and behavior are all linked. Even though most times we are not aware of our thoughts because they happen automatically. We are only aware of how we respond and how we feel emotionally. We will definitely explore this in greater detail in the future. I also utilize Motivation Interviewing and elements of Clinical Hypnotherapy in addition to CBT to help address the emotional subconscious parts of us that are impacted by our life experiences as we navigated life from childhood. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions. I'm an open book. I'm excited to have this opportunity and I'm looking forward to hearing back from you! Talk to you soon. Al

This is Matthew Kiefer's avatar and link to their profile

Matthew Kiefer

Offering therapy in South Carolina
License: LPC,LCMHC
Family conflictsTrauma and abuseAnger managementSelf esteemCoping with life changes
11 years of experience

I am a clinical mental health counselor licensed in Utah and South Carolina with over 15 years of experience working in mental health as a counselor and youth mentor. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, and ADHD. I also helped many people who have experienced physical trauma or emotional abuse as well as early childhood attachment issues. My counseling style is warm and interactive, but also very playful and encouraging. I believe in treating anyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. My approach combines CBT, DBT, play therapy, humanistic, psychoanalytic and art. I will adjust and modify the treatment dialog to your unique and special needs. It takes courage to seek for a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. If you are ready to take that step I am here to support and empower you. Thank you and I look forward to working with you!

This is Lauryn Blanding's avatar and link to their profile

Lauryn Blanding

Offering therapy in South Carolina
License: MA,LPC
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
8 years of experience

Life gets difficult and unmanageable at times. Although it may be difficult to ask for help, know you don't have to work through it alone! I seek to provide compassion and empathy for my clients as they disclose personal and vulnerable struggles. Through that caring, therapeutic relationship, I aim to walk alongside clients and help them identify and work through their current needs. Whether you are struggling with more internal stressors like depression and/or anxiety, or you're struggling with relational conflict, I am here to help you get through it and grow from it! I have specialized training in Couples/Marriage Therapy and also with adolescents and their families. I have experience and a heart for helping adolescents and young adults dealing with depression, anxiety, and/or relational issues with peers. I also have a passion for helping couples and families build more healthy relational patterns.

This is Jennifer Beaujon's avatar and link to their profile

Jennifer Beaujon

Offering therapy in South Carolina
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseSelf esteemBipolar disorder
7 years of experience

I am licensed in Georgia and South Carolina with 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. 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.

This is Sean DiMaria's avatar and link to their profile

Sean DiMaria

Offering therapy in South Carolina
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsParenting issuesSelf esteemADHD
8 years of experience

Sean DiMaria is a licensed clinical social worker based in South Carolina, bringing over 8 years of clinical mental health work experience in psychotherapy and mental health services. He works with clients of all ages helping them navigate challenges such as ADHD, stress, anxiety, depression, family dynamics, caregiving, parenting, motivation, self-esteem, and self-confidence. In addition to individual and couple’s therapy, Sean facilitates support groups centered around self-care, mental and emotional health, parenting, and therapy optimization. His approach integrates various therapeutic modalities and philosophical principles while being sensitive to individual, religious, and cultural differences. Sean regularly conducts classes and webinars for both clients and therapy platforms, including topics on 'Resilience' and 'Empathy,' and creates educational content aimed at helping others improve their mental and emotional health and overall well-being.

This is Leah Pavela-Mullins's avatar and link to their profile

Leah Pavela-Mullins

Offering therapy in South Carolina
License: LCSW,C-ET
Relationship issuesIntimacy-related issuesSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
15 years of experience

I am a licensed clinical social worker with over 15 years of experience in helping people find solutions to their problems. Over the years, I have been told by clients that they really feel that I am listening to them and trying to understand what is going on in their lives and how they feel. Clients have also told me that they do not feel any sense of judgment, but rather that I accept them for who they are and where they are in their life’s journey. My style is empathetic and solution focused. I will spend time asking you questions in order to get to know you and try to find out what is at the heart of your issue. Together, we will talk about possible avenues you may want to take, or changes you may want to consider. I may give you some “homework” assignments…things to write out or think about, worksheets to complete, or even techniques/exercises to practice in your own time so that some of what we discuss in our sessions is reinforced. Most of all, I will be an objective listener, helping you to gain insight into what is going on with you, so that you are able to make the choices and changes you want to, in your own time. I look forward to working with you!

This is Michael Hurd's avatar and link to their profile

Michael Hurd

Offering therapy in South Carolina
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepression
36 years of experience

Staying sane in an increasingly crazy, stressful world. Quite a challenge! My vision of therapy is solution-focused, goal-oriented. I am your thinking partner -- in your corner, always. We discuss your problems in the here-and-now, with reference to your background and your childhood only when you need it. We seek out your strengths; you have them, no matter what you believe. Together we target self-defeating behaviors, rather than focusing exclusively on psychopathology. I have 35+ years experience helping clients, have written 2 books, thousands of articles and hosted radio shows and podcasts. Let's get moving! Therapy with me is solution-focused and goal-oriented. We spend time discussing your problems in the here-and-now, with reference to your background and your childhood only when relevant. Traditional, conventional therapy tends to be about what’s wrong, what are the symptoms and what can someone else do for you to relieve you? My approach, in contrast, tends to be about what you've done right (even sometimes), what your track record is, what are your strengths, what are your potentialities and how can you build on them. My goal is not to label you, but to lift you up. I am licensed in Florida, Maryland and South Carolina with 36 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship issues, & family conflicts. I have authored two books (Bad Therapy Good Therapy: And How to Tell the Difference; and Grow Up, America!); five booklets; and thousands of articles, as well as a self-help column, "Life's a Beach," published in Gannett newspapers since 2005. My primary goal is to help you help yourself. I will guide and coach you, not tell you what to do. We'll reason and think our way to what makes sense together.

This is Dwight Ballard's avatar and link to their profile

Dwight Ballard

Offering therapy in South Carolina
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseParenting issuesDepression
39 years of experience

I am licensed in South Carolina with 39 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & parenting issues. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

This is Shimyne Homidas's avatar and link to their profile

Shimyne Homidas

Offering therapy in South Carolina
License: LCSW
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changes
7 years of experience

Starting over can be HARD! Life transitions such as divorce, relocation, or separation from a job or a relationship can be tough to navigate. Whether these changes are planned or unexpected, they often bring about feelings of fear, confusion, frustration, and more. In my practice, I provide a safe, non-judgmental space for you to process your thoughts and emotions. My goal is to meet you where you are and help guide you through your transition. I use motivational interviewing techniques, empowerment-based therapy, strength-based therapy, and more to help you identify, reflect, and process the barriers you feel may be keeping you from embracing or understanding where you are in your life. Your journey starts here! Today! I look forward to embracing this journey with you!

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 1,787,194 people live in SC, 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 South Carolina 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:

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 South Carolina?

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.

In today's fast-paced society, mental well-being has become a cornerstone of a fulfilling life. Amid the daily challenges and stressors that can overwhelm even the most resilient individuals, seeking professional guidance often offers a path to clarity and balance. The journey toward improved emotional health involves understanding personal triggers, embracing self-compassion, and developing effective coping strategies. While self-help books and online resources provide valuable information, nothing compares to the personalized support offered by a qualified mental health professional. One-on-one sessions with experienced experts can help uncover the underlying issues contributing to anxiety, depression, or other emotional hurdles. With a careful and empathetic approach, these professionals tailor their advice to suit individual needs, ensuring that each person receives strategies that work best for their unique circumstances. Whether through cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, or other innovative methods, the aim is to foster resilience and empower individuals to take control of their inner lives. For those living in bustling urban centers, engaging in face-to-face sessions in a welcoming environment can be particularly beneficial. Access to a caring clinician provides not only a safe space to explore difficult emotions but also builds a support network essential for long-term recovery. The process encourages self-reflection and greater insight into behavioral patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed. While the journey can be challenging at times, the rewards include enhanced emotional stability, improved interpersonal relationships, and a renewed sense of self-worth. In one notable case, the guidance provided by a highly trained therapist proved instrumental in navigating a tumultuous period. Through structured sessions and tailored interventions, the individual learned to identify stressors and develop healthier responses to adversity. This experience underscored the transformative impact that dedicated support can have on one's overall quality of life. In a region like Texas, community-based initiatives and accessible mental health programs further reinforce the value of professional help. These efforts emphasize early intervention, preventive care, and continuous support, ensuring that more people are equipped to face life's inevitable challenges. Ultimately, investing in mental well-being is an act of self-care that yields lifelong benefits. By embracing professional support, individuals can unlock new levels of emotional resilience and discover pathways to a brighter, more balanced future. Each step taken toward healing represents a commitment to personal growth, enabling a life filled with renewed optimism and strength. Embracing this transformative journey consistently paves the way for deeper understanding, lasting peace, and meaningful personal progress.
Find the right therapist for your needs
Match with a qualified therapist