Working with a therapist can provide a supportive environment for working through many of life’s challenges. If you’re looking for therapy in South Dakota, using an online therapy platform like BetterHelp can make access to mental health care more convenient and flexible.

With BetterHelp, you can work with a marriage and family therapist, licensed mental health counselor, or other licensed therapist from the comfort of your home at a time that suits your schedule. This flexibility makes accessing therapy more convenient, whether you’re a busy professional trying to avoid burnout or a graduate student working on a doctoral degree. 

While BetterHelp does not currently offer therapy in group settings, the marriage and family therapists, psychologists, and social workers on the platform have extensive experience and can help individuals overcome their unique challenges and meet their goals.

Whether you have experienced trauma or you want to learn to overcome other emotional challenges, therapy can help. If you’re looking for an online therapist, SD has many options. The South Dakota therapists listed below are licensed to provide teletherapy across the state and can help you gain insight and take steps toward a more satisfying life.

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Stacey Bohlmann

Offering therapy in South Dakota
License: MS, LPC-MH2252,LAC
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseDepression
15 years of experience

Hi, my name is Stacey Bohlmann. I am credentialed in the state of South Dakota as a LPC-MH, (Licensed Professional Counselor-Mental Health), a LAC (Licensed Addiction Counselor) and as a QMHP (Qualified Mental Health Professional) I am glad you took your first step of reaching out to me. I believe there are times in our lives when we need someone to help us navigate through our experiences. Whether it is dealing with a deep sadness, having an anxious mood, having trauma or making important decisions regarding life and/or relationships, this is a good place to work through this things. In my practice, I am “laid back”, meaning I am accepting of all people I work with and am honored to meet them where they are at in their journey toward wellness. I tend to pose thoughts as questions in order to allow a person the freedom to search within themselves for various possible solutions. My goal is to provide a safe, secure environment that promotes healing from mental and emotional pain. I provide services from a person centered, reality, existential base while keeping in mind short term solution focused therapy. Through the use of multiple modalities, based on each individual’s needs, I help people consider their situation and discover options in their life that will help them feel control over their life and situation. I believe that when we are trying to make changes in our life, many time it takes practice to master “problem areas” thus, my belief is that it is healthy for each of us to feel comfortable and confident to approach therapy at various times throughout life.

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Ian Charnley

Offering therapy in South Dakota
License: LPC
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepression
12 years of experience

With 12+ yrs. as a licensed therapist and 15+ yrs. working in the human services field, I have assisted many individuals, couples, and families through life’s challenges. I have extensive experience working in a variety of settings. Settings have included private practice, non-profit organizations, in-home therapy, therapeutic group homes, and juvenile & adult detention centers. In each setting, I’ve assisted clients through life’s positions that are not planned on being in, and yet find ourselves in. I believe in a holistic approach to wellness in which a healthy mind, body, and soul lead to a happier, more fulfilling life. I look to strengthen the core of each individual and couple to be able to strive, not just survive, through difficult moments. I provide tools and resources for short-term and long-term growth. The hardest and yet one of the more alleviating steps a client can take is the first step to reach out. As a partner in the therapeutic process, I meet each session with support and commitment.

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Dr. Keley Smith-Keller

Offering therapy in South Dakota
License: Ed.D.,LPC,CCC
Stress, AnxietySelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCoaching
30 years of experience

I am a licensed professional counselor for the State of South Dakota and a Certified Career Counselor through the National Career Development Association, with more than 30 years of experience working with individuals and groups. I empower people to make life and career choices that help them flourish. I have a master's degree in counseling and a doctorate in adult and higher education. I have worked with adults in higher education settings, as they adjust to college, manage relationships and anxiety, and make satisfying career choices. My approach combines narrative and solution-focused therapy. I believe that all of us have the tools we need to make our lives more satisfying. I will work with you in asking questions that help identify the preferred future you may be seeking. With a niche in writing for emotional wellbeing, I will use the chat space and writing to help you understand yourself. Congratulations on taking the first step towards that preferred future. I look forward to working with you!

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Kelli Means

Offering therapy in South Dakota
License: LIMHP,LADC,LPC
AddictionsTrauma and abuseSelf esteemBipolar disorderDepression
9 years of experience

Hello and welcome! My name is Kelli Means and my pronouns are she/her/hers. I am a licensed independent mental health practitioner (LIMHP) and licensed alcohol and drug counselor (LADC) in the state of Nebraska and a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of South Dakota. In 2019 I earned certification as a Certified Clinical Trauma Therapist and have maintained this certification with ongoing education in the trauma field. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2011 and my Masters of Science from Wayne State College in Community Mental Health Counseling in 2015. I have worked in the mental health field for 10 years and the past 6 years have been as a mental health and addictions therapist at non-profit agencies that work with state funding and/or sliding fee scales. I have worked in a variety of settings, including an inpatient psychiatric unit while attending my master’s program, outpatient therapy, school-based therapy, and residential drug and alcohol treatment. I have found that my heart is truly in working with patients who have limited resources to meet their needs. While I have experience with children and adolescents, most of my experience has been working with adults. As a provider, I have worked with patients with a range of diagnoses and stressors, including (but not limited to): depression, anxiety, panic/panic attacks, schizophrenia (including first psychotic episodes), bipolar disorder, personality disorders, PTSD and trauma, LGBT+, grief/loss, relationships, sex trafficking, self-esteem, domestic violence, alcohol and other drug addictions, and dissociations. My counseling style is welcoming and conversational. I am known for being upfront and honest always and blunt when needed, though I tailor my approach to meet each individual’s needs. My therapeutic approach combines Person-Centered, Reality Therapy, Solution-Focused therapist, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive-Behavioral, Dialectical Behavioral, and Somatic therapy depending on what you want or need. My job will never be to fix you or change you. I believe all my clients are people first and more than the sum of their symptoms or their diagnosis. My most significant job as a therapist is to understand who you are and build trust with you; if you don’t trust your therapist, you aren’t likely to tell them much, and if you don’t tell them much, you won’t get much work done. My hope is to teach you to cope on your own and learn to be assertive with what you want or need in life. You are in control of your life and ability to make changes, I am merely a guide to help you when you are lost or uncertain. I look forward to meeting you and starting this journey with you!

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Christy Alten

Offering therapy in South Dakota
License: LAC,LPCMH,LMHC
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
31 years of experience

I'm so glad that you are reaching out for help! I believe with all my heart that there is hope, and purpose and healing from pain. I am a Licensed Addictions counselor in South Dakota, and a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor in South Dakota and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Iowa. I have been practicing for over 28 years working with adults and adolescents struggling with addictions and mental health issues. This is a judgement free zone! I am a Chrisitan counselor with a passion for hope and healing through the love of God and evidenced based strategies. I am experienced in 12 Step therapies, DBT and CBT, Gottman couples work, and Polyvagal approaches. I approach counseling from an existential and spiritual perspective. We will work together to create a plan to best meet your needs and walk through the healing journey together. You are not alone! I also have a passion for helping to develop new clinicians and to support clinicians long in the field. I have over 19 years of experience providing clinical supervision and professional development. Helpers need helpers too! So don't be afraid to admit you are struggling and ask for help! You can do this! As for scheduling, I do not put all my open slots through self-scheduling. I am able to accommodate more than is posted. I have limited availability on nights and weekends, but am not opposed to making something work for you when you are willing to fully engage in the therapy process. Together we can do what we could not do alone. Thanks for reaching out!!

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David Johnson

Offering therapy in South Dakota
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseDepressionCoping with life changesCoaching
30 years of experience

I am licensed in South Dakota and Minnesota with over 30 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, & coping with life changes. 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. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

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Dr. Margarita Lopez

Offering therapy in South Dakota
Stress, AnxietyAddictions
10 years of experience

I am licensed in Illinois and South Dakota with 8+ years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, trauma and abuse. I also have experience working with motivation, self esteem, and confidence. 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.

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Dr. Tracy Williams

Offering therapy in South Dakota
Relationship issuesParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemADHD
24 years of experience

I am licensed in three states with 24 years of professional work experience. I am a parent and grandparent. I have experience in helping adults, families, parents, and adolescents with a variety of concerns including relationship issues, parenting issues, anger management, motivation, self esteem, past trauma and rebuilding confidence. 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. 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 you in that journey and help you get where you want to go!

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Rebecca “Becca” Dravland

Offering therapy in South Dakota
Stress, AnxietyGriefParenting issuesSelf esteemCareer difficulties
17 years of experience

I am licensed in South Dakota with over 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, parenting issues, & motivation, self-esteem, and confidence. Most of my experience is working with teens and adolescents but I also work with women as well. I am working with Better Help part-time in the evenings with some flexibility for other times, especially during the summer months. 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. 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Joseph Bair

Offering therapy in South Dakota
AddictionsGrief
6 years of experience

I am licensed in Wyoming and South Dakota bringing 5 years of licensed mental health experience and additional years of pastoral counseling experience. I have experience in serving clients struggling with addictions and grief and loss. I work with my clients to create an honest and accepting environment where your thoughts and feelings can be named, shared, and explored 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!

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Whitney Wanderscheid

Offering therapy in South Dakota
Stress, AnxietyGriefDepressionADHD
8 years of experience

My goal is to meet every individual with compassion and respect while providing a safe, welcoming, and nonjudgmental environment wherever you are on your journey. Establishing and maintaining a positive therapeutic relationship is key in working together to work towards a place of healing. As a client-centered therapist, my treatment approach is to focus on your individual needs to help you reach your goals. 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 and empower you in that journey. I use a range of styles and techniques in my work, for what is most beneficial and comfortable for each person. I have experience working in school settings, private practice, and community mental health. I am licensed in South Dakota with 8 years of professional work experience "I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it." -Maya Angelou

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Gypsy Petz

Offering therapy in South Dakota
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression
16 years of experience

I am licensed in South Dakota with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I also have experience working with depression. 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.

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Maria Piacentino

Offering therapy in South Dakota
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
28 years of experience

I am licensed in South Dakota with 28 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. 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.

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Rachel Erdman

Offering therapy in South Dakota
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseDepressionCoping with life changes
7 years of experience

I am licensed in South Dakota with 7 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & depression. 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. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Atalyssa Myron

Offering therapy in South Dakota
Stress, AnxietySelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changesADHD
3 years of experience

I am licensed in North Carolina and South Dakota, with over three years of experience working as a clinical mental health therapist. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns, such as stress and anxiety, depression, lack of motivation, low self-esteem and self-confidence, difficulty coping with life changes, self-harm and suicidal ideation, and ADHD. My therapy style is warm and open-minded client-centered therapy in the sense that I am not here to tell you what to do or “boss” you around. I believe that therapy should be collaborative, meaning we will work together to come up with solutions that feel best for you. If one solution does not work, we will continue working on it until we find something that does work. It is important to me that I treat everyone with respect and compassion. My approach combines cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing (MI), mindfulness therapy, and solution-focused therapy. I, of course, will tailor our sessions and your treatment plan to best meet your unique and specific needs. I strive to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to take the first steps towards change. I am here to support and empower you in that journey! I look forward to working with you!

How can therapists in South Dakota support you?

Therapists in South Dakota 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 609,545 people live in South Dakota, and one out of five Americans has a mental health condition. Searching for licensed professionals in South Dakota 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 BetterHelp does not offer diagnostic or medication management services.

Why are many residents in the state of South Dakota working 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 in South Dakota, BetterHelp can match you with a licensed professional tailored to your preferences noted when you sign up.

Mental health counselors in South Dakota support clients with varying issues, which can include:

  • 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

If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, don't use this site's online services. 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 commonly asked questions can be found 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.

How do I know if I should get a therapist?

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 in South Dakota can allow clients seeking therapy to experience professional help through video, phone, or live chat sessions without commuting to an office.

Does insurance cover 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 safe?

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.

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