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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Alyssa “Petersen” Domel

Offering therapy in South Dakota
License: MA, LPC-MH, LAC
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression
6 years of experience

“Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” (Joshua J. Marine) Everybody struggles with the challenges of life and everyone deserves a full and fruitful life. I am committed to facing these challenges with you and walking along side you to create the life that you deserve. I am trained in working with adolescents, adults, and families who struggle with substance abuse and dependence, depression, anxiety, postpartum anxiety and depression and personality disorders. I also have specialized trauma training for individuals with PTSD, C-PTSD, or unspecified traumas. I am also certified to work with those individuals who follow the Medicine Wheel traditions. Together we can meet and overcome the challenges that are preventing you from being the best you! Please email or call to schedule your first step on your new journey!

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Haylee Heckert

Offering therapy in South Dakota
License: MA,LPC,QMHP
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsSelf esteemDepression
3 years of experience

I am a licensed professional counselor. I have worked with a range of populations including college students, children ages 5-18, families, and during my internship I worked in an inpatient setting for adults. I have experience helping my clients with anxiety, depression, ADHD, peer and family relationships, and trauma. I work hard to treat everyone with respect and kindness. My goal is to create a therapeutic environment that is warm, safe, collaborative, and encourages growth. I find the therapeutic bond to be key to the success of treatment, therefore I am always open to dialogue about how I can best help you. In our time together I can help you define your goals and create plans to help you achieve those goals.

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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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Danielle R Brady

Offering therapy in South Dakota
Stress, AnxietyGriefSelf esteemDepressionCoaching
22 years of experience

I am licensed in South Dakota with 22 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, & 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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Sara Cady

Offering therapy in South Dakota
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsAnger managementBipolar disorderDepression
7 years of experience

I am licensed in South Dakota with 7+ years of professional work experience and many more years of experience in the helping profession. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, anger management, & 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.

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Malia Holbeck

Offering therapy in South Dakota
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
18 years of experience

I am licensed in South Dakota with 18 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, career difficulties, & coping with life changes. 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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Nicole Roth

Offering therapy in South Dakota
License: LPC, LAT, QMHP
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsEating disordersCoping with life changesADHD
26 years of experience

Education: Masters: Clinical Psychology- Bellevue University, Bellevue NE Masters: Human Resources/MBA- Colorado Technical University Bachelors: Addiction Studies- Minot State University- Minot, ND Licensure: LPC-MH, LPCC, LAC, QMHP Certifications: Edit- Specializing in Eating Disorders and body Dysmorphia. Certified Trauma Therapist (CCTP)- International Trauma Training Institute I am compassionate, empathetic and understanding. I believe that each individual is unique and that there is no one size fits all in mental health. Thus, I firmly believe in a person-centered/individualized approach. I believe the best outcomes are for the therapist and individual to work as a team. My goal is to walk along side my clients, honor their feelings- help them heal and be able to create the life they desire. Unfortunately, sometimes life throws curve balls at us that causes pain and brings us to life spaces in which we never probably thought we would ever find self. I feel negative emotions, like anxiety/depression has a way of clouding our vision where it's easy to get lost and loose direction. I have been blessed to have had the opportunities to work with individuals, families and couples in a variety of different settings. I have experience working with individuals inpatient, outpatient as well as in the institutional and correctional setting. I also have experience working with a diversified population of people from various ethnic backgrounds. I specialize in working with those who struggle with eating disorders, body dysmorphia, depression, anxiety, life transitions, adjustment and addictions. It takes a lot of courage to reach out for help and work on change. I am glad you decided to take that step and I am ready to plant footsteps beside you through this journey. I look forward to working with you!

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Cynthia Tobin

Offering therapy in South Dakota
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesDepressionCoping with life changes
3 years of experience

I am licensed in South Dakota with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. 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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Cynthia Lawson

Offering therapy in South Dakota
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseGriefDepressionADHD
4 years of experience

I am a U.S. Army veteran who has become a licensed clinical social worker or LCSW in Texas with 4 years of professional work experience. I am also licensed in both Iowa & South Dakota as a clinical social worker in private practice. My goal is trying to bring mental health services to more communities. I spend my time between TX, IA & SD. My bachelor's degree is in health science. I have my first master's degree in criminal justice, the second master's degree in social work, and my third master's degree is in public administration. I have experience in helping clients with stress, ADHD, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, coping with life changes & many other concerns. I am a huge advocate for spending time outside and learning self-care. This can be something as simple as sitting on the porch watching the sun set. Kudos to my fellow veterans, first responders & medical professionals out there, thank you for your service. 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. Life can be prickly like a cactus, sometimes we need help to navigate times where we get stuck. 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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Barbara Lefdal

Offering therapy in South Dakota
Stress, AnxietyGriefDepressionCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
30 years of experience

I am a licensed professional counselor with a mental health designation, in South Dakota with 30 years of experience in the field. I specialize in helping clients navigate caregiver stress, anxiety, grief, loss, depression, life transitions, and compassion fatigue. My approach focuses on creating a compassionate, open, and non-judgmental environment where clients feel safe to express their thoughts and emotions. Seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage, and I am here to support and empower you as you take those first steps toward meaningful change

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 609,545 people live in SD, 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 Dakota 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 Dakota?

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.
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