Human beings have many psychological needs, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when they are not being met. If you live in Alaska, Anchorage and other large cities may be too far to travel to if you’re seeking mental health care. Other barriers, like worries about therapy cost or transportation, can make it challenging to find in-person treatment in Fairbanks, Juneau, or Anchorage, AK, as well as any place in between. 

With BetterHelp, you can work with social workers, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals from anywhere you have an internet connection at a time that works for you. Note that there are no psychiatrists or advanced nurse practitioners on the BetterHelp platform, so providers cannot write prescriptions or help with medication management at this time.

While BetterHelp does not currently offer group therapy, every provider on the platform has at least a master's degree and is familiar with counseling psychology. They work to create a welcoming environment where you can receive one-on-one treatment to work toward your goals.

Whether you live in a rural area or a big city like Anchorage, therapists are available online. If you need support with stress management or want to work through overwhelming feelings, connect with a licensed therapist. AK has many providers available, and you can learn more about them below.

 

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Harsimranjeet Minhas

Offering therapy in Alaska
License: LPC,CDCI,BHCI
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseSelf esteem
7 years of experience

Hello, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Alaska. I have been working in the field of behavioral health since 2009, with clients ranging from pre-teens with behavioral problems, to adults with chronic mental illness. My specialties are working with adolescents, and the fields of anxiety and trauma and substance abuse. I offer a client centered counseling approach. I believe that ultimately you are the person who is the expert on you and your struggles, and that you know what help you need. My style can be described as Motivational Interviewing, with a lot of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy techniques connected with it. I try and pepper my counseling with humor and validation with where you are and what you have gone to. Your decision to reach out for counseling is incredibly brave. It takes a lot of courage to make this choice. I want to help make this process as helpful and as least invasive as possible. I am very excited to work together.

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Dr. Shelia Williamson Collins

Offering therapy in Alaska
License: PhD,LCMHC,CCMHC
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseAnger managementDepression
18 years of experience

Hello, I am Dr. Shelia Williamson Collins, PhD, NCC, LCMHC, CCMHC, LCAS, CCS, SAP, MAC. I am a board certified clinical mental health counselor and addiction counselor with nearly 20 years of experience in behavioral health. I am licensed as a clinical counselor in the states of North Carolina, Illinois, and Alaska. I have a PhD in General Psychology from Northcentral University. I also have a master's degree in Community Counseling and a bachelor's degree in psychology from Chicago State University. I have worked in an adult inpatient psychiatric unit, outpatient behavioral clinic, community-based mental health services, and residential substance abuse treatment programs. My counseling style is person-centered. I have a diverse therapeutic approach to counseling. However, my primary approach includes cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy. I specialize in mood disorders, anger management, addictions education, and relapse prevention. I believe that everyone has a story to tell; and I am here to listen. Giving voice to your concerns and issues is the first step to healing. We can accomplish this together. It would be my honor to work with you to assist you in reaching your healthy goals. Please let me know if you would prefer weekly sessions, and I will do my best to accommodate.

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Lauren Kelly

Offering therapy in Alaska
License: MA,LMFT
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepression
26 years of experience

I know asking for help is not always the easiest thing to do and I seek to honor the effort it takes to stretch, grow, change and open yourself up in order to reach out. I love working with families, couples and individuals alike. I am a well seasoned therapist with over 20 years of experience helping others with many and varied challenges in their lives. As a Family Therapist, I believe life is all about relationships and connection and this gives me a unique and valuable perspective most individual therapists may not have. I have experience helping people recover from trauma, deal with grief and loss and restore broken relationships. I specialize in helping clients work toward life balance, working from wherever they are to wherever they want to be. I am authentic, non-judgmental, honest, hilarious (or at least I think I am), and look forward to helping you on your journey. I will be available to work with you on Monday through Friday (I take Saturdays and Sundays off) via live chat, asynchronous texting, phone or video. I currently live and travel in my small motorhome in the West and Southwest so my time zone may be a bit different than yours, which is often advantageous. I grew up in California (please don't hold that against me as I left as soon as I could) and I have lived in WI, UT, AZ, GA and Alaska (at the Top of the World in Barrow). I look forward to speaking with you.

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Trina McDonald

Offering therapy in Alaska
License: LCMHC,LCAS,MAC
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsGriefSelf esteemDepression
10 years of experience

I have experience working with those who have Mental Health issues as well as Substance Use Disorders and have worked with military personnel, those living with HIV/AIDS, the incarcerated, and in Private Practice. I use a strength-based, client-centered approach with a foundation in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; yet draw from an eclectic approach, to assist the client make therapeutic gains. I utilize my Spirituality and Christian belief implementing the tenets of faith, hope, and love to strengthen confidence, self-worth, and help one maintain their recovery and excel in their mental, physical, social, and emotional health.

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Jennifer Hensley

Offering therapy in Alaska
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression
11 years of experience

I’m Jennie, a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Alaska, but more importantly, I’m a human being who is passionate about helping others identify the source(s) of their distress, and implement strategies that invite continuous growth and genuine contentment in life. I want to get to know you and what makes you tick, to assist you in gaining a thorough understanding of yourself, your strengths, your weaknesses, your emotional ‘triggers’…all of the fun (and not so fun) characteristics that make you a unique individual or couple. From there, my work focuses on identifying problematic thinking, relational dynamics, and/or behaviors, then systematically replacing those maladaptive tendencies with positive self-talk, healthy communication and boundaries with others, and productive behaviors that help you reach your fullest potential. People have always deeply interested me. I grew up in a military family and have seen many parts of the world. I love to interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds. I completed my Bachelor of Science in social psychology and graduated with highest honors while serving 7 years on active duty in the US Navy. Later, I earned a Master’s Degree in counseling psychology and opened a private practice specializing in treating trauma (PTSD) in combat veterans and victims of sexual assault. Years later, I discovered I have a real passion for couples’ work, and also for treating people with mood and personality disorders. I believe we are all doing the best we can in life with the tools we have, and the field of psychology offers a plethora of resources with which to improve your toolbox. I’m here to listen, guide, and support you as you identify and learn to utilize the tools that will help you reach and even surpass your life goals.

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Tiffany Chenery

Offering therapy in Alaska
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseDepressionCoping with life changes
9 years of experience

I am licensed in Alaska, Pennsylvania, and Texas with over 7 years of professional work experience. I specialize in working with teenagers and young adults. 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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Guilford Prickette

Offering therapy in Alaska
Stress, AnxietyGriefDepressionCoping with life changesCoaching
20 years of experience

I am licensed in Alaska with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, depression, & 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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Shannon Gollner

Offering therapy in Alaska
Stress, AnxietyGriefAnger managementSelf esteemDepression
19 years of experience

I am licensed in Alaska and Kentucky with 19 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, anger management, & 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. 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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Dr. Deirdre Moriarty

Offering therapy in Alaska
License: Ph. D.
Stress, AnxietyGriefEating disordersDepressionCoping with life changes
40 years of experience

I have been a psychologist for 30 years. I have been working on military bases for the last 14 years and prior to that I worked in a military hospital doing inpatient and outpatient work. My specialty is anxiety disorders in their various forms.

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Samantha Funk

Offering therapy in Alaska
Stress, AnxietyLGBTSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
11 years of experience

I am licensed in Alaska with 11 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbtq+ related issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. 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.

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 507,294 people live in AK, 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 Alaska 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 Alaska?

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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