Therapists in Illinois, from Chicago to downstate

Mental health licenses in Illinois are issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, known as IDFPR. Its online license lookup is public.

• LPC, Licensed Professional Counselor: the first counseling license after a master's degree, usually practicing under clinical supervision.
• LCPC, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor: the clinical level, granted after additional supervised experience and an exam, and allowed to practice independently.
• LCSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker: clinical social work and psychotherapy.
• LMFT, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist: relationship and family focused therapy.
• Licensed clinical psychologist: doctoral training, including psychological testing.

If a profile says LPC, it is fair to ask who supervises the clinician. Learn more on our pages about licensed professional counselors, clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists and psychologists.

Illinois Medicaid covers mental health services for eligible members, and most members receive benefits through a managed care health plan. The plan, not the directory, decides which providers are in network. Commercial plans vary as well, so call your insurer or the practice and ask before the first appointment. See therapist that takes insurance for general questions to ask.

A therapist generally must be licensed in the state where you are located during the session. People who live in northwest Indiana or southern Wisconsin and work in Chicago should tell the provider where they will be when they log in.

A claimed profile shows the specialties, approaches, insurance and fees the therapist entered, along with a "License verified" badge. Registry listings from the NPPES NPI Registry show the name, credential, practice address and phone, and you can call to ask about availability.