How to Find a Counselor in Maine: Your Complete Guide
Finding the right counselor in Maine doesn't have to be overwhelming. Whether you're in Portland, living in rural Aroostook County, or anywhere in between, quality mental health support is more accessible than ever, especially with the expansion of telehealth services throughout the state.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know: understanding different types of counselors, navigating insurance, searching effectively, and accessing care no matter where you live in Maine.
If you or someone you care about needs immediate mental health support, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which is available 24/7. In an emergency or if someone is in immediate danger, call 911. You can also contact local Maine crisis services for real-time support. More Maine resources here.
Ready for Support?
I offer secure, virtual counseling for couples and individuals. Reach out to schedule a complimentary consultation or book a session.
Consultation calls are brief and focused on fit, questions, and next steps.
What are the Different Types of Counselors in Maine
Not all mental health providers are the same. Understanding the differences helps you search more effectively and know what to expect.
Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
LCSWs are the most common type of counselor in Maine. They complete a master's degree in social work plus supervised clinical hours. LCSWs can diagnose mental health conditions, provide therapy, and often take a holistic approach that considers your environment, relationships, and life circumstances—not just symptoms.
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPC)
LCPCs hold master's degrees in counseling or related fields. They provide individual, couples, and family therapy. Their training emphasizes mental health counseling specifically, and many specialize in areas like trauma, addiction, or relationship issues.
Psychologists
Psychologists hold doctoral degrees (PhD or PsyD) and can provide therapy and psychological testing. They often work with more complex mental health concerns or specialize in assessment. Fewer psychologists practice in Maine compared to LCSWs and LCPCs, and their services typically cost more.
Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
These are medical providers who can prescribe medication. Psychiatrists are MDs or DOs; psychiatric nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) are advanced practice nurses. Most focus on medication management rather than ongoing talk therapy, though some provide both.
Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)
LMFTs specialize in relationship dynamics and systems-based approaches. They're particularly helpful for couples therapy, family conflicts, and issues where relationships are central.
What Brings People to Counseling
You don't need to be in crisis to benefit from counseling. People seek therapy for many reasons:
Anxiety or depression that interferes with daily life
Relationship difficulties or couples therapy needs
Major life transitions (career changes, divorce, retirement, parenthood)
Grief and loss
Trauma or PTSD
Chronic stress or burnout
Family conflicts
Identity exploration
Feeling stuck or unfulfilled
Managing chronic illness or pain
Substance use concerns
Anger management
Parenting challenges
If you're wondering whether your concern is "serious enough" for therapy, here's a simple guideline: if it bothers you enough that you're researching counselors, it's worth addressing.
How to Search for a Counselor in Maine
Step 1: Clarify Your Needs
Before diving into directories, spend a few minutes considering:
What's bringing you to therapy? Be as specific as you can. "I feel anxious" can narrow to "I have panic attacks before work presentations" or "I worry constantly about my kids' safety."
What format works for you? Do you prefer in-person, or would telehealth (video sessions) be more convenient? Telehealth has become standard in Maine and works well for most therapy types.
When can you attend sessions? Evening appointments fill quickly. If you need specific times, knowing this upfront helps.
What's your budget/insurance situation? This significantly impacts your options, so understanding your coverage matters.
Are there specific therapist characteristics that matter? Gender? Cultural background? LGBTQ+ affirming? Experience with specific issues?
Step 2: Use the Right Search Tools
Psychology Today Directory (psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/me) The most comprehensive therapist directory. Filter by:
Location (city or telehealth throughout Maine)
Insurance accepted
Issues (anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, etc.)
Therapy type (CBT, EMDR, psychodynamic, etc.)
Therapist demographics and specializations
Read profiles carefully. Good profiles explain the therapist's approach, who they work well with, and what to expect.
TherapyDen (therapyden.com) Similar to Psychology Today but emphasizes diverse providers and LGBTQ+ affirming therapists. Excellent filtering options for specific identities and cultural considerations.
Your Insurance Provider Directory Log into your insurance website or call the number on your card. Ask for "mental health providers in Maine who offer telehealth." Get a list of in-network options—this will save you significant money.
Maine Association of Psychologists (maineapa.org) If you're specifically seeking a psychologist, their directory lists licensed psychologists throughout the state.
Community Mental Health Centers Maine has regional community mental health agencies serving all counties:
Opportunity Alliance (Greater Portland)
Sweetser (Midcoast, Central, Downeast)
MaineHealth Behavioral Health (throughout the state)
HealthReach Community Health Centers (rural areas)
These centers serve people regardless of ability to pay and typically accept MaineCare.
For a comprehensive list of mental health resources throughout Maine, including crisis services and specialized programs, check out this guide to Maine mental health resources.
Step 3: Make Initial Contact
Found a few therapists who seem like possibilities? Reach out. Most have contact forms, email addresses, or phone numbers listed. A simple message works:
"Hi, I'm looking for a counselor to help with [anxiety/relationship issues/depression/etc.]. I live in [your area] and would prefer [telehealth/in-person]. Do you have current availability?"
Many therapists offer free 15-20 minute consultation calls. Use this time to:
Get a feel for their communication style
Ask about their approach and experience
Clarify logistics (scheduling, fees, insurance)
See if you feel comfortable with them
Don't be surprised if some therapists have waitlists. Good therapists often book several weeks out. Ask if they can recommend colleagues with availability.
Step 4: Evaluate Fit
You're not obligated to stay with the first therapist you try. Fit matters more than credentials. During your consultation or first session, consider:
Do you feel heard? Good therapists listen more than they talk, especially initially. You should feel like they're genuinely trying to understand your situation.
Do they explain their approach? Therapists should be able to tell you how they work and why they think their approach might help your specific concern.
Does their availability work? Consistent attendance matters for progress. If scheduling is constantly difficult, it might not be the right fit logistically.
Do you feel comfortable? Some initial nervousness is normal, but you should sense that you could eventually open up to this person.
Do they have relevant experience? If you're seeking couples therapy, they should specialize in relationship work. If you're dealing with trauma, they should have trauma-informed training.
If something feels off after 3-4 sessions and it's not improving, it's completely appropriate to try someone else. Most therapists would rather you find the right fit than continue out of politeness.
Understanding Insurance and Costs in Maine
If You Have Insurance
Most private insurance plans in Maine include mental health benefits. Understanding your coverage helps avoid surprise bills:
Call your insurance company. Use the number on your card and ask:
"Do I have mental health/behavioral health benefits?"
"What's my copay for outpatient therapy?"
"Do I need to meet my deductible first?"
"How many sessions are covered per year?"
"Is there a difference between in-network and out-of-network coverage?"
In-network vs. Out-of-network:
In-network: Therapist has a contract with your insurance. You pay just your copay (typically $20-50).
Out-of-network: You might pay full price upfront and submit for partial reimbursement, or pay a higher percentage.
Deductibles: Some plans require you to meet your deductible before coverage kicks in. If your deductible is $3,000 and you haven't met it yet, you might pay full session cost ($100-150) until you do.
Session limits: Some plans cap mental health visits (e.g., 20 sessions per year). Know your limit.
MaineCare (Medicaid): If you have MaineCare, many therapists and all community mental health centers accept it. Coverage is typically comprehensive with minimal copays.
If You Don't Have Insurance
Several options make therapy accessible without insurance:
Sliding Scale Fees: Many private practice therapists offer reduced rates based on income. Rates might range from $50-$150+ depending on what you can afford. Always ask—many therapists don't advertise sliding scale but offer it.
Community Mental Health Centers: These agencies serve anyone regardless of ability to pay. They use sliding scale based on income. Find your regional center through the Maine Association of Mental Health Services.
Open Path Collective: After a $65 lifetime membership, access sessions for $30-$80 with participating Maine therapists.
Employee Assistance Programs (EAP): Many employers offer 3-8 free counseling sessions through EAPs. Ask your HR department—this benefit is often underutilized.
Training Clinics: University counseling programs sometimes offer low-cost therapy provided by graduate students under supervision. University of Southern Maine and Husson University both have training clinics.
The Investment Perspective
Therapy typically costs $125+ per session without insurance. This can feel expensive, but consider the cost of not addressing mental health: missed work, strained relationships, physical health impacts, reduced quality of life.
Many people find that focused short-term work (10-15 sessions) addresses their immediate concerns effectively. You don't necessarily commit to years of therapy—you and your counselor determine what makes sense for your situation.
Telehealth: How It Works in Maine
Telehealth (video therapy) has become standard practice in Maine. It's not a lesser alternative to in-person therapy—research shows it's equally effective for most concerns.
What You Need
Reliable internet connection (even moderate rural internet usually works)
Device with camera and microphone (phone, tablet, or computer)
Private space for appointments
Headphones (optional but helpful)
How Sessions Work
Your counselor sends you a secure video link. At your appointment time, click the link—your counselor appears on screen. The session proceeds like an in-person appointment, just through video. Platforms are HIPAA-compliant and encrypted for privacy.
Advantages of Telehealth
No travel time or weather concerns
Access therapists anywhere in Maine (not limited to local options)
Easier to fit into busy schedules
Privacy (no one sees your car at the counselor's office)
Join from wherever you're comfortable
Couples can join from separate locations if needed
When In-Person Might Be Better
Some people simply prefer in-person connection. Additionally, certain situations work better face-to-face:
Very young children (therapy for kids under 10)
Severe symptoms requiring close monitoring
Complex trauma work (though many trauma therapists work effectively via telehealth)
If you don't have private space for video sessions
Many therapists offer both formats. You can start with one and switch if needed.
Finding Counselors in Specific Maine Regions
Greater Portland and Southern Maine
The Portland metro area has the highest concentration of mental health providers in Maine. Options include:
Large group practices with multiple therapists
Solo practitioners specializing in various approaches
Community mental health centers (Opportunity Alliance, Catholic Charities)
University training clinics
Competition for appointments can be high. Good therapists often have waitlists, especially for evening appointments. Start your search early and contact multiple providers.
Telehealth expands options significantly—you can work with therapists based in Lewiston, Brunswick, or even Bangor without travel.
Midcoast Maine (Brunswick, Bath, Rockland, Belfast)
Midcoast has a moderate number of therapists, though fewer than Portland. Community mental health services through Sweetser and Mid Coast-Parkview Health serve the region.
Couples therapy in Brunswick and surrounding areas is available through both private practices and community agencies. Telehealth again expands options considerably—midcoast residents can access therapists from throughout the state.
Bangor and Central Maine
Bangor serves as a hub for central and eastern Maine. Acadia Hospital provides both inpatient and outpatient services. Community mental health centers and private practices serve the area.
Like other regions, telehealth allows access to therapists beyond the immediate area.
Downeast and Coastal Maine (Ellsworth, Bar Harbor, Machias)
Provider density decreases significantly in Downeast Maine. Community Health and Counseling Services (CHCS) serves this region with offices in multiple towns. Sweetser also provides services.
Telehealth becomes particularly valuable here, eliminating long drives and weather-related cancellations.
Aroostook County and Northern Maine
The most rural and underserved region for mental health services. Aroostook Mental Health Services provides community-based care throughout the county.
Telehealth is often the primary way northern Maine residents access specialized therapy or therapists with specific training. This has genuinely transformed mental health access in the region.
Finding Counselors in Rural Maine: Special Considerations
The Reality of Rural Mental Health Access
If you live in rural Maine—and that includes much of the state—you already know the challenges. The nearest therapist might be 45 minutes away. The local providers might not specialize in what you need. Winter makes travel unpredictable. And in small communities, privacy concerns are real.
Telehealth has fundamentally changed this. You're no longer limited to whoever practices within reasonable driving distance. You can access therapists throughout Maine who might be better fits for your specific needs.
Rural Communities Throughout Maine
Washington County: One of the most rural counties in Maine, with towns like Calais, Machias, and Eastport having limited local mental health resources. Telehealth connects residents to providers throughout the state.
Piscataquis County: With Greenville, Dover-Foxcroft, and Milo as small population centers, residents often traveled to Bangor for specialized care. Telehealth eliminates much of this travel.
Oxford and Franklin Counties: Towns like Rumford, Farmington, Bethel, and Rangeley have some local services, but specialized therapy (trauma-focused, EMDR, couples therapy) often required travel to Lewiston or Portland.
Somerset County: Skowhegan and surrounding towns have community mental health services, but private practice options are limited. Telehealth expands choices significantly.
Hancock County (inland areas): While Bar Harbor has mental health services, inland areas of Hancock County face provider shortages. Telehealth bridges this gap.
Northern Aroostook County: Fort Kent, Madawaska, and Van Buren are among the most geographically isolated communities in the eastern United States. Telehealth brings quality mental health care to residents who previously had almost no options.
Overcoming Rural-Specific Barriers
Privacy Concerns: In small towns, seeing a local therapist means potentially running into them at the grocery store, having neighbors notice your car at their office, or dealing with overlapping social circles. Working with a telehealth therapist from a different region provides more anonymity.
Limited Specialist Access: If you need specialized therapy—trauma treatment, OCD-focused care, LGBTQ+-affirming therapy, neurodiversity-informed counseling—rural areas often lack these specialists. Telehealth connects you to specialists anywhere in Maine.
Weather and Road Conditions: Winter storms, mud season, and Maine's rural road conditions make consistent appointment attendance challenging. Telehealth eliminates weather as a barrier entirely.
Internet Connectivity: Even moderate rural internet supports video sessions. If your connection is genuinely poor, consider:
Connecting during times when household bandwidth isn't taxed
Using a mobile hotspot
Meeting from a library, town office, or friend's house with better service
Using audio-only backup (most therapists accommodate this)
Work Schedules: Farming, fishing, logging, tourism, and other rural industries often have unpredictable or seasonal schedules. Telehealth offers more flexibility for fitting therapy into complex work patterns.
Cultural Fit: Some rural Mainers want therapists who understand rural life—the pace, the independence, the connection to land, the economic realities. You can specifically search for therapists from or experienced with rural communities.
Community Mental Health in Rural Areas
Every Maine county has community mental health services that serve rural populations:
Aroostook Mental Health Services: Serving all of Aroostook County
Community Health and Counseling Services (CHCS): Serving Hancock, Washington, and Penobscot counties
Kennebec Behavioral Health: Serving Kennebec and Somerset counties
HealthReach Community Health Centers: Operating throughout rural Maine
Sweetser: Serving multiple rural regions throughout the state
These agencies offer both in-person services in smaller towns and telehealth options. They accept MaineCare and use sliding scale fees.
The "I Should Be Able to Handle This" Factor
Rural Maine culture often emphasizes self-reliance. Asking for help can feel like admitting you can't handle your own problems. But here's the thing: practical, resourceful people use the tools available to solve problems. Therapy is a tool.
You wouldn't refuse to call a plumber because you "should be able to fix the pipes yourself." Mental health is the same. Getting help isn't weakness—it's the same practical problem-solving that rural people do every day.
What to Expect in Your First Session
First therapy sessions follow a general pattern:
Paperwork and Consent: You'll complete intake forms (often sent ahead of time) covering your history, current concerns, and basic information. Your therapist explains confidentiality rules and gets your consent for treatment.
Assessment: Your therapist asks questions to understand what brings you to therapy, how long concerns have been present, what you've tried already, and what you're hoping to accomplish.
Goal Setting: Together, you'll identify what you want to work on. Clear goals help both of you know if therapy is working.
Treatment Planning: Your therapist explains their approach and how they think it applies to your situation. They'll discuss session frequency (usually weekly to start).
Logistics: You'll establish scheduling, discuss fees/insurance, and handle practical details.
First sessions often feel awkward. You're talking about personal things with a stranger. This is completely normal. Give it 3-4 sessions before deciding if it's working—comfort builds with time.
When to Seek Help Immediately
Most mental health concerns don't require emergency intervention. But some situations need immediate support:
If you're having thoughts of suicide or self-harm:
Call 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) - available 24/7
Text "HELLO" to 741741 (Crisis Text Line)
Go to your nearest emergency room
Call 911 if you're in immediate danger
If you're experiencing severe mental health crisis:
Crisis Services of Oxford Hills: 1-800-499-0027
Crisis Response Services (Greater Portland): 1-888-568-1112
Crisis Stabilization Unit (Bangor): 207-973-6926
Aroostook Mental Health Crisis Line: 1-888-435-9797
Maine's Statewide Crisis Line: Call 1-888-568-1112 to reach crisis services in your area.
These services are confidential, free, and available 24/7. Crisis doesn't mean you're beyond help—it means you need help now, and these resources exist specifically for that.
FAQs About Finding a Counselor in Maine
How long does therapy typically last?
This varies widely. Some people come for 8-12 sessions to address a specific issue. Others maintain ongoing therapy for months or years. You and your counselor determine what makes sense. You're never "stuck" in therapy, you can end whenever you feel ready.
What if I don't like my therapist?
It happens. Give it 3-4 sessions to get past initial awkwardness, but if you still don't feel comfortable or aren't connecting, it's appropriate to try someone else. You can tell them directly ("I don't think this is the right fit") or simply not reschedule and find someone new.
Do I need a diagnosis to go to therapy?
No. While insurance often requires a diagnosis for billing purposes, you don't need to have a diagnosed condition to benefit from therapy. Life stress, relationship issues, and personal growth are all valid reasons for counseling.
How do I know if therapy is working?
You should notice gradual progress toward your goals. This might mean: feeling less anxious, communicating better with your partner, managing stress more effectively, understanding yourself better, or making changes you've been wanting to make. Progress isn't always linear, but you should see overall improvement over time.
Taking the Next Step
Finding a counselor in Maine is more accessible than ever, whether you live in Portland or the most rural corner of the County. The hardest part is often just starting the search.
You don't need everything figured out before reaching out. You don't need to be in crisis. If something in your life isn't working the way you want it to, if you're feeling stuck, if relationships are struggling, if anxiety or depression are interfering with your days—that's reason enough.
At Sagebrush Counseling, we provide telehealth counseling throughout Maine for individuals and couples. We understand the specific challenges Mainers face—from rural isolation to seasonal work patterns to the cultural context of mental health in New England.
You don't need to have everything figured out before your first session. You just need to take the first step.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation. You deserve support, and it's more accessible than you think.
Ready for Support?
I offer secure, virtual counseling for couples and individuals. Reach out to schedule a complimentary consultation or book a session.
Consultation calls are brief and focused on fit, questions, and next steps.
