Compare 2502 licensed clinical social workers in Boston, MA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
2,502
Licensed Clinical Social Workers
100%
Accepting patients
44%
Most common: LCSW
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Boston is arguably the most medically dense city in America. Harvard, Tufts, and BU medical schools feed a hospital ecosystem that includes Mass General, Brigham and Women's, and Beth Israel Deaconess, all within a few miles of each other. The challenge here is not finding a provider but choosing the right system for your needs.
Boston has 2,502 licensed clinical social workers. The most common credential is LCSW (44%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
The Longwood Medical and Academic Area in Fenway-Kenmore is the densest concentration of hospitals and research centers in the country, home to Brigham and Women's, Dana-Farber, and Boston Children's. Mass General sits on the north end of the city near Beacon Hill. The MBTA Green Line connects both campuses, and most patients use a mix of T, bus, and rideshare to navigate between systems.
Providers practice throughout Boston. Beacon Hill is steps from Massachusetts General Hospital, one of the top-ranked hospitals in the nation. Back Bay is near the Longwood Medical Area, with specialist offices along Boylston and Newbury Streets. South End is boston Medical Center, the city's largest safety-net hospital, is located in this diverse, vibrant neighborhood. Cambridge (nearby) is mount Auburn Hospital and Cambridge Health Alliance serve the city across the Charles River, near Harvard and MIT.
Nearby hospitals include Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Local training programs run through Harvard Medical School and Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. Boston has the highest concentration of hospitals and medical research institutions per capita of any US city.
A first session typically lasts 50 to 60 minutes. The social worker will ask about your current concerns, mental health history, family background, living situation, and support network. They may also ask about practical issues like insurance coverage, housing stability, and safety at home. Together, you will set goals for treatment. Social workers use evidence-based therapies including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and trauma-focused approaches. Sessions are usually weekly or biweekly. Social workers cannot prescribe medication but can refer you to a psychiatrist if medication might help.
You might see a clinical social worker for depression, anxiety, grief, relationship conflict, trauma recovery, or adjustment to major life changes like divorce, job loss, or chronic illness diagnosis. Social workers are also the right fit if you need help navigating the healthcare or social services system alongside therapy. If you are in crisis, experiencing domestic violence, or need case management for a complex situation involving mental health and practical barriers, a social worker can address both the emotional and logistical challenges.
Individual session copay: $20-50 with insurance · Self-pay: $80-150/session · Community mental health center: $20-80/session sliding scale
Clinical social workers provide family therapy that addresses communication patterns, boundary issues, and generational dynamics. They also connect families with community resources for additional support.
Social workers offer grief counseling and help with the practical side of major life changes: navigating benefits, connecting with support groups, and building a plan for moving forward.
Licensed clinical social workers provide therapy for anxiety and depression using evidence-based methods. They take a holistic view that considers your relationships, environment, and resources.
Social workers are trained in trauma-informed care and help survivors of abuse process their experiences, develop safety plans, and access community resources for ongoing support.
A chronic health diagnosis changes everything. Clinical social workers help you cope with the emotional impact, navigate the healthcare system, and maintain quality of life.
Boston, MA has 2,502 licensed licensed clinical social workers. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of licensed clinical social workers in Boston, MA are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Massachusetts requires all residents to have health insurance, the original model for the ACA. The state marketplace, Health Connector, offers plans from Harvard Pilgrim, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Tufts Health Plan, and others. MassHealth is the state Medicaid program. Narrow networks are common, particularly in plans that restrict you to one hospital system.
A session copay is $20 to $50 with insurance. Self-pay rates are $80 to $150 per session. Community mental health centers charge $20 to $80 on a sliding scale. Actual costs in Boston, MA depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Social workers are generally the most affordable type of licensed therapist. Community mental health centers employ social workers and offer income-based sliding-scale fees. Many LCSWs in private practice also reserve sliding-scale slots.
Boston's healthcare is organized around two major networks: Mass General Brigham (which includes Mass General, Brigham and Women's, and many affiliated community hospitals) and Beth Israel Lahey Health (Beth Israel Deaconess and Lahey Hospital). Your choice of network often determines which specialists you can see without an out-of-network referral. Boston Medical Center serves as the city's safety-net hospital.
Some licensed clinical social workers in Boston, MA accept MassHealth, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers LCSW therapy in all states. Coverage includes individual and group therapy. Co-pays are minimal or zero for most Medicaid recipients. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm MassHealth participation before scheduling.
Sessions are typically weekly (50 minutes) during active treatment, then biweekly or monthly as symptoms improve. Crisis situations may require more frequent contact. Many clients transition to monthly check-ins for maintenance. With 2,502 licensed clinical social workers in Boston, MA, you can search on FindClarity to find a provider who fits your schedule.
The Longwood Medical and Academic Area is a cluster of hospitals, research centers, and medical schools in the Fenway-Kenmore neighborhood. It includes Brigham and Women's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children's Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess, and the Joslin Diabetes Center. It is one of the most concentrated healthcare districts in the world.
It depends on your insurance plan. HMO plans through Harvard Pilgrim, Tufts, or BCBS typically require a primary care referral for specialists. PPO plans allow self-referral but may cost more out of pocket. Check your plan details before scheduling.
Top accepted carriers in Boston, MA include qhp-59025, qhp-44228, qhp-58944, qhp-56707, and medicare.
Most insurance plans cover therapy with licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs). Social workers are one of the most widely covered mental health provider types. Verify your plan covers outpatient mental health services and check whether the social worker is in-network. Mental health parity laws require most plans to cover mental health at the same level as physical health. Community mental health centers often accept Medicaid and offer sliding-scale fees.