Compare 2270 licensed clinical social workers in Philadelphia, PA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
2,270
Licensed Clinical Social Workers
100%
Accepting patients
60%
Most common: LCSW
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Philadelphia is a medical city in its bones. Five medical schools, more than 30 hospitals, and CHOP (the oldest children's hospital in the nation) give Philly a density of medical talent that rivals New York and Boston. The Penn and Jefferson systems anchor most of the city's care, but Temple and Einstein (now Jefferson North) serve the neighborhoods that the academic flagships sometimes overlook.
Philadelphia has 2,270 licensed clinical social workers. The most common credential is LCSW (60%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
Center City is the medical epicenter, with Jefferson, Penn, and multiple specialty offices all within a few blocks. University City, across the Schuylkill River, is home to HUP, CHOP, and Penn Presbyterian. SEPTA's Broad Street Line and Market-Frankford Line connect most neighborhoods to one of these hubs within 30 minutes. North Philly relies on Temple University Hospital, while Germantown and Chestnut Hill are served by Jefferson-affiliated community hospitals.
Providers practice throughout Philadelphia. Center City is the heart of Philadelphia's medical corridor, with Jefferson, Hahnemann, and Penn campuses all within reach. Rittenhouse Square is an upscale neighborhood with specialty practices and proximity to Jefferson and Penn hospitals. Old City is a historic neighborhood near Jefferson Hospital and several walk-in clinics along Market Street. University City is home to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, CHOP, and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.
Nearby hospitals include Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Local training programs run through University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and Thomas Jefferson University (Sidney Kimmel Medical College). Philadelphia has five medical schools and more than 30 hospitals, making it one of the most medically dense cities in the US.
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.
Philadelphia, PA has 2,270 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 Philadelphia, PA are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Independence Blue Cross (IBX) is the dominant carrier in the Philadelphia region for employer plans. On the ACA marketplace, Ambetter, Oscar, and IBX compete. Medicaid in Philadelphia is administered through managed care organizations including Keystone First, Health Partners Plans, and Aetna Better Health.
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 Philadelphia, PA 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.
Philadelphia healthcare is dominated by Penn Medicine (HUP, Penn Presbyterian, Lancaster General) and Jefferson Health (Thomas Jefferson, Einstein, Abington). Temple Health serves North Philadelphia, and Main Line Health covers the western suburbs. Most physicians are affiliated with one system. Picking a PCP inside the system with the hospital closest to you simplifies specialist referrals.
Some licensed clinical social workers in Philadelphia, PA accept Pennsylvania Medicaid (MA), 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 Pennsylvania Medicaid (MA) 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 2,270 licensed clinical social workers in Philadelphia, PA, you can search on FindClarity to find a provider who fits your schedule.
Hahnemann University Hospital in Center City closed in 2019 after its owner filed for bankruptcy. Its closure reduced inpatient capacity in the city and shifted patients to nearby Jefferson, Temple, and Penn hospitals. Drexel University College of Medicine, which used Hahnemann for clinical training, has since partnered with Tower Health and other systems.
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) primarily serves patients from birth through age 21. Some specialty programs continue care into young adulthood for conditions diagnosed in childhood. CHOP has its main campus in University City and satellite locations throughout the region.
Top accepted carriers in Philadelphia, PA include medicare, qhp-56707, unitedhealthcare, centene, and qhp-44228.
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.