173,083
Psychologists
100%
Accepting patients
44%
Most common: PhD
FindClarity lists 173,083 psychologists nationwide. 100% are currently accepting new patients. The most common credential is PhD (44%). 16% accept Medicare.
Psychologists are doctoral-level mental health professionals who specialize in understanding behavior, emotions, and thought patterns. They provide therapy, conduct psychological testing, and treat conditions including depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, ADHD, and personality disorders.
Psychologists hold a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) or PsyD (Doctor of Psychology) degree, which takes five to seven years beyond a bachelor's degree. Their training includes extensive research, clinical practice, and a year-long predoctoral internship. Most states also require one to two years of postdoctoral supervised experience before independent licensure.
Psychologists also do something most therapists do not: testing and assessment. They administer standardized evaluations for learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, cognitive function, and personality. These results shape treatment plans and are often required for school accommodations or disability documentation.
See a psychologist if you need psychological testing (ADHD, learning disabilities, cognitive evaluations), if you want evidence-based therapy from a doctoral-level provider, or if you have complex mental health concerns that may benefit from specialized assessment. Psychologists are also a good choice for treatment-resistant conditions where a deeper diagnostic picture could help.
A therapy intake is similar to a therapist visit: a comprehensive interview about your history, current symptoms, and goals. If you are there for testing, the process is different. It usually involves multiple sessions of standardized tests, questionnaires, and interviews, followed by a written report with diagnoses and recommendations.
Therapy session: $150-300 · ADHD evaluation: $1,000-2,500 · Full psychological evaluation: $2,000-5,000
In most states, no. Psychologists are trained in therapy and assessment, not pharmacology. However, a few states (Louisiana, New Mexico, Illinois, Iowa, Idaho, and Colorado) and the military grant prescribing privileges to specially trained psychologists. In all other states, a psychologist will refer you to a psychiatrist or your primary care doctor if medication is recommended.
PhD programs emphasize research alongside clinical training, while PsyD programs focus more heavily on clinical practice. Both prepare you to be a licensed psychologist. The choice between them mostly affects the psychologist's career orientation, not the quality of care you receive.
A comprehensive psychological evaluation typically requires four to eight hours of testing spread over one to three sessions, plus an additional session to review results. ADHD-specific evaluations may be shorter (two to four hours). The psychologist then writes a detailed report, which can take one to three weeks to complete.
Usually not. Most insurance plans allow you to see a psychologist directly without a referral. Some HMO plans or military insurance (TRICARE) may require one. If you are unsure, call your insurance company or the psychologist's office. They can check your benefits for you.
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Therapy sessions with psychologists are covered similarly to other mental health providers under parity laws. Psychological testing coverage is more variable. Some plans cover it fully, others partially, and some require prior authorization. Ask the psychologist's office to verify testing benefits before scheduling, as evaluations can be costly without coverage.