Compare 1387 psychologists in Washington, DC. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
1,387
Psychologists
100%
Accepting patients
47%
Most common: PhD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
DC's healthcare system reflects the city itself: politically connected, resource-rich, and deeply unequal. Three medical schools and a roster of nationally ranked hospitals coexist with some of the widest health disparity gaps in the country between Wards. The NIH Clinical Center in nearby Bethesda and Walter Reed add a federal layer that no other US city can match. If you know how to navigate the system, the depth of specialty care here is remarkable.
Washington has 1,387 psychologists. The most common credential is PhD (47%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
GW University Hospital is in Foggy Bottom near the Metro. MedStar Georgetown is in Georgetown (limited transit access, plan for parking or rideshare). MedStar Washington Hospital Center, the city's largest hospital, is in the northeast along Irving Street. Children's National is nearby on Michigan Avenue. The Metro Red Line connects to the Bethesda medical corridor (NIH, Walter Reed, Suburban Hospital). Most specialist offices cluster in Dupont Circle, Foggy Bottom, and along Connecticut Avenue NW.
Providers practice throughout Washington. Georgetown is medStar Georgetown University Hospital anchors healthcare in this historic neighborhood. Specialty practices line M Street and Wisconsin Avenue. Dupont Circle is a central neighborhood with a high density of private practices, particularly in behavioral health and primary care. Whitman-Walker Health provides LGBTQ+ affirming care. Capitol Hill is near MedStar Washington Hospital Center and several congressional health offices. Providence Health serves the eastern neighborhoods. Adams Morgan is a diverse neighborhood with bilingual healthcare options and community health centers. Short commute to Dupont Circle medical offices.
Nearby hospitals include MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, George Washington University Hospital, and MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Local training programs run through Georgetown University School of Medicine and George Washington University School of Medicine. Washington, DC has one of the highest concentrations of physicians per capita in the United States, driven by its medical schools, research institutions, and federal agencies like the NIH and FDA.
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.
DC has a strong supply of therapists, particularly in Dupont Circle, Logan Circle, and Bethesda. Many specialize in anxiety, trauma, and professional burnout, reflecting the city's high-pressure work culture. Psychiatry waitlists can still run four to eight weeks. Community organizations like Whitman-Walker Health and the DC Department of Behavioral Health offer additional access points.
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.
Therapy session: $150-300 · ADHD evaluation: $1,000-2,500 · Full psychological evaluation: $2,000-5,000
DC's political and professional culture drives high rates of stress, burnout, and anxiety-related conditions. Therapists in the District are experienced with these populations. The city also has significant trauma exposure in communities east of the Anacostia River, where behavioral health access is more limited.
Psychologists conduct comprehensive evaluations for ADHD, learning disabilities, autism spectrum, cognitive function, and personality. A clear diagnosis is the foundation for effective treatment.
Psychologists treat generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder, and phobias using structured therapeutic approaches with strong research support.
Psychologists offer evidence-based trauma treatments including EMDR, cognitive processing therapy, and prolonged exposure therapy. These approaches help you process traumatic memories safely.
Psychologists use structured therapeutic methods like behavioral activation, interpersonal therapy, and CBT that have been rigorously studied and shown to be effective for treating depression.
A comprehensive ADHD evaluation from a psychologist includes standardized testing, clinical interviews, and behavioral observation. This thorough approach ensures an accurate diagnosis and guides treatment planning.
Washington, DC has 1,387 licensed psychologists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of psychologists in Washington, DC are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
DC Health Link is the District's ACA marketplace, with plans from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Kaiser Permanente, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare. DC Medicaid covers a broader population than most states, with eligibility up to 210 percent of the federal poverty level for adults. If you live in DC but work in Maryland or Virginia (or vice versa), your employer plan may have different network rules than a DC-based marketplace plan.
Therapy sessions range from $150 to $300 per session. An ADHD evaluation costs $1,000 to $2,500. A full psychological evaluation runs $2,000 to $5,000. Actual costs in Washington, DC depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Therapy sessions are covered like other mental health visits. Psychological testing coverage is less consistent. Ask the office to verify testing benefits with your insurer before scheduling.
DC healthcare is organized around MedStar Health (Georgetown and Washington Hospital Center), GW Health, and Children's National. Sibley Memorial Hospital in northwest DC is a Johns Hopkins affiliate. The NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda accepts patients through research protocols, not standard insurance. Because the metro area spans DC, Maryland, and Virginia, always check whether your provider is in-network for your specific plan and jurisdiction.
PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology and PsyD stands for Doctor of Psychology. Both are equivalent qualifications. In Washington, DC, 47% hold the PhD credential and 21% hold PsyD. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
Therapy sessions are typically weekly. Psychological testing appointments are scheduled as needed and may span multiple sessions over a few weeks. With 1,387 psychologists in Washington, DC, you can search on FindClarity to find a provider who fits your schedule.
Yes. Insurance networks often differ across the three jurisdictions. A DC-based plan may not cover a provider in Bethesda or Arlington at in-network rates, even if they are only a few miles away. MedStar and Kaiser operate across all three jurisdictions, which simplifies things. Always verify your provider's network status for your specific plan.
The NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda accepts patients who qualify for specific research studies, not through standard insurance referrals. If you have a condition that is being actively studied at NIH, your doctor can refer you for a screening. ClinicalTrials.gov lists active NIH studies. There is no cost to patients accepted into NIH studies.
GW Hospital (Foggy Bottom), MedStar Georgetown (Georgetown), and MedStar Washington Hospital Center (northeast DC) are the three main adult emergency departments in the District. Children's National handles pediatric emergencies. MedStar Washington Hospital Center is the region's only Level I adult trauma center.
Top accepted carriers in Washington, DC include anthem, unitedhealthcare, medicare, qhp-56707, and qhp-33602.
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.