Compare 297 psychologists in Charleston, SC. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
297
Psychologists
100%
Accepting patients
60%
Most common: PhD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Charleston is a healthcare city built around MUSC, the oldest medical school in the South and the state's only comprehensive academic medical center. Roper St. Francis provides the community hospital alternative, while Trident Medical Center handles the growing North Charleston and Summerville populations. MUSC's research engine and the city's biomedical startup ecosystem have made Charleston an increasingly serious player in health innovation.
Charleston has 297 psychologists. The most common credential is PhD (60%). 100% are currently accepting new patients. Practitioners see patients in neighborhoods including Downtown Charleston (South of Broad), Mount Pleasant (nearby), West Ashley, and King Street.
MUSC's campus sits on the peninsula in downtown Charleston, just north of Calhoun Street. Roper Hospital is also on the peninsula, while Bon Secours St. Francis and Trident Medical Center serve West Ashley, North Charleston, and the surrounding suburbs. Mount Pleasant, across the Cooper River, has its own cluster of outpatient practices and an MUSC satellite. The Ravenel Bridge connects the peninsula to Mount Pleasant, but rush-hour traffic makes that crossing unpredictable.
Nearby hospitals include MUSC Health University Medical Center, Roper St. Francis Hospital, and Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital. Local training programs run through Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and College of Charleston. MUSC is South Carolina's only comprehensive academic medical center and Level I trauma center.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina dominates the commercial market. South Carolina has not expanded Medicaid, so coverage gaps are wider here than in many states. For marketplace plans, BCBS, Ambetter, and Molina are the primary options. MUSC accepts most major insurance plans and serves as the region's largest Medicaid provider. 18% accept Medicare.
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.
MUSC's Institute of Psychiatry is the regional leader for complex behavioral health. Community mental health services through Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center offer sliding-scale outpatient therapy and psychiatry.
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
Hurricane and flood anxiety is a real clinical concern in the Lowcountry, particularly after the flooding events of recent years. MUSC has developed specialized disaster-related PTSD treatment programs in response.
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.
Charleston, SC has 297 licensed psychologists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of psychologists in Charleston, SC are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina is the largest carrier in the state. Medicaid in South Carolina has not been expanded, so the uninsured rate is higher than the national average. MUSC operates as the primary safety-net provider for the region. For marketplace plans, BCBS, Ambetter (Centene), and Molina are the main options.
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 Charleston, SC 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.
MUSC is the default for subspecialty and complex care, but Roper St. Francis offers a strong alternative for primary care and common procedures. North Charleston and Summerville residents often use Trident Medical Center to avoid peninsula traffic. Mount Pleasant has a growing number of satellite clinics from both MUSC and Roper.
PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology and PsyD stands for Doctor of Psychology. Both are equivalent qualifications. In Charleston, SC, 60% hold the PhD credential and 13% hold PsyD. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
18% of psychologists in Charleston, SC accept Medicare. Medicare covers therapy sessions with psychologists. Psychological testing may be covered when ordered for diagnostic purposes, though prior authorization is often required. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
Yes. MUSC accepts both self-referrals and physician referrals for most departments. Some subspecialty clinics prefer a referral, but primary care, urgent care, and many specialty clinics allow direct scheduling.
Mount Pleasant has a growing number of outpatient practices, including MUSC and Roper satellite clinics, urgent care centers, and independent specialist offices. For inpatient care and complex procedures, you will likely need to cross the bridge to the peninsula.
Top accepted carriers in Charleston, SC include unitedhealthcare, qhp-26065, qhp-73107, medicare, and centene.
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.