The Truth About Finding a Therapist in Multiple States

You finally found a therapist you click with. Then life happens. You get a job offer across the country. Your college is in a different state than your parents’ house. Suddenly, the question isn’t whether therapy is helping. It’s whether you can keep going. That’s when you need a therapist licensed in multiple states.

The good news? You don’t have to start over. At Therapy for Women Center, we have therapists licensed in states across the country because we know how hard it is to find the right fit, and we don’t want geography to get in the way.

Why Can’t All Therapists Practice Everywhere?

Therapists are licensed state by state, not nationally. A therapist licensed in Pennsylvania can’t legally see a client who’s sitting in California, even over video, and even if you’re in another state temporarily. Unfortunately, this is how licensing laws work.

For years, this created real problems. One survey found that 70% of therapists reported losing clients who moved out of state. That’s a lot of therapeutic relationships cut short by state lines.

But things are changing. Through agreements like PSYPACT (a compact that allows psychologists to practice across participating states) and therapists who have done the work to hold licenses in several states, continuity of care is now possible for many people.

What If I’m Moving to Another State?

This is one of the most common concerns we hear. You’ve built trust with your therapist. You’ve done the hard work of opening up. And now you’re wondering if you have to start from scratch with someone new.

But if your therapist holds licenses in your new state, you can keep working together. Many of our therapists at Therapy for Women hold licenses in a few states, so they can keep working with you. The transition becomes about adjusting to your new life, not adjusting to a new therapist at the same time.

We recommend talking to your therapist as soon as you know a move is coming. That gives you time to figure out logistics and make a plan together.

How To Find a Therapist Licensed in Multiple States

College Students Need a Therapist in Multiple States

College students often split time between two states: where their school is and where their family lives. Winter break, summer break, unexpected trips home. If your therapist can only see you in one of those locations, your care gets interrupted right when you might need it most.

This is solved by having a therapist licensed in multiple states, particularly the two you split your time between. Then, you can keep your regular sessions whether you’re in your dorm room or your childhood bedroom. No gaps in care during finals, no scrambling to find someone new every time you go home.

Long-Distance Couples: Finding a Therapist in Multiple States

Long-distance relationships come with their own challenges. When you want to do couples therapy but you’re in Colorado and your partner is in Texas, most therapists can’t help you. They’d need to be licensed in both states. Then, both of you can join from wherever you are, and your therapist can legally provide care to you both. You also may need this for a family session.

If this is your situation, we have a few couples and family therapists who can help you:

Fernanda Valentin, LMFT: licensed in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Florida.

Aleksandra Freiling, LCSW: licensed in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts & Missouri

Melissa Huff Smoldt, LPC, LMHC: Licensed in Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Delaware

Jeannine Hinnant, LPC: Licensed in Pennsylvania and Deleware

AJ Sarbaugh, LMFT, CEDS: Licensed in California, Colorado and Texas

Frequent Travelers Need a Therapist in Multiple States

Maybe you’re on the road two weeks out of every month. Or you split time between offices in different cities. Traditional therapy doesn’t work well with that kind of schedule because your therapist can only see you when you’re physically in their licensed state.

Therapists who practice across state lines give you flexibility. Your Monday session can happen whether you’re home in Philadelphia or in a hotel room in Tampa.

Which States Do Your Therapists Cover?

Our therapists at Therapy for Women Center hold licenses across many states. Here’s where we can currently see clients:

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

How Do I Get Started?

If you’re looking for a therapist who can work with you across state lines, reach out to us. When you contact Therapy for Women Center, let us know which states you need coverage in, and we’ll match you with someone who can see you wherever you are. In addition to online therapy, we have physical office locations in the Philadelphia, PA neighborhoods of Old City, Center City, and Bala Cywyd, as well as Collingswood, New Jersey.

You shouldn’t have to sacrifice a good therapeutic relationship because of where you live, where you’re moving, or where life takes you next. We’re here to make sure you don’t have to.

Contact us to find a therapist who fits your life, not just your zip code. Get started here!