Therapy and other wellness services can provide a supportive environment for taking the first steps toward improving one's mental health. In Arkansas, counseling services can be challenging to find due to barriers like a lack of available mental health care providers or transportation challenges. If you’re looking for a therapist, AR has many telehealth services available.

With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can work with a qualified, licensed mental health professional from the comfort of your home at a time that works for you. While BetterHelp does not offer group therapy at this time, the therapists on the platform use various approaches to individual therapy, including reprocessing therapy, eye movement desensitization, and person-centered therapy. An online therapist can help you with various life challenges, from treating anxiety to learning how to begin healing relationships, using a collaborative, holistic approach that meets your unique needs.

Whether you need support navigating relationship challenges or learning to have more self-compassion, online therapy can help. Reach out to a mental health professional licensed to provide treatment in Arkansas below to get started.

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FreEtta Nelson-Hemphill

Offering therapy in Arkansas
License: LCSW
Stress, AnxietyParenting issuesSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
26 years of experience

Hello! I am so glad that you reached out to us for help. I am FreEtta Nelson-Hemphill, and I am a Licensed Certified Social Worker. Most of my clients refer to me as "Fritzi". You are welcome to do so also! I have worked with many individuals with diverse cultural identities and backgrounds over the past 20 years. My job is to help you become successful in any problem areas that have come up for you at this point in your life. To do this, I will spend time listening to you and asking questions in order to get a "picture" of your life. I want to understand what is working and what is not. After we do this, we can take the information that you have given me and establish your therapy goals. Psychotherapy has both benefits and risks. It requires an investment of time and energy in order to make your process successful. I will, most often, approach our work together from a Cognitive Behavioral Treatment perspective. I believe: Oh Yeah! You can handle this! When you are able to those adjust or restructure those thought patterns and behavior (s) that are precipitating and maintaining the problem area(s), you will see the change you desire. I look forward to meeting you in this season of your journey.

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Shannon Caraway

Offering therapy in Arkansas
License: LCSW
Stress, AnxietyGriefParenting issuesSelf esteemDepression
3 years of experience

After spending 18 years in education, I began my career in mental health as a case manager and admissions coordinator. After 3 years, I obtained my masters in social work and began working as a therapist. I have experience in geriatric and adult in-patient psych, as well as outpatient, day treatment, and school-based services. My youngest client has been 3 years of age while my oldest has been 99. I love working with people and feel as though I've always connected well with all ages.

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Emily Wilson

Offering therapy in Arkansas
License: LPC,LMFT,CRC
Stress, AnxietyParenting issuesCareer difficultiesDepressionCoaching
23 years of experience

I am licensed professional counselor in Arkansas & Louisiana, a License Marriage and Family Therapist in Louisiana, a nationally licensed Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, and a Clinical Licensed Professional Counselor in Maine. Over the past 20 years I have worked in a variety of settings allowing experience in multiple areas. I have Bachelor's Degrees in Biology and Psychology, and a master Degree in Counseling and Guidance. I have experience in addictions, depression, anxiety, PTSD, military issues, abuse issues, relationship problems just to name a few. My therapy style is eclectic by nature, I don't believe in one size fit all therapy. I will tailor our sessions and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific immediate and long term needs. I look forward to working with you!

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Dr. Vaughn DeCoster

Offering therapy in Arkansas
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesCompassion fatigue
31 years of experience

We all lead busy, complex lives and often are very hard on ourselves… actually, we're doing “the best we can do” with what life throws at us. Takes courage to seek help, to actively move towards a more satisfying, meaningful, and happier life... wonderful that you’re considering this first step. I am a licensed doctoral-level social worker with 30+ years of clinical experience, helping people grow from life’s challenges like stress, anxiety, relationship problems, trauma, & intimacy related issues. I’m here to support you in your journey, recognizing your unique situation, needs, and abilities. Over the years as a therapist and university professor, I’ve acquired a lot of helpful tools that target feelings, thoughts, and behaviors, some even involving photography. I believe, though, you’re the “expert” on your life, therapy is a creative, collaborative endeavor, experimenting with different strategies until we find what works. Knowing that time is precious, I’m more engaged than some therapists, truly dedicated to providing you compassionate support to foster healing, build strength, and enhance resiliency. I will adapt our sessions and plans to meet your needs using evidence-based approaches. Let’s chat and see what we can accomplish together.

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Erin Boydston

Offering therapy in Arkansas
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsSelf esteemDepression
5 years of experience

I am licensed in Arkansas with 7 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I have experience working with children, teens and adults. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Deborah Boye

Offering therapy in Arkansas
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseGriefParenting issuesDepression
12 years of experience

I am licensed in Arkansas and Nebraska with over 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, & parenting issues. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Dr. Helen Miller

Offering therapy in Arkansas
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsDepression
50 years of experience

I am licensed in Arkansas with 47 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship issues, I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support you.

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Cheryl Comfort

Offering therapy in Arkansas
Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseAnger managementSelf esteemDepression
5 years of experience

I obtained my Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2018 from John Brown University. I am licensed in the State of Arkansas with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, anger management, motivation, self-esteem, and confidence. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support and empower you in that process.

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Arthur Stokenbury

Offering therapy in Arkansas
AddictionsRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSleeping disordersAnger management
15 years of experience

I am licensed in Arkansas with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & sleeping disorders. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

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Catherine Pettus

Offering therapy in Arkansas
Stress, AnxietyGriefAnger managementSelf esteemCoping with life changes
14 years of experience

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker licensed in Arkansas with 13 years of experience. I have worked with diverse populations, ranging from children to clients 65 years and older. I have experience working with depression, anxiety, anger management, coping with grief and loss, caregiver burnout, and relationship issues. I have helped clients who have experienced emotional, sexual, and physical abuse. My therapy style is warm and interactive. I truly believe it is important to be where my clients are and to be patient in their therapy journey. I will always treat my clients with respect, dignity, and compassion. I avoid any stigmatizing labels. I advocate for my clients and their needs. I strive for integrity and honesty while helping my clients through their journey. My approach combines cognitive- behavioral, solutions- focused therapy, and rational-emotive therapy. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. I understand that our sessions are your stories and experiences. It takes courage, strength, and perseverance to overcome struggles in life. I would love to help you through these struggles and to help you find the inner strength you are seeking. If you are ready to take that step, I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you!

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Courtney Porter

Offering therapy in Arkansas
Stress, AnxietyGriefSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes
10 years of experience

I am licensed in Arkansas, Tennessee and Texas with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, motivation, self esteem, confidence, and depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

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Mary Amanda Alls

Offering therapy in Arkansas
Stress, AnxietyLGBTDepressionCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
4 years of experience

I am licensed in Arkansas and California with 4 years of professional work experience. I have been working with children experiencing mental health crises for the past two years and adults with depression and anxiety for the past several years. I have expertise in mindfulness, yoga, crisis de-escalation and compassionate listening. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. Thank you for considering me on your healing journey.

How can therapists in Arkansas support you?

Therapists in Arkansas can practice many types of counseling, from marriage and family therapy to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). They may also assist you with symptoms of depression, stress, or anxiety.

Therapists may help you set and achieve career goals, work on current issues you may be facing, or address your past. Over 1,970,374 people live in Arkansas, and one out of five Americans has a mental health condition. Searching for licensed professionals in Arkansas may help you find mental health support for personal growth, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health concerns. You do not need a mental health diagnosis to seek support from one of BetterHelp's licensed providers above.  

The mental health field can include psychiatric medication management, online therapy, marriage counseling, couples therapy, clinical social work, licensed counseling, and other mental health services in person and online. Seeing a licensed provider can help you navigate mental health conditions and life circumstances through mindfulness and other specialized techniques.

Please note that BetterHelp does not offer diagnostic or medication management services.

Why are many residents in the state of Arkansas working with a licensed counselor?

People reach out for mental health support for a variety of reasons. Many individuals work with a counselor for general life advice, while others may attend therapy for a specific concern. Whether you live in a large city or a smaller county in Arkansas, BetterHelp can match you with a licensed professional tailored to your preferences noted when you sign up.

Mental health counselors in Arkansas support clients with varying issues, which can include:

  • Challenging situations or life stressors
  • Eating disorders
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Depression or depressive conditions
  • Adjustment issues
  • Emotional support for a terminal illness
  • Chronic pain emotional support
  • Grief
  • Personality disorders
  • Trauma
  • Relationship conflicts and concerns

Finding a therapist that takes new clients in online therapy can be the first step in finding a treatment plan that works for you. Your therapist can provide a safe space for you to focus on self-care and well-being.

If you're interested in speaking to one of the therapists above or being matched with a counselor in 24 to 48 hours, consider signing up for BetterHelp. BetterHelp has over 35,000 providers, including those listed above.

Emergency services

If you are experiencing a crisis or emergency, don't use this site's online services. If you are in life-threatening danger, call 911. If you require support for a crisis, reach out to the hotlines below:

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Some commonly asked questions can be found below.

How much does a therapist cost?

Mental health professionals can differ in price. Forbes found that the average cost of in-person therapy in the US is around $100 to $200 per hour. Pricing can also vary based on your location. 

BetterHelp offers payment plans of $60 to $90 per session, charged monthly in a lump sum. You can also take advantage of this pricing on one of BetterHelp's sister platforms, like ReGain for couples or TeenCounseling for teens aged 13 to 19.

Many therapists may be upfront about their pricing and whether or not they take health insurance from the beginning. Additionally, some in your area may offer a sliding scale plan to allow those with lower incomes to pay less for therapy. However, services online can often save individuals a few hundred dollars per month.

How do I know if I should get a therapist?

Mental health services and mental health providers may help you navigate various concerns. You do not need a diagnosis or condition to attend therapy; You can discuss grief, relationship concerns, stress, or life changes and ask for general advice. A counselor may help you gain power over your life and emotions while you navigate day-to-day experiences.

Mental health issues don't always present as a crisis. Many professionals provide talk therapy and support for life transitions, skills learning, relationship problems, or life coaching. Online therapy sessions in Arkansas can allow clients seeking therapy to experience professional help through video, phone, or live chat sessions without commuting to an office.

Does insurance cover therapy?

Different counseling services can vary in cost. Therapists must apply to accept insurance through insurance companies, which may take time and money, so not every therapist offers services through insurance. If you cannot find a therapist that accepts your plan, BetterHelp may be cheaper than visiting an in-person therapist.

Is online therapy safe?

Online therapy through BetterHelp and its sister platforms is safe. Therapists are licensed, experienced, and vetted before being contracted with the platform. If you experience any concerns with your therapist, you change your counselor through the platform or app at any time.

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