When you feel that seeing a therapist would be beneficial in your life, it’s easy to treat the decision like seeing any other medical professional.
If you need to see a doctor, you simply make an appointment with your local primary care physician. If you need to see a dentist, you might check online for one with the best reviews, but it’ll still be a pretty quick decision.
But when you want to work with a therapist, you’re going to need to spare some time for the process. After all, you need to make sure you’re going into therapy with an idea of what you’re going to get.
You need to know what discipline the therapist uses, and if you’re willing to explore that. You need to get an idea of the way your counselor works, and if their process or ‘vibe’ is going to be constructive for you.
You also need to know if the cost of the sessions works with your budget – and whether or not they accept insurance, or if therapy is even covered under your policy in the first place.
All in all, and rather ironically, finding the right therapist can be stressful. And that’s what we want to try and help with. If you’re looking to work on your mental health this year, we’ve got a few recommendations for centers to consider.
We’ve done a bit of research and come up with 5 counseling centers that we feel could be right for those just starting on their therapy journey. Check out our list below.
- Manhattan Mental Health Counseling – Best in depth, holistic therapy experience
A psychotherapy provider based in New York, Manhattan Mental Health Counseling has long been known for its incredibly in depth approach to patient-focused therapy. As such, they’ve netted the number one spot on our list.
They offer a wide range of therapies, including online counseling, grief counseling, DBT and CBT therapy, as well as addiction support.
Plus, it’s super easy to get in touch, with a contact form on their website that’s quite simple to fill out. Just tick the boxes for what you’re looking for help with, attach a message if you’d like to, and then they’ll get back to you.
We like their approach to making therapy as affordable as possible too. Manhattan Mental Health Counseling accepts a pretty diverse selection of insurance, and even provide a bit of guidance over asking your insurance provider if they’ll cover therapy costs.
- The Soho Center – A great provider for family therapy needs
Another mental health and therapy service found in NYC, The Soho Center is number two on our list for being both insurance-friendly and family focused.
They provide plenty of individual, one on one therapy options too, but it’s their family (and young children and teens) therapy sessions that caught our eye.
It’s hard to find quality mental health services for those under the age of 18, so The Soho Center stands out in this regard.
Whether you have children, younger siblings, or you’d simply like to try family therapy now you’re all adults, this could be a good pick for you.
- Thriveworks – Perfect for late night therapy concerns
Thriveworks is our third pick thanks to their late night contact hours. Open until 2.30am Monday to Sunday, you can get in touch at traditionally inconvenient times without it being a problem.
And for those who have struggled with mental health concerns for a while, there’s nothing quite like the anxiety of feeling like there’s no one there for you.
Over 360 insurance plans are accepted at Thriveworks too, so you have a very good chance of avoiding self-pay costs when you get in touch.
- Ellie Mental Health – For matching clients with therapists, no matter where you are
Ellie Mental Health is both a therapy provider in itself, as well as a match-making service between you and a mental health professional who suits you.
‘Ellie’ locations can be found across the US, and depending on where you are, you’ll be matched to your closest, most convenient provider. You can do this via their website, which seems to be quite a quick and easy process as well.
Of course, this also means you won’t know who you’ll be matched with or what insurance they accept until later on in the process. However, if you’re getting tired of trying to find a therapist on your own, this could be a good port of call for you.
- The Ross Center – Great for those living with anxiety
One of the most common mental health issues in the US, anxiety is the kind of thing that makes it next to impossible to reach out for help.
However, The Ross Center want to make that easier. They provide a no-cost consultation before your first appointment even happens.
Although, it does sound like this consultation is more of a brief phone call – but that’s still a boon in their favor. Getting to know your therapist before you’ve even met them can be incredibly helpful for anxiety.
Achieve Your Therapy Goals in 2026
If prioritizing your mental health and wellness is the number one goal this year, then finding a therapist that clicks with you is a good way to get started. It won’t be an immediate fix, of course, but it will definitely help you to lay the groundwork for better mental health habits from here on out.
It’s always a positive choice to put your trust and vulnerability in the hands of a therapy professional you feel good about.
In those moments when you’re stepping outside of your comfort zone, and maybe even tackling some deep seated trauma that’s been with you for a long time, you need to know the support you need is present in the room with you.
So, be sure to check out the counseling centers above. Double check their reviews, price ranges, insurance acceptance, and whether or not they work with methods you’re willing to try out.
