Best Therapists in Charleston, SC of 2025
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Best Therapists in Charleston, South Carolina of 2025
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I. Therapists in Charleston, SC
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Languages: English
Treatment Approaches: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Depression
Languages: English
Treatment Approaches: Stress, Anxiety, Anger management, Self esteem, Depression, Coping with life changes, Addictions, LGBT, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Parenting issues, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, ADHD
Shayla Peterson
- 17 years of Experience
- United States
- Columbia, South Carolina
- Visit Website
Languages: English
Treatment Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)
State Licenses: Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee
Kasia Ciszewski
- 3 years of Experience
- United States
- Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
- Visit Website
Areas of focus: Anxiety, Depression, Grief, Marital / Premarital
Languages: English
Treatment Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Dialectical (DBT), Family / Marital, Mindfulness-based (MBCT)
State License: South Carolina
Vanessa Perry
- 7 years of Experience
- United States
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Visit Website
Areas of focus: Addiction, Alcohol Abuse, Anxiety, Coping Skills, Coping With Medical Issues, Depression, Drug Abuse, Goal Setting, Life Coaching, Marital / Premarital, Parenting, Postpartum, Pregnancy, Relationship Issues, Self Esteem
Languages: English
Treatment Approaches: Coaching, Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Dialectical (DBT), Emotionally Focused, Feminist, Humanistic, Interpersonal, Intervention, Motivational Interviewing, Psychodynamic, Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)
State License: South Carolina
Georgia Gibson
- 12 years of Experience
- United States
- Elgin, South Carolina
- Visit Website
Languages: English
Treatment Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Family / Marital, Mindfulness-based (MBCT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Brief (SFBT), Somatic, Person-Centered Therapy
State License: South Carolina
Tia Buchanan
- 10 years of Experience
- United States
- Sumter, South Carolina
- Visit Website
Languages: English
Treatment Approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-based, Culturally Sensitive, EMDR, Emotionally Focused, Existential, Expressive Arts, Family / Marital, Family Systems, Gestalt, Humanistic, Integrative, Jungian, Play Therapy, Psychoanalytic, Psychodynamic, Relational, Sand Play, Solution Focused Brief (SFBT), Somatic, Transpersonal, Person-Centered Therapy
State License: South Carolina
Shameshia Benton
- 8 years of Experience
- United States
- Columbia, South Carolina
- Visit Website
Languages: English
Treatment Approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Family / Marital, Family Systems, Gestalt, Integrative, Interpersonal, Intervention, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Brief (SFBT), Person-Centered Therapy
State License: South Carolina
Lindsay Buvel
- 5 years of Experience
- United States
- Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
- Visit Website
Languages: English
Treatment Approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Dialectical (DBT), Mindfulness-based (MBCT), Motivational Interviewing
State Licenses: Illinois and South Carolina
Jennifer Elkins
- 15 years of Experience
- United States
- Florence, South Carolina
- Visit Website
Areas of focus: ADHD, Adoption, Anger Management, Anxiety, Behavior Issues, Bipolar Disorder, Career Counseling, Child Abuse and Neglect, Depression, Developmental Disability, Family Conflict, Grief, Interpersonal Relationships, Life Transitions, OCD, Parenting, Sexual Abuse, Stress, Trauma / PTSD, Asperger's, Women's Issues
Languages: English
Treatment Approaches: Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT), Behavioral, Biofeedback, Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Crisis Intervention, Parent Guidance, Play Therapy, Sand Play, Short-Term (Brief Treatment), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Vocational Counseling/Rehabilitation
State License: South Carolina
II. The Best Therapists in Charleston, SC
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Finding the right professional is the first step for making counseling work for you. To determine which providers offer excellent care, Online Therapy evaluated local therapists on eight key factors, including availability, price, specialization, and flexibility. The 15 therapists on this list all meet the criteria. |
Choosing the Best Charleston, SC TherapistsCredentialsProfessional and academic qualifications give you a good idea of a professional’s area of expertise. All Licensed Professional Counselors in South Carolina must have a relevant master’s degree and at least 1,380 hours of supervised clinic work experience before they can attempt the state exam, which includes clinical and ethical content. AccessibilityFor best results, your therapist needs to be available on your schedule. Most counselors offer in-person and virtual visits. Some may be more flexible than others when scheduling session lengths and formats. CostOnline Therapy looked for therapists that offer multiple payment options. While self-pay arrangements are always an option, many counselors accept insurance, and some offer sliding-scale discounts. Therapists can also help with out-of-network reimbursement. |
Sandy Davidson: LISW-CP, CMC, CFIC | Best for Insurance Coverage
843-830-3087
Website
Sandy is a holistic therapist who specializes in trauma, anxiety, panic attacks, and relationship issues. She offers counseling, mediation, and life coaching with an emphasis on divorce, parenting, and co-parenting. Her modalities include eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), Image Transformation Therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and positive psychology. Most insurance is accepted.
What patients say: Clients give Sandy five stars for her professional services.
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Divorce Relationship Issues Anxiety |
APS Healthcare Aetna Anthem Beacon BlueCross and BlueShield Ceridian Cigna Coventry Deer Oaks ESI Employee Assistance Group GEHA Guardian Horizon Healthcare Humana Magellan Medicare Military OneSource Optum Others pending TRICARE |
Cost per Session: $125 per 50 minute session |
Yes | Yes |
Louisa Storen: LISW, LMFT | Best for Family Issues
843-416-1103
Website
With more than 40 years of clinical experience, Louisa is one of the best therapists in Charleston. She’s a Licensed Independent Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist who helps individuals and couples address relationship issues. Her diverse areas of expertise include addiction, anxiety, anger, trauma, infertility, family roles/gender identity, and Gottman-based couples therapy.
What patients say: “She has been professional, kind, nurturing and assertive…all at the times I’ve needed those qualities the most.”
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Family Conflict Addiction Divorce |
N/A | Cost per Session: $150 per hour session (an hour is considered 50-55 minutes) |
Yes | Yes |
Christopher B. Briggman: MRC, CRC, LCMHC-A | Best for Professional Development
843-371-5884
Website
Christopher is the founder of Balance Consulting & Counseling, which helps individuals and corporations foster a healthier work-life balance. His areas of expertise include career issues, life transitions, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and anger. He offers vocational counseling to help individuals overcome personal limitations and find fulfilling employment. His clients include teens, adults, seniors, minorities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
What patients say: “Chris is smart, intuitive, and easy to talk with. He is a good sounding board and helped me deal with some difficult issues that I was dealing with.”
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Life Transitions Anxiety Depression |
N/A | Cost per Session: $100 | No | Yes |
Michael Becker: M.Ed., LPC, CAC-P | Best for Building Healthy Coping Skills
843-410-9910
Website
If you’re struggling with depression, stress, or anxiety and have turned to drugs or alcohol to minimize overwhelming emotions, Michael may be able to help. He focuses on giving clients the tools they need to manage everyday triggers while addressing negative or self-destructive thoughts or behaviors.
What patients say: “I feel more comfortable talking to Michael than anyone else I have been to. He is excellent. I highly recommend Lighthouse Therapy Solutions.”
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Depression Anxiety Substance Use |
N/A | Cost per Session: $135 | Yes | Yes |
Kasia Ciszewski: M.Ed., NCC | Best for Bereavement
843-597-6497
Website
With a background in grief support and school counseling, Kasia draws from diverse experiences when helping clients with bereavement, depression, anxiety, trauma, and life transitions. Her positive approach combines person-centered therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness. She also uses brainspotting, an eye-movement technique, to aid in trauma recovery. Kasia offers online and in-person sessions for individuals and couples.
What patients say: “Kasia makes you feel comfortable and open…like you can really say anything without judgment. For the first time ever I look forward to therapy. Not only does she help me move through my issues but we laugh doing it.”
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Anxiety Trauma and PTSD Grief |
N/A | Cost per Session: Individual Therapy (50 min) – $150.00 Relationships/Couples/Marriage Therapy (50 min) – $150.00 Online Counseling (50 min) – $150.00 Online Counseling (30 min) – $95.00 |
No | Yes |
Eric Sullivan Proud: LPC, LMFT | Best for LGBTQ+
410-924-4786
Website
Eric Sullivan Proud created Proud Counseling in 2017 after returning to the Charleston area from L.A., where he completed his clinical training at the Los Angeles LGBT Center. He provides services for individuals, groups, couples, young adults, and families. He’s also a transgender advocate, and he offers referrals to promote gender alignment.
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Transgender Gay Stress |
N/A | Cost per Session: Individual, Gender, & Youth: $150 per 50 minute session Couples or Family: $200 per 50 minute session |
No | Yes |
Jessica Schwartzkopf: M.A., LPC | Best for Self-Esteem
843-864-3459
Website
Through her work at Coastal Mind and Body, Jessica helps clients achieve physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness. Her eclectic, down-to-earth approach combines multiple methodologies, including humor, to help clients manage stress and emotions and find balance in their lives, especially during difficult life transitions. She accepts BlueCross BlueShield and state and federal health insurance plans, among others.
What patients say: Clients give Jessica five stars for her therapeutic services.
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Depression Anxiety Self Esteem |
Blue Cross Blue Shield BlueChoice Health Plan BlueCross and BlueShield Federal Employees Program Planned Administrators State Health Plan |
Cost per Session: Individual Counseling: 50 minutes – $110 The first session is 60-75 minutes in order for me to gather adequate information – $120 |
No | Yes |
Michelle I. Tompkins: M.A., LPC | Best for Personal Healing
843-501-0561
Website
Michelle is a solution-focused impact therapist who helps clients uncover and challenge negative emotions or behaviors and limiting beliefs, utilizing EMDR and creative expressive arts techniques. She works with individuals, couples, and families who are dealing with parenting or relationship issues, career challenges, stress, or conflict. Michelle also has extensive experience related to trauma, complex trauma, depression, grief, addiction, and recovery.
What patients say: “Deciding to sit down with Michelle was one of the best decisions I ever made. She is warm, understanding and a wonderful example of what a therapist should be.”
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Trauma and PTSD Relationship Issues Substance Use |
N/A | Cost per Session: $120 | Yes | Yes |
Ward Lassoe: M.A., LPC | Best for Men and Boys
843-883-4104
Website
A former TV reporter, journalist, and businessman, Ward uses Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and his trademark sense of humor to help men, teens, boys, and individuals who are resistant to therapy or skeptical of the process. Although he sees couples and business partners, much of his work focuses on addressing challenging or self-destructive behaviors in teens and working with adults who are experiencing issues with anger, drugs/alcohol, relationship issues, career issues, or sex addiction. Sliding-scale discounts are available.
What patients say: “My two sons and I worked with Ward for several months and we are forever grateful for his understanding, honesty, professionalism, and sense of humor!”
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Anxiety Life Coaching Sexual Addiction |
Blue Cross Blue Shield BlueCross and BlueShield |
Cost per Session: 45-minute session is $100. The first appointment will be 75 minutes, and the charge is $175. For couples counseling or business partnership counseling, the charges are $150 for a regular 45-minute session and $250 for the initial 75-minute session |
Yes | Yes |
Madeline Fellabom: M.A., LPCA | Best for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
843-212-6007
Website
Madeline is a former athlete who works with high-performing individuals who are experiencing challenges at home or on the job. She uses CBT and a collaborative approach to support and challenge clients. Her goal is to help individuals understand the relationship between their thoughts, emotions, and behavior, especially as they relate to anxiety, depression, trauma, and PTSD. Madeline offers in-person and online sessions. She has additional training in Trauma-Focused CBT.
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Anxiety Depression Trauma and PTSD |
N/A | Cost per Session: $150 | Yes | Yes |
Diane E. Arnold: M.A., LPC | Best for Faith-Based Care
843-640-6882
Website
Certified by the American Association of Christian Counselors, Diane provides faith-based care for couples, women, and children. She has more than 15 years of marriage and parent coaching experience. Her areas of focus include premarital counseling, relationships, family, grief, trauma, and stress with an emphasis on Emotionally Focused Therapy. Most insurance is accepted, including Blue Cross.
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Relationship Issues Marital and Premarital Grief |
Blue Choice Health Plan Blue Cross Blue Shield BlueCross and BlueShield FEP Planned Administrators State Health Plan |
Cost per Session: $150 | Yes | Yes |
Liz Chichester: Ph.D. | Best for Anxiety and Depression
843-310-3539
Website
Dr. Chichester is an accomplished mental health professional offering evidence-based therapy for individuals and couples. Her practice for individuals uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help clients overcome anxiety, depression, and stress while creating more fulfilling lives. Dr. Chichester also helps clients work through relationship issues individually or as a couple using principles rooted in Emotionally Focused Therapy.
What patients say: “Dr. Chichester is very highly educated and is extremely competent. … She is warm and sensitive to the needs of my husband and me, and her help has made it possible for us to resolve difficulties that have plagued us for years.”
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Anxiety Depression Relationship Issues |
N/A | Cost per Session: 60 minute session: $150 90 minute session: $215 |
No | Yes |
Elizabeth Bennett: M.A., LPC, LAC, CACI | Best for Women
843-900-4339
Website
Clients who come to Elizabeth’s Amani Counseling Center are often seeking help with life transitions, anxiety, trauma, and depression. These challenges can lead to issues with self-esteem and substance abuse. Elizabeth provides person-centered, nonjudgmental care using mindfulness, CBT, and motivational enhancement therapy. She has more than 10 years of experience related to women’s issues and addiction. Evening and weekend appointments are available.
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Depression Women’s Issues Trauma and PTSD |
N/A | Cost per Session: $125 | No | Yes |
Chris Tugnoli: Psy.D. | Best for Personality Disorders
854-202 3821
Website
Personality disorders, trauma, PTSD, and addiction are at the core of Dr. Tugnoli’s practice. As a therapist, she focuses on the value of human relationships and helps clients find their path by reconstructing the puzzle of their lives. She offers individual, group, and couples sessions for clients who are dealing with anxiety, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, codependency, emotional disturbances, substance abuse, or a dual diagnosis.
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Trauma and PTSD Addiction Personality Disorders |
N/A | Cost per Session: $180 | No | Yes |
Barbara Fox: LISW | Best for EMDR
843-795-1100
Website
Barbara Fox of Body & Soul Therapy is a Licensed Independent Social Worker focusing on anxiety, depression, and addiction. She works with patients who are dealing with stress, anger, relationship difficulties, and problems at home or at work. With more than 25 years of experience as a certified EMDR therapist, she’s one of the best therapists in Charleston for individuals who are working to overcome anxiety or trauma. Most insurance is accepted.
What patients say: “Barbara Fox, is an excellent therapist. She is goal oriented and has helped me tremendously with anxiety, dealing with chronic health issues, codependency, and ADD.”
| Specializations | Insurance | Cost | Sliding scale | Remote services |
| Anxiety Depression Addiction |
Aetna BlueCross and BlueShield Medicare TRICARE |
Cost per Session: $90 | No | Yes |
III. What You Should Know About Charleston Therapy
How are Charleston therapists licensed?
Therapists are licensed by the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors, and Psycho-Educational Specialists. These professionals must meet strict standards for education and supervised clinical work experience before they can sit for the required exams.
How much does therapy cost in Charleston?
The average cost for a counseling session in Charleston is $132. Typical prices range from $110 to $150, depending on the therapist. You can expect to pay slightly more for couples therapy and for your first visit, which might be longer than usual. Many counselors accept insurance, and those who are out-of-network may provide a superbill to help with reimbursement.
Start searching for your online counselor now!
IV. Sources
- South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors | Last accessed February 2025
- National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination | Last accessed February 2025
- National Counselor Examination | Last accessed February 2025