Why We Exist
Counseling can change lives, but for many people it's out of reach. Sessions with fully licensed counselors often cost $100 to $200 or more, and many have long waitlists.
Meanwhile, Texas has thousands of trained, state-licensed counselors called LPC Associates who are ready to help right now, often at lower rates and with more open schedules. Many people simply don't know they exist.
We built My TX Therapists to close that gap, so you can find real help without the high price tag or the long wait.
What a single session typically costs in Texas
Save up to $100+ per session
Typical self-pay rates published by Texas practices. Each counselor sets their own prices.
So, What's an LPC Associate?
An LPC Associate is a counselor who has already earned a master's degree in counseling, passed the national counseling exam and the Texas law and ethics exam, and been licensed by the State of Texas. They're now completing the supervised work experience required to become a fully independent Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
Every associate works under an experienced, board-approved supervisor who guides and reviews their work. That means you get your own counselor, plus a seasoned professional supporting them behind the scenes.
How You Benefit
Lower cost
Associates often charge less per session than fully licensed counselors, and many offer sliding-scale rates based on income.
Shorter waits
Associates are actively building their caseloads, so they're more likely to have openings now, including evenings and weekends.
Two professionals, one price
Your counselor meets regularly with an experienced supervisor, giving you an extra layer of expertise and accountability.
Up-to-date training
Associates recently finished graduate school, so they're trained in current research and approaches to care.
Real choice
Filter by what you need help with, language, gender, budget, schedule, and whether you want to meet online or in person.
Your privacy
Searching is anonymous. Nothing you choose on our matching form is saved, and you contact counselors yourself.
How It Works
- Tell us what you're looking forChoose what you'd like help with, who you are, your budget, language, schedule, and whether you'd like online or in-person sessions.
- Browse your matchesSee counselors who fit, with their photos, approach, prices, and availability. Results are shown in a random order so every counselor gets a fair chance to be seen.
- Reach out directlyContact the counselor you connect with by email, phone, or their booking link. Many offer a free consultation call to see if it's a good fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it cost anything to use My TX Therapists?
No. Searching and contacting counselors is always free for clients. You pay your counselor directly for sessions, at the rates listed on their profile.
Do associates take insurance?
Often, no, and it usually isn't their choice. Many insurance plans won't reimburse counseling provided by an associate, even though associates are licensed by the state and supervised by experienced counselors. That shuts them out of the main way many people pay for therapy.
To stay accessible, many associates offer affordable self-pay rates and sliding scales instead. For many clients, a self-pay session with an associate ends up costing about the same as, or even less than, an insurance copay or deductible. Each counselor's profile shows their prices, so there are no surprises.
What's the real difference between an associate and a fully licensed counselor?
Less than most people think. Associates and fully licensed counselors earned the same master's degree, passed the same national counseling exam, and passed the same Texas law and ethics exam. Both are licensed by the State of Texas.
The only thing standing between an associate and a full LPC license is supervised experience: 3,000 hours over a minimum of 18 months, with at least 1,500 of those hours spent counseling clients directly. Once those hours are done, the associate simply applies to upgrade their license. There's no new degree and no new exam. The counselor you see today is the same counselor who will be fully licensed tomorrow.
Will I just be a "practice" client?
Not at all. Associates are licensed professionals who already completed hundreds of hours of supervised counseling during graduate school. You'll receive real, professional care, with the added support of a supervisor behind your counselor.
Is my information kept confidential?
Yes. Associates follow the same confidentiality laws and professional ethics codes as fully licensed counselors. Your counselor may discuss your care with their supervisor to make sure you get the best help, and the supervisor is held to the same confidentiality rules. Your counselor will explain all of this at your first session.
How does seeing an associate benefit me?
You get a counselor who is freshly trained in current, research-based approaches, eager to learn, and genuinely invested in doing great work. Associates also review their cases regularly with an experienced supervisor, so your care gets an extra set of expert eyes that you wouldn't get with most independent counselors.
And because associates are building their caseloads, they're more likely to have openings now, often at lower rates. At the same time, you're helping a dedicated counselor take the final step in their career. Your healing and their growth happen together.
Can I check a counselor's license?
Absolutely. You can look up any Texas counselor's license on the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council website. We also verify every associate's license before their profile goes live.
What happens when my counselor becomes fully licensed?
In most cases, nothing changes for you except that your counselor gets to celebrate a big milestone. Many clients keep seeing the same counselor after they become fully licensed. Your counselor will let you know about any changes to their rates or availability.
Why is it so hard for associates to find clients and jobs?
This is the part most people never hear about. Associates are required to log thousands of supervised hours, but many practices only hire fully licensed counselors, and many insurance companies won't cover associates. That leaves trained, licensed, motivated counselors struggling to find enough clients to complete the hours they need.
Some fall behind. Some take on unpaid or very low-paid work just to keep their hours moving. Many are paying for their own supervision while carrying student loans from graduate school. They're ready to help. They just need people to find them. That's exactly why My TX Therapists exists.