“Getting Curious” about Therapy in Louisiana

When life feels overwhelming—whether due to depression, anxiety, grief, or a season of transition—it’s easy to shut down, to feel stuck in the same cycles. But what if curiosity became the starting point for something different? What if, instead of wrestling with our struggles alone, we followed that tenuous, hopeful little thread toward healing?

One of the most powerful ways to do that is through therapy. But if you’re here, you might be wondering: Where do I even start?

You Are Not Alone

Mental health challenges are more common than we often realize. In Louisiana, nearly one in two adults (47.5%) report symptoms of anxiety or depression (NAMI Louisiana). In New Orleans, 7.4% of adults experience a major depressive episode each year, and 10.8% of people aged 12 and older struggle with substance use (SAMHSA). These numbers tell a story—one of real pain, but also one of possibility. Because woven into those statistics are people finding support, discovering new ways to cope, and reconnecting with themselves.

Therapy can be a life-changing tool, but the process of finding a therapist can sometimes feel like just one more overwhelming task to add to your to-do list. If you’re unsure where to start, here are some resources that can help.

Local Resources for Finding a Therapist in Louisiana

If you’re looking for in-person support, these organizations can connect you with local therapists and mental health services:

• Orleans/Plaquemines/St. Bernard Parishes - Metropolitan Human Services District: Offers mental health treatment, recovery support, and crisis intervention services. Visit MHSDLA.
• NAMI Louisiana & NAMI Southeast Louisiana: Provides free mental health support, online groups, education, and advocacy. Visit NAMI Louisiana | Visit NAMI SELA.
• Jefferson Parish - Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority (JPHSA): Serves insured and uninsured in Jefferson Parish, offering adult and pediatric primary and behavioral healthcare. Visit JPHSA.
• Access Health Louisiana – Behavioral Health Services: Offers counseling from licensed professionals, including psychologists and social workers. Visit website.

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Online Therapy & Therapist Directories

If in-person therapy doesn’t feel right for you or if you prefer the flexibility of virtual sessions, these options might be helpful:

• Psychology Today: A widely used therapist directory where you can search for licensed professionals by location, specialty, and insurance coverage. Visit the website.
• BetterHelp: Matches you with a licensed therapist and offers therapy via video, phone, or chat. Visit website.
• Headway: Streamline the process of finding a therapy provider that accepts your insurance. Search by clinical specialty and insurance. Visit Headway. 

If This Feels Overwhelming, Start Here

Sometimes, even sorting through options can feel like too much. That’s okay. If you don’t know where to begin, I want to offer a simple first step: a conversation.

At Britt Benson Counseling, I create a space that allows for exploration—where you don’t have to have everything figured out to begin. If you’re curious about therapy but unsure if I’d be the right fit, I offer a free 20-minute consultation. This gives us a chance to connect, talk through what you’re looking for, and see if working together feels right. No pressure, no expectations—just an open space to explore.

Crisis & Addiction Support

If you need immediate support, please reach out to one of these crisis resources:

• Orleans/Plaquemines/St. Bernard Parishes: MHSD offers 24/7 on-call crisis support and intervention. If you or someone you know is in a mental health, addiction or intellectual/developmental disability crisis, please call the Metro Crisis Response Team at (504) 826-2675. 
• Jefferson Parish: For people experiencing a behavioral health crisis in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. Call 24/7. (504) 832-5123.
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988 for confidential support 24/7 in English and Spanish. 
• Never Use Alone: Toll-free national overdose prevention, detection, life-saving crisis response and medical intervention services for people who use drugs while alone. Never Use Alone’s peer operators are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. No stigma. No judgment. (877) 696-1996 or (800) 484-3731

Following the Thread of Curiosity

Finding a therapist isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about allowing yourself to be curious—to follow the quiet thread that says, I want something different. I wonder what healing might feel like.

If that thread has led you here, I encourage you to take the next small step. Whether you explore the resources above or reach out to me directly, know that support is available. You don’t have to navigate this alone.

Schedule a free consultation here

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