Find a Kaiser Permanente Therapist
Medically reviewed by Gabriela Asturias, MD on June 24, 2024For the lowest out-of-pocket costs and seamless care coordination, stay within the Kaiser system whenever possible. But if you're facing long wait times, you have the legal right to seek external care. Kaiser offers 24/7 mental health support and self-care tools to help bridge the gap—and you can request an outside referral or file a grievance if timelines aren’t met. You deserve timely, high-quality care. This guide will show you exactly how to get it.
How Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Services Work
Kaiser Permanente mental health services are rooted in a medical-necessity model. If a licensed clinician determines therapy is clinically appropriate, Kaiser must cover it just as it covers a blood test or an X-ray. That said, every Kaiser region writes its own Evidence of Coverage (EOC), so visit limits and co-pays vary. In 2025, the most common plans still feature:
- $0–$30 copay for individual therapy sessions
- Unlimited medically necessary visits (no preset cap)
- Same-day phone intake with a triage clinician
- A choice between in-house departments or contracted community providers
Kaiser’s Mental-Health Provider Types
| Provider | Typical Role |
|---|---|
| Kaiser Therapist (LMFT, LCSW, LPC) |
Talk therapy for anxiety, depression, life transitions |
| Kaiser Psychologist (PhD, PsyD) |
Testing, complex psychotherapy, specialty modalities |
| Kaiser Psychiatrist (MD/DO) |
Diagnosis, medication, complex co-morbidities |
All three can be booked directly from your member portal or by calling the Appointment & Advice line.
Real-Life Use Case: How Maria Found a Therapist Covered by Kaiser
Maria, a 34-year-old new mom in Oregon, felt lingering sadness and brain fog months after giving birth. Here’s how she found a therapist covered by Kaiser:
- Day 1 — Intake Call Maria clicks “Mental Health” in her Kaiser app and schedules a same-day phone screening.
- Day 2 — Care Options The triage clinician offers two choices: a video appointment with an internal Kaiser Permanente therapist in 10 days or an external provider three miles away in four days.
- Day 3 — Directory Deep Dive She uses the “find a therapist” filter (“Spanish-speaking,” “postpartum”) and chooses Dr. López—one of many therapists that take Kaiser in her county.
- Week 2 — First Session Her first three visits cost $0 because preventative maternal-mental-health therapy is fully covered on her family HMO plan.
- Week 3 — Psychiatry Consult When Dr. López recommends an SSRI, Maria schedules a 30-minute virtual check-in with a Kaiser psychiatrist the following afternoon.
Maria’s story shows how quickly you can move from symptoms to support when you understand the process.
Step-by-Step: How To Get Therapy Through Kaiser Permanente
| Step | What to do | Why it matters / pro-tips |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Start the request (no referral needed) | Online: Sign in at kp.org → Appointments → Mental Health (or use the KP app). Phone: Call Member Services 800-464-4000 (24/7; TTY 711). Say: “I’d like to schedule therapy.” The agent will transfer you to your region’s Behavioral-Health Access Center. |
Have your medical-record # ready. If you live outside California, the agent will give you the local number, or you can read it off your ID card. |
| 2. Complete the 15–20 min intake call | A licensed screener asks about symptoms, safety risks, schedule, language, and therapist preferences. Answer honestly — your responses set the clinical priority and match you to the right provider. | Mention any urgent concerns (e.g., thoughts of self-harm) so they can expedite care, often within 24 h. |
| 3. Choose in-house vs. community care | Kaiser clinic: integrated records, coordinated med-management; typical wait 2–6 wks. External network provider: Kaiser-contracted private-practice or telehealth clinicians if you need an opening ≤ 7 days or a specialty Kaiser doesn’t offer. Ask the screener for the first available option in each setting. |
If the first offer is too far out, ask: “Can you search community-network availability within X mile radius or via video?” |
| 4. Check your cost share | Open your 2025 Evidence of Coverage (EOC) → “Outpatient Mental Health,” or use kp.org/costestimator. HMO & POS plans usually charge $0–$30 per visit once any deductible is met; HDHP plans pay the contract rate (~$120) until the deductible is satisfied, then the normal copay/coinsurance applies. | Confirm whether virtual visits bill at the same rate as in-person (in most regions they do). |
| 5. Book and confirm | Pick video, phone, or office. You’ll get a confirmation in Messages → Appointments that lists the therapist’s name, license, date, and connection link or address. Add it to your calendar and arrive/check-in 10 min early. | If you need to reschedule, you can do it directly from the confirmation message or by calling the Behavioral-Health scheduling line in your After-Visit Summary. |
| 6. Use digital supports while you wait | Same-day, no-cost access to Calm, Headspace Care (text coaching + meditations), and myStrength Complete CBT modules at kp.org/selfcareapps. | Log in with your kp.org credentials; enrollment takes < 2 minutes and can help bridge the gap before therapy starts. |
| 7. Follow-up & re-book | After the first session, decide whether to keep or change providers. Re-book through the KP app or by calling the number in step 1 to maintain momentum. | Consistent scheduling (weekly or bi-weekly) improves outcomes and secures your spot in busy clinics. |
Following these seven steps will help you find a therapist Kaiser members speak highly of—often within 2 to 14 days, depending on region and urgency.
In-Network vs. Out-of-Network Care
Why stay in-network
- One chart, one bill — every clinician can see your KP record and medications.
- Predictable copay or coinsurance, usually $0–$30 once the deductible is met.
- Built-in coordination with your PCP, pharmacy, and any lab or imaging.
When to seek out-of-network
- You can’t get an in-network appointment within 15 business days (California standard) or the time-frame promised in other states.
- You already have a long-time therapist who isn’t on Kaiser’s panel.
- You need a niche specialty (e.g., trauma-focused EMDR in Spanish) that Kaiser can’t deliver quickly.
How to use out-of-network benefits without surprise bills
- Call Member Services first. Ask: “Can you pre-authorize an external referral because the soonest in-network visit offered was later than the timely-access standard?”
- Collect a “superbill.” Pay the therapist’s fee, then upload the superbill to kp.org → Coverage & Costs → Submit a Claim for partial reimbursement.
- Track deadlines. KP must approve or deny the claim within 30 days and pay approved claims within 45 days.
Going out-of-network means paying the therapist’s full fee upfront, then submitting a superbill for partial reimbursement. If you turn to therapists that take Kaiser but sit outside the official panels, call Member Services first; some regions pre-authorize outside care when internal waits exceed 15 business days.
Digital & Telehealth Options
| Tool | What it is | How to activate |
|---|---|---|
| Video or phone therapy | 45- to 60-minute visit with a Kaiser therapist or psychiatrist. | Book through the Mental-Health Access Center; join from kp.org → Appointments → Join. |
| Headspace Care (24/7 text coaching + mindfulness app) | Unlimited live text chat with a behavioral coach, guided meditations, sleepcasts. | Go to kp.org/selfcareapps → Headspace → Get Started and sign in with your KP credentials. |
| Calm | Sleep stories, breathing, and relaxation tracks. | Activate from the same self-care apps page. |
| myStrength Complete | Digital CBT programs for depression, anxiety, and substance use. | You’ll get an enrollment link in your Mental-Health After-Visit Summary, or request one during the intake call. |
| Same-day e-psychiatry (select regions) | Video consult for urgent medication assessment. | Ask the intake clinician: “Is same-day psychiatry available for my region and plan?” |
Tip: Digital tools are free extras, not plan benefits. They can be discontinued, so download any worksheets or progress logs you want to keep.
Cost & Coverage
| Plan type | In-network visit | Out-of-network visit |
|---|---|---|
| HMO Bronze/Silver | $0–$40 after deductible | 50 % of Kaiser’s allowed amount after deductible |
| HMO Gold/Platinum | $0–$20, no visit cap | 50 % after deductible |
| Kaiser PPO | 10 %–30 % coinsurance | 50 % coinsurance + balance bill |
| Federal Employee (FEHB) | First 3 visits $0, then standard copay | 30 % coinsurance |
| Medicare Advantage | $25–$30 per visit | Not covered (except emergency/urgent) |
Always confirm in your Evidence of Coverage (EOC) or kp.org/costestimator — numbers above are mid-range examples, not guarantees.
Picking the Right Kaiser Therapist
- Filter for expertise. On the intake call, request a therapist specializing in the reason you are seeking care. For example: depression, anxiety, ADHD, couples, etc.
- Prioritize cultural fit. Mention language, cultural background, or LGBTQ+ competency needs.
- Ask about modality. If you want EMDR or DBT, state that up front; not every clinician offers specialty modalities.
- Check logistics. Confirm video capability, office location, and evening hours before hanging up.
What to Do if Wait Times Drag
| Action | How to do it | Legal leverage |
|---|---|---|
| File a Timely-Access Grievance | Log into kp.org → Message Center → Submit Complaint or call Member Services and request “Grievance Form 600”. | KP must respond in 30 days. Delays beyond state standard (< 15 business days for routine MH visits in CA) require corrective action. |
| Request an external referral | Quote: “Under Health & Safety Code §1374.721, please authorize out-of-network care because in-network options exceed timely-access limits.” | Law requires KP to arrange and cover medically necessary MH/SUD services when timely access isn’t met. |
| Escalate to Patient-Advocate Office | Ask Member Services for your region’s “Patient Experience” number; email a concise timeline of missed targets. | Every KP region files quarterly access reports with regulators — documented cases get priority fixes. |
| Keep records | Note call dates, staff names, and appointment offers. | Detailed logs strengthen any appeal to DMHC (CA) or your state regulator. |
FAQs
Does Kaiser cover therapy? Yes — when a clinician says it’s medically necessary, you pay only your plan’s copay/coinsurance.
Are couples or family sessions covered? Covered if the focus is a member’s diagnosis; “relationship-enrichment” counseling may be denied.
How long to get the first visit? Intake in 2–10 days; therapy start depends on regional capacity (ask during intake).
Can I switch therapists? Definitely. Message your care team or call the Access Center and say, “I’d like a different provider.”
Psychologist vs. psychiatrist? Psychologists do testing and talk therapy; psychiatrists are MDs/DOs who manage medications.
How does Kaiser vet therapists? Primary-source credentialing, peer-review committee approval, site audits, and re-credentialing every 3 years.
Find care for Kaiser Permanente
Remember, recovery is possible. With early intervention, a supportive network, and the right professional care, you can overcome the challenges of Kaiser Permanente and build a fulfilling life. We are here to help you find care.
