How to Find a Medicaid Therapist in North Carolina (Without Losing Your Mind)

An Anti-Oppressive, Queer-Affirming, Guide to Getting the Mental Health Support You Deserve

1. Let’s Be Real: Finding a Therapist Who Accepts Medicaid Shouldn’t Be This Hard

But it is. And not because you’re doing anything wrong.

If you’ve spent hours scrolling insurance directories, called five offices with no call back, or felt like no one sees you in these systems—you’re not alone.

Even though North Carolina Medicaid covers therapy, actually accessing it—especially if you're LGBTQ+, BIPOC, disabled, neurodivergent, or navigating complex trauma—can feel like running in circles with a weighted backpack.

At Whole Mentality, we believe you deserve care that’s not just available—but affirming, culturally responsive, and rooted in justice.

2. First, What Is NC Medicaid—and What Does It Cover?

Medicaid is a public health insurance program that covers specific income individuals and families—including children, teens, adults, pregnant people, people with disabilities, and older adults.

In NC, most people are enrolled in one of several Managed Care plans, including:

• Healthy Blue

• WellCare of NC

• UnitedHealthcare Community Plan

• Carolina Complete Health

• AmeriHealth Caritas NC

✅ Yes, these plans cover therapy.
But that doesn’t mean every therapist accepts them. And even when they do, it doesn’t mean that therapist is trauma-informed, LGBTQ+ affirming, or culturally responsive.

3. 3 Ways to Find a Medicaid-Accepting Therapist in NC (Without the Breakdown)

A.Use Your Insurance’s Provider Search Tool

Each plan has an online directory where you can search for therapists who are in-network. These can be helpful if you already know what you're looking for.

Tips:

• Filter by distance + specialty

• Try keywords like “trauma,” “LGBTQ+,” or “EMDR”

• Call to confirm—directories are often outdated

B. Call the Behavioral Health Number on Your Insurance Card

Ask a human (if you can get one) for help. You can say:

"I'm looking for a therapist who is LGBTQ+ affirming, trauma-informed, and takes [insert your plan name]. Can you help me find someone?"

You can also ask:

• Do they offer virtual therapy?

• Are there any BIPOC or queer-identified providers?

C. Reach Out to Inclusive Therapy Practices (Like This One 👋🏾)

Whole Mentality is in-network with most NC Medicaid plans, and we’re not just checking boxes. We offer:

• 🧠 Trauma-informed therapist with training in - EMDR Therapy, EFT, Pain Reprocessing Therapy, DBT, ACT, and more

• 🌈 LGBTQ+ and trans-affirming care

• 🫱🏿‍🫲🏽 Neurodivergent and disability-affirming therapy

• 💻 Virtual sessions for all of North Carolina

• 🧡 In-person sessions in Raleigh, NC

We support children, teens, adults, families, and relationships—because healing isn't one-size-fits-all, and neither is access.

4. Why it’s hard to accept Medicaid (And Why We Do)

We won’t sugarcoat it—Medicaid and private insurances do not make it easy on providers, and the paperwork at times is…a lot. That’s why many private practices opt out.

But when we started Whole Mentality, we did it with the full intention of one day being in network with Medicaid. That day has come!

We built this practice to serve the margins, and that includes being in-network with Medicaid—because accessible, affirming mental health care shouldn’t be a luxury.

5. What to Expect When Starting Therapy with Medicaid at Whole Mentality

Starting therapy with us is simple (and we’re here to walk with you):

1. Fill out our contact form to get a consult scheduled

2. Decide if one of our therapists is the right fit for you

3. Tell us your Medicaid plan (we’ll verify it for you). See the list of plans we are in network with below

4. Begin care that actually feels aligned with who you are

We’ll answer your questions, and make sure you're not left in the dark.

6. TL;DR: You Deserve Support. And Now, You Can Access It.

You shouldn’t have to choose between being seen and being covered.
At Whole Mentality, you don’t have to.

We’re here for the messy, the sacred, the in-between—and we now accept:

✅ Healthy Blue Prepaid Health Plan (Medicaid)
✅ AmeriHealth (Medicaid)
✅ WellCare of NC (Medicaid)
✅ UnitedHealthcare Community Plan (Medicaid)
✅ Carolina Complete Health (Medicaid)
✅ Alliance (Medicaid)
✅ Partners (Medicaid)
✅ Trillium (Medicaid)
✅ Vaya (Medicaid)
✅ BCBS
✅ Aetna (& Aetna SHP)

📞 Ready to Start?

If you’ve got a Medicaid plan and you're looking for a therapist who sees the whole you—reach out.

👉 Schedule a free consult
📍 Located in Raleigh, NC for in person care | Additionally Serving all of North Carolina via telehealth
🧠 EMDR Therapy | Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) | Child Therapy | Teen Therapy | Couples Therapy | Relationship Therapy | DBT | Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) | ACT | Identity-Affirming | Anti-Oppressive | Real As Hell