Find a therapist in Portsmouth, NH — covered by insurance


Top therapists in Portsmouth, NH accepting new patients
Find mental health support in Portsmouth across neighborhoods like South End, North End, and Downtown. Headway connects you with 407 licensed providers offering virtual and in-person sessions. With insurance coverage and free consultations available, begin your care journey as soon as tomorrow.
I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) who understands the importance of providing healthcare from a holistic perspective, centered on healing the whole person (mind, body, and spirit). I am certified in working with all ages, from children to the elderly. I can help with anxiety, depression, bipolar, ADHD, ASD, and Schizo-affective disorders. My psychiatric experience includes working in acute care psychiatric hospitals as well as private practice outpatient mental health care.
You notice your emotions are all over the place and you don’t know how to control them. Your head might be spinning with worry about the past and the future. When things get difficult and things we have to do pile up we can lose sight of the moments that help us stay balanced or steady. You are not alone. Therapy can help you get feeling like yourself again. Through teletherapy, you will receive the same high quality care you would get in an office from the comfort of your own surroundings.
I bring a steady and calm approach to therapy utilizing a strengths-based, non-judgmental, empathetic, and empowering approach to treatment using motivational interviewing, CBT & DBT. Each person is capable, resilient, and a whole human being. You might need a little help sometimes to listen to that wise voice inside of you that knows what to do. I can help.
I enjoy working with adults and teens who have difficulty with anxiety, depression, other mood disorders, relationship struggles, trauma, adapting to major life changes, and managing stress. I have supported clients through adapting to the inevitable changes life brings, grief and loss, exploring and embracing sexuality and/or gender identity, and much more.
Hello, I’m Cara, a licensed clinical social worker with a master’s degree in social work. My approach is warm, down‐to‐earth, and collaborative. I believe therapy works best when it feels genuine and human. Together, we’ll explore your experiences, build on your strengths, and use practical, evidence‐based tools like coping strategies, mindset shifts, and boundary work. I make space for humor and real connection, combining these skills with deeper exploration of patterns, self‐compassion, and emotional insight to support lasting, meaningful change.
I specialize in complex trauma and attachment issues, primarily using EMDR and EMDR 2.0. I graduated with a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University (Phoenix) in 2014. I worked in community mental health for several years and have now worked in private practice for two years. I have received significant specialized education in trauma, EMDR, neurodivergence and narcissistic abuse.
Stimulants, Suboxone and Benzodiazepines are prescribed in this practice with DEA guidelines. Dr. Padilla is a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the New York tri-state area and has over 30 years of experience in healthcare. He treats children from 6 years old through adulthood, focusing on psychiatric medication management. He specializes in mental health and has extensive experience in the field of psychiatry. Dr. Padilla takes a “start low and go slow” approach to prescribing, paying special attention to medication potency and potential interactions with other medications prescribed by other providers. Dr. Padilla earned his Doctorate in Clinical Practice Nursing from Rutgers University–New Brunswick. He also holds bachelor’s degrees from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and the University of Miami, as well as an associate’s degree from Bergen Community College.
I am a licensed clinical mental health counselor and a certified yoga instructor. I love working with clients that are motivated to change and become the best version of themselves! I enjoy working with clients that are ready to break unhealthy habits and unlearn negative thoughts and behaviors that keep us away from our true happiness and identity.
I have worked in a variety of settings, from in-patient to community mental health. I have worked with all age ranges. I am enthusiastic about helping people discover their inner strength and create their road map to what success is to them personally!
You're the one people call when things fall apart. You're good at it — steady, competent, the person who knows what to do. And somewhere along the way you stopped having anywhere to put your own stuff.
So you can run the meeting, hold the crisis, answer the phone at 2 a.m. — and still not be able to make yourself open the mail. Competence and collapse live together far more often than anyone admits out loud.
I work with adults carrying that particular load: substance use and recovery, emotions that arrive at full volume with no dimmer switch, thoughts of self-harm or not wanting to be here, and the specific erosion that comes from caring for other people for a living. Helpers, clinicians, parents, first responders — people whose exhaustion doesn't have an obvious place to go. I work with teenagers too, often the ones in families like these.
My style is direct, warm, and collaborative. I'm not going to nod quietly for fifty minutes. We'll find what's actually driving things, build skills you can use on a Tuesday afternoon when it counts, and I'll tell you honestly what I'm seeing. You set the pace. I'll bring the structure.
About our therapists serving Portsmouth, NH



- 99%Anxiety
- 91%Depression
- 87%Stress management
- 77%Trauma
- 72%PTSD

- 97%Aetna
- 88%Cigna
- 87%Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare
- 87%Carelon Behavioral Health

- 99%English
- 4%Spanish
- 1%French
- 1%Hindi
- 1%Twi

- 90%Online only
- 10%In-person or online

- 83%Woman
- 16%Man
- 1%Non-binary

- 46%Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
- 32%Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
- 14%Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
- 4%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist
- 3%Psychologist

- 100%Individual therapy
- 26%Family therapy
- 13%Couples therapy
- 12%Child or adolescent therapy
Frequently asked questions


Find the right therapist for you
Headway makes it easy to find support for your mental health — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Therapist in Portsmouth
Searching for therapists in Portsmouth starts with knowing what kind of support and fit you want. Some therapists focus on anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, work stress, or major life changes. Others may have training in specific approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. As you compare options, look for a Portsmouth therapist whose listed specialties, approach, and experience match what you want to address in care.
Portsmouth is a smaller city, so the number of nearby in-person therapists may be more limited than in larger New Hampshire markets. Virtual therapy can expand your options while still connecting you with a therapist licensed in New Hampshire. When narrowing your search, consider appointment availability, whether a therapist is accepting new clients, session format, and whether they offer a free phone consultation. Reading bios before you book can help you understand how each therapist describes their style, structure, and focus areas.
Therapy in Portsmouth can be a significant expense without insurance. Using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to reduce session costs and understand what you may pay before care begins. Headway makes it easier to find therapists in Portsmouth, NH, compare profiles, check whether they offer virtual or in-person appointments, confirm coverage for your specific plan, and book when you’re ready. You can compare profiles, check estimated costs, and book directly when you’re ready.






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