Online therapy across state lines: DC

What matters legally is where you are during sessions — not where the therapist sits. Here is what that means in DC, from primary sources.

Psychologists (PSYPACT)

DC participates in PSYPACT. A psychologist with an active APIT (Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology) can legally see you by video in DC even without a DC license — that authority is exactly what our “PSYPACT” chip means, and we verify it against verifypsypact.org. Primary source: psypact.gov.

Counselors (Counseling Compact)

The Counseling Compact is not yet issuing privileges for DC (many states have enacted it but are not yet operational — enacted is not issuing). Counselors need a DC license to see you by video. Primary source: counselingcompact.gov.

Right now in DC

0 license-verified therapists with a provider-reported open-capacity status dated within 14 days are listed for DC: see them.

A recent capacity report is not live calendar inventory and does not guarantee an opening, response, appointment, or fit.

Common questions about therapy across state lines in DC

Can a psychologist in another state see me by video in DC?

Yes. DC participates in PSYPACT, so a psychologist who holds an active PSYPACT APIT (Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology) is generally authorized to see you by video while you are in DC, even without being licensed there. What matters legally is where you are located during the session. This is general information about how these rules work, not legal advice about your situation.

Can my therapist keep seeing me if I move to DC?

It depends on your therapist's license and DC's rules. A psychologist can continue by video if they hold PSYPACT APIT authority, because DC participates in PSYPACT. A licensed counselor (LPC) can only if they are licensed in DC, because DC is not yet issuing Counseling Compact privileges. What governs is where you are during the session, so tell your therapist before your first appointment after you move. This is general information about how these rules work, not legal advice about your situation.

Does DC let out-of-state counselors practice via the Counseling Compact?

Not yet. DC is not currently issuing Counseling Compact privileges — enacting the compact is not the same as issuing privileges under it. A counselor must be licensed in DC to see you by video. This is general information about how these rules work, not legal advice about your situation.

How can I verify a therapist is licensed in DC?

Check the DC licensing board's primary-source license lookup, or use a Kairn profile, which shows the date each license was verified. Kairn checks every license against primary sources — the NPPES registry and state boards — and verifies PSYPACT authority against verifypsypact.org.

This page is generated from the same verified data that powers our search — it is informational, not legal advice; confirm specifics with the provider. Last reviewed 2026-06-12 against primary sources.