Crisis and Emergency Resources
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. For mental health crises that are not life-threatening but require urgent support, Sarasota County has several dedicated resources available around the clock.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988. Trained counselors provide immediate support for anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, or substance use crises. The Crisis Text Line offers text-based support — text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor.
First Step of Sarasota provides crisis stabilization and substance abuse services for Sarasota County residents. Their crisis line is (941) 366-5396, and they offer a walk-in crisis stabilization unit for adults and adolescents experiencing acute psychiatric emergencies. For medical psychiatric emergencies, Sarasota Memorial Hospital has a dedicated behavioral health emergency department.
Coastal Behavioral Healthcare operates crisis services throughout Sarasota County, including mobile crisis response teams that can come to you. They serve as one of the primary community mental health safety nets for the county.
Community Mental Health Centers
Sarasota County has several organizations that provide mental health services across a range of income levels and populations.
Coastal Behavioral Healthcare is the county’s largest community behavioral health provider, offering outpatient therapy, psychiatric services, substance abuse treatment, and residential programs. They accept Medicaid and offer sliding-scale fees for uninsured individuals.
Jewish Family and Children’s Service of the Suncoast (JFCS) provides counseling, case management, and support services to individuals and families regardless of religious background. They serve all ages and offer specialized programs for older adults, Holocaust survivors, and families in need.
ALSO Youth provides support, education, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ youth and their families in Sarasota County. Their programs include a drop-in center, support groups, and mentoring — filling a critical gap for a population that experiences disproportionately high rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidality.
Sarasota County Human Services administers county-funded behavioral health programs and can connect residents with available services based on their specific needs and financial situation.
Private Practice Options
Private practices in Sarasota County range widely in specialization, credentials, and cost. When choosing a private provider, a few factors are worth understanding.
Provider credentials matter. Licensed psychologists hold doctoral degrees (Psy.D. or Ph.D.) and complete five to seven years of post-bachelor’s training, including supervised clinical hours in assessment and treatment. Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs) hold master’s degrees and provide therapy but cannot conduct comprehensive psychological testing. Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) also hold master’s degrees and often specialize in case management and community-based interventions. Each credential has its place — but for complex diagnostic questions, comprehensive evaluations, or psychological testing, a doctoral-level psychologist is the appropriate provider.
Our practice offers doctoral-level psychological services including individual therapy, couples counseling, psychological testing, and child and adolescent therapy at our Sarasota and Venice locations. We are out-of-network providers who give clients superbills for insurance reimbursement. Our psychologists personally return phone calls and we offer same-day appointments when available.
When evaluating any private practice, consider specialization (do they have experience with your specific concern?), credentials (what degree and license does the provider hold?), and fit (do they offer a free consultation call so you can determine whether it feels right?). You can verify any Florida psychologist’s license at the Florida Department of Health website.
Support Groups and Community Programs
NAMI Sarasota/Manatee County (National Alliance on Mental Illness) offers free support groups for individuals living with mental health conditions and their family members. Their Family-to-Family and Peer-to-Peer education programs are evidence-based and led by trained volunteers with lived experience.
Al-Anon and Alcoholics Anonymous hold regular meetings throughout Sarasota County for individuals and families affected by alcohol use. Meeting schedules are available through the Sarasota/Manatee Intergroup website.
Tidewell Hospice provides grief support services to Sarasota County residents, including individual grief counseling, support groups, and children’s bereavement programs. These services are available to anyone in the community who has experienced a loss — you do not need to be a Tidewell patient or family member.
Family Safety Alliance of Sarasota County coordinates parenting support programs, child abuse prevention, and family strengthening services. They can connect families with parenting classes, home visiting programs, and other preventive resources.
School-Based Mental Health Resources
Sarasota County Schools provide mental health services through school counselors and partnerships with community mental health agencies. For a detailed overview of what’s available in schools — including how to request evaluations, understand your child’s rights, and access 504 plans and IEPs — see our companion guide: Supporting Student Mental Health in Sarasota Schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which type of mental health provider I need?
Start with the concern. For general therapy — anxiety, depression, relationship issues, life transitions — an LMHC, LCSW, or psychologist can all provide effective treatment. For comprehensive diagnostic evaluations, psychological testing (ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, giftedness), or complex cases that have not responded to initial treatment, a doctoral-level psychologist is appropriate. For medication management, a psychiatrist (MD or DO) or psychiatric nurse practitioner (APRN) is needed. Your primary care physician or insurance company can also provide referrals based on your needs.
What if I can’t afford private therapy?
Several options exist. Coastal Behavioral Healthcare offers sliding-scale fees based on income. JFCS provides counseling services with flexible payment options. Community health centers in Sarasota County may offer behavioral health services at reduced rates. Additionally, many private practices — including ours — provide superbills that allow clients to seek reimbursement from their insurance companies for out-of-network services. Open Path Collective and Psychology Today’s therapist directory allow filtering by sliding-scale and reduced-fee options.
Are there mental health resources specifically for children in Sarasota?
Yes. Coastal Behavioral Healthcare offers children’s outpatient services. ALSO Youth serves LGBTQ+ youth. Sarasota County Schools provide school-based counseling. For comprehensive psychological evaluations and ongoing therapy, private practices that specialize in child and adolescent psychology — including our practice — provide individualized assessment and treatment. If your child is in crisis, First Step of Sarasota’s crisis stabilization unit serves adolescents, and the 988 Lifeline is available to callers of all ages.
References
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2024). 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. https://988lifeline.org
- Crisis Text Line. (2024). https://www.crisistextline.org
- First Step of Sarasota. (2024). https://www.fsos.org
- Coastal Behavioral Healthcare. (2024). https://www.coastalbh.org
- Jewish Family & Children’s Service of the Suncoast. (2024). https://www.jfcs-cares.org
- ALSO Youth. (2024). https://www.alsoyouth.org
- NAMI Sarasota/Manatee County. (2024). https://www.namisarasotamanatee.org
- Tidewell Hospice. (2024). Grief support services. https://www.tidewellhospice.org
- Sarasota County Government. (2024). Human services — behavioral health. https://www.sarasotacountygovernment.com
- Family Safety Alliance of Sarasota County. (2024). https://www.familysafetyalliance.org
