How to Find a Psychiatrist in Pennsylvania

Key points

Your insurer's directory and your primary care provider are two common places to start.
A psychiatrist is a physician with an MD or DO degree who has completed residency training in psychiatry.
You can check any Pennsylvania license, and any disciplinary history, on the state's PALS database.
A psychiatrist who sees you by video must be licensed in Pennsylvania if you are in Pennsylvania during the visit.
A short list of questions before you book can save time for both of you.

Where to start looking

Looking for a psychiatrist is a normal step, and there is more than one way in. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) suggests a few starting points.

Your insurance company. NIMH notes that your insurer will know which providers your plan covers, and many insurers have an app or online directory of participating providers.
Your primary care provider. NIMH says a primary care provider can do an initial mental health screening and refer you to a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist.
Federal locators. NIMH lists the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) locator, Medicare's online tool for finding Medicare providers, and the VA's tool for veterans.
Work or school. NIMH mentions Employee Assistance Programs through employers, and student health services for people in college.

What a psychiatrist is

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) describes psychiatrists as licensed medical doctors who have completed psychiatric training. They can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe and monitor medications, and provide therapy.

NAMI notes that a psychiatrist holds either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree, plus residency training in psychiatry, and is licensed as a physician in the state where they practice.

Primary care physicians can prescribe some mental health medicines too. NAMI suggests you might still consider someone who focuses on mental health care, and that primary care and mental health professionals work together on a treatment plan.

Check the license on PALS

Pennsylvania's Department of State runs the Pennsylvania Licensing System, known as PALS. You can search it at any time for a licensee's license number and status. The Department says PALS also shows whether a licensee has ever faced disciplinary action by their licensing board, such as a suspension or fine.

Two boards license psychiatrists in Pennsylvania. The State Board of Medicine regulates medical physicians (MDs). The State Board of Osteopathic Medicine regulates osteopathic physicians (DOs). On PALS, look for the license that matches the degree the psychiatrist holds.

Online psychiatry in Pennsylvania

NIMH notes that, depending on your insurance and the provider, care you can receive virtually can include an assessment, a diagnosis, a treatment plan and a prescription for medication.

Licensing follows where you are. Pennsylvania's Department of State says practitioners who provide services to people in Pennsylvania must be licensed in Pennsylvania, whether the care happens in person or by telehealth. If you plan to see someone by video from home in Pennsylvania, confirm on PALS that they hold a Pennsylvania license.

Questions to ask before you book

NIMH suggests preparing a few questions to see whether a provider is a good fit. These cover the basics most people want to know.

Are you accepting new patients?
Do you see patients by video, and do I need to be in a particular place during visits?
Do you accept my insurance, and what will visits cost?
What experience do you have helping people with concerns like mine?
How do you usually approach treatment, and how often would we meet for follow-ups?
Can you coordinate with my therapist or primary care provider if I give permission?

If the first match is not right

NIMH notes that treatment works best when you have a good relationship with your mental health professional.
If you have concerns, talk with your provider first. In some cases you may wish to find a different provider.
NIMH advises not to stop treatment without talking to your health care provider.

How we can help

A licensed psychiatrist on our team, a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) who has practiced psychiatry for over three decades, sees people by secure video who are physically located in Pennsylvania during each visit. He is open to new patients and referrals. Learn more about online psychiatry in Pennsylvania, medication management and what a psychiatric evaluation involves.

Questions about coverage, fees or whether you also need to be in therapy with us are best answered directly, so ask us. Our insurance and fees page lists the plans the practice works with, and you can start on our booking page. If you are a clinician sending a patient, see our page for referring providers.

Our therapists do not prescribe. Therapy is online for clients physically located in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Arizona, Colorado or Florida during sessions.

If you are in crisis, call or text 988, or call 911. Locascio Wellness does not provide emergency services.

Common questions

How do I check a psychiatrist's license in Pennsylvania?

Search the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS), run by the Department of State. It shows a licensee's license number and status, and whether they have faced disciplinary action by their board. Psychiatrists with an MD are licensed by the State Board of Medicine, and those with a DO by the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine.

Do I need a referral to see a psychiatrist?

It depends on your insurance plan and on the psychiatrist's office, so ask your insurer and the office before you book. Even when it is not required, a primary care provider can be a helpful first stop: NIMH notes they can do an initial screening and refer you to a mental health professional.

Is a DO psychiatrist the same as an MD psychiatrist?

Both are physicians. NAMI notes that a psychiatrist holds either an MD or a DO degree and has completed residency training in psychiatry, and is licensed as a physician in the state where they practice. In Pennsylvania, DOs are licensed by the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine and MDs by the State Board of Medicine.

Can I see a psychiatrist online in Pennsylvania?

Yes, if the psychiatrist is licensed in Pennsylvania and you are in Pennsylvania during the visit. Locascio Wellness offers online psychiatry by secure video for people physically located in Pennsylvania. Whether any medicine is prescribed is decided with you after an evaluation, never promised ahead of time.

Sources

Published by Locascio Wellness. Published October 27, 2026. This page is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis.