Columbia · 237 scored on real reviews

Find a top-rated counselor in Columbia, SC

237 Columbia counselors scored on real Google reviews, averaging 4.64 stars, so you can pick with confidence instead of guessing.

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Columbia's highest-scoring counselors

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Sunset Primary Care

4.9(292)✓ Google-verifiedPublishes prices

Sunset Primary Care is a walk-in-friendly practice where patients repeatedly praise physicians like Dr. Scotty and Dr. Jannette Shelley for genuine attention to both physical and mental health. Staff are described as caring and efficient, with patients noting short waits and transparent pricing ($70 same-day visits) that makes quality care accessible without insurance. One recent complaint alleges disrespectful treatment and discrimination, creating a significant crack in an otherwise unified positive profile. The practice explicitly addresses mental health during routine visits and earned trust through follow-up care, but this isolated serious allegation warrants consideration before booking.

Mental Health & Anxiety Counseling

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LifeStance Therapists & Psychiatrists Cayce

4.6(221)✓ Google-verified

Reviewers consistently highlight therapists who listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, and help patients navigate medication decisions. The practice runs punctually, offers stable video visits, and staff treat patients with genuine respect and care from intake through treatment.

Mental Health & Anxiety CounselingChild & Adolescent CounselingSubstance Abuse & Addiction Counseling

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Oceanic Counseling Group LLC

4.9(61)✓ Google-verified

Patients consistently describe feeling heard, safe, and cared for by their therapists-especially Rayniece, Merlyn, Megan, and Michelle. Families report meaningful improvements in children's emotional awareness and academic performance over months or years of treatment. The practice draws praise for late appointments, professional intake assessments, and therapists who tailor treatment to each person's needs. No complaints surface in the reviews; one patient noted limited discussion of psychiatric medication continuation.

Mental Health & Anxiety CounselingChild & Adolescent CounselingSubstance Abuse & Addiction Counseling

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LifeStance Therapists & Psychiatrists Columbia

4.9(90)✓ Google-verified

Staff and therapists listen without judgment and actively help patients reschedule. Dr. Walkup earns particular praise for changing lives through correct medication matches, while the team offers both in-person and virtual care tailored to first-time therapy attendees. One patient reported no relief after two months of Spravato treatment and felt unanswered by follow-up emails. Most others report quick script processing, supportive therapy, and meaningful progress within weeks.

Mental Health & Anxiety CounselingChild & Adolescent CounselingCareer & Life Coaching

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Columbia Therapy and Counseling

5.0(32)✓ Google-verified

Tim Bedford has sustained a practice built on deep listening and practical support. Clients describe transformative change across years of work: they learn to recognize patterns, build coping tools, and communicate better within their marriages and themselves. Virtual sessions accommodate busy lives without losing effectiveness.

Mental Health & Anxiety CounselingChild & Adolescent CounselingCareer & Life Coaching

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Evans Counseling & Consulting, LLC

4.7(72)✓ Google-verified

Over two years, clients credit named therapists Tyler and Richelle Bowman with navigating major life losses, marriage challenges, and personal transformation. They praise the team for balancing honesty with humor, creating safety, and treating sessions like conversations with a trusted friend rather than clinical encounters. Staff including Penny and Kevin at the front desk are noted for warmth and responsiveness. Clients report feeling heard, challenged productively, and genuinely supported across grief, anxiety, relationship work, and personal growth. New clients repeatedly mention surprise at how quickly they felt welcomed and comfortable speaking openly.

Mental Health & Anxiety CounselingCareer & Life CoachingChild & Adolescent Counseling

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Why Columbia residents rely on this list

An independent, data-driven directory, not a pay-to-list ad board.

237 providers, one consistent scoring method

Every counselor listed here, from Mental Health & Anxiety to Grief & Trauma to Career Coaching, is scored the same way so you can actually compare across specialties.

A 4.64 average that still shows the gaps

The citywide average sits at 4.64 stars, and we surface the recurring praise (easy to talk to, good listener, attentive listener) alongside real complaints like phone responsiveness so you see the full picture.

Editorial oversight, not an algorithm alone

David Reyes, our Reviews Editor, maintains the rankings and reviews the recurring themes in client feedback before anything gets published.

How we rank Columbia counselors

One published rubric scores each business 0–100 from recent public Google reviews: rating, review volume, recency, sentiment, and profile completeness. No pay-to-rank, no edited reviews.

✓ Sentiment synthesised from real reviews, not republished
✓ Google-verified businesses clearly marked
✓ Refreshed regularly so scores stay current

Read the methodology →

Guides

All guides →

Starting therapy after a move to Columbia: how to find the right fit
How to transfer or restart counseling after moving to the Columbia area, from getting records transferred to bridging the gap with telehealth.
Counseling support for veterans and first responders in Columbia
The paths to counseling built specifically for veterans and first responders, from VA mental health benefits to peer support and confidential options.
Supporting a partner through therapy without taking over their process
How to be genuinely supportive while your partner is in counseling, without overstepping, asking for too many details, or making their progress about you.
How to verify a counselor's license and credentials in South Carolina
How to confirm a counselor is actually licensed in South Carolina, what the common credential abbreviations mean, and what to do if something doesn't check out.

1,650 businesses reviewed

237 listed after vetting

Scored on real Google reviews

Updated 2026-07-17 How we score