You can check any Arkansas counselor's license in about two minutes using the free License Search on the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling website. Search by name, confirm the license type says LPC or LAC, and make sure the status is active with no disciplinary actions listed. If a Bentonville counselor doesn't show up, ask why before you book.
Maybe you found a few names online, and they all have friendly photos and a list of letters after their name. You want to start therapy, but you also want to know the person you're about to trust with hard stuff is actually qualified to help. That's a reasonable thing to want. Checking is quick, it's public, and no good counselor will be offended that you did it.
What does "licensed professional counselor" mean in Arkansas?
A licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Arkansas holds a state license from the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling, which means they completed graduate training, passed the required exams, and finished a period of supervised practice. The license is what allows them to provide counseling on their own.
You'll also see LAC, which stands for Licensed Associate Counselor. An LAC has finished their graduate degree and is licensed, but they practice under a board-approved supervisor while they build supervised experience. Many LACs later move up to the LPC license. Seeing an LAC is not a red flag. It just means a more experienced counselor is reviewing their work, which some people find reassuring.
The letters to be cautious about are the ones that sound official but aren't a state license at all, like "life coach," "certified counselor" from an online course, or a title with no license type listed anywhere. Coaching can be helpful for some goals, but it isn't the same thing as licensed mental health counseling, and it isn't regulated the same way.
If you're looking for one-on-one support, our individual therapy in Bentonville is provided by Ganiece Duhaime, LPC, so you know up front what license your counselor holds.
How do I look up a counselor's license in Arkansas?
Go to the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling page on the Arkansas Department of Health website and open the License Search and Verification tool. Type in the counselor's last name and look at three things: license type, license status, and any listed disciplinary actions.
Here's what each one tells you:
License type: LPC, LAC, LMFT, or LAMFT are all real Arkansas licenses from this board.
Status: "Active" is what you want to see. Expired or inactive means they shouldn't be practicing under that license right now.
Discipline: most counselors have none. If something is listed, you can read it and decide for yourself.
The board is based in Little Rock, but its lookup covers counselors licensed anywhere in the state, from Bentonville and Rogers to Fort Smith and Jonesboro. If you ever have a serious concern about a counselor's conduct, the same board website has a complaint portal. Ganiece Duhaime, LPC, sees clients through our counseling practice in Bentonville, AR, and you're welcome to look up her license on the board's site before you call.
My therapist back home was great. Can they keep seeing me now that I live in Bentonville?
Maybe, but it depends on where they're licensed. In general, a counselor needs to be licensed in the state where you are during your session, so a therapist licensed only in another state usually can't keep seeing you by video once you live in Arkansas.
This comes up a lot here. Northwest Arkansas has grown past half a million residents, and plenty of people in Bentonville, Centerton, and Rogers moved from another state for work. If that's you, there's newer good news. Arkansas is part of the Interstate Counseling Compact and started issuing compact privileges to practice on July 30, 2026. If your old counselor's home state is also in the compact, they may be able to apply for a privilege to see clients in Arkansas. Ask them directly, and you can verify a privilege on the Counseling Compact's website.
If your old therapist can't continue, it's okay to ask them for a summary or a few notes on what was working, with your written permission, so you don't have to start completely from scratch with someone local. Our page on counseling in Centerton, AR covers what starting fresh with us looks like if you're on the west side of the metro.
What should I ask in a first phone call besides credentials?
Once you know the license checks out, ask questions that tell you whether this counselor fits what you need. A license tells you they're qualified. It doesn't tell you whether you'll click.
A few that are worth asking:
"Do you work with people dealing with what I'm dealing with?" (anxiety, depression, ADHD, a rocky stretch in your marriage)
"Do you offer in-person sessions, telehealth, or both?"
"Are you in network with my insurance, and what will a session likely cost me?"
"What does a first session usually look like with you?"
On insurance, Treetop Counseling currently accepts Ambetter, Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, UMR, and QualChoice, along with open access policies. Coverage still depends on your specific plan, so it's worth calling the number on your card to confirm your copay before your first visit.
If you're comparing practices, reading what others have shared can help too. You can see what people have said on our Treetop Counseling reviews page.
What are the red flags, even when a counselor is licensed?
A valid license is the floor, not the ceiling. Even a licensed counselor may not be a good fit if they brush off your questions about fees, promise specific results in a set number of sessions, or make you feel judged for what you're bringing in.
Other signs to pay attention to:
They can't clearly explain their cancellation policy or what you'll pay.
They talk more about themselves than about your goals.
They pressure you to commit to a long run of sessions before you've had a first one.
They're vague about whether they're licensed, or the name on their website doesn't match the board's lookup.
None of these mean you did something wrong by booking. It's fine to try a first session and decide it isn't the right fit. A good counselor would rather you find the right person than stay with the wrong one.
FAQ
Is it okay to see a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC)? Yes. An LAC is licensed by the state and practices under a board-approved supervisor. It's a real, regulated license, and you can verify their license and status the same way you would an LPC.
Do I need an LPC for insurance to cover my sessions? It depends on your plan. Most plans only cover in-network providers who meet their credentialing rules, so call your insurer and ask whether the specific counselor is in network.
Can I do counseling by video if I live in Bentonville? Often, yes. The counselor needs to be licensed in Arkansas or hold a compact privilege to practice here, and you'll usually need to be in Arkansas during the session.
Add us as a preferred source on Google, and our counseling guides and local tips will show up more often when you search for help in Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas.
If you'd like to talk with a licensed professional counselor in Bentonville, Treetop Counseling offers in-person and telehealth sessions for individuals, couples, families, and groups. You can book a first session online or call us at (801) 200-1945, and we'll help you figure out whether we're the right fit.