10 free or low-cost mental health services in Metro Atlanta, many offering counseling in multiple languages 

The mailbox outside of the Gwinnett Counseling Center of CHRIS 180 in Lawrenceville. Photo credit: Sophia Qureshi

Finding mental health support isn’t always easy – especially for residents in Metro Atlanta who may face barriers like cost, language, and cultural sensitivity.

In Georgia, which is ranked the second worst state for mental health care according to a recent Forbes study, more and better support is critical. The needs of immigrant and refugee communities, in particular, have largely been neglected, according to a recent report from Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Atlanta. 

Thankfully, there are some free or low-cost mental health services in the Metro area that offer counseling in multiple languages. 285 South has put together this list of options, but if you know of any additional resources, please hit reply to this message and let us know!

In case of emergency:

Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. *Access language options by following the phone prompts.*

Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 

National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357

And – if you’re looking to search for a mental health provider by ethnicity in the Asian community, check out the Asian Mental Professionals of Georgia’s directory.

RAKSHA

Raksha is a South Asian community organization that offers free individual and family counseling for both adults and children who are survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault, or who are victims of other crimes.

To make an appointment, call (404) 876-0670 or email raksha@raksha.org. Therapists speak multiple languages including Urdu, Hindi, and Arabic.

Tel: (404) 876-0670 (M-F 9am-5pm EST).

SER FAMILIA

Ser Familia offers family-centered counseling and workshops to adults, adolescents, and children and specializes in a range of issues including acculturation, blended family issues, and behavioral health. The organization has offices in Smyrna, Kennesaw, Norcross, Lawrenceville, and Atlanta. Details here.

To make an appointment, the head of household must contact: Info@serfam.org, or call (678) 363-3079. Therapists speak English and Spanish.

CHRIS 180

CHRIS 180 offers mental health services focused on healing children, strengthening families, and building community. They provide trauma-informed care, including individual and group therapy and counseling. The organization has counseling centers all over the Metro area.

Because of federal funding cuts in 2025, CHRIS 180 can no longer provide counseling for free, but the organization accepts Medicaid, self-pay (sliding scale, according to income), or private insurance.

To make an appointment call 1-800-896-4106. The Lawrenceville office has bilingual therapists who speak Spanish, on-site. They are currently taking new patients, though availability is limited.

1017 Fayetteville Rd. SE Atlanta, Ga. 30316. Tel: 404-486-9034.

3103 Clairmont Rd NE, Unit B, Atlanta, 30329. Tel: 404-636-1457

FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS OF GEORGIA

The Family Health Centers of Georgia offer physical, mental, and emotional care, including individual, family, and group counseling for issues like anxiety, stress, and depression, with options for telehealth appointments. [They provide referrals to mental health doctors for necessary medications, and insurance is required or patients can pay out of pocket $189.]

To make an appointment call 404.752.1400. Translation and interpretation services are available for Spanish. Sign language and options for the hearing impaired are also available. 

805 Campbell Hill St NW, Marietta, 30060-1144. Tel: 770-919-0025

868 York Avenue SW, Atlanta, 30310-2750. Tel: 404-752-1400

6685 Merchants Way, Morrow, 30260. Tel: 404-282-5617

MOSAIC HEALTH CENTER

The Mosaic Health Center offers free individual, family, and group counseling, as well as medication management. Counseling services address a wide range of concerns including family conflict, relationship stress, life changes, grief, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, substance use, and more. Details here.

To make an appointment call  (678) 383-1383. Healthcare providers and volunteers speak 13 different languages including Arabic, Nepali, and Amharic.

3700 Market St, Building B, Clarkston, 30021

THE CENTER FOR VICTIMS OF TORTURE: CVT Georgia Clarkston Office

CVT offers free therapy to those who have experienced trauma or torture outside of the U.S.

The organization offers a holistic approach to healing, including mental health counseling, trauma-focused physiotherapy, group counseling, and integrated social work services, to empower survivors to rebuild their lives and overcome trauma.

They are currently accepting new clients. To make an appointment for an initial screening, contact 470-545-2776 or email srodolphus@cvt.org. Spanish, French, Dari, Persian and Arabic interpreters are available upon request. 

GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY (GSU) PSYCHOLOGY CLINIC

GSU graduate students offer both in-person and virtual counseling at a sliding scale depending on income, but no more than $30 an hour.

To make an appointment, call 404-413-6229.

Urban Life Building, 140 Decatur Street SE, Suite 1053, Atlanta. 404-413-6229

GOOD SAMARITAN HEALTH CENTERS 

Good Samaritan Health Center is a faith-based clinic that offers free Christian mental health counseling to all patients.

To schedule a free consultation at the Norcross office call 678-280-6630 and for the Marietta office call 770-806-0162. When calling this organization, there are options for both Spanish and English speakers.

1605 Roberta Dr SW, Marietta, 30008-3855

5949 Buford Hwy, Norcross, 30071

SOUTHSIDE MEDICAL CENTER

The Southside Medical Center provides individual and group therapy, family and couples counseling, psychiatric assessments, and medication management.

To make an appointment, call 404-688-1350. Southside charges based on a sliding scale and also accepts insurance. Documents and translations are available in Spanish. 

660 Mcwilliams Rd SE, Atlanta, 30315-7544. Tel: 404-688-1350

EMPOWERMENT RESOURCE CENTER

ERC provides a low-cost Outpatient Program for individuals experiencing mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance abuse. Treatment begins with creating a personalized recovery plan for each patient. 

To request an appointment call 404-526-1148, or submit an online form here. ERC accepts Medicare, Medicaid, most insurance, and self-pay (sliding scale). *This program does not have onsite translation capacity. 

230 Peachtree Street NW Suite 1800, Atlanta, 30303. Tel: 678-730-0805

SAMSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
To find further treatment closest to your exact location, check out this confidential and anonymous resource here. Options to access the website in multiple languages including Spanish, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Arabic, French, and Korean.

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Authors

Claire Becknell is an award-winning journalist based in Atlanta dedicated to authentic and intentional storytelling. She is passionate about highlighting underrepresented communities and reporting on issues through an intersectional lens.

Sophia is the founder of 285 South, Metro Atlanta’s only English language news publication dedicated to the region’s immigrant and refugee communities. Before launching 285 South in 2021, she worked for over 15 years in media and communications, including at Al Jazeera Media Network, CNN, the United Nations Development Programme, and South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT).

Her writing has been published in Atlanta Magazine, Canopy Atlanta, the Atlanta Civic Circle, the Atlanta History Center, and The Local Palate. She won the Atlanta Press Club award for Narrative Nonfiction in 2023 and 2024; and was a recipient of the Raksha Community Change award in 2023 and was a fellow of Ohio University’s Kiplinger Public Affairs Journalism Program in 2024.

Contact her at sophia@285south.com and learn more about her here.

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