75/100RP Score
Ranked #1 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Addiction treatment center”, 4.8★ from 17 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Best Addiction Counselors in Burlington, VT (2026)
8 addiction counselors ranked by RP ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Best overall in Burlington: River Rock Treatment, RP Score 75/100; 4.8★ from 17 Google reviews; open Saturdays until 2 PM.
- 5
Most-reviewed: Howard Center, 20 Google reviews at 2.8★, the most of 8 ranked; ranked #5.
Rankings can't be bought. Psychologists can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
8 Burlington addiction counselors are ranked here by RP Score, from eight published factors. 3 open Saturdays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.1★ across 8 rated practices.
Top 8 addiction counselors in Burlington at a glance
Ranked by the RP Score from public listing data, not by treatment outcomes; Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank.
| Rank | Business | RP Score | Google rating | Based in | Hours | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | River Rock Treatment | 75 | 4.8★ (17) | Burlington | Sat · Evenings | Overall |
| 2 | Howard Center Chittenden Clinic | 71 | 4.3★ (12) | South Burlington, 2 mi away | Sat | — |
| 3 | Clinton County Mental Health | 64 | 3.8★ (14) | Plattsburgh, 18 mi away | Evenings | — |
| 4 | Champlain Valley Family Center | 63 | 3.9★ (9) | Plattsburgh, 20 mi away | Evenings | — |
| 5 | Howard Center | 60 | 2.8★ (20) | Burlington | — | Most reviews |
| 6 | Conifer Park Opioid Outpatient Treatment (OTP) - Plattsburgh NY | 55 | 4.5★ (19) | Plattsburgh, 18 mi away | Sat · Evenings | — |
| 7 | Psychiatry - 1 South Prospect Street, University of Vermont Medical Center | 54 | 2.7★ (3) | Burlington | — | — |
| 8 | The Office Dr. Richard Smith | 52 | 5.0★ (4) | Plattsburgh, 20 mi away | — | — |
The 8 best addiction counselors in Burlington, ranked
Ordered by RP Score, a 0–100 score from eight published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.
Ranked by the RP Score from public listing data, not by treatment outcomes; Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank.
Based in South Burlington, 2 mi away
71/100RP ScoreRanked #2 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Addiction treatment center”, 4.3★ from 12 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Plattsburgh, 18 mi away
64/100RP ScoreRanked #3 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Addiction treatment center”, 3.8★ from 14 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Plattsburgh, 20 mi away
63/100RP ScoreRanked #4 because of specialty focus and its Google rating: listed on Google as “Alcoholism treatment program”, 3.9★ from 9 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Burlington
60/100RP ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and proximity: 2.8★ from 20 Google reviews, based in Burlington.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Plattsburgh, 18 mi away
55/100RP ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 4.5★ from 19 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Medical clinic”.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Burlington
54/100RP ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and proximity: 2.7★ from 3 Google reviews, based in Burlington.
Based on 7 of 8 factors; recency not yet collected.
Based in Plattsburgh, 20 mi away
52/100RP ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and specialty focus: 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Psychologist”.
Based on 6 of 8 factors; recency and availability not yet collected.
How we ranked Burlington addiction counselors
We scored 8 Burlington addiction counselors on eight factors, weighted as shown. A practice is ranked when its specialty is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. A practice with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 9, 2026.
Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Sponsored businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.
| Factor | Weight | Computed from | In Burlington data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reputation | 25% | Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back it | Measured |
| Review volume | 5% | Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed practice on the list | Measured |
| Recency | 5% | Share of Google reviews from the last 12 months | Not yet collected |
| Availability | 10% | Weekly open hours, Saturday, Sunday, and round-the-clock or same-day availability | Measured |
| Specialty focus | 25% | How clearly the practice does this specialty (its Google category and name) | Measured |
| Proximity | 15% | Based in the city scores highest, less the farther away it is | Measured |
| Claimed profile | 10% | The practice has claimed its Ranked Psychologists profile (free or paid earn the same) | Measured |
| Partnered | 5% | The practice links to Ranked Psychologists from its own website with our badge, checked periodically | Measured |
How to choose an addiction counselor
- Check the license with the state or provincial board that issued it; most boards publish a free online lookup.
- Make sure addiction counseling is a regular part of their work, and ask what approach they use and why.
- Ask which credential the counselor holds (for example a state addiction counselor certification, LPC or LCSW).
- Ask whether they work with a physician if medication for addiction treatment is part of your plan.
- Ask about fees, insurance and the cancellation policy before the first session. In the US, if you are uninsured or paying yourself, you can ask for a good faith estimate of expected charges.
- Check practical fit: in-person or online sessions, evening times, and how soon they have an opening.
- After a few sessions, ask yourself whether you feel heard. Changing to a different provider is common and fine.
Questions to ask an addiction counselor
- Are you accepting new clients, and how soon could I start?
- Which license do you hold, and in which state or province?
- How much of your work is addiction counseling?
- Do you offer individual sessions, groups or an intensive outpatient program?
- What do you charge per session, and do you take my insurance or provide a superbill?
- Do you offer online sessions?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- What do you keep confidential, and when would you have to share information?
Terms explained
- PhD / PsyD
- Doctoral degrees in psychology. A PhD usually has a stronger research focus, a PsyD a stronger clinical focus; both can lead to a psychologist license.
- Licensed psychologist
- A person licensed by a state or provincial psychology board to practice psychology. The title is protected by law.
- Psychological associate
- In some states and provinces, a master’s-level practitioner licensed or registered by the psychology board, often with supervision requirements.
- LPC / LMHC / LCPC
- US licenses for professional or mental health counselors (the name differs by state). They provide counseling and therapy.
- LCSW
- Licensed clinical social worker: a master’s-level social worker licensed to provide therapy.
- LMFT
- Licensed marriage and family therapist: licensed to treat individuals, couples and families with a focus on relationships.
- RP / RCC
- Registered psychotherapist (Ontario) and registered clinical counsellor (British Columbia): Canadian titles for licensed therapy providers.
- PSYPACT
- An interstate agreement that lets psychologists licensed in a member state provide telepsychology to clients in other member states once they hold the required authorization.
- Telehealth
- Sessions held by secure video or phone instead of in person. The provider generally needs to be licensed where the client is located.
- CBT
- Cognitive behavioral therapy: a structured talk therapy that works on the links between thoughts, feelings and behavior.
- DBT
- Dialectical behavior therapy: a form of CBT that teaches skills for managing intense emotions and relationships.
- ERP
- Exposure and response prevention: a form of CBT used for OCD.
Addiction counselors in Burlington: frequently asked questions
Who is the best addiction counselor in Burlington?
By RP Score, the highest-ranked addiction counselor in Burlington, VT is River Rock Treatment with an RP Score of 75/100. It has 4.8★ from 17 Google reviews. It is open Saturdays until 2 PM. Howard Center Chittenden Clinic (#2) and Clinton County Mental Health (#3) follow. We ranked 8 addiction counselors on eight factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many addiction counselors are there in Burlington?
RankedPsychologists ranks 8 addiction counselors serving Burlington, VT. 3 of them are based in Burlington; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Counts are as of November 2026.
What should I do if I need help right now?
In crisis or thinking about suicide? Call or text 988 (US and Canada), any time. In an emergency, call 911. This site cannot help in an emergency.
Which addiction counselors in Burlington work on weekends?
3 of 8 ranked addiction counselors post Saturday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are River Rock Treatment (#1), Howard Center Chittenden Clinic (#2) and Conifer Park Opioid Outpatient Treatment (OTP) - Plattsburgh NY (#6). Posted hours are office hours; many practices also offer evening or online sessions by appointment.
What Google rating do Burlington addiction counselors have?
The median Google rating among 8 rated addiction counselors in Burlington is 4.1★, with a median of 13 reviews. Howard Center has the most, 20 reviews, and ranks #5. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.
How does RankedPsychologists rank addiction counselors?
Each addiction counselor gets a 0–100 RP Score from eight published factors, led by reputation (25%), specialty focus (25%), proximity (15%) and availability (10%). A practice with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only practices with a confirmed specialty and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.
Do addiction counselors outside Burlington count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 50 mi of the Burlington city center, our service radius for addiction counselors. Each listing shows where the practice is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 15% of the RP Score, so a nearby practice gets a small edge.
Can addiction counselors pay to rank higher on RankedPsychologists?
No. The RP Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured practices may appear above the list, labelled Sponsored and showing their honest rank.
How are addiction counselors in Burlington ranked?
Each practice gets an RP Score from 0 to 100 from 8 published factors, including its Google rating, how clearly it focuses on addiction counseling and how close it is. Sponsored placements are shown separately and never change rank. The score does not measure treatment outcomes.
What is the difference between outpatient addiction counseling and rehab?
Outpatient counseling means regular sessions while you live at home and keep working; intensive outpatient programs meet several times a week. Residential rehab and medical detox happen in a facility. Withdrawal from alcohol and some drugs can be medically dangerous, so speak to a doctor before stopping if you drink or use heavily every day.
Can I see an addiction counselor online?
Often, yes. Licensing generally follows where you are during the session, so the provider needs to be licensed or authorized there. In the US, psychologists in PSYPACT member states can offer telepsychology to clients in other member states; counselors and social workers have their own rules. In Canada, ask whether the provider is registered in your province.
What if I need help right now?
Do not wait for a consultation. Call or text 988 (US and Canada) if you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, at any time. In an emergency, call 911.
Update log for Burlington
- November 2026: RP Scores recalculated for 8 addiction counselors serving Burlington.