Therapy Statistics In The United States: Widen Your Understanding Of Mental Health

Over 41.7 million US adults saw a therapist in 2021, and the number is growing. Despite the large number of Americans seeking therapy to improve mental health outcomes, communication patterns, or conflict resolution techniques, stigmas may still exist when it comes to visiting a therapist. As a result, some people may experience difficulties asking for help. 

Suppose you need to determine whether therapy would benefit you or want to learn more about how mental healthcare impacts your community. In that case, looking at the statistics surrounding these healthcare options can be valuable.

What is mental health care?

Mental health care is a general term used to describe all services provided by a mental health professional. Psychotherapy is a broad term to describe the types of sessions held between licensed counselors, social workers, psychologists, or therapists and their clients. Therapy might take the format of talk therapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, for example, or one of over 400 therapeutic modalities therapists can specialize in. 

In therapy, clients may learn unique skills tailored to their treatment plan. These skills can vary depending on whether the client is attending therapy for a specific goal, symptom, or mental illness. However, therapy is not only for those with common mental health conditions or severe mental illnesses. 

Clients can attend therapy for any reason and type of setting, including individual therapy or group counseling. Many people in committed relationships attend family and/or marriage therapy to improve different aspects of their relationship. 

Child welfare services providers and social workers are other examples of professionals who work closely with families. Those who wish to learn how to best care for their loved ones who may be healing from a traumatic physical injury or experiencing cognitive decline can and do seek mental health care.

Depending on your goals, you may be interested in seeking a specific type of counseling. For example, school and career counselors can support you in pursuing educational and vocational ambitions. 

Sometimes, a person may want to meet with a therapist to learn about a diagnosis for a mental illness such as depression or anxiety. Mental healthcare can include psychoanalytical testing, psychiatry and medication management, psychiatric nursing, and other services that are attainable in inpatient or outpatient settings. For example, a person may be interested in rehabilitation programs for substance use disorders, suicide prevention efforts, or alternative therapies like equine therapy.

Therapy statistics and the benefits of mental healthcare 

With mental health care, one can select different avenues of therapy. A person’s unique identity or personality may impact the availability or benefit of therapy. Understanding these statistics could help you find a therapist who is effective for you. 

Therapy statistics for the general population

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five US adults experiences mental illness annually. Out of these adults, one in 20 experience a severe form of mental illness. NAMI states that 50% of all mental illnesses have onset by age 14 and 75% by age 24, showcasing how mental illness often develops during adolescence. 

Therapy offers one evidence-based way to find support; however, you don't need to be diagnosed with a mental illness to receive help from a counselor. Below are a few therapy statistics applicable to American adults:

• Many people don't reach out for help for 11 years after diagnosis, which can worsen symptoms. 
• Women are more likely than men to seek mental health services. 
• The positive impacts of therapy often grow or last after therapy has ended, potentially up to a year or more after treatment ends. 
• Social connections can improve mental health, and therapy is a form of social connection. 
• 77% of US adults experience stress-related physical symptoms such as body aches, gastrointestinal challenges, and headaches. 
• Anxiety is the most common mental health condition diagnosed in the US, impacting over 40 million adults and young people. 
• Those who receive a mental health screening and therapeutic resources are 30% less likely to attempt suicide.

Therapy statistics on minority mental healthcare

Although minorities are included in the overall statistics for mental healthcare in the US, the intersection of specific identity factors may reveal critical disparities in terms of availability and engagement in mental healthcare. These factors can include race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexuality, family background, socioeconomic status, and geographic location, among others. Below are a few statistics to keep in mind: 

• Therapists educated on transgender needs based on local culture and diversity have been associated with satisfaction and symptom reduction in trans populations. 
• Over 25 million Americans live in a rural area called a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area, where there are not enough providers to meet the demand for therapy. 
• Black Americans are less likely than other populations to reach out for support, often due to barriers such as stigma or poverty. 
• Immigrants from Asia, Latin America, and Africa use mental health services at a lower rate than non-immigrants. This behavior is more pronounced in immigrant men, uninsured individuals, and undocumented people. One of this population's most considerable barriers to mental health treatment is a lack of translation services. 
• One in five young adults and children has experienced a major depressive episode for over 12 months. 
• LGBTQ+ youth have a 45% prevalence of serious thoughts of suicide and are considered a high-risk population. 
• 79% of people who die by suicide are men or boys, and men and boys are less likely to seek support from a therapist due to stigma. 

Promising mental health statistics

It can feel overwhelming to consider the mental health statistics and stigmas that reveal how many Americans are living with challenging mental illnesses or conditions. However, many positive statistics demonstrate how far Americans have come in advancing the availability and quality of therapy, including the following: 

• According to Mental Health America, therapy leads to fewer relapses of depression and anxiety symptoms than prescription medication independently. 
• In one study, 50% of all clients had improved symptoms after they received mental health treatment in eight sessions, with 75% experiencing improved symptoms by six months. 
• Music therapy is associated with an improved immune system. 
• Therapy may relieve chronic physical pain in those with a chronic illness. 
• 70% of couples report long-lasting benefits from couples therapy.
• You don't have to verbalize what happened to you or remember a traumatic event to heal from it in therapy. 

The facts: Challenging mental health myths

The perpetuation of myths and inaccurate information can affect what people learn about therapy in their communities. When misinformation spreads through family units, schools, or workplaces, people may feel shame about wanting to reach out for support. Below are a few myths about therapy to keep in mind. 

False: Therapy is only for people who are “weak”

In a society that values self-sufficiency and "toughening up" when you feel down, it can seem like reaching out to a therapist is "weak" to some people. However, this myth is false.

Contrarily, suppressing your emotions and withdrawing from support are associated with adverse health challenges. If you have received mental health services or are considering seeking help, you may be taking a significant step toward achieving your mental health goals. 

False: Therapy is pseudoscience

Some people believe psychology is an area of pseudoscience because it studies the brain, emotions, and symptoms which might not always be visible. However, there are thousands of studies in the realm of psychology, and each one uses the scientific method to look at the treatment results on mental health.

In psychology, psychiatrists are medical doctors; like other medical doctors, they attend medical school and participate in a residency. Psychiatrists can manage and prescribe medications, but they can also perform research, act as therapists, and offer mental health guidance. Knowing that mental health is included in the medical field may be beneficial if you're unsure about the effectiveness of therapy. 

False: I’ve already tried therapy, and I know it won’t help

If you have tried therapy and had a poor experience, you might be reluctant to try again. The American Psychological Association (APA) recommends setting up appointments for a consultation with multiple therapists before you choose one to work with for an extended term. Therapy is personal, and some therapeutic modalities may not be effective for every person. 

If you've had one or more unsatisfactory or unpleasant experiences, consider looking into a new therapeutic modality or provider. It might take a few therapists to find one with whom you connect. If traditional therapy doesn't seem to be your style, it might make sense to try an alternative form of therapy like animal-assisted, music, art, narrative, or massage therapy. 

One way to benefit from your time in counseling is by entering the process with an open mind, willingness to learn, and desire to grow. If you go into therapy with the idea that no one can help you, you might have trouble implementing the skills your therapist offers. 

If you are experiencing a treatment-resistant mental illness, there are medical and therapeutic procedures that might support you. Consider talking to your primary care physician, psychiatrist, or therapist for a referral to one of these programs if applicable to your case. 

How does therapy benefit communities? 

Therapy may not only benefit the individual, couple, or group attending sessions. Therapy can also have benefits for one's community. With more people receiving mental healthcare, rates of houselessness, substance use, incarceration, and poverty may decrease. 

When communities practice healthy habits such as daily exercise, healthy eating, social support, sleep hygiene, and therapeutic coping skills, others in the community may also experience the impacts. Humans are social creatures, so encouraging others through your actions may be possible. 

Counseling options 

There are many reasons people may hesitate to seek therapy. However, programs have been developed in the 21st century to reduce these barriers and stigmas. For example, online counseling platforms like BetterHelp offer cost-effective, flexible, and convenient care to those looking for support in their communities.

Seeking online mental healthcare may be especially useful for those who feel the real impacts of stigma. Using a platform like BetterHelp, you can meet virtually with your counselor from any location, as long as you have a strong internet connection. Additionally, you can call or text your therapist in the moment, should you need a reminder of a technique or word of encouragement.

Studies have shown that four out of ten Americans have used teletherapy (since 2021) to obtain medical or mental healthcare. In addition, specific online modalities such as internet cognitive-behavioral therapy (I-CBT) have been associated with improved symptoms of conditions like depression, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, and other anxiety disorders. 

By working with an online therapist, many underserved populations can talk to a trauma-informed and culturally-informed provider. With the option to change your therapist at any time, you can control the support you receive. In addition, you can decide whether you'd like to work with an LGBTQ+, BIPOC, or religious therapist, depending on your needs and preferences.