Study Shows Increased Access and Use of Talk Therapy in Recent Years

The study found that more people who start psychotherapy stick with it than in previous years.

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A recent study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry highlights an increasing trend in psychotherapy among American adults with mental health needs. This research indicates a decline in the exclusive use of psychiatric medications for treatment, marking a departure from past trends. More insights can be found in the study.

“We’re seeing that during this time, this increase represents a period where psychotherapy is assuming a more important role in outpatient mental health care,” explains Dr. Mark Olfson, a psychiatrist and epidemiologist at Columbia University.

According to Dr. Olfson, the number of adults engaging in psychotherapy rose from 6.5% in 2018 to 8.5% in 2021, translating to an increase from approximately 16.5 million to nearly 22 million individuals.

These findings contrast with patterns observed in previous decades, where talk therapy usage initially declined and then stagnated while psychiatric medication use increased. Dr. Olfson notes that the introduction of Prozac and other SSRIs in the late 1980s shifted the focus towards medication in outpatient mental health care.

However, between 2018 and 2021, a shift occurred. The study found a decrease in adults using only medication, dropping from 67.6% to 62.1%. Concurrently, the number of patients receiving only talk therapy grew, especially among those with depression, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders.

Another significant finding was the increased adherence to therapy sessions, with more individuals continuing therapy once they began. “Overall, it suggests that psychotherapy [is] becoming more accessible to people and people are able to take advantage of it,” Dr. Olfson says. Dr. Jessi Gold, chief wellness officer at the University of Tennessee System, also mentions a growing awareness about what to expect from talk therapy is helping people stay engaged.

Telehealth is part of the picture

The expansion of telehealth services during the pandemic may have contributed to the increased accessibility of talk therapy, as noted in the study. Dr. Gold emphasizes, “I think telehealth did increase access for people who might not have had any access to a therapist in their particular location or times.”

Furthermore, the study reveals an expansion in the range of professionals providing talk therapy, now including licensed counselors and social workers alongside psychiatrists and psychologists.

Access is still a problem, though

Despite these positive trends, Dr. Olfson points out that the benefits of increased access to psychotherapy primarily reach affluent individuals with higher education and income, often residing in urban areas. He hopes the findings will inspire efforts to improve access for those with fewer resources.

The National Institute of Mental Health reports that only about half of all Americans with mental illness received care in the past year, underscoring the need for further improvements in mental health care accessibility.