Making Psychotherapy Available in the United States: Implementation Challenges and Solutions

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1-2021

Publication Title

Psychiatric Services

Volume

72

Issue

2

First page number:

222

Last page number:

224

Abstract

About 46.6 million Americans have mental illnesses, yet profound treatment gaps exist in this country. Among those receiving treatment, most are treated solely with medication, even though >50% prefer to include psychotherapy in treatment. Other countries have changed policies to enhance access to evidence-based psychotherapy, resulting in availability and utilization reflective of patient preferences. To improve access to these treatments, the U.S. health care system would need to seek agreement among stakeholders regarding what constitutes effective treatment; enhance training, credentialing, and continuing education requirements; implement quality measures; integrate services into nontraditional venues; and incentivize best practices.

Keywords

United States; Mental illnesses; Psychotherapy; Mental health care; US health care system

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Mental and Social Health | Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy

Language

English

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