Psychologists Across America: Distribution in Relation to Adults with Mental Illness

Understanding the geographic distribution of behavioral health providers is critical in ensuring the availability of services. Psychologists play a critical role in the provision of behavioral health care and account for approximately 20% of the behavioral health workforce (Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services, NPI Database). Data compiled by the American Psychological Association from state psychology boards revealed that there are an estimated 106,000 licensed psychologists in the United States. The distribution of psychologists across the country was mapped using GIS software. Utilizing additional data from the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the proportion of psychologists per adults living with mental illness were also mapped. Findings include the relatively high concentration of psychologists in the Northeast and West regions, which had 54.2 and 37.5 licensed psychologists per 100,000 residents, respectively.  When examining the proportion of licensed psychologists per 1,000 adults living with any mental illness, the South region had the lowest rate at 1.8. Similar regional differences were found when assessing the proportion of psychologists to adults living with serious mental illness with the South region (9.1 per 1,000 adults) having the lowest proportion. The availability of licensed psychologists is critical to the access, timeliness, and health care outcomes of those living with mental illness. Continued efforts to understand the distribution of psychologists and other behavioral health providers is essential as behavioral health care access increases through the Affordable Care Act.