Training and Education in Professional Psychology, Vol 19(4), Nov 2025, 256-262; doi:10.1037/tep0000531
Mental health needs are prevalent, yet many people who need care cannot access it. Behavioral health care workforce shortages are a major driver of this mismatch. The Health Resources and Services Administration Health Workforce Simulation Model was created to project the supply and demand of health care professionals and people seeking health care services now and into the future. We analyzed data from these projections to map the projected behavioral health care inadequacy from now through 2037 and to understand the extent to which inadequate psychologist training is responsible for the mismatch between expected supply and demand and which other professions will fill the gaps. We also analyzed regional and state imbalances contributing to the problem. Results showed a declining psychology workforce and increasing demand for their services, peaking at only 55% of the demand met in 2037. This supply/demand imbalance varies across states and regions, with the supply projected to exceed demand through 2037 in Northeastern states but fall below demand in Western states in 2025. Demand exceeds supply in Southern and Midwestern states at baseline. Other mental health professions, such as psychiatrists, addiction counselors, mental health counselors, and marriage and family therapists, are projected to have similar declines. The gaps in care are likely to be partially filled by psychiatric nurse practitioners and mental health and substance use social workers, whose adequacy percentages are expected to increase and remain steady, respectively. Policies to increase the supply of mental health care professionals to meet the growing demand should be priorities moving forward. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)