What 1,300+ therapists told us about the future of mental healthcare

Therapy is at a crossroads. To see where the profession is heading, we asked more than 1,300 therapists about their realities, challenges, and hopes for the future. Their answers paint a picture of a profession deeply committed to client care, but grappling with burnout, systemic barriers, and hopes that technology can ease (though not solve) problems that have plagued the field for decades. Rising client demand, complex billing rules, and the arrival of AI are all reshaping what it means to care for people today. Here’s a glimpse at what we learned:

AI is already here

Forget the sci-fi scenarios. AI isn’t replacing therapists, it’s handling their paperwork.

Four in ten therapists already use AI for administrative tasks. Forty percent of therapists use AI for at least one task, like note‑taking, scheduling, or intake. But when it comes to actual client care? Only 7% use AI directly with clients, and most don’t plan to change that.

They worry about protecting client data, maintaining human connection, and avoiding algorithmic bias. They see AI as a tool for cutting busy work, not a replacement for human care.

The burnout emergency

Here’s a number that should alarm everyone: 82% of therapists report burnout. Nearly a third say it’s extreme.

The math is simple. Low pay plus insurance headaches plus endless paperwork equals exhausted therapists. One in four are thinking about leaving the field entirely in the next five years. We’re already facing a therapist shortage, and a quarter of the workforce might walk away.

Most therapists try to cope by setting boundaries and taking care of themselves. But only 32% believe things will actually improve. That’s not sustainable for them or their clients.

The access crisis won’t fix itself

Nearly every therapist we surveyed (99%) agrees: systemic barriers keep people from getting help.

The biggest culprits? Insurance that doesn’t cover enough. Living too far from available therapists. Physical spaces that aren’t accessible. Clients from marginalized groups face extra hurdles, especially when they want therapists who share their identity, but the provider pool is simply too small. These aren’t new problems, but they’re getting worse.

Therapists know exactly who could fix this: insurance companies, federal policymakers, and state leaders. But only 22% of therapists expect any real improvement in the next five years.

The solutions exist, and therapists have suggested many. Universal coverage. Insurance reform. Community-based programs. But without pressure for change, nothing happens.

Whole-person care: The future therapists want

Despite everything, therapists remain committed to their vision of better care. Nearly all believe in treating the whole person—mind, body, and social context—not just checking diagnostic boxes.

About half already practice this way consistently, and more plan to join them. But insurance rules, lack of resources, and documentation requirements make it harder than it should be.

Therapists know they’re uniquely positioned to lead this change. They just need the system to let them.

What this means for you

This report isn’t just about therapists; it’s about anyone who might need mental healthcare. That’s most of us, at some point.

The message from therapists is clear: they want to help. They have the tools and knowledge. But the system is breaking both them and their ability to serve clients.

Technology will help with the small stuff. But the big problems, like access, affordability, burnout, require systemic change. And that requires all of us to pay attention and demand better.

Despite the challenges, therapists remain passionate about making mental health care more accessible, human, and holistic. But they know progress won’t happen overnight. It will take systemic change, bold policy reform, and new tools that truly support the clinician experience.

Read the full report

Want to dive deeper into what therapists are saying about the future of mental healthcare? Download our complete report by clicking the button below. Explore the data, learn what therapists are facing, and see what the next five years may hold.