More than half of psychologists say the severity of their patients' symptoms have become worse in the last 12 months.
According to the American Psychological Association's 2023 Practitioner Pulse Survey, published Dec. 5, 52% of psychologists say their patients' symptoms are worsening. Around 40% said the length of treatment courses among their patients increased in the last 12 months.
Though many psychologists say the severity of their patients' condition is increasing, the number is lower than in 2022.
Around a quarter of psychologists surveyed said their workload and number of patients have increased in the last 12 months, and 38% said the number of people on the waitlist had increased.
Over half of respondents reported having no openings for new patients. Among those with waitlists, more than two-thirds said the average patient waits up to three months for an appointment, and one-third reported wait times longer than three months.
Fewer psychologists reported feeling burned out in 2023 than in 2022. Of those surveyed, 36% said they felt burned out in the last 12 months, compared to 45% in 2022.
Read the full report here.