Loudon County in Virginia has opened a new mental health center for patients who are uninsured, underinsured or on Medicaid, DCist reported Nov. 29.
The clinic will center on short-term therapy with 10-12 weekly or biweekly patient visits and has two therapists. It plans to offer group therapy and hire six more therapists in the future.
The percentage of adults in Virginia with depression and anxiety grew from 8 percent in 2019 to 28 percent in 2021, according to a report from the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia. The report also found that of 370,000 Virginia residents seeking therapy, 39 percent do not receive these services.
Elizabeth Hughes, senior director for the Insight Region at the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, who published the report, found that only 4 percent of therapists in the region registered through Psychology Today accept Medicaid.
"Half of mental health professionals, of therapists in Northern Virginia don't accept any kind of insurance, which means that people are paying out of pocket," Ms. Hughes told the publication.