Licensing master’s level psychologists could help fill gaps

About 160 million Americans live in areas with mental health professional shortages, with more than 8,000 additional professionals needed to fill the demand, according to the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration. More states licensing master’s level psychologists could get patients the help they need.
In addition to West Virginia, Kansas, New Mexico, and Kentucky, Vermont is one of only five states that currently license psychologists to operate independently. Approximately 17 other state jurisdictions have a path to licensure for master’s level psychologists to operate under doctorate level supervision.
“Any mental health provider taking new patients is hard to find,” said Lynda Marshall, J.D., executive director of the Verm...