A recent study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry indicates a notable shift in how Americans are managing their mental health. After years of increasing reliance on psychiatric medications, the trend appears to be swinging back toward psychotherapy. Between 2018 and 2021, the proportion of individuals using only medication for mental health support declined from 68% to 62%, while those using psychotherapy alone rose from under 12% to 15%. These changes suggest a growing preference for therapeutic conversation over pharmacological intervention.
The study also found that patients are more likely to commit to talk therapy than in years past. Fewer individuals are dropping out after just one or two sessions, and more are attending long-term treatment—over 17% reported completing more than 20 sessions in 2021, compared to less than 14% in 2018. This trend reflects a deeper engagement with psychotherapy and may point to greater public acceptance of its value in managing emotional and psychological well-being.
Accompanying this shift is a redistribution of who provides psychotherapy. While psychiatrists are delivering less of it directly, social workers and counselors are playing a larger role. Psychologists’ involvement remained relatively stable. These findings highlight the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in mental health care and suggest that structural adjustments may be needed to support the growing demand for sustained, relationship-based therapy.