In 2023, U.S. mental health apps were already a $5.2 billion market, and outpatient therapy services alone generated $15.8 billion in revenue. At the same time, 52.9 million adults experienced mental illness in 2023 but only 37 percent sought therapy, with women using services at roughly twice the rate of men. This post pieces together the gap between need, access, and outcomes across sessions, providers, and treatments.
Key Takeaways
- 28.5 million U.S. adults received mental health treatment in 2022, including 19.4 million therapy sessions
- 21% of U.S. adults (52.9 million) experienced mental illness in 2023, with 37% seeking therapy
- Women are 2x more likely than men to receive therapy, with 26% vs 13% usage in U.S. 2023
- In 2023, the U.S. therapy industry generated $15.8 billion in revenue from outpatient mental health services
- The global mental health apps market was valued at $5.2 billion in 2022 and projected to reach $17.5 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 16.5%
- Therapy session reimbursements under Medicare increased by 12% from 2020 to 2023, totaling $2.1 billion annually
- The U.S. marriage and family therapy industry revenue was $6.7 billion in 2023, category: Market Size and Revenue
- CBT remission rates average 50-60% after 12-16 sessions per meta-analysis 2023
- Therapy reduces depression symptoms by 53% on average vs 30% waitlist controls, 2023 studies
- Long-term therapy retention linked to 70% lower relapse rates in anxiety disorders 2023 data
- There were 192,000 licensed clinical psychologists in the U.S. as of 2023
- Marriage and family therapists numbered 55,000 in the U.S. in 2023, with 12% employment growth since 2018
- U.S. mental health counselors totaled 148,000 in 2023, earning median $49,710 annually
- CBT remains the most prescribed therapy modality at 45% of sessions in U.S. 2023
- Teletherapy adoption reached 76% of U.S. therapists in 2023, up from 20% pre-2020
In 2023, millions sought therapy, the market grew, and evidence-based treatments showed strong outcomes.
Related reading
01 · Category
Client Demographics And Usage24 stats
01
28.5 million U.S. adults received mental health treatment in 2022, including 19.4 million therapy sessions
02
21% of U.S. adults (52.9 million) experienced mental illness in 2023, with 37% seeking therapy
03
Women are 2x more likely than men to receive therapy, with 26% vs 13% usage in U.S. 2023
04
15% of U.S. children aged 6-17 received therapy in 2023, totaling 7.7 million kids
05
LGBTQ+ individuals seek therapy at 50% rate vs 20% general population in U.S. 2023
06
Average therapy session length is 50 minutes, with U.S. clients averaging 8.4 sessions per year in 2023
07
42% of Gen Z (ages 18-25) in U.S. accessed therapy in 2023, highest of any group
08
Hispanic Americans utilize therapy at 15% rate vs 25% non-Hispanic whites in 2023 U.S.
09
33% of U.S. college students received counseling in 2023 academic year
10
Rural U.S. residents access therapy 30% less than urban, with only 12% usage in 2023
11
56% of U.S. therapy clients pay out-of-pocket, averaging $120 per session in 2023
12
Black Americans seek therapy at 13% rate, citing stigma as barrier in 2023 survey
13
Average wait time for therapy in U.S. urban areas is 3.5 weeks in 2023
14
25% of U.S. seniors over 65 used therapy in 2023, up from 18% pre-pandemic
15
Corporate employees using EAP therapy: 8% of workforce or 12 million in U.S. 2023
16
19% of U.S. veterans accessed VA therapy in 2023, totaling 1.4 million
17
Autism spectrum clients in therapy: 1 in 36 U.S. children or 2.8% in 2023
18
40% of U.S. therapy clients drop out after first month in 2023 studies
19
Online therapy users grew to 40% of total clients in U.S. 2023
20
Men aged 18-24 have lowest therapy usage at 11% in U.S. 2023
21
ADHD therapy clients: 6.5 million U.S. children in 2023
22
Depression therapy seekers: 17.3 million U.S. adults annually in 2023
23
Anxiety disorder therapy usage: 8% of U.S. population or 20 million in 2023
24
PTSD therapy clients: 5% of U.S. adults or 12.8 million in 2023
Interpretation
Client Demographics And Usage Interpretation
Across U.S. client demographics and usage patterns, therapy is used by 37% of adults who experience mental illness in 2023, with especially higher participation among women at 26% versus 13% for men and LGBTQ+ individuals at 50% versus 20% in the general population.
02 · Category
Market Size And Revenue29 stats
01
In 2023, the U.S. therapy industry generated $15.8 billion in revenue from outpatient mental health services
02
The global mental health apps market was valued at $5.2 billion in 2022 and projected to reach $17.5 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 16.5%
03
Therapy session reimbursements under Medicare increased by 12% from 2020 to 2023, totaling $2.1 billion annually
04
The U.S. counseling services market size reached $14.9 billion in 2023, growing 4.2% year-over-year
05
Online therapy platforms saw a 28% revenue surge to $4.7 billion globally in 2023 due to telehealth adoption
06
The psychotherapy market in Europe was valued at €12.3 billion in 2022, with a forecasted CAGR of 5.1% through 2028
07
U.S. private practice therapists earned an average of $98,500annually in 2023, contributing to a $10.2 billion sector
08
Corporate wellness therapy programs expenditure hit $8.5 billion in the U.S. in 2023, up 15% from 2022
09
The child therapy segment of the market grew to $3.4 billion in 2023, driven by post-pandemic demand
10
Insurance claims for therapy services in the U.S. rose 22% to 45 million in 2023, valued at $11.6 billion
11
Group therapy market revenue reached $2.9 billion globally in 2023, with 7.3% CAGR projected
12
Teletherapy revenue in Asia-Pacific hit $1.8 billion in 2023, growing at 25% CAGR
13
Addiction therapy services generated $4.2 billion in U.S. revenue in 2023
14
The holistic therapy market worldwide was $7.4 billion in 2023, with 8.9% growth forecast
15
U.S. school-based therapy funding totaled $1.9 billion in FY2023
16
Veteran therapy programs under VA cost $9.1 billion in 2023
17
LGBTQ+ focused therapy market reached $1.2 billion in U.S. 2023 revenue
18
Art therapy industry revenue grew to $850 million globally in 2023
19
Sports psychology services generated $1.5 billion worldwide in 2023
20
Elderly therapy market in U.S. was $2.3 billion in 2023
21
Workplace EAP therapy spending hit $5.6 billion in U.S. 2023
22
Autism therapy services revenue reached $3.8 billion in 2023 U.S.
23
The equine therapy market was valued at $680 million globally in 2023
24
U.S. forensic psychology services revenue totaled $1.1 billion in 2023
25
Music therapy industry grew to $1.4 billion worldwide in 2023
26
The U.S. hypnotherapy market size was $1.7 billion in 2023 revenue
27
Global pet therapy services market hit $900 million in 2023
28
Trauma therapy segment revenue was $4.5 billion in U.S. 2023
29
Dance/movement therapy market reached $520 million globally in 2023
Interpretation
Market Size And Revenue Interpretation
Across the Market Size And Revenue category, the therapy sector is expanding quickly with online therapy revenue jumping 28% to $4.7 billion globally in 2023, while the U.S. outpatient mental health services market reached $15.8 billion in 2023 and Medicare reimbursement for therapy rose 12% from 2020 to 2023.
03 · Category
Market Size And Revenue, Source Url: Https://www.ibisworld.com/united States/market Size/marriage Counseling Centers/1 stats
01
The U.S. marriage and family therapy industry revenue was $6.7 billion in 2023, category: Market Size and Revenue
Interpretation
Market Size And Revenue, Source Url: Https://www.ibisworld.com/united States/market Size/marriage Counseling Centers/ Interpretation
In 2023, the U.S. marriage and family therapy industry brought in $6.7 billion in revenue, underscoring strong market size for marriage counseling centers within the category of Market Size and Revenue.
More related reading
04 · Category
Mental Health Outcomes And Efficacy28 stats
01
CBT remission rates average 50-60% after 12-16 sessions per meta-analysis 2023
02
Therapy reduces depression symptoms by 53% on average vs 30% waitlist controls, 2023 studies
03
Long-term therapy retention linked to 70% lower relapse rates in anxiety disorders 2023 data
04
Group CBT efficacy: 40% symptom reduction in social anxiety after 12 weeks, 2023 RCT
05
Teletherapy as effective as in-person with 78% equivalence in outcomes 2023 meta-analysis
06
EMDR achieves 80% PTSD remission in single-trauma cases after 6 sessions 2023 review
07
Mindfulness therapy cuts chronic pain by 35% and improves mood 44% in 2023 trials
08
DBT reduces self-harm by 50% in borderline patients over 1 year 2023 longitudinal study
09
Couples therapy improves relationship satisfaction by 69% post-treatment 2023 meta-analysis
10
Art therapy lowers cortisol 25% in stress patients, equivalent to meds 2023 study
11
ACT boosts quality of life scores by 28% in chronic illness patients 2023 RCT
12
Play therapy improves child behavior 60% in externalizing disorders 2023 review
13
Music therapy reduces dementia agitation by 40% daily in nursing homes 2023 trial
14
Equine therapy decreases ADHD symptoms 32% in children after 12 weeks 2023 study
15
Schema therapy remission 66% for personality disorders vs 40% other therapies 2023
16
Neurofeedback improves ADHD attention 45% sustained 6 months post 2023 meta-analysis
17
Family therapy cuts youth suicide risk 25% in high-risk families 2023 cohort
18
Somatic therapy resolves 70% of trauma symptoms faster than talk therapy 2023 comparison
19
Biofeedback lowers hypertension 15 mmHg systolic in 8 weeks 2023 trials
20
Narrative therapy empowers 55% cultural trauma recovery in minorities 2023 qualitative
21
Integrated therapy+meds achieves 75% schizophrenia relapse prevention 2023 long-term
22
VR therapy phobia extinction 90% success in 4 sessions 2023 tech review
23
Hypnotherapy smoking cessation 29% at 6 months vs 18% placebo 2023 RCT
24
Pet therapy reduces hospital anxiety 34% in pediatric patients 2023 study
25
Dance therapy improves Parkinson's motor scores 22% weekly 2023 intervention
26
Overall therapy ROI: $4saved in healthcare per $1 spent 2023 economic analysis
27
85% of treated OCD patients achieve significant symptom reduction via ERP 2023 guidelines
28
Long-term psychoanalysis 44% better outcomes than short-term at 5 years 2023 study
Interpretation
Mental Health Outcomes And Efficacy Interpretation
Overall, mental health treatments show strong efficacy, with CBT averaging a 50 to 60% remission rate after 12 to 16 sessions and depression symptoms improving by 53% versus 30% on waitlists, supporting the category that therapy meaningfully improves outcomes.
05 · Category
Practitioner Statistics25 stats
01
There were 192,000 licensed clinical psychologists in the U.S. as of 2023
02
Marriage and family therapists numbered 55,000 in the U.S. in 2023, with 12% employment growth since 2018
03
U.S. mental health counselors totaled 148,000 in 2023, earning median $49,710annually
04
45% of U.S. psychologists were in private practice in 2023, totaling about 86,000 practitioners
05
Licensed professional counselors (LPCs) reached 140,000 in the U.S. by 2023
06
Psychiatric nurse practitioners providing therapy numbered 28,000 in U.S. 2023
07
School psychologists totaled 64,000 in U.S. public schools in 2023
08
Social workers in mental health roles: 120,000 full-time equivalents in U.S. 2023
09
32% of therapists in U.S. offer telehealth exclusively as of 2023, affecting 62,000 practitioners
10
Average age of U.S. therapists is 48 years in 2023, with 25% over 60
11
78% of U.S. psychologists hold a doctoral degree in 2023
12
Clinical social workers providing therapy: 195,000 licensed in U.S. 2023
13
Occupational therapists in mental health: 15,000 specialized in U.S. 2023
14
U.S. art therapists numbered 5,200 certified in 2023
15
Dance/movement therapists: 1,300 BC-DMT certified in U.S. 2023
16
Music therapists: 9,000 certified MT-BC in U.S. 2023
17
22% of U.S. therapists identify as multicultural in 2023, totaling 42,000 practitioners
18
Female therapists comprise 74% of the U.S. workforce in 2023
19
Rural U.S. therapist shortage affects 60 million people, with only 1 therapist per 1,000 residents in 2023
20
U.S. hypnotherapists estimated at 12,000 practicing in 2023
21
Equine-assisted therapists: 4,500 certified in U.S. 2023
22
41% of U.S. therapists saw caseloads increase by 20% or more in 2023 post-pandemic
23
Global therapist density is 1 per 2,000 people on average in 2023
24
U.S. child psychologists numbered 18,000 in 2023
25
Addiction counselors: 130,000 certified in U.S. 2023
Interpretation
Practitioner Statistics Interpretation
In 2023, the practitioner base for therapy in the U.S. was large and diverse, with 192,000 licensed clinical psychologists and 140,000 licensed professional counselors, and the growth signal was especially clear for marriage and family therapists at 55,000 with 12% employment growth since 2018.
06 · Category
Therapy Trends And Modalities25 stats
01
CBT remains the most prescribed therapy modality at 45% of sessions in U.S. 2023
02
Teletherapy adoption reached 76% of U.S. therapists in 2023, up from 20% pre-2020
03
Mindfulness-based therapies grew 35% in usage from 2020-2023 globally
04
EMDR therapy for trauma used by 28% of U.S. therapists in 2023 cases
05
Psychedelic-assisted therapy trials increased 150% since 2020, with 12 FDA approvals pending in 2023
06
Group therapy participation rose 22% post-pandemic in U.S. 2023
07
AI-integrated therapy tools used by 15% of practitioners in 2023
08
DBT for borderline personality disorder applied in 40% more clinics since 2021, U.S. 2023
09
Art therapy sessions increased 18% for children in U.S. schools 2023
10
Couples therapy via apps surged 40% in 2023 globally
11
Somatic experiencing therapy practitioners grew 25% to 2,500 certified in 2023
12
Ketamine infusion therapy clinics numbered 500 in U.S. by 2023, up 300%
13
Virtual reality exposure therapy used in 10% of anxiety treatments U.S. 2023
14
Holistic/integrative therapy adopted by 32% of U.S. clients in 2023
15
Equine therapy programs expanded to 400 U.S. centers in 2023
16
Music therapy integrated into 60% of U.S. hospitals by 2023
17
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) usage up 29% in corporate wellness 2023
18
Neurofeedback therapy devices sold 50,000 units globally in 2023
19
Family systems therapy prescribed 15% more for addiction cases U.S. 2023
20
Biofeedback used in 12% of stress management therapies 2023
21
Play therapy for kids standardized in 75% of child clinics U.S. 2023
22
Schema therapy training completed by 8,000 therapists worldwide in 2023
23
65% of U.S. depression treatments combine CBT with medication in 2023
24
Narrative therapy gained 20% adoption for PTSD veterans 2023
25
Online group therapy platforms hosted 2 million sessions monthly U.S. 2023
Interpretation
Therapy Trends And Modalities Interpretation
Therapy Trends And Modalities in the U.S. are being shaped by a clear pivot toward modern delivery and approaches, with CBT still leading at 45% of sessions while teletherapy rose to 76% of therapists in 2023 from 20% pre 2020.
report visual · Comparison
Therapy access and adoption trends (U.S.)
Teletherapy adoption and overall client shares suggest continued growth in remote therapy access.
Teletherapy adoption reached 76% of U.S. therapists in 2023, up from 20% pre-202076%
Online therapy users grew to 40% of total clients in U.S. 202340%
32% of therapists in U.S. offer telehealth exclusively as of 2023, affecting 62,000 practitioners32%
25% of U.S. seniors over 65 used therapy in 2023, up from 18% pre-pandemic25%
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Timothy Grant. (2026, February 13). Therapy Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/therapy-industry-statistics
MLA
Timothy Grant. "Therapy Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/therapy-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Timothy Grant. 2026. "Therapy Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/therapy-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
62 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level