Benton County expands mental health services with teletherapy program

The Brief

• Benton County partners with Handspring Health to offer free virtual therapy for county residents ages 8 to 29, addressing long wait times for mental health services

• The Columbia Valley Center for Recovery in Kennewick awaits final state licensing approvals after its April ribbon-cutting ceremony, with the original May 1 opening delayed

• The county has allocated $50,000 through its behavioral health sales tax to fund the teletherapy program that addresses conditions from anxiety to ADHD

KENNEWICK, Wash. – Benton County officials are taking initiatives to address a growing mental health crisis in the Tri-Cities, particularly among youth and young adults, as the region continues to face a shortage of mental health counselors.

County leaders have partnered with Handspring Health to provide free virtual therapy services for Benton County residents between the ages of 8 and 29. The program aims to reduce lengthy wait times that can prevent young people from accessing critical mental health support when they need it most.

“Families, you know, they have to wait weeks, months to get connected to a mental health provider, whether that be for insurance purposes or availability,” said Tularosa Jackson, Benton County Behavioral Health Coordinator.

The teletherapy service connects users with licensed therapists seven days a week, often providing same-day or next-day appointments. Jackson emphasized the importance of immediate access when someone reaches out for help.

“That window of time matters, whether it is something that has shifted or escalated quickly. And that can happen especially for youth,” Jackson said.

The county has allocated $50,000 through its behavioral health sales tax to fund the virtual therapy program, which addresses a wide range of mental health conditions, including social anxiety, generalized anxiety, panic attacks, depression, ADHD, OCD, PTSD, trauma, grief, and behavioral challenges such as defiance and withdrawal. The program also provides support for life transitions, bullying situations, and parenting challenges.

Mental health leaders in Benton County report that demand for services continues to exceed the number of available counselors in the Tri-Cities area. Long wait times and transportation barriers often prevent children and young adults from receiving early intervention, which can be crucial for preventing more serious mental health crises.

The virtual therapy program is funded through the county’s behavioral health sales tax, which was specifically designed to reduce pressure on schools, hospitals, law enforcement, and emergency medical services that often serve as first responders to mental health emergencies.

In addition to the teletherapy initiative, Benton County has the Columbia Valley Center for Recovery in Kennewick, which will expand long-term treatment options in the region. The facility held its official ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 17, 2026, but its opening has been delayed as it awaits final state licensing approvals from the Washington State Department of Health. The center was originally scheduled to begin accepting patients on May 1, 2026.

“The Tri-Cities community has identified that the need is present, and there is a lack of services for their community members,” said Jose Lopez of Comprehensive Healthcare, the organization working to develop the recovery center.

Once the Columbia Valley Center for Recovery receives state authorization, the facility will utilize a phased rollout to begin operations. The center represents a significant expansion of long-term treatment capacity in a region that has historically been underserved in terms of comprehensive mental health care.

The staffing shortage that affects mental health services nationwide has also impacted the Tri-Cities region. To address this challenge, Comprehensive Healthcare is implementing strategies to recruit and retain counselors, including student loan assistance, tuition reimbursement programs, and partnerships with local colleges.

“I think we need to make sure that we’re always working towards improving rapid access to behavioral health services,” Lopez said.

County officials report that usage of the teletherapy program is already increasing as they conduct outreach with schools and community groups to raise awareness about the service. The program specifically targets the 8-29 age group, which has been identified as particularly underserved in the region.

The behavioral health sales tax that funds these initiatives represents a community investment in addressing mental health needs before they escalate into larger crises that require more intensive and expensive interventions.

Looking ahead, county leaders say the Columbia Valley Center for Recovery could potentially add more youth-focused services as the facility develops and expands its operations following the phased rollout.

The timing of these initiatives comes as communities nationwide grapple with increased mental health needs, particularly among young people. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted existing gaps in mental health services while simultaneously increasing demand for care.

Benton County’s approach combines immediate access through virtual services with longer-term capacity building through the recovery center. Officials say this dual strategy addresses both urgent needs and systemic gaps in the regional mental health care system.

The teletherapy program removes common barriers to mental health care, including transportation challenges and scheduling conflicts that can prevent young people from accessing traditional in-person services. By offering virtual appointments seven days a week, the program provides flexibility that can be particularly important for families juggling work, school, and other commitments.

The comprehensive range of conditions addressed by the teletherapy program reflects the diverse mental health needs in the community, from anxiety disorders and depression to behavioral challenges and life transitions that commonly affect children, teens, and young adults.

County leaders emphasize that early intervention through accessible mental health services can prevent more serious crises that often involve multiple emergency response systems. The goal is to connect young people with appropriate care before their mental health struggles require intervention from law enforcement, emergency medical services, or hospital emergency departments.

Eligible Benton County residents can access the virtual therapy program by visiting the Handspring Health Benton County webpage. County officials say the program represents a significant step forward in making mental health care more accessible to young people in the Tri-Cities region.