More than 1 in 3 people live in areas without enough mental health providers. In Oregon, there are 1.15 providers per 1,000 people. The shortage is worse in rural and underserved communities.
“We are facing higher rates of depression, anxiety, and addiction,” said Pavan Somusetty, MD, chief of service for mental health for Kaiser Permanente in the Northwest. “At the same time, there are not enough trained professionals to meet the need.”
Kaiser Permanente created the Mental Health Career Accelerator to respond to this need.
Bridging gaps for aspiring providers
For many graduates, becoming a licensed therapist can be hard. It requires hundreds of supervised hours (up to 1,900 in Oregon), plus expensive tests and training. Many graduates do not go on to get their license.
The Mental Health Career Accelerator helps make it easier through stipends, supervision, and career support, so new professionals can stay on track to get licensed.
“One of the great things about the program is that it follows us,” Torres said. “The program team helps us handle challenges and do well in the field.”
Growth through connection
Torres said she has learned to focus on building connection. “We are human, just like our clients. Real change happens when we build trust with our clients.”
Over the past year, she has worked with dozens of clients and families, leading sessions like Spanish-speaking parent groups and a youth self-regulation group.
The work can be demanding.
“It can feel too much at times. We’re not superheroes,” she said. “This work is hard, but it matters.”
Supervision has been very important. A supervisor emphasized self-compassion and helped Torres build habits to avoid burnout.
“It’s easy to forget to take care of yourself,” she said. “My supervisor helped me understand that self-compassion is essential.”
Looking ahead
Kaiser Permanente in the Northwest plans to support more than 100 people through getting their license and finding a job. Nationally, Kaiser Permanente aims to help 1,000 people who have finished their master’s degree get licensed by 2028.