The Mental Health Caseload Trends Report is UCEBT’s annual initiative to capture the experiences of today’s mental health providers. By participating in this year’s survey, you’ll help build a growing resource that offers valuable insights into caseloads, practice trends, business challenges, and the evolving mental health landscape.
What does it take to maintain a full caseload and a sustainable practice? Our 2026 survey of 108 mental health providers offers a look at referral sources, financial pressures, and changing client demand. Experiences varied, with some providers consistently full and others struggling to attract enough clients. Explore nine key findings below, then read the full 2026 Caseload Trends Report for more detail (coming soon!).
Nearly half of respondents (47%) reported that their caseload was not full and they were accepting new clients. Another 34% reported full caseloads with availability for a waitlist, while 19% were full and not accepting new clients.
Better insurance reimbursement was the most common support priority, selected by 45% of respondents. Among providers who accept insurance, 51% said it would have the greatest positive impact on their practice.
Most respondents (61%) said telehealth demand remained steady over the past year, while 32% reported a decline and 6% reported an increase.
When asked which support would have the greatest positive impact on their practice, respondents most often selected:
Better insurance reimbursement (45%)
Business and marketing support (15%)
Community referral networks and partnerships (11%)
Provider well-being (6%)
40% of respondents described online directories as a major or primary source of new-client inquiries. However, 50% said directories were a minor source or rarely generated inquiries, and 10% did not use them.
While 58% kept their rates unchanged, 36% increased them. Among those who reported increases, inflation and operating expenses were the most common reasons. Providers who increased rates more often reported full caseloads (69%) than those who kept rates unchanged (44%).
58% of respondents identified summer as their lowest caseload season. Fall was the most common seasonal high point (37%), followed by winter (24%). Separately, 20% reported no consistent seasonal low point, and 20% reported no consistent seasonal high point.
Professional networking and referrals were the most frequently selected source of new-client inquiries (32%). Among providers who named this as their top tactic, 68% had full caseloads, compared with 36% of those who named online directories.
Nearly one in three respondents (32%) had considered leaving private practice due to financial challenges, including 9% who were strongly considering it. Among those whose caseloads were rarely full, 62% had considered leaving, compared with 19% of those almost always full.
Beyond the numbers, providers described a practice landscape marked by unpredictable referrals, growing administrative demands, financial pressures, and increasing competition. At the same time, many emphasized that strong referral networks, specialization, collaboration, and community support are key to building a sustainable practice. Explore some of the key findings below, then dive deeper by reading the full 2025 Caseload Trends Report.
Nearly half (48%) of providers identified burnout and provider fatigue as one of the biggest challenges in their own practice.
When asked about industry-wide concerns, 78% of providers identified low insurance reimbursement rates as one of the biggest challenges facing mental health professionals today.
Most providers (55%) said demand for telehealth has remained steady over the past year, while 34% reported it has declined.
Top requested resources:
More than half (53%) of providers reported a decrease in referral flow from online directories compared to previous years.
While 51% of providers kept their rates the same, 42% increased their fees over the past year, with increased cost of living and rising business expenses cited as the most common reasons.
68% of providers reported that their caseloads are less full during the summer, while 61% said fall is their busiest season.
Among providers who market their own practices, online directories (31%) were rated as the most effective marketing strategy, followed by networking and SEO.
More than one in four providers (26%) have considered leaving private practice due to financial challenges, including 6% who are strongly considering it.
