China lacks psychologists, so businesses fill the mental health care gap

Nov 22, 2021
One entrepreneur is placing her bets on a paid online listening service for women.
In China, online and app-based companionship services have cropped up to address isolation. Above, a man sits alone on his cellphone in Beijing.
Courtesy Shanghai 808 Studio

Black therapists say they are seeing an uptick in demand for their services

Jul 14, 2020
Many Black clients are seeking therapists they trust to deal with mental health trauma since the police killing of George Floyd.
A crisis volunteer in London logs on for her shift in June. In Minnesota, just over 2% of mental health professionals are Black.
Leon Neal/Getty Images

Substance use treatment goes virtual as people shelter from pandemic

May 12, 2020
Treatment usually involves in-person therapy and group meetings. Now, counselors are trying to adjust.
Treatment centers are pivoting to online counseling to provide services while minimizing risk.
Zak Bennett/AFP via Getty Images
Pictures of Money/Flickr

When it comes to insurance money, mental health is not treated equal

Jan 5, 2018
For every $1 insurance companies reimburse primary care doctors, they reimburse mental health professionals only 83 cents. Even when treating the exact same thing, like depression.
Ten years after Congress passed a mental health parity law, people seeking care still have trouble finding treatments covered by insurance.
Matt Cardy/Getty Images

A push to improve access to dental care

Oct 14, 2015
'Dental therapists' would have duties somewhere between dentists and hygienists.