One-Third Of Behavioral Health Professionals In California Public Safety Net Workforce Are 65 Or Older

Nearly one-third of California’s psychiatrists and clinical psychologists in the public behavioral health workforce are retirement age, at 31% of psychiatrists and 27% of clinical and counseling psychologists. The state has not graduated sufficient behavioral health professionals to replace those nearing retirement age. The pending workforce shortage affects the state’s efforts to implement the CalAIM Medicaid waiver to transform the public behavioral health system.
Graduates of certificate and associate degree programs for addiction counselors in California decreased by 21% between 2015 and 2020. Meanwhile, California’s county behavioral health departments are facing significant recruitment and retention challenges . . .