Mental health care in California is about as accessible as a Michelin-starred restaurant during Fleet Week. Our state is facing a brutal shortage of therapists, and the path to becoming one is more complicated than trying to find affordable housing in San Francisco.

The Brutal Education Gauntlet

Imagine spending years and dropping more cash than a tech bro at a startup conference just to help people heal. That’s the reality for aspiring therapists in California. Most master’s programs take two years and can cost over $60,000, with students often working hundreds of unpaid internship hours. Talk about a financial and emotional rollercoaster.

Rural Areas Are Getting Totally Screwed

In rural counties like Amador, finding a mental health professional is basically like searching for a unicorn. Nearly one-third of California’s residents live in areas with insufficient mental health support. People like Eboni Moen, who experienced profound personal trauma, are left waiting years just to get basic mental health care.

The System Needs a Major Overhaul

State leaders are trying to fix this mess by investing hundreds of millions, but it’s like putting a Band-Aid on a gunshot wound. The licensing requirements are so complex that many potential therapists get discouraged before they even start. We need radical systemic changes to make mental health support accessible and affordable for everyone.