Freelance Therapists in the United States

• In 2019, there were 192,300 psychologists (psychotherapists) in the United States. The employment will grow by 3% over the ten years (2019-2029), which indicates an approximate annual growth rate of 0.3%. Thus, in 2020, the number of psychologists is estimated to reach 192,877 (=192,300 + 192,300x0.3%).
• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 143,300 occupational therapists in the United States in 2019. The employment will grow by 16% over the ten years (2019-2029), which indicates an approximate annual growth rate of 1.6%. Thus, in 2020, the number of occupational therapists is estimated to reach 145,593 (=143,300 + 143,300x1.6%).
• Moreover, there were 66,200 marriage and family therapists in the United States. The employment will grow by 22% over the ten years (2019-2029), which indicates an approximate annual growth rate of 2.2%. Thus, in 2020, the number of marriage and family therapists is estimated to reach 67,656 (=66,200 + 66,200x2.2%).
•  Twenty-seven percent of healthcare practitioners are freelancers.
• Assuming that the share of freelancers among healthcare practitioners will apply for the different types of therapists, we calculated the number of freelance therapists as follows:
• Psychologists: 192,877x27% = 52,077
• Occupational therapists: 145,593x27% = 39,310
• Marriage and family therapists: 67,656x27% = 18,267

• Currently (2020), there are 52,077 freelance psychologists, 39,310 freelance occupational therapists, and 18,267 freelance marriage and family therapists in the United States.

Summary of Our Early Findings Relevant to The Goals

• Our preliminary research estimated the number of freelance therapists in the United States.
• Despite extensive research through industry-related websites, government databases, market research websites, statistical databases, and the public domain, we were unable to identify the number of freelance therapists in the United States. Every report we found was discussing the number of different types of therapists. Despite the scarce information, we found some data regarding the percentage of freelancers among healthcare practitioners. Thus, we assumed that the share of freelancers among healthcare practitioners would apply for the different types of therapists, and we calculated the number of freelance therapists, as explained above.
• The initial hour of the research didn't cover every part of the requested information, so we haven't confirmed yet if we can find all the requested and suggested data.
• Our recommendations are based on our findings in early research.
• Please select one or more of the options provided in the proposed scoping section below.