Local mental health agencies experience counselor shortage
The HeraldSep 17, 2022
Sep. 16—When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, telehealth allowed mental health agencies and clients to meet without risking infection — but now, local agencies are losing their counselors to telehealth, without enough replacements to fill the void.
In the case of
"Agencies have openings at all levels, from BA degree caseworker to master level counselor. It's a big problem," Piccirilli said.
Telehealth impact
Klaric added that part of the issue for community mental health services is that their clients often have additional issues, such as housing and food insecurity, while telehealth and for-profit agencies can focus specifically on the mental health issue.
At the
At one point, the center had about 23 counselors, but now has only nine to serve about 500 clients in outpatient services. The center assists about 1,500 people overall through the center's other programs such as employment and housing services.
The center even had to stop taking in new clients for about a month, but that has since opened up as the center filled vacant positions.
"It's been all hands on deck, with all of the supervisors and myself as director taking care of clients," Baker said.
Center officials have tried hiring new counselors, but some potential hires end up receiving raises from their current jobs and back out. Other applicants schedule interviews but never show up, Baker said.
A major factor in the center's attrition among counselors: The combined everyday stress that comes with the job and the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led many people to focus on self-care and either retire or seek new jobs.
Telehealth seemed a viable option for many counselors, since telehealth agencies traditionally do not take patients with severe issues such as suicidal tendencies or histories of violence that seek help with community-oriented agencies.
Telehealth companies can also expect an uptick in clients seeking mental health services, which allows those companies to increase their rates and thus offer higher wages. This is not an option for the counseling center, since its rates are set by insurance or Medicaid, Baker said.
Telehealth also can't completely replace in-person counseling sessions, even though Baker said the counseling center does offer some limited telehealth options.
"If a child is in a house where it's not safe to talk openly, then telehealth won't work," Baker said. "If a partner is in an abusive relationship or someone is reliving trauma during trauma treatment, then they shouldn't be at home alone without support."
The counseling center is looking for people who are licensed professional counselors or licensed clinical social workers, and will provide supervision to people who are license-eligible, Baker said.
Challenging but satisfying
And despite the the job's challenges, Baker said it can be very satisfying working with clients.
"Community counseling is my mission, it's why we're here," he said.
Those interested in working in counseling or other jobs at the
At the
Since the commission works with so many agencies, such as contracting with the
"I'm sure COVID influenced that, where people spent a little more time at home and gave a second thought toward, 'maybe now is a good time to retire,'" Benegasi said.
Even hiring case workers is sometimes difficult, and Benegasi said commission officials have tried reaching a broader range of individuals, from running newspaper advertisements to hiring online and reaching out to local universities.
Like telehealth and for-profit agencies, Benegasi said it was difficult to compete since the commission's funds are allocated through the county by the state, with many clients having only Medicaid or no insurance at all.
However, that also makes the commission for accessible for clients who can't afford or access other agencies.
"They can call us at our intake number so we can help figure out what they need, and if they need a fuller assessment, we don't charge for that," Benegasi said.
Potential case workers need a degree in a human services field, such as psychology, criminal justice, or social work, and a minimum of 12 credits in psychology social work. Interns also come through the commission as well, Benegasi said.
"We're working people toward being independent, and doing the most they can with their lives," she said.
Anyone interested in the commission's services or in need of assistance can contact them at 724-662-2230.
Solutions
One possible solution to alleviate the counselor shortage could be a compact among states, which would allow counselors and social workers to practice in different states without having to undergo the licensing process over and over for each state.
According to the
A separate compact specifically for social workers, the Social Work Licensure Compact, is under development by the
The project's team has a draft of the compact, with editing expected to be completed this fall and the compact presented to states for their 2023 legislative sessions.
State Rep.
A similar approach has been applied to education, with amendments were made to the state's school code that would make it easier for
"In border communities like ours, I think we could really benefit from that reciprocity," Longietti said.
Another approach could be to create pathways for young people to enter the mental health field, such as how school districts can introduce students to vocational training that can be built upon in post-secondary education.
Such shortages of counselors and social workers were not unique to
"It was an issue before the pandemic, and it was exacerbated by the pandemic," Longietti said.
State Sen.
The state
"These counselors are pivotal to helping our schools and communities continue responding to the effects of the pandemic," the statement said.
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