Survey of Connecticut behavioral health providers reveals their deep commitment to families amid pay and workforce challenges
A recent survey of Connecticut behavioral health professionals conducted by CHDI demonstrates providers' deep commitment to kids and families while revealing challenges with pay, early career training, and turnover.
In 2024, CHDI conducted a statewide survey of licensed behavioral health professionals as a follow-up to previous surveys and focus groups. The earlier surveys were conducted as part of the CT Health Horizons project and the state's behavioral health workforce development strategic plan, published with support from the state in 2023.
Led by Aleece Kelly, MPP, the 2024 survey explored four main questions:
1. What is the landscape of Connecticut's licensed behavioral health workforce?
The survey results show that about half of the state's licensed behavioral health workforce are Social Workers (LMSWs or LCSWs), over 40% of whom were licensed within the past five years. The remaining half of the workforce is made up of Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs; ~20% of the workforce), Psychologists (10%), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs; 8%), and Psychiatrists (8%).
83% of behavioral health professionals with active licenses are currently working or seeking work in Connecticut (the rest may be retired, working out of state, taking intentional leaves of absence, etc.).
2. What proportion of the state's behavioral health workforce is working with children?
62% of survey respondents serve children and youth, with most focusing on teens and adolescents. Of those, 40% have been licensed for five or fewer years, signaling a potential need for increased training, supervision, and support for newer clinicians.
3. How do the demographics of the workforce compare to Connecticut's population?
During surveys and focus groups conducted for the 2023 strategic plan, families, family advocacy groups, and behavioral health providers all emphasized the need for more staff who look like and/or speak the languages of the wide range of clients and communities served across Connecticut. Past research has also indicated that child and family engagement in treatment can improve when they have access to providers who share their social, linguistic, and/or cultural backgrounds.
The 2024 survey found that compared to the state's overall population, white providers are still overrepresented among the behavioral health workforce. However, the survey also revealed more demographic variation among newly licensed providers, a promising sign.
4. What are the main strengths and challenges experienced by the state's behavioral health workforce?
Echoing what many providers told us during the development of the 2023 strategic plan, 2024 survey respondents shared that they remained committed to their work and found helping others particularly rewarding. However, they also shared many challenges facing the field, including salary concerns and high turnover rates.
Recommendations from survey respondents included increasing insurance reimbursement rates and other funding to address low compensation, enhancing training opportunities, improving insurance coverage, and providing more support for students entering the field. As Kelly points out, these suggestions align with the recommendations included in 2023's Strengthening Connecticut's Behavioral Health Workforce for Children, Youth, and Families: A Strategic Plan for Connecticut.
"The survey itself was fulfilling a need identified in the 2023 plan: to collect and report more workforce data in order to inform state policy and investment," says Kelly. "The findings further bolster the case for the plan's recommendations. Once again, we heard that Connecticut's behavioral health providers are absolutely dedicated to the kids and families they serve, but continue to face a really difficult funding landscape."
"The state has made some progress in key areas since we released the plan," Kelly adds. "Our hope is that this survey inspires additional efforts to ensure all Connecticut children and families can access high-quality care."
Because ongoing data collection is critical for tracking progress, challenges, and other changes the workforce is experiencing, Kelly's team is planning another survey later this year.
Special thanks to everyone who participated in last year's surveys! Your voice is critical to strengthening the children's behavioral health system. Stay tuned for another survey later in 2025.