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Therapist Overload
updated: Aug 15, 2012, 3:30 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

It seems that there are a preponderance of (mental) therapists in town. Does Santa Barbara have a much higher per capita number of mental health practitioners?

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 308733	2012-08-15 03:38 PM
More than enough crazies to keep 'em all busy. That's for sure.
COMMENT 308734	2012-08-15 03:38 PM
Where did you get this info? Just deciding that we have a lot of mental health professionals doesn't actually make that true. In fact, it's been in the news in recent years we don't have ENOUGH to support our local population. We have a lot of actual medical doctors, probably higher than most cities of this size, though. I'm just curious why this is a subject of interest, unless it's slanted towards making a joke about mental illness? Or are you truly interested in finding out about psychiatry in our town?
COMMENT 308741	2012-08-15 03:49 PM
This area has more "social services" for the down trodden than any other county of it's population size- Many are "homeless" advocates, as their jobs depend on them being here. Social services are one of our industries here in SB County.
COMMENT 308743P	2012-08-15 03:51 PM
Yes there are a lot of therapists in tis town. There have to be, because after you or your child is pathologized by one or more therapists, you need a good one to put the pieces back together again.
COMMENT 308747	2012-08-15 03:56 PM
I'm a therapist i and I'd agree there are a bunch of therapists in town - perhaps due to so many schools churning them out. Finding a "good" therapist... that can be a trick. I've been in town nearly 30 years and I barely recognize the names of 10% of those listed. When my clients tell me about some they've seen - I'm not encouraged by what passes as therapy. DO YOUR HOMEWORK before picking a therapist. Chat on the phone with them. Ask your friends who they've seen and whether THAT therapist was useful or charlatan.
COMMENT 308749	2012-08-15 04:01 PM
What constitutes a preponderance of mental health workers? Compared to what? Is there a mean per capita communities our size fall into? How far outside this mean are we really? With anyone presenting any opinion they wish as fact on the political scene this election season it'd be nice if such statements were backed up with some substance.
COMMENT 308753	2012-08-15 04:11 PM
Interesting question. According to the Mental Health America website, California ranked low on the chart for problems with depression and suicide, while Utah has the worst problem with depression and Alaska for suicide.
COMMENT 308761	2012-08-15 04:18 PM
Read a lot of the EdHat commentary -- explains need for therapists....hey, just kidding.
COMMENT 308773	2012-08-15 04:54 PM
Always has had the highest ratio of therapists to population for decades. SB is end of the rainbow for many people who find they were not able to run away from their inner demons just by changing the outer scenery. That, and a ton of counseling masters programs, retreat centers, whackadoodle alternatives, "coaching" gurus, along with every health food store clerk also happy and willing to give advice too.
COMMENT 308776	2012-08-15 04:56 PM
it's because we're all a little mad around here. :D
COMMENT 308778P	2012-08-15 05:00 PM
761, come on be honest, no your not just kidding. LOL. Me, I'd like think that SB has a lot of therapists because people here are making a real effort to heal on a mental/spiritual level as well as on a physical level, i.e. the preponderance of yoga studios.
COMMENT 308780P	2012-08-15 05:02 PM
From 40 years of living here, it does seem there are many therapists here, as 773 and 747 state, and few are exceptional. It also seems that people's expectations of life, living in Santa Barbara, might be too high. A lot of locals seem stressed maintaining life in Santa Barbara.
COMMENT 308783	2012-08-15 05:04 PM
Wow, there's some really sad remarks here that show the ignorance and ill will towards fellow citizens in town. First, not everyone who seeks help is "crazy" or "nutty" and secondly, please stop making mental illness a joke. You are lucky if you never have use for a therapist (no loss of a loved one, no sudden tragedy, no mental illness, no addiction, etc.) It's really telling how many of you would rather make fun of this than have respect for your fellow Santa Barbarans. Sad....but typical.
COMMENT 308808	2012-08-15 06:08 PM
Yes. Sociologist Harvey Molotch did a study of Santa Barbara vs. Ventura and had extensive data showing this and other curiosities. Where there is a preponderance of rich people who didn't earn their money, it usually follows that there is a glut of therapists to help them part with their money.
AQUAHOLIC	2012-08-15 06:21 PM
There's a reason California is known as the land of fruits and nuts.
COMMENT 308823	2012-08-15 06:42 PM
I take a little offense to being called a "crazy"...but I allow my husband to call my a nut. I am quite a high functioning MH patient. Just because I am, does not mean I am cured of my diagnoses (have a few). Though, I have seen low functioning patients and, well, okay...I am guilty of name calling and being judgmental, which I should not be since I am studying to become a dual-diagnosis counselor and will most likely be dealing with the few low-functioning people who actually want to change their lives...
ROGER DODGER	2012-08-15 07:02 PM
I need some lorzepam.
COMMENT 308833P	2012-08-15 07:14 PM
I worked in public school for years and I saw a lot of young graduates (esp. females) who went into Psychology because they liked the idea of talking to people about their feelings, for a living... Plus, we have schools here which cater to that field of study- Pacifica, etc..
COMMENT 308837	2012-08-15 07:37 PM
Many therapists yet many more people hurting. Is the therapist beyond your financial range? Is the "therapy" offered going to be covered under your insurance? Do you have insurance? Let's all make light of it until it's us.
COMMENT 308883	2012-08-16 07:59 AM
There are a plethora of every kind of highly-paid professional in Santa Barbara: lawyers, doctors, shrinks, etc. It's an expensive place to live.
COMMENT 308944	2012-08-16 09:53 AM
No. It means that when these folks were in college trying to figure out a carrier using their classes in psychology they decided to become "therapists". In one course I took in Psychology the instructor said that many people who gravitate toward fields in psychology and even psychiatry are driven to understand themselves.
COMMENT 308981P	2012-08-16 10:57 AM
883 - interesting point. If there are an abundance of lawyers, doctors, therapists does that mean their earnings are less than in other places, because of oversupply? I don't know. Would a general practice MD or therapist earn about the same salary as in Ventura or Monterey?
COMMENT 309064	2012-08-16 12:58 PM
It might have something to with how nice SB is. When your career allows you to live anywhere, our city has to be pretty high on the list of desirable places to reside.
COMMENT 309077	2012-08-16 01:29 PM
There is a dearth of therapists who will take commonly provided insurance. It's understandable - insurance companies have very stringent guidelines with regards to diagnostic codes and what they are willing to pay for. It makes for a lot of work for the therapist to bill the insurance company etc. I know from experience as someone who has sought therapy at various points in my life. I've seen a variety of people in my 30 years here. Some have helped me understand and get at the root of what was bothering me. The best ones are the ones who listen to you and help you see the whole picture. And, in my case, take your insurance.

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