2018 Psychologist Licensure Survey Data Report

Abstract

Identifying supply and distribution of the psychologist workforce is crucial in understanding the capacity to meet mental health needs and improve overall population health of Indiana citizens. Psychology has evolved from a field focusing solely on scientific research into a clinical profession that combines research with mental health treatment. Today, psychologists are seen as a valuable part of the behavioral health workforce that offers therapeutic treatment for various mental health needs. Data presented in this report provide a snapshot of key demographic and practice characteristics for the psychologist workforce in Indiana. The 2018 Indiana Psychologist Licensure Survey Data Report presents key information derived from data collected from the psychologist re-licensure survey administered by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) during the license renewal period. In 2018, 1,797 psychologists renewed their professional licenses. Of those who renewed their license, 966 (53.8%) psychologists reported actively practicing and had a valid Indiana license address and were included in this report. Based on the sample in this report, this workforce is experiencing a demographic shift. Around three-quarters (75.1%) of psychologists under the age of 45 are female, and female psychologists are shown to have greater racial and ethnic diversity. When examining workforce capacity, the greatest need for psychologists appears to be in rural, less populous counties. For instance, 21 of the 31 (67.7%) counties with no reported psychologist FTE are designated as rural. This limited access to psychologists is compounded by the fact that only around one-fifth of this workforce reported working more than 32 hours per week in patient care (21.8%). This report details important demographic and practice characteristics for the psychologist workforce and examines these data specifically for psychologists. The 2018 Psychologist Licensure Survey Data Report presents a snapshot of data on the psychologist profession to provide stakeholders with information needed to improve the quality and accessibility of psychologists for Indiana residents through policymaking, workforce development, and resource allocation.