2020 brought a lot of people to therapy for the first time

2020 will go down as one of the most challenging, and some would say worst, years of our lifetimes. With the pandemic, social issues, and political environment, it’s no secret that Americans were stressed out.

How stressed out? According to one survey by OnePoll, more than one out of every six Americans started therapy for the first time, and 31% of Americans either continued or returned to therapy in 2020. Many people started therapy due to layoffs or job-related stress, but Gen Z, Millennials, and men made up a large percentage of people who started therapy in 2020.

How effective was it?

Out of the roughly 30% of Americans who saw a therapist in 2020, 86% of people said that it helped them cope, with 55% saying it “Definitely” helped them, and 31% saying it “somewhat” helped them. Because of how effective therapy has proven to be, 47% of men said that the pandemic made them more willing to seek out help with their mental health.

Teletherapy became a big thing

During the pandemic, just over half of people saw a therapist virtually, either by phone or online video conference. Many people have since found that teletherapy is a better fit for them and their lives. If people’s jobs switched to remote work, therapy could be more convenient from home, or it might now present an opportunity to leave the house and become part of their new routine.

Common reasons why people started therapy

During this stressful time, there were common reasons why people started therapy, including pandemic-induced anxiety or stress, feeling overwhelmed, grief, substance abuse, job loss, and loneliness. With social distancing and remote work, people were dealing with levels of isolation and lack of human contact at levels that most of us have never experienced in our lifetimes.