Data brief · October 2026
Psychiatric access in Washington: 2026 data brief
Medically reviewed by Dr. Iman Yunis, DNP, PMHNP-BC · Last reviewed October 31, 2026
What public data shows about how many psychiatric prescribers Washington has, where they are, and how long people wait for care.
New patients typically seen within 2–3 days
- ✓ Public data
- ✓ Fully sourced
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The short answer
Washington has about 1,272 psychiatrists and 1,306 psychiatric nurse practitioners, but they are concentrated in cities. Rural Washington has 3.5 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, about one-fifth of the urban rate, and roughly 4.5 million residents live in a designated mental health shortage area. Meanwhile, more than a quarter of Washington adults report a mental illness in the past year.
Key findings
Four numbers that define access in Washington
- 3.5psychiatrists per 100,000 people in rural Washington, about one-fifth of the urban rate of 17.5[1]
- 4.5 millionWashingtonians living in a designated mental health professional shortage area[2]
- 20.9%of Washington’s psychiatric need is met, below the U.S. figure of 27.3%[2]
- 28.3%of Washington adults had a mental illness in the past year, compared with 23.0% nationally[4]
Workforce
Psychiatric NPs now outnumber psychiatrists
Washington has slightly fewer psychiatrists per person than the nation, but more psychiatric nurse practitioners. Psychiatric NPs now outnumber psychiatrists in the state and are a growing share of who prescribes and manages psychiatric medication.[1]
| Prescriber type | Washington | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Psychiatrists | 1,272 (16.0 per 100,000) | 17.7 per 100,000 |
| Psychiatric nurse practitioners | 1,306 (16.4 per 100,000) | 11.5 per 100,000 |
| Psychiatrists, rural Washington | 31 (3.5 per 100,000) | |
| Psychiatric NPs, rural Washington | 78 (8.9 per 100,000) |
Source: UW WWAMI Rural Health Research Center, 2025.[1]
Nationally, HRSA projects a shortage of about 37,980 full-time adult psychiatrists by 2036, with supply meeting only 45% of demand.[8]
Geography
Where care is hardest to find
The gap is sharpest outside the I-5 corridor. Rural Washington has 3.5 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, compared with 17.5 in urban areas.[1] A state health assessment found that in 2016, 17 of Washington’s 39 counties had no psychiatrist providing direct patient care, and in 2017, 35 of 39 counties were designated mental health shortage areas.[3]
As of December 31, 2025, Washington had 226 mental health shortage area designations covering about 4.5 million people. It would take an estimated 200 additional practitioners to remove all of them.[2]
Need
Demand is higher than the national average
- 28.3% of Washington adults had any mental illness in the past year, compared with 23.0% nationally. Serious mental illness was 7.1%, compared with 5.8%.[4]
- 21.3% of Washington adolescents ages 12 to 17 had a major depressive episode in the past year.[4]
- In 2025, about 26% of Washington 10th graders reported persistent depressive feelings, down from 30% in 2023.[5]
Wait times
Getting a first appointment
Washington-specific wait-time studies are limited, but national research shows the problem clearly. In a 2023 study across five states, only 18.5% of psychiatrists were available to new patients, with a median wait of 67 days for in-person care and 43 days for telepsychiatry.[6] A 2024 study of four large cities found that only 17.8% of calls to psychiatric prescribers produced an appointment for a Medicaid enrollee.[7]
What helps
How telehealth closes part of the gap
Telehealth lets a Washington-licensed provider see patients anywhere in the state, including counties with no local psychiatric prescriber. At Peak Psychiatry and Wellness, new patients are typically seen within 2–3 days by secure video. Learn how telehealth psychiatric care works, or compare a local practice with national apps.
Methods and sources
How this brief was made
This brief compiles published public data. We did not collect new data. Figures are reported as published by each source, with the data year noted. Shortage-area population totals can double-count people where designations overlap. For media questions, email info@peakpsychiatryandwellness.com.
- Woolcock SC, et al. The Supply and Rural-Urban Distribution of the Behavioral Health Workforce in Washington. WWAMI Rural Health Research Center, University of Washington. August 2025 (NPPES data, January 2025). familymedicine.uw.edu/rhrc/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/08/RHRC_DBAUG2025_WA_BH_Woolcock.pdf
- KFF State Health Facts. Mental Health Care Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), as of December 31, 2025 (HRSA data). www.kff.org/mental-health/state-indicator/mental-health-care-health-professional-shortage-areas-hpsas/
- Washington State Department of Health. 2018 Washington State Health Assessment: Access to Behavioral Health Providers. doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1000/SHA-AccesstoBehavioralHealthProviders.pdf
- SAMHSA. Behavioral Health Barometer, Washington, Volume 8 (2021–2023 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health). www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt56825/2023-nsduh-barometer-washington.pdf
- Washington State Department of Health. 2025 Healthy Youth Survey results point to steady course in Washington youth well-being. April 2026. doh.wa.gov/newsroom/2025-healthy-youth-survey-results-point-steady-course-washington-youth-well-being
- Sun CF, et al. Low availability, long wait times, and high geographic disparity of psychiatric outpatient care in the US. 2023. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37290263/
- Brahmbhatt D, Schpero WL. Access to Psychiatric Appointments for Medicaid Enrollees in 4 Large US Cities. JAMA. 2024;332(8):668-669. jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2821639
- HRSA National Center for Health Workforce Analysis. Behavioral Health Workforce, 2023. December 2023. bhw.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/bureau-health-workforce/Behavioral-Health-Workforce-Brief-2023.pdf
FAQ
Common questions
How many psychiatrists are there in Washington State?
About 1,272 psychiatrists practice in Washington, or 16.0 per 100,000 residents, slightly below the U.S. rate of 17.7, according to a 2025 University of Washington analysis of January 2025 data.
Is there a shortage of psychiatric care in Washington?
Yes. Washington has 226 mental health professional shortage area designations covering about 4.5 million residents, and the state meets an estimated 20.9% of its psychiatric need, below the national figure of 27.3%.
How long is the wait to see a psychiatrist?
Washington-specific wait-time data is limited. A 2023 study of five states found a median wait of 67 days for in-person psychiatric visits and 43 days for telepsychiatry, and only 18.5% of psychiatrists sampled were available to new patients.
Can I cite this report?
Yes. Please cite it as: Peak Psychiatry and Wellness. Psychiatric Access in Washington: 2026 Data Brief. October 2026. Link to this page and to the original sources.
Need care now?
New patients are typically seen within 2–3 days, anywhere in Washington. Book online or call (425) 477-9272.
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