Mental health workforce development

Through the Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Career Accelerator, we're helping more graduates become licensed clinicians. Our efforts are expanding access to care.

Mental health workforce development

Through the Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Career Accelerator, we're helping more graduates become licensed clinicians. Our efforts are expanding access to care.

The need for mental health care is growing across the country, but many communities don’t have enough licensed clinicians.

At the same time, many people who get a master’s degree in mental health never go on to get licensed.

That’s why we partnered with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing to create the Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Career Accelerator.

The career accelerator helps graduates work toward their license and start caring for patients.

Our impact

The career accelerator is helping to grow the mental health workforce and expand access to care in our communities.

Icon map of the United States

7 states

offer the career accelerator program

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40,000+

patients have received care from program participants since 2023

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1,000

people expected to enroll by 2028

How it works

The career accelerator helps people who are working toward a clinical license in areas like marriage and family therapy, counseling, and social work.

Financial support

We offer up to $10,000 over 2 years. The funding helps offset lower entry-level salaries and cover some costs, such as exam fees, while participants finish their license requirements.

Exam preparation

We share tools and resources to help participants feel ready for their licensing exams.

Training and mentorship

We host webinars and offer guidance to help participants build skills and prepare for patient care.
 

Peer community 

We offer an online community for participants. They can ask questions, share advice, and connect with peers.

See how the program is making a difference

Career accelerator participants and program leaders share why this support to reach licensure matters for graduates, patients, and communities.

Learn more about the career accelerator and see if you’re eligible to join the program. Applicants are not given preference based on race, ethnicity, sex, or other protected personal characteristics.