As a therapist, I’ve often heard very similar questions from people who were trying their best to hold their lives together or to support others in similar situations. “Why is getting help so hard?”
Not “Why is therapy uncomfortable?” or “Why is healing slow?” But simply: Why is access itself the barrier?
It’s a question that reveals something deeper than individual struggle. It points to a system that was never designed with clarity or ease in mind. And it’s a question that ultimately influenced the work I’m doing now.
Before we talk about solutions, we need to be real about the landscape we’re all navigating.
The System We Have
Let’s be honest. The U.S. mental health care system is fragmented, confusing and overwhelming. It’s a patchwork, one that most people only encounter when they’re already overwhelmed.
Research shows that almost half (~48%) of U.S adults with a mental illness never receive treatment (NAMI, 2025). Among those who do, many wait weeks or months to begin care; the National Council for Mental Wellbeing notes that the average wait time to access care at community clinics is nearly 48 days (Turi, 2021). Compounding the issue, psychologists themselves report that 60% have no openings for new patients (APA Practitioner Impact Survey, 2022).
Even when someone finds a therapist, the next question becomes: “Can I afford this?”
The average cost of therapy varies widely depending on location, and many providers do not accept insurance due to low reimbursement rates and administrative burden (APA, 2022).
The result is a system where the people who most need support are the ones most likely to be shut out by logistics, cost, or confusion.
Common Barriers People Face (and Why They Matter)
1. Cost and Coverage
Financial barriers remain the most significant. Even with insurance, people face:
- high deductibles, which they may not be able to cover
- limited session caps (then what?)
- out-of-network restrictions
- surprise bills
Studies show that mental health providers are far more likely to be out-of-network than physical health providers (Milliman Research Report, 2019), which pushes costs even higher.
2. The Search Process
Finding a therapist shouldn’t feel like a part-time job, but it often does. Insurance directories are frequently inaccurate, even listing clinicians who are not accepting new patients or are no longer in-network (Busch et al, 2020). Many people spend hours searching on overwhelming platforms, emailing back and forth, and waiting for replies that never come.
3. “Giftability” and Support
One of the most heartbreaking barriers is this: mental health care is still difficult to give as a practical gift. Some providers may offer prepaid sessions with their own practice, but there is no simple way to give someone access to a broader network of therapists. You can send flowers, meals, or money, but not therapy. The system simply was not built for that.
The Human Impact: What We See in the Therapy Room
When people finally make it into the therapy room, they often arrive exhausted, not just from their circumstances but from the process of trying to get help.
I’ve sat with clients who said:
- “I almost gave up.”
- “I didn’t know where to start.”
- “I felt like I was doing something wrong.”
- “I wish someone could have helped me find you sooner.”
These aren’t failures of individuals. They’re failures of a system that asks people to be well before they can access care. Make that make sense.
What Needs to Shift
We need a system that is:
- Clearer
- More navigable
- More affordable
We need pathways that don’t require people to be experts in insurance, scheduling, or mental health terminology just to get started.
We need ways for communities, families, and friends to support one another in meaningful, practical ways. And we need tools that make the first step easier, not heavier.
Where My Wellness Wallet Comes In
This is where the work we’re building begins.
My Wellness Wallet was created to remove the friction, confusion, and isolation that so many people experience when trying to access care. But it’s not just a framework; it’s a curated ecosystem.
A curated, seasoned network of therapists who practice with excellence.
Every therapist on the platform is an experienced, seasoned provider who brings maturity, depth, and sound clinical judgment to their work. This isn’t an open sign-up directory or a volume-driven marketplace. It’s an intentionally curated group of clinicians who feel genuinely called to be part of this mission.
It also creates space for faith-informed therapists to serve with integrity. Through the Biblical Wellness Model, they are equipped to provide care that is clinically grounded, spiritually sensitive, and focused on the whole person – mind, body and spirit.
We are starting with 25 therapists per state so we can protect quality, alignment, and genuine relationships, not growth for growth’s sake. As our capacity grows, we will expand intentionally, but only in ways that preserve the standard of care and connection we value.
This is a new kind of access.
My Wellness Wallet is designed to make mental health support:
- Giftable
- Clear
- Clinically grounded
- Easy to navigate
- Connected to real, seasoned providers
It’s a way to offer someone not just encouragement but access. Not just a gesture, but a real step forward.
It’s a bridge between the system we have and the system people deserve.
A Final Thought
If you’ve ever struggled to find care or watched someone you know try to navigate the maze, you’re not alone. The barriers are real, BUT so is the possibility of something better!
“Pocket Change” is my way of sharing small, steady insights, aka my “two cents,” to help move us toward a more accessible, faith-informed and giftable approach to mental health.
One insight at a time. One step at a time. One fuller Wellness Wallet at a time.
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