North Carolina Graduate-level Mental Health and Substance Use Services Clinicians Data 2024 Snapshot

May 6, 2026

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Graduate-level Mental Health and Substance Use Services Clinicians

Graduate-level clinicians provide therapy and assessment and hold at least a master’s degree. North Carolina’s mental health and substance use services graduate-level clinician workforce consisted of approximately 30,804 clinicians in 2024, across six types: Licensed Psychologists, Licensed Psychological Associates, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associates, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associates, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associates, and Fee-Based Pastoral Counselors. North Carolina’s MH/SU services graduate-level clinician workforce consisted of approximately 30,804 clinicians in 2024, with a combined statewide rate of 28.0 clinicians per 10,000 population.

Suggested Citation: Lombardi BM, Headley J, Jimenez MP; Keesler R, Akue-ka AJB; Gregory R; Galloway E; Zerden LD; Fraher E. North Carolina Mental Health & Substance Use Services Workforce Data 2024 Snapshot: Graduate-level Mental Health and Substance Use Services Clinicians. Program on Health Workforce Research and Policy. Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. May 6, 2026.

Funding & Acknowledgements
This project was supported by the North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services (DMHDDSUS). The information, content and conclusions are those of the authors and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by DMHDDSUS.

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