Psychologists within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are experiencing significant burnout as staffing shortages escalate. According to a recent survey by the VA’s internal watchdog, there are more than 4,400 severe staffing shortages reported across its medical centers, reflecting a 50% increase from the previous year. This has raised concerns, particularly regarding the mental health support for veterans, which has long been a priority for the agency.
The ongoing shortage of psychologists is alarming, as it has consistently topped the list of clinical positions with staffing issues since 2019. In fiscal year 2025, the number of psychologists employed by the VA dropped for the first time in over a decade, with more than 200 psychologists leaving the agency. Despite the rising demand for mental health services, the agency’s workforce has not kept pace.
In fiscal year 2025, the VA provided mental health care to 2.2 million patients, a 40% increase compared to a decade ago. Yet, the number of psychologists has only increased by 24% since 2016. The latest VA Office of Inspector General staffing report indicated that 57% of VA health care facilities reported severe shortages of psychologists, with psychiatrists also facing significant staffing issues.
Psychologists like Laura Grant, who left the VA in September 2024 after nearly ten years, expressed their frustrations. “Burnout increasingly felt normalized rather than addressed,” she stated, highlighting a pervasive sense of dissatisfaction among mental health providers.
Challenges Faced by VA Psychologists
The situation has been exacerbated by pressures to increase patient turnover rates, which psychologists claim compromises the quality of care. Melissa London, who departed from the San Francisco VA in January 2025, noted that her caseload doubled over two years, contributing to her decision to leave. She described the staffing situation as more severe than ever, emphasizing the need for additional support.
Despite the VA’s claims of employing over 7,000 psychologists, concerns persist regarding the agency’s commitment to hiring new staff. Multiple former psychologists relayed their experiences of a work environment that felt increasingly metric-driven, with expectations to discharge patients swiftly. “I felt like a factory worker,” one psychologist lamented, reflecting the sentiment of many who have left the agency recently.
The VA’s press secretary, Peter Kasperowicz, dismissed critiques from former employees as “unconfirmed hearsay,” asserting that psychologist numbers fluctuate based on labor market trends. However, data shows that while demand for mental health care rises, the capacity of the workforce has not sufficiently expanded.
Strategies and Solutions for Mental Health Care
In light of these challenges, some VA facilities have implemented strategies to manage caseloads. For instance, an email from a psychology program manager at the Central Virginia VA Health Care System outlined plans to reduce patient treatment durations. These measures included limiting ongoing therapy for veterans who had been in treatment for extended periods and adopting shorter treatment models.
While such strategies may aim to alleviate burnout, they have often led to frustration among both patients and providers. A veteran who lost access to one-on-one therapy expressed outrage upon discovering the memo outlining these changes. Research indicates that burnout among therapists can negatively impact the quality of care received by veterans, raising concerns about the effectiveness of such measures.
As the VA grapples with these issues, there are efforts to address employee well-being, including the appointment of chief well-being officers tasked with reducing administrative burdens. Yet, many psychologists remain skeptical, stating they have had little interaction with these officers or seen tangible improvements in working conditions.
Most former psychologists who spoke with The War Horse have transitioned to private practice, where they can manage their hours and rates more flexibly. While some continue to work with veterans outside the VA system, issues such as low reimbursement rates from insurance contractors deter many from joining the VA’s community provider network.
Despite the challenges, a significant number of former psychologists express a willingness to return to the VA, contingent on improvements in respect and support for mental health professionals. As the agency faces a critical moment in its mission to provide adequate mental health care for veterans, the need for reform and genuine support for its workforce has never been more pressing.
The situation underscores the urgent need for systemic change within the VA to ensure that both veterans and the professionals who serve them receive the support they need.
