Research

Next time you’re at a party, look around and consider this: Nearly half of the people in the room have probably taken mental health medication at some point. Still, most people feel uneasy about it. That’s one of the central findings in Thriveworks’ 2026 Pulse on Mental Health Report—our third…

The behavioral health industry is rightly shifting toward measurement-informed care as a standard. We started measuring clinical outcomes at Thriveworks not because the industry expected it of us, but because we believe clinicians can make better decisions when they can track patient progress by the hard numbers, rather than solely…

There’s a version of the future where you never wait for a therapist again. Feeling low at midnight? A chatbot is standing by—endlessly patient, free, and fluent in every coping skill ever published. It sounds like an appealing pitch, but most Americans aren’t so sure they want AI in their…

The conversation about mental health in America has never been louder—or more complicated—than it is in 2026. On social media, therapists are posting daily videos alongside ads for AI tools promising to replace them. In the news, politicians are weighing in regularly on who should get care, how they should…

For years, the assumption has held: Older adults don’t go to therapy. They tough it out, keep it private, handle it themselves. But something in Thriveworks’ own data disrupted that narrative. From 2024 to 2025, the number of therapy sessions attended by adults 65 and older at Thriveworks grew by…

Despite the rise of therapist influencers, online reviews, and AI chatbots, new Thriveworks research reveals that primary care doctors are the No. 1 referral source when Americans decide to seek therapy. Thriveworks surveyed over 2,000 U.S. adults who are currently in therapy, recently received care, or plan to start within…

We can predict flu season. We know when cold and allergy meds will fly off the shelves. So why not seasonal depression? For the fourth year, Thriveworks has analyzed Google search trends and weather data to pinpoint when seasonal depression hits hardest, giving people a chance to get ahead of…

Have you ever paused mid-conversation and wondered if you’re using a mental health term correctly? Maybe you’ve described feeling “triggered” by something at work, or found yourself questioning whether a situation was really “toxic” or just frustrating. These moments of uncertainty have become part of a cultural shift where mental…

A recent Thriveworks survey explored Americans’ perspectives on therapy and mental health, revealing key insights into the factors that influence their decisions. The survey highlights the main reasons why Americans do or don’t go to therapy, the leading causes of anxiety today, and which generation is most inclined to seek…

A recent survey of people in North Carolina commissioned by Thriveworks reveals interesting patterns surrounding residents’ emotional state and what they do to improve their mental health. Check out the insights below, including which factors impact mental health most, who they turn to for support, and more. North Carolina’s Mental…

Thriveworks recently commissioned a study investigating whether a potential romantic partner’s therapy status would impact the likelihood of a respondent pursuing a relationship with them. According to the results, some Americans are much more likely to enter into a relationship with someone who has attended therapy, seeing it as a…

A recent survey commissioned by Thriveworks unveils compelling patterns in American perceptions of mental health and seeking mental health treatment.  These key insights outline whom we’re most likely to tell about our mental health challenges, which generation is most likely to seek therapy and much more. Who Is in Therapy—or…