Thousand Oaks, California Therapists

An Overview of Mental Health in Thousand Oaks California

It can be challenging to find a mental health professional regardless of where you live. Thousand Oaks, California is no different and presents its own challenges. The great news is that there are plenty of professional counselors and therapists available and ready to help you, guiding you through your issues and help you improve your overall mental health.

Living in a bustling suburb of Los Angeles like Thousand Oaks is a great experience. Thousand Oaks is rated as one of the safest cities over 100,000 in the United States and hosts a great variety of retail shopping, culture and entertainment. Being a part of the greater Los Angeles area, Thousand Oaks also has its share of demanding and stressful jobs.

Mental Health Statistics for Thousand Oaks

Having peace of mind and a sense that everything is going to be alright is a by-product of mental health. Sadly, 1 in 5 people in Thousand Oaks suffer from mental health or co-occurring disorders. Visits to the emergency department at local hospitals were 66.1 per 10,000. 18-24 year olds accounted for 92.1 per 10,000. An estimated 1% of the population having committed suicide.

There are a variety of personal reasons why people suffering from mental health disorders don’t seek treatment, with the stigma attached to those disorders topping the list. Lack of insurance or having health insurance that doesn’t adequately cover mental health is also a significant reason why people don’t get help before it becomes a major issue. Lastly, trust is a major issue and choosing a trusted mental health advisor can often delay treatment.

What Makes Thousand Oaks Unique When it Comes to Mental Health?

There are a host of distinctive factors to Thousand Oaks making its citizens vulnerable to significant mental health issues. These factors range from traffic and length of daily commutes to cost of living stressors.

• Studies have shown a direct correlation between mental health and financial stress.
• Los Angeles and surrounding communities such as Thousand Oaks are known for their high-cost of living and expensive housing The median cost of a home in Thousand Oaks alone is $855,000.
• Untreated Mental illness is a primary cause for suicide in Thousand Oaks. Studies show people with lower-income are less likely to seek treatment and may suffer crippling mental illness. People in Thousand Oaks poorest neighborhoods are twice as likely to be affected.
• Traffic: Research has shown that traffic has been linked to negative mental health, including but not limited to aggression and stress. A study conducted in neighboring Los Angeles County, where most Thousand Oaks residents commute to for work, showed an increase in domestic violence.

Divorce Rate in Thousand Oaks

Thousand Oaks has one of the lowest divorce rates in the country at just 11.6%. Current alimony laws in California, as high as 40% of the top earners income after child support, might account for some of that of the low divorce rates. However, there are plenty of marriage counseling choices in the area and a wealth of other mental health services compared to the rest of the United States.

The comparatively low divorce rates might also stem from an abundance of marriage counselors in the area. With nearly two dozen counselors within Thousand Oaks city limits itself and dozens more in Ventura County, there’s no shortage of available mental health professionals on hand to help people find help with their marriage prior to seeking a legal remedy.

Mental Health Resources in Thousand Oaks

Currently, there are more than 350 mental health professionals in Thousand Oaks California. That’s roughly one professional per 367 people in the city limits. While California is considered to have a minor shortage of therapists, the number of professionals available in Thousand Oaks is more than 10 times above the minimum threshold.

With so many clinics, hospitals and centers devoted to treating mental health issues in Thousand Oaks, you’re sure to find one near you. Some not for profit organizations also offer services to those lacking sufficient insurance coverage or those who have none.

Challenges of Finding a Suitable Therapist in Thousand Oaks

There are hundreds of mental health providers easily found on the Internet. Almost all boast high patient review ratings and promise to be the cure you’re looking for. Because of that, it can be hard to decide which therapist is right for you, short of meeting face to face.

Your health insurance provider may offer a referral to suitable therapists near you. However, this requires that you fill out the proper forms and spend valuable time on lengthy phone calls that may or may not help you find what you need, especially if providers in your area may not have any openings soon enough to help you with an urgent issue..