Why Be on a Waitlist for Therapy Longer Than You Need?
Therapy waitlists can feel endless and frustrating, but the truth behind them may surprise you. It’s not always about overwhelming demand for services—it’s often something simpler: the limited hours that counselors choose to work. The waitlist myth.
Before we dive deeper, let’s be clear—there’s no blame here. Like anyone else, therapists have every right to choose their working hours, clients, and payers. But these choices can sometimes create the waitlists you hear about. Now, let me explain this with a more relatable analogy—tacos.
Let's Talk Waitlist Myths ( and tacos)
If you’re in Utah Valley, you’ve likely noticed food trucks as a popular way to grab lunch during the workday. Now, imagine a busy business park with thousands of employees working around the clock, trying to squeeze in meals between meetings and shifts.
In this park, three taco trucks roll in, all offering tasty options but with different hours:
Truck 1 is open from 10 AM to 3 PM, Tuesday through Saturday, accepting all payment methods.
Truck 2 runs from 11 AM to 4 PM, but only accepts cards and only shows up on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and sometimes Saturday, if they feel like it.
Truck 3 is there from 11 AM to 3 PM most days but doesn’t take tap-to-pay or Venmo, and only shows up when they can.
Most people have 30 minutes to an hour for lunch between 11 AM and 2 PM. With everyone trying to eat in that window, lines at these trucks grow quickly. Then, a fourth taco truck arrives—exciting, right? But this one only takes call-ahead orders or directs you to their physical location down the road.
Are you still with us? Good. Let's get right to it.
What Does This Have to Do with Therapy?
This taco truck scene mirrors what happens with therapy waitlists. The long waits aren’t always because of high demand—it’s often about when services are offered. Just like the taco trucks, therapists may have set hours or specific preferences, which create longer lines (or waitlists) during peak times.
Where Waitlists Come From
Many therapy practices, especially smaller ones, have limited availability. Some therapists only take afternoon appointments, avoid Fridays, or don’t work weekends. These schedules fill up fast, creating the appearance of high demand when, in reality, the issue is their limited availability.
Some therapists may also prioritize preferred clients, like long-standing ones, or preferred payers, such as private insurance or cash pay. While this is perfectly valid, it means others end up waiting longer for an open slot.
No Need to Overthink It—This Is Just How It Works
At the end of the day, waitlists are often a result of how availability is structured—whether it’s about the hours therapists choose to work, the clients they prefer, or the payers they accept. When availability is limited, one of three things usually happens:
The therapist or group forgoes those sweet, cushy hours they’ve established (they don’t have to… but hey, it’s an option).
You wait.
You find somewhere else.
You’re not always waiting because of overwhelming demand—it’s about how schedules and preferences shape the experience. But here’s what we’ve noticed: we’ve expanded our availability and flexibility. We’re in a position to offer services that fit your schedule, and we’re likely partnered with your insurance, too.
What We’ve Noticed
It’s not about which taco truck (or therapy practice) has it right, but here’s what we have noticed: As we’ve expanded our availability and become more flexible with our hours, we’ve been able to provide services instead of claiming wait times. We’re in a position to do so, and if you’re looking to avoid long waits, we invite you to meet with us. We’re likely partnered with your insurance as well.
Final Thoughts
After all, this is how the system works. If you’re on a waitlist, it’s not always because of overwhelming demand—it might be more about how schedules are set and preferences are prioritized. But remember, there are ways around the wait.
If you’re tired of waiting, call us 801 960 9355. We’ve built our practice around flexibility, and we’re ready to fit therapy into your busy schedule.
Check out our therapists at brooksidecounseling.com.
Feel free to text us at 801 704 7850
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