CVS wants to be your therapist, too

The pharmacy company is among several retailers including Walmart Inc. WMT -0.56% and Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., WBA 1.34% that are experimenting with offering counseling services in or near stores. They see potential as the Covid-19 pandemic has prompted more people to seek help for addiction, depression and other issues, according to federal data.

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“It’s creative and we certainly need the help,” said Ken Duckworth, medical director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. “It’s an interesting idea to post a mental-health resource at a place where people already are at.”

CVS earlier this year started stationing mental-health providers, typically a licensed clinical social worker trained in cognitive behavioral therapy, at 13 locations in Houston, Philadelphia and Tampa, Fla., as a pilot program. The company said it saw a surprisingly high return rate for customers who had an initial consultation, and is now expanding the program to 34 locations in those areas.

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