Arkansas saw 109 behavioral health providers in the latest CMS NPI registry update, contributing 1% of the national weekly total. Notably, 69 new providers were added this week. This active growth, while a small share nationally, signals ongoing development within Arkansas's behavioral health sector, with a significant portion of new enrollments.
ABA Workforce Dynamics
Within the applied behavior analysis (ABA) workforce, the data shows 11 BCBA credentials and 34 RBT credentials. One individual held both BCBA and RBT credentials, indicating a career progression or dual role. The ratio of RBTs to BCBAs suggests a developing direct service workforce, but also highlights the critical need for more BCBAs to ensure adequate supervision capacity across the state. Beyond ABA, other prominent behavioral health professionals include 7 LPCs (Licensed Professional Counselors), 7 QBHPs (Qualified Behavioral Health Professionals), and 4 LCSWs (Licensed Clinical Social Workers), reflecting a diverse clinical landscape.
Provider Demographics and Organizational Presence
Of the 84 individual providers, the workforce exhibits a clear gender distribution: 72 (86%) female and 12 (14%) male. This strong female majority aligns with broader trends in the behavioral health field. Two organizations, PSYCHIATRY OF TEXAS PLLC and PSYCHPLUS MEDICAL ASSOCIATES PLLC, appeared four entries each in the data, suggesting their significant operational footprint across multiple locations in Arkansas, a common strategy for larger behavioral health chains.
This data suggests a growing, predominantly female behavioral health workforce in Arkansas, with a particular emphasis on RBTs, indicating potential for increased access to direct ABA services, contingent on robust BCBA supervision.
