Missouri saw 71 new behavioral health providers added this week, representing 1% of the national total. With 126 total providers recorded in the latest CMS NPI registry update, this consistent activity signals a steady expansion of the state’s behavioral health workforce, crucial for meeting growing demand for services.
ABA Workforce Composition
Within the applied behavior analysis (ABA) sector, the data indicates 7 BCBA credentials and 31 RBT credentials. It is important to note that one individual also holds a 'MA, BCBA, RBT' credential, meaning they are counted among both BCBAs and RBTs. This ratio of approximately one BCBA for every four RBTs is generally considered a healthy foundation for effective supervision in ABA clinics, supporting a robust direct service workforce.
Provider Demographics
Of the 110 individual providers, 91 (83%) are female, 18 (16%) are male, and 1 (1%) identifies as nonbinary, reflecting typical gender distributions in behavioral health. No specific organizations appeared multiple times in this week's data, suggesting a diverse landscape of smaller practices or individual practitioners. The continued growth of this predominantly female workforce is vital for enhancing access to critical behavioral health services, including ABA, across Missouri.
