Missouri saw a total of 206 behavioral health providers in the latest CMS NPI registry update, representing 2% of the national weekly total. Of these, 71 were new this week, indicating active growth in the state's behavioral health sector. This concentration suggests a consistent demand for services and ongoing efforts to expand the provider workforce, with 175 individuals and 31 organizations contributing to this week's additions.
ABA Workforce Dynamics
Within the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) field, the data shows 17 BCBA credentials and 26 RBT credentials. It is important to note that 2 individuals held both BCBA and RBT credentials. Additionally, the data includes 1 provider with an 'MS, BCBA, LBA' credential and 1 with a 'PHD, BCBA' credential, indicating a slightly larger pool of BCBA-qualified professionals beyond the primary BCBA count. The ratio of BCBAs to RBTs suggests a developing supervisory capacity, crucial for maintaining quality and expanding access to ABA services. Beyond ABA, the update also included 24 LCSWs and 24 LPCs, highlighting a broader behavioral health landscape.
Provider Demographics
Examining the 175 individual providers, the workforce is predominantly female, with 145 (83%) identifying as female and 30 (17%) as male. This gender distribution aligns with national trends in behavioral health. A notable employer in this update is CLARK COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER, appearing 8 times, suggesting its significant role in the regional behavioral health landscape.
Overall, Missouri's steady influx of new behavioral health providers, particularly in the ABA sector, points to a growing capacity to meet the state's evolving mental health and developmental needs, though continued focus on BCBA growth will be key for scaling ABA services.
