San Diego's behavioral health sector recorded a total of 58 providers in the latest CMS NPI registry update, with 32 new registrations this week alone. This activity represents 1% of the national weekly total, signaling San Diego's consistent contribution to the country's expanding behavioral health workforce. Of these, 54 are individual practitioners and 4 are organizations.
ABA Credential Mix and Supervision Capacity
Among individual practitioners, the data reveals 7 BCBAs and 24 RBTs. Notably, there were no providers registered with dual BCBA and RBT credentials this week, which is common as professionals typically progress from RBT to BCBA. The ratio of approximately one BCBA for every 3.4 RBTs suggests a developing supervisory capacity, crucial for maintaining the quality and oversight of direct ABA services. Beyond ABA, the area also registered other behavioral health professionals, including 5 LCSWs, 2 PSYDs, and 2 LPCCs, indicating a diverse range of mental health support.
Workforce Demographics
The individual provider workforce in San Diego is predominantly female, with 39 female providers accounting for 72% of the total. Male providers number 5, making up 9%, while 10 providers identified as nonbinary, representing 19%. No specific organizations appeared multiple times in this week's registry, suggesting a broad distribution of new individual registrations rather than concentrated growth within a few large entities.
This influx of both direct-service RBTs and supervisory BCBAs, alongside other behavioral health professionals, points to a growing workforce in San Diego, which is vital for improving access to care for local families, though the BCBA-to-RBT ratio warrants continued observation for adequate supervision.
