Chicago's behavioral health sector saw 59 new providers registered in the latest CMS NPI registry update, contributing 1% to the national weekly total. This influx includes 45 individual practitioners and 14 organizations, signaling ongoing development in the city's behavioral health landscape.
ABA Credential Mix
Within the individual practitioner data, the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) workforce shows 3 providers registered as Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and 7 providers as Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). It is important to note that 1 provider holds both BCBA and RBT credentials, indicating a common career progression or a dual role in direct service and supervision. This ratio of BCBAs to RBTs, approximately one BCBA for every two RBTs when accounting for the dual credential, suggests a potential need for more supervisory capacity to support the direct service workforce in Chicago. Beyond ABA, the registry also includes 8 Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) and 3 Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPCs), reflecting a diverse behavioral health workforce.
Workforce Demographics
The individual provider workforce in Chicago is predominantly female, with 36 female providers accounting for 80% of the total, while 9 male providers constitute 20%. No major multi-state ABA chains or notable organizations appeared multiple times in this week's update, suggesting a market primarily driven by local practices and individual practitioners. This snapshot of Chicago's behavioral health workforce highlights a growing RBT presence, underscoring the importance of expanding BCBA supervision to meet increasing demand for ABA services.
