Washington D.C.'s behavioral health sector saw a notable recent increase in the latest CMS NPI registry update, with 13 providers added this week. This comprises the vast majority of the 14 new providers registered in the District this year. With a total of 40 providers, Washington D.C. represents a small fraction of the national weekly total, yet the recent surge indicates active growth within its localized market.
ABA Workforce Composition
Within the ABA workforce, the data shows 7 Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). Critically, there are 0 Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and no providers holding dual BCBA and RBT credentials in this update. This absence of BCBAs is a significant finding, as RBTs require direct supervision from BCBAs to deliver services, suggesting a substantial unmet need for supervisory capacity in the District. The majority of providers are individuals, totaling 35 individuals, alongside 5 organizations. Other behavioral health professionals include 2 Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers (LICSW), 1 PhD, and 1 Medical Doctor (M.D.).
Provider Demographics
The demographic breakdown of individual providers reveals a workforce predominantly composed of women, with 24 female providers accounting for 69%. Men constitute 10 providers, or 29%, while 1 provider identifies as nonbinary, representing 3%. No specific multi-state ABA chains or other notable organizations appeared multiple times in this update, suggesting recent additions are primarily individual practitioners or smaller local entities.
Overall, this data suggests a growing RBT presence in Washington D.C. but highlights a potential bottleneck in BCBA supervision, which is crucial for expanding access to quality ABA services in the region.
