Missouri registered 120 behavioral health providers in the latest CMS NPI registry weekly update, representing a 1% share of the national total. This modest but consistent influx of new providers signals steady growth in the state's behavioral health sector, working to meet ongoing demand for services.
ABA Workforce Composition
Within the applied behavior analysis (ABA) workforce, Missouri added 6 new BCBAs and 28 RBTs. It is important to note that one individual holds both BCBA and RBT credentials, a common career progression from direct service provision to supervisory roles. The ratio of approximately one BCBA for every 4.7 RBTs highlights a growing demand for direct therapy services, necessitating robust supervisory capacity to maintain high-quality and ethical ABA practice.
Provider Demographics
Of the 103 individual providers, 91 (88%) are female and 12 (12%) are male. This gender distribution aligns with broader trends observed across the behavioral health field. No single organization appeared multiple times in this week's data for Missouri.
The continued, albeit modest, expansion of Missouri's behavioral health workforce, particularly within the ABA field, is vital for improving access to critical services for individuals across the state.
