West Virginia added 7 behavioral health providers in the latest CMS NPI registry update. While this represents 0% of the national weekly total, it reflects a small, localized growth in the state's behavioral health workforce. Of these new additions, 6 were individual providers and 1 was an organization, Healing Steps Counseling, LLC.
ABA Workforce Composition
Within the applied behavior analysis sector, the update includes 2 Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). Notably, there were no new Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) or individuals holding dual BCBA+RBT credentials reported this week. This absence of new BCBAs, who are essential for supervising RBTs, poses a significant challenge for expanding the capacity to deliver ABA services in West Virginia. The data also shows one individual with an MA, LPC credential, indicating growth in other behavioral health specializations.
Provider Demographics
Among the 6 individual providers added this week, the workforce is predominantly female, with women accounting for 83% (5 providers) of the total. One male provider makes up the remaining 17%. The new providers are distributed across cities including Huntington, Parkersburg, Core, Bluefield, and Morgantown. No organizations appeared multiple times in this week's data, suggesting a spread of new, smaller entities rather than expansion by existing chains.
The limited number of new ABA professionals, particularly the lack of BCBAs, suggests ongoing challenges for expanding access to applied behavior analysis services and building supervisory capacity in West Virginia.
