As demand for behavioral health services continues to surge, communities across the country face a shortage of providers — creating urgency around finding scalable ways to expand the workforce quickly. A new study published in the Journal of Rural Mental Health by researchers from the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska at the University of Nebraska Medical Center examines one promising solution: paying experienced behavioral health professionals to supervise and train newer clinicians working toward their full licenses.
Researchers evaluated a statewide supervision incentive program and found that when funding supported clinical supervisors, “there was a 110% overall increase in supervisees… [including] 194% increase in mental health counselors… 72% for social workers… and 50% for drug and alcohol counselors.” Researchers found that investing in supervision can help more clinicians become licensed—and expand the behavioral health workforce faster. Here’s what they found:
- Small Investments Created Large Workforce Gains: Researchers found “relatively small investments can generate gains in early-career workforce development,” with funding allowing organizations to “promote more people to be supervisors” and expand training capacity for new clinicians.
- Expanding Supervision Helped Grow Workforce In Rural Areas: The study notes workforce shortages are especially severe in rural areas, and “expanding supervisory capacity… increases the potential to grow the rural behavioral health workforce.” Research also shows clinicians “trained and supported in rural settings are more likely to remain in those settings.”
- Mentorship Opportunities Increased Job Satisfaction And Retention: Organizations reported “increased job satisfaction” and “meaningfulness” from helping train new clinicians, while balancing supervision with caseloads “doesn’t lead to burnout,” supporting long-term workforce retention.
Related: Oregon is taking this challenge head-on. A new report from the state’s Behavioral Health Talent Council found a “critical shortage of mental health providers, especially in rural counties,” and outlined 17 action plans and 74 strategies to expand the workforce, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported. The recommendations include increasing pay, creating career advancement pathways, and streamlining licensing to reduce barriers and retain providers. State leaders say the effort is designed to “remove administrative burden… [so providers] get to spend time with clients” and stay in the field longer, with annual progress reports planned to track results.