The Numbers Healthcare Employers Are Missing
Behavioral health is the fastest-growing area of clinical need in the United States. It is also, historically, one of the hardest areas to staff. Long credentialing timelines, licensing complexity across states, and an undersupply of platforms built for this specialty have made it a chronic bottleneck for employers.
DirectShifts changed that in 2025. Seven of the top 10 specialty categories by confirmed user count on the platform were behavioral health roles.
That is 9,510 behavioral health and psychiatric NP professionals in the top 10 alone.
What This Means for Behavioral Health Employers
If you run a community mental health center, a private practice group, a hospital behavioral health unit, or a telehealth platform serving mental health patients, 2025 was the year DirectShifts became a primary sourcing channel for your workforce.
LCSWs and LPCs are the two most in-demand credential types in outpatient behavioral health. They top the DirectShifts list. Psychiatric NPs, who can prescribe and manage medication in addition to providing therapy, came in at number eight. This is not a coincidence. The platform built a reputation in this space, and clinicians followed.
The Total Behavioral Health User Base in 2025
The broader occupational data shows behavioral health reached 10,021 confirmed users in 2025, becoming the single largest occupational category on the platform by volume. That exceeded RNs (10,021 were also strong) and outpaced MDs, NPs taken individually, and CRNAs by a wide margin.
For any employer with behavioral health hiring needs, this is now a core staffing channel worth prioritizing.
Why Behavioral Health Clinicians Choose DirectShifts
The platform gives behavioral health professionals visibility into locum, per diem, and permanent roles across multiple practice settings without going through a recruiter. They can manage their credentials, upload their licenses, and apply directly. This autonomy attracts serious, self-directed clinicians, the kind healthcare employers actually want to hire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does DirectShifts specialize in behavioral health staffing?
DirectShifts serves all healthcare specialties, but in 2025 behavioral health clinicians became the largest user group on the platform by occupational category. It is a strong platform for behavioral health hiring.
Can I hire LCSWs and LPCs directly through DirectShifts?
Yes. LCSWs and LPCs were the top two specialty categories by confirmed user count in 2025, with 2,369 and 2,194 users respectively.
What is the difference between an LCSW and an LPC for employer hiring purposes?
Both provide clinical mental health services. LCSWs (Licensed Clinical Social Workers) hold a master's in social work, while LPCs (Licensed Professional Counselors) hold a master's in counseling or a related field. Scope of practice varies by state. Both groups were heavily represented on DirectShifts in 2025.
Are psychiatric nurse practitioners available on DirectShifts?
Yes. Psychiatric/Mental Health NPs were the eighth-largest specialty group in 2025 with 997 confirmed users. They can diagnose, prescribe, and manage psychiatric medications, making them one of the most versatile hires in behavioral health.
How do I post a behavioral health job on DirectShifts?
Create an employer account at DirectShifts.com, post your role with credential requirements, practice setting, and compensation details, and receive applications from verified behavioral health clinicians.
Is there a shortage of behavioral health clinicians in the US in 2025?
Yes. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) continues to identify significant Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas across the US. DirectShifts' growing behavioral health user base represents one of the most accessible pipelines available to employers trying to close that gap.
Can telehealth companies use DirectShifts to hire behavioral health clinicians?
Yes. DirectShifts supports virtual and in-person practice settings. Given the high volume of behavioral health clinicians on the platform, telehealth employers are particularly well-positioned to benefit from posting jobs there.
What credentialing is required for behavioral health hires through DirectShifts?
This depends on the role and state. DirectShifts' credentialing workflow helps verify licensure, specialty certifications, and documentation. Employers can define their own minimum credential requirements in the job post.
Source: DirectShifts 2025 Year in Review. Data reflects confirmed platform users and top specialties for calendar year 2025.
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