Date of Conferral

4-25-2025

Date of Award

April 2025

Degree

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)

School

Psychology

Advisor

Dr. Miguel Messina

Abstract

The challenge of attracting qualified behavioral health professionals to positions in rural areas has been widely recognized. Underserved population segments, issues unique to clinicians practicing in rural areas, and a lack of effective recruitment incentives impact not only an organization but also the community it serves. The subject of this qualitative case study was a private behavioral health office located in a rural community. Semistructured interviews were held with five behavioral health leaders of this organization in addition to a review of organizational records. The Baldridge Performance Excellence Program was the conceptual framework that grounded this study. Qualitative analysis, including thematic organization of data and a review of scholarly literature, was used to identify strategies and tactics that could be useful in addressing this organization’s practice problem. The main themes that emerged from the qualitative analysis were underserved rural communities regarding mental health services, the benefits and unique characteristics of working in behavioral health in rural communities, and the need for additional qualified behavioral health providers in rural communities. Recommendations for strategies that the organization’s leadership can implement to mitigate the problem are creating a pipeline for students at local educational institutions, developing marketing the rural location as a benefit, and increasing the digital marketing and presence of the organization to reach professionals with connections to rural communities. These strategies and tactics will play a role in positive social change by improving the recruitment process and success rate in this behavioral health organization.

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