Date of Conferral

5-22-2025

Date of Award

May 2025

Degree

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)

School

Management

Advisor

Kristen Glover

Abstract

Clinical staff turnover is a persistent challenge within behavioral health organizations (BHOs), impacting service continuity, staff morale, and client outcomes. The purpose of the case study was to understand the perspectives of behavioral health leaders (BHLs) regarding clinical staff turnover and their adaptive strategies and approaches to sustaining organizational continuity. The study was grounded in the Baldrige Excellence Framework criteria to examine leadership practices, core values of visionary leadership, workforce engagement, agility, and operational sustainability. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews with BHLs and administrative data from a BHO located on the U.S. East Coast. Thematic analysis involved identifying patterns in terms of leadership perspectives, adaptation strategies, and continuity planning. Findings suggested participants perceived clinical turnover as routine operational challenges that provide unique opportunities for innovation and adaptation to existing treatment services. Results also showed BHO strengths include open communication, service adaptability, and leadership practices. Study recommendations include actionable strategies for the BHO to implement data-driven products and initiatives that strengthen their long-term recruitment and retention practices. The study contributed to social change by highlighting more sustainable and effective practices for solutions to clinical turnover. Future research should address relationships between postgraduate training programs and impacts on clinical staff retention, professional development, and long-term career commitment in BHOs.

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