Finding reliable behavioral health staffing agencies has become one of the hardest jobs in healthcare operations. In fact, more than 120 million Americans live in a federally designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Area, according to HRSA. Meanwhile, demand for psychiatric prescribers and licensed clinicians keeps outpacing supply. Consequently, when a PMHNP resigns or a program expands faster than recruiting can keep up, the right staffing partner decides whether beds stay open.
This guide compares the top behavioral health staffing agencies in the U.S. for 2026, what each does best, and how to choose between them. Additionally, one disclosure up front: Pulivarthi Group appears on this list. However, we have marked our entry clearly and applied the same criteria to everyone.
How We Evaluated These Agencies
We scored each agency on five factors that facility operators tell us matter most:
- Behavioral health specialization — a dedicated BH practice, not a general healthcare desk
- Role coverage — psychiatrists, PMHNPs, LCSWs, BCBAs, RNs, psych techs
- Speed to candidate — how fast a qualified shortlist arrives
- Compliance depth — license verification, credentialing, payer-panel support
- Engagement flexibility — contract, permanent, temp-to-hire, per-diem
Top 10 Behavioral Health Staffing Agencies at a Glance
| Agency | Best for | Core roles | Models |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supplemental Health Care | National scale | RNs, LCSWs, psych techs | Travel, contract, perm |
| Pulivarthi Group | PMHNP & LCSW specialists | PMHNPs, LCSWs, BCBAs, therapists | Contract, perm, temp-to-hire, per-diem |
| US Medical Staffing | Multi-state programs | Nurses, allied, BH staff | Contract, perm |
| ViaMed Staffing | Travel BH clinicians | RNs, techs, counselors | Travel, contract |
| BOS Medical | Southeast facilities | RNs, LPNs, BH staff | Contract, temp-to-hire |
| APN Healthcare | Fast request turnaround | BH nurses, clinicians | Contract |
| HCR Network | Permanent recruiting | Psychiatrists, NPs, therapists | Direct hire |
| Arbor Staffing | Regional flexibility | BH professionals, nurses | Contract, perm |
| Concentric Healthcare | Southwest coverage | BH nurses, techs | Contract, per-diem |
| Malone Workforce | Midwest programs | BH clinicians, support staff | Contract, perm |
The 10 Best Behavioral Health Staffing Agencies for 2026
1. Supplemental Health Care
Supplemental Health Care is one of the largest healthcare staffing firms in the country, with a dedicated behavioral health division. In addition, its national recruiter network and long list of school, corrections, and community mental health contracts make it a safe pick for systems that need volume across many sites. In short, choose SHC when scale matters more than niche specialization.
2. Pulivarthi Group (that’s us)
Pulivarthi Group is a specialist agency built around behavioral health, with particular depth in PMHNPs (psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners) and LCSWs, alongside BCBAs and licensed therapists. As a result, facilities typically see a shortlist of qualified candidates within one business day. In addition, credentialing support covers multi-state license tracking, HIPAA review, and payer-panel enrollment — and there are no mandatory 12-month exclusive contracts. Meanwhile, engagement models span contract, permanent, temp-to-hire, and per-diem. In short, this is the strongest fit when you need psychiatric prescribers or licensed clinical social workers fast, from a team that only does this work.
3. US Medical Staffing
US Medical Staffing brings broad healthcare coverage with an established behavioral health desk. Therefore, its multi-state footprint suits programs that span several regions and want one vendor relationship. In short, a solid generalist with real BH volume.
4. ViaMed Staffing
ViaMed Staffing focuses on travel and contract placements, including behavioral health nurses, counselors, and technicians. Consequently, it is a strong option for census surges and seasonal demand. In short, best for travel-model coverage rather than permanent builds.
5. BOS Medical Staffing
BOS Medical is a Georgia-based firm with a behavioral health specialty and a strong Southeast presence. Moreover, its temp-to-hire pipeline is a practical way to trial clinicians before committing. In short, a regional partner with local market knowledge.
6. APN Healthcare Solutions
APN emphasizes rapid response to staff requests for behavioral health programs. As a result, its lean intake process suits facilities that need coverage started quickly. In short, speed-first contract staffing.
7. HCR Network
HCR Network concentrates on permanent placement of psychiatrists, psychiatric NPs, and therapists. For instance, if your problem is a long-vacant staff position rather than shift coverage, a direct-hire recruiter like HCR fits. In short, permanent searches rather than temp coverage.
8. Arbor Staffing
Arbor Staffing places behavioral healthcare professionals across contract and permanent roles. Additionally, its regional coverage flexes with program needs. In short, a dependable mid-size option that is worth including in any bid process.
9. Concentric Healthcare Staffing
Concentric serves behavioral health facilities with nurses and technicians. In particular, it is strong in the Southwest and in per-diem coverage. In short, useful for day-to-day shift gaps in its coverage area.
10. Malone Workforce Solutions
Malone is a national workforce firm with behavioral health offices in the Midwest. As a result, its multi-industry base gives it recruiting reach beyond pure healthcare channels. In short, consider it for Midwest programs balancing several staffing categories.
How to Choose Between Behavioral Health Staffing Agencies
Most agency websites look the same. However, these six questions separate them quickly:
- First, do they place your hardest role? Ask specifically about PMHNP and LCSW placements completed in the last 90 days, not just nurses.
- Second, how fast is the first qualified candidate? Get a commitment in writing. Certainly, one business day to a shortlist is achievable with a specialist.
- Third, who owns credentialing? License verification, background checks, and payer-panel enrollment should sit with the agency, not your HR team.
- Fourth, what does the contract lock you into? For example, watch for 12-month exclusivity clauses and steep conversion fees.
- Fifth, is there a real BH team? Ask to speak with the recruiter who would work your account. Generalists reveal themselves fast.
- Finally, can they flex models? Programs change. Therefore, your agency should move between contract, temp-to-hire, and permanent without renegotiating everything.
What Do Behavioral Health Staffing Agencies Charge?
Pricing follows two models. First, contract staffing bills an hourly rate covering the clinician’s pay plus an agency margin, commonly in the 30 to 60 percent range depending on role scarcity. Second, permanent placement usually costs 15 to 25 percent of first-year salary, paid on hire. Moreover, specialist prescriber roles such as PMHNPs sit at the higher end because supply is tight. Finally, always ask what the fee includes: credentialing, replacement guarantees, and onboarding support vary widely between behavioral health staffing agencies.
Related Resources
Once you have shortlisted an agency, the next question is the model. Compare permanent mental health staffing, temporary and locum coverage, and contract staffing for grant-funded programs. If you are budgeting for prescriber coverage, our guide to locum tenens psychiatry rates breaks down what facilities actually pay. Veterinary organizations can find the equivalent list in our Top 10 Veterinary Staffing Agencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a behavioral health staffing agency do?
It recruits, screens, credentials, and places behavioral health professionals — psychiatrists, PMHNPs, LCSWs, BCBAs, therapists, psychiatric nurses, and techs. In addition, most agencies handle payroll and compliance for contract placements.
How much do behavioral health staffing agencies charge?
In general, contract placements carry an hourly markup of roughly 30 to 60 percent over clinician pay. Meanwhile, permanent placements typically cost 15 to 25 percent of first-year salary.
What roles can these agencies fill?
Coverage ranges from psychiatric prescribers (psychiatrists, PMHNPs) to licensed clinicians (LCSWs, LPCs, psychologists), BCBAs and ABA therapists, psychiatric RNs, and behavioral health technicians.
Contract or permanent — which model fits my facility?
First, use contract staffing for census surges, leave coverage, and new-program launches. In contrast, use permanent placement for core roles you expect to hold for years. Finally, temp-to-hire bridges the two when you want to evaluate fit before committing.
How fast can a facility get coverage?
With a behavioral health specialist agency, a qualified shortlist within one business day is realistic for most clinical roles. In contrast, generalist agencies commonly take one to several weeks.
Skip the comparison spreadsheet. Instead, talk to a behavioral health staffing specialist about your open PMHNP, LCSW, or clinical roles — get a staffing quote and see qualified candidates within one business day.
