The behavioral health industry continues to experience rapid change through mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships. Recent transactions highlight both the growing demand for autism services and the ongoing expansion of treatment networks for opioid use disorder. On October 6, 2020, several notable deals were announced involving SPG, Behavioral Health Group, and two Massachusetts nonprofits serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). These moves represent a trend toward consolidation, geographic expansion, and stronger service offerings across the behavioral health spectrum.
SPG Acquires Two Autism Services Companies
SPG, a portfolio company of Ridgemont Equity Partners, has expanded its reach with the acquisition of two autism-related service providers. The company, which specializes in behavioral health and therapeutic services for children with autism and other disabilities, announced that it has acquired Southern California-based Go2Consult and Colorado-based Family Support Center.
Go2Consult provides speech and language services to school districts, while Family Support Center focuses on applied behavior analysis (ABA), a widely used therapy for children with autism. Together, these additions broaden SPG’s ability to offer comprehensive services for families navigating autism and other developmental challenges.
Although financial terms of the acquisitions were not disclosed, the deals were supported by Crescent Direct Lending, BMO Sponsor Finance, and Avante Capital Partners, who provided financing. The involvement of multiple financial backers underscores the growing investor interest in autism services and the broader behavioral health space.
Expanding Geographic Coverage And Services
For SPG, these acquisitions are part of a strategic effort to expand its geographic footprint and enhance its multidisciplinary care platform. By adding Go2Consult in California and Family Support Center in Colorado, SPG gains access to new markets while also diversifying its service offerings.
The company’s goal is to serve as a “single point of care” for families. This means bringing together multiple disciplines—such as speech therapy, language services, and ABA therapy—under one coordinated framework. For parents, having access to multiple services through a single provider reduces the burden of navigating fragmented systems and ensures children receive consistent, high-quality care.
SPG has stated that it is actively seeking additional partnerships with providers interested in joining its platform. By positioning itself as a respected and growing network, SPG is well-placed to attract smaller providers who want to scale their services but may lack the resources to do so independently.
Autism Services As A Growth Market
The expansion of SPG reflects a larger trend in behavioral health: the rapid growth of autism services. As diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) continue to rise, demand for specialized services like ABA therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy is growing. Families often face long wait times for services, and providers are working to meet this need by expanding access through acquisitions and partnerships.
Private equity firms have increasingly recognized the potential in autism services. The sector offers both strong growth prospects and the opportunity to create integrated care platforms. For companies like SPG, this means building networks that not only expand access but also improve outcomes through coordinated, evidence-based care.
Behavioral Health Group Expands Into Rhode Island
In addition to SPG’s acquisitions, Behavioral Health Group (BHG) announced its entry into Rhode Island through the acquisition of the Center for Treatment & Recovery (CTR). Based in Pawtucket, CTR was a well-established outpatient opioid treatment program, staffed by 23 clinicians and support personnel. Following the acquisition, CTR will be rebranded as the BHG Pawtucket Treatment Center.
BHG is a national provider of outpatient treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), with 71 locations across 15 states. By adding a Rhode Island location, BHG continues to grow its national footprint while responding to the urgent need for expanded access to OUD treatment.
Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. However, the acquisition highlights BHG’s commitment to expanding into new states and ensuring local communities have access to evidence-based OUD care.
Addressing The Opioid Crisis
The opioid epidemic remains one of the most pressing public health challenges in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic has only worsened the crisis, with overdose deaths rising across the country. Expanding access to treatment is critical to reversing these trends, and organizations like BHG play a key role in meeting demand.
Outpatient programs such as those offered by BHG provide a combination of medication-assisted treatment (MAT), counseling, and recovery support services. These programs are vital for individuals seeking to manage opioid dependence and rebuild their lives. By acquiring CTR and entering Rhode Island, BHG extends its ability to provide these services in a region that has been deeply affected by the opioid epidemic.
The Importance Of Local Integration
While BHG operates on a national scale, the success of its programs depends heavily on integration with local communities. By acquiring established centers like CTR, BHG benefits from local expertise and relationships while bringing additional resources and infrastructure. This approach helps maintain continuity of care for existing patients while expanding capacity for new ones.
The rebranding of CTR as BHG Pawtucket Treatment Center reflects the company’s strategy of combining national recognition with local delivery. Patients can expect to see continuity in their care while benefiting from the broader support of a national organization.
Massachusetts Nonprofits Merge To Form Lifeworks
Another important development in the behavioral health and disability services sector was the merger of two Massachusetts nonprofits: Arc of South Norfolk and Lifeworks Inc. Both organizations, based in the Westwood area, provide support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and autism.
The merger, finalized on October 1, 2020, creates a unified agency known as Lifeworks. While financial terms were not disclosed, the decision reflects a growing trend among nonprofits to combine resources in order to strengthen services and sustainability.
Benefits Of The Merger
By merging, the two nonprofits can pool resources, streamline operations, and provide a wider array of services to individuals and families. Nonprofits in the disability services space often face financial challenges, particularly during economic downturns. Merging allows organizations to reduce administrative costs, share expertise, and expand program offerings.
For the individuals they serve, the merger means access to a broader network of services without disruption. Families can continue working with providers they know and trust while benefiting from the expanded capabilities of the new unified organization.
Broader Trends In Behavioral Health Transactions
The recent deals involving SPG, BHG, and the Massachusetts nonprofits highlight several important trends in behavioral health:
- Consolidation: Organizations are merging or acquiring others to build scale, streamline services, and strengthen financial sustainability.
- Expansion: Providers are entering new states and regions to meet growing demand for services, particularly in areas with underserved populations.
- Integration of Services: Companies like SPG are building multidisciplinary platforms to address multiple needs in one place, reducing fragmentation for families.
- Investor Interest: Private equity firms continue to invest heavily in behavioral health, especially in high-demand areas like autism services.
- Community-Based Growth: Whether through nonprofit mergers or acquisitions of local centers, larger organizations are recognizing the value of grassroots service delivery.
Conclusion
The recent transactions underscore the dynamism of the behavioral health industry. SPG’s acquisitions expand access to autism services, Behavioral Health Group’s move into Rhode Island strengthens the fight against the opioid epidemic, and the merger of Massachusetts nonprofits enhances services for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Together, these developments reflect broader shifts toward consolidation, expansion, and integrated care. As demand for behavioral health services continues to grow, these types of transactions are likely to become even more common. For families, patients, and communities, the ultimate goal is greater access, better coordination, and improved outcomes in behavioral health care.
