The behavioral health and autism treatment sectors continue to evolve rapidly as providers expand their physical presence and virtual capabilities to meet growing demand. The latest developments include Imagine, a Caravel Autism Health company, opening a new center in Washington state, the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation broadening its telehealth footprint in Colorado, and Outreach Recovery continuing its expansion across Maryland. These moves highlight a broader industry trend: expanding access to care through both brick-and-mortar clinics and digital innovation.
Caravel’s Imagine Expands in the Pacific Northwest
Imagine, founded in 2011 and headquartered in the Pacific Northwest, has been a key player in autism services for children. The organization offers diagnostic and treatment services, including applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, a widely recognized and evidence-based treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
In 2019, Imagine became part of Caravel Autism Health, a private equity–backed company with a growing national footprint. Caravel itself operates locations across Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota, and with Imagine under its umbrella, it has expanded further into Idaho and Washington. Together, they deliver services in multiple environments—center-based, home-based, community, and school settings—providing flexibility for families and children with diverse needs.
Now, Imagine is preparing to open a new location in Federal Way, Washington. Scheduled for November, the center will expand access to ABA therapy in both home and center-based environments, serving children and their families in the Seattle-Tacoma region.
For families, this is more than just a new treatment center—it represents reduced wait times, more individualized support, and greater accessibility to critical early intervention services. Given the rising prevalence of autism diagnoses and the shortage of qualified providers nationwide, Imagine’s expansion is a welcome development for families in the Pacific Northwest.
Hazelden Betty Ford Expands Virtual IOP Across Colorado
While Caravel’s Imagine focuses on physical growth, the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is broadening its digital presence. Based in Center City, Minnesota, Hazelden Betty Ford is the nation’s largest nonprofit provider of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Its offerings include inpatient and outpatient programs for both adolescents and adults, in addition to a graduate school of addiction studies, a publishing division, advocacy initiatives, and a renowned addiction research center.
Hazelden Betty Ford has been steadily building out its telehealth program, RecoveryGo, which was first piloted in 2019. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the organization rapidly accelerated its telehealth strategy, recognizing the urgent need to maintain continuity of care amid lockdowns and social distancing restrictions.
Most notably, Hazelden Betty Ford recently gained approval to provide its virtual intensive outpatient program (IOP) statewide in Colorado. This means that individuals struggling with substance use anywhere in the state—not just those near physical clinic locations—can now access high-quality treatment from the comfort of their homes.
Early results from Hazelden Betty Ford’s virtual IOP are promising. According to the organization, outcome measures such as cravings, sobriety rates, and mental health symptoms show “little to no difference” between patients treated virtually and those in traditional on-site programs. This evidence underscores telehealth’s potential to deliver effective, accessible treatment at scale.
The Colorado expansion marks the 10th state where Hazelden Betty Ford is providing virtual IOP services. The nonprofit has also announced plans to extend its telehealth footprint into Wisconsin and other states, reflecting a strategic commitment to making addiction treatment more accessible nationwide.
For patients in rural areas or those facing transportation, childcare, or scheduling barriers, the availability of virtual IOP treatment is transformative. It ensures that more people struggling with substance use can receive timely, evidence-based care without having to relocate or sacrifice other responsibilities.
Outreach Recovery Adds More Locations in Maryland
Another provider making headlines is Outreach Recovery, a treatment organization specializing in patients with co-occurring mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Headquartered in Bowie, Maryland, Outreach has emerged as one of the largest medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs in the mid-Atlantic region, with facilities across Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New Jersey.
The company recently announced new locations in Glen Burnie, Columbia, Annapolis, and Baltimore, bringing its total facility count to 21. This expansion reflects a growing demand for integrated treatment programs that address both mental health and substance use issues simultaneously.
MAT, which combines FDA-approved medications like buprenorphine or methadone with counseling and behavioral therapies, is considered the gold standard of care for opioid use disorder (OUD). Outreach’s commitment to scaling MAT programs in the mid-Atlantic plays a crucial role in addressing the opioid epidemic, which continues to devastate communities across the region.
By expanding access through new facilities, Outreach is improving opportunities for individuals and families to find support close to home, reducing travel barriers, and helping combat stigma by embedding treatment within local communities.
Expanding Access: A Common Theme
Although Imagine, Hazelden Betty Ford, and Outreach Recovery serve different populations, their recent expansions share a common theme: increasing access to care.
For Imagine and Caravel, that means creating more physical centers where children with autism can receive evidence-based ABA therapy. For Hazelden Betty Ford, it means expanding virtual services that bring intensive outpatient treatment directly into patients’ homes. And for Outreach Recovery, it means growing the number of MAT clinics available across the mid-Atlantic.
This dual-track approach—physical growth paired with digital innovation—is emblematic of the broader behavioral health industry’s trajectory. As demand for services rises, providers are recognizing that no single approach will be sufficient. Instead, the future lies in a blend of in-person and virtual care tailored to patients’ unique needs.
The Role of COVID-19 in Accelerating Change
COVID-19 has been a powerful accelerant for these shifts. For example, Hazelden Betty Ford’s telehealth expansion may have unfolded more slowly if not for the pandemic. Similarly, many families seeking autism services have faced disruptions due to school closures and limited in-person services, making new centers like Imagine’s in Federal Way even more critical.
Behavioral health providers that can pivot quickly—embracing telehealth, expanding physical locations, and investing in innovation—are better positioned to meet the moment. These organizations are not only serving immediate needs but also laying the groundwork for long-term change in how behavioral health care is delivered.
Looking Ahead
As these organizations grow, the implications for patients, families, and communities are significant. Expanded access means earlier intervention for children with autism, more treatment options for individuals with substance use disorders, and stronger support for families navigating complex behavioral health challenges.
It also signals that the behavioral health field is increasingly committed to meeting patients where they are—whether in clinics, at home, or online. This patient-centered approach represents a shift away from fragmented care models and toward integrated, accessible systems that prioritize outcomes over geography.
In the years ahead, the success of Imagine, Hazelden Betty Ford, and Outreach Recovery will likely inspire similar expansions from other providers nationwide. The result could be a more equitable behavioral health landscape, with fewer barriers to accessing the care people need.
