Embark Behavioral Health, a leading provider of mental health services for children, adolescents, and young adults, is embarking on a new chapter in its history. On Wednesday, the company, which is based in Chandler, Arizona, announced a leadership transition that will see its long-standing CEO, Alex Stavros, step down from his daily management duties and move into a board member role. Effective September 10, 2025, Scott Filion will take over as the new CEO of Embark Behavioral Health.
This leadership change comes at a pivotal time for Embark, which is in the midst of a major transformation. Under Stavros’s leadership, the company grew from a small, regional provider into a national player in youth-focused behavioral health care. With Filion’s appointment, Embark is poised to continue its expansion and to enhance the accessibility of its services to more families across the country, reinforcing its standing as one of the leading behavioral health providers for teens.
A New Chapter in Leadership
Dr. Russell Petrella, the executive chairman of Embark’s board of directors, expressed strong support for Filion’s appointment. “Scott’s experience leading and growing health and technology organizations will bring substantial value to Embark clients, staff, and the communities we serve,” Dr. Petrella said in a news release. Filion’s leadership experience in healthcare and technology, combined with his extensive background in scaling organizations, makes him an ideal candidate to guide Embark into its next phase of growth.
Filion has an impressive career in healthcare and technology, having served in several high-level executive roles. He is currently listed as an executive in residence for Peterson Partners, a private equity and venture capital firm based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Filion’s previous roles include CEO of Rev360, a revenue cycle management and electronic health record company, president of GetWellNetwork (a digital patient engagement platform), and general manager of healthcare at EMC, which is now part of Dell Technologies. His diverse expertise positions him well to steer Embark through its ongoing expansion and to continue improving the services it provides to its clients, particularly as one of the prominent behavioral health providers for teens in the country.
In his statement, Filion expressed excitement about the opportunity to lead Embark during a critical period of growth. “I am ready to join the mission to achieve long-lasting, sustainable outcomes for our clients and strengthen the mental health of teens and young adults across the country,” Filion said. “Embark is well-positioned to continue to expand its national footprint as a strong network of mental health programs with its emphasis on providing a continuum of care while increasing accessibility for families.”
A Decade of Transformation Under Stavros
Alex Stavros leaves behind a remarkable legacy at Embark Behavioral Health. During his 13-year tenure as CEO, Stavros transformed Embark from a small, regional provider into one of the nation’s leading organizations in youth-focused behavioral health providers for teens. When he first joined the company in 2011, Embark was serving just 48 students annually in one state, with a staff of 95 employees. Under his guidance, the company grew exponentially, with Embark now operating 38 locations across 20 states and serving thousands of young people each year.
Stavros’s leadership also brought about a dramatic increase in revenue—an astonishing 40-fold growth. Embark’s expansion has included the development of outpatient programs, therapeutic boarding schools, transitional living programs, and residential treatment centers, all designed to address the unique mental health needs of teens and young adults. As the company has evolved, its commitment to providing specialized care to teens has remained at the heart of its mission.
Reflecting on his tenure, Stavros shared in a blog post: “Our company expanded from serving forty-eight students annually, with ninety-five employees in one state in 2011, to becoming a national leader in youth-specialized care, serving thousands of youths a year, with over 1,600 professionals, and thirty-eight programs across twenty states, leading to a 40-fold increase in revenue.” His leadership has been integral to the company’s growth and ability to meet the rising demand for mental health services for youth across the country. Embark’s transformation from a regional provider to a national leader in behavioral health providers for teens is a testament to the long-term vision of Stavros and his team.
Stavros’s decision to step down came after discussions with the company’s board in 2023, as he informed them of his desire to transition out of the CEO role. However, his legacy will continue to shape Embark as he moves into a new role on the company’s board, where his deep understanding of the organization will remain an asset.
A Changing Landscape in Behavioral Health
Embark’s transformation over the past few years has been shaped by evolving trends in the behavioral health sector. Traditionally, the company was known for its wilderness therapy programs, which took patients to remote locations for therapeutic activities. This model, while effective for some, faced increasing scrutiny and growing competition from other treatment methods. As a result, Embark has shifted its focus to provide more community-based programs that offer a broader continuum of care, allowing families to access services closer to home. This is especially important as behavioral health providers for teens seek to deliver more flexible and accessible treatment options.
This strategic shift was underscored by the company’s growing emphasis on telehealth services, which have become increasingly important as the demand for remote and flexible treatment options has skyrocketed. Telehealth services allow Embark to meet clients where they are, whether they are in rural areas or urban centers, and provide them with the mental health support they need without having to travel long distances.
The company currently offers a wide range of services across its 38 locations, including intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), partial care programs (PCPs), residential treatment, therapeutic boarding schools, and transitional living programs. Each program is designed to support young people at different stages of their mental health journey, offering evidence-based treatments that aim to improve their emotional well-being and life outcomes. As one of the leading behavioral health providers for teens, Embark continues to adapt and grow to meet the needs of its clients.
Embark’s Growth and Financial Success
The company’s continued expansion is supported by strong financial backing, with major investments from private equity firms. In February 2023, Consonance Capital Partners acquired a majority stake in Embark Behavioral Health. This acquisition was valued at approximately $400 million, a testament to the growth and success Embark has experienced under Stavros’s leadership.
The infusion of capital from the acquisition has allowed Embark to continue its expansion, both in terms of the number of locations and the range of services it offers. As the organization moves forward, Filion will play a key role in guiding the company’s strategy, particularly as it looks to expand its national footprint and provide more families with access to its high-quality mental health services. The company’s financial success is critical to its ongoing work as one of the top behavioral health providers for teens.
A Shift Away from Wilderness Therapy
As part of Embark’s ongoing evolution, the company made the decision in February 2024 to close two of its three wilderness therapy programs, with the third being converted into a residential treatment facility. This shift marks the company’s departure from wilderness therapy, a treatment model that has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years due to concerns over its effectiveness and safety. While wilderness therapy has been a staple of the behavioral health field for decades, many providers, including Embark, are moving towards more comprehensive and community-based approaches that better align with the needs of modern families.
The closure of these programs is part of a broader trend in the behavioral health industry, where organizations are moving away from isolated and intensive models like wilderness therapy in favor of more holistic, accessible approaches. Embark’s focus on residential and outpatient treatment programs reflects this shift, as it seeks to offer services that are both evidence-based and closer to home for families. As one of the leading behavioral health providers for teens, Embark is committed to offering treatments that are effective, accessible, and aligned with the latest standards in the industry.
Looking Forward: Embark’s Vision for the Future
As Scott Filion steps into the CEO role, Embark Behavioral Health is well-positioned for continued growth and innovation. The company’s focus on expanding its national network of mental health programs, while enhancing accessibility and the continuum of care, will be central to its strategy moving forward. Filion’s leadership will be crucial in ensuring that Embark remains at the forefront of the behavioral health industry, providing high-quality, compassionate care to youth and young adults across the country. As one of the premier behavioral health providers for teens, Embark’s ability to adapt and expand will continue to make a significant difference in the lives of its clients.
Embark’s transformation over the past decade has been remarkable, but the journey is far from over. With a new CEO at the helm and Stavros remaining on the board, the organization is ready to build on its successes and continue to expand its services to meet the evolving needs of young people and their families. As the mental health landscape continues to evolve, Embark will remain a key player in providing the support and care necessary to help youth thrive and overcome the challenges they face.
With Filion at the helm and Stavros remaining on the board, Embark Behavioral Health’s future looks bright as the company works to make a lasting impact on the mental health of young people across the nation.
