Discovery Behavioral Health, a portfolio company of Webster Equity Partners, has made another significant move in expanding its treatment network. The organization has announced the opening of two new adolescent mental health centers in Fairfax County, Virginia. These facilities, operating under the Discovery Mood and Anxiety Programs brand, reflect the company’s ongoing mission to deliver comprehensive, evidence-based care to individuals struggling with behavioral health challenges.
One of the new centers will provide outpatient treatment options for both children and adults. These include partial hospitalization programs (PHP) and intensive outpatient programs (IOP), which offer structured, flexible care designed to meet patients where they are in their recovery journeys. The second center is dedicated to residential treatment for adolescents between the ages of 10 and 18, with capacity capped at just eight patients at a time to ensure individualized care.
Together, these facilities complement Discovery’s existing residential treatment center in Fairfax County, creating a robust hub of mental health support for the local community.
Evidence-Based and Experiential Therapies
All three of Discovery’s Fairfax County facilities will treat patients with a primary mental health diagnosis. Treatment modalities include widely recognized, evidence-based approaches such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). These therapeutic models are among the most researched and effective for addressing mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and related mental health conditions.
Beyond traditional evidence-based methods, Discovery is also committed to integrating experiential therapies into its programs. Patients will have access to art therapy, music therapy, meditation, and other experiential approaches that allow individuals to process emotions and experiences in nonverbal ways. These therapies can be particularly beneficial for adolescents, who often struggle to express their emotions in words.
By combining evidence-based treatment with creative, holistic interventions, Discovery aims to create well-rounded, individualized care plans that address the unique needs of each patient.
A Focus on Adolescents and Family Support
The decision to expand adolescent mental health services is particularly timely. Rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges among young people have been on the rise in recent years, a trend that has only intensified with the added stressors of the COVID-19 pandemic. Isolation, uncertainty, and disruption to daily life have left many young people struggling to cope, with parents and caregivers searching for solutions.
Discovery’s new residential center, with its small patient capacity and focus on adolescents ages 10 to 18, is designed to provide intensive, personalized care during this critical stage of development. In addition, the outpatient center serving children and adults allows families to access treatment in a flexible way that supports recovery without removing patients from their daily lives.
By offering multiple levels of care, Discovery provides continuity of treatment that can adapt to the changing needs of patients and families. This continuum of care is especially important in addressing adolescent mental health, where early intervention and ongoing support can make a profound difference in long-term outcomes.
Discovery’s Expanding Footprint
The opening of the new Virginia centers underscores Discovery Behavioral Health’s commitment to growth, even amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company already operates more than 100 treatment centers across 12 states, covering a wide spectrum of services for mental health, substance use disorders, and eating disorders.
While the pandemic has slowed both organic and acquisition-based growth, Discovery continues to pursue opportunities for expansion. CEO John Peloquin has previously shared his goal of entering two new states in 2020, despite the disruptions caused by COVID-19. The organization’s resilience in the face of such challenges highlights both the urgent demand for behavioral health services and Discovery’s ability to adapt to shifting circumstances.
Earlier in 2020, Discovery announced the acquisition of New Hope Ranch, a drug and alcohol treatment provider based in Manor, Texas. That acquisition was completed just before the coronavirus began to significantly impact the United States. Like the Fairfax County facilities, New Hope Ranch expanded Discovery’s service offerings while strengthening its national presence in the behavioral health field.
Meeting the Rising Demand for Mental Health Care
The addition of new centers is not just a reflection of Discovery’s growth strategy—it is also a response to rising demand for behavioral health services across the nation. The coronavirus pandemic has brought mental health to the forefront of public health conversations. Stress, anxiety, and depression are affecting more people than ever before, while existing challenges such as substance use and eating disorders have become more complex during times of isolation and uncertainty.
Adolescents are among the groups most vulnerable to these stressors. Developmental changes, academic pressures, and social challenges already create difficulties for many young people. With the additional impact of disrupted routines, remote learning, and reduced socialization due to COVID-19, the need for adolescent-focused treatment has grown significantly.
Discovery’s decision to create two new centers in Virginia is directly aligned with this demand. By providing accessible, high-quality care, the organization is not only expanding its footprint but also addressing one of the most pressing public health needs of the moment.
Commitment to Comprehensive Care
Discovery Behavioral Health’s treatment philosophy is built on the idea that recovery is possible when patients receive compassionate, evidence-based care in a supportive environment. The company’s expansion in Virginia reflects its broader mission: to remove barriers to behavioral health treatment and make care accessible to individuals and families in need.
By offering services that range from outpatient therapy to residential treatment, Discovery ensures that patients receive the right level of care at the right time. This approach reduces the likelihood of relapse, improves long-term outcomes, and helps patients build healthier, more sustainable lives.
Furthermore, Discovery’s integration of both evidence-based and experiential therapies recognizes that recovery is not one-size-fits-all. Each patient is unique, and treatment must address emotional, psychological, and even creative needs. This individualized approach is especially vital in adolescent care, where developmental stages and family dynamics play such an important role.
Looking Ahead
As Discovery Behavioral Health continues to expand its portfolio, the organization is well positioned to play a leading role in shaping the future of behavioral health care in the United States. The opening of two new adolescent mental health centers in Fairfax County is just the latest step in this journey.
While challenges such as the coronavirus pandemic have slowed the pace of growth, Discovery has demonstrated resilience and adaptability. Its focus on expanding adolescent services highlights a proactive response to the mental health crisis facing young people today.
Ultimately, Discovery’s growth is not just about numbers or facilities—it is about providing life-changing care to individuals and families. With more than 100 centers nationwide and a commitment to continued expansion, Discovery Behavioral Health is making meaningful progress toward its mission of delivering accessible, evidence-based, and compassionate care across the country.
