Pathways Health and Community Support, LLC has taken another decisive step in its strategic growth journey with the acquisition of Psychological Assessment & Intervention Service, Inc. (PAIS), a well-established behavioral health provider in West Virginia. While the financial details of the transaction remain undisclosed, the impact of the acquisition is clear: it extends Pathways’ reach across the Appalachian region and reinforces its commitment to integrated, accessible mental health care through thoughtful Behavioral Health Provider Expansion.
PAIS currently operates seven regional offices and serves clients in 29 counties, making it a significant presence in the state’s behavioral health landscape. Its services—ranging from intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) care to general and family behavioral health—align with Pathways’ mission to deliver a wide continuum of services that adapt to the unique needs of individuals, families, and communities. The acquisition bolsters Pathways’ already strong service corridor, which stretches across Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, and the District of Columbia.
Jill Winters, CEO of Pathways, explained that the move was about more than just adding another market. “West Virginia fits perfectly in our service area… You can see how it really helped us with what we want, which is, of course, to continue to broaden our scale and access, which ultimately we know is good for the client, and it’s good for the payers.” The acquisition reflects a broader Behavioral Health Provider Expansion strategy aimed at not only growing the company’s footprint but improving service integration and client outcomes.
A Collaborative Model Built on Flexibility and Diversity of Services
What makes this acquisition particularly strategic is the shared philosophy between PAIS and Pathways. PAIS began with a focus on IDD services but gradually evolved into a full-service provider, adding general outpatient and family-focused behavioral health services to meet growing needs. This kind of expansion mirrors Pathways’ own development and their commitment to whole-person care.
Unlike other organizations that narrowly focus on one specialty—such as autism-only services—Pathways is committed to serving a wide array of behavioral health needs. As Winters put it, “We are slightly different than some other providers where you will see them just providing autism care… We’re different in that we serve across the board. We do the therapies, we do substance use, foster care, IDD care. I mean, we do it all.”
That integrated model plays a critical role in successful Behavioral Health Provider Expansion. It allows Pathways to enter new regions and support diverse populations without having to reconfigure its entire operational model. This flexibility ensures that services are available to people across age groups, diagnoses, and levels of care—something increasingly important in areas with fragmented behavioral health infrastructure.
Outpatient Services at the Center of a Sustainable Future
Today’s behavioral health needs are more complex than ever before, with growing demand in rural, suburban, and urban settings alike. Rather than rely on institutionalized care or single-specialty offerings, Pathways focuses heavily on outpatient behavioral health services—allowing people to access treatment in their own communities, without disruption to their families, education, or work lives.
With more than 5,000 team members and locations in 20 states and the District of Columbia, Pathways has built the kind of operational scale that’s ideal for long-term sustainability. Backed by Atar Capital, the company is investing in infrastructure that allows them to absorb new providers like PAIS while preserving local expertise and relationships.
This scalable, community-based approach has become a hallmark of their Behavioral Health Provider Expansion playbook. By adding new providers that already have deep local roots, Pathways is able to extend its clinical protocols, digital tools, and management systems to underserved areas—without displacing existing teams or causing service disruptions.
Strategic Acquisitions That Build More Than Territory
The acquisition of PAIS is part of a larger pattern of intentional and mission-aligned growth. In 2021, Pathways acquired Human Resource Training, Inc. (HRT), a provider of foster care and family social services in Arizona. That same year, they also added Renew Consulting, a residential behavioral health services provider based in Oregon.
Going back further, Pathways made a major leap in 2020 with the purchase of three Community Intervention Services (CIS) companies: Access Family Services, Family Behavioral Resources, and the Autism Education and Research Institute. These additions were not just about increasing geographic presence—they brought with them a wide range of service specialties and local knowledge that strengthened Pathways’ overall offering.
Each of these moves was carefully selected to support the organization’s long-term Behavioral Health Provider Expansion framework. Instead of simply growing for the sake of growth, Pathways prioritizes acquisitions that enhance care continuity, improve service access, and align with its values of equity, accountability, and clinical excellence.
What This Means for Communities in West Virginia
For residents across West Virginia, the acquisition of PAIS could be transformative. Rural counties often struggle to maintain consistent access to behavioral health services, and local providers may be under-resourced or narrowly specialized. Through the integration with Pathways, PAIS clients will benefit from expanded service lines, more coordinated care pathways, and potentially new investments in technology and clinical innovation.
Meanwhile, for the behavioral health workforce in West Virginia, this acquisition brings new opportunities for training, development, and long-term career growth. Being part of a national organization with regional autonomy offers stability, access to best practices, and peer support across state lines—without compromising on local culture or client relationships.
This model of Behavioral Health Provider Expansion—one that respects the strengths of local organizations while integrating them into a larger, resource-rich network—may become a template for how sustainable behavioral health care is delivered in the future.
A Bold Vision for Continued Expansion and Innovation
Looking ahead, Pathways has no intention of slowing down. As the behavioral health landscape evolves in response to increased demand, shifting payer expectations, and policy changes, Pathways is positioning itself as a national leader in outpatient and community-based care.
“In our company, we’re continuing our business momentum with expansion and we’re bullish on the future of mental health outpatient services,” Winters said. That optimism is backed by a track record of successfully integrating diverse providers into a unified, patient-centered model that can respond quickly to regional and national needs.
Behavioral Health Provider Expansion is not just about reaching more ZIP codes—it’s about delivering better, faster, and more personalized care to people who might otherwise fall through the cracks of the system. Pathways’ strategy reflects a deep understanding of how to scale services without sacrificing quality, relationships, or results.
Leading a New Chapter in Behavioral Health Care
In a fragmented mental health care environment, Pathways’ approach offers clarity and direction. By thoughtfully combining infrastructure, investment, and mission-driven partnerships, the organization is writing a new playbook for Behavioral Health Provider Expansion—one focused on accessibility, equity, and comprehensive care.
The addition of PAIS marks the beginning of a new chapter in West Virginia, one that holds promise for thousands of individuals and families seeking behavioral health support close to home. And for the broader industry, it signals that growth and quality can coexist when guided by vision, values, and a commitment to doing what’s best for the communities served.
