Behavioral health provider ARC Health has strengthened its national presence through the outpatient mental health acquisitions of two key practices: Relationship Therapy Center and The Ross Center. These acquisitions mark ARC Health’s fourth deal since its formation as a platform company and allow the organization to expand into the Mid-Atlantic region as well as suburban Minneapolis, solidifying its footprint across multiple key markets.
ARC Health, headquartered in Ohio, is backed by Chicago-based private equity firm Thurston Group. Originally known as Advanced Recovery Concepts, the company rebranded to ARC Health in August 2021. While financial terms were not disclosed, the deals continue ARC Health’s strategy of building a national outpatient mental health network through strategic outpatient mental health acquisitions.
The Ross Center: Regional Expansion and Clinical Depth
The Ross Center operates in Washington, D.C.; Vienna, Virginia; and New York City, employing more than 50 clinicians who treat both adults and children. Known for its focus on quality care and clinical outcomes, The Ross Center is a key addition to ARC Health’s network. Vince Morra, CEO of ARC Health, emphasized the alignment of this acquisition:
“The Ross Center, with their focus on quality care and superior outcomes, is a perfect example of the kind of practice we look to partner with. This partnership allows The Ross Center to maintain clinical autonomy and brand identity without sacrificing financial strength or stability.”
The Ross Center acquisition demonstrates how outpatient mental health acquisitions can integrate practices while preserving their unique culture and clinical independence.
Relationship Therapy Center: Expanding Couples Counseling Expertise
Based in St. Louis Park, Minneapolis, the Relationship Therapy Center is the largest couples therapy practice in the Midwest, employing over 30 specialized therapists. Founded in 2006 by Theresa Benoit and Jeb Sawyer, the practice brings expertise in relationship and couples counseling to ARC Health’s broader network.
Morra highlighted the significance:
“ARC Health is rounding out to be a full-service national mental-health organization.”
This acquisition shows how outpatient mental health acquisitions can enhance service offerings, providing additional expertise in specialized areas like couples therapy.
Growing a National Network
With these acquisitions, ARC Health now operates 17 locations across seven states and the District of Columbia and employs more than 300 providers. The company continues to follow a familiar model in the outpatient mental health space, using outpatient mental health acquisitions to consolidate independent practices into a national network.
Industry leaders like LifeStance Health Group, Refresh Mental Health, and Thriveworks have used similar strategies. LifeStance went public in June 2021, Refresh was acquired by Optum in March 2022, and Thriveworks raised $340 million in recapitalization in 2021. These examples show the growing trend of platform-based expansion through outpatient mental health acquisitions.
Private Equity Driving Growth
Private equity plays a critical role in enabling mental health acquisitions. Firms like Thurston Group provide financial backing and operational support, allowing independent practices to scale without compromising clinical quality. For clinicians, this means stability and resources, while patients gain expanded access to services and a more consistent standard of care.
Looking Ahead
ARC Health’s acquisitions of The Ross Center and Relationship Therapy Center illustrate the company’s strategic approach to building a national outpatient mental health network. By combining clinical excellence with the stability of private equity support, ARC Health is positioning itself as a national leader in outpatient behavioral health, delivering comprehensive care while preserving the unique identity of its partner practices.
As the outpatient mental health landscape evolves, ARC Health’s strategy demonstrates how mental health acquisitions can serve both business growth and improved access to high-quality mental health care across the United States.
