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Acadia Healthcare’s scale sets it apart in the behavioral health sector. With 278 facilities across 40 states and Puerto Rico, approximately 12,500 beds, and 25,500 employees, the Franklin, Tennessee-based company has built the largest standalone behavioral healthcare network in the United States. Each day, more than 82,000 patients receive care through Acadia’s programs.
The January 2026 appointment of Debbie Osteen as CEO, announced by Board Chairman Reeve B. Waud, positions the company to continue operating this extensive care delivery system.
A Network Built for Accessibility
Acadia’s geographic reach reflects a deliberate strategy to serve patients where they live. The company operates facilities in 40 states plus Puerto Rico, reducing the travel burden for patients and families seeking behavioral health treatment. Urban, suburban, and rural communities all have access points within Acadia’s network.
The company’s 21 joint venture partnerships with health systems extend this accessibility further. Partners like Henry Ford Hospital, Geisinger Health Systems, and Nebraska Methodist Health System contribute local relationships and community trust. These joint ventures often operate under partner names-Mount Carmel Behavioral Health in Columbus, Ohio, for example-integrating behavioral health services into established healthcare ecosystems.
Four Service Lines of Care
Acadia organizes its care delivery across four primary service lines. The company operates 52 acute care psychiatric facilities providing evaluation and crisis stabilization for patients with severe psychiatric diagnoses. Specialty treatment facilities-35 across the network-address specific conditions including eating disorders and addiction.
Residential treatment centers, including 9 pediatric facilities, serve patients requiring longer-term care in non-hospital settings. Some programs incorporate outdoor therapeutic components. Comprehensive treatment centers-164 facilities-provide continuum care for adults with addictive disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. Outpatient clinics round out the network, offering community-based services and step-down care.
The People Behind the Care
Acadia’s 25,500 employees include clinicians, therapists, nurses, physicians, and support staff. The workforce delivers care across all four service lines, implementing evidence-based treatment protocols and specialized programming for different patient populations.
Reeve B. Waud, who founded Acadia in 2005, has emphasized human capital throughout his career. “Human capital is at the heart of everything we do,” he has stated. That philosophy extends to Acadia, where clinical excellence depends on recruiting and retaining qualified behavioral health professionals.
Leadership Committed to Growth
Osteen’s return to the CEO role signals continuity in Acadia’s growth trajectory. During her previous tenure from 2018 to 2022, the company expanded its facility network and deepened its joint venture relationships. Reeve B. Waud’s announcement emphasized her track record: “Debbie is a mission-driven executive with a commitment to patients who helped transform Acadia into the leading provider of behavioral healthcare in the U.S.”
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