Acadia Healthcare’s clinical operations span multiple treatment settings designed for different patient needs and acuity levels. The company’s 278 facilities across 40 states and Puerto Rico provide care ranging from crisis stabilization to extended residential treatment to community-based outpatient services.
Board Chairman Reeve Waud founded Acadia in 2005 and announced Debbie Osteen’s appointment as CEO in January 2026.
Acute Care for Immediate Needs
Acadia operates 52 acute care psychiatric facilities providing evaluation and crisis stabilization for patients with severe psychiatric diagnoses. These settings address immediate safety concerns and stabilize acute symptoms before patients transition to lower levels of care.
Acute psychiatric hospitalization typically involves short stays focused on medication management, safety stabilization, and treatment planning. Patients may be admitted voluntarily or through emergency commitment processes depending on circumstances and jurisdiction.
Specialty and Residential Treatment
The company’s 35 specialty treatment facilities focus on specific conditions including eating disorders and addiction. These programs provide concentrated treatment approaches matched to particular diagnoses.
Residential treatment centers-including 164 comprehensive treatment centers and 9 pediatric facilities-serve patients requiring extended care in structured environments. Some programs incorporate outdoor therapeutic activities, using nature-based settings as treatment components.
Outpatient and Community Services
Community-based programs serve patients who have completed higher levels of care or whose conditions can be managed without residential placement. Outpatient services include individual and group therapy, medication management, and recovery support.
These programs allow patients to maintain work, school, and family responsibilities while receiving behavioral health treatment. Outpatient care also provides step-down support for patients transitioning from inpatient or residential settings.
Quality and Outcomes Focus
Reeve Waud’s statement announcing Osteen’s appointment emphasized her “commitment to patients.” Clinical quality across Acadia’s network depends on consistent care standards, evidence-based programming, and qualified workforce.
The company serves more than 82,000 patients daily through its various programs. Osteen’s previous tenure from 2018 to 2022 included oversight of clinical operations and quality initiatives across the facility network.
Leadership Continuity
Osteen’s return provides continuity in clinical leadership. Her experience leading UHS’s behavioral health division for 19 years before joining Acadia, combined with her first Acadia tenure, provides perspective on care delivery at national scale. Reeve Waud selected her to maintain operational stability while the board searches for a permanent successor
Comments are closed.