BUSINESS PROFILE Walden Behavioral Care expands Waltham company opens a treatment clinic in Milford and buys Atlanta Center for Eating Disorders
The MetroWest Daily NewsFeb 14, 2017
Walden's owner,
QUESTION: How did you come up with the name?
ANSWER: We started
Walden is headquartered in
In Waltham, we continue to offer inpatient treatment at our original location,
Our newest clinic for intensive outpatient treatment is at Suite 201,
Q: Why was the business started?
A: We wanted to provide the best chance of a lasting recovery for those struggling with eating disorders and other psychiatric conditions. Thirty million Americans will be impacted by eating disorders in their lifetime. They have the highest mortality rate among all psychiatric disorders – 20 percent of those who don’t receive treatment will unfortunately die as a result of the disorder. That’s staggering and, frankly, unacceptable. I wanted to help change that, giving those impacted the best possible help and support, as close to home as possible.
In the early 1990s, I created
In time, Walden had a license and was operating a 23-bed inpatient unit within the building. Today, we’re proud to have 11 locations across
Q: Why did you choose your current locale?
A: I like to think our original Waltham location chose us. We recognized that the former Waltham Hospital, located just 10 miles outside of
What we soon realized, though, is that treatment doesn’t end when someone is medically stabilized – in fact, it’s just beginning. There were limited, if any, local options to confidently send patients to upon discharge. As a result, we continued to build our community-based approach with the establishment of our eight outpatient clinics, as well as a residential facility. While 24/7 care is absolutely essential in select cases, one’s road to recovery is mostly spent in lower levels of care.
Our belief is that individuals receiving treatment should be as close to home as possible, with minimal interruptions to their daily lives. I’m proud to say many of our current patients live at home, go to school and maintain their jobs while in treatment. No matter where you live in MetroWest, the best possible treatment is no more than an hour away.
Our new
Q: Has your business expanded?
A: We’ve seen phenomenal growth. Since starting in 2003, we’ve opened 11 locations across
We’re not stopping there – we always have our eyes set on any strategic business development and expansion opportunities aimed at providing even more convenient care for individuals and families across the region.
Q: What did you do before you started this business?
A: I had unique opportunities to create and develop several other behavioral health care companies prior to Walden. I was the founder of
Q: Is this your first business?
A: Walden is the third company I created under my mission of providing behavioral health treatment to under-served populations. Prior to Walden, I co-founded
Q: What does your company do?
A: Walden provides personalized treatment and support for individuals and families impacted by all forms of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, ARFID (avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder) and all other types of disordered eating. Our specialized focus is on the evidence-based behavioral therapy and skills training proven to provide the best chance for a lasting recovery.
We also ensure that treatment is close to home as possible. Like most mental health conditions, recovery from an eating disorder doesn’t happen overnight. While it’s absolutely possible, it takes time – sometimes months or even years. There are often many challenges and setbacks. Walden’s full system of care, which includes inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient and outpatient care, means the right level of treatment and support is always available nearby.
Q: What makes you different from the competition?
A: We are the only community-based eating disorder provider in
Q: What is the price of your service?
A: Like most health-care providers, cost always varies between individuals. Walden’s commitment, though, is making eating disorder treatment as accessible and cost-efficient as possible. We have contracted with most major insurance carriers, and we accept individuals of all genders and ages.
Q: What is your yearly revenue?
A: Walden is a private company, but has experienced approximately 20 percent growth year after year.
Q: Any future plans?
A: Walden is always exploring additional locations – both in
While we work to minimize cases, eating disorders aren’t going away – and we want to help as many people as possible.
Q: How many employees do you have?
A: Our dedicated team of more than 350 clinicians and staff is specialized in eating disorders, and includes physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, dietitians, mental health counselors and therapists, among others. We are independently owned.
—