What Counseling Associates does

Counseling Associates, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community behavioral healthcare organization founded in 1972 and headquartered in Conway, Arkansas. It provides a full continuum of community-based mental health and substance abuse services across 10 counties in central Arkansas through 18+ outpatient clinic locations, supported by telehealth capabilities, 24/7 crisis intervention, school-based programs, and 38+ supported housing units (McCormack and Hartford Square Apartments). Core service lines include Crisis Intervention, Adult Outpatient, Children's Outpatient, Substance Abuse, Community Support, and Housing Services, plus specialized programs such as HAVEN (residential shelter for abused girls, operating since 1986), Therapeutic Foster Care, DASEP, Medication-Assisted Treatment, and the Lighthouse day rehabilitation program.

The company's revenue model is diversified across multiple payor streams: Medicaid (through three PASSE networks — Summit Community Care, Arkansas Total Care, and Empower), Medicare, commercial insurance, self-pay with sliding fee scale, state contracts (Arkansas Department of Human Services for DASEP/VIP), and federal grants (notably a $4 million SAMHSA expansion grant in 2021 for CCBHC development). Since February 2020, Counseling Associates has operated as an affiliate of Arisa Health, Inc., a member-affiliate structure that united four Arkansas behavioral health providers (Counseling Associates, Mid-South Health Systems, Ozark Guidance, Professional Counseling Associates) into the state's premier integrated behavioral health system covering 41 counties and approximately 1,200 employees. In October 2020, Arisa Health acquired the 46,486-square-foot Wilbur D. Mills Treatment Center in Searcy, expanding residential substance use disorder treatment capacity under the brand Arisa Health Recovery at Mills.

Technology infrastructure is modest but functional: an electronic health record system participating in the SHARE State Health Alliance for Records Exchange (Arkansas HIE) for health information interoperability, telehealth/televideo platforms deployed during COVID-19, and an InstaMed online payment portal. The organization holds CARF International accreditation, National Health Service Corps site designation, and is pursuing Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) status to enable a planned mobile integrated primary care clinic. The customer base is predominantly individual consumers — Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries, court-involved individuals, children in state custody, and adults with serious persistent mental illness — rather than enterprise or institutional clients.

Name

Counseling Associates

Legal name

Counseling Associates, Inc.

Website

https://caiinc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Counseling Associates is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community behavioral healthcare provider in central Arkansas, operating 18+ outpatient clinics across 10 counties to deliver mental health, substance abuse, crisis, housing, and child welfare services to Medicaid/Medicare beneficiaries and underserved populations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Behavioral Healthcare Services

NAICS

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) (621330), Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (623220), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011)

akta.pro primary industry

Outpatient Mental Health Clinics & Counseling Centers (HLAFACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Residential Mental Health Treatment Centers (HLAFACAC), School Counseling Services (EDAJAIAA), Mental Health Counseling & Psychotherapy Services (EDALAFAB), School Counseling & Guidance Services (Academic/Social-Emotional) (EDAJALAF)

Keywords

• Community mental health services
• Behavioral healthcare treatment
• Substance abuse counseling
• Crisis intervention services
• Outpatient mental health counseling

Headquarters

HQ city

Conway

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices18 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Medicaid Revenue: Accepts Medicaid, AR Kids, and is in PASSE provider networks of Summit Community Care, Arkansas Total Care, and Empower for Medicaid beneficiaries
2. Medicare Revenue: Accepts Medicare insurance plans
3. Commercial Insurance: Accepts most third party benefit plans and health insurance
4. Self-Pay and Sliding Fee Scale: Co-pay and self-pay amounts due at time of visit. Sliding fee scale available based on family size and income for patients who qualify
5. SAMHSA Grants: $4,000,000 SAMHSA expansion grant to develop Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) over two years in Central Arkansas
6. State Contracts: Contracts with Arkansas Department of Human Services for DASEP (Drug & Alcohol Safety Educational Program) services and VIP (Victim Impact Panel) services

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Counseling Associates is a non-profit community mental health center delivering a full continuum of behavioral healthcare services across 10 counties in central Arkansas. Its core offerings include 24-hour crisis intervention, adult and children's outpatient counseling, substance abuse treatment (including medication-assisted treatment and DWI/DUI classes), community support services for serious persistent mental illness, supportive housing, the HAVEN residential shelter for abused girls, therapeutic foster care, and the Lighthouse day rehabilitation program.

Product overview

Counseling Associates operates as a community-based behavioral healthcare organization offering a full continuum of innovative services through multiple integrated programs. The core service portfolio includes six main offerings: Crisis Intervention Services (24/7), Children's Outpatient Services, Adult Outpatient Services, Substance Abuse Services, Community Support Services, and Housing Services. These core services are delivered across 10 counties in Central Arkansas through multiple outpatient clinic locations. Specialized programs include the HAVEN residential shelter for abused girls, Therapeutic Foster Care, DASEP (Drug & Alcohol Safety Educational Program), Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), and the Lighthouse day rehabilitation program. The organization also provides housing through McCormack and Hartford Square Apartments. In 2021, Counseling Associates (as an affiliate of Arisa Health) launched development of a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) with a $4M SAMHSA grant, including a planned mobile integrated primary care clinic. The organization recently acquired Wilbur D. Mills Treatment Center, now operating as Arisa Health Recovery at Mills.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Crisis Intervention Services 24-hour crisis intervention delivered at area hospitals and law enforcement agencies for consumers in crisis. Services include suicide and homicide risk assessment, self-injury response, psychosis management, and acute care coordination. After Hours Crisis Lines serve all 10 counties.
• Children's Outpatient Services Pediatric behavioral health services for children and youth endorsing a System of Care treatment philosophy. Includes individual, family, and group counseling, crisis intervention, intensive case management, summer programs, therapeutic foster care, and school-based services. Coordinates with families and youth in client-specific treatment planning.
• Adult Outpatient Services Mental health services for adults including individual, marital, and family therapy, medication management, psychological and psychiatric assessments, substance abuse treatment, 24/7 emergency and acute care, and forensic evaluations.
• Substance Abuse Services Premier provider of substance abuse treatment and education delivering quality, access, and value services. Includes outpatient counseling, DWI/DUI classes, multiple offenders groups, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), the DASEP program, and a harm reduction-based philosophy of care.
• Community Support Services Rehabilitative, recovery-based approach helping individuals with serious persistent mental illness and their families function in communities. Includes case management, medication management, therapeutic day rehab, group therapy, supportive housing, and recovery-based services.
• Housing Services Housing program helping adults with serious mental illness reach their fullest potential. Provides over 38 housing opportunities through McCormack Apartments in Conway and Hartford Square Apartments in Russellville, with on-site day treatment, case management, medication management, and therapy.
• HAVEN Program Residential shelter for abused girls ages 6-18 providing hope and stability. Focuses on youth who have been physically/sexually abused, neglected, abandoned, or homeless. Provides mental health services including individual and group therapy, psychiatric evaluation, medication management, family therapy, and after-school programs.
• Therapeutic Foster Care Program Program for children who have been abused or neglected. Therapeutic Foster Parents care for youth under 18 years of age with specialized training and support.
• DASEP (Drug & Alcohol Safety Educational Program) State-certified program contracted with Arkansas Department of Human Services providing DWI/DUI educational classes, pre-sentence screenings, and treatment recommendations for offenders convicted of alcohol/drug-related driving offenses.
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Treatment program for substance abuse using FDA-approved medications in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies to provide a comprehensive approach to substance use disorder treatment.
• Lighthouse Program Day rehabilitation program providing transportation, day treatment, and individual and group therapy for individuals suffering from serious and persistent mental illness.
• Mobile Integrated Primary Care Clinic Mobile clinic providing whole health approach with general medical care, health maintenance screenings, vaccinations, and chronic disease management for consumers with the greatest behavioral health needs. Care coordination and peer support specialists anchor the program.

Quantifiable outcome

• 92% satisfaction rate among primary referral sources surveyed
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Arisa Health, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounseling Associates is an affiliate of Arisa Health, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that brought together four of Arkansas' leading behavioral health providers (Counseling Associates, Mid-South Health Systems, Ozark Guidance, and Professional Counseling Associates) to form the state's premier integrated behavioral health system. The affiliation was finalized February 28, 2020 using a member-affiliate structure. Arisa Health provides services across 41 counties in northern Arkansas.
• Johnson County Court SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Honorable Judge Sarah Capp and Counseling Associates collaborated on a court referral program in Johnson County. The initiative provides criminal offenders opportunity to seek rehabilitation through mental health treatment. Successful program completion may result in dismissal of fines and charges.
• Summit Community CarecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCounseling Associates is in the PASSE provider network of Summit Community Care for Medicaid beneficiaries
• Arkansas Total CarecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCounseling Associates is in the PASSE provider network of Arkansas Total Care for Medicaid beneficiaries
• Empower (PASSE)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCounseling Associates is in the PASSE provider network of Empower for Medicaid beneficiaries
• UCA Veterans Services OfficeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLauren Schluterman, Director of Crisis and Forensics Services for Arisa Health's central region, presented checks on behalf of Counseling Associates and Professional Counseling Associates to the UCA Veterans Services Office. Funding was made possible by the CARES Act to aid veteran students and families.
• Wilbur D. Mills Treatment CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArisa Health acquired the Wilbur D. Mills Treatment Center in Searcy, Arkansas. The 46,486 square foot facility includes a residential facility, outpatient clinic, and small apartment complex. Now called Arisa Health Recovery at Mills, it provides residential treatment and observational detoxification services. Operations initially handled by approximately 25 staff in partnership with Delta Recovery Center in Forrest City.
• SHARE (State Health Alliance for Records Exchange)coreTechnology or IntegrationArisa Health is a participant in SHARE, part of the Arkansas Health Information Exchange (HIE). Health information is made available to participating healthcare providers unless patient opts out.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Methodist Family Health: Arkansas-based nonprofit behavioral health provider offering residential, outpatient, and crisis services primarily in central Arkansas. Regional peer based on overlapping Arkansas geography and shared CARF-accredited, faith-sponsored nonprofit operating model.
• Bridgeway Healthcare Services: Arkansas behavioral health provider offering outpatient mental health, substance abuse, and residential services across central and north-central Arkansas. Regional peer given direct market overlap with Counseling Associates' service counties in Conway, Pope, and surrounding areas.

Broad incumbents

• Centerstone: One of the largest U.S. nonprofit behavioral health providers, operating across multiple states with comprehensive outpatient, crisis, and residential services. Broad incumbent peer illustrating the scale benchmarks and operating model that consolidated multi-state CMHC systems pursue.
• Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services: Michigan-based nonprofit behavioral health system operating a full continuum of outpatient, residential, and inpatient services with comparable CARF accreditation. Broad incumbent peer useful for benchmarking the size and operating leverage of faith-or-mission-sponsored CMHC systems.
• Chestnut Health Systems: Illinois-based nonprofit behavioral health provider offering outpatient mental health, substance use, and integrated primary care across multiple counties. Broad incumbent peer given comparable CARF accreditation and a CCBHC-like integrated service model.
• Compass Health Network: Large Missouri-based community mental health organization serving more than 200 locations with full-continuum behavioral health services. Broad incumbent peer given comparable scale, multi-county service area, and CMHC operating model.
• Volunteers of America Behavioral Health: National nonprofit operating residential, community-based, and outpatient behavioral health programs with emphasis on underserved populations. Broad incumbent peer reflecting the federally-funded, mission-driven nonprofit CMHC playbook within which Counseling Associates competes.

Direct peers

• Professional Counseling Associates: Arkansas-based community mental health center and Arisa Health affiliate operating outpatient and school-based services in central Arkansas. Direct peer given shared CMHC operating model and joint affiliation with Counseling Associates under the Arisa Health parent structure.
• Mid-South Health Systems: Arkansas community mental health center serving the Jonesboro/northeast Arkansas region as an Arisa Health affiliate. Direct peer providing nearly identical outpatient, crisis, psychiatric, and substance use services under the same Arisa Health umbrella.
• Ozark Guidance: Arkansas-based community mental health center and fellow Arisa Health affiliate offering outpatient, crisis, and substance use services across northwest Arkansas. Direct peer based on shared CMHC operating model, identical CARF accreditation framework, and same parent-affiliate governance under Arisa Health.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CounselingAsso6
• Facebookfacebook.com/caiinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/counselingassociates

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Counseling Associates