Discovery Behavioral Health Names New SUD Leader

Discovery Behavioral Health Inc. has named Jennifer Carvalho president of its substance use division.

The Irvine, California-based diversified behavioral health provider is promoting Carvalho to the role. She previously served as vice president of the substance use disorder division and CEO of the facility Casa Palmera in Del Mara, California.

Carvalho reports to Discovery Behavioral Health Chief Operating Officer James Bailey, according to a news release. Carvalho has also been elected to the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers board, an advocacy group and professional association, effective Jan. 1, 2023.

Discovery Behavioral Health is a fast-growing provider that offers mental health, addiction treatment and eating disorder services in its facilities. Specific clinical services include residential treatment centers, partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient programs and outpatient care.

The company was founded in 1985. It now operates more than 145 treatment centers. It also contracts with about 100 payers and managed care organizations.

The company is backed by Webster Equity Partners, which first invested in Discovery Behavioral Health in 2011.

“Our ability to navigate the shifting landscape of behavioral health is key to addressing the expanding national mental health crisis,” Carvalho said in the release. “Ease of connectivity creates access to care, and we do that through outreach efforts that allow for patient-centered paths to treatment, whether through a digital platform or inpatient services.”

Addiction treatment is a growing part of the company’s business. In August, Discovery Behavioral Health acquired Brookdale Premiere Addiction Recovery. The acquisition of the Scotrun, Pennsylvania-based 110-bed residential addiction treatment facility marks Discovery’s expansion into a 15th state market.

A month earlier, Discovery Behavioral Health acquired Anew Era TMS & Psychiatry. The latter operated 12 locations in Texas and California.

The terms for both deals were not disclosed.

The appointment of Carvalho is the second major change for the substance use disorder treatment division at Discovery Behavioral Health in the last year. In March, the company rolled out DiscoveryMD which offers a bundle of in-person and telehealth services that include transcranial magnetic stimulation, addiction medicine and psychedelic therapies.

“Jen’s work in patient access to care, stigma reduction and workforce development are known throughout the behavioral health industry, and her public speaking and the sharing of her own recovery experience have been an inspiration to scores of patients,” company CEO John Peloquin said in the release. “We welcome Jen as the newest member of our executive team.”