About Us

On a Mission: Our Big Hairy Audacious Goal

Our big hairy audacious goal is to lead the way in driving teen and young adult anxiety, depression, and suicide from the all-time highs of today to all-time lows by 2028.

We’re Glad You’re Here!

Embark Behavioral Health is a leading nationwide network of outpatient centers and residential programs offering premier mental health treatment for preteens, teens, and young adults. Our locations are part of a continuum of care that provides a range of services built from over 25 years of specialization in serving youth.

Teen and young adult girl after receiving mental health treatment at Embark Behavioral Health.
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Mother and adolescent son smiling after talking about receiving mental health treatment at Embark Behavioral Health.
About Embark Behavioral Health’s core purpose.

We exist to create joy and heal generations.

About Embark Behavioral Health's vision.

To become the most respected, recognized, and valuable family behavioral health care company in the world.

About Embark

Five key differentiators set Embark apart from other behavioral health care providers.

 

  1. We offer a robust continuum of care that provides different levels of service and programming based on an individual’s changing needs, from virtual counseling to residential services.
  2. We have a deep legacy of over 25 years serving youths, focused on preteens, teens, and young adults.
  3. We collect thousands of data points and share feedback with families so we can adjust treatment in real time to improve results.
  4. We treat the entire family using an evidence-based and relationship-focused approach.
  5. We offer the highest levels of quality care and safety standards, with all programs accredited by The Joint Commission.
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Unique Clinical Model: CASA Framework

Embark uses the CASA Developmental Framework to inform all treatment and care. This proprietary framework’s purpose is to help developmentally heal and strengthen functional, mental, and physical health through commitment, acceptance, security, and attunement (also known as empathy in action).

Learn More About Our Approach
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Core Values

Our core values guide how we work and interact with employees and clients.

A heart demonstrating Embark Behavioral Health’s core value about empathy.

Empathy: Building a culture of understanding. When our employees and clients feel understood, they feel valued.

About Embark Behavioral Health’s core value of service.

Service: Serving others to serve ourselves. Service empowers our community to realize its true potential.

About Embark Behavioral Health’s core value of trusting relationships.

Trusting relationships: Building trust by building relationships. Your success is our success!

About Embark Behavioral Health’s core value of growth.

Growth: Being open to change. Every day is an opportunity to change, expand, adapt, and learn so we can be better than yesterday.

About Embark Behavioral Health’s core value of results.

Results: Achieving long-lasting, sustainable outcomes for our clients. The stakes are simply too high for Embark to fail to deliver.

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What We Treat

How We Treat

Types of Therapy

Our Programs

Embark Behavioral Health is a leading network of outpatient centers and residential programs offering premier mental health treatment.

Explore All Programs
Group therapy area and game area for teens at outpatient clinic in Buckhead, Georgia.
Therapy office at residential treatment center for teens and adolescents near Los Angeles.
Bedroom for teen and adolescent inpatients struggling with depression and anxiety at residential treatment center in Utah.
Teen girl and mother look at and talk about the different mental health and substance abuse programs at Embark Behavioral Health.
Family enjoys time together after talking about mental health treatment for anxiety and depression at Embark Behavioral Health.

The Embark Difference

We use client data throughout the treatment process to customize care — and adjust it if needed — for each client and their family. This allows us to achieve the best results possible.

Learn About Our Clinical Outcomes
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Our Stewardship Team

Alec Dorman

Alec Dorman
MBA

Sr. Vice President, Finance and Strategy
Sharnell Myles

Dr. Sharnell Myles
Psy.D., LPC, CCTP, CPCS

Chief Clinical Officer
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Ryan Penhallegon

Vice President, Human Resources

Dustin Tibbitts
LMFT

Division President Specialty Services & Admissions
Meet the Rest of the Team

Learn With Us

We have the most trusted experts in teen and young adult mental health treatment. Check out our blog for advice from many of these clinicians. It’s available to everyone on their healing journey.

Students laughing and chatting while hanging out — illustrating positive social moments that may contrast with challenges faced by individuals with ASD and attachment issues.

Supporting Children with ASD and Attachment Issues 

By Embark Behavioral Health |
Parenting a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often feels like navigating unfamiliar terrain. Social cues, emotions, and connections don’t always follow typical patterns. But what if these struggles aren’t about inability, but about a different way of experiencing the world?  ASD affects a child’s ability to communicate, interact, and behave in conventional ways. Many…
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2024 Outcomes

2024 Annual Outcomes Report Highlights

By Embark Behavioral Health |
Embark Behavioral Health reports strong therapeutic outcomes through comprehensive treatment approach and measurement-informed care 2024 Annual Outcomes Report Reveals Meaningful Improvements in Distress, Depression, Anxiety, and Long-Term Well-Being Chandler, Ariz. (April 28, 2025) — Embark Behavioral Health, a leading network of outpatient clinics and residential programs for children, adolescents, and young adults, released its 2024…
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Mother and daughter embracing the healing power of nature.

Embracing the Healing Power of Nature With Adventure Therapy

By Embark Behavioral Health |
In an era dominated by screens, reconnecting with nature is more important than ever. For those struggling with anxiety, depression, and self-doubt—especially teenagers—nature-based therapy can be life-changing. We spoke with Kendra Meiklejohn, MS, LCSW, an adventure therapy expert at Chrysalis, to explore how the healing power of nature foster resilience, healing, and self-discovery. The Connection…
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Small support group meeting to discuss coping strategies for suicidal ideation.

Understanding Suicidal Ideation in Teens: Finding Help

By Embark Behavioral Health |
Introduction The mental health crisis among high school students, teens, and young adults, particularly those from different groups with mental health problems and mental health conditions, is more pressing than ever, highlighting an urgent need to address this issue. With rising rates of anxiety, depression, and social pressures, many young people struggle with thoughts of…
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A therapist and teen girl discussing an intensive outpatient program depression treatment plan.

A Guide For Intensive Outpatient Program Depression Treatment

By Embark Behavioral Health |
Key Highlights What Is an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for Depression? An IOP offers a step up from traditional outpatient therapy, providing multiple sessions per week while allowing participants to continue their daily responsibilities. IOPs are designed for teens who need more support than weekly therapy but don’t require 24/7 supervision. These programs typically include:…
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A woman athlete with positive mental health.

Athlete Mental Health Treatment

By Embark Behavioral Health |
The importance of prioritizing mental health in athletes Mental health is essential for athletes’ well-being and success, yet many face challenges like anxiety, depression, and substance abuse due to the pressures of their sport. These struggles can be as debilitating as physical injuries, but early recognition and support, such as therapy and stress management, are…
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Embark has high standards of treatment at all programs and levels of care. Inherent in these standards is the assumption that children and youths thrive when they’re met with compassion and understanding and when given tools to navigate their struggles on their path to healing.

Learn About Our Standards of Treatment