US-based healthcare network Connections Wellness Group (CWG) has combined operations with two health service providers based in Tennessee, Integrated Addiction Care and Vertava Health.

The companies have launched a behavioural healthcare company, Blended Health, with the backing of growth equity investor Summit Partners.

Blended Health will focus on addressing acute mental health challenges in adolescents and adults, with a primary emphasis on group services through partial hospitalisation programmes (PHP) and intensive outpatient programmes (IOP).

The company is currently operating 18 clinics across Texas and Tennessee, with plans to expand further later this year.

It has a team of more than 400, including more than 300 medical psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners and licensed clinical therapists, who are providing both on-site and virtual treatment options.

In Texas, Blended Health will continue to operate under the consumer-facing brand CWG, which is a behavioural health service provider in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex area.

Blended Health plans to gradually adopt the CWG brand for all its Tennessee sites.  

CWG provides specialised PHP and IOP services, which are thought to offer more intensive therapy than traditional mental health care and serve as a local 'step down' from inpatient care.

All these programmes are available in both the day and evening and aim to prevent crises and reduce medical costs for local emergency rooms.

Blended Health was founded and is led by CEO Matt Morgan, who will lead the new executive team at Blended Health while CWG founder and former CEO Awstin Gregg has transitioned to an advisory role at Blended Health.

Morgan said: “We are focused on connecting people to what matters in mental health by providing PHP and IOP services to adolescents and adults in a unique and profound way.

“The care Blended Health provides will change lives. The impact we have on their lives today will shape the health of our communities tomorrow.”