CSD Acquires New Mexico's BCI, Fueling Tech-Driven Autism Care Expansion

SAN FRANCISCO, CA & ALBUQUERQUE, NM – February 19, 2026 – By Sarah Hughes

Center for Social Dynamics (CSD), a prominent national provider of autism and behavioral health services, today announced its acquisition of Behavior Change Institute (BCI), a premier New Mexico-based provider celebrated for its clinical rigor and commitment to equitable care. The move marks a significant strategic expansion for CSD into the Southwest and signals a major effort to address longstanding gaps in autism services by combining a national technology platform with localized clinical excellence.

This union of two mission-aligned organizations aims to accelerate the delivery of evidence-based autism therapy, particularly in underserved rural and urban communities. For families in New Mexico, the acquisition promises continuity of care with their existing clinical teams while opening the door to CSD's broader suite of technological tools and support systems. For the broader behavioral health industry, it represents a key example of how strategic investment and technology are reshaping the landscape of care.

A Strategic Move to Bridge Care Gaps

The acquisition is being framed by both organizations as a “values-driven union” focused on impact beyond mere geographic expansion. New Mexico, like many parts of the American Southwest, has faced significant challenges in providing sufficient access to high-quality autism diagnosis and treatment services. BCI established itself as a cornerstone of the state's care network, earning a reputation for serving families across diverse communities and reducing barriers to early intervention.

“BCI has built an extraordinary model grounded in clinical rigor, service excellence, and equity in access,” said Kelly Bozarth, CEO of Center for Social Dynamics, in a statement. “By joining forces, we're accelerating our ability to bring breakthrough autism care to more families, faster — while continuing to invest in research, innovation, and the clinicians who make outcomes possible.”

This sentiment was echoed by BCI's leadership, who see the partnership as a way to scale their mission without sacrificing their core values. BCI was founded specifically to close gaps in access and elevate the standard of care with scientifically grounded, compassionate therapy. The institute is one of a select group of providers in New Mexico accredited by the Autism Commission on Quality (ACQ), a testament to its high standards.

“For us, this partnership is about expanding critical access with integrity—and advancing this mission faster than either organization could do on its own,” stated Kathleen Karimi, Co-Founder and CEO of Behavior Change Institute. “Joining CSD allows us to extend that mission nationally while preserving what makes our clinical culture special.”

For families currently served by BCI, the transition is designed to be seamless. They will continue to work with their established clinical teams while gaining access to CSD’s resources, which include immersive learning technologies and enhanced support tools for caregivers.

The Engine of Growth: Private Equity and National Expansion

This acquisition is the latest step in CSD’s deliberate, multi-year growth strategy, which has been heavily fueled by private equity investment. The company has a documented history of acquiring strong regional Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) providers to build its national footprint. Past acquisitions include Rocky Mountain ABA in Colorado (2020), JF Behavioral Services in Washington and Idaho (2021), and South Sound Behavior Therapy in Washington (2021).

This expansion is powered by CSD’s sponsor, Sustainable Investing at GS Alternatives, the investment arm of Goldman Sachs. In December 2024, Goldman Sachs Alternatives acquired CSD from its previous backer, NMS Capital, positioning the company for its next phase of growth. The investment aligns with the mission of GS Alternatives' Horizon Inclusive Growth fund, which targets high-growth companies that deliver measurable impact for underserved populations in sectors like healthcare and education.

This strategy is reflective of a larger trend in the U.S. healthcare market, where private equity firms have invested heavily in the behavioral health sector. The demand for autism services consistently outpaces the available supply of qualified providers, creating an opportunity for investors to fund consolidation and scaling. GS Alternatives has made other significant investments in the space, including its recent acquisition of LearnWell, a provider of mental health services for K-12 students, and its lead role in a $34 million investment in evolvedMD, which integrates behavioral health into primary care settings across several states, including New Mexico.

While such investments can rapidly expand service capacity, the trend has also prompted discussions among policy advocates about the long-term impacts of consolidation on competition and care quality.

Forging the Future of Therapy with Technology and Research

Perhaps the most significant aspect of the CSD-BCI merger is its potential to accelerate innovation in treatment delivery. The partnership explicitly aims to combine BCI's strong academic and research collaborations with CSD’s national data infrastructure and advanced educational technology platforms.

CSD has established itself as an “omni-channel provider,” delivering ABA therapy in-person at homes, schools, and centers, as well as virtually. The company’s “CSD Global Community” is an innovative digital ABA program that leverages telehealth, gamification, and even virtual reality (VR) to help clients practice skills in a safe, controlled environment. Having delivered over 965,000 telehealth hours, CSD has built a robust virtual care model designed to reduce wait times and eliminate geographic barriers to care.

By integrating BCI’s research-focused culture, the combined organization plans to accelerate the development of next-generation treatment models, personalized care pathways, and data-driven clinician training programs.

“This is an opportunity to take everything we've learned in best practice and patient-centered ABA treatment models and help raise the national standard for care,” said Joy Pollard, Co-Founder and Chief Clinical Officer of Behavior Change Institute. “By bringing together our shared clinical and research expertise with CSD's national platform and innovation capabilities, we can drive meaningful progress where it matters most — in clients' daily lives.”

This fusion of a national tech platform with regional research leadership reflects a broader evolution in ABA therapy. The industry is moving toward hybrid models that blend in-person and virtual sessions, using data analytics to track progress objectively and tailor interventions in real-time. The goal is to create more personalized, engaging, and effective therapy that leads to better long-term outcomes. This partnership aims not only to shorten waitlists in New Mexico but also to help write the next chapter in how evidence-based, technology-enhanced autism care is delivered across the country.