ARTICLES & INSIGHTS
Despite the industry's ongoing operational and reimbursement challenges, M&A activity has remained resilient. During the first half of 2026, Mergium's research identified 22 pediatric therapy M&A transactions, broadly consistent with the pace of activity observed during the first half of each year since 2020, excluding the exceptionally active markets of H1 2021 and H1 2022. Read more >
Who Is Buying Outpatient Mental Health Practices?
How Strategic Buyers, Private Equity, and Growth Capital Are Reshaping the Industry during 2026
The first half of 2026 demonstrates that outpatient mental health remains one of the most active segments of behavioral healthcare M&A.. Read more >
The merger and acquisition (M&A) landscape for the pediatric therapy sector—encompassing ABA, OT, PT, and ST—demonstrated remarkable resilience through the final quarter of 2025. While the middle of the year saw a period of recalibration, Q4 2025 concluded with a steady pulse of activity, driven by a continuation of private equity acquisitions, a clearing backlog of long-held private equity assets, and the confirmation of a structural shift toward strategic acquirers. Read more >
We usually receive requests from practice owners to discuss when to know if they are ready to sell their behavioral health practices. We point out some key issues: Read more >
We are frequently asked by sellers and buyers what are the EBITDA multiples for autism practices and for pediatric therapy practices. In this article we explain how to use this metric and provide some information about the multiples we see today in the marketplace. Finally, we argue that EBITDA multiples are only one indicator to value a pediatric therapy business. There is a more precise method. Read more >
We are frequently asked by sellers and buyers what the EBITDA multiples for schools are. That is how this article originated. In this article we explain how to use this metric and provide some information about the multiples we see today in the marketplace. Finally, we argue that EBITDA multiples are only one indicator to value a school. There is a more precise method. Read more >
In this article we present some aspects that school owners should take into account when planning to sell a school. By "school" we mean a network of childcare centers, preschools, K-12 or any other type of school, but it also includes a single location or school. Read more >
We have been assisting several owners of pediatric therapy companies (including ABA practices) to sale their companies. In this article we talk about several aspects that potential sellers should take into consideration before they start the sale process. The market for sale of pediatric practices is very active. Buyers are interested in acquiring practices that have solid profit margins and preferably presenting growth in revenues and net operating profits. Read more >
You found a good school (preschool or K-12 school) to acquire, did a valuation of the school, presented an offer to the Seller, and the Seller accept it. Then, what? Well, the next step is to confirm assumptions of your valuation and identify risks in acquiring the school. That is the purpose of the due diligence. Read more >