Wilmington-based Clarity Counseling Center has been acquired by ARC Health Partners.

ARC Health, headquartered in Ohio, announced the addition in a recent news release, citing Clarity’s “provider-centric approach that reinforces clinical autonomy” and emphasizing the collaborative support that ARC’s equity-owning partners can provide one another.

The move, which a spokesperson said will not affect clients, expands ARC’s mental health care services to 23 partner practices across 92 locations in the United States. In North Carolina, that includes an existing presence in the Research Triangle through Lepage Associates.

Karin Kassab, founder of Clarity, will remain in her leadership role. She said she knew that for her Wilmington-based outpatient therapy practice to grow further, it would require a partner with not only substantial resources but also shared values.

“From the beginning, it was clear that ARC Health’s culture and vision for growth aligned with mine, and their partnership allows me to continue leading clinically while gaining the support to take our practice to the next level,” Kassab said. “We chose to move forward with ARC because the fit was clear.”

Kassab’s practice is a small-business success story. She founded the provider group in 2015 with the goal of not just matching clients with services but finding their best match, she said in a 2022 Greater Wilmington Business Journal interview celebrating her Coastal Entrepreneur Award win. Having responded to the community mental health challenges of the pandemic, including increased demand for telehealth, Clarity by 2022 was eyeing revenue of around $2 million.

“I knew I wanted to make money while also having a positive impact on the world, both at the same time, not one without the other,” Kassab said.

In 2024, Kassab's firm landed on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S., ranking No. 2,249 with 231% growth. Today, Clarity has more than three dozen therapists who provide in-person and online services to adults, teens, children and couples.

Part of the private equity firm Thurston Group, ARC Health has more than 1,300 clinical providers across 21 states. The firm’s leadership said they chose Clarity because it is a top-rated practice that is also well-operated, with strong clinical impact and community engagement.

“Clarity Counseling Center brings dynamic, compassionate energy to ARC Health’s network,” ARC Health CEO Vince Morra said.

The Thurston Group holds a portfolio of health care–related services, including dentistry, orthopedics, weight loss and aesthetics. The private equity firm also reported in November that it had returned more than $4 billion in invested capital over its nearly 40-year history.