LifeStance Execs Emphasize Interventional Psychiatry's Role in 2027 Expansion Plans
Outpatient Mental Health Giant Aims for National Reach
By Ashleigh Hollowell | September 28, 2026
LifeStance Health (Nasdaq: LFST) is gearing up for a significant expansion in 2027, aiming to grow from its current presence in 34 states to all major U.S. markets, bringing them closer to operating nationwide.
Dan Ferris, the company's Chief Growth Officer, revealed that while mergers and acquisitions (M&A) will remain a key strategy, LifeStance intends to focus more on establishing new locations ("de novos") in their 2027 expansion plans.
"We likely will do more de novos going forward than we've done over the past few years, and we'll complement that with very purposeful, targeted M&A," Ferris stated.
Historical M&A Strategy Resumes
LifeStance has been an active participant in the behavioral health M&A market, temporarily pausing this strategy before restarting it earlier this year under CEO Dave Bourdon's leadership. Since then, the company has experienced a surge in adjusted profits and raised its full-year outlook, despite rising operational costs.
Targeted Acquisitions and Services
As LifeStance progresses on its growth trajectory into 2027, Ferris highlighted their interest in acquisition targets focused on:
- Treatment-resistant depression
- Provider psychological and neuropsychological testing
- High-quality therapy practices with scalable service lines
"When we enter a new geography, we want to start with these as the core services because we think that feeds everything else," Ferris explained.
Interventional Psychiatry at the Forefront
Expanding interventional psychiatry services is atop LifeStance's 2027 priorities. Dr. Stephanie Eken, the company's Chief Medical Officer, has been dedicated to this initiative. Given the potential of therapies like Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in treating treatment-resistant depression, expanding these services aligns with LifeStance's broader goal of enhancing support for this condition.