Paramount Wellness Centers seeks OHS approval for Stamford outpatient behavioral health center

Paramount Wellness Centers asked Connecticut’s Office of Health Strategy on Jan. 13 to approve a certificate of need to open a comprehensive outpatient behavioral health center in Stamford that would offer a full continuum of care — partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP) and outpatient services — for patients with substance use and primary mental health diagnoses.

The applicant’s co‑founder and chief financial officer, Chris Bartler, said Paramount’s prior CON approval in June 2022 for a detox residential program in Haddam and subsequent inpatient work motivate the proposed outpatient step‑down services. “I come before you today as an owner, investor, and a person in recovery, willing and able to help address Connecticut’s need for additional behavioral health services,” Bartler said, urging approval of the Stamford application.

Why it matters: Applicant witnesses told OHS the Stamford center would reduce gaps in post‑discharge care, lower relapse and readmission risk, and improve continuity because the same clinical team would provide multiple levels of care. Clinical director Cassandra (Cece) Ruela said the first 30…