BRAINS And Pine Rest Will Merge In October

Two West Michigan mental health services, Behavioral Resources And Institute for Neuropsychological Services (BRAINS) and Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services will merge on October 27th.  The press release suggests that Pine Crest is absorbing BRAINS:

https://www.pinerest.org/newsroom/announcement-items/pine-rest-and-brains-announce-merger-to-strengthen-access-to-pediatric-behavioral-health-services/

Pine Rest and BRAINS Announce Merger to Strengthen Access to Pediatric Behavioral Health Services
September 15, 2025

Families in Michigan will soon benefit from a more streamlined path to pediatric behavioral health services. Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services has announced an upcoming merger with BRAINS (Behavioral Resources And Institute for Neuropsychological Services), a long-standing local provider of psychological and neuropsychological assessment, counseling, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services.

Effective October 27, 2025, the merger will integrate BRAINS into Pine Rest’s full continuum of care, creating new efficiencies and coordination that will strengthen access to care.

“At the heart of this merger is a shared commitment to children and families in our community,” said Mark Eastburg, PhD, President and CEO of Pine Rest. “Families in West Michigan deserve timely, high-quality behavioral health care, and by joining with BRAINS, we can work together to reduce barriers, create efficiencies, and make it easier for families to get the services they need. This partnership allows us to strengthen specialized services like assessment, counseling, and ABA therapy, while connecting families seamlessly to Pine Rest’s broader continuum of care.”

BRAINS has served the West Michigan community for nearly two decades, earning a reputation for clinical excellence and innovation. Like Pine Rest, BRAINS is independently accredited — a distinction in behavioral health that underscores both organizations’ shared dedication to high-quality, evidence-based care.

“Our team at BRAINS has always been dedicated to helping children and families thrive,” said Michael Wolff, PsyD, ABN, ABPdN, Neuropsychologist and Co-Owner of BRAINS. “Joining Pine Rest allows us to continue that mission with the support of their world-class infrastructure and clinical expertise. Our staff can focus on providing the highest-quality assessments and multidisciplinary services, while families benefit from the connection to Pine Rest’s full continuum of services.”

The BRAINS office, located at 3292 N Evergreen Dr. NE in Grand Rapids, will remain open and fully operational, offering families convenient access to care while benefiting from Pine Rest’s infrastructure and organizational support. The name BRAINS will continue in recognition of their legacy of service, and the new name, BRAINS, A Service of Pine Rest, reflects their addition to the Pine Rest family. BRAINS staff will collaborate closely with Pine Rest’s programs for children and teens, including the Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health (PCBH), opening in spring 2026, to ensure coordinated, comprehensive care.

“Healthcare is increasingly complex, and partnerships like this are essential for sustaining and growing critical services,” Eastburg added. “By bringing BRAINS into Pine Rest, we’re ensuring that resources are better aligned, duplication is reduced, and families experience a more accessible path to the care they need.”