Behavioral health facility to be built

SPRINGDALE — A new outpatient behavioral health facility will be built in Springdale.

The Planning Commission approved a development request from Sean McDonald, founder and clinical director for Waterstone Counseling Center, with a 7-1 vote Tuesday. Commissioner Vivi Haney cast the opposing vote because development elevation figures weren’t presented by Bates & Associates, the firm working on the development.

McDonald is looking to build a 5,800- to 6,000-squarefoot facility at 1672 S. 48th St., near Marketplace Grill.

“We’re growing, adding more counselors and clients,” McDonald said prior to the meeting. “We want to have a bigger presence in Northwest Arkansas.”

Waterstone is in the back office suites of the Milestone Construction building at 2002 S. 48th St.

It has been there since 2012, McDonald said.

“We currently have about 1,200 square feet,” he said. “We’re looking to have approximately 3,000 square feet with new facility, and we’re wanting to lease out an additional 3,000, so we’re hoping the building is 6,000 square feet.”

Waterstone, which is privately owned and not state-funded, has eight licensed counselors and treats 125 to 150 patients each week. A majority of the patients are adults 18 and older, McDonald said.

Waterstone provides marriage counseling, family counseling, group therapy and individual treatment. An

array of behavioral issues are treated, including depression, anxiety sexual abuse, sex addiction, alcohol addiction and substance addiction, McDonald said.

McDonald wants to add five counselors once the new facility is open, which he hopes will be next spring.

“We’re not looking to change how we provide service, we’re looking to grow and expand by adding more mental health counselors,” he said.

Half of Waterstone’s clients are from Washington County and the other half from Benton County, so keeping Waterstone in Springdale is ideal, McDonald said.

“Our clients from Fayetteville can get here in 10 to 15 minutes and our clients from Rogers and Bentonville can get here in 10 to 15 minutes, and it’s right off I-49,” he said.

“The City of Springdale has been very business friendly.”

“We want to have a bigger presence in Northwest Arkansas.”

— Sean McDonald, Waterstone Counseling Center