About

Written by: Tom Cook, CEO

Built on Family. Rooted in Maryland. Driven by Compassion.

On Thanksgiving Day 2013, inside a crowded emergency room, two mental health professionals saw a system that wasn’t working. Patients in need of therapy were cycling through crisis care — with few outpatient options and long waitlists. That night, Dr. Hayley Porter and I knew there had to be a better way.

In early 2014, Balance Point Wellness was born in Maryland — a state we both called home. What began as a vision to deliver ethical, compassionate mental health care in people’s homes quickly evolved into something greater: a network of clinics grounded in human connection, community care, and clinical excellence.

With the addition of psychiatrist Dr. Aruna Rao and the support of spouses, family members, and close friends, Balance Point Wellness opened its first location in March 2014. Since then, the practice has grown across Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania, serving thousands of clients through therapy, psychiatry, school-based support, and wellness services.

But the soul of Balance Point has never changed. It remains what it started as: a safe space to be seen, to be heard, and to heal.

Why We Exist: There had to be something better than an ER visit to access care.

We founded Balance Point Wellness because we believe everyone deserves access to high-quality mental health support — not just in moments of crisis, but proactively, before things spiral.

We built this organization so people could schedule appointments on their terms, close to home, with providers they trust. Over time, we added wellness services like acupuncture and nutrition because healing doesn’t happen in silos — it happens when the mind and body are supported together.

Today, our mission is simple: empower people to find balance — whatever that looks like for them.

Our Core Belief: You are not broken. You are not alone. And it’s okay to ask for help.

At Balance Point, we don’t view mental health struggles as weaknesses. We see them as part of the human experience. Seeking therapy isn’t failure — it’s strength. It’s choosing growth, healing, and a better future.

Whether you’re walking into one of our clinics or logging on for a telehealth session, our goal is the same: to make you feel safe, understood, and supported — from day one. Our Impact Every day, we’re reminded why this work matters.

We’ve watched kids struggling in school build confidence and graduate. Adults battling depression get out of bed, rediscover joy, and re-engage with life. Behind every provider is a story — and behind every story is a client who was brave enough to say, “I’m ready.”

When we hear, “Your therapist changed my life,” we know we’re doing what we set out to do.

Our Culture: We’re not just a workplace. We’re a family.

Our providers are chosen not just for their credentials, but for their heart. We look for compassion. For humility. For clinicians who are committed to growing, who want to be the best for their clients and for themselves.

We support our team the way we support our clients — with care, collaboration, and real connection. At Balance Point, you don’t have to heal alone, and you don’t have to grow alone, either.

Our Vision: We want to be the name people trust when they hear “mental health.”

We aim to be a leading provider across the region — not because we’re the biggest, but because we’re the most ethical, the most compassionate, and the most client-centered.

We’re not a therapy app. We’re not a revolving door. We meet clients where they are and walk beside them — never ahead, never behind. You drive the journey. We ride passenger — equipped with a map, encouragement, and unwavering support.

Our Name: What does “Balance Point” mean to us?

It’s the place where care meets connection. Where ethics meet empathy. Where people — clients, staff, families — find a foundation for growth.

It’s not just a name. It’s a promise.