Intensive Outpatient Therapy

The SBHS Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) allows children and adolescents who do not need a full day program, or who have successfully completed a full day program, to attend school while continuing to receive intensive treatment Monday through Friday.  The IOP program is group based and is designed to strengthen and reinforce skills in communication, conflict resolution, anger management, emotional regulation, and general cooping.  Treatment incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Expressive Therapy, and psychoeducation.

The Intensive Outpatient Program is held five days a week, Monday – Friday, from 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. during the academic year and from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. during the Summer Tools for Success in School program. Programming during the academic year allows participants to attend school each morning, and to attend intensive treatment each afternoon. The SBHS IOP team is made up of a multi-disciplinary team consisting of psychiatrists and Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse practitioners, nurses, licensed therapists, expressive therapists, and behavioral health technicians with the focus of developing individualized treatment interventions for each participant.

The SBHS Intensive Outpatient Program serves as a transitional step between intensive programming and return to school, as it allows children and teens to return to their school environments half of the day, while continuing to receive intensive treatments that supports successful transition and return to important aspects of each participant’s daily life.  This is particularly important for participants who struggle at school and at home, as attending IOP, for part of the school day affords opportunity to apply new skills to daily interactions in the participant’s natural environments (school or home), then to attend IOP to discuss their experiences of using new skills, to evaluate their effectiveness, to process the related experiences, and to role play to practice and refine skills.  This allows participants to build confidence in their abilities to incorporate skills learned in treatment to their actual daily interactions and experiences.

Individuals in the program are split into groups based on their age with separate programming for Tots (ages 4-6), Children (ages 7-10), Pre-Teens (ages 11-13), and Adolescents (ages 14-17).  Each program uses evidenced-based interventions that are developmentally appropriate for the age and needs of the group members.  Participants receive individual therapy and family therapy by an assigned therapist.  The therapist also provides consultation and recommendations to the individuals school based on what is being worked on in the therapeutic environment.  A psychiatrist and/or Advanced Practice Nurse provide medication consultation and management to all participants.  IOP participants receive lunch at the start of each programming day.

Children and adolescents participating in the IOP program typically participate for 12-15 days over a 3-4 week period, although this varies from participant to participant based on individual needs.

To schedule an intake assessment for our IOP program, please contact the Outpatient Intake Department at 630-837-9000 and enter extension 2074.