New Program Addresses Need for Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Support
To address the need for local, intensive outpatient behavioral health intervention for area youth, MyMichigan Health will launch a new, grant-funded Intensive Outpatient Therapy (IOP) program specifically designed to address adolescent mental health. The program is made possible through a grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund.
Intensive outpatient programs are designed to help youth who need more care than what is offered in a traditional outpatient care setting, but with less intensity than inpatient behavioral health or partial hospitalization programs. They also provide a good alternative as a step-down setting from inpatient care for participants who are stable enough for discharge but are not at the point of being fully engaged in all activities of their daily lives.
“Behavioral health crises in youth without treatment interventions can lead to significant challenges and may ultimately break down a healthy family,” said Kathy Dollard, Psy.D., L.P., director, Behavioral Health Service Line at MyMichigan Health. “This IOP program features the best practices for adolescent behavioral health treatment including a commitment to providing community resources. The program allows adolescents to continue to function in the safety and security of their family and community while learning to manage and cope with behavioral health symptoms.”
The program, set to begin in early 2025, will offer comprehensive, evidence-based therapy and support to adolescents ages 12 to 17 who may be struggling with a range of issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma and stress of daily life. By offering structured therapeutic sessions conveniently timed after school hours, participants return to their home environment in the evening. IOP is an important alternative to inpatient care, providing flexibility and continued family involvement.
During the last 18 months, MyMichigan’s Emergency Departments in Alpena, Bay City, Clare, Gladwin, Midland, Mt. Pleasant and West Branch have treated nearly 700 patients for behavioral health concerns with one-fourth of those patients being seen in the Midland Emergency Department. Behavioral health treatment options for youth in crisis are limited and there are currently no IOP programs for adolescents in the mid-Michigan region.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Michigan Health Endowment Fund for making this program a reality,” said Dr. Dollard. “The need for mental health services among adolescents has never been greater, and this program will give young people in our community the tools and support they need to navigate challenging times.”
The IOP program aims to stabilize clinical conditions, reduce symptoms and impairments, and avert or reduce inpatient hospitalizations while providing medically necessary treatment for those who cannot be effectively treated in a less intensive level of care. Participants will attend a three-hour session facilitated by licensed mental health professionals with experience in adolescent care. Sessions occur three times a week with overall participation typically lasting 30 days up to three months.
The primary treatments through the IOP program include group therapy, psychoeducational sessions and medication management. Additionally, MyMichigan will offer individual counseling, family therapy sessions, care management and activity-based learning. Treatment will use two evidence-based treatment models, Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT) and adolescent Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
“Our goal with this IOP program is to give adolescents the tools to function within their family system, feel more hopeful about their future, find purpose and get back into their routines,” said Megan Dahl, L.M.S.W., supervisor and behavioral health therapist at MyMichigan Health. “Intensive outpatient programs can provide structure to those leaving an inpatient setting who are still in the beginning of their recovery. The program can help participants achieve the next level of stability and functionality.”
Keeping patients close to home helps reduce the burden of long-distance transportation challenges and encourages family and support-system involvement in the treatment plan. The aim of the IOP is to provide the appropriate level of care for patients, keeping them in their home or regional community while also keeping them in school so that they don’t fall behind.
“This is an investment in our communities’ youth and their families,” adds Dr. Dollard. “MyMichigan can now provide critical services to adolescents who need the support through high-quality mental health treatment.”
MyMichigan Health is a leading provider of mental health services dedicated to improving the well-being of individuals and families. With a focus on compassionate care and evidence-based practices, MyMichigan offers a range of adult programs including inpatient care, office-based care, partial hospitalization programs, senior outpatient therapy and integrated behavioral health to meet the diverse needs of our communities. Those interested in learning more about MyMichigan’s behavioral health services at www.mymichigan.org/mentalhealth.
About the Michigan Health Endowment Fund
The Michigan Health Endowment Fund works to improve the health and wellness of Michigan residents and reduce the cost of healthcare, with a special focus on children and seniors. www.mihealthfund.org.
