At Sonora Behavioral Health Hospital, located in Tucson, Arizona, we provide multiple outpatient programming options for adolescents ages 12-17 who are struggling with mental health conditions, substance use concerns, and eating disorders. Our intensive outpatient program (IOP), partial hospitalization program (PHP), and disordered eating program benefit patients who require longer-term therapeutic support than traditional outpatient programs offer.
About Our IOP
In our adolescent intensive outpatient program, we provide structured services for young people who don’t require round-the-clock care but aren’t quite ready to fully immerse themselves in their previous day-to-day routines. Patients can enter this program either directly or after completing a higher level of care at our facility.
At the IOP level, young people can take part in a variety of therapies, including individual, group, family, and experiential sessions. Programming takes place three hours per day, three days a week, with an average stay of 28-32 days.
Areas our adolescent IOP focuses on include:
- Coping with triggers
- Co-occurring disorders
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Anxiety management
- Healthy relationships
- Mindfulness and well-being
Our therapists take time to personally assist all patients in developing a care plan that is specifically designed to improve their quality of life.
About Our PHP
The more intensive level of our two adolescent outpatient programs, our partial hospitalization program is ideal for patients who are stepping down from our inpatient program or detoxification services. It is possible, however, to enter the PHP without completing a higher level of care.
Patients at the PHP level meet five hours a day, five days a week, with an average stay of 10-15 days.
Much like the IOP, the PHP focuses on topics such as acceptance skills, change skills, and relapse prevention skills. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is the foundational framework for the PHP, but our professional team also uses elements of:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- The 12-Step method
- The Gorski model of recovery and relapse prevention
All adolescent patients who participate in our PHP follow a personalized care plan that is designed to reflect their unique strengths, needs, and goals.
About Our Adolescent Disordered Eating Program
At our hospital in Arizona, we offer specialized outpatient programming for adolescents ages 12-17 who are suffering from a range of eating disorders and related behaviors, including binge eating, purging, anorexia, and bulimia.
The foundation of our disordered eating program is group therapy, with sessions held three days a week, three hours each day. Our licensed therapists are dedicated to helping adolescents explore and address topics related to their healing journey, such as:
- Disordered eating
- Lifestyle changes
- Coping strategies
- Communication skills
- Family dynamics
- Meal preparation
Additionally, adolescents can receive personalized guidance from a dietitian, who can help them understand the role of balanced nutrition in their overall well-being.
We can also offer transportation services within a 30-mile radius of our hospital, making care easily accessible for our patients.
Young people typically stay in this program for about 90 days, but this can vary based on their individual needs and progress.
If an adolescent believes that they can benefit from this program, they can reach out to our admissions department for assistance. One of our intake clinicians will work with the young person to complete an assessment, which typically takes about an hour. This first step allows us to gather more information about the adolescent’s specific circumstances and determine whether our disordered eating program is right for them.
By taking a comprehensive approach and providing support, expert guidance, and nutrition education, we aim to empower young people on their path to wellness and personal growth.
Continuing Care
From the time each adolescent enters our PHP, IOP, or disordered eating program, we begin crafting a detailed discharge plan that will offer ongoing resources once their time with us comes to an end.
Members of our staff, including psychiatrists, nurses, and therapists, are regularly involved in creating this discharge plan. It may include referrals to additional outpatient services, the identification of community resources, an introduction to support groups, and information about alumni services, among other elements.
We believe that with personalized, evidence-based care from our experts at Sonora Behavioral Health Hospital, each adolescent who comes to us for support can leave ready to live a healthier, more fulfilling life.
