Tucson’s Outpatient Programs for Adolescents

Sonora Behavioral Health Hospital provides multiple outpatient programming options for adolescents ages 12-17 who are struggling with mental health or substance use disorders. Both our intensive outpatient program (IOP) and partial hospitalization program (PHP) benefit patients who require longer-term therapeutic treatment than traditional outpatient programs offer.

About IOP

Our adolescent intensive outpatient program provides 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.

Treatment at the IOP level consists of a variety of individual, group, family, and experiential therapy sessions. Programming lasts for 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 treatment plan that is specifically designed to improve their quality of life.

About 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 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 with IOP, PHP focuses on topics such as acceptance skills, change skills, and relapse prevention skills. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is the foundational framework for 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 PHP benefit from a personalized treatment plan that is designed to reflect their unique strengths, needs, and goals.

Continuing Care

From the time each adolescent enters either PHP or IOP, we begin crafting a detailed discharge plan that will offer ongoing resources once their time in treatment is complete.

Members of our staff, including psychiatrists, nurses, and therapists, are regularly involved in creating this discharge document. 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 treatment from our experts at Sonora Behavioral Health Hospital, each adolescent who comes to us for care can leave ready to live a healthier, more fulfilling life.

I know my disorder might not completely go away forever, but I know how to deal with it now. Sonora taught me I am stronger than it and how to be a fighter!

– Vicky S.