Fort Wayne, Indiana Leading Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program

Intensive outpatient programming can provide well-rounded support for people who need more extensive care than what is offered through traditional outpatient services. In some cases, patients participate in an intensive outpatient program after they’ve completed a higher level of care, such as inpatient programming. Other patients begin intensive outpatient programming without receiving any prior care. One of our admissions counselors can help each person determine whether an IOP would best meet their needs. 

At Maple Heights Behavioral Health, patients participate in intensive outpatient programming three days a week for three hours each day. Outside of programming hours, patients can work, go to school, maintain their daily routines, and spend time with friends and family.  

Our IOPs offer flexible care options that allow individuals to get the help they need without taking time away from their daily responsibilities. By participating in our programming, people can learn new skills and gain self-confidence, leading to long-term healing. 

At our hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana, we admit patients on a case-by-case basis. Our admissions counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer questions and help people determine whether our intensive outpatient programming is the ideal option for their needs. We are pleased to speak with prospective patients, their family members, and referral sources who need more information about the services we provide.  

Once someone has been admitted to our care, they complete a thorough assessment that allows our staff to gather details about their medical history, symptoms, and treatment goals. Our experienced professionals use this information to create a detailed care plan that includes the therapies and services they believe will be best for the patient. 

Our intensive outpatient programs serve people who meet the following criteria:  

• Adults age 18 and older for our adult IOP 
• Adolescents ages 12-17 for our adolescent IOP 
• Suffering from a mental health disorder 
• Experiencing frequent maladaptive thoughts or behavior distortions 
• Experiencing symptoms that are affecting their relationships and their school or work performance 
• Can fully engage in all parts of intensive outpatient programming  
• Able to manage medication independently or with an outpatient psychiatrist 
• Have a stable living environment 
• Capable of understanding materials presented in therapy 
• Do not need 24/7 supervision  

In our IOPs, we provide care for people who have the following mental health concerns: 

• Major depressive disorder 
• Generalized anxiety disorder 
• Posttraumatic stress disorder 
• Bipolar disorder 
• Psychosis 
• Self-harm 
• Suicidal ideation 

Our intensive outpatient programming may not be the best fit for someone who is having a mental health crisis that requires emergency medical intervention. In cases like this, we can refer the person to a program that may better meet their needs. Additionally, if the person is violent and could put the safety of other patients and staff members at risk, we are not equipped to provide them with care in our intensive outpatient programs. 

At Maple Heights Behavioral Health, we take all aspects of a person’s symptoms, background, and therapeutic goals into consideration before admitting them to our care. If we are unable to offer the assistance that can best help them heal, we can provide an appropriate referral. We work with many affiliate hospitals and programs that can provide excellent services for people no matter where they may be on their healing journeys. 

Receiving care in our IOPs can help patients maintain stability, learn new skills, and reduce the need for stabilization services provided in higher levels of care. Our intensive outpatient programming is designed to allow people to apply the things they learn each day in programming in their homes and communities. 

In our intensive outpatient programs, a team of specialized professionals works with each patient to:  

• Teach them coping strategies 
• Help them identify and alter negative thought patterns 
• Motivate them to make positive behavioral changes 
• Teach them how to create and maintain healthy boundaries 
• Help them learn how to manage their symptoms 
• Build a support network of peers and professionals 

• Guide them as they return to daily activities, including school, work, and home life 

Before participating in our intensive outpatient programming, each patient completes a thorough evaluation that allows our staff to create a personalized care plan for them. Depending on the patient’s individual needs, their care plan may include daily group therapy, where they can meet other patients and offer one another support. 

Group therapy sessions may incorporate the principles and practices of various evidence-based modalities, such as: 

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Counselors use CBT to help patients identify and alter negative thought patterns that may be holding them back from healing. 
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): Through DBT, patients can learn emotion regulation and behavior management skills. 

While in group therapy sessions, patients may have the opportunity to discuss a number of topics, including:  

• Identifying feelings  
• Thinking errors 
• Coping skills 
• Distress tolerance 
• Mindfulness 
• Changing negative thought patterns  
• Communication  
• Managing moods  
• Self-esteem and self-efficacy  
• Assertiveness  
• Problem-solving  
• Goal setting  
• Crisis prevention  
• Healthy boundaries  
• Relationships  
• Managing the effects of trauma  

Therapy sessions in our IOPs are led by licensed social workers or other experienced professionals. The length of stay in our intensive outpatient programming is typically around six weeks, though the amount of time each patient spends in one of our IOPs is based on the progress they make. Our team gets to know each patient on an individual basis and monitors their progress so that they can alter their care plan if needed.  

Adolescents and adults who take part in intensive outpatient programming at Maple Heights Behavioral Health can benefit from the following features:  

• Customized care: We believe that highly tailored care is the most effective, so our team strives to provide each patient with personalized services and therapies. Every patient in our intensive outpatient programming follows a care plan that is designed based on the information we learn about their history, symptoms, and needs. 
• Experienced professionals: In our intensive outpatient programs, patients work with mental health and medical professionals who ensure that they receive well-rounded services. Each person on our staff is highly trained and committed to providing clinically excellent care.  
• Safe environment: Patients who participate in our intensive outpatient programming can receive care in a safe and welcoming environment where they can focus on healing.  
• Shared support: In our IOPs, patients can develop support networks of peers and professionals. The support networks patients build while taking part in our intensive outpatient programming can benefit them long after they’ve left our hospital. 
• Aftercare planning: Because we see participation in our IOPs as only one step on someone’s healing journey, we provide each patient with a comprehensive aftercare plan before they leave our hospital. This plan may include referrals for outpatient services and other community resources that can help them maintain the progress they made during their time with us.  

We are also pleased to offer virtual programming options for adolescents in response to the growing need for accessible mental health support for young people. Through virtual services, we can provide adolescents with the support they need from the comfort and convenience of their own homes. Virtual programming primarily consists of group therapy sessions conducted via secure videoconferencing platforms, ensuring privacy and confidentiality for all participants.  

To take part in our virtual IOP, adolescents must meet the following requirements: 

• Have a parent or guardian present for group sessions 
• Be seated in a private, quiet area where they can freely express themselves without fear of judgment or interruption 
• Have reliable internet access to ensure seamless connectivity during group sessions 
• Have web camera access to engage in face-to-face interactions with group facilitators and peers 
• Actively participate in group discussions for the duration of the program 

To learn more about the therapies and services we offer in our intensive outpatient programs at Maple Heights Behavioral Health, please reach out to our team. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer your questions or help you begin the admissions process.  

If we determine that our intensive outpatient programming may be the ideal fit for you, we can continue the admissions process. Because we want to connect people with the care they need as quickly as possible, we have an easy and efficient admissions process, and our team can walk you through every step.  

This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Maple Heights Behavioral Health.