Sometimes the terms “inpatient” and “outpatient” can be confusing. One way to remember which is which is to remember that “in” indicates you are receiving treatment in a residential setting (you have moved “in”) while “out” indicates that you are receiving treatment while living elsewhere (you have moved “out”).
Other people think of inpatient treatment as a full-time job (because you are there, in treatment, all of the time) and outpatient treatment as a part-time job (because you spend some portion of some days, but not all day each day, in treatment).
In this blog entry, we want to share some information about Johnstown Heights Behavioral Health’s outpatient (part-time) treatment options. Let’s take a look at our program for adolescents, our in-person program for adults, and our virtual program for adults.
Before we do, a quick note about the nature of these programs. Each is what is known as an “intensive outpatient program” (sometimes abbreviated “IOP”). The word “intensive,” in this case, indicates that our treatment program extends beyond what a person would generally experience in a standard talk therapy session. You might think of an IOP as a middle position between residential treatment and seeing a therapist once a week for an hour.
The Intensive Outpatient Program for Adolescents
Many young people today are experiencing significant difficulties related to their mental health. There are a variety of reasons for this (and of course, each individual has unique challenges and needs), but regardless of the drivers of the trend, it is clear that many adolescents would benefit from structured mental health treatment.
Johnstown Heights’ intensive outpatient program for adolescents has been designed specifically to address the range of issues faced by young people between the ages of 13 and 17. These mental and behavioral health challenges may include (but are not limited to):
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Suicidal thoughts
The Johnstown Heights program can accommodate adolescents regardless of where they are in their treatment journey. For example, many participants enter the program directly from an initial assessment and referral. Others come to the program as they transition from an inpatient treatment experience.
In either case, our IOP for adolescents is built around an emphasis on structure, support, and a nurturing environment that cultivates adaptive coping skills essential for personal growth and well-being.
The Intensive Outpatient Program for Adults
For many adults, the day-to-day world of responsibilities is filled with stress, and that alone can lead to symptoms of a mental health disorder over time. Meanwhile, many people are simply predisposed to struggle with their mental health. No matter the origins or drivers of a person’s mental health difficulties, Johnstown Heights’ intensive outpatient program for adults can help.
In most ways, Johnstown Heights’ intensive outpatient program for adults mirrors our program for adolescents. The same sorts of disorders (including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and more) are treated, and individuals can join the program from various points along their treatment journey.
Adults in the IOP experience group therapy sessions that can lead to feelings of mutual support and understanding; ongoing physician oversight; and continued stabilization work that eases the transition back to daily life. Also, the flexible—and again, part-time—nature of the program means that an adult can maintain their various responsibilities at home and on the job while pursuing this variety of mental health care.
The Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program for Adults
For some people, a virtual version of the Johnstown Heights IOP works best. This option allows an adult to get the benefits of the program from the comfort and safety of their own home or other preferred space. The program includes group sessions so that the benefits of processing shared experiences and challenges is still available for those who pursue virtual treatment. This option provides maximum flexibility while also offering evidence-based, effective treatment for a whole range of mental health disorders.
We Are Always Here For You
The Johnstown Heights Behavioral Health staff includes highly trained psychiatrists, psychologists, medical doctors, nurses, therapists, and mental health technicians. And each of these individuals is dedicated to providing treatment grounded in evidence, expertise, experience, and empathy whether we are addressing a mental health disorder, a substance use disorder, or both.
Located in Johnstown, Colorado, Johnstown Heights is staffed by individuals committed to our core values of honesty, competence, perseverance, passion, respect, and teamwork. If you find yourself caught up in cycles of anxiety, depression, and substance—especially if traumatic experiences have contributed to your difficulties—we are ready and able to help you move forward and reclaim your quality of life.
It can be hard to make the decision—and then follow through on that decision—to get help for a mental health or substance use challenge. It can be all too easy to convince yourself that you can (or should) handle the situation on your own. But you don’t have to—and you shouldn’t. When you are ready to make a change for the better, Johnstown Heights Behavioral Health is ready to get to work.
