The landscape of mental health care has transformed in recent years, with virtual care becoming a critical component of treatment options. Before the onset of the pandemic, virtual care, and telehealth were unfamiliar to many, including clinicians, doctors, and patients alike. However, the necessity of providing mental health services remotely has brought virtual Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) to more individuals in need and increased access to these crucial services. 

Outpatient therapy, whether virtual or in person, is valuable for many patients; however, it is not sufficient for everyone. For individuals whose symptoms prevent them from functioning fully in their daily lives and who require multiple physical and mental health providers working collaboratively, more comprehensive and specialized treatment is essential. This need has made PHP and IOP levels of mental health care indispensable, preventing unnecessary emergency room visits and inpatient hospital stays. Below, we address the top questions about these virtual services and explore why immediate access to the proper level of mental health care is crucial. 

What are PHP and IOP? 

PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program) 

PHP is a full-day program, typically lasting 5 hours a day, that patients attend daily, though typically not on weekends. It is designed for individuals who are experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, OCD, trauma, or other mental health issues that interfere with daily functioning. PHP offers intensive support and structure, combining group therapy, individual therapy, family therapy, and psychiatric care. 

IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) 

IOP is a half-day program, lasting 3 hours a day, that patients attend 3 to 5 days (or evenings) per week. IOP is ideal for individuals who need more support than traditional outpatient therapy but do not require the full-day structure or intensity of PHP.  

Both PHP and IOP programs at Compass Health Center are tailored to the developmental stages and specific mental health conditions of our patients, including depression, anxiety disorders, trauma, OCD, bipolar disorder, school anxiety and refusal, child dysregulation, chronic pain and illness, substance use, and other co-occurring disorders. 

Comprehensive Treatment Approach 

Whether delivered in-person or virtually, both PHP and IOP programs are centered around interactive, group-based therapy and individual care. The group therapy curriculum is based on scientifically proven treatment models. Individual care includes psychiatry, individual therapy, family therapy, and additional specialized services if needed. Areas where specialized services are offered include school anxiety and refusal, trauma, obsessive-compulsive disorder, chronic pain and illness, and co-occurring substance use. 

Treatment plans are developed by a multidisciplinary treatment team led by psychiatrists in consultation with the patient, their family and support network and their outpatient team. Virtual programs at Compass Health Center differ from other virtual mental health treatment options in terms of increased accessibility and frequency of meeting with a psychiatrist at both the PHP and IOP levels of care. Compass’s virtual programs are highly engaging and interactive, specialized, and ideal for people who need or prefer to access support and care from home. 

Integrated and Collaborative Care 

The coordination of care amongst and between treatment providers is essential for maximizing clinical outcomes in the shortest period possible. Additionally, it cannot and should not be expected that a person experiencing a mental health crisis be able to navigate and coordinate amongst multiple treatment providers. Compass’s model solves this in two crucial ways. First, by providing multiple treatment modalities under one roof within a multi-disciplinary team, mental health treatment is optimized. Second, our model ensures that the mental health treatment team at Compass coordinates care with all mental and physical health treatment providers a person has outside of Compass. This is particularly crucial when treating a patient with co- occurring and complex diagnoses. Our multidisciplinary teams and the foundation of our care model, deliver comprehensive services within one system, optimizing patient convenience and care coordination. 

Do I Need Virtual PHP/IOP Services?

 Assessing the Need for Comprehensive Care 

The goal of the PHP and IOP levels of care is short-term stabilization for individuals who are unable to function in their daily lives, need more support than available in weekly outpatient therapy, or who need crisis-level support. Many individuals ‘step up’ to a more comprehensive level of care (usually from an outpatient psychiatrist or outpatient therapist) due to needing additional support. Some individuals ‘step down’ from inpatient or residential treatment facilities into a PHP. Others access these intermediate levels of care without any prior treatment history. Regardless of the most recent level of care, the goal is to return individuals to their daily functioning with the ability to manage their symptoms more effectively. 

Specialization and Personalization 

Compass Health Center specializes in mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, OCD, school anxiety and refusal, and also provides comprehensive support for co-occurring diagnoses, such as substance use and chronic pain and illness. Our programs are delivered based on age for children (ages 5-13), teens (ages 13 to 18), young adults (ages 18 to 23), and adults (ages 23 and up). Woven through our age-based programs, we offer specialty services to meet the needs of each individual in need of Compass Health Center’s care. 

Recommendations and Assessment Process 

Recommendations for care are made by an expert therapist based on a virtual assessment discussion. Virtual assessments are an opportunity to determine whether and which program would be a good fit and if the individual is interested in Compass Health Center services. It is an opportunity for the individual exploring treatment to share their story as well as to ask questions and discuss any concerns. 

What Can I Expect from Virtual Mental Health Programs? 

Adapting to Virtual Care 

Compass Health Center’s virtual mental health programs, while delivered differently, are designed to directly mirror in-person programs. Programs run for the same hours, involve treatment teams of the same make-up, and offer a customized approach to treatment but are adapted to a virtual format in numerous ways. Since launching Compass Virtual programs, patient treatment outcomes have been consistent with our in-person programs. 

Technology and Engagement 

We leverage Microsoft Teams, a HIPAA-compliant teleconferencing platform, for both group and individual work. Our patients remark that sometimes they forget that they are not in the same room as the rest of the group. Others find this to be a more helpful platform for interaction given their symptoms or schedules. Nearly all individuals who try a virtual PHP or IOP find it to exceed their expectations and find the level of engagement to be meaningful and impactful. 

Immediate and Specialized Care 

Addressing the Mental Health Crisis 

Our country is experiencing a major mental health crisis. The lack of mental health resources leads to long waitlists for treatment, unnecessary trips to the emergency room, and delays in detection and treatment of mental illness. On average, it takes 11 years to receive mental health treatment after symptoms first appear. This startling statistic would not be acceptable with most other health conditions, yet stigma and shortages in skilled providers continue to present barriers to care. 

Importance of Early Intervention 

Early intervention in mental health can prevent symptoms from worsening, reduce the risk of crises, and promote better health outcomes. People suffering from mental health illness deserve specialized care that is evidence-based, age-appropriate, and immediately available in-person and virtually. Access to immediate, specialized, and comprehensive care ensures that people receive the right treatment when they need it most and prevents the potential for under-treatment and over-treatment. Our Contact Center provides extended evening hours and weekend availability for assessments, ensuring individuals and families can get the support they need within 24 hours of placing their first phone call. 

Compass Health Center's Evidence-Based Approach 

Our analysis of over 2,300 patient outcomes for 2023 highlights the effectiveness of our recommended PHP and IOP treatment plans. Patients completing these plans experienced a 53% reduction in depression severity and a 50% reduction in anxiety severity. These outcomes demonstrate the transformative impact of our evidence-based approach and personalized treatment lengths when properly followed by in-person and virtual program participants alike. 

Comprehensive Treatment Services 

Compass Health Center provides multiple, effective treatment approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and mindfulness-based interventions. Studies show that the most effective interventions use a combination of evidence-based treatment and medication, depending on the symptoms and needs of the individual. Compass Health Center utilizes both interventions as a part of a multidisciplinary team approach. 

Key Components of PHP and IOP Programs 

• Immediate Access: We ensure a mental health assessment within 24 hours of your initial inquiry to prevent symptoms from escalating. Patients can start the program as soon as the next day. 

• Psychiatric Evaluations: A psychiatric evaluation is conducted within 24-48 hours of beginning a program to better understand the unique needs of each patient. Regular psychiatric consultations and medication management are provided to support ongoing treatment and adjustment of care plans as needed. 

• Specialized Care: Evidence-based care led by specialist therapists to help individuals and families understand the relationship between mental health and their unique needs, including OCD, trauma, anxiety, school refusal, depression, mental health and substance use, bipolar disorder, chronic pain and illness, and child dysregulation. 

• Therapeutic Services: Daily evidence-based, structured group therapy sessions foster peer support and shared growth. One-on-one individual therapy sessions with compassionate master's level clinicians who specialize in age-based care. Weekly family or couples therapy as an integral part of the healing journey. Creative and experiential therapies, such as art and yoga, engage patients on multiple levels. 

Addressing Complex Diagnoses 

Compass Health Center addresses mental health diagnoses with a personalized approach. Each case is evaluated individually to ensure the best fit for one of our specialized programs. In instances where Compass Health Center may not be the most suitable option for a patient, we collaborate closely with the patient, their healthcare team, and/or their family members to find a more suitable alternative. Our commitment extends to guiding them towards the appropriate level of care by providing comprehensive referrals and support throughout the process. 

Flexible Treatment Options Means Immediate Access to Care 

The mental health crisis in our country requires immediate and effective solutions. Compass Health Center understands the importance of flexibility and accessibility in mental health care. We offer both in-person and virtual care options to meet the diverse needs of our patients. Virtual care is designed to mirror in-person programming, providing the same level of engagement and support through a HIPAA-compliant teleconferencing platform. Our patients often find virtual care to be as effective as in-person care, with the added convenience of accessing treatment from their own homes. 

Through timely access to specialized, evidence-based mental health care, we ensure that individuals receive the support they need to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Early intervention, personalized treatment, and comprehensive care are at the heart of our approach, transforming mental health care and promoting positive outcomes for our patients. If you or a loved one is in need of mental health support, we encourage you to ask for help. You can always reach out to Compass Health Center to learn more about our programs and how we can best support you.