Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Silver Hill Hospital is currently accepting enrollments for our Adolescent Group Program. This intensive outpatient program (IOP), for middle-and-high-school-aged teens 13-17/18, meets after school hours (3:00pm – 6:20pm), three times per week, for eight weeks. The group is intended for adolescents currently seeing a psychiatrist/therapist, who are looking to reinforce and accelerate their treatment through focused Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills-building alongside a group of supportive peers.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, is comprised of four core skills that help individuals navigate their lives with greater satisfaction and success. These include Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Interpersonal Effectiveness, and Emotion Regulation.
This intensive Silver Hill Hospital program, designed specifically for adolescents, has transformed the lives of hundreds of teens, helping them re-direct their behaviors and giving them newfound confidence and joy.
Learn more about all IOP services and see our Adolescent IOP Frequently Asked Questions below.
Diana Mitova, LMSW, IOP Social Worker
“As an outpatient clinician at Silver Hill Hospital’s Adolescent Outpatient Program, and prior intern, I have had the privilege of witnessing the transformative impact of our unique program on adolescents. What sets our outpatient program apart is our holistic approach, combining evidence-based therapies with a nurturing environment that empowers adolescents to grow and learn new skills. The most rewarding aspect of my role is seeing young individuals regain their confidence and strengthen their skill sets to navigate daily life challenges. Their success epitomizes the resilience and potential within each adolescent we serve at AIOP, making every day at this program an inspiring journey of growth and recovery.”
Adolescent IOP Frequently Asked Questions
What are the days and hours of the Adolescent IOP?
The Adolescent IOP takes place in person on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 3:00pm – 6:20pm at Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan, CT.
My child already has a psychiatrist and therapist. Why should we add this program too?
The Adolescent IOP is an intensive, focused program that teaches the core DBT skills in a manner and setting sensitive to the needs of adolescents and helps them apply these skills to their lives right away.
Most participants in Silver Hill Hospital’s IOP programs want to move their treatment forward assertively to meet goals and improve their lives. In addition to learning and practicing effective DBT skills, teens learn from their peers, and benefit from their support. The energy and dynamics between group members is sensitive and profound.
Adolescence is a special and finite time of life — Adolescent IOP participants and their families are motivated to enhance and improve this time as soon as they can.
What are the primary diagnoses of Adolescent IOP Participants?
The primary diagnoses for adolescents in our IOP program are anxiety, depression, and ADHD — other diagnoses are represented as well.
How big is the Adolescent IOP Group?
All IOP groups are limited to 12 participants to optimize interaction and peer support while allowing focus and individualized attention.
What might a typical 3:00pm – 6:20pm program day look like?
A typical group session will include Skills Training, learning and practicing new DBT skills with others in the group; Homework Review — after each session, ‘homework’ will be assigned to help practice the new skills being learned. The homework will be reviewed in a group setting with coaching from the group leader; and Experiential Therapies, Each week, all participants will also have a 1:1 meeting (20 minutes) with the group leader to discuss progress, treatment, and safety planning.
Do you stay in contact with my child’s current treatment team?
The Silver Hill Hospital IOP Team stays in contact with individual treatment teams, as well as school counselors, throughout the course of the IOP, sharing information and staying aligned with respective care and goals.
Do you accept insurance for the Adolescent IOP?
Yes. The Silver Hill Hospital Adolescent IOP is an insurance-based program.