603-880-8188
info@directionbehavioralhealth.com
NEWS & UPDATES
NEWS & UPDATES
Teen Intensive Outpatient Program
Step with your child toward mental wellness with a program designed to work with school but offer more focused care than weekly individual therapy.
Since 2008, our IOP has helped teens ages 13–21 with intermediate mental health symptoms like depression, mood swings, anxiety, or behavioral challenges throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
Looking for a new Direction in mental wellness?
Join 3,000+ children and their families who’ve discovered a brighter future with us
We at Direction Behavioral Health offer a comprehensive and evidence-based teen intensive outpatient program (IOP) to help adolescents address a variety of mental health issues. Offering an intermediate level of care, our program for teens is a step up from individual therapy sessions and doesn’t require hospitalization.
Bored with traditional mental healthcare programs? Us too.
Our team understands that the conventional approach to mental health can often feel boring and uninspiring. That's why our programs are designed to break free from the constraints of traditional therapy, offering dynamic, interactive experiences that resonate with today's youth.
We focus on innovative, experiential learning that incorporates art, music, nature, and physical activities, so healing feels much more like an adventure than a chore.
Who our Teen Intensive Outpatient Program helps
As the only program of its kind in the region, we offer a much-needed intermediate level of care for teens who have needs that are too complex to be effectively managed in an office outpatient setting but don’t reach the threshold warranting inpatient hospitalization.
In addition to those from New Hampshire and Massachusetts, we have families who travel from Vermont and Maine to seek our unique approach to mental health treatment.
What is an intensive outpatient program (IOP)?
An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a structured therapeutic intervention designed for those who require more support than traditional outpatient therapy but don’t need the level of care provided in a residential or inpatient setting. This program works well for adolescents who have finished a teen Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) or inpatient psychiatric care, as well as those who need more structure than teen counseling.
Here at Direction, we’ll create an individualized treatment plan tailored to your child so every aspect of their care aligns with their needs, goals, and challenges.
We’ve helped children with a variety of diagnoses:
IOP STRUCTURE
A day in the life at the IOP in Nashua
The IOP structure at Direction is designed to provide intensive support while allowing young individuals to maintain their daily schedule, namely school, and lasts for three hours per day.
01
Psychiatric Evaluation and Treatment
Our Medical Director provides a thorough psychiatric evaluation to all adolescents entering our program, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of their mental health needs. For those young individuals for whom it’s appropriate, we offer medication management as part of their treatment plan.
02
Group Therapy
Group therapy forms the core component of treatment in our teen IOP and is led by the therapist duo Valerie Boles and Erin White. The treatment model we have created and refined over the years is called Wholeistic Education, and it’s our gold standard, regardless of one’s diagnosis.
03
Activities
We offer a range of activities designed to support the development of each teen in our program, including art and music therapy and physical activities like yoga, walks, and sports, all aimed at boosting self-expression, emotional release, and a sense of accomplishment.
04
Parenting Groups
We offer two Parenting Groups per week, one in-person and one virtually. In it, we teach
Direction’s Wholeistic Education, why it’s so effective, and how it can be transformative in your own family.
Level of Care
The teen IOP operates five days a week between 3 PM and 6 PM.
Facility
Our facility at Millyard Technology Park is truly state-of-the-art, boasting 8,500 square feet spread over two levels. Our digs have exciting features like a gym with a basketball hoop, a pickleball net, and professional-grade exercise equipment. For our more musically inclined kids, we have numerous musical instruments and premium recording equipment.
Program Length
All teens in the IOP start with the PHP, which typically lasts from 1-3 months. While everything is on a case-by-case basis, and there’s a large range of 5 weeks to 6 months, most teens fall around 2-3 months in the IOP.
Transportation
Transportation to and from the program must be provided by the family, though some children may be able to drive themselves.
Wholeistic Education Treatment Model
Direction’s Wholeistic Education teaches kids how to build and maintain healthy relationships to improve their ability to function in the world, and it’s the heart and soul of our program.
From a treatment perspective, it can be considered how we “do group therapy” at Direction. From a broader perspective, it’s an educational model designed to help all group members function better in the world and move toward a state of optimal wellness.
TESTIMONIALS
“Direction was there for me...”
“Direction was there for me as a teenager, up into the start of my twenties. I'm very fond of them and still keep in contact. I really feel strongly that if it wasn't for the help I got from them, I would lack a lot of skills I need for dealing with the world around me. . . . I don't always feel like patients come first at some places. With Direction, I always felt like my needs were the priority and came before any other issue.”
—M.B.
“The group has really helped me connect with people and help deal with my anger. I feel safe in the space provided by the Direction members.”
—N.G.
Help for teens from a team with clinical expertise
Our team, led by Dr. Duncan Gill, is comprised of highly skilled and knowledgeable professionals with both a passion for helping kids and a great sense of humor—both of which are necessary attributes for one to have in a counseling position.
Getting your Teen Started with Direction
Beginning the intake process with us is simple, as we strive to make this initial step as seamless and stress-free as possible for both teens and their families.
No formal Referral Necessary—just call!
Kids come from hospitals, emergency rooms, schools, homes, and pretty much everywhere else. We don't need any particular formal "referral"—just give us a call.
Step-by-Step Process:
- Call to schedule intake
- Caretaker brings the teen in for the intake
- We determine if it’s the right fit
If there is a waitlist, we will send the patient resources to help in the meantime and will let you know when an opening becomes available.
Other Resources
You can also:
- Take a look at our Parent Handbook for details about the program and our philosophy.
- Attend our Parenting Group either online or in person; it’s open to the public.
- Stop by and pick up a free copy of our book, The Art of Direction.
- Browse the rest of our website—there's some interesting stuff!
Insurance Coverage
The program is paid for by the vast majority of insurance plans.
BOOK A VISIT
An effective IOP for New Hampshire & Massachusetts teens
Our teen intensive outpatient program at Direction Behavioral Health is designed to accommodate the busy lives of adolescents in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and beyond, allowing them to engage in their education while benefiting from therapeutic interventions tailored to their specific needs.
With a focus on building coping skills, enhancing emotional regulation, and promoting resilience, our program empowers teens to navigate their challenges effectively within a compassionate environment.
LINKS
CONTACT US
Serving families from across New England at our facility in Nashua, New Hampshire:
New Hampshire
Nashua | Merrimack | Manchester | Concord | Seacoast
Massachusetts
Lowell | Tewksbury | Lawrence | Haverhill
Maine