603-880-8188
info@directionbehavioralhealth.com
NEWS & UPDATES
IOP for Teen Depression in New England
At Direction Behavioral Health Associates, we provide comprehensive teen depression treatment for adolescents across New Hampshire, Greater Boston, and New England.
Is your teen struggling with depression?
If your teen is facing depression, the right support can make all the difference. At Direction Behavioral Health Associates, our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for depression offers structured, evidence-based care that goes beyond traditional therapy—without the need for full-time residential treatment.
Designed to fit into your teen’s daily life, our program helps them balance school, family, and extracurricular activities while receiving the support they need to heal and thrive. Using our “Wholeistic Education” model, we combine group therapy, creative expression, and movement-based therapy to build healthy coping strategies they can use throughout their life.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health
(NIMH), depression affects 1 in 5 teens before the age of 18. If conventional therapy isn’t enough, our IOP provides the structured support needed to help your teen find a way forward and thrive.
What is an IOP?
An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a structured mental health treatment that provides more support than weekly therapy while allowing teens to remain home and attend school.
IOPs are often recommended for adolescents who have completed a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) or require more intensive care than traditional outpatient therapy. The program is structured to address a teen’s specific mental health needs through a combination of therapy and social skill development, overseen by a team of certified clinicians.
For parents and guardians, an IOP for depression offers peace of mind—knowing your teen stays connected to family life while receiving consistent professional care in a supportive environment.
How do IOPs help treat teen depression?
Intensive Outpatient Programs provide a level of care between inpatient hospitalization and traditional therapy. Unlike residential treatment, an IOP allows teens to receive comprehensive therapy while maintaining a daily life at home and school.
Further
research from the NIMH indicates that Intensive Outpatient Programs can effectively lower the likelihood of future crisis events, enhance overall well-being, and decrease readmissions to inpatient treatment. Most IOPs involve a combination of treatments, including:
Individualized Treatment Plans
Upon starting an IOP, a teen receives an individualized treatment plan that aligns with their specific needs and goals. Treatment often includes a mix of therapy, coping skills training, and other supportive interventions to help the adolescent manage depression effectively.
Group Therapy
Group sessions offer adolescents a space to connect with peers who may be experiencing similar challenges. Typically, group therapy is facilitated by a trained clinician. These discussions encourage emotional expression, develop healthy coping strategies, and foster social confidence.
Recreational Activities
Many IOPs incorporate activities such as art, music, and movement to promote emotional regulation and self-expression. These structured activities can help relieve stress and build emotional resilience.
Medication Management
For teens who need medication as part of their treatment, psychiatric professionals work closely with families to administer safe and effective medication plans.
Your child is not alone — New England’s teens are struggling with their mental health.
If your teen is struggling with their mental health, you’re not alone — and there is hope. More teens than ever are facing challenges like depression, anxiety, and stress, but with the right support, they can build resilience, regain confidence, and work toward a healthier future.
Teen depression rates are on the rise
Rates of adolescent depression have been increasing over the past decade. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that the percentage of U.S. adolescents experiencing major depressive episodes rose from 8.1% in 2009 to 15.8% in 2019.
Many teens experience despair and have considered self-harm
Research from the American Psychological Association indicates that more than 20% of adolescents have reported consistent thoughts of hopelessness and considered self-harm or suicide as a response to emotional distress.
One in seven teens are diagnosed with a mental health condition.
The World Health Organization estimates that 15% of individuals aged 10-17 worldwide experience a mental disorder, highlighting the widespread impact of mental health challenges among teens.
Half of all lifetime mental illnesses start at age 14
A study originally published in Adolescent Psychiatry shows that nearly 50% of lifetime anxiety, mood, impulse-control, and substance use disorders appear by the age of 14, underscoring the importance of early identification and intervention.
For teens experiencing major depression, Intensive Outpatient Programs can provide consistent, structured support while they continue their daily lives. Exploring available mental health resources can help adolescents develop coping skills, build resilience, and improve their overall well-being.
Recognizing the Signs
What are the common signs of depression in teens?
Every teen expresses their emotions differently, so it is not always easy to recognize signs of depression when they need help.
If your adolescent has been experiencing any of the following for an extended period, it may be time to seek additional support:
- Feeling sad, irritable, or overwhelmed
- Losing interest in hobbies or activities they once enjoyed
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Struggling with focus, motivation, or schoolwork
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Expressing feelings of hopelessness or self-doubt
Seeking help is a sign of strength. With the right guidance and care, your teen can find joy again and go on to live a productive and meaningful life.
Is an IOP right for my teen?
Intensive Outpatient Programs can be a worthwhile treatment option for teens who have completed a higher level of care, such as a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), and no longer require full-time residential treatment. IOPs are well-suited for teens who need extra guidance in managing their emotions while maintaining their daily routines at home and school.
Can students in IOPs still attend school?
Yes, in most cases, teens participating in an IOP can continue attending school. Many programs schedule sessions in the late afternoon or evening. This structure helps teens stay engaged in their education and social circles while integrating coping strategies and other healthy habits.
How do we treat teen depression at Direction?
Our
Wholeistic Education Model blends proven therapy methods with engaging, hands-on activities that empower teens to build confidence and progress toward optimal wellness.
We’ve treated adolescents with:
How do IOPs work at Direction Behavioral Health Associates?
Our experienced clinicians take a holistic, hands-on approach to teen mental health treatment. We create a supportive space for growth through interactive sessions that incorporate music, art, team-building, and physical activities. Our goal is to help your teen develop healthy decision-making skills, build stronger social connections, and feel empowered in their mental well-being.
All of our students start with a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Every teen at DBHA begins with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and admission into our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP). This structured program provides a supportive environment where young people can focus on their mental health while staying connected to home and family.
A typical day in our Partial Hospitalization Program
Our PHP meets five hours a day, five days a week, immersing your child in a positive group culture that fosters growth, connection, and resilience. The length of stay varies based on individual needs, with some children attending for just a week and others for a longer period.
Once ready, your child will transition to our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), which meets three hours per day and helps them continue developing healthy coping skills while balancing school and daily life.
Our IOP goes beyond traditional mental health services
Depression is a whole-body experience that can affect not just our mental well-being but also our physical and emotional health. Our Wholeistic Education model works to strengthen all areas of your teen’s well-being.
A typical day in our Intensive Outpatient Program:
Our IOP treatment for teen depression builds on the foundation of our PHP, offering structured, intensive therapy in a flexible format. A typical day in our IOP might look like this:
- Group therapy sessions led by experienced clinicians
- Skill-building activities focused on emotional regulation and resilience
- Creative therapies such as art, music, and movement
- Opportunities for peer connection and social interaction
Make a healthy transition with our aftercare program
Wellness is a journey, and our support doesn’t end when your child completes the program. Our aftercare services provide continued guidance and resources to help teens maintain their progress and successfully reintegrate into daily life.
About Direction Behavioral Health Associates
Serving children and teens across New Hampshire, Greater Boston, and New England
Our mission
Since 2008, we’ve helped over 3,000 youths and their families find a path forward. We believe in focusing on solutions rather than dwelling on problems. Ultimately, our mission is to help your teen grow into a healthy and independent adult. That’s why we take a holistic approach, focusing on the basics of what sustains a healthy mind, body, and spirit.
Our staff
Owned and operated by a child and adolescent psychiatrist, DBHA carefully selects each clinician who best exemplifies our values and commitment to our treatment approach. Our staff loves working with teens and works hard to mirror the lifestyle and philosophies we teach in our IOP.
Our facility
Our Nashua, NH, facility provides a safe, supportive environment where teens can heal and grow through therapy, creative activities, and peer connections. Designed for comfort and engagement, it offers modern therapeutic spaces and holistic treatment approaches for families across New Hampshire, Greater Boston, and New England.
How to start treatment for your child or teen
Getting your teen the support they need is simple—no referral is needed, and we welcome teens from all backgrounds and situations. Call today to schedule an intake appointment, during which our team will assess your teen’s needs and determine whether our Intensive Outpatient Program is the right fit.
Our experienced professionals are here to answer your questions, guide you through the process, and help your teen take the next step toward healing and growth.
Looking for support and resources as a parent of a depressed teen?
You’re not alone. We understand the challenges and stress involved in caring for your teen, so we urge all parents and guardians to sign up for our Parenting Group. Regular meetings occur online and at our Nashua facility.
No fee is required, and you can choose your level of participation based on your schedule and individual needs.
Helping teens across New Hampshire and Greater Boston overcome depression.
At Direction Behavioral Health Associates, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to heal and thrive. Our programs provide the structure, guidance, and compassionate care needed to help teens regain confidence, develop healthy coping skills, and build a brighter future.
Contact us if you require teen depression treatment for your child in the New Hampshire, Greater Boston, or New England region.
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Serving families from across New England at our facility in Nashua, New Hampshire:
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Massachusetts
Greater Boston | Lowell | Tewksbury | Lawrence | Haverhill
Maine