As a parent concerned about their teen’s mental health, it can be hard to know how to help your child. Teen mental health treatments come in many varieties, and not all treatment strategies will be right for your teen. Finding a good treatment option can be especially difficult if your teen has not found success with past treatments. For example, your teen may have made little to no progress in traditional therapy. Fortunately, there are still great options available. Group therapy can be a highly effective form of treatment, especially when used in synergy with other kinds of therapy and education.
Group therapy for teens: 2 top programs
There are two core mental health program types that utilize group therapy. One is intensive outpatient programs (IOPs). These programs offer structured short-term treatment in a safe environment. An IOP can provide the benefits of focused daily care while enabling your child to live their life as usual during school hours. Another strategy that integrates group therapy is partial hospitalization programs (PHPs). PHPs are designed for people who need more support than traditional outpatient care can offer. These programs help teens with severe mental health conditions achieve lasting improvement.
If you’re not sure what kind of treatment is right for your teen, a free clinical consultation can help determine what route may deliver the best results. To make informed care decisions, it can also be beneficial to learn more about the details and benefits of different programs.
Intensive outpatient program (IOP): Key details and benefits
Are you looking for more intensive treatment for your teen than traditional outpatient therapy? An intensive outpatient program (IOP) might be the best option for your teen. While IOPs integrate a range of treatment techniques, they are designed with a therapeutic focus. An IOP care team can help your teen address their symptoms through therapeutic frameworks. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). Your teen may also benefit from treatments such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). ACT is an approach that focuses on mindfulness and emotional regulation. Here are some of the key advantages of IOPs:
- Flexibility — An IOP for teens is built to accommodate your teen’s scheduling needs. After-school therapy hours are typically available. This can enable your teen to benefit from therapy sessions without missing class. The flexibility of an IOP means your teen can work toward improvement while avoiding major disruptions in their daily life.
- Personalized treatment — Mental health is complicated. Every patient is different, and the best treatment providers recognize that patients are more than their diagnoses. Teens require nuance in their treatment approach. IOPs and PHPs both involve personalized treatment. With care tailored to their needs, your teen can have their concerns heard and addressed as they progress toward recovery.
- Skill-building opportunities — An IOP offers group therapy and one-on-one sessions. This means your teen will have plenty of opportunities to build coping skills during their course of treatment. The skills that your teen develops will last a lifetime, providing continual benefits.
Partial hospitalization program (PHP): Key details and benefits
When severe symptoms make it difficult for your teen to thrive in their typical setting, partial hospitalization may be the answer. Partial hospitalization programs offer a high level of care designed to meet patients where they are. As a possible alternative to full hospitalization, a PHP can provide your teen with the support they need while allowing for time at home with your family.
- Transitional support — Is your teen currently transitioning from residential or in-patient treatment? A PHP can be a great step in their transition back to the demands of life outside of a residential, or in-patient, setting. PHPs work to help teens identify manageable goals and improve their functioning with the end goal of a successful transition.
- Medication management — Teens experiencing mental health conditions are often prescribed medications. While medications can be beneficial, it is often hard for parents to ensure that their teen actually adheres to treatment. You may also have trouble determining whether your teen’s dosage and medication type are actually effective. A good PHP will integrate medication management into their approach. This means keeping your teen on track and adjusting medications as needed. With medication management, your teen can find a course of treatment that works.
- Social skills — PHPs typically involve a range of group activities. These can include group therapy as well as recreational activities and outings. By spending time around peers in a safe, supportive setting, your teen can hone their social skills. Group activities provide a space for your teen to practice skills such as communication and conflict resolution.
Embrace U integrates peer support into teen mental health treatment
Ready to help your teen take the next step on their treatment journey? Embrace U can help. Our intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs are designed to help teens benefit from treatments including group therapy and other activities that revolve around peer support.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.