TAMPA’S TOP ADOLESCENT INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM

North Tampa Behavioral Health provides a well-rounded adolescent intensive outpatient program designed for young patients who are facing behavioral health concerns that disrupt their daily lives. For some patients, receiving care in our adolescent program is the first time they get treatment, while others may transition to the program from a higher level of care. In either case, our goal with the adolescent IOP is to help young patients develop healthy coping mechanisms and apply those skills to their lives outside the program. 

In our adolescent IOP, we offer structured care that combines group therapy, evidence-based modalities, and additional services as needed. Our experienced team of professionals includes licensed therapists, psychiatrists, registered nurses (RNs), intake specialists, nutritionists, yoga instructors, and other medical and support staff. Together, they create customized care plans to meet each patient’s unique needs.  

North Tampa Behavioral Health’s qualified intake counselors work with adolescents and their parents, guardians, or physicians to determine if our IOP is the level of care that will be most beneficial. From the clinical assessment to discharge planning, our goal is to build trust with our young patients and their families so that they can access the help they need today and gain hope for tomorrow.  

In our adolescent IOP, we serve young people ages 13-17 who are suffering from behavioral health concerns that significantly impact their daily functioning. Our state-of-the-art hospital offers a safe and comfortable environment where adolescents can receive the care they need without feeling like they’re in an institutional setting.  

Recognizing that young people have busy schedules, our adolescent IOP is designed with flexibility in mind. Typically, patients participate in programming for three hours a day, three days a week. For adolescent patients who are unable to take part in programming in person, we also offer a virtual option.  

While the typical length of stay in our adolescent IOP ranges from one to 16 weeks, the actual time a patient spends in the program depends on their unique needs and the progress they make while in our care.  

We are able to provide care for adolescents who are struggling with many different types of behavioral health concerns, including:  

• Anxiety 
• Depression 
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 
• Bipolar disorder 
• Substance use disorders 

Our adolescent intensive outpatient program is ideal for young patients who would benefit from individualized support but do not require round-the-clock care. During a thorough assessment, each patient answers a number of questions about their background, including their medical history and any previous care they may have received. They also provide information about the types of symptoms they’re experiencing. Our team then helps the adolescent and their family decide if this is the most appropriate level of care for them. Once a patient has been admitted to our adolescent IOP, they work with a qualified team of professionals that provides the services they need to begin healing.  

Our compassionate team is here to guide adolescents on their journey toward healing. By providing comprehensive, personalized care, we aim to help each patient receive the highest quality of support.  

A young person’s IOP care plan may include evidence-based modalities such as: 

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Through cognitive behavioral therapy, adolescent patients learn to identify negative thoughts and develop healthy coping skills.  
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): With dialectical behavior therapy, young patients practice mindfulness and gain skills to manage their emotions.  
• Motivational interviewing: Motivational interviewing helps young patients transform negative thought patterns into positive behaviors.  

While in our adolescent IOP, patients can receive various services, including:  

• Medication management services: Adolescents who take medications as part of their care plan meet with a registered nurse each week who makes sure that the medication is effective and monitors any side effects.  
• Family therapy: Young patients may also receive family therapy based on their individual circumstances. 
• Group therapy: Adolescents can take part in three group therapy sessions each day that are led by licensed therapists.  
• Experiential therapy: Patients may also participate in recreational therapy and yoga sessions.  

At North Tampa Behavioral Health, we value peer support and encouragement. That’s why group therapy is at the core of our adolescent IOP. These sessions give adolescents a safe and supportive space to explore various topics, which may include: 

• Depression 
• Anxiety 
• Co-occurring conditions 
• Healing from past traumas 
• Conflict resolution 
• Communication 
• Self-esteem 
• Boundary setting 
• Anger management 
• Coping skills 
• Decision-making abilities 
• Grounding techniques 
• Goal setting 
• Healthy lifestyles 
• Family dynamics 
• Trauma processing 
• Stress management 
• Character development 
• Mindfulness 
• Nutrition education 

The goal with group therapy is to teach adolescents valuable information about mental health conditions and help them learn how to cope with their thoughts and emotions. Ultimately, young patients gain essential life skills so that they can continue their wellness journey at home. 

Young patients who participate in our adolescent IOP benefit from the following features: 

• Experienced staff and personalized support: Our experienced team of intake specialists, licensed therapists, psychiatrists, registered nurses, and other staff is dedicated to offering personalized support. Understanding that each adolescent is unique, we focus on their individual goals and progress to help them heal.  
• Welcoming environment: Nestled within a scenic setting, our facility provides a safe and comfortable environment for adolescents to focus on their healing journey. 
• Amenities: We recognize that adolescents can benefit from having more than talk therapy included in their care plans. That’s why we aim to support their overall well-being with our campus amenities, which include an outdoor paved walking path, a basketball court, and an indoor gym with fitness equipment.  
• Compassionate and quality care: Our staff is committed to providing compassionate care. We strive to be the preferred facility for the greater Tampa area by meeting every adolescent’s treatment needs with kindness and support.  
• Virtual programming: To make care accessible for all, we also offer a virtual programming option for adolescents who aren’t able to receive services in person. 

In our adolescent intensive outpatient program, young patients can expect to be part of a supportive community in which they feel valued and respected. At North Tampa Behavioral Health, we lead the way toward hope and healing.  

Admission to our adolescent intensive outpatient program begins with a prescreening by our intake counselors. This can take place over the phone or in person. After the prescreening, our specialists work with the young person on-site to complete a thorough clinical assessment. Our staff uses this assessment to understand each adolescent’s unique background, symptoms, and needs.  

Our team then helps the young person and their family decide if the adolescent IOP will be the most beneficial program option for them. Once the patient is admitted to the program, our experienced team of professionals creates a personalized support plan just for them. Our team may adjust this plan based on the adolescent’s progress over time.  

Key admissions criteria include: 

• Age: Our program caters to adolescents ages 13-17. 
• Primary diagnosis: A prior diagnosis is not required for admission to our adolescent IOP. We encourage young people who are experiencing symptoms of one or more mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and bipolar disorder, to complete a free assessment with our intake specialists. A licensed psychiatrist can then determine a diagnosis.  
• Stability level: Our adolescent IOP is designed for young people who are stable and not in a state of crisis. They are struggling with behavioral health concerns, but they do not require 24/7 supervision.  
• Motivation and engagement: We encourage adolescents to actively participate in group sessions, so a patient must be willing to play a role in their treatment process. Our caring staff is here to guide each person through their healing journey, letting them know that they are not alone.  

At North Tampa Behavioral Health Hospital, we believe that everyone deserves to receive help and gain hope. Young people can enter our adolescent IOP regardless of whether they have previously gotten care or have a current diagnosis. We provide comprehensive support to address each patient’s individual needs. We aim to help each adolescent develop the skills they need to live a healthy life and have a hopeful future.  

At our state-of-the-art facility in the greater Tampa area, we deliver high-quality care with compassion, positivity, respect, and excellence. If you believe that our adolescent intensive outpatient program could benefit your child, please contact our admissions team today. We are here for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week to address any of your questions or concerns or to help you begin the admissions process.