Levels of Care for Teens with Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

Our after-school teen IOP offers up to 17 hours per week of clinical services including group therapy, individual therapy, family therapy sessions, academic and vocational support, and community activities. Here’s an Illustrative Schedule for reference.

Treatment for adolescents requires a very different approach from treating adults. Adolescents have specific mental health and developmental issues which require specialized, age-specific programming to effectively address these issues.

The assessment is the first step for all of our clients. The primary reason for the assessment is for us to get to know you and your situation so we can recommend the right program for you, whether that is at Sandstone Care or elsewhere.  It is also a great time for you to get to know Sandstone Care as well.

Yes, we understand that many people who abuse drugs and alcohol also suffer from depression, anxiety, etc. So, we have a psychiatrist on staff who can diagnose co-occurring disorders and help address the underlying issues that often lead to substance abuse.

The teens and young adults at Sandstone Care are bright and creative spirits who have been impacted by a variety of mental health issues. Typically, they are struggling with, or have experienced, anxiety, depression, trauma, and/or substance use. Individuals with a history of violence, are actively suicidal or psychotic, that have a severe and persistent mental illness such as schizophrenia, or that exhibit behavioral issues that would disrupt the treatment milieu are not appropriate for Sandstone Care. Each client is carefully screened by the admissions team and the Program Director, and if needed, the Executive Clinical Director and Medical Director for appropriateness.

Medication management can be an important part of the treatment process. If medication is recommended, our medication provider will see the client on a regular basis until an ongoing provider is established. If a client has an outside provider and they would like to continue to guide their medication during Sandstone IOP, a release will be required to ensure integrated care.

Our young adult (18-30), Mental Health IOP is a comprehensive, collaborative outpatient program that meets 4 times a week for 3 hours a day. Our intimate, small groups focus on a well-balanced recovery, utilizing weekly multifamily group, academic/vocation “adulting” skill building 2 times weekly; specialized group therapy led by licensed clinicians, and medical providers who are available to meet participants for medication management and collaborate weekly with each clinician. Clinical groups are a combination of skills-based programs emphasizing the use of DBT and CBT, and person-centered process groups for individuals experiencing mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and previous trauma.