PITTSBURGH — Continuing to enhance its behavioral health care services throughout the region, UPMC Jameson launched an adult intensive outpatient program (IOP) to complement its partial hospitalization program (PHP). This expansion is part of UPMC's ongoing commitment to addressing the growing need for accessible and effective mental health care in the community, identified as a top community need in the Community Health Needs Assessment and Community Health Strategic Plan.
The two programs provide a higher level of care than outpatient therapy, offering a combination of structured therapy sessions multiple times a week, allowing patients to receive intensive treatment while maintaining their daily routines and responsibilities. The programs serve patients with depression, anxiety, panic disorder and other behavioral health issues.
"Our new IOP is available to people who are experiencing worsening psychiatric symptoms that would benefit from more support than traditional outpatient therapy," said Brad Walters, behavioral health supervisor, UPMC Jameson. "Situations for joining an IOP might include difficulty coping with a life crisis, thoughts of suicide, or difficulty with self-care and daily life activities due to depression or anxiety. An IOP may also be helpful for individuals transitioning back to their communities after inpatient behavioral health care."
Both the IOP and PHP, located at 253 E. Washington St. in New Castle, provide group therapy, individual therapy, family/supportive sessions and medication management. People seeking care do not need a referral from another provider and access to a psychiatrist is available.
"This IOP program primarily serves people in Lawrence, Beaver, Allegheny, Butler, Venango and Mercer counties," said Walters.
People enrolled in IOP participate three days a week: Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The partial hospitalization program runs Monday through Friday.
"Some of the topics covered in therapy programs include coping with depression, expressing anger, managing stress, decreasing anxiety, using community support services and understanding medication," said Walters.
Both the IOP and PHP provide the following services:
-
Group therapy: Focuses on learning coping skills, safety planning and symptom management.
-
Individual therapy: Participants are assigned a lead therapist to help identify and work towards specific wellness goals and connect with useful resources.
-
Family/supportive sessions: At the person's discretion, family and various community supports are invited to be a part of their wellness journey.
-
Medication management: Participants are offered psychiatric medication management support with the program psychiatrist. A nurse is also involved in care to assist with questions and concerns
"We are thrilled to expand local behavioral health services for the Lawrence and Mercer County region with the addition of the intensive outpatient therapy program," said Noreen Fredrick, vice president of ambulatory and community behavioral health services for UPMC Western Behavioral Health. "These programs are an important part of the mental health continuum and will allow us to better meet the needs of our community by providing flexible and effective treatment options for those struggling with mental health. Last year, UPMC Western Behavioral Health provided care to roughly 500 people per month through intensive outpatient programs."
