Behavioral health programs

Care teams at Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital work with you to find a program that's right for you or your loved one.

At Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital in Hoffman Estates, IL, experienced behavioral health specialists provide care for children, teens, and adults. We offer specialized programs tailored to specific conditions like addiction, mood disorders, eating disorders, and anxiety. Our care team works with you and your loved one to find the right care for you.


  • Center for addiction medicine program

    Our center for addiction medicine program offers a supportive, group based treatment program that combines proven therapies such as:

    • Acceptance and commitment therapy
    • Cognitive behavior therapy
    • Dialectical behavior therapy

    We work with you to build recovery skills and collaborate with your care team to create a personalized plan to help prevent relapse.

    The program includes two levels of care:

    • Partial hospitalization program -  you will meet with your group six hours a day, Monday through Friday.
    • Evening intensive outpatient program - this program meets Monday through Friday from 6:40 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

    As you make progress, we help you transition to our intensive outpatient program, which meets for three hours daily. In both programs, you’ll take part in therapy, where you will learn coping skills and explore expressive therapies like art, music, and movement.

  • Adult mood disorder program

    Our adult mood disorder program helps you better understand the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors using approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy. You will learn practical skills through therapy, education sessions, and expressive therapies such as music, art, and movement to support emotional well-being.

    Most patients spend four to six weeks in the program, gaining skills to manage mood disorders and improve your quality of life. We also provide medication management. The program includes three levels of care:

    • Partial hospitalization - six hours a day, Monday through Friday, for two to three weeks, and intensive outpatient, which meets three hours daily over two to three weeks.
    • Evening intensive outpatient program - this program meets Monday through Friday from 6:40 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
  • Anxiety disorders program

    Our anxiety disorders program offers specialized treatment for individuals dealing with conditions such as:

    • Generalized anxiety
    • Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
    • Social anxiety
    • Panic disorder
    • Agoraphobia
    • Phobias
    • PTSD

    Our intensive outpatient and partial hospitalizations programs provide three to five hours of care Monday through Friday. As part of this program, you can choose to participate in individual, group, and family therapy sessions. We also provide medication management, if needed.

    Our program uses evidence-based treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure and response prevention, for OCD and anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a psychotherapy in which you gain insight on your thoughts, behaviors and emotions. Exposure and response prevention helps you gradually face your fears in a safe and supportive environment, while learning to not engage in unhelpful behaviors like avoiding or checking. Over time, you can learn to manage your anxiety more effectively and regain control over your life.

  • Child and adolescent program

    Our child and adolescent program includes experienced professionals dedicated to supporting your child and family through difficult times. We help you navigate emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges with personalized care.

    We understand that every child is unique, and so are their mental health needs. Our evidence-based approach combines individual, family, and group therapy, psychiatric care, and holistic treatments. Our goal is to ensure the emotional well-being of each young patient, fostering growth, resilience, and long-term mental wellness. Within our program we treat:

    • Anxiety and depression
    • ADHD and behavioral disorders
    • Trauma and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
    • Eating disorders
    • Mood disorders
    • Self-harm and suicidal ideation
    • Substance use disorders
    • Autism spectrum disorders
  • School anxiety and refusal program

    If your child has anxiety around school, we are here to help. Starting a new school, being in a new classroom, academic expectations, bullying, or other challenging interactions are just a few of the many reasons children can have stress or anxiety around school. At Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, we have a school anxiety and refusal program that provides compassionate, personalized care your child needs to overcome their school anxiety. We listen to understand your child and their feelings. Then, we work with you and your child to help your child overcome their fears and anxiety. You and your child will be supported by a team of pediatric therapists, psychiatrists, teachers, school liaisons, nurses and more.

    Students will learn to:

    • Identify their emotions and thought patterns
    • Develop skills they need to manage challenges
    • Learn to motivate themselves
    • Learn to adapt to change
  • Eating disorders program

    At Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, we offer a specialized partial hospitalization program and intensive outpatient program for individuals struggling with eating disorders. Our program provides up to 30 hours of structured treatment per week for children, adolescents, and adults who are stepping down from inpatient or residential care, or for those requiring more support. We provide comprehensive care for a range of eating disorders, including:

    • Anorexia nervosa
    • Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder
    • Binge eating disorder
    • Bulimia bervosa

    Both our partial hospitalization program and intensive outpatient program are personalized for each age group and include:

    • Individual and group therapy focused on:
      • Self-esteem
      • Negative thinking patterns
      • Obsessions and perfectionism
      • Body image concerns
    • Supported meals and snacks with guided nutritional support
    • Experiential learning in our demonstration kitchen
    • Rapid access to psychiatric care for:
      • Medication management
      • Psychiatric consultations
      • Treatment of co-occurring mental health conditions

    Our care team will walk with you on your journey by helping you face fears, manage triggers, and build lasting confidence and resilience.

  • Perinatal (post partum) intensive outpatient program

    Our program promotes bonding with your baby, mental health healing, and positive parenting. You and your partner are welcome to bring your baby with you while you receive treatment for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. This has been effective in treating anxiety and depression, and in facilitating healthy parenting techniques. Our goal is to help you become the parents you want to be, learn effective coping skills, and enjoy the parenting journey with confidence. Our support includes:

    • Medication management with perinatal providers
    • Multidisciplinary team of perinatal mental health specialists including psychologists, social workers, therapists, nurses, and chaplains
    • Coordination and support from nutritionists, lactation consultants and rehabilitation therapist
    • Resources and referrals with community partners for mom and baby supplies, housing, child care, social services and more
    • Case management to support a healthy transition back to work after maternity leave
    • Family sessions with support to promote healthy communication and relationships

    The perinatal intensive outpatient program meets at Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Patients who are not local attend virtually Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.