Adolescent outpatient behavioral health in Hoffman Estates

Some days, getting through school, family stuff, friendships, anxiety, depression, trauma, anger, self-harm urges, or thoughts of suicide can feel impossible. You're more than what you're going through - and we're here to help. It means you may need more support than you are getting right now.

Ascension Illinois Behavioral Health offers outpatient programs for teens who need more help than weekly therapy, but do not need to stay overnight in a hospital. These programs are called PHP and IOP. You arrive in the morning, get support, learn skills, connect with people who understand, and go home at the end of the day. 

What are PHP and IOP?

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) are short-term treatment programs for children and teens who need more support than regular therapy but do not need to stay overnight in a hospital.

The goal is to help you feel better, learn new coping skills, manage symptoms, and return to daily life with more confidence.

PHP is about six hours during the dayMonday - Friday
IOP is about three hours a day, four days a week.

Most patients attend PHP for about two to three weeks and IOP for about two to four weeks, but the length of treatment depends on each person’s needs, progress, and symptoms.

What happens in the program?

You will not just sit in a room and be told to “think positive.”

You will work with a care team and other teens to learn real tools for real moments, like when anxiety spikes, your mood crashes, school feels impossible, or you feel like hurting yourself. The program may include:

• Group therapy
• Individual sessions with your therapist 
• Family sessions with your counselor
• Mental health education
• Medication support when needed
• Checking in with a therapist 
• Working with the team to plan your discharge 
• Peer support
• Creative therapies like art, music, movement, and drama.

You’ll learn that you’re not alone.

You will not have to explain everything

If you don’t know what to say, that’s okay. You can start with:

• “I’m not okay.”
• “I’m scared.”
• “I don’t know what I need.”
• “I need help.”

That is enough to begin.

How can treatment help you?

Our programs support teens dealing with concerns such as:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• School avoidance or school refusal
• Self-injury
• Suicidal thoughts
• Substance use concerns
• Impulse control difficulties
• Disordered eating concerns
• Trauma-related symptoms
• Social skills challenges
• Learning to solve problems without fighting

We also offer specialty groups focused on topics such as:

• LGBTQIA+ support
• Body image
• Neurodivergency support
• Social skills development
• Substance use
• Self-Harm
• Diversity

Treatment is individualized, which means your care team works with you and your family to create a plan that fits your needs.

Focus on progress

Our care is evidence-based, strengths-based, and centered on each patient. This means we focus on what works, what helps you build on your strengths, and what supports your personal goals.

We track your progress using tools that show us your improvement over time.

Who can join the program?

Participation is voluntary. 

Some patients start in PHP or IOP directly. Others may come after being in an inpatient hospital program and then “step down” to PHP or IOP for continued support.

Inpatient care may be recommended if someone is at risk of harming themselves or others, or if they are not able to care for themselves safely.

Types of groups

Skill-building groups teach tools from different therapy approaches. These groups help you learn ways to manage symptoms, handle stress, communicate better, and cope with difficult emotions.

Process groups give you a safe place to talk about what you are going through. You can share concerns, hear from others with similar experiences, and get support from both peers and clinicians.

Expressive therapy groups use art, music, movement, and drama to help you express feelings, reduce stress, and practice coping in creative ways.

Recovery is stronger when families heal together

You are the patient but your family or caregivers are part of the process. Families are an important part of treatment and may be included in treatment planning, the program itself, and discharge planning.

Discharge planning starts on the first day of treatment. Before leaving the program, your care team helps create an aftercare plan so you can continue using the skills you learned and stay connected to supports such as weekly therapy and medication management, if needed.

Locations 

Adolescent services are conveniently offered in Hoffman Estates and Crystal Lake.

Need someone to talk to? We’re here 24/7

Taking the first step can feel big, but you don’t have to do it alone. Talk with your parent or guardian and arrange a time to walk in or schedule a free mental health assessment at Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, 1650 Moon Lake Blvd, Hoffman Estates, IL.

Call 855-383-2224 anytime — day or night.

Fill out the form, and our team will contact you within 24 hours. https://healthcare.ascension.org/forms/demand/misc/ilchi-behavioral-and-mental-health-form-contact-us