After-School Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in Golden, CO: A Holistic Approach to Mental Health Treatment

When your child needs more than traditional therapy, an intensive outpatient program can be a helpful step for their mental wellbeing. Decade2Connect offers a supportive, family-inclusive child IOP in Denver, Colorado.

Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are a crucial level of care for children and adolescents struggling with mental health issues, filling the gap between traditional outpatient therapy and inpatient treatment. At Decade2Connect, our IOP is designed to provide comprehensive, evidence-based treatment in a supportive environment that promotes healing and growth.

Healing is holistic.

We developed this After-School Intensive Outpatient Program based on 65+ years of experience helping Colorado children, adolescents, and their families. Healing involves the whole family for true success. That’s why our IOP focuses on the family system.

The Benefits of a Family-Focused Intensive Outpatient Program

IOPs that prioritize family involvement, like the one offered at Decade2Connect, have been shown to lead to better treatment outcomes and long-term success. By addressing the needs of the entire family system, our program helps create a supportive home environment that reinforces the skills and strategies learned in therapy. This holistic approach is essential for promoting lasting change and preventing relapse.

Child Mental Health Golden CO

Who benefits from our IOP?

Child Participants Who:

  • Are age 10-14

  • Are transitioning from a mental health hospitalization, partial hospitalization, residential treatment or a wilderness program

  • Need more than 1 time per week individual therapy

  • Require an IOP for depression or anxiety that persists despite traditional therapy

  • Experience self-destructive, self-harming, or suicidal thoughts or behaviors

  • Struggle with adjusting from a loss, grief, or trauma

  • Have difficulty in school or avoiding school due to mental health issues

  • Will not follow the expectations and routines provided by their parents

  • Find it difficult to maintain positive social/peer relationships

  • Are withdrawing from daily activities or mood disorder

  • Struggle with emotion processing and regulation leading to struggles in the home

Our IOP is particularly helpful for children and adolescents who have experienced trauma, abuse, or major life changes that have led to the development of mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression, and self-harming behaviors.

By providing a structured, supportive environment and evidence-based therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), we help these young people develop the skills they need to manage their emotions, communicate effectively, and build resilience.

Parent Participants Who:

  • Are seeking tools to respond to their child’s emotional/behavioral expressions
  • Want to find a parent support network in Colorado
  • Feel burnt out from managing their child’s challenges
  • Are concerned about how their other children are impacted by their struggling sibling

Supporting Parents Through the IOP Journey

At Decade2Connect, we recognize that parents play a crucial role in their child’s mental health journey. Our IOP includes a strong focus on parent education and support, with opportunities for family therapy sessions and parent support groups. Using Emotion-Focused Family Therapy, we help parents navigate the challenges of caring for a child with mental health needs, providing them with the tools and resources they need to create a stable, nurturing home environment.

Intensive Outpatient Curriculum Golden CO

Intensive Outpatient Curriculum

Evidence-Based Therapies in Our Intensive Outpatient Program

Our IOP curriculum incorporates a range of evidence-based therapies and approaches, carefully selected to meet the unique needs of each child and family. These may include:

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a highly effective treatment approach that helps children identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. Through individual and group CBT sessions, our skilled therapists guide participants in developing coping strategies, problem-solving skills, and self-awareness.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT is a specialized form of CBT that emphasizes mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. This approach is particularly useful for children struggling with self-harm, suicidal ideation, or intense emotional dysregulation.

Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT)

EFFT is a therapeutic approach designed to improve family relationships and emotional connections. This approach focuses on helping family members understand and express their emotions more effectively, fostering stronger bonds and resolving conflicts.

Our IOP is for children and adolescents ages 10-14, as well as their families. This experiential therapy program runs in-person three times per week in a small group setting by highly-experienced therapists. The treatment duration is 9-12 weeks. Mondays and Thursdays are for the kids and Wednesdays include family programming.

In addition to these core therapies, our IOP also incorporates elements of motivational interviewing, family systems therapy, and expressive arts therapy to create a well-rounded, individualized treatment experience. Our team of experienced mental health professionals, including licensed therapists, clinical social workers, and psychiatrists, work collaboratively to ensure that each child receives the support and guidance they need to thrive.

Hours:

Monday 3:30 -6:30pm
Wednesday 5:00 -8:00pm
Thursday 3:30 – 6:30pm

Understanding Insurance Coverage and Costs for IOP Treatment

One of the most common concerns for families considering an IOP is the cost of treatment and whether their insurance will cover it. At Decade2Connect, we work closely with families to help them navigate their insurance benefits and understand their financial options.

Check out our FAQ’s to learn more about Decade2Connect’s insurance options for IOP treatment. Many health insurance plans do cover IOP treatment, although the specific coverage and out-of-pocket costs may vary depending on the plan.

Investing in Your Child's Mental Health

While the cost of IOP treatment can be a significant investment, it’s important to remember that prioritizing your child’s mental health is one of the most valuable things you can do for their future. Untreated mental health conditions can have long-lasting effects on a child’s development, relationships, and overall quality of life.

By seeking comprehensive, evidence-based treatment through an IOP, you are giving your child the tools and support they need to build a strong foundation for lifelong well-being.

Child Mental Health Therapy Golden CO

Transitioning from IOP to Ongoing Support

Completing an intensive outpatient program is a significant milestone in a child’s mental health journey, but it’s not the end of the road. To maintain progress and prevent relapse, it’s essential to have a plan for continued care and support. At Decade2Connect, we work with families to develop individualized aftercare plans that may include:

  • Stepping down to a less intensive level of care, such as traditional outpatient therapy
  • Connecting with community resources and support groups
  • Implementing home-based strategies and interventions to reinforce skills learned in IOP
  • Regularly scheduled check-ins with the treatment team to monitor progress and address any emerging concerns

By prioritizing ongoing support and care, families can help their children build on the progress made in IOP and continue to thrive in the long term.