Navigating the treatment journey

With nearly 20 years of experience, we’ve seen firsthand what can happen when young people can’t access the support they need.

Let’s make the path to mental health care easier to navigate.

Mental health terminology

Some of the terms you may encounter when exploring treatment.

  • Treatment that takes place without staying overnight, often through individual, group, or family therapy and, when appropriate, medication management. The frequency depends on your needs.

  • Structured treatment several days a week, often including individual therapy, group therapy, and skills-based support, while allowing you to live at home.

  • An intensive level of treatment that often involves several hours of programming while allowing you to live at home or in a supportive living environment. Also known as Day Treatment. 

  • A live-in treatment setting that provides around the clock structured therapeutic support.

  • 24-hour medical and psychiatric care in a hospital setting, generally used for immediate safety and crisis stabilization.

  • A goal-oriented approach that helps to identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors.

  • A skills-based therapy that helps to manage intense emotions, tolerate distress, navigate relationships, and respond to challenges more effectively.

  • A therapy used to help people process traumatic or distressing memories through bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping.

  • The initial assessment or session where a clinician learns about your history, needs, and goals.

  • The format or type of treatment (i.e.,  individual, group, or family therapy).

FAQ

Finding the right support

  • Sometimes, the signs that a young person is struggling can be subtle. Changes in sleep, relationships, school, routines, or mood can be early signs that something may be off.

    Pay attention when changes persist, become more frequent, or begin to interfere with daily life. Some signs that it may be time to seek additional support include:

    • They have stopped attending classes or are consistently unable to keep up academically.

    • They are withdrawing from friends, family, or activities they normally enjoy.

    • They are struggling to eat, sleep, or care for themselves.

    • They are using alcohol or other substances to cope or self-medicate.

    • Their symptoms are becoming more frequent, severe, or difficult to manage.

    • Existing support does not seem to be enough to help them stabilize or function.

  • Not every treatment program is right for every young person. When exploring treatment or higher level of care, consider whether that program understands their real-life needs and can support them beyond the immediate moment.

    • Experience with young people
      Does the program understand the developmental stage, pressures, and realities of young adulthood?

    • A track record of collaboration
      Does the program communicate effectively with families, schools, clinicians, and other members of a young person’s support system?

    • Flexible care that fits real life
      Can treatment work alongside school, relationships, work, and the routines that help young people stay grounded?

    • A clear path forward.
      Is there a plan for what happens next—whether that means stepping up to more support, transitioning to a lower level of care, or continuing treatment in the community?

  • When young people don’t have the support they need, everyday challenges can become harder to manage. The right treatment can help them build the skills and confidence to better understand themselves, navigate challenges, and thrive. 

    With the right support, young people can develop:

    • Greater self-awareness and a stronger understanding of their emotions, needs, and experiences.

    • Stronger emotional regulation and the ability to manage stress and tolerate distress

    • Empathy for peers and the capacity to advocate for their needs.

    • Stronger coping and problem-solving skills to navigate challenges as they arise.

    • Greater self-efficacy and confidence in school, work, relationships, and everyday life.

    • A stronger sense of purpose and hope for the future.

  • Weekly therapy may not be enough if:

    • They struggle to manage and cope between therapy sessions and are noticing that their symptoms are worsening or becoming more frequent.

    • Their mental health symptoms continue to interfere with daily life and stand in the way of engaging fully in life.

    • They feel isolated or are becoming withdrawn from their support network.

    • They are facing a major life transition, stressor or recent episode of grief or loss.

    An IOP offers more structure, group support, and skills practice across several days a week, while allowing the young person to live at home, on campus or in a supported living environment. Many young adults benefit from IOP treatment as a step down from a residential or PHP level of care.

  • The main difference between the two is intensity. 

    A PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program) typically runs 5 days per week with care running 5-6 hours a day. This offers the highest level of structure and support while clients can still live at home, on campus, or in a supported living environment. 

    IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) is a step down in care, with treatment ranging from 3 to 5 days a week for 3 hours a day. IOP will allow for more time to balance school or work commitments while benefiting from regular therapy, groups, and skills practice.

Apply to our

Scholarship program

For young people who may need a higher level of care but are facing financial or systemic barriers, we offer treatment support to help make care more accessible.

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