North Port’s Newest Outpatient Treatment Program

Our partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs serve adults age 18 and older. These services are primarily designed to treat people who are suffering from mental health disorders, but we can also care for people who have co-occurring addictions. 

Examples of the types of disorders we treat in our outpatient programs include: 

• Major depressive disorder 

• Generalized anxiety 

• Bipolar disorder 

• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 

• Co-occurring alcohol use disorder 

• Co-occurring benzodiazepine addictions 

• Co-occurring opioid addictions 

Adults who are admitted to our outpatient programs receive a comprehensive clinical assessment so that our team can recommend the level of care that best matches their current needs. 

Our partial hospitalization program (PHP) is the highest level of outpatient care we offer at our hospital in North Port, Florida. The PHP is appropriate for adults who need significant structure and clinical support throughout the day but are stable enough to return home in the evening. 

The PHP at a glance: 

• Schedule: Five days a week for five hours each day 

• Typical length of stay: Approximately four weeks 

• Location: Our campus in North Port, Florida 

• Population served: Adults age 18 and older 

Patients in our PHP participate in daily group therapy, weekly individual therapy, family therapy when clinically appropriate, and experiential therapy and receive ongoing medication management services when necessary. Patients can expect to meet with a psychiatrist approximately every other week, with additional support from nurse practitioners and nursing staff as needed. 

Our PHP is well suited for individuals who are stepping down from inpatient care and need a bridge before returning to daily life, as well as for those who have symptoms that are interfering with daily functioning but do not need hospitalization. 

Our intensive outpatient program (IOP) is a slightly less time-intensive level of outpatient care. Participating in our IOP allows adults to continue working, parenting, or managing other responsibilities while receiving meaningful clinical support several days a week. 

The IOP at a glance: 

• Schedule: Three to five days a week for three hours each day 

• Typical length of stay: Six to eight weeks 

• Location: Our campus in North Port, Florida 

• Population served: Adults age 18 and older 

Group therapy is the primary treatment method we use in our IOP, but patients can also receive weekly individual therapy and family therapy when needed or requested. Medication management services and recreational therapy are also included in our intensive outpatient program. Patients in our IOP typically meet with a psychiatrist about once a month, but they can also receive continuous support from our nursing staff between those visits. 

Our IOP is a strong fit for adults who are stepping down from a PHP, those who are stepping up from traditional outpatient therapy, and those who need structured support without the daily commitment of a higher level of care. 

Every patient who gets care in our PHP or IOP receives an individualized treatment plan that is created based on the results of a thorough assessment they participate in prior to beginning the program. While each care plan is tailored to the individual’s specific needs, the services they may receive include: 

• Group therapy: Every person’s care plan includes daily group therapy sessions, as that is the primary method of care we use in our outpatient programs. These sessions are led by licensed therapists, licensed counselors, and nursing staff. The types of groups we offer in our PHP and IOP include process groups and psychoeducation groups, during which patients may discuss topics such as trauma, coping skills, self-esteem, and healthy boundaries. 

• Individual therapy: These one-on-one therapy sessions occur with a licensed therapist or counselor and allow patients to focus on working toward their personal goals, managing their symptoms, and tracking their progress. 

• Family therapy: When it is determined to be beneficial to a patient, family therapy sessions can be scheduled as a way to strengthen communication, repair relationships, and help loved ones learn how they can support the healing process. 

• Medication management services: If a patient is taking prescription medication, they can receive ongoing psychiatric care from psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and nursing staff. 

• Recreational and experiential therapy: Experiential groups, which may include art and music therapy, are led by recreational therapists and typically take place one to two times per week. 

Together, all these services give patients consistent therapeutic touchpoints, peer support, and clinical oversight throughout their time in our outpatient programs. 

At North Port Behavioral Health, we are dedicated to providing the utmost in clinically excellent care. To do this, we ground our outpatient programming in evidence-based therapies that have proved to help adults who are living with behavioral health concerns.  

Our outpatient clinical model includes: 

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) 

• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) 

• Motivational interviewing (MI) 

These approaches are used in both individual and group therapy sessions, allowing patients to practice new skills in real time and apply them to the challenges they are facing outside of treatment. 

If symptoms of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, the effects of trauma, or a co-occurring substance use concern are interfering with your daily life, one of our outpatient programs may be the right choice for you. The partial hospitalization program and intensive outpatient program at North Port Behavioral Health are designed to meet you where you are and help you move forward with confidence.