Compass Health Center Launches Enhanced Team-Based Program for Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Use 

Expanded care model provides specialized, data-driven treatment for individuals with co-occurring disorders 

CHICAGO, IL—April 23, 2025—Compass Health Center today announced enhancements to its specialized Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Program—a reimagined model that treats co-occurring conditions together, in real time, with one coordinated clinical team. Compass has treated thousands of patients with co-occurring disorders since 2011, and this enhanced model reflects more than a decade of clinical experience in delivering integrated care. The enhanced program is available for adolescents, young adults, and adults in both in-person and virtual settings. 

This announcement comes at a time when the need for integrated mental health and substance use care has never been more urgent. Recent data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA, 2023) shows that nearly 1 in 4 young adults experienced both a substance use disorder and a mental health condition in the past year. Yet fewer than 10% received treatment for both.¹ 

Why Integrated Care Matters 

• Co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions are often underdiagnosed and undertreated. 
• Fewer than 10% of individuals with both conditions receive treatment for both. 
• Compass’s enhanced program addresses both at once—with patients reporting a 50% reduction in depression symptoms within two weeks of care. 

“Substance use challenges rarely exist in isolation. Trauma, OCD, anxiety, and depression often drive or intensify substance use, and vice versa. Treating just one piece misses the full picture,” said Kaitlin Thompson, MBA, LCSW, CADC, Director of the Center of Excellence at Compass Health Center. “That’s why integrated care is so important. We treat both at the same time, with the same team, because real, lasting progress starts with addressing the whole person.” 

Integrated, Individualized, Evidence-Based Care 

Compass Health Center’s enhanced Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Program is offered at both the Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) levels. It is designed for individuals who need more support than weekly therapy but do not require inpatient or residential treatment. 

Treatment is delivered by a multidisciplinary team, including licensed therapists, addiction psychiatrists, and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADCs), working together to address mental health and substance use concurrently under one coordinated care plan. 

“We know from research that integrated care for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders leads to better engagement, stronger symptom improvement, and more sustainable outcomes,” said Chad Wetterneck, Ph.D., SVP, Clinical Development and Excellence. “This program is designed to reflect that evidence. When one team works together on both aspects of care, we can respond more effectively to the full scope of what patients are experiencing.” 

Program Highlights Include: 

• Patient-driven goals, including reduction or abstinence, tailored to readiness 
• Evidence-based therapies: CBT, DBT, ACT, and Motivational Interviewing 
• Relapse prevention, psychoeducation, and “cope ahead” planning 
• Group therapy and experiential therapies such as art, movement, and yoga 
• Substance use and mental health screenings to guide individualized care 
• Adolescent, Young Adult, and Adult programs ensure developmentally appropriate care, tailored to individual needs 

“This program was built for real life. We meet people where they are and support their goals, whether reducing use, building coping strategies, or understanding how mental health and substance use are connected,” said Thompson. “It’s not either/or. It’s both/and.” 

Program Outcomes 

Patients in Compass’s Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Program report a 50% reduction in depression symptoms within the first two weeks of care, based on standardized clinical assessments. 

These outcomes reflect Compass’s commitment to delivering measurable, meaningful change through integrated care. 

“In co-occurring care, the intersection of mental health and substance use is rarely straightforward. Psychiatric symptoms can worsen substance use, and substance use can mask psychiatric diagnoses,” said Dr. Deepali Gershan, Psychiatrist, Addiction Specialist, and Medical Director of Compass Health Center Northbrook. “Our integrated approach allows the medical and clinical team to create a comprehensive treatment plan to ensure diagnostic accuracy and alignment with an individual’s treatment goals.” 

Current Locations 

In-Person Teen, Young Adult, and Adult Programs: 

• Illinois 
• Chicago 
• Northbrook 
• Oak Brook 

Virtual Programs: 

• Illinois 
• Maryland 
• Virginia 
• Washington, D.C. 

Learn more about our Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Program here.

About Compass Health Center 

Compass Health Center is a leading provider of specialized, intermediate-level mental health care, offering Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) Programs for children, teens, young adults, and adults. With a focus on accessibility, outcomes, and coordinated care, Compass treats a wide range of conditions including mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, OCD, co-occurring mental health and substance use, school refusal, chronic pain and illness, and more. 

For more information, visit www.compasshealthcenter.net. For immediate support call 877-552-6672. 

Media Contact: 
Kelly Jones 
SVP, Strategic Partnerships and Marketing, Compass Health Center 
kjones@compasshealthcenter.net; 

Source: 
¹ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 2023