Expanding Access to Care: How Compass Health Center Minnesota Is Transforming Adult Mental Health Through PHP and IOP Programs
Finding immediate access to comprehensive mental health care can be challenging—especially for those who need more support than weekly therapy but don’t require inpatient hospitalization. Compass Health Center’s Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) programs offer that essential “in-between” level of care: evidence-based treatment, daily structure, and a compassionate team to help patients regain stability while remaining connected to their lives.
With virtual programming underway statewide and as Compass Health Center prepares to open its Golden Valley location, Sarah Roth, MSW, LICSW, Associate Director of Adult Programs, shares how her clinical and leadership experience has shaped her approach to building a supportive, patient-centered environment. From reducing clinician burnout to helping adults reintegrate into daily life with confidence, Sarah discusses what makes Compass’s model of care both effective and deeply human.
This interview has been lightly edited for grammar and flow. The speaker’s original meaning and intent have not been changed.
Q&A
Britt Teasdale (BT): Tell us a little about your professional background and how you found your way into mental health care.
Sarah Roth (SR): I’ve always had a desire to help people in whatever capacity that was, starting from a young age, babysitting for neighbors and volunteering in my community. I found social work as a degree, and it felt like a great balance between helping people on a community level and also clinically through therapy.
I’ve worked in group settings with patients of all ages at the IOP and PHP levels, and that’s really where my passion lies—helping people when they’re most at risk and need the most support. Over time, I also developed a passion for leadership and helping other mental health professionals grow. Being able to develop programs and lead teams has been really meaningful to me, which is what brought me to Compass and this opportunity to open a program in Minnesota.
BT: That’s so exciting. What inspired you specifically to join Compass at this stage in your career?
SR: It honestly just felt like the right fit. When I interviewed and met people who’ve been with Compass for years, I could feel their passion for helping people in their communities. I loved that Compass focuses on PHP and IOP care. It allows us to really specialize in a level that’s holistic and deeply supportive.
What stood out to me most was the staffing model. Every patient gets a full treatment team—an individual therapist, family therapist, medical team, and group therapist. It’s so patient-centered and far more comprehensive than what I’ve seen elsewhere. With my background in program development, I was excited to bring that model to Minnesota, building on what’s already worked so well in Illinois and Maryland.
BT: For those unfamiliar with PHP and IOP, how does this level of care differ from outpatient therapy or inpatient hospitalization?
SR: I like to think of mental health care as a ladder—the higher you go, the more support you need. If someone’s symptoms are manageable with weekly therapy and they’re still functioning—working, going to school, maintaining relationships—that outpatient level is often enough.
But when symptoms become more intense—difficulty getting out of bed, maintaining hygiene, or functioning day-to-day—people may need more structured care. Hospitalization is for acute stabilization, usually lasting days or weeks, to get symptoms under control.
PHP and IOP fill that middle space. They’re for people whose symptoms are significantly impacting daily life but who don’t require 24/7 care. At Compass, patients attend structured therapy five days a week, learning and practicing coping skills continuously while still returning home each day. It’s a supportive bridge between hospital and everyday life—and the step-down process helps people gradually reintegrate, like returning part-time to school or work as they progress.
BT: That’s such a clear explanation. How does Compass help prevent patients from reaching the point of needing the ER or hospitalization?
SR: One of our biggest goals is helping people stabilize before crisis. Our care model is built around collaboration—multiple clinicians seeing the same patient through different lenses allows us to assess safety and symptom severity in real time.
Family therapy is also a huge part of that. Whoever a patient defines as “family” can participate, and they’re taught how to support the patient at home. Sometimes they even get “homework” to help reinforce skills outside of program hours.
We also teach patients when and how to ask for help. That can be a barrier since many people don’t know how to reach out or fear being a burden. By practicing that skill daily and utilizing both their Compass team and home support, many avoid ER visits entirely.
BT: Let’s talk about the adult PHP and IOP programs specifically. What can people expect when they start at Compass?
SR: Patients can expect a structured, safe, and supportive environment that still feels personal. Each person has an individualized treatment plan and a full care team. Compass’s model is multidisciplinary, and each clinician has a specific role, whether that’s individual therapy, family therapy, or group facilitation—and they all communicate closely.
That collaboration creates consistency and depth of care. Patients also get frequent medication management check-ins, which helps ensure every aspect of their treatment is coordinated and effective.
BT: From both a patient and clinician perspective, that structure must make such a difference. Can you talk about how the Compass model helps prevent burnout among clinicians?
SR: Absolutely. Burnout is a real issue in this field. I’ve seen it in people who’ve been practicing for decades and those fresh out of grad school. Compass really focuses on capacity, making sure clinicians have manageable caseloads and open communication with leadership.
We also have data-backed expectations that are far more sustainable than what you see in many outpatient settings. The team environment allows clinicians to specialize in their strengths rather than doing everything for everyone, which helps them deliver their best care without becoming overwhelmed.
BT: Compass also has diagnosis-specific programs—mood and anxiety, OCD, trauma, and school anxiety and refusal. How does that specialization benefit both patients and clinicians?
SR: It’s incredibly valuable. These specialty programs allow us to tailor care to what people are truly experiencing while giving clinicians opportunities to deepen their expertise. Clinicians can rotate, shadow, and train across different cohorts, which expands their skill set and helps them discover where they thrive. Patients benefit from working with clinicians who have deep knowledge of their specific challenges.
BT: Are you originally from Minnesota?
SR: Yes! I grew up in Minnetonka, just west of the Twin Cities. I’ve lived in a few different places, but I came back because I love the community here. Minnesotans are caring, welcoming, and community-driven—what people call “Minnesota Nice” really means looking out for one another.
BT: What makes you most proud of your community?
SR: The sense of connection. Whether it’s saying hi to a neighbor, volunteering, or showing up for advocacy, people here genuinely care. There’s diversity across urban and rural areas, but that shared value of community runs deep. People often leave and then come back—it says a lot about how special Minnesota is.
BT: As Compass opens its Golden Valley location, what should people unfamiliar with Compass expect?
SR: Compass recognized the immense need for accessible mental health care in Minnesota, especially after the pandemic. There’s a gap between outpatient and inpatient care, and that’s where we fit. We’re that middle ground, providing structured, daily support without removing people entirely from their lives.
Compass’s team has taken time to ensure every detail meets Minnesota’s standards and patient needs before opening. We’ve learned from our success in Illinois and Maryland and are bringing those best practices here. When we open this winter, we’ll be ready to serve patients with the same high-quality, evidence-based care Compass is known for.
BT: What would you say to someone on the fence about reaching out?
SR: I’d say take the step and call. It takes courage, but our team will walk you through everything: what to expect, what group therapy looks like, and how it fits into your daily life.
Group therapy can be incredibly powerful because you see others with similar struggles working toward progress. You realize you’re not alone, and that’s motivating. Plus, you get to stay connected to your community and supports while in treatment. That balance makes a huge difference.
BT: And for those who may have tried other PHPs or IOPs before and didn’t feel like they were a good fit?
SR: I’d tell them to give Compass a try. We focus on the person behind the diagnosis. Every treatment plan is individualized, and every step—from PHP to IOP to discharge—is based on outcomes and collaboration between patient and care team.
Discharge planning starts on day one. We make sure patients have an outpatient provider lined up, follow-up appointments scheduled, and ongoing medication management support. For students, we coordinate directly with schools. It’s all about making that transition as smooth as possible.
BT: What do you hope patients experience on their first day?
SR: I hope they feel welcomed and supported right away. Our clinicians are hand-picked because they embody Compass’s values—warmth, compassion, professionalism. We want people to know, the moment they walk in, that they’re not alone.
Joining a program like this can be intimidating, but it’s also hopeful. Change is possible, and improvement is possible. We want every patient to feel that from day one.
BT: That’s beautiful. Is there anything else you’d like people to know?
SR: Just that we’re working hard behind the scenes to ensure this will be the highest-quality mental health care in Minnesota. Compass has an incredible reputation in Chicago, and we want to bring that same excellence here. We’re expanding because the need is great, but we’re doing it thoughtfully and with care.
BT: That’s amazing. We’re so excited to see Compass grow in Minnesota and to have leaders like you helping bring this care to the community.
SR: Thank you! We’re so excited too.
Bios
Sarah Roth, MSW, LICSW, serves as the Associate Director for Compass Health Center Minnesota’s Over 18 Program. She brings a strong background in PHP and IOP program leadership, where she has guided teams in delivering trauma-informed, patient-centered care. Sarah’s professional journey has focused on supporting adults with mood and anxiety disorders while also mentoring clinicians and students entering the mental health field. She is deeply committed to creating spaces where both patients and providers feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow.
Britt Teasdale is a writer, photographer, and creative strategist. As Associate Director of Brand Management & Content at Compass Health Center, she has spent nearly a decade shaping narratives that translate complex clinical ideas into stories that resonate, reduce stigma, and help families access care. She holds an MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing and began her career in journalism. She also co-hosts Compass’s forthcoming podcast, You Only Know What You Know.
