In the Media
Compass Health Center staff provide mental health care expertise for news and media platforms nationwide.
Illinois-Based Compass Health Center to Launch College Readiness Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in Northbrook and Oak Brook This Summer
May 16, 2023To support students during this unique time of transition, Compass Health Center’s Northbrook and Oak Brook locations are launching a College Readiness Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), running June 5 through August 11, 2023. The program is designed to help prepare students aged 17-23 as they transition to or return to college in the fall. Compass’s specialized clinical team provides evidence-based skills necessary to make this transition a smooth one and empower students to thrive both academically and emotionally.
Compass Health Center to Launch After School Mental Health & Substance Use Program for Teens in Chicago to Help Destigmatize Treatment for Co-occurring Conditions
May 5, 2023Compass Health Center is launching a new After School Mental Health & Substance Use Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for adolescents this June due to the increased need for specialized treatment for co-occurring disorders for teens. The program will support adolescents, ages 13 to 18, struggling with anxiety and/or depressive symptoms alongside substance use negatively impacting their functioning. This program is offered after school so that teens can continue attending school while effectively treating their mental health and substance use symptoms. Over the summer, Compass will offer this program during the day.
Compass Health Center Launches OCD & Complex Anxiety Program for Children in Western Suburbs to Address Youth Mental Health Crisis
May 2, 2023Chicago, Illinois, May 2, 2023 -- According to recent data collected by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) between 2016-2019, more than 5.8 million children between the ages of 3-17 in the United States had been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. These numbers have only increased since the start of the pandemic. In response to this need, Compass Health Center’s Oak Brook location has opened its new Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) & Complex Anxiety Program for children ages 8-13.
Compass Health Center to Launch Enhanced Summer Creative Arts Intensive Outpatient Program
March 14, 2023As the world continues to grapple with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, children and adolescents have been particularly impacted. Many have missed years of connection and social experience, leaving them with anxiety surrounding peer connections and social interaction and a lack of social skills and awareness. To help close these gaps left by the pandemic, creative arts therapies are a fun, expressive, and effective way to address these issues. To meet this need, Compass Health Center is launching a specialized Summer Creative Arts Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) this June for children and adolescents struggling with behavioral health challenges.
Compass's Abby Poplis, LCSW, Featured in WGN Story on Rage Rooms
February 21, 2023In a recent WGN-TV story, Compass's Abby Poplis, LCSW, Director, Adult Programming – Oak Brook, speaks with reporter Dana Rebik about rage rooms and how smashing items can help release stress.
Poplis says for many "people who don’t struggle with anger management, rage rooms can be a safe activity. But those who might have problems with aggression might want to think twice."
Compass's Heather Katz, LCSW, Featured in WGN Story on Grief
March 6, 2023In WGN-TV's latest story, Compass's Heather Katz, LCSW, Principal Family Therapist, Trauma and Adult Programs, speaks with Erin Ivory about the grieving process and how many are rethinking how to memorialize a loved one who has passed.
Katz says, “Losing someone is so out of our control that being able to manage how we process and hold on to their memory is one thing we do have power over.”
Chicagoland Behavioral Health Program Launches in February to Provide Co-Occurring Treatment for Individuals Struggling with Mental Health and Substance Use
January 17, 2023Compass Health Center will launch its new Mental Health & Substance Use Program for individuals ages 18+ starting this February, available across all in-person Chicagoland locations. The program will support young adults and adults struggling to manage their mental health symptoms, substance use, and other addictive behaviors.
Compass's Dr. Deepali Gershan, MD, Addiction Psychiatrist, was interviewed by WGNTV for the recent story, "Dry January failed? Consider ‘damp’ January."
January 11, 2023Dry January is a popular post-holiday trend, but by now, many people have fallen off the wagon. Eliminating alcohol cold turkey for 31 days may be too restrictive.
So instead of “Dry January,” you can try “Damp January” – and February, March, and so on. Compass's Dr. Deepali Gershan, MD, Addiction Psychiatrist, was interviewed by WGNTV for the recent story, "Dry January failed? Consider ‘damp’ January."
Compass's Carrie Overbey, LCPC, Featured on City Cast Podcast
January 3, 2023Check out the latest episode of @citycastchicago to hear Compass's Carrie Overbey, LCPC, Chief Clinical Officer – Chicago, discuss SMARTER goals and how "coping ahead" can help set you on the right track for the new year. We hope you enjoy listening as much as we did.
Compass's Carrie Overbey, LCPC, Featured on City Cast Podcast
January 3, 2023Check out the latest episode of @citycastchicago to hear Compass's Carrie Overbey, LCPC, Chief Clinical Officer – Chicago, discuss SMARTER goals and how "coping ahead" can help set you on the right track for the new year. We hope you enjoy listening as much as we did.
Justine Mitchell, Compass Health Center and Compass Virtual
December 19, 2022Compass Health Center has named Justine Mitchell as its new Senior Vice President of Virtual. Before becoming SVP of Compass Virtual, Mitchell served as one of the founding members of Illinois-based telepsychiatry provider Regroup. Under Mitchell’s leadership, Compass Virtual plans to expand virtual Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) programs to additional markets outside of Illinois.
Compass Virtual Welcomes Justine Mitchell to Leadership Team with Plans to Increase Access to Life-Saving Behavioral Health Treatment for Individuals
December 6, 2022In a follow-up to Compass Health Center’s recent announcement of expanding its Illinois-based virtual Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) programs, the company has named Justine Mitchell as its new Senior Vice President of Compass Virtual. Compass Virtual boasts virtual patient outcomes on par with in-person patient outcomes, which have translated to a decrease in adolescent, young adult, and adult patient reports of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety symptoms.
Compass Health Center's Joe Serio Quoted as Trusted Clinical Expert in Recent Forbes Article
November 29, 2022“Exposure therapy is a systematic process of bringing a person into contact with something they fear—an object, event or scenario—to decrease their avoidance of this situation,” says Joe Serio, a licensed clinical professional counselor and chief clinical officer at Compass Health Center. “This helps teach them that the worst-case scenario outcome they’re convinced will happen, won’t.”
PHP/IOP Behavioral Health Reacts to Maryland Teen Suffering in Waiting Room for 76 Days; Provides Critical Solution to Ongoing Crisis
November 2, 2022The Washington Post recently reported the story of Zachary Chafos, an 18-year-old who "languished for a total of 76 days in a Maryland ER waiting for a psychiatric bed." This type of situation is common throughout the country and is a singular example of one of the many contributing factors to the growing mental health treatment crisis for teens in the United States. Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) programs, like Compass Health Center, are helping to provide solutions.
Chicago Mental Health Experts Outline 7 Ways to Attain Balance for Improved Mental Health Throughout the Holiday Season
October 27, 2022A recent scientific brief released by the World Health Organization found that during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by a monumental 25%. Over the past few years, holidays have looked different due to social distancing restrictions and safety guidelines. Anna Finis, PsyD, Director of Child and Young Child IOP at Compass Health Center - Chicago, explains, "going into the holiday season, where we may find ourselves pulled in various directions, we have an opportunity to evaluate our priorities and fill our time intentionally. Balance, in general, is not how we add to our day, but instead how we are more intentional with our time."
Clinic uses VR to help defuse fears, anxieties
October 7, 2022Could virtual reality be a key to helping people overcome their fears and anxiety? A Chicago-based behavioral health system thinks so. Facing their fears is one way to help people deal with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and anxiety, but sometimes that's not safe or practical to do in reality.
Chicago Behavior Center Utilizes Innovative Virtual Reality to Treat Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Anxiety Disorders
October 6, 2022Compass now offers Virtual Reality Care in its Adult Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Complex Anxiety Programs across in-person locations and through Compass Virtual. Through virtual reality care, it can further support and elevate Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP) by placing the individual in specific environments that challenge their anxiety.
New Virtual Behavioral Health Program Developed for ‘Chronically Absent’ Teens Struggling With School Refusal
September 29, 2022Compass Virtual has developed a new School Anxiety & Refusal Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) for adolescents, ages 13 to 18, who struggle with behavioral health challenges that present as school refusal. The virtual program, which is now accepting intakes, is available online for teens throughout the state of Illinois. School anxiety and refusal programming is also available in person at Compass’ three Chicagoland locations.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP IL) Partners With Chicago Mental Health Center to Bring Awareness to Suicide Prevention Month With 2 Important Events
September 8, 2022The CDC reports that in 2020, 1.2 million American adults attempted suicide, and nearly 46,000 adults died by suicide. Suicide prevention awareness is an essential step toward lowering those numbers. For Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Compass Health Center is teaming up with The Illinois Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP IL) to promote two important suicide prevention events.
New Adolescent Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Program Addresses an Increased Need for Specialized Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy in Chicago Suburbs
September 1, 2022In response to the growing need for targeted clinical services to treat Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and other anxiety disorders in adolescents, Compass Health Center is launching its Adolescent OCD and Complex Anxiety Disorder Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient (PHP/IOP) program at its Oak Brook location on Sept. 6, 2022. The goal of this new program is to provide specialized, evidence-based treatment for OCD and anxiety disorders among adolescents ages 13-18 in the Western Suburbs.
New Trauma Program Opens in Oak Brook
August 19, 2022New Compass Health Center Trauma Program Address Growing Demand for Trauma-Focused Care in Illinois' Western Suburb.
Compass Health Center to Host Free Educator and Clinician Webinar/CEU: Understanding and Treating School Anxiety & Refusal, Aug. 25, 2022, 10 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
August 17, 2022Compass Health Center will be hosting a live webinar/CEU on Aug. 25, 2022, at 10 a.m. CT. The webinar, titled "Understanding and Treating School Anxiety & Refusal," is for clinicians and education professionals working with children and adolescents who experience anxiety and school refusal symptoms.
Compass Health Center In-Network With Optum/United Behavioral Health Beginning July 15, 2022
July 11, 2022Compass Health Center announced today that it will be in-network with Optum/United Behavioral Health beginning July 15, 2022.
New Adolescent Substance Use Treatment Services Address Urgent Need Throughout Chicago Western Suburbs, Illinois
June 14, 2022NIH reports over 60 percent of adolescents in substance use disorder treatment programs also meet diagnostic criteria for another mental illness.
Increase in Child and Teen Depression Lead to New In-Person and Virtual Summer Creative Arts Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
June 8, 2022Compass Health Center and Compass Virtual have developed a summer program for children and teens who struggle with behavioral health challenges.
Compass Virtual Opens New Adult Evening Partial Hospitalization Program to Address Vast Disparities in Mental Health Treatment Options Across Illinois
June 7, 2022Compass Virtual, launched in 2021 by Chicago-based Compass Health Center, has developed entirely virtual Evening Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) programs to provide treatment flexibility for patients seeking intensive levels of behavioral healthcare in a virtual setting.
Pediatric Behavioral Health Professionals Offer 8 Tips to Help Children Navigate Feelings in Wake of Trauma
June 1, 2022Compass Health Center offers supportive and age-appropriate advice and guidance in speaking to children about the Uvalde, Texas tragedy.
Expanded Compass Health Center Trauma Team Looks to Fill Gap With Enhanced Trauma Programming in Chicago
March 10, 2022Compass Health Center’s Behavioral Health Trauma Program in Chicago has undergone tremendous growth and expansion in the past 18 months, resulting in an expanded team of passionate and dedicated clinicians with diverse clinical backgrounds ready to serve the community.
Honesty, reassurance: How to talk to kids about Ukraine
February 25, 2022We’ve heard from a tremendous number of parents already who have thanked us for covering the story so forthrightly, and they are telling us that they appreciate our calm and factual approach because their children are frightened and they weren’t sure what to say,” Barbalich said.
For kids, said Dr. Nick Hatzis of the outpatient mental health care facility Compass Health Center in Chicago, the most important step for parents is to “create a space that allows for listening.” Conversation on Ukraine may be exactly what some kids want and exactly what others might not, he said.
“There’s going to be a lot of back and forth,” said Hatzis, medical director for child and adolescent programs. “We want to make sure that we are actively promoting our routines, our schedules, participating in the meaningful activities in our lives and in our kids’ lives.”
New Compass Health Center Location Brings Intensive Behavioral Healthcare to Chicago’s Western Suburbs
August 2, 2021Oak Brook, IL, July 31, 2021 –(PR.com)– Compass Health Center will be opening a new 50,000 square foot Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) behavioral health treatment facility, located in the Oak Brook/Westmont/Hinsdale region of Chicago’s western suburbs on August 2, 2021. Compass is the largest provider of PHP/IOP services in Illinois and has locations in Northbrook and Chicago and a Virtual option for Illinois-based patients.
Compass Health Center- Oak Brook Now Open
July 29, 2021Westmont, IL July 29, 2021: Compass Health Center will be opening a new 50,000 square foot Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) behavioral health treatment facility, located in the Oak Brook/Westmont/Hinsdale region of Chicago’s western suburbs on August 2, 2021. Compass is the largest provider of PHP/IOP services in Illinois and has locations in Northbrook and Chicago and a Virtual option for Illinois-based patients.
The toll of lockdown: Doctors see dramatic increase in overdose deaths
July 14, 2021Amid the pandemic, some turned to drugs and alcohol in isolation during lockdown. Others who were already battling addiction fell back into substance use as they were overwhelmed with depression and anxiety. “We are obviously seeing a crisis in terms of overdose deaths, but that is just one piece of this. We are also seeing mental health crisis,” said Dr. Deepali Gershan, addiction psychiatrist with Compass Health.
WGN News Story on Panic Disorder
August 4, 2020Compass Health Center Associate Director of Child Programs, Ashley Senderak, appeared on WGN News last night to discuss panic disorder. Click the link below to view the segment.
WGN News Story on Substance Use During COVID-19
May 20, 2020Compass Health Center Addiction Psychiatrist Deepali Gershan was interviewed by WGN TV for a story on substance use during COVID-19.
Compass Health Center Interviewed By Patch on Virtual Mental Health Services
April 20, 2020Compass Health Center Senior Director of Child and Adolescent Programming, Beth Hope, and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Claudia Welke, interview with Patch and provide insight on offering virtual therapy and treatment options during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Compass Health Center Interviewed By WGN News On Relationships and COVID-19
April 8, 2020Compass Health Center Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Family Therapist, Lisa Gordon, Ph.D. interviews with WGN News and provides helpful tips on managing relationships with significant others during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Compass Health Center Interviewed By FOX News On Virtual Therapy and COVID-19
April 4, 2020Compass Health Center’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Claudia Welke interviews with Fox News Chicago to discuss the importance of Compass as the only Illinois PHP/IOP Center to offer Virtual Therapy options to patients and frontline workers during the COVID-19 crisis.
Compass Health Center Interviewed By WGN News On Mental Health and COVID-19
March 30, 2020Compass Health Center’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Claudia Welke, discusses how Compass Virtual Programs are helping to keep patients and staff safe, while also keeping mental health crises out of emergency rooms.
Get in Touch
If this is an emergency or a crisis situation, please dial 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.
