After-School IOP: After the bell rings, we’re here
School matters. So does your child’s mental health. Our After-School Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is designed for the hours after the bell rings—when there’s space to focus on what your child needs to build confidence and resilience, without losing the rhythm of their day.
Schedule an AppointmentAbout the Program
Northbrook, IL
Oak Brook, IL
Silver Spring, MD
Maryland
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Virginia
Washington, D.C.
Teens (13-18)
Support after school, stability throughout the day
For many families, finding care that supports a child’s mental health without interrupting school can feel impossible. Our After-School Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) was created to make treatment more accessible—providing comprehensive, evidence-based care in the late afternoon and evening.
Designed for children and teens experiencing anxiety, depression, OCD, emotional dysregulation, or other mental health challenges, this program allows students to:
- Attend school during the day
- Receive comprehensive, structured therapy and psychiatric care after classes
- Continue developing coping skills while maintaining daily routines
Mental health care shouldn’t mean falling behind. Our after-school programs help families find balance when more support is needed.
For students who need more support—without missing school
Our After-School IOP supports children and teens who may be:
- Struggling with anxiety, mood, or emotional regulation
- Experiencing increased stress or avoidance around school or peers
- Having difficulty transitioning home after school
- Needing more structure and support than weekly outpatient therapy or psychiatry provides
- Stepping down from Partial Hospitalization (PHP)
Care shaped by who they are and who they’re becoming
For Children (Ages 8–13)*
Our Child After-School IOP combines psychiatry, medication management, creative therapies, skill-building groups, executive functioning support, and family sessions to help children identify emotions, manage stress, and improve communication, all while maintaining their regular school routine. Parents participate through education and coaching, learning strategies that extend progress at home.
*On a case-by-base basis, Compass accepts children as young as five into the after school IOP program. Program offerings may differ by location. Kindly call us to confirm specific program details.
For Teens (Ages 13–18)
Our Adolescent After-School IOP provides the same comprehensive treatment as our Child Program, delivered through age-appropriate support for anxiety, depression, mood instability, stress management, and other symptoms. Teens receive specialized care that strengthens emotional insight, accountability, executive functioning, and self-confidence—while staying connected to academics, sports, and friends.
A steady after-school structure
Every participant receives a personalized care plan developed by our multidisciplinary team, which includes:
- Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, ongoing medication management, and nursing support
- Individual therapy with a dedicated clinician
- Daily group therapy focused on coping skills, emotional regulation, executive functioning, and communication
- Family therapy to strengthen relationships and reinforce progress
- Experiential therapies such as creative expression, mindfulness, recreation, or movement therapy
Our clinicians use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help children and teens develop emotional flexibility and resilience.
Care that protects the school day
Sessions typically run Monday through Friday, after school hours, allowing students to maintain their daytime routines while receiving high-quality care in the evenings.
- Continue attending school during the day
- Maintain friendships and continue engaging in extracurriculars
- Get home at a reasonable hour with clear strategies to manage emotions and stress
Our goal is simple: provide the depth of treatment your child needs without disrupting the rhythm of their life.
Care that works with your day, not against it
We know progress doesn’t happen without understanding and family support. Parents and caregivers are active participants in every step of care, learning practical tools to create structure, reduce conflict, and reinforce emotional regulation at home.
Family components include:
- Weekly family therapy
- Parent skills groups
- Education on communication, consistency, and self-care
When families grow in understanding, children gain confidence—and everyone starts to feel better.
Care that holds the day together
Compass Health Center’s After-School IOP provides a middle level of support between weekly outpatient therapy and full-day PHP treatment. Our programs are psychiatrist-led, team-based, and grounded in evidence-based care, yet designed to fit into real family life.
Families leave with:
- Improved coping and communication skills
- Greater stability at home and school
- A renewed sense of hope, connection, and progress
Start with a conversation
If your child or teen is struggling to manage anxiety, mood, or stress but needs to stay in school and can manage their classes, Compass Health Center’s After-School IOP can help. Our flexible, family-centered approach allows real growth to happen, alongside busy school days.
Our Success Stories
Compass saved my life! I came into Compass with suicidal ideations and no hope. After a couple of weeks of being in the program, I did not have those thoughts anymore. Compass helped me change my mindset, from a negative pattern of thoughts to a more positive and optimistic frame of mind.
Patient
My child is leaving Compass more equipped to handle her emotions, her anxiety, her depression, and the things that all trigger these. She is willing to use the skills, which is a huge change, and this is all due to how well Compass worked for her.
Parent of Child Patient
I liked how in Compass, everyone was respectful of my opinions, pronouns, and preferred name. There was no judging, and you can open up to people. I also like how I can relate to other kids. I also really appreciate learning new skills.
Patient
Compass is a godsend. An amazing program for children who are struggling and families who are seeking help and guidance. I could not imagine that she would be so much better in less than 2 months. I wish we could have found Compass without going to the ER. Thanks for all you do!
The evening IOP program challenged me in a supportive and respectful way to help change my way of thinking. Compass provided me with the tools to help deal with life situations in a healthy way.
Meet Forward, Compass Health Center's Lookbook
Forward is a collection of voices, insights, and design that feels less like a brochure and more like a magazine you’d actually want to flip through. We created this Lookbook to show how care can be approachable, engaging, and thoughtfully designed—just as our treatment experience is. Inside, you’ll find our philosophy, programs, and patient outcomes shaping Compass care today, and what’s next.
Get Forward, The Compass Lookbook
