About the Program
Northbrook, Illinois*
IOP
Program Overview
Compass Health Center’s Young Child Program is offered through PHP and IOP levels of care for children between ages 5 and 10. Across both PHP and After School IOP, goals include helping children learn coping skills related to increasing emotion identification, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, relaxation techniques, and improved communication skills. Family Therapy and parent support are vital pieces of treatment in Young Child Programs. As part of Compass’s individual care model, children participate in family therapy with one or more of their family members, which supports symptom management and overall treatment outcomes.
Outpatient Skill-Building Group
At Compass Health Center’s Chicago location, this 1-hour group is offered on Mondays and Wednesdays with a focus on helping children build social problem-solving and regulation skills. Group therapy is a great way for children to practice their skills in the moment and learn from one another. Through hands-on activities, including both recreational therapy and creative expression, children have opportunities to engage in social-emotional and behavioral therapy that will help them manage daily stressors and enhance their social skills. Children can attend either once or twice per week during offered times.
After-School Intensive Outpatient (IOP)
At Compass Health Center’s Chicago location, After School Intensive Outpatient (IOP) Program provides short-term stabilization for patients who are stepping down from PHP or having difficulty managing their symptoms in traditional outpatient treatment. Compass’s goal in IOP is to keep the patient involved in as much of their daily routine as possible while providing an intensive level of treatment. IOP may be recommended for children who are having trouble managing daily stressors, require additional support outside of school, though are still able to attend school or other structured programs throughout the day.
Partial-Hospitalization (PHP)
Compass Health Center’s Young Child Partial Hospitalization (PHP) Program provides short-term stabilization for children who are experiencing mood and anxiety symptoms leading to difficulty functioning throughout their daily activities. This may present as severe anxiety, school avoidance, and difficulty communicating or problem-solving. In some cases, this also includes emotional dysregulation, aggression, and oppositional behavior. During the course of treatment, Compass provides various therapies that will improve the child’s level of functioning by gaining strategies and learning how to utilize them effectively.
What to Expect: PHP and IOP
Compass’s multidisciplinary team develops an individualized treatment plan for each patient that includes:
- Full psychiatric evaluation
- Regular psychiatric consultations with a dedicated psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner
- Daily structured group therapy
- Regular individual check-ins with a dedicated primary clinical therapist
- Regular family therapy sessions with a dedicated family therapist
- Regular parent/caregiver support and skills groups
- Experiential therapies such as creative expression, recreation therapy, mindfulness, movement therapy, improv, and animal assisted therapy
- Ongoing reassessments and modifications to treatment plan
Compass’s customized treatment plans are tailored to the needs of each individual and adapted over the course of treatment. The group therapy model provides the opportunity to connect with others, normalize experiences, and build group accountability. This individualized approach to treatment supports people in moving towards achieving a meaningful and functional life.
What to Expect: Outpatient Skill-Building Group
Compass’s outpatient groups are designed for children between 5-12 years old. In these groups, you and your child will have access to:
- Once or twice weekly structured group therapy
- Increased emotion identification in self and others
- Social skill-building, including problem-solving and perspective-taking
- Emotional and behavioral regulation skill-building
- Experiential therapies such as creative expression, recreation therapy, mindfulness, movement therapy, and improv
- Opportunities for parent involvement:
- Access to a weekly parent strategies group to build parenting skills
- Monthly skill review
The group therapy model provides the opportunity to connect with others, normalize experiences, and build group accountability.
Academic Support
Children in Compass’s Partial Hospitalization (PHP) Program receive daily education services during the school year to support their academic goals alongside treatment. This includes time each day for supervised study, case management, and coordination of care among the Compass treatment team, the child’s school teams, and their family. Compass recognizes that flexibility is key to ensuring a successful transition back to school following treatment. Your child’s team is in regular communication with their school to adjust the treatment plan as needed to best support them.
Treatment Modalities
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.
