Best IOP program in DC area for 15yo with major depression?

Anonymous
We did Heartwood for the same reasons, OP. I'm sorry you're going through this. This was two years ago but OMG the admin staff was unorganized. We really liked the psychiatrist and the group aspect of the treatment. My daughter actually enjoyed going to groups.
Anonymous
A strong vote against Helix. My kid's therapist was unlicensed ("in residence")- so no experience at all with helping my kid, communicating with parents & school and no reimbursement. Zero tailoring of their program to the kid/family. One time my kid sat outside to test them and see if they noticed. They didn't. The discharge plan was a template- so generic I was embarrassed for them. It literally listed books I should read and therapists I should call to see if they can help me. I was promised a seamless transition but instead it was an abrupt ending after a very expensive ride.
Anonymous
I don’t have any IOP recommendations because I’m not local, but I just want to tell you that my son also was on a meds rollercoaster at 15 and also has suicidal ideation and an attempt. He finally agreed to an IOP and it wa a life changing experience for all of us. Now, at 17, he is doing very well. Off meds (actually, we think now that Prozac caused the SI as he had very, very strong reactions to anything with serotonin). He struggled in school and with sleep/mood for months after the IOP, but persisted with DBT treatment for about 9 months and then traditional CBT talk therapy for another year or so. He leaned a lot of coping strategies from the IOP. He still has occasional down periods, but they are much fewer and much shorter and getting better. Please, OP, get therapy for yourself when you feel like you can handle it. Sending strength.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:We did Heartwood for the same reasons, OP. I'm sorry you're going through this. This was two years ago but OMG the admin staff was unorganized. We really liked the psychiatrist and the group aspect of the treatment. My daughter actually enjoyed going to groups.


NP and we did this last year also and had the same experience. It wasn’t perfect but the clinicians were good and it turned things around for our DC.
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