By Mia Cernigliaro
Greenwich Hospital’s innovative Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) stands out as one of the only of its kind in the region. Designed to meet a growing need, the IOP offers a crucial intermediate level of care for teens navigating significant mental health challenges.
Launched in October 2024, the IOP came at a critical time for adolescent mental health. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of psychiatric issues among teens soared, leaving families to navigate long waitlists and limited access to care. The IOP offers a structured, team-based model for teens struggling with mood and anxiety disorders, bridging the gap between weekly therapy and inpatient treatment.
For IOP Medical Director Jessica Dodge, MD, the mission is personal. A board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist, she has long been passionate about supporting young people who feel different or misunderstood. “I’ve always wanted to foster growth and development in people who could be stigmatized or felt different in some way,” she shared. “It’s a never-ending mission to help kids move through the world and feel safe and understood.”
Developed in partnership with the Yale School of Medicine and Greenwich United Way, the program addresses a growing need for accessible, adolescent-focused care. Adolescents aged 13 to 17 attend the IOP three days a week for six to eight weeks. Sessions include group-based activities focused on mindfulness, coping skills and psychoeducation, alongside medication management and periodic family meetings. “The idea of the IOP is to help those people in subacute levels of distress so that we can avoid hospitalization,” explained Dr. Dodge.
The program functions as a bridge, providing teens with meaningful and intensive support while still allowing them to maintain school and family routines. It is tailored to teens showing signs of social withdrawal, academic decline or trouble managing daily routines due to anxiety or depression. Dr. Dodge emphasized the need for early, direct conversations about emotional health. “If kids are starting to have passive thoughts of not wanting to be alive, we should be checking in,” she noted. “Asking kids about suicide can actually help prevent it.”
Today’s teens face mounting pressure. From academic demands and social media to post-pandemic isolation, many are overwhelmed and unsure where to turn. “There’s a lot of pressure on kids,” said Dr. Dodge. “And a lot less time for kids to be kids.”
Much of the program’s success is thanks to the partnership with Greenwich United Way, who played a crucial role in both funding and outreach. “Our collaboration has allowed us to connect across systems and to work with community partners. We’re really thankful for the support they’ve given,” Dr. Dodge asserted. This cross-sector approach helps ensure that students, families, schools and healthcare providers are aligned in addressing the mental health needs of local youth.
Amid uncertainty, Dr. Dodge and the IOP team wants families to know that “We see you– you are not alone– and we are a resource in this wonderful community.”
For more information about the Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Intensive Outpatient Program at Greenwich Hospital, call 475-240-8072.
Mia Cernigliaro is an intern at Greenwich Hospital.
