Healthy Expectations Perinatal Intensive Outpatient Program
Now Accepting Patients!
The Healthy Expectations Perinatal Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is the only perinatal program of its kind in Colorado! Our program is a place where people who are pregnant and postpartum can connect, receive therapy, parenting and infant support.
Signs and Symptoms Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADS) are a group of mental health conditions that can affect people during pregnancy and up to one year after giving birth. PMADs can include depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, postpartum psychosis, and more.
This is the most common complication for women in pregnancy and the postpartum period and it affects 1 in 11 women in the state of Colorado. Only half of women diagnosed with PMADs get the help they need.
PMADs can range from mild to severe and can manifest in a variety of forms including lack of interest in your baby or difficulty bonding, disturbance of eating or sleep, feelings of hopelessness, or unwanted thoughts about harming yourself or your baby.
If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, know that you are not alone! Healthy Expectations Perinatal Intensive Outpatient Program was designed to support women going through this difficult time through therapeutic interventions. Connect with us today to learn more.
What is an Intensive Outpatient Program?
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) provide care for individuals who would benefit from more therapeutic support than what is typically provided in a general outpatient level of care. They are designed to help individuals start the path to recovery quickly and to lay the foundation for long-term success in their treatment.
The Healthy Expectations IOP is the first and only perinatal specific program in the state of Colorado. It is designed to help individuals who are pregnant or up to one year postpartum who are experiencing anxiety, depression, and mood challenges.
- Our structure and services are built for an 8 week program
- shortened program evaluated based on medical necessity
- Requires 9 hours a week dispersed over 3 days at our in - person clinic at Anschutz Medical campus on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays.
- Access to individual therapy once a week based on need
- Access to reproductive psychiatrist services
- Access to our care coordinators for long term treatment after graduation
- Adjacent playroom where a trained professional will care for your infants up to 1 year old during group sessions
Our 8 week program will run Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays from 9 am - 12 pm. Each day will have a different focus and activity to guide you through the program.
| Monday, Wednesday, Friday (In Person at the clinic) | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:45-9:00am | Patients arrive, check in, settle babies in playroom |
| 9:00-10:00am | Skills Group
Includes building skills to address depression, anxiety, medical trauma, and other conditions |
| 10:00-10:15am | Break with snack
Snacks will be provided for IOP patients, as well as toys for babies. |
| 10:15-11:30pm | Parenting Group
Includes building skills to increase confidence and satisfaction with parenting and the relationship between you and your baby |
| 11:30-12:00pm | Wellness Group
Includes movement, nutrition, art therapy, and learning modules to support you in your community |
| 12:00pm | Depart |
| *Depending on patient needs, patients may do individual therapy during IOP times. Medication evaluation and management with reproductive psychiatry can be scheduled outside of IOP times. | |
Our dedicated clinical team developed this program to insure topics, tools, practices and approaches are appropriate to your healing journey. Lessons and activities will vary every session to guide you through your program, but will focus on the three areas below.
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) Group - Perinatal Adaptation
- You can expect to learn skills to address mental health symptoms and challenges that you can use in your every day life.
Circle of Security Group
- You will learn and reflect on you relationship with your child and what makes that relationship most meaningful and satisfying for you and your baby.
Parent - Child Wellness Group
- Explore areas of everyday life that support or challenge our mental health and ways to incorporate more supportive routines.
Other therapeutic methods:
- Group and individual sessions
- Medication management with reproductive psychiatrists
- ACT therapy for the perinatal population
- DBT-based therapies for skill building
- Case management & discharge planning
- Mindfulness-based therapies
- Relationship-based therapies
- Learning and applying coping skills
- Movement incorporated therapies
- Nutrition & wellness education
- Mental health care
A Letter to a Future Patient
Is This Program Right For You?
The Healthy Expectations Intensive Outpatient Program is an effective treatment approach for a wide range of perinatal mental health concerns.
Here are some reasons why IOP might be the right level of care for you:
- You are currently pregnant or one year postpartum and are experiencing an increase in mental health symptoms
- You are not functioning well in one area of life (family, relationships, parenting) and need more support.
- Your treatment needs exceed routine care in an outpatient setting.
- Your condition does not require an inpatient level of care.
Benefits of a Perinatal IOP
- Learn and practice skills to decrease mental health symptoms
- Enhance overall well-being
- Improve important relationships in your life including with your baby
- Participation in an IOP offers targeted support and may prevent the need for a higher level of inpatient care.
- Being with other mothers of whom you can relate and build support
How to Get Started!
Call to talk with our team at 303-724-1646 or email wbhw@cuanschutz.edu
Upon contact, our team will talk through the program and set up an intake with one of our therapists. If identified as a candidate, we will take next steps for insurance authorization and scheduling your first day.