Healthy Expectations PIPER
Parent Infant Program for Emotional Resilience
Now Offered In Person and Virtual!
Colorado Women's Behavioral Health and Wellness
Connect with Us Today
303-724-1646 or email [email protected]
Parent Infant Program for Emotional Resilience (PIPER)
A Perinatal IOP
If you're navigating the challenges of pregnancy or new parenthood while experiencing a perinatal mental health condition, PIPER is here to support you.
PIPER is Colorado’s first and only comprehensive mental health care program designed specifically for the perinatal period. It offers structured, multidisciplinary, and evidence-based care for individuals who need more frequent and sustained support than traditional outpatient therapy throughout pregnancy and the first postpartum year.
The program helps participants gain momentum in their treatment and build a strong foundation for long-term wellness.
Babies are welcome. Parents are encouraged to bring their infants to in-person sessions, with access to an adjacent playroom to support bonding and comfort. See more about the playroom here.
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 PIPER 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.
Is PIPER Right for You?
Healthy Expectations PIPER is an effective treatment approach for a wide range of perinatal mental health concerns. Here are some reasons why PIPER 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.
A Letter to a Future Patient
More Information on PIPER
- Strengthen your bond with your baby
- Improve relationships with loved ones
- Learn practical skills to manage anxiety, depression, and stress
- Build confidence in your parenting
- Connect with a supportive, understanding community
- Enhance your overall wellbeing
- 9 hours per week from 9:00am-12:00pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
- Built for up to 10 weeks, program length based on medical necessity
- Access to
- Individual therapy once a week
- Reproductive psychiatrist services
- Care coordination for long term treatment after graduation
- Adjacent playroom for your infant (up to 1 year)
- Offered virtually and in person at the CU Anschutz campus
- New patients every Monday
PIPER runs Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Each day has a different focus and activity to guide you through the program.
| Monday, Wednesday, Friday | 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 patients, as well as toys for babies. |
| 10:15-11:30am | 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 program time. Medication evaluation and management with reproductive psychiatry can be scheduled outside of program time. | |
Our dedicated clinical team developed this program to ensure 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 everyday life.
Circle of Security Group
- You will learn and reflect on your 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
You Are Not Alone - We're Here to Help
Connect with Us Today
303-724-1646 or email [email protected]
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.
Colorado Women's Behavioral Health and Wellness