Rogers Adds Services in Chicago for Teens with Mood Disorders

Posted on 10/24/16 07:06:pm

(Oconomowoc, Wis.) Imagine yourself at age 15. Last year, you did well in school, were busy with extra-curricular activities and enjoyed spending time with friends. But now, your life is flipped upside down by depression and feelings of hopelessness. You don’t enjoy the things you used to do, can’t keep up with the demands of school, and you’re isolating from friends and family because connecting with others seems too difficult. Most days you can’t even find the motivation to get out of bed. Your parents and teachers are upset you’re not acting like yourself. All you know is you’re not the person you once were, or the person you want to be.

Programs for depression, bipolar disorder and other mood disorders are now available for teens ages 13 to 17 at Rogers Behavioral Health–Chicago. These include:

• FOCUS adolescent mood disorders partial hospital program, 6 hours per day, five days per week
• FOCUS adolescent mood disorders intensive outpatient program, 3 hours per day, five days per week

“In these programs, teens will receive a scientifically supported treatment approach, which includes behavioral activation, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)-informed skills and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques,” says Rachel Leonard, PhD, clinical supervisor of FOCUS programming in Wisconsin. “These techniques are the best approach for reducing mood disorder symptoms and helping kids build healthy foundations for adulthood.”

Teens enrolled in the partial program will also have dedicated time each day to complete academic assignments, allowing them to stay engaged in school and have time for family activities.

“For teens to be successful, families must be actively involved and offer extra support at home by reinforcing treatment goals,” says Paula Young, PhD, clinical supervisor of FOCUS programming at Rogers–Chicago. “When parents understand and apply the techniques we teach, children receive the consistent messaging they need to improve their health.”

Adults can also receive treatment at Rogers’ Chicago location, based in Skokie, through separate FOCUS partial hospital and intensive outpatient programs.