About This Program

The Intensive Outpatient Program is a specialty program within UT Health Austin Pediatric Psychiatry at Dell Children’s, a clinical partnership between Dell Children’s Medical Center and UT Health Austin.

The Intensive Outpatient Program is a 20-session multi-family program housed at Dell Children’s Medical Center that provides care and support for high-school aged adolescents (grades 9-12) who need a higher level of care and support than found in traditional outpatient settings to treat symptoms, such as self-injurious behavior, anxiety, depression, conflict within the family relationship, impulsiveness, or explosive behavior. Our goal is to help patients and their families learn communication skills, anger management, positive coping, mental health education, behaviors that enhance family relationships, and more.

The Intensive Outpatient Program care team provides a wide range of services, including psycho-social assessments, therapy in a group setting, teen skill teaching and practice, multi-family skills groups, parent support groups, safety planning and risk assessments, coordination of care with community providers, and more, to give patients and their families the best quality of life.

If your child is showing symptoms of distress or mental illness, please call our 24/7 assessment line at 1-512-324-0029 to speak with a licensed social worker, who is qualified to understand your current situation and direct you to the appropriate services.

Treatment Approach

Using dialectal behavioral therapy and cognitive behavioral models, the Intensive Outpatient Program care team helps patients and their families recognize personal strengths and areas of growth; develop and/or improve the use of healthy coping skills; identify, challenge, and modify distorted thoughts and beliefs; and improve their communication skills, their ability to problem solve, and their ability to cope with emotional crises. Our team of experts also work with patients and their families to set immediate and long-term goals and develop an effective aftercare plan. Groups within the Intensive Outpatient Program are tailored to your child’s specific needs with programs designed for high school-aged students and adolescent girls with specific care needs.

Patients are cared for by a dedicated multidisciplinary care team, meaning your child will benefit from the expertise of multiple specialists across a variety of disciplines. Our board-certified and fellowship-trained mental health experts have extensive experience treating behavioral and mental health disorders and work alongside a team of pediatric specialists, including psychologists, social workers, and more, providing unparalleled care for patients every step of the way.

In addition to providing outpatient mental health treatment, we strive to address your child’s entire spectrum of physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. All of these areas impact your child’s quality of life and are an integral part of the Intensive Outpatient Program's mission. We also collaborate closely with referring physicians and other partners in the community to coordinate any additional care services your child may need.

Appointment Information

All groups within the Intensive Outpatient Program meet once a week in the evening. Times and days vary, so please call 1-512-324-9999 Ext. 88517 for more information.