Know what to expect from your time in the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at the American University of Beirut Medical Centre (AUBMC) by reading the information below.
Services We Provide
Our highly structured, short-term program is ideal for people who are 16 years or above, in emotional distress but can still safely reside in the community. Many individuals attend the IOP after an inpatient psychiatric hospital stay or to prevent further worsening of symptoms that could require hospitalization.
The goal of the program is to stabilize mood, improve functioning, and support a return to outpatient treatment.
The IOP emphasizes group therapy and focuses on structure and skill-building using a variety of evidence based approaches.
As part of a multidisciplinary treatment model, you will also receive medication consultation with a psychiatrist, case management and aftercare support, and individual therapy.
Our dedicated and experienced staff takes a comprehensive approach to treatment and recovery, incorporating family members in patient care, as appropriate. To maintain treatment continuity, care is also coordinated with outpatient providers.
Individuals in our program receive services including:
- Multiple group therapy sessions
- Individual psychiatric session
- Safety planning
- Medication assessment and management
- Education and support for patients
- Family support if needed
- Coordination of care with other providers
- Discharge planning to other healthcare providers
- Referral to mental health follow-up
Intake Session
• You will first complete an intake assessment for 30 minutes, free of charge. This involves meeting privately with a clinical psychologist who will provide an overview of the program; gather information on your history, current symptoms and stressors; and help determine if the program is appropriate for you right now.
• Intake assessments can be scheduled by calling our backup office on +9611759620.
• If the program is suitable for your needs, you will be asked to confirm your willingness to participate and ability to commit.
• You will be asked to pay the full amount of registration prior to joining IOP or on the first day of attendance. You will be asked to participate in the program for at least 2 weeks (one cycle). This is subject to renewal based on a discussion with your providers.
Treatment
• IOP is an outpatient group treatment option that consists of up to four groups a day, Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8.00am till 1.00pm.
• Once enrolled in IOP, you will be seen by a psychiatrist/resident for medication management once per week.
• The length of stay in the program is assessed bi-weekly with your individual clinician and is dependent on your needs, but average lengths of stay are four to six weeks.
• Regular attendance in the program is vital to your treatment. Infrequent absences for excusable reasons (sickness, appointments, family emergencies, etc.) can be accommodated if necessary. If you are absent for more than three days in a row, regardless of reason, you may require an administrative discharge from the program without a refund. If this is the case, you would need to complete another intake assessment before resuming treatment.
• Please inform your individual clinician immediately if you are anticipating any commitments that will require you to be out more than three days in a row. You may be asked to hold off treatment until you can commit to at least a two week admission.
• Please remain in regular contact with your assigned individual clinician and inform them if you will need to be absent or will be running late for the program. The facility's phone number is 01-759620.
• You are required to include an emergency contact on your release of information prior to joining this program. This person does not need to be a family member. This person will only be contacted in case of emergencies or if you remain out of contact with the program for two days in a row and cannot be reached.
• This is a voluntary program. If you choose to enroll in the program, please respect the healing process and commit to creating a safe and comfortable space for all.
• As with any new endeavor, it will likely take time and patience to become comfortable and oriented within the program. If needed, please practice healthy coping within the space (i.e. externalizing your stress to the group or to staff, taking breaks, using fidgets or stress balls, coloring or doodling, etc.). Patients are encouraged to set their own limits and share at their own pace. Group facilitators will monitor what is shared in group and ensure it is within the parameters of group guidelines.
• Snack and coffee are available as a part of the program and are served in the meeting area during coffee break time.
For more information please call us on 01-759620, visit our website Department of Psychiatry (aubmc.org.lb), or email the co-directors Dr. Nadia Dandan on nd55@aub.edu.lb and Dr. Wael Shamseddine on ws11@aub.edu.lb