Deciding to explore more intensive mental health services such as an intensive outpatient program (IOP), partial hospitalization, or therapeutic day treatment can feel overwhelming for both parents and teens. Here in Minnesota, programs like PrairieCare or Rogers Behavioral Health provide many structured care options for teenagers. As a parent, your role can make a critical difference in how smoothly the transition goes, how supported your teen feels, and how hopeful both of you remain through the process.
Below are some guiding principles and practical tips to help you walk alongside your teen as you consider and potentially enter a more structured mental health program.
1. Acknowledge the weight of the decision
- Own the uncertainty. It’s natural to feel fear, doubt, guilt, or even relief when thinking about stepping up care. You may worry: “Am I failing them?” or “Will this change too much?” Recognizing your emotions openly (with yourself or a trusted friend or counselor) can prevent them from leaking into how you communicate with your teen.
- Avoid pressure or ultimatums. Rather than “You must go,” try “I’m concerned about how things are going, and I want to explore options with you.” Let your teen know that you see this as a shared decision as much as possible.
- Respect their perspective. Your teen may feel afraid, embarrassed, or resistant. Those feelings don’t have to signal defiance—they can be a healthy response to a big, scary change.
2. Be well-informed, but stay open-minded
- Learn the options. Intensive outpatient programs allow the teen to remain at home while receiving frequent therapy, group work, and family involvement. Unlike inpatient care, they maintain more connection with their day-to-day life.
- Ask the right questions.
- What is the schedule (hours per day, days per week)?
- What therapy modalities are offered (e.g. individual, group, family, psychoeducation)?
- How involved are families?
- What is the staff credentialing and experience?
- What is the admission / discharge criteria and transition plan?
- What supports exist for crisis situations or setbacks?
- The “best” program is the one that addresses your teen’s patterns, challenges, and strengths, not necessarily the biggest brand name.
3. Partner with your teen (rather than push)
- Involve them early. Even if the idea comes from you, invite your teen into the discussion: “Here’s something I’ve been reading about. What do you think about exploring it together?”
- Set realistic expectations together. Recovery is rarely linear. Help your teen see that small steps count, that some days will feel better than others, and that treatment is a journey.
- Encourage agency. Ask them what they hope to get out of the program, what worries them most, and what supports they’d like from you (e.g. check-ins, space, reminders).
- Maintain empathy and curiosity. Ask more than tell. (“What was that session like today?” rather than “Did you get anything out of it?”)
4. Create a supportive home environment
- Practice open communication. Let your teen know you’re listening, that they can say hard things without judgment, and that their perspective matters even when you don’t fully agree or understand.
- Model your own self-care. Parents often overlook their own emotional needs when supporting a child. The more grounded and resilient you are, the more you can support your teen without burning out.
- Celebrate small wins. Big progress often comes in baby steps. A day with less agitation, a constructive conversation, or even getting out of bed can be worthy to notice.
- Be consistent and maintain structure (sleep routines, healthy meals, predictable check-ins) without being rigid.
5. Stay engaged with the treatment process
- Participate in family therapy. Many intensive programs make family work a core component because relationships shape healing. The more you understand the “why” behind certain strategies, the more aligned you can be in supporting your teen.
- Check in with clinicians. With consent from your teen, stay in touch with therapists or the program’s team; understand goals, challenges, and how you can help reinforce growth at home.
- Watch for signs of stagnation or mismatch. If your teen is resistant for months, if symptoms worsen, or if the program’s approach conflicts with your teen’s needs, revisit the plan and ask for adjustments or second opinions.
6. Prepare for transitions
- Families often wonder how to prepare their teen for entering and exiting a program like PrairieCare or Rogers Behavioral Health. Here are some thoughts I have below:
- Plan for onboarding. The first week in a new program is disorienting. Talk ahead about the schedule, how drop-off or introduction may go, and what support your teen might want in those early days.
- Bridge treatment levels. As recovery happens, encourage safe transitions (e.g. scaling back gradually) rather than abrupt exits. Many teens step down to less intensive therapy, but that requires preparation and supports.
- Maintain gains. After formal treatment ends, keep up routines, check-ins, and possibly booster sessions. Healing is ongoing.
7. Value hope, patience, and flexibility during this time
- Hold hope, not guarantees. Intensive care increases the chance for positive change, but every teenager’s journey is different.
- Practice patience. Change can be slow, messy, and non-linear. In tough moments, remind yourself of the long view.
- Be willing to pivot. If a program doesn’t seem to be the right fit, or something isn’t working, don’t see it as failure, see it as data. You and your teen deserve a plan that adapts.
Final Thoughts
Stepping up mental health care is rarely easy. But with compassion, open communication, engaged partnership, and a willingness to learn as you go, parents can become one of the strongest anchors of support. When we collaborate (rather than push), when we hold space (rather than pressure), and when we stay sturdy (rather than giving in to panic), we help our teens move into deeper healing and are able to walk besides them throughout this journey.
Exploring more intensive mental health care for your teen can feel overwhelming but you don’t have to do it alone. At True North Therapy Services, I provide therapy for teens and young adults along with parent support to help families navigate these critical decisions with confidence and compassion.
If your family is considering next steps, I’d be honored to talk with you about how I can support.