ACCELERATED OUTPATIENT PROGRAM (AOP)
For Adolescents with Anxiety Disorders and OCD
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What makes this program unique?
What is the time commitment? When do teens and parents meet with their clinicians?
What is the cost of the program? Do you take insurance?
What is the wait to start the program?
Are there any rule-outs for participation in the program?
How do teens/parents manage missing school and/or work for the program?
Can we do the program remotely?
Does the program include medication management?Will my teen continue with their AOP individual therapist following the completion of the program?
Our program was thoughtfully designed by our expert clinicians at The Concord Center, and as such it has several unique elements:
Accelerated Treatment
At the core, this program provides the opportunity to engage in an accelerated, intensive approach for anxiety and/or OCD. While part of this involves coming in for therapy multiple times a week, it also allows for our exposure coaches to meet with teens in their lived environments (e.g., at home, school, public settings, etc.) to put the therapeutic lessons into practice in real and meaningful ways.
Parallel Parent Work
Integrating parallel parent guidance accelerates growth. By focusing on how parents can support their teens and implement changes at home, we facilitate systemic change that complements individual progress.
Dedicated Treatment Team
Teens and their parents work with a dedicated team consisting of three providers: an adolescent therapist, a parent therapist, and an exposure coach. Participant’s specific, individualized, and cohesive team remains consistent throughout the program and maintains close communication, ensuring collaborative care.
Individualized Approach
Our program also takes a completely individualized approach to treatment. The Concord Center does offer many therapeutic groups, and we deeply believe in the value and role of group therapy to help individuals overcome issues related to anxiety and OCD. For our AOP however, we do not integrate group therapy directly or require it as part of the program. We often find that by the end of the program, teens are more willing to engage in a group component, and we typically encourage and recommend group therapy as part of discharge planning.
Optional Medication Consultation
Research supports that medication management can be an integral part of treatment for individuals living with moderate-to-severe anxiety and/or OCD. Our AOP incorporates this by providing the opportunity for optional medication management consultation with psychiatrist Dr. Holly Peek. Dr. Peek is a board-certified child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist with expertise in anxiety, OCD and mood disorders
The program runs for 4 weeks with up to 4 additional weeks, as needed. Teens meet with their individual therapist 3 times per week in-person (twice for 50-minutes, and once for 80-minutes) and 1 time per week with their exposure coach (80-minutes). Teen therapy appointments must be scheduled during daytime hours, typically at 1 or 2pm.
Parents meet with their parent coach 2 times per week for 50-minutes. These sessions can be held in-person or virtually.
The AOP is a self-pay program. Payment for the four weeks is expected at the start of treatment. For families with out-of-network behavioral health insurance benefits, most of the services provided can be submitted for reimbursement, as allowed by your health plan. We will provide both a paid invoice for all services rendered as well as a “super bill,” which includes all necessary procedural and diagnostic codes needed to submit to insurance companies. Please reach out for details on the cost breakdown for the program.
Due to the intensity of symptoms, we commit to getting back to families following their initial inquiry within two business days. Following a screener determining goodness of fit for the program, clients typically can begin the program in under one month.
We recognize that many people struggling with moderate to severe anxiety and/or OCD are also presenting with other difficult symptoms. Because of this, we do not rule out suicidality, self-harm urges or behaviors, or psychosis symptoms. However, we are thoughtful in assessing these symptoms to determine if they are currently interfering with anxiety/ OCD treatment. Sometimes, we refer clients to get treatment for interfering symptoms before getting started in the AOP.
Schools are usually able to accommodate students’ early dismissal in order to access the therapy they need. We are able to provide a doctor’s note stating the medical necessity of the treatment. Parents can consider applying for Paid Family Medical Leave to manage work missed due to parent appointments and/or driving their teen to appointments.
Teens are required to attend individual therapy appointments in-person, at our office in Concord, MA. Parent sessions can be held virtually for one or both parents to accommodate work/ family schedules.
No - teens meets individually with their therapist and exposure coach for all AOP appointments. After completing the program, we recommend and encourage participants to consider our group treatment options, including our Social Anxiety Group for teens.
As part of our program, we offer optional medication management consultation with psychiatrist Dr. Holly Peek. Dr. Peek is a board-certified child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist with expertise in anxiety, OCD and mood disorders. All services rendered with her are conducted through her private practice.
Participants will not be able to continue with their AOP therapist for ongoing outpatient therapy after the program. This policy has two main reasons: first, AOP clinicians cannot reserve time for individuals not enrolled in the program due to their existing caseloads. Second, we encourage participants to take ownership of their growth by transitioning to a previous or new therapist. Early in the program, we discuss discharge plans, which may include starting with another clinician at The Concord Center for outpatient therapy if needed.
Interested? Next Steps!
If you are interested in pursuing treatment in the AOP, please complete the inquiry form here. A coordinator will be in contact with you to conduct a screening and provide additional information in addition to answering any questions you might have.