Manager: Brenda Memel DNP, RN

The Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program (AIOP) at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center is a unique after school program for adolescents ages 12 through 17.

The program offers:

• Complete psychiatric and psychosocial evaluation
• Psychological and educational testing
• Occupational therapy
• Nursing support
• Daily group therapy and behavior modification
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy-influenced skills training

Our Goals

The goal of the AIOP is to provide an intensive level of services to clients currently in outpatient treatment in order to prevent hospitalization.  We provide step-down services to hospitalized clients as a transition to outpatient care.

Our Clients

The AIOP serves adolescents who have increased psychiatric symptoms due to mood disorders, disruptive behavior disorders, and anxiety disorders.Our typical client has one or more of the following:

• Marked changes in emotion
• Thoughts of hurting one’s self
• Impulsive or aggressive behavior
• Changes in speech or thinking
• School difficulties, including an overall decline in performance
• Self-injurious behavior

Treatment

Each of our clients is assigned to an individual therapist. In addition, they participate in group therapy, which focuses on anger management; problem solving; holistic general health; coping skills; social skills; and dialectical and cognitive behavior therapy influenced skills training. Socialization, recreation, and a daily rewards program complete the treatment program. Family members are involved in treatment through weekly family therapy meetings and a weekly parents group.

AIOP offers some unique skills groups including:

• A trauma-focused group skills treatment for adolescents building on their strengths and resilience in dealing with chronic stress and trauma.
• Established group curricula intended to strengthen attention and emotional regulation, cultivate wholesome emotions like gratitude and compassion, expand the repertoire of stress management skills, and help participants integrate mindfulness into daily life.
• Art Therapy uses active art-making, creative processes, and applied psychological theory to improve cognitive and sensorimotor functioning, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, promote insight, enhance social skills, and resolve conflicts and distress.
• Occupational therapy enables people of all ages including teens to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health, and prevent or live better with illness or disability.

Additional Information

• Referrals to this program can be made by psychiatrists, therapists, or inpatient treatment programs.
• Medical assistance and some private insurance are accepted.
• Van and taxi service to the program can be provided in the immediate area of the program. All other clients must provide their own transportation. Call with any questions.

For more information or to make a referral, call clinic supervisor Brenda Memel at 410-550-7173