COVID-19 and flu vaccines are now available. Find out how to get them at a location near you.

Support group having a group discussion about substance abuse

Northwestern Medicine offers a complete range of coordinated outpatient care to help you overcome a full spectrum of mental health disorders, including:

  • Addiction
  • Anxiety disorders
  • ADHD
  • Bi-Polar disorder
  • Depression
  • Life transition crises
  • Mood disorders
  • Personality disorders
  • Trauma-related disorders
  • Substance use disorders

Compassionate professionals help you work through psychological, behavioral, social, family, school and work difficulties through one-on-one, family and group therapy. Our specialists help you work towards leading a productive, healthy life. Family support sessions provide time for the patient, family and therapist to discuss family functioning and support for the patient’s recovery.

Through our outpatient care settings, we work to recognize and treat mental illness as soon as the symptoms are present. Identifying mental conditions helps prevent long-term disability and empowers patients with more persistent mental illnesses to lead meaningful lives with the greatest degree of independence possible. We offer outpatient care in Winfield on the Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital campus and in St. Charles.

northwestern-medicine-continuum-of-care-for-psychiatric-services


Partial Hospitalization

The Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provide care for adults with mental health and co-occurring substance-use disorders, which cannot be managed in a traditional outpatient setting. Admission into these levels of care are often part of a recovery plan when stepping down from inpatient or residential care. Individual and group therapy, with psychiatry support, are the foundational elements of these programs. Patients often find the group-therapy treatment approach helpful in assuring them they are not alone in their thoughts, feelings and circumstances. The multidisciplinary team provides education, individual therapy and guidance while the group provides useful feedback and support. The team includes licensed and certified counselors, psychiatrists, registered nurses and certified expressive arts and movement specialists.

Each person in the outpatient program is assigned a primary therapist who is responsible for co-creating an individual treatment plan, monitoring progress of treatment goals, providing one-on-one therapy, facilitating case management and developing an appropriate aftercare plan. Family involvement is highly encouraged and family therapy sessions may be part of a patient’s treatment plan.


Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is an ideal setting for:

  • Individuals who need step-down from inpatient care to continue recovery.
  • Clients experiencing a decline in functioning or an increase in symptoms, such as becoming more isolated, or expressing suicidal thoughts, but are not actively suicidal (no intent or plan).
  • Individuals who are still psychiatrically stable but are using maladaptive coping strategies, such as self-injury, or self-medicating with substances in response to their personal stressors and moods.

The mental health PHP meets during the day, Monday through Friday.


Intensive Outpatient Program is an ideal setting for:

  • Step-down from Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP).
  • Individuals needing more structure and support than traditional outpatient therapy.
  • Reinforcement of skills and relapse prevention in order to transition back to daily life including home, school, work and social interaction.

The mental health IOP meets three hours a day, Monday through Friday.


After-care (Discharge) Planning:

Having a post-treatment plan is an important part of recovery. It is crucial to have supportive systems in place to maintain restored levels of health and functioning. Your hospital therapist will link you to resources and healthcare providers who can help you achieve transition back to daily life, continued recovery and help prevent relapse.

Find out more about our inpatient and outpatient services at Central DuPage Hospital.

To access non-emergency treatment at Northwestern Medicine Behavioral Health, please call 630.933.4000. TTY 711.

Meet the Team

Two men sitting in an office
The Behavioral Health Services Outpatient Partial Day Hospital Team incorporates the services of board-certified psychiatrists, nurses, licensed clinical therapists and behavioral health counselors. The physicians and nurses provide management of psychiatric medications and medical issues, while the therapists and counselors provide one-to-one, family and group therapy to work through behavioral, cognitive, social, family, school and work difficulties.

Meet the Western Suburbs Outpatient Behavioral Health Care Team
Locations & Contact Information

    Mental Health: Finding the Help You Need

    Find out what specialists can play a role in your treatment for mental health concerns.

    Treatment for Addiction

    Find out where you can go for help if you need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse.

    Related Resources