Structured After-School Mental Health Support for Hamilton County Students
A group therapy intensive outpatient program (IOP) for middle and high school students who need more than weekly therapy — without removing them from school or family life.
You Know Something's Wrong. We Can Help.
When your child is struggling, it's hard to know how much support they actually need. Weekly therapy feels like it isn't enough. Inpatient feels like too much.
This program was built specifically for that in-between space — for kids who need real, consistent support without being pulled out of their school, their sports, or their friendships.
We'll help you figure out if this is the right fit. No commitment required.
A Structured, Evidence-Based Program
Our after-school group therapy IOP is designed for adolescents who are experiencing mental health challenges that are impacting their day-to-day functioning at home, at school, and in relationships.
Unlike traditional weekly therapy, IOP provides a higher level of structured clinical support — multiple sessions per week — while still allowing students to remain enrolled in school and connected to their lives.
Sessions are led by licensed clinicians using evidence-based treatment approaches matched to your child's specific needs. The program is developed in close collaboration with Hamilton County school staff and families to ensure consistency of care.
Who This Program Is Designed to Support
This program serves middle and high school students who need more than weekly therapy can offer — and whose challenges are showing up in real, visible ways at home and at school.
- Intense anxiety, worry, or panic that interferes with daily life
- School refusal or frequent school avoidance
- Emotional dysregulation or intense mood swings
- Difficulty managing relationships or conflict with peers and family
- Obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors
- Self-harm behaviors or thoughts of self-harm
- Academic decline due to mental health challenges
- Increasing support needs within the school environment
This program is NOT:
- A long-term removal from school
- A general behavioral program
- Crisis stabilization only
- A 'wait and see' substitute for ongoing care
Common Questions Parents Have
Yes, most insurance plans cover IOP services. Our intake team will verify your specific benefits before your first appointment so you know exactly what to expect. No surprises.
DBT stands for Dialectical Behavior Therapy. It's a skills-based approach that helps adolescents manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and build distress tolerance. Our DBT-focused group is designed for students dealing with emotional dysregulation, self-harm, or related challenges.
Weekly therapy is one hour per week. IOP is multiple hours, multiple days per week — providing consistent, structured skill-building when your child needs it most. It also includes direct school coordination and family involvement that most outpatient therapy does not.
Parent involvement is a core part of this program. You'll receive regular updates, access to parent coaching, and learn the same tools your child is practicing so you can reinforce them at home.
We have two separate groups — one for middle school students and one for high school students — so your child is working with peers at a similar maturity level. Our intake team will help identify the right group.
Why Choose the IOP at The Anxiety Center?
A group therapy Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a structured, clinically supervised program that meets multiple times per week. It sits between weekly outpatient therapy and inpatient hospitalization — providing intensive support without removing your child from school.
Students work with peers navigating similar challenges, guided by licensed clinicians. The group setting builds real-world skills and the kind of accountability that individual therapy can't replicate.
Ongoing communication
Ongoing communication with your family throughout the program
Structured Reintegration
Parent education and coaching built into the program
Direct coordination
Direct coordination with your child's school
Alignment
Alignment across home, school, and clinical care
Program Structure & Logistics
We offer two separate group therapy programs — each tailored by age, maturity level, and clinical focus. Both use a closed group model for consistency and stronger alignment between home, school, and clinic.
Start Time
After school, 3:30–6:00 PM
Location
The Anxiety Center — Fishers
Format
In-Person (Virtual option)
Schedule
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Clinical Focus
Anxiety, School Refusal, Distress Tolerance (CBT-based)
Who
High School Students
Start Time
After school, 3:30–6:00 PM
Location
The Anxiety Center — Fishers
Format
In-Person (Virtual option)
Schedule
Tuesday, Thursday
Clinical Focus
Emotional Regulation, Coping Skills, Self-Harm Support (DBT-based)
Who
Middle School Students
How to Get Started
step 1
Schedule
Schedule an intake appointment using the secure scheduling link below. Our team will guide you through each step.
step 2
Meet
Meet with our clinical team to review your child's needs and confirm the right program and group for them.
step 3
Begin
If appropriate, your child begins the program. We handle school coordination from day one.
The Intake Appointment
Review your child's needs and goals
Confirm program and group fit
Verify your insurance coverage
Explain program structure and what to expect
Initiate coordination with your child's school
Serving Families Across Hamilton County
This program is available to students and families across Hamilton County school districts, including:
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Reaching out for this level of support can feel overwhelming. Our team is here to help you determine the best next step for your child and your family.