How River’s Bend Bridges the Gap in Mental Health Care

A guide for healthcare providers, discharge planners, and therapists on when to refer and how IOP and PHP support lasting Mental Health support.

When a client’s symptoms persist despite weekly therapy or when they’re transitioning from a higher level of care, such as hospitalization, a structured outpatient program can make the difference between coping and thriving.

At River’s Bend, our compassionate therapists view Intensive Outpatient (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization (PHP) as tools we use to meet people where they are. Our clinical team works in close partnership with referring professionals to determine the right level of support for each client, always guided by what will offer the greatest potential for healing.

A Bridge Between Therapy and Higher Levels of Care

Mental health care doesn’t always fall neatly into categories. Some clients require more support than weekly sessions can provide, but they are also not suitable for inpatient hospitalization.

That’s where programs like IOP and PHP come in. They offer structured, evidence-based treatment that helps clients stabilize symptoms, regain confidence, and reengage in daily life, with enough flexibility to maintain outside responsibilities.

What We Offer:

IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program): 9 hours of group therapy weekly, with optional individual therapy, psychiatry, or family involvement.
PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program): A full-day program, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM—for clients needing more intensive support before stepping down to IOP or traditional therapy.

Your patients will receive the level of care that matches their current clinical needs, not what is most convenient for placement. This is possible because we are one of the few community-based clinics in Michigan that offers both IOP and PHP under the same outpatient model.

When Is IOP or PHP the Right Fit?

As a healthcare provider, it’s not always clear when a client needs to step into a higher level of care. That’s where we can help.

Here are common indicators that a client might benefit from IOP or PHP:

Recurrent emotional crises or mood instability
Limited progress in individual therapy despite regular attendance
Recent discharge from inpatient, PHP, or residential treatment
Emotional symptoms that impact work, school, or relationships
Struggles with structure, boundaries, or daily routines
“I know what I should do—but I can’t seem to do it.”

When you refer a client to River’s Bend, our team works with you to complete a comprehensive intake assessment to determine the right fit. Whether they need IOP or PHP, we’ll help place them where they’re most likely to succeed. And if a different level of care is appropriate, we’ll support you in making that transition as smooth as possible.

What Clients Learn in IOP (And PHP, Too)

Long-term recovery is about more than reducing symptoms—it’s about resilience and readiness. That’s why both IOP and PHP at River’s Bend are built around:

🔹 Evidence-Based Skill Building

Clients engage in therapeutic modalities such as:

These skills are not just taught; they are practiced, applied, and reinforced in real time.

🔹 Emotional Insight and Regulation

Our programs emphasize helping clients:

Understand emotional patterns and triggers
Develop distress tolerance
Strengthen their ability to respond (vs. react) under stress

In both IOP and PHP, clients receive support in the moment, which builds confidence in managing symptoms outside of the clinical setting.

🔹 Strengthening Peer Connection

Group therapy fosters a safe and supportive environment where clients can feel validated and connected. Shared experiences in a group reduce isolation and increase treatment adherence—key factors in lasting change.

PHP at River’s Bend: When More Intensive Support Is Needed

Some clients need more than a few hours per week to get back on track. PHP offers a full-day, outpatient alternative to hospitalization, providing structure and clinical monitoring without the need for an overnight stay.

Ideal for clients who:

Are stabilizing after a crisis or recent inpatient stay
Need rapid intervention for acute symptoms
Are preparing to step down to IOP or traditional therapy

Because we offer PHP on-site, our team can quickly adjust a client’s level of care without disrupting their treatment plan or therapeutic relationships.

Why Referral Partners Trust River’s Bend

River’s Bend is not a one-size-fits-all facility. We are one of the only outpatient providers in Michigan to offer both IOP and PHP while maintaining a collaborative approach with therapists, physicians, and clinical teams.

We Offer:

10 specialized IOP tracks for men, women, adolescents, first responders, and more
Flexible scheduling: daytime, evening, and virtual tracks
Locations in Troy and West Bloomfield + statewide telehealth
34 licensed staff, including psychiatrists, nurses, and experienced therapists
Seamless referrals and transparent coordination

“We’re small enough to be flexible, but large enough to provide hospital-level support outside of a hospital setting.” Read More

Let’s Work Together

Whether your client is hitting a wall in therapy or transitioning from a higher level of care, we’re here to help you find the right next step—IOP, PHP, or otherwise.

Refer a Client or Consult With Our Team: Contact Us

Request a virtual or in-person meeting to learn more about how we partner with providers.

References

Turner, R., & Napolitano, S. M. S. (n.d.). Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT). DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska – Lincoln. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/edpsychpapers/147/

Rossi, A. A., Pizzoli, S. F. M., Fernandez, I., Invernizzi, R., Panzeri, A., Taccini, F., & Mannarini, S. (2024). The Shield of Self-Esteem: Buffering against the Impact of Traumatic Experiences, Fear, Anxiety, and Depression. Behavioral Sciences, 14(10), 901. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14100901

How River’s Bend Bridges the Gap in Mental Health Care