New Intermountain Health Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program Offered in Grand Junction, Colo.

A new Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) will launch at the Intermountain Health Grand Junction Integrated Addiction Medicine Clinic in June 2025 to support teens aged 14-18 in their journey toward better mental health and personal growth.

This program will run for eight weeks and includes two 2-hour group sessions, individual therapy sessions, and a family component each week.

The clinic is now located at 2643 Patterson Road, Suite 603, in Grand Junction, Colo.

Intermountain Health behavioral health coordinator Jessica Stephen Premo, PhD, said family involvement is crucial, so the program will have both family therapy sessions and multi-family group sessions to help everyone stay connected and supported.

“The Adolescent IOP is a significant step toward addressing the mental health needs of adolescents in our community,” said Dr. Premo. “By providing structured support and therapy, the program aims to empower young individuals to navigate their mental health challenges and build a foundation for long-term recovery.”

Alcohol consumption among adults and teens caught the attention of the 2024 Mesa County Community Health Needs Assessment which identifies obstacles to improve the health of the community.

The curriculum in the Intermountain Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program covers a wide range of topics including the impact of addiction and the role of neurobiology, managing emotions, understanding the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, stress-reduction strategies, building healthy relationships, and skills to prevent relapse and maintain long-term recovery.

This initiative was funded in part by a nearly $1 million in grants from the State of Colorado, Mesa County’s Opioid Abatement Council, and The Steadman Group aimed at addressing substance use and mental health disorders in Western Colorado and for adolescents.

These grants were instrumental in enhancing the clinic and providing critical support to families who previously had to travel to Denver or Salt Lake for similar services.

The team will begin to accept referrals starting May 1. For more information, please contact the Integrated Addiction Medicine Clinic at 970-298-3801.