How is The Haven's program geared for college students?

The Haven is designed primarily as an Intensive Outpatient Program.  Many outpatient programs are fully composed of group sessions; however, The Haven feels it is vital for students  to have a weekly individual session with an assigned primary therapist in addition to group therapy.  Having a specialized treatment plan with both individual and group sessions is the key to success at The Haven.

 

Where is The Haven located?

In-person in downtown LA, across the street from USC, and through telehealth.

Most Los Angeles-based students attend a combination of in-person and online groups and individual sessions, while students outside of Los Angeles attend all groups and individual sessions virtually.

 

Is virtual treatment as effective as in-person?

Yes. There is substantial evidence supporting effectiveness of telehealth for mental health and substance use treatment.* The Haven’s virtual  program also demonstrates higher attendance rates than in-person sessions and therapeutic alliances and graduation rates at or above in-person levels.

*NIH - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4744872/

 

How long does treatment last?

Length of time in the program is contingent upon each student’s individualized treatment plan, but most students are with us for one or two semesters. Once IOP treatment is completed, students are encouraged to stay involved in OP and Continuing Care groups, and free meetings and activities offered after discharge.

 

How many hours per day and days per week are required for IOP?

Students are engaged at the Haven IOP between 6-9 hours per week, made up of groups and individual sessions, which are generally broken up over 3 days per week.

 

I don't have enough time for intensive treatment.

Almost every Haven student has shared this concern about engaging in treatment while keeping an active academic and social schedule.  Life is busy enough as a full-time student!  The Haven IOP is designed for this exact reason.  Groups and individual sessions are scheduled with students in mind, at times convenient for their schedules.  Some students may discover during their treatment journey that it’s important to prioritize mental health and wellbeing by postponing academic and social engagements.  The Haven has assisted many students in navigating these decisions and when necessary take a medical leave of absence from school to focus on treatment.  While this is a normal part of the process for some, more often than not, we assist students in balancing academics with treatment.

 

I heard The Haven uses group therapy, what about individual sessions?

The Haven is designed primarily as an Intensive Outpatient Program.  Many outpatient programs are fully composed of group sessions; however, The Haven feels it is vital for you to have a weekly individual session with your primary therapist in addition to group therapy.  Having a specialized treatment plan with both individual and group sessions is the key to success at The Haven.

 

I'm shy and/or don't do well in groups with people I don't know.

This is also a frequent concern for many students.  Even if students have some experience with therapy, often times they have never participated in group therapy.  Former Haven Alums have this to say about their experiences in groups when asked what they like most about the program:

“Groups allow each of us to discuss both with each other and the group leader what we're dealing with and the issues we face.”

“I like the processing sessions where we all just check-in.”

“It’s great being in a group of other college students who understand what I am going through.”

Hearing from peers who may be experiencing something similar to what a student is experiencing can help normalize their treatment experience and reduce feelings of shame or perceived stigma. 

 

What if I don't have any concerns about substance use?

No problem! The Haven treats students with mental health concerns, including substance use disorders. There is no requirement to have a substance use concern in order to seek treatment at The Haven.

 

What about holidays and school breaks, do you still offer programming?

Our programming is year-round, but we often make adjustments to our schedule during holidays and school breaks to accommodate students. For example, we may move groups to telehealth during certain holidays to accommodate travel or closures, but students will always be notified of programming changes well in advance.