Adults laughing together during an outpatient treatment programs in Minnesota

Outpatient Treatment Programs in Minnesota

You know something needs to change, but your week has no room for it. A shift starts at 7, the kids need a ride at 3, and program hours never seem to fit. That gap can make asking for help feel out of reach. At Blue River Behavioral Health, we start with the schedule you already have.

Our outpatient treatment programs in Minnesota each ask for a different share of your time. These are outpatient addiction and mental health programs for adults 18 and older. You gain set hours with a therapist and a group. How many depends on where things stand.

What Each Level Involves and Who It Suits

Our outpatient treatment programs step down from most intensive to least intensive. You can start at any level. Your assessments show which level of care fits you best. Family members and referring therapists are welcome to call us and compare options for someone else.

Adults talking together in a partial hospitalization program (PHP) support group

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

Our partial hospitalization program (PHP) fills your weekdays, Monday through Friday. Each day includes about five to six hours of group therapy with other adults. That is a full schedule. You also meet one-on-one with your therapist and practice coping skills you can use that night. PHP also includes psychiatric and medical care. It may suit you when weekly therapy is no longer enough and you want daily structure.

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Adults talking in an intensive outpatient program (IOP) group session

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

IOP meets three to five days a week. Each day you attend includes about three hours of group therapy. Private sessions with your therapist sit alongside group, and the work also covers relapse prevention. That means spotting early warning signs and planning your response in advance. Leaving a residential program or detox? IOP gives you a place to keep building on what you started.

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Therapist taking notes during a weekly outpatient program (OP) session

Outpatient Program (OP)

With our outpatient program (OP), therapy stays in your routine through visits once a week or every other week. Each visit can include individual therapy, group therapy, or both. Scheduling is flexible, so sessions can work around commitments you cannot move. If you are working or raising kids, the lighter schedule leaves room for both. OP asks the least of you.

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Adult joining a virtual IOP therapy session by video call from home

Virtual IOP and Virtual OP

Our online IOP and OP deliver the same programs you would attend in person. If the drive is long or you want more privacy, you can join from home or another private space. You can switch between online and in-person sessions without changing providers. PHP runs in person only.

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Changing Levels Without Changing Teams

At Blue River, moving between levels of care doesn't mean starting over with new people. Say you begin in PHP and your weeks start to feel steadier. Your therapist may suggest IOP next, then OP, and the same team stays with you through each move. If a rough stretch hits, you can go back up a level. Whatever you worked on in one program carries into the next.

Every level includes a 12-step component if peer recovery helps you. Crisis help doesn't stop when a session ends. If you need urgent care that outpatient can't provide, we coordinate with crisis units. Your case manager handles the practical side, like appointments and insurance questions. When your program ends, you leave with an aftercare plan, and alumni involvement is part of it.

Adults listening during a group session while stepping between levels of outpatient care

Insurance and Coverage

We Check Your Coverage Before You Decide

Blue River accepts all insurance plans, including out-of-network benefits. Cost questions keep many adults from calling. We answer those first.

Share your plan details, and our admissions team contacts your insurer. Then we explain what your plan covers in plain language. Nothing you share commits you to anything.

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Blue Cross Blue Shield
Cigna
UnitedHealthcare
Optum
Anthem
PreferredOne
UMR
TRICARE
Magellan Health
Health Net
MultiPlan
Beacon Health Options
Aetna
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Cigna
UnitedHealthcare
Optum
Anthem
PreferredOne
UMR
TRICARE
Magellan Health
Health Net
MultiPlan
Beacon Health Options
Verify Insurance

No obligation. We never quote costs before your benefits are checked.

Man talking with his therapist and a peer about using insurance for outpatient treatment

Can You Use Your Insurance at Blue River?

Yes, we accept all insurance plans, including out-of-network benefits. Out-of-network benefits are the part of your coverage that helps pay for providers outside your plan's network. What's covered depends on its terms. Deductibles, copays, and approval rules vary by policy.

Before your first session, our admissions team handles pre-certification. Pre-certification is your insurer's advance approval, based on whether a level of care is medically necessary. Have your insurance card nearby when you call. We will help you understand your options.

How Getting Into Outpatient Treatment Programs in Minnesota Works

You can start with a phone call to Blue River Behavioral Health, or send a message if writing is easier. On that first call, tell us what's been going on and what a normal week looks like for you. We'll answer your questions and talk through which of our outpatient treatment programs in Minnesota could be a good fit.

Once you're ready to go ahead, you'll sign consent forms and complete two assessments. From there, you and your therapist put your plan together. You'll also meet with a psychiatric provider to talk about diagnosis and whether medication makes sense. Our clinical team will recommend a starting level, but you make the final call.

Man meeting with his therapist during the first steps of outpatient treatment admission

Ready to Find Your Starting Point?

Not sure which level fits? That question is a good place to start. Call or message Blue River, and our admissions team will walk you through your options at your pace. There's no pressure to decide anything on that call.

Confidential. No obligation.

Your Questions About Our Outpatient Addiction and Mental Health Programs

It's normal to have questions before you start. Here are the ones people usually bring up when they first call.

(612) 614-0964
Do I need a dual diagnosis to join an outpatient program?

No. You can join Blue River for addiction, a mental health concern, or a mix of the two. When someone is facing both at once, that's called dual diagnosis, or co-occurring disorders. In that case, your therapist and psychiatric provider address everything together in one integrated plan. You also don't need a formal diagnosis before you call. Your assessments will sort that out.

When is inpatient treatment the better choice?

Inpatient treatment is the better choice when you need care and supervision 24 hours a day. Common signs include constant access to substances at home or symptoms that need monitoring overnight. It can also fit when even PHP does not provide enough structure to keep you steady. Blue River is outpatient only, but we can help coordinate a residential referral when you need one.

How does Blue River choose my starting level?

Our clinical team matches your starting level to how much support your days need right now. We look at how symptoms or substance use affect your sleep and relationships. We also weigh the help you have at home and what has and hasn't helped before. Your input counts, including how many hours your week can hold.

Can I keep working during a partial hospitalization program?

Full-time work and PHP rarely fit together, so plan for time away from your job first. A step down to IOP or OP at our facility can make room to return to work. We can map out what PHP would ask of your week before you commit to it.

How long does an outpatient program last?

We do not set one timeline for everyone, because how long you attend depends on your progress. Your plan lists clear goals, and reaching them guides when you are ready to finish. Your insurer may also review your progress before approving more time at a level. Ask us anytime how your plan is tracking and what to expect next.