Outpatient Program in Massachusetts
Cedar Hill’s Outpatient Program (OP) is our least intensive level of mental health care — weekly individual therapy with optional group sessions and psychiatric care as needed. It’s designed for adults whose day-to-day functioning is stable but who benefit from ongoing therapeutic support, whether they’re new to treatment, stepping down from our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), or maintaining gains after PHP.
This page describes who OP is for, how it’s structured, and how it fits within Cedar Hill’s broader continuum of care.
Who our OP is for
Adults entering OP at Cedar Hill typically fall into one of these groups:
- New to mental health treatment. Adults with mild-to-moderate symptoms who haven’t worked with a therapist before and don’t need intensive structure to begin.
- Stepping down from IOP or PHP. Patients who have completed a more intensive program and want continued support as they reintegrate into work, school, or family responsibilities.
- Maintaining stability. Patients with chronic but managed conditions who benefit from ongoing therapy and medication management to prevent relapse and address new challenges as they arise.
- Adults already in treatment elsewhere who are looking for a new provider — for instance, when an existing therapist retires, moves, or no longer fits.
OP is appropriate when symptoms aren’t significantly interfering with daily functioning, when there’s no acute safety concern, and when weekly support is sufficient. Patients whose symptoms intensify can step up to IOP or PHP at Cedar Hill without changing organizations.
Conditions we treat
Our OP addresses the same conditions as our higher levels of care:
- Major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder
- Anxiety disorders — generalized anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety
- Bipolar disorder (when stabilized)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma-related conditions
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and other personality disorders
- Mood disorders more broadly
We do not treat substance use disorders as a primary concern. We do not provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid or alcohol use disorder.
What outpatient care at Cedar Hill includes
- Weekly individual therapy — 50 to 55 minutes with a licensed clinician
- Optional group therapy — process groups, skills groups, or psychoeducational groups, added to weekly therapy when clinically beneficial
- Psychiatric care — medication evaluation and management for patients whose treatment plan includes medication
- Family therapy — when appropriate and with the patient’s consent
- Coordination of care — communication between your therapist, prescriber, and any outside providers (PCP, specialists) with your consent
Most patients meet weekly. Some begin at twice-weekly during a difficult phase, then step down. Frequency is set by clinical need, not by a fixed template.
Therapeutic approaches
OP clinicians use the same evidence-based methods that anchor our IOP and PHP, selected based on diagnosis, symptom pattern, and treatment goals:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for depression, anxiety, OCD, and insomnia. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for emotion dysregulation, self-harm, and chronic suicidal ideation. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for chronic anxiety and depression where avoidance has become dominant. EMDR for processing traumatic memories. Psychodynamic therapy for longer-term patterns and relational concerns.
How OP fits within our levels of care
| Level of care | Schedule | Best fit for |
|---|---|---|
| Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) | 5 days per week, several hours per day | Severe symptoms requiring intensive structure but not 24-hour care |
| Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) | 3–4 days per week, ~3 hours per session | Moderate-to-severe symptoms; step-down from PHP; symptoms beyond weekly therapy |
| Outpatient Program (OP) | Weekly individual sessions, optional group | Stable functioning; ongoing therapeutic support |
The right starting level is determined at intake based on symptom severity, current functioning, and prior treatment history. If your symptoms intensify during outpatient care, you can step up to IOP or PHP within Cedar Hill without changing providers, repeating intake, or starting your record over.
Insurance and getting started
Cedar Hill accepts most major commercial insurance plans, including Aetna, Anthem, Beacon, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Cigna, Harvard Pilgrim, Tufts Health Plan, and UMR. Our admissions team provides free insurance verification before your first appointment, including in-network status and any copays or coinsurance.
For appropriate candidates, we offer same-day admissions. Calling our admissions line in the morning typically allows for an intake assessment the same day or the next business morning.
Patients without insurance can discuss self-pay options with our admissions team.
Why patients choose Cedar Hill for outpatient care
- Mental health specialty. Cedar Hill treats mental health conditions exclusively. We don’t divide attention across substance use programming.
- Three coordinated levels of care. If symptoms intensify, you can step up to IOP or PHP without changing organizations, providers, or treatment plans.
- Veteran-owned, clinically led. Our leadership includes clinicians with direct experience treating PTSD and mood disorders in veteran and civilian populations.
- Medical reviewer oversight. Treatment standards are reviewed by Matthew Howe, PMHNP-BC, a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
- Located in Southborough, MA, accessible from MetroWest, Worcester, and Boston via I-90 and I-495.
Frequently asked questions
How is OP different from IOP?
OP is weekly individual therapy with optional add-ons (group, psychiatric care, family therapy) for patients with stable functioning. IOP runs three to four days per week, around three hours per session, and is appropriate when symptoms exceed what weekly therapy can address. Patients often move from IOP to OP as part of their step-down.
How often will I have sessions?
Most outpatients meet weekly. Some begin at twice-weekly during a difficult phase, then step down. Your clinician will recommend a frequency based on your symptoms and goals.
How long does outpatient treatment last?
There’s no fixed length. Some patients work in OP for a defined symptom-focused course of treatment (10 to 20 sessions for a specific anxiety or depression presentation, for example). Others continue longer for ongoing support with chronic but managed conditions. Length is set collaboratively with your clinician.
Can I see a psychiatric prescriber as part of OP?
Yes. Psychiatric care is available at every level of care at Cedar Hill, including OP. If medication is part of your treatment, your prescriber and your therapist coordinate as a team.
What if my symptoms get worse during OP?
If you and your clinician determine that weekly therapy is no longer sufficient, we can step you up to IOP or PHP without a new intake process. Continuity of records, providers, and treatment plan is one of the main reasons patients choose Cedar Hill.
Are you accepting new patients who haven't been in treatment before?
Yes. OP is appropriate for adults new to mental health treatment as well as for step-downs from higher levels of care. Your initial assessment determines the right starting level.
Making a Referral?
To make a referral to one of our programs, please contact us at (508) 310-4580. We are here to answer any questions you may have about the process and provide additional support for those seeking treatment. Our team will work with you to ensure your loved one receives the care they need.
Payment for Care
Medical Reviewer
Matthew Howe, PMHNP-BC
Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Philosophy (Summa Cum Laude) from Plymouth State University, and MSN degrees from Rivier and Herzing Universities. Specializing in PTSD, mood, anxiety, and personality disorders, with expertise in psychodynamic therapy, psychopharmacology, and addiction treatment. I emphasize medication as an adjunct to psychotherapy and lifestyle changes.
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