By Kelsey Fontano, LCPC, CADC – Sire Director, SunCloud Health, Naperville
Q: What makes outpatient treatment—like PHP and IOP—a valuable option for adults struggling with mental health concerns?
A: Outpatient treatment programs such as Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) offer individuals a unique and essential opportunity: the ability to step away from daily distractions, such as work, school, or family obligations, and focus entirely on their healing. While residential programs can offer a more immersive experience, PHP and IOP allow patients to remain connected to their lives while receiving structured, intensive care.
This balance can be especially beneficial for adults who are highly functional but still struggling. Outpatient care provides time and space to begin real change, while maintaining a level of autonomy and connection to everyday life.
Q: How does SunCloud Health approach treatment differently?
A: At SunCloud Health, we focus on treating the whole person, not just their symptoms. Mental health concerns rarely exist in a vacuum. That’s why our model is both interdisciplinary and individualized.
Our team includes therapists, psychiatrists, medical professionals, and registered dietitians, all working together to help patients uncover the root causes of their mental health concerns. Whether someone is struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, substance use, eating disorders, or often a combination of these, our integrated approach ensures they receive care that’s not only comprehensive but deeply personal.
Q: Can you share an example of how this integrated approach has helped a patient?
A: Absolutely. We had a patient come in with a trauma diagnosis. Through the course of treatment, and specifically the work done with one of our registered dietitians, we discovered that the patient had been using both disordered eating behaviors and substances to cope with trauma. This insight allowed our team to create a holistic, tailored plan that addressed all aspects of their struggle—trauma, substance use, and eating behaviors—rather than treating them as separate issues.
This is the power of integrated care. We don’t just focus on symptom relief; we dig deeper to help our patients understand and heal the underlying drivers of their distress.
Q: Taking a break from daily responsibilities sounds intimidating for many adults. What would you say to someone hesitant to start treatment?
A: Making the decision to pause your daily life for treatment is not easy, but it’s one of the most courageous and rewarding steps a person can take. Prioritizing your mental health doesn’t mean you’re stepping back—it means you’re stepping forward into the life you deserve.
Treatment gives you the space to explore, grow, and heal with the support of a compassionate, expert team. At SunCloud, we create a safe, empowering, multidisciplinary environment for that journey to unfold.
Q: Why do you believe outpatient care is an important part of the mental health care continuum?
Outpatient care plays a vital role in helping people move toward long-term wellness. For some, it’s a starting point. For others, it’s a step-down from residential care. Either way, it allows individuals to do deep, transformative work while gradually reintegrating into their daily lives. And because it’s so flexible, outpatient care meets people where they are. It supports autonomy, community connection, and healing—all at the same time.
About the Author
Kelsey Fontano, LCPC, CADC, is a licensed clinical professional counselor and certified alcohol and drug counselor at SunCloud Health’s Naperville location. With deep experience in treating co-occurring disorders, Kelsey is passionate about helping individuals heal from the inside out. Her approach blends trauma-informed care with practical support, empowering patients to uncover the roots of their struggles and build meaningful, lasting recovery.
SunCloud Health in Naperville takes a personalized, whole-person approach to care. Our outpatient programs (PHP and IOP) offer structured, multidisciplinary treatment that empowers individuals to step away from daily distractions and focus on healing within the context of their real lives. With a collaborative, multidisciplinary team of therapists, psychiatrists, medical providers, and registered dietitians, SunCloud is committed to uncovering root causes—such as trauma, co-occurring disorders, or disordered eating—rather than only addressing symptoms. This trauma-informed, integrated model allows each person to receive not just effective, evidence-based treatment, but also the stability, insight, and holistic support needed for long-term recovery.