Do you have questions about SunCloud Health and if we’re the right program for yourself or your loved one? Read some of our commonly asked questions below to learn more about us.
Who do you treat?
SunCloud Health provides integrated treatment for adolescents and adults who may be struggling with more than one concern at the same time (also called co-occurring conditions). Our team supports a wide range of needs, including:
- Alcohol, opioids, heroin, prescription drugs, cocaine
- Cannabis and other substance-related concerns
- Compulsive or addictive behaviors (shopping, work, exercise, sex and relationships)
Eating disorders and body image concerns
- Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder
- ARFID, orthorexia, disordered eating patterns
- Body dysmorphia, body image concerns, compulsive overeating
- Depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Borderline personality disorder and emotion regulation challenges
Trauma and PTSD
- PTSD and trauma-related symptoms
- History of emotional abuse or neglect, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse, abandonment trauma
If you are not sure where you fit, that is completely okay. Many people come in with one main concern and discover there are other underlying factors that also deserve attention.
What levels of care do you offer?
SunCloud Health offers multiple levels of care so treatment can match your current needs and adjust as you progress.
Depending on clinical recommendation and program availability, this may include outpatient services, intensive outpatient programming (IOP), partial hospitalization programming (PHP), and residential treatment.
If you need a level of care we do not provide at your location, we will help you find the right next step through trusted referral partners.
You can learn more about each program through the links below:
Adult Intensive Outpatient Program
Adult Partial Hospitalization Program
Adolescent Residential Program
Does treatment work?
Yes – for many people, treatment can make a real difference, especially when it matches what you need and addresses the full picture. At SunCloud Health, we track patient-reported progress from admission to discharge using standardized, validated assessment tools across diagnoses like mood disorders, anxiety, PTSD, substance use, eating disorders, and food addiction.
In our 2024 outcomes summary, patients showed meaningful improvements across multiple areas – for example, average depression scores (PHQ-9) decreased from moderate to mild by discharge for patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. While these results reflect overall trends and do not guarantee outcomes for any one individual, we use this data to strengthen care and make clinically appropriate treatment recommendations.
Learn more and view the full report here: https://suncloudhealth.com/about/outcomes/
If I have just one diagnosis, can I still receive care at SunCloud?
Yes. You do not need multiple diagnoses to receive care at SunCloud Health. We support adolescents and adults who are navigating a single concern – such as depression, anxiety, an eating disorder, trauma-related symptoms, or substance use – and we also look for related factors that may be contributing (sleep, stress, medical history, relationships, and co-occurring symptoms).
If we identify additional concerns during your assessment, we will talk through what we are seeing and build an integrated plan that fits your needs and your recommended level of care.
How will I know if SunCloud is the right place for me?
We invite you to meet with our team for an assessment so we can understand what you are experiencing, what has helped in the past, and what level of care is most appropriate right now. Our first priority is your well-being. If we believe another program is a better fit, we will help you connect with the right resources in the Chicago area or nationally.
How do you treat mental health disorders?
Mental health symptoms rarely exist in isolation. At SunCloud Health, we take an integrated, whole-person approach that looks at biological factors, life experiences, environment, relationships, and co-occurring concerns – like trauma symptoms, disordered eating, substance use, sleep disruption, or chronic stress.
Treatment plans are individualized and may include therapy, psychiatric care, skills-based groups, family support, and coordinated care with outside providers when appropriate. Our goal is to help you understand what is driving symptoms, build practical coping skills, and make progress that holds up in real life.
Why do you recommend abstinence from alcohol and drugs during treatment?
We strongly recommend abstinence during treatment because it helps your care team get a clear, accurate picture of what is driving symptoms and what is helping. Alcohol and drugs can intensify anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, and mood swings – and they can interfere with therapy, nutrition work, and medication effectiveness.
Abstinence also supports safety and connection within the treatment environment. When everyone is present and engaged, it is easier to do meaningful work, build trust in groups, and practice coping skills that hold up outside of treatment. If abstinence feels overwhelming, we will talk about it with you directly and help you take the next right step.
Video: WHY DO WE ASK OUR PATIENTS TO BE ABSTINENT WHEN AT SUNCLOUD HEALTH?
Kim Dennis, MD, CEDS, MD, Medical Director, CEO and Co-founder at SunCloud Health, answers the question, why do we ask our patients to be abstinent when at SunCloud Health?
Will you work with my current doctor or therapist?
Yes. With your written permission, we collaborate with your current therapist, prescriber, primary care doctor, dietitian, or other providers so care is coordinated and consistent. This helps prevent mixed messages, reduces gaps in care, and keeps everyone aligned on the same goals.
If you do not have an established care team, we can still support you – and if you transition to another provider or level of care later, we will help coordinate next steps so you are not left starting over.
How long can I expect to be at SunCloud?
Your length of treatment depends on your clinical needs, your goals, and the level of care that is recommended after a comprehensive assessment. Some people begin in a more structured program (such as residential or PHP) to stabilize symptoms and build momentum, then step down over time as they gain consistency and support outside of treatment. Others may transition into outpatient services as a step-down after completing a higher level of care, either at SunCloud or elsewhere.
We review progress with you regularly and adjust the plan as needed, with a clear focus on helping you build stability, practice skills in real life, and transition into the right next step with coordinated follow-up care.
What exactly is “integrated treatment” and how will it help me?
Integrated treatment means we treat you as a whole person, not as a list of separate diagnoses. Many people experience overlapping concerns – like anxiety or depression alongside trauma symptoms, disordered eating, or substance use – and each piece can affect the others. When treatment is split across different providers who are not coordinating, it is easy to miss root causes or work on one symptom while another keeps pulling you off track.
At SunCloud Health, your care is coordinated so therapy, psychiatric care, nutrition support (when needed), and skills-based programming work together toward the same goals. This approach helps us understand what is driving symptoms, build a plan that fits your real life, and support progress that holds up after treatment – not just improvement while you are in session.
Do you take insurance?
SunCloud Health works with many insurance plans, and our team can help you understand coverage before you start. Because benefits vary by plan, location, and level of care, we offer a free benefits check – just call us and we will verify your benefits, explain what is covered, and walk you through the next steps as clearly as possible.
You can also view the most up-to-date, complete list of insurance plans we work with on our Payments and Insurance page.
Even if you do not see your plan listed, please reach out – we can still help you explore options and confirm what your benefits allow.
I am caring for someone who is struggling with mental health. How can you help me?
Supporting someone you love who is struggling can feel exhausting, scary, and isolating. You do not have to figure this out on your own. When you call SunCloud Health, we can help you think through what is happening, what level of care may be appropriate, and how to take the next step safely.
We can also support you with practical guidance, like:
How to start the conversation in a way that is clear, caring, and more likely to be heard
What signs suggest more urgent support is needed and when to seek a higher level of care
How families can be involved once treatment begins, including education, communication guidance, and support strategies
Coordinating next steps with outside providers when needed so care is not fragmented
If your loved one enters treatment, we will help you understand the plan and how to support progress at home while keeping healthy boundaries.
If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call 911. If you need urgent support, you can also call or text 988 (U.S. Suicide and Crisis Lifeline).
I’ve read that you are also working as an advocate for those facing mental health issues. What does this mean for me?
It means you can expect care that is clinically grounded, coordinated, and respectful – not rushed, fragmented, or reduced to a label. Advocacy at SunCloud Health starts with how we treat people every day: taking the time to understand the full picture, recommending the right level of care, and building an integrated plan that addresses root causes, not just symptoms.
It also means we work to remove common barriers that keep people from getting help. We assist with benefits verification, collaborate with outside providers when appropriate, and help families understand options so next steps feel clearer and more doable. The goal is simple: to help you access effective care and make progress that holds up in real life.
To talk with our team and explore next steps, call (866) 729-1012 or use our secure private contact form.
Explaining SunCloud’s Integrated Model Why is an integrated treatment model essential to successfully treating patients?
Dr. Kim Dennis, Co-Founder and Medical Director at SunCloud Health, discusses the vital role the integrated model (that she is pioneering at SunCloud Health) plays in the success of treating patients with co-occurring disorders and underlying trauma. How does SunCloud create an authentic culture of patient support?