Path Back Program | Alberta Mental Health Programs | Brick House Recovery Centre

Supporting resilience, function, and return to work

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The Path Back Program: Mental Health High-Intensity Outpatient Program

Our Mental Health High-Intensive Outpatient Program or Path Back Program (PBP) is designed for individuals navigating mood, anxiety, trauma-related, or stress-induced disorders that are interfering with work and life function. Whether you’re struggling to keep up with daily responsibilities, navigating short- or long-term disability or going through a difficult life transition, this program provides the structure, skills, and therapeutic support you need to regain stability and move forward.

At Brick House Recovery Centre, we take a unique and innovative approach to helping people return to functioning after mental health or trauma-related challenges through our PBP Program. This model integrates the therapeutic intensity of our High-Intensity Outpatient Program (H-IOP) with structured return-to-work planning, workplace communication strategies, and functional skill building, ensuring treatment addresses both personal recovery and job readiness.

Research shows that IOPs can significantly reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD¹,². In addition, the best return-to-work outcomes occur when clinical treatment is paired with vocational support and coordinated planning³,⁴. The Enhanced Mental Health IOP at Brick House Recovery was built with this in mind, delivering evidence-based care that supports both recovery in function and a confident, sustainable return to the workplace.

Through the PBP program, individuals can build emotional resilience, master practical coping tools, and receive targeted support for workplace challenges so they can recover their sense of direction and confidently return to work and daily responsibilities.

Why Choose Brick House Recovery Centre?

A Comprehensive Approach

Recovery
From
Addiction
Mental
Health
Care
Trauma
Focused
Treatment

Accessible Services Throughout Alberta

BARRHEAD
CALGARY
EDMONTON
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No Wait Lists, Work-Focused Recovery Pathways, Evidence-based Care, Treatment Designed Around You

Why Choose the Mental Health High-IOP?

Disability-Aware & Goal-Aligned

We understand how complex the disability system can be for both clients and case managers. That’s why we work in partnership with referring providers and insurers to align treatment with functional and vocational recovery goals. Our team helps ensure clear communication with disability partners, so you don’t have to navigate the process alone. We’re here to support a clear path forward for everyone involved.

Return-to-Function Focus

We go beyond symptom relief. Our program is grounded in functional recovery, helping clients regain capacity, restore routines, prepare for workplace reintegration, and work on their mental health goals.

Resilience-Centered Curriculum

At the core of the Mental Health H-IOP or Path Back Program is enhancing resiliency; our sessions focus on emotional regulation, stress management, assertive communication, and cognitive flexibility, which are key competencies for the modern workplace.

Multidisciplinary, Evidence-Based Care

The Path Back Program delivers a combination of CBT, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, DBT, and Trauma-focused therapy while focused on return-to-work and return-to-functioning goals. Programming is delivered by experienced therapists, psychologists, and Psychiatric support is integrated throughout care.

What You’ll Learn in the Mental Health H-IOP

  • How to manage stress and anxiety in high-pressure environments
  • Skills for emotional regulation and mental endurance
  • Strategies for maintaining workplace boundaries and communication
  • Techniques to reduce cognitive overload and improve focus
  • Confidence-building and structured re-engagement planning
  • Relapse prevention for mood and functional setbacks

Is This Program Right for Me?
The Mental Health H-IOP may be a fit if:

  • You’re on short- or long-term disability due to mental health issues
  • You’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed trying to get back to work
  • You need more support than weekly therapy, but don’t require inpatient care
  • You want to build resilience and regain control of your daily routine
  • You’re motivated to learn practical skills to function better in work and life

Program Structure

Duration: 4, 8 & 12-week options based on individual clinical needs and return-to-work goals.

Schedule: 5 days/week, Full-Day Programming.

Format Includes:

Enhanced Programming

While the Mental Health H-IOP shares some core group programming with our Addiction H-IOP stream, the Mental Health stream focuses on specialized programming to enhance resiliency as well as treatment of mood, anxiety, trauma, and occupational stress symptoms. Sessions emphasize real-life application, including homework review and skill consolidation.

Weekly Individual Clinical Review

In addition to group programming, clients meet regularly for one-on-one sessions with a therapist to monitor progress, adjust treatment goals, and address individual barriers to recovery and work readiness.

Integrated Case Coordination

With client consent, we collaborate with referring providers, disability insurers, and employers to ensure alignment between clinical progress, functional capacity, and return-to-work planning.

Focused Return to Function Supports

Access to adjunct supports such as occupational therapy assessments, return-to-work preparation coaching, and medication optimization can be offered based on individual needs.

Next Steps

If you’re ready to reclaim your function and take the next step toward wellness and work readiness, the Mental Health H-IOP or Path Back Program is here to support your journey. Contact us to learn more or begin the intake process.

References

  1. Shiner, B., Wray, L. O., McCutcheon, S. J., & Dally, S. K. (2022). Intensive outpatient treatment for depression in veterans: Outcomes and predictors of improvement. Journal of Affective Disorders, 297, 607–614. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.10.016
  2. Haagen, J. F. G., Ter Heide, F. J. J., Mooren, T. T. M., Knipscheer, J. W., & Kleber, R. J. (2024). Effectiveness of intensive outpatient programs for PTSD: A systematic review. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 15(1), 2337613. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2024.2337613
  3. Kearns, N. T., Wozniak, K., & McGonagle, A. K. (2024). Coordinated return-to-work programs for employees with mental health conditions: A systematic review. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 34(1), 45–62. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-023-10064-9
  4. Blank, L., Baxter, S., Goyder, E., Naylor, P., & Walters, S. (2023). Vocational interventions for people with mental health problems: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Occupational Medicine, 73(1)