If you’ve been experiencing mental health issues for some time, you may find the things you’ve tried haven’t quite worked. The Professionals’ Program is a perfect fit when outpatient services aren’t enough—but inpatient services are too intensive.
The goal of the program is to improve interpersonal life, relationship to work, and day-to-day activities so you may lead a healthy, well-balanced life.
Designed to Meet the Needs of Working Professionals
The Professionals’ Program is designed to offer a safe environment for individuals to receive psychiatric treatment. Each person who enters the program is suffering from symptoms and situations that are causing distress. They also come with a desire to address those situations so that they might return to their work and personal lives with greater self-understanding and the ability to manage stress.
The Professionals’ Program offers both Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) treatment options. Treatment occurs in a group setting where individuals discuss their concerns and challenges with others facing similar issues. People who have benefited from the program include healthcare professionals, small business owners, insurance company employees, teachers, college students, tradespeople, primary caregivers and more.
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How It Works
The Professionals’ Program at the Institute of Living brings individuals together to work with behavioral health experts in a group setting. The program’s theoretical framework draws heavily on interpersonal psychotherapy and integrates psychodynamic therapy, as well as, psychoeducational treatments including Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). We offer a range of group styles including both skills-based and interpersonal process groups, along with topic-specific and holistic groups, including yoga and spirituality.
The Professionals’ Program can support individuals struggling with:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Bipolar disorder
- Relationship difficulties
- Bereavement
- Stress management
- Life transitions
- Gender Identity
- Healthy boundaries
- And more
Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT) Informed Treatment
Beginning in the fall of 2025, we will be offering a specialized Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT) track for those struggling with attachment-related interpersonal difficulties in addition to work related concerns. Those who benefit from this treatment include those suffering from ineffective interpersonal patterns impacting relationships (e.g., difficulty getting close to others or feeling overly dependent in relationships) and difficulty connecting and understanding one’s own emotions. The goals of MBT treatment include an increase in behavioral control and symptom reduction, increased capacity to regulate emotions, and more intimate and rewarding relationships. This integrative treatment is evidenced to be effective in treating severe depression, anxiety disorders, attachment related disorders including borderline and narcissistic personality traits and disorders.
Other Program Considerations
The treatment team recommends a short break from work to participate in the program. Most participants use company time off, short-term disability or job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act and Connecticut Paid Family Leave Act. However, the part-time, outpatient structure of the program offers some flexibility for those who need to continue working on a limited basis.
The Professionals’ Program meets in the cozy, home-like setting of the Buckingham Building at The Institute of Living. All services are held in-person on the IOL Campus, across the street from Hartford Hospital.
Features of the Program: Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
The Professionals’ Program offers an integrative Partial Hospitalization Program. This is a more intensive treatment option and includes group therapy five days a week, with four groups each day. Most program participants start the Professionals’ Program by attending this five-day a week program, for about two weeks, to allow for an immersive start to treatment while rapidly building meaningful connections with other group members. Individuals who attend PHP will also meet with our program psychiatrist weekly for medication management. PHP is typically two weeks, with individuals stepping down to the Professionals’ IOP for ongoing treatment.
Features of the Program: Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
The Professionals’ Program is currently offering program on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. The program is typically 8 weeks in length. Each program day includes three groups and medication management as indicated.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this program covered by my insurance?
The Institute of Living is a participating provider with most insurance, managed care and workers’ compensation plans.
Will my leave from work be covered by FMLA?
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) “entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons.” (Department of Labor). Further, On June 25, 2019, the State of Connecticut passed legislation to create a comprehensive paid family and medical leave insurance program through the signing of the Connecticut Public Act (CT Paid Leave Authority). The Professionals’ Program offers treatment for serious health conditions covered under FMLA and the CT Paid Leave Authority.
What are the hours of the program?
Monday-Friday, 9am to 1pm. Please see detailed program schedule here.
Can I continue seeing my own therapist?
Yes. Patients may continue to see their own psychotherapists if they already have one on days they are not coming to the program, or receive suggestions for referrals for follow-up after the program ends.
Can I take a leave or vacation from the program?
No. Unfortunately, taking time away from the program can hinder treatment progress given the intensive nature of the IOP treatment. Further, insurance coverage may vary for individuals not in treatment consistently.
Is there a professional substance use treatment program?
Yes, Please see https://instituteofliving.org/programs-services/adult-services/departments-services/addiction-services
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Resources
Suicide and Crisis Hotlines
- 211 Info Line - from within CT, dial 211, then option 3, then option 1 for a crisis hotline.)
- 1.800.SUICIDE (1.800.784.2433)
- 1.800.273.TALK (1.800.273.8255)
Suicide Prevention Websites
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Our Team
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Carol Freedman, LCSW, PhD, Clinician
Carol Freedman has worked in the Professionals’ Program for 22 years. She received her degree in clinical social work from Smith College and a doctorate in philosophy from Yale University. She integrates a psychodynamic framework with other therapeutic modalities into her work with groups, couples, and individuals, while also exploring how philosophical accounts of the self and meaning in life can deepen her approach to psychotherapy.
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Katherine Simeone, LPC, Clinician
Katie completed her graduate work in mental health counseling at Nova Southeastern University. Clinical interests include: facilitating group work, interpersonal processes, and working with individuals curious to explore their relationship with substances.
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Jim Casso, LCSW, Clinician
Jim is an experienced clinician with a history of working in a variety of community and hospital-based mental health settings since 2003. He completed his graduate degree in Social Work from the UConn School of Social Work where he specialized in Mental Health and Substance Abuse. His areas of clinical interest include trauma and mood disorders; and he has specialized training in CBT, EMDR and Mindfulness. Jim also loves music and has developed a music therapy intervention that he has brought to various settings.
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Ryan Donberg, PsyD, Psychologist
Dr. Ryan Donberg is a clinical psychologist at the Professionals’ Program. He completed his graduate training at Xavier University, his predoctoral internship at Hartford Hospital/Institute of Living, and his postdoctoral fellowship at The Menninger Clinic. Dr. Donberg’s clinical interests involve psychodynamic psychotherapy, with a particular interest in transference focused psychotherapy and mentalization based treatment.
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Bethany Caudill, PsyD, Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Bethany Caudill is the current Psychodynamic and Mentalization-Informed Psychotherapy postdoctoral fellow at the Institute of Living. She completed her graduate training at the University of Hartford and her predoctoral internship at Hartford Hospital/Institute of Living. Dr. Caudill has clinical interests in psychodynamic and mentalization-based psychotherapy, LGBTQIA+ topics, and the exploration of gender norms and their impact on relationships.
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Mitchell Page, LCSW, BCD, ACSW, Per Diem Clinician
Mitch completed his MSW at New York University and his DSW at the University of Southern California. A social worker and group therapist since 1986, Mitch has expertise in treating trauma, mood disorders, and marital and family discord.
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Karina Weiss, MD, Psychiatrist
Dr. Karina Weiss, a board-certified psychiatrist, has been practicing psychiatry since 2008. She has been at the Institute of Living since 2012. She is interested in mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychiatric issues affecting pregnant and post-partum women and the interface of psychiatric disorders with medical illness. She holds faculty position, as Assistant Professor of the Department of Psychiatry at University of Connecticut School of Medicine. She graduated from Brown University, then University of Louisville School of Medicine, then Harvard Longwood Psychiatry Residency Training Program in 2008, where she was also a chief resident.
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Brianna Pollock, PhD, Program Manager
Dr. Brianna Pollock is a clinical psychologist and serves as the administrative program manager for the Professionals’ Program. She completed her graduate training at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and her predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship at Hartford Hospital/Institute of Living. Dr. Pollock has clinical and research interests in psychodynamic and mentalization-based psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, and the intersection of diversity, equity, and behavioral health treatment. Dr. Pollock can be reached at Brianna.Pollock@hhchealth.org or 860.545.7840.
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Information and Referrals
To begin the intake process with a confidential, personalized assessment, call the Institute of Living Access Center: 860.545.7200 or 1.800.673.2411
For additional information about the Mental Health Path, call 860.545.7061
For additional information about the Substance Abuse Path, call 860.972.7730
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For Current Patients
If you currently participating in the professionals’ program, here are some helpful links and files.
Please add links for the following documents available for download:
If you would like to complete a release of information for us to speak to your providers, family, or others, use our online form:
Release of Information
Emergency Phone Numbers
If you are having a clinical emergency and need immediate support we ask you to reach out to the 24/7 Crisis Hotline at 472-HELP, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline via phone or text at 988, 911, or go to your nearest emergency room.
Information and Referrals
To begin the intake process with a confidential, personalized assessment, call the Institute of Living Access Center: 860.545.7200 or 1.800.673.2411
For additional information about the Professionals’ Program, please call the program manager, Brianna Pollock, PhD at 860.545.7840
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For Referring Providers
If you are interested in making a referral to the Professionals’ Program, please call our access center at 860.545.7200. It is likely your client will also be asked to reach out to schedule an intake.
If you would like to discuss the program or potential referrals, please call the Professionals’ Program manager, Brianna Pollock, PhD at 860.545.7840.
If you are a referring provider, please review our admission and exclusionary guidelines.
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