Counseling & Psych Services Partners with Sierra Tucson to bring Intensive Outpatient Program to Campus 

National and campus surveys show that students at the University of Arizona and across the country are experiencing significant levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. These challenges affect more than wellbeing. They also influence students’ ability to focus, engage, and persist in their studies. For some, mental health concerns can lead to taking time away from school or leaving college altogether. Ensuring students have access to the right level of care is essential to supporting both their health and their academic success. 

College counseling centers, including Campus Health’s Counseling & Psych Services (CAPS), are often the first place students turn for mental health support. While CAPS provides comprehensive, individualized care, some students experience challenges that require a higher level of support than traditionally offered in a counseling center. An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) bridges this gap, providing structured, multi-hour sessions several days a week for students who need more care but do not require hospitalization. Although IOP services exist in the community, barriers such as cost, time, and transportation often make them difficult for students to access, affecting both their wellbeing and academic progress. 

CAPS has long been dedicated to connecting students with the level of care that best meets their needs, whether through services at CAPS or referrals to trusted community providers. Through care coordination, many students have successfully been connected with off-campus IOPs. Still, the process to receive off-campus services can be challenging for students to navigate. CAPS saw an opportunity to make IOP treatment easier and more student-centered by starting an IOP on campus. 

 “We recognized the need for more intensive mental health support among our student population, especially for those whose needs exceed what CAPS can offer but who don’t require hospitalization,” said Dr. Aaron Barnes, CAPS director. “By bringing an IOP to campus, we’re filling a critical gap in the CAPS continuum of care, normalizing help-seeking, and fostering a culture where mental health support is seen as a vital part of student success.” 

This October, CAPS expanded its long-standing partnership with Sierra Tucson, a nationally recognized treatment center, to launch Sierra on Campus, an IOP designed specifically for University of Arizona students. Sierra on Campus offers best of both words: student-focused care right on campus and the Sierra Tucson Model® for intensive care.  

“Sierra on Campus embodies our commitment to accessibility and student-centered, holistic care,” said Dr. Barnes. “This program reflects our belief that mental health services should evolve alongside the needs of our students. By partnering with Sierra Tucson, we’re expanding access to high-quality, compassionate care within our own campus community.” 

Sierra on Campus is a six-week program designed to help students work through serious concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance use. The group-based IOP meets for nine hours per week and integrates multiple evidence-based approaches, giving students practical tools and strategies they can apply right away. Participants also receive one individual counseling session each week for additional personalized support. 

Sierra Tucson is an in-network provider for the United Healthcare Student Health Insurance Plan, meaning there is no cost to students using this plan. Sierra on Campus accepts other major health insurance plans. Students can contact the Sierra on Campus program for personalized information about cost of the program. 

This IOP joins the CAPS suite of services such as counseling, medication management, crisis support, free groups and workshops, and more.  

"Sierra on Campus represents a bold step forward in how we care for our students. I look forward to seeing how this program helps students regain stability and build resilience, while also allowing students to reconnect with the goals that brought them to University of Arizona. Sierra on Campus is a powerful addition to the CAPS toolkit, and I believe this program will make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students for years to come!” said Dr. Barnes.   

Learn more about Sierra on Campus and how to refer or explore the full menu of CAPS mental health services and resources.