When children and teens are in acute crisis, weekly therapy may not provide enough support. Our Intensive Outpatient Program in Anchorage, and Partial Hospitalization Programs in Anchorage and Fairbanks provide daily opprotunities for group therapy and skill building to help clients learn the skills to function well at home, school and in the community. These programs can help young people in crisis avoid the need for hospitalization or provide a step-down in care from hospital or residential treatment.
Partial Hospitalization Program for Ages 9-17
Our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) for Children is an intensive therapy program for children ages 9-17 experiencing significant and/or persistent mental health issues. The program includes medication management, intensive therapy, and skill-building to help clients regain stability, improve quality of life, and avoid the need for higher levels of care. Programs are offered in Anchorage and Fairbanks.
The program runs from 9 am to 3 pm Monday through Friday. The program includes skill development, physical activity, therapy, and lunch. (Lunch is provided.) During the school-year, students in Anchorage in Grade 8 and below have education time with an ASD educator; students in Fairbanks and in high school can can complete schoolwork during designated time during the day.
Clients must be able to meaningfully engage in treatment. Clients with active safety concerns are not a good fit for this program.
- All new clients will need to schedule an assessment for PHP. Call 907-563-1000 and press option 4
- Current Alaska Behavioral Health clients interested in this program should speak with their clinical team.
This is a short-term program, typically lasting 16-19 days. Participants may continue outpatient therapy as needed with Alaska Behavioral Health providers or a therapist they have been working with previously.
Families must be able to transport clients to and from the clinic each day while their child is admitted to PHP. Insurance may pay for the cost of travel and lodging for families outside of those locations.
PHP runs Monday – Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. The daily schedule includes medical check-ins (typically twice a week), mindfulness, therapy groups and skill development groups.
Marissa Hanson, LCSW
Clinical Director
Marissa Hanson, MSW, LCSW is a Clinical Director for the Partial Hospitalization Program and Power Center at Alaska Behavioral Health. She has a Certificate in Interpersonal Trauma Studies and has been working with children and their families who have experienced trauma since 2010. Marissa provides trauma training and clinical consultation throughout Alaska.
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Chioma Iwuoha, BA
Program Manager for Partial Hospitalization Programs
Alaskan born and raised, Chioma Iwuoha comes to Alaska Behavioral Health with a Bachelor of Arts and a minor in Early Childhood Education from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Chioma manages the Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) for both Child and Family and Adult services. She is dedicated to strengthening and cultivating the ease of access to support individuals on their healing journeys. Chioma enjoys artistic pursuits, reading, being in Alaska's beautiful outdoors and creating memories with friends and family (especially the furry, four-legged ones!)
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Anjanae Chever-Watson, MS
PHP Clinician, Anchorage
Anjanae Chever-Watson, MS, graduated with her Masters of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Hodges University in Fort Meyers, Florida in 2022. Anjanae has a passion for helping others heal and overcome adversity. She has 9 years of experience working with children and adolescents in the school system and 3 years of experience working in the mental health field. She is excited to be apart of the Children’s Partial Hospitalization Program. Anjanae was born and raised in Florida and moved to Anchorage, Alaska in December 2023. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, exploring, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
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Jaylene Day
PHP Clinician, Fairbanks
Bio Coming Soon!
Mara Jones, LMSW
PHP Clinician, Anchorage
Mara Jones, LMSW, graduated with a Master's in Social Work and a graduate certificate in Military Behavioral Health from the University of Kentucky. Mara moved to Alaska to begin her mental health career with AKBH, serving in various roles over the years, and has found a home as a clinician in the Partial Hospitalization Program. Mara enjoys working with clients of all ages and is committed to creating a safe, supportive space where individuals can begin to rediscover a sense of hope, build stability, and take meaningful steps towards healing. When not in the clinic, she enjoys reading, traveling, getting outdoors, and spending time with her family, friends, and pets.
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Robert Lang, MSW
PHP Clinician, Anchorage
Rob Lang, MSW, graduated with a masters in social work from Eastern Washington University in 2024. Rob is from the Bronx, New York, and usually lets people know that. He helps clients nurture and challenge themselves towards healing and growth. He loves to be outdoors, read, and watch the NBA.
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Sarah Pype, LMSW
PHP Clinician, Anchorage
Sarah Pype, LMSW, is a Clinician at Alaska Behavioral Health in Child and Family Services. She graduated with a Master’s in Social Work from Baylor University. She enjoys working alongside children and their families to support them in achieving their goals. In her free time, Sarah loves all things hockey and spending time with her family.
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Hanny Dabas
CA - Anchorage
Bio Coming Soon
Elizabeth Jordan, BA
CA - Anchorage
Elizabeth Jordan BA is a Clinical Associate with the Child Partial Hospitalization Program. She graduated with her BA in Public Health from Agnes Scott College in Spring 2025 and is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work and Master of Public Health with University of Alaska Anchorage with a focus on pediatric mental health and helping young clients navigate acute crisis. When not on the job working with kids or studying, she enjoys crochet, playing video games, writing, and, when visiting her family, laying down in the sun with her cat, Godzilla.
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Rosemary Roldan-McCray, BA
CA - Anchorage
Rosemary Roldan-McCray is a CA in Anchorage. She is a Military spouse who moved from California to Colorado to Alaska. She enjoys the outdoors as well as indoors. and will always have her kindle or a physical copy of a book in hand! Born and raised in California, Rosemary loves to try new food! She has a BA in Psychology and Social Science, and has 7 years of total experience working with children, teens, adults, and service members. Her favorite quote is “success is a journey not a destination”.
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Ben Rouzan
CA - Anchorage
Ben Rouzan is a Clinical Associate in the Child Partial Hospitalization Program. He was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, graduated from East Anchorage High School, and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Alaska Anchorage. Ben has always had a passion for helping people within his community and wants to be a role model for the youth he serves and for everyone within his family. He plans to become an LCSW someday. Outside of work, he loves to spend time with family, friends and loved ones, and enjoys traveling, fishing and sports!
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Natalie Vargas
CA - Anchorage
Natalie is a recent transplant from the Garden State. She is currently working on completing her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and plans to pursue a master's degree in Social Work in the near future. Natalie worked on the North Slope for many years and is eager to begin her career in mental health. For fun, she enjoys making dinner for friends and loved ones, working on home improvement projects, and training her new puppy, Ollie.
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Nayeli Wenger
CA - Fairbanks
Bio Coming Soon
Amanda Yelverton, BS
CA - Anchorage
Amanda Yelverton received her BS in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice studies from the University of North Florida. Amanda concentrated on psychological research within pediatric psychology and community-based participatory research looking at health-disparities. As a Clinical Associate for both the Child and Adult Partial Hospitalization Program, Amanda is devoted to understanding and adapting to the individualized needs of her clients, aiding in the wellbeing of the broader Alaskan community. She places trust in the healing elements of moving your body, embracing the arts, and getting in touch with your emotions. In her free-time she enjoys getting outside, expressing creative outlets through writing & painting, and cultivating time with loved ones!
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Intensive Outpatient Program for ages 9 – 17
Our intensive outpatient program for children and teens is designed to provide support for youth stepping down from higher levels of care (including PHP), or who are still struggling significantly with outpatient therapy. IOP is focused on supporting daily functioning through skill development, psychotherapy, and social time and follows a predictable schedule. Participants must be safe and stable, and willing to engage in treatment. IOP is offered in Anchorage at our midtown location.
The program meets in the afternoons after school hours. Snacks/meals are provided. If clients are unable to be in school, our partial hospitalization program is a better option.
- All new clients will need to schedule an assessment for IOP by calling 907-563-1000, and option #1 for Anchorage.
- Current Alaska Behavioral Health clients interested in this program should speak with their clinical team.
The IOP group meets 3-5 days per week from 4:00 – 7:00 pm at 2601 Arctic Boulevard in Anchorage. The number of days clients attend will vary based on their individual needs. Families must be able to transport clients to the clinic in Anchorage daily.
Clients may receive individual therapy services in addition to the IOP group through Alaska Behavioral Health, or through another provider.
Specialized Treatment for Eating Disorders
Specialized eating disorder treatment is available within the IOP program. Programming uses Integrative Modalities Therapy (IMT), which can be used in treating a variety of eating disorders. It includes family-based therapy, weekly evaluations, supported mealtimes, and individual and group therapy using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address eating disordered thoughts. Body Acceptance and Exposure exercises are included as clinically appropriate.
Our PHP program staff have experience working with clients experiencing eating disorders within their standard programming.
How to Access Services
Insurance
We bill all insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare. We are in network with Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and Tricare. Our staff can provide an insurance review of benefits to help determine coverage.
