Bipolar disorder presents across a spectrum of mood episodes. Understanding the patterns can help determine the right level of clinical care.
If any of these resonated, our clinical team can help determine the right level of care.
Get a Free AssessmentSame-day admissions available. Most insurance accepted. Completely confidential.
Multiple levels of care designed to meet you where you are. Step up or down as your stability grows — each chapter builds on the last.
Our most intensive outpatient level. Full-day programming with psychiatric evaluation, mood monitoring, group therapy, individual sessions, and holistic activities. The foundation for mood stabilization.
A structured step-down from PHP. Continued group therapy, individual sessions, and medication management with more flexibility for work, school, or family. Morning, afternoon, or evening tracks.
Designed for working adults who can’t attend daytime programming. The same evidence-based IOP curriculum, delivered in the evening with ongoing psychiatric support.
Step-down support for continued stability. Less intensive than IOP but maintains therapeutic continuity with weekly groups, individual sessions, and medication check-ins.
Full access to our programming from anywhere. HIPAA-compliant video sessions for groups, individual therapy, and psychiatric consultations.
Mood stabilizers, lithium, anticonvulsants, and atypical antipsychotics — carefully titrated by our on-site Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Medication is often the cornerstone of bipolar disorder treatment, and we take a collaborative, client-directed approach to finding the right regimen.
“[Client testimonial about bipolar disorder treatment at Trailhead — the staff helped me understand my mood cycles and build a plan that actually works. The medication management changed everything.]”— [Client Name] • Google Review
“[Client testimonial about the personalized approach — my therapist didn’t just focus on symptoms; they helped me understand the whole picture. The combination of DBT skills and psychiatric care gave me tools I use every day.]”— [Client Name] • Google Review
“[Family member testimonial — the family education program helped us understand bipolar disorder as a medical condition, not a personality flaw. We learned how to support stability without overstepping. It saved our relationship.]”— [Family Member] • Google Review
1. Live at home, heal during the day. Our outpatient model means you sleep in your own bed, maintain family connections, and build stability skills in the real world from day one.
2. Flexible scheduling across three tracks. Morning, afternoon, or evening sessions — switch daily based on your work, family, or personal commitments. Our Evening Professional Track (6–9 PM) is built specifically for working adults.
3. On-site Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner within 24 hours. Every client meets our Psychiatric NP within a day of admission for a comprehensive medication evaluation, mood assessment, and treatment planning.
4. Expert medication management for bipolar disorder. Mood stabilizers (lithium, valproate), anticonvulsants (lamotrigine), and atypical antipsychotics — carefully selected and titrated to your unique presentation. Medication is the backbone of bipolar treatment, and we take it seriously.
5. Daily DBT skills groups provide the emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness foundation critical for managing the mood swings of bipolar disorder.
6. Weekly individual therapy with a licensed therapist at every program level. One-on-one sessions aren’t a luxury — they’re a standard.
7. Client-driven therapy choice. CBT, DBT, psychoeducation, interpersonal and social rhythm therapy — your modality is based on your preferences and clinical needs, not a rigid curriculum.
8. Rapid admission. Multiple weekly admission opportunities. No months-long waitlists — begin programming within 24 to 48 hours of your first call.
9. A family-style environment where staff know every client by name. Shared lunches build fellowship. This isn’t a factory — it’s a family.
10. Holistic & experiential programming including yoga, meditation, breathwork, equine therapy at Blue Sky Farm, and structured recreational activities that support mood regulation.
11. Dual state licensing in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts ensures broad regional access and insurance acceptance across both states.
We work with most major insurance providers. Verify your coverage in minutes.
| Provider | Network Status |
|---|---|
| Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield | In-Network |
| Point 32 Health (Harvard Pilgrim) | In-Network |
| Point 32 Health (Tufts) | In-Network |
| Tricare | In-Network |
| Uprise Health | In-Network |
| WellSense (NH Medicaid) | In-Network |
Don’t see your provider? We may still be able to help. Call or submit the form below.
Submit the form below and our admissions team will verify your benefits within minutes.
Your information is secure and confidential. We will never share your data.
Once you make it, we handle everything else. Admissions, insurance, scheduling — all of it.
If you are reading this, you are probably worried about someone you love. That worry is a sign of something good — it means you haven’t given up. And we want you to know: you shouldn’t.
Bipolar disorder is a medical condition, not a character flaw. The person you knew before the mood episodes took hold is still there. But they need professional help — particularly expert medication management — to find their way back to stability. And you may need guidance too.
Start by educating yourself. Understand that bipolar disorder involves real neurochemical changes in the brain, and why willpower alone is never enough. Learn to recognize the warning signs of both manic and depressive episodes. Be aware that your loved one may resist treatment during manic phases when they feel invincible, or during depressive phases when they feel hopeless.
Set clear, compassionate boundaries. “I love you, and I will support your treatment — but I cannot participate in decisions made during a manic episode.” Have the conversation during a stable period, using “I” statements rather than accusations. Offer specific next steps: “I found a program in Salem — can we call together?”
Take care of yourself, too. Consider therapy, NAMI support groups, or our monthly family education groups on Zoom. You cannot pour from an empty cup. Trailhead offers individual family therapy sessions and ongoing family support — for all family members ages 18 and up, past and present clients.
Resistance to treatment is common with bipolar disorder — especially during manic episodes when the person feels fine. It doesn’t mean recovery is impossible. Below, our clinical team answers the questions families ask most.
Our family support program is open to all family members ages 18+, past and present clients.
Trailhead Treatment Center is located in Salem, New Hampshire — minutes from the Massachusetts border and easily accessible from communities across southern New Hampshire and northeastern Massachusetts.
103 Stiles Rd, Suites 1 & 2, Salem, NH 03079If you’re experiencing mood swings that disrupt your relationships, work, sleep, or daily functioning — or if you’ve been prescribed medication but struggle to stay on it — structured treatment can help. Our clinical team can conduct a free assessment over the phone to help determine the right level of care.
PHP clients attend Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. A typical day includes group therapy (CBT, DBT, or psychoeducation), an individual session with your assigned clinician, mood monitoring, holistic activities like breathwork or yoga, and lunch. You go home each evening — this is outpatient treatment, not residential.
In most cases, yes. Medication is considered the cornerstone of bipolar disorder treatment. Mood stabilizers like lithium or lamotrigine, anticonvulsants, and sometimes atypical antipsychotics are the primary tools for preventing manic and depressive episodes. Our Psychiatric NP works collaboratively with you to find the right medication and dosage with minimal side effects.
PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program) is full-day treatment, typically 5–6 hours per day, 5 days a week. IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) is a step-down offering 3–4 hours per day with more scheduling flexibility — morning, afternoon, or evening tracks. Both include group and individual therapy. Most clients start in PHP and transition to IOP as they stabilize.
Most major insurance plans cover mental health treatment. We are in-network with Anthem BCBS, Point 32 Health (Harvard Pilgrim and Tufts), Tricare, Uprise Health, and WellSense (NH Medicaid). Use the verification form above or call our admissions team — we can typically verify benefits within minutes.
Most clients begin treatment within 24 to 48 hours of their initial call. We have multiple admission windows each week. If your situation is urgent, same-day admission may be available when clinically appropriate.
Yes. Many clients with bipolar disorder also experience co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, or trauma. Our clinical team is trained to treat dual diagnosis conditions with an integrated approach. Your treatment plan is individualized to address everything you’re dealing with.
When you’re ready to move from reading to recovering, we’re here.
