Hartford HealthCare Institute of Living - Main Campus

About Hartford HealthCare Institute of Living - Main Campus

The Institute of Living (IOL), which is part of Hartford HealthCare, supports adolescents and adults in Connecticut who are dealing with mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, and substance use disorders that occur alongside other diagnoses. Among the anxiety-related concerns they treat are generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), hoarding disorder, illness anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, school refusal, separation anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, phobias, hair-pulling, and skin-picking disorder.

IOL offers care documentation both during and after treatment through the MyChart app or its website. Services are available in several formats: residential, day, intensive outpatient (IOP), and outpatient programs. Across these levels, IOL uses evidence-based medical and clinical approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and a variety of group therapy options. A distinguishing feature of IOL is the way it unites clinical treatment, education, and research, supported by its affiliation with an academic hospital.

The center runs life experience groups as well as general groups. General offerings include social skills development, anger management, adventure-based counseling, expressive arts, art therapy, and sewing. In addition, IOL provides focused services for particular groups within its adolescent and adult population. For adults 55 and older, geropsychiatry specialists help address issues tied to aging such as sleep problems, dementia, and life transitions that can influence mental health and substance use. For clients with autism, especially children and adolescents, treatment may include approaches aimed at building independent living skills, supporting speech-language development, strengthening social skills, and addressing other factors that affect mental health. Young adults ages 18–26 can access the Young Adults Services (YAS) program, designed to promote independence as they work through mental health difficulties. For LGBTQ+ clients, particularly ages 18–26, IOL offers affirming support through its Right Track program to manage stress and stigma, strengthen family relationships, build on personal strengths, and develop coping skills. For expectant parents and new mothers or fathers, the Peripartum Mood Disorders program supports individuals who notice changes in mental well-being while parenting. For clients ages 11–14, the Teaching Our Positive Side (TOPS) day treatment program uses hands-on therapeutic activities to help build social skills.

IOL’s primary campus is in downtown Hartford, not far from the airport. It also has a satellite campus connected to its Anxiety Disorders Center program in Cheshire, about 40 minutes away. Treatment fee estimates and care notes are provided via MyChart. For those paying without insurance, typical self-pay costs often fall between $120 and $360.

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