Integrated Care, Advanced Tech: A New Model for Dual Diagnosis Treatment

FORT COLLINS, CO – August 10, 2026 – In a move poised to challenge the fragmented nature of mental health and addiction services, the Wholeness Center today announced the planned September launch of an adult Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) designed to treat co-occurring disorders through a deeply integrated, technology-forward model. This initiative, backed by 16 years of clinical practice, represents a significant step beyond conventional treatment by combining psychiatry, functional medicine, and advanced brain-health technologies under a single, collaborative roof.

For decades, individuals struggling with both a mental health condition and a substance use disorder—a population often referred to as 'dual diagnosis'—have been forced to navigate a labyrinth of disconnected specialists. A psychiatrist for medication, a therapist for counseling, a separate clinic for addiction, and a primary care doctor for physical health, with little to no communication between them. The Wholeness Center's new program aims to demolish these silos, offering a unified approach that treats the whole person, not just a collection of symptoms.

A New Blueprint for Coordinated Care

The core innovation of the Fort Collins-based center is not a single piece of technology, but the operational philosophy that underpins its new IOP. Patients entering the program will be managed by one multidisciplinary team comprising psychiatrists, psychotherapists, functional medicine physicians, addiction specialists, and brain health clinicians. This team collaborates on a single, dynamic treatment plan from day one.

"Collaborative care is the cornerstone of how we work," said Dr. Scott Shannon, co-founder of Wholeness Center. "From assessment to treatment, we collaborate with patients as well as our other providers to eliminate silos and open communication so that we can treat the whole person and not a diagnosis."

This stands in stark contrast to the prevailing model in many regions, where care coordination is often an afterthought, leaving patients to bridge the gaps themselves. By housing diverse expertise within one practice, the center ensures that the biological, psychological, and social facets of a patient's condition are considered in concert. This holistic perspective is further deepened by the center's commitment to functional medicine.

"Healing happens when we understand the biology of the brain, the health of the body, lived experiences, relationships, and lifestyle together," explained Dr. Mary Rondeau, co-founder and CEO of The Wholeness Center. "Our Intensive Outpatient Program extends that same philosophy into a higher level of care, allowing us to meet people where they are while keeping every aspect of their healing connected."

Harnessing Technology for Deeper Diagnostics

Moving beyond standard diagnostic interviews, the center's intake process leverages technology to build a comprehensive, multi-layered understanding of each patient. Treatment begins with an assessment that can include quantitative EEG (qEEG) brain mapping, extensive laboratory testing for nutritional deficiencies and biomarkers, and genetic analysis.

qEEG provides a functional map of brain activity, revealing patterns of over-activity or under-activity that may correlate with conditions like anxiety, depression, or attentional issues. This data, when combined with blood work and psychiatric evaluation, allows clinicians to move beyond a symptom-based diagnosis and begin targeting the underlying neurobiological and physiological drivers of a patient's distress. This data-driven approach allows for the creation of a truly individualized treatment plan, a far cry from one-size-fits-all protocols.

Expanding the Therapeutic Arsenal

Because the IOP is co-located within the center's broader clinical practice, patients gain access to a suite of advanced and interventional treatments often unavailable in traditional outpatient settings. When clinically appropriate, these evidence-informed therapies are integrated directly into a patient's care plan without the need for an external referral.

These options include:
* Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): A non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. Research has shown repetitive TMS (rTMS) to be effective in reducing both craving and depression scores in patients with co-occurring major depressive disorder and substance use disorders.
* Spravato® (esketamine): An FDA-approved nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression. Given the high comorbidity of depression with substance use, having this option available within the same treatment program provides a critical tool for stabilizing patients.
* Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP): The Wholeness Center has been a pioneer in KAP, and its leadership is deeply involved in national training and research. This therapy combines the psychological effects of ketamine with psychotherapeutic support to facilitate breakthroughs in patients with entrenched mental health conditions.
* Nutritional and Lifestyle Medicine: Treatment plans also incorporate nutritional psychiatry, IV nutrient therapy, and guidance on sleep, movement, and stress management, reinforcing the 'whole-person' approach by addressing foundational health.

Addressing a Critical Need in Northern Colorado

The launch of this IOP, with a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) planned for early 2027, is a direct response to a significant and growing need in Northern Colorado. Larimer County, like many regions, faces a high prevalence of co-occurring disorders. While several organizations offer valuable behavioral health services, the Wholeness Center’s model introduces a new level of integrated, high-tech care. The promise of a connected continuum, where a patient can step down from the IOP to general outpatient services with the same clinical team, addresses a common point of failure in long-term recovery: the transition between levels of care.

Navigating Access and Affordability

For many, the question of access to such advanced care comes down to cost and insurance. The Wholeness Center is currently in network with major payers including UnitedHealthcare, Carelon (BCBS), Cigna, and Aetna, and anticipates these relationships will extend to the new IOP. This accessibility is bolstered by Colorado's robust mental health parity laws, which mandate that insurers cover behavioral health at the same level as physical health. Recent legislation, like the 2025 session's House Bill 1002, further strengthens these protections by requiring insurers to approve medically necessary treatment based on national clinical standards, a move designed to reduce claims denials and ensure patients receive the care they need.

By integrating a collaborative team, advanced diagnostic technology, and a diverse therapeutic toolkit within a single, accessible framework, the Wholeness Center is not just opening a new program; it is presenting a functional blueprint for the future of dual diagnosis treatment.