Gundersen Lutheran Medical Ctr Inc Behavioral Health Department

Emplify Health's outpatient program and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) are built for people who are committed to long-term recovery but cannot — or choose not to — step away from their daily lives for residential treatment. Both tracks provide professional clinical support on a scheduled basis, with IOP offering a more intensive frequency suited for those requiring a stronger level of structure early in recovery or during a transition out of higher-level care.

This outpatient model fits squarely into the recovery community's understanding that treatment is a process, not a single event. Patients can build recovery skills, work through co-occurring mental health challenges, and maintain the routines — employment, family roles, community ties — that support lasting sobriety. The program's weekday evening hours on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday extend access to those whose daytime schedules make traditional appointment windows difficult.

A defining feature of Emplify Health's substance use treatment program is its focus on co-occurring disorders — the clinical term for when a mental health condition and a substance use disorder are present at the same time. Research consistently shows that unaddressed mental health conditions are a significant driver of relapse, making integrated dual diagnosis treatment a critical component of durable recovery rather than an optional add-on.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) provides the clinical framework for this work. By helping patients examine the connections between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, CBT equips people with practical tools they can apply outside of sessions — in moments of stress, craving, or emotional difficulty. For those who have struggled with both mental health symptoms and substance use, this integrated approach addresses the full picture of what recovery requires.

Emplify Health is one of a limited number of addiction treatment programs that specifically identifies Deaf and hard of hearing individuals as a served population. For members of this community, finding a substance abuse treatment program that can meet their communication needs is a genuine barrier — one that too often goes unaddressed in the broader treatment landscape.

Alongside this commitment to inclusion, Emplify Health holds Joint Commission accreditation, a nationally recognized benchmark for healthcare quality. The program's payment options — Medicaid, Medicare, TRICARE, private insurance, and self-pay — are structured to reach patients across a wide range of financial circumstances, including veterans accessing care through TRICARE and publicly insured patients who might face limited treatment options elsewhere in the region.

Emplify Health's substance use treatment program is located at 1910 South Avenue in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The facility operates Monday through Friday, with hours extending into the evening on Monday (until 7:00 PM), Tuesday (until 7:00 PM), Wednesday (until 7:30 PM), and Thursday (until 6:00 PM). Friday hours run from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. These extended hours make it more realistic for working adults and caregivers to stay consistent with outpatient treatment schedules.

To reach the admissions or billing team, prospective patients and family members can call (608) 775-2287 or contact the revenue cycle team by email at [email protected]. More information about the program is available at gundersenhealth.org. Accepted payment includes Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, TRICARE, and self-pay options.