The Kaiser Permanente Behavioral Health Department of Panorama City/Sylmar has made an egregious decision to reduce the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) After-Care Weekly Group to only 6 therapy sessions. We call our group “The Wednesday Warriors”. Our group therapist announced this change at the virtual group session on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, but now this change affects All Outpatient  Mental Health Therapy Groups at Kaiser Permanente. The therapist stated to us that the decision was made by administrators of Kaiser Permanente of Southern California located in Pasadena, California. After April 20, 2022, those with more than 6 weeks, will be denied the weekly ongoing group therapy from these two-hour valuable sessions.

Complaints have been made to Kaiser Member Services, but the devastated group of many KP members have not seen any written formal documentation of this decision and the reasons to abruptly discontinue our weekly behavioral services. Mental health needs are just as important as physical health needs. General standards for mental health outpatient treatment require ongoing weekly therapy sessions for significant progress to be made.

“The Wednesday Warriors” as well as All Mental Health Therapy Groups At Kaiser Permanente will no longer receive the needed support services for ongoing “processing therapy" that the Kaiser Permanente Behavioral Health Department has established. Members of this excellent IOP After-Care Group have greatly benefited from this doctor recommended treatment plan for as long as 8 years. Those who have been with this group the longest provide additional support to those who have just graduated from the initial IOP structured therapy.

The administrators of Kaiser Permanente of Southern California need to reverse their decision for the IOP After-Care Group. Mental wellness is a priority and ongoing weekly group therapy helps people maintain the skills needed to successfully face stressors and triggers.

Please sign this petition to Save the Wednesday Warriors Group of Kaiser Permanente and All Mental Health Therapy Services.

Your support is greatly appreciated.