Bridgeport Hospital – REACH Program

Director: Brian Zaboski, PhD, ABPP / Jennifer Naughton, LCSW
Contact Name: Danielle Moore
1558 Barnum Ave
Bridgeport, CT 06610
Description:

Bridgeport Hospital’s REACH Program offers a suite of group-based, intensive outpatient programs for adults and youth.

In March 2023, Yale University’s Brian Zaboski, PhD, ABPP (https://iocdf.org/providers/zaboski-brian/) and Christopher Pittenger, MD, PhD (https://iocdf.org/clinics/yale-ocd-research-clinic/) led the REACH program team in opening an intensive outpatient program for adults (18+) experiencing OCD and anxiety disorders at Bridgeport Hospital’s REACH Program in Bridgeport, CT. This program has resulted from a long-time collaboration between Drs. Zaboski and Pittenger, culminating in an evidence-based program for adults suffering from OCD and anxiety disorders.

This intensive outpatient program provides science-based and culturally sensitive services to patients with a combination of expertly delivered cognitive-behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention in addition to medication management. Programming is in person, 4 days/week, 3 hours/day, for 8-10 weeks.

Insurance
This intensive program uniquely accepts state, government, and commercial insurance, with options for self-pay and sliding scales.

Staff
Dr. Brian Zaboski directs the clinical aspects of the program. Michael Reynolds (https://iocdf.org/providers/reynolds-michael-d/) conducts the daily exposure groups with assistance from two Bridgeport Hospital Psychiatric Technicians, specialty trained to provide support in the day-to-day activities of the Track. The REACH Medical Director, Fatima Motiwala, MD, provides ongoing medication management in consultation with Dr. Christopher Pittenger.

Awards
This track has been recognized nationally as 2024 Program of Year by the Association for Ambulatory and Behavioral Healthcare (https://aabh.org/2024/05/06/reach-iop-bridgeport-hospital/).

Referrals
Referrals are accepted from healthcare providers; self and family referrals are also encouraged. Call 203-384-3377 to refer or visit our website for more information: https://www.bridgeporthospital.org/services/mental-health/reach-program

Treatment of Co-occurring Disorders:

Co-occurring disorders are the rule at the intensive level. We have treated patients with co-occurring anxiety disorders, major depressive and other depressive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, OCD-spectrum disorders not traditionally treated with intensive exposure-based techniques (e.g., trichotillomania, hoarding disorder), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, mild autism spectrum disorder, binge eating disorder, sleep-wake disorders, gender dysphoria, and bipolar disorders. Many patients have multiple co-morbidities (>3).

Diversity Statement:

Bridgeport Hospital REACH is part of the Yale New Haven Hospital system, where diversity and inclusion are important components of our organizational values. The hospital is committed to providing an environment of inclusion that supports the diversity of its patients, visitors, employees, business partners and communities. Please see https://www.ynhh.org/about/hospital-overview/diversity for more details.

All staff are required to complete and have ongoing access to DEI training: Staff have access to numerous facilitator-lead trainings, e-learning modules and educational resources to increase their professional and personal levels of awareness. These courses offer unique opportunities for employees to learn how stereotypes and unconscious biases can impact the quality of care we provide to patients and how well we connect with our colleagues. Education and awareness initiatives represent a critical part in creating inclusive environments and overcoming barriers to effective communication in the workplace. https://www.ynhh.org/about/hospital-overview/diversity Training is also required for the licensing requirements for our licensed professionals.

Unfortunately, geographic barriers, financial difficulty, and the rarity of programs offering high-quality exposure and response prevention pose enormous hurdles for individuals seeking treatment. This creates inequity for underserved and underrepresented groups, especially for those with state and government insurance. Our program is located in the historically underserved area of Bridgeport, CT. More than 60% of our patients are on state or government insurance. Drs. Zaboski, Dr. Pittenger, and all the staff at REACH take immense pride in delivering ERP to Bridgeport and the surrounding community.

OCD Specialists at this Clinic: