Online Information Series: Understanding the Austen Riggs Center Treatment Approach
When outpatient therapy, hospitalization, PHP, IOP, or residential treatment has not led to lasting change, determining the next step can be difficult.
The Austen Riggs Center is an open therapeutic community specializing in intensive psychiatric treatment for adults with complex, often longstanding psychiatric conditions. This free, live online series offers an opportunity to learn more about our treatment model, who it is best suited for, and how the admissions process works.
These sessions are designed to help individuals, families, and clinicians determine whether Riggs may be an appropriate next step.
What We’ll Cover
Each 50-minute session provides a clear overview of:
- The structure of our open therapeutic community
- How our model differs from locked or highly structured programs
- Clinical situations in which Riggs-level care may be indicated
- How we approach safety, responsibility, and relational treatment
- The admissions and evaluation process
Participants are welcome to ask general questions during the session.
Who Should Attend
These sessions are appropriate for:
- Adults considering a higher level of psychiatric care
- Family members exploring treatment options for their loved one
- Referring clinicians seeking a clearer understanding of the Riggs model
- Professionals working with individuals whose treatment has plateaued or become cyclical
Riggs may be particularly relevant when symptoms are persistent despite multiple prior treatments, when relational or personality dynamics complicate care, or when more structured environments have not produced sustained progress.
About the Presenters
Samar Habl, MDDirector of Admissions and Associate Medical Director
Jeremy Ridenour, PsyD, ABPPAssociate Director of Admissions and Director of Psychological Testing
Dr. Habl and Dr. Ridenour will provide an overview of the program and respond to general questions about treatment and admissions.
Upcoming Dates
March 18, 2026 | 5:00–5:50 PM ET
March 25, 2026 | 5:00–5:50 PM ET
April 1, 2026 | 5:00–5:50 PM ET
April 8, 2026 | 5:00–5:50 PM ET
Free to attend. No registration required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a therapy session?
No. These sessions are informational and are not a substitute for clinical consultation or treatment.
Is there a cost to attend?
No. These sessions are free and open to individuals, families, and clinicians.
Do I need to register in advance?
No registration is required. You may join the session directly using the Zoom link provided on this page.
Will the session be recorded?
No. To support privacy and open discussion, these sessions will not be recorded.
Can I attend without sharing my full name?
Yes. Attendees are welcome to join using a first name only or a preferred display name. Zoom allows you to adjust your name before or during the session.
Is this confidential?
Because this is a live group session, it is not a confidential clinical setting. We encourage attendees to ask general questions and avoid sharing personal or identifying medical information.
Will the session be moderated?
Yes. A moderator will guide the discussion and may intervene if comments become too personal, identifying, or outside the scope of this informational forum.
Is this session appropriate for clinicians?
Yes. Clinicians and referral partners are encouraged to attend to learn more about the Riggs treatment model, clinical fit, and the admissions process.
How can I speak with someone directly about a referral or admission?Our admissions team is available for confidential consultation. Please contact us at 800.517.4447 or
admissions@austenriggs.hush.com.
Please note: When you first email us at this address, we advise that you not include Personal Health Information (PHI) as your initial email is not encrypted and you are sharing private and/or protected health information over the internet. Once we reply via our Hushmail account, the communication will then be encrypted end-to-end. Only this email address is encrypted. Please do not send Personal Health Information (PHI) to any other Austen Riggs email address.