IRTS 101: What Intensive Residential Treatment Really Is—and Why It Matters in Treating Co-Occurring Disorders.

This introductory session clarifies what Intensive Residential Treatment Services (IRTS) are and how they function within Minnesota’s behavioral health system. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of IRTS, including its clinical purpose, structure, staffing, and regulatory expectations. The session will also address common misconceptions and highlight IRTS as a clinically rigorous, integrated level of residential care.

Learning objectives:

• Describe the purpose, structure, and core components of the IRTS level of care.
• Identify how IRTS supports integrated treatment for individuals with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.
• Distinguish common myths about IRTS from the clinical and regulatory realities of residential treatment programs.

Bio:

Mary Beth Fessler, MA, LADC, LPCC, is a behavioral health leader and consultant with extensive executive experience in program development, clinical and operational leadership, and systems improvement. She is the founder of Heart & Hands LLC, where she partners with behavioral health organizations on strategic planning, operational excellence, regulatory readiness, workflow development, and program growth. Before launching Heart & Hands, Mary Beth served in executive leadership roles overseeing a broad continuum of services, including residential and outpatient treatment, sober housing, mental health services, childcare, and organizational operations. Across her career, she has led program development, supported organizational growth, strengthened compliance and quality systems, and mentored teams through change and innovation. Mary Beth began her career in residential care in 2008 and has built much of her professional identity around the belief that high-quality residential treatment can be life-changing. Her leadership experience spans residential substance use and mental health settings, including IRTS, where she has focused on program development, regulatory excellence, and strengthening systems that support both clients and staff. Although she is especially passionate about work with women and families, her core professional interest is in advancing residential care as a critical and often transformative level of service. She is known for her relational leadership style, practical insight, and ability to connect strategy with day-to-day operations.