Intensive Outpatient Program

Helpful for people transitioning from residential treatment to community-based services. Also, they can be helpful for people who are unable to manage their symptoms with traditional outpatient therapy.

What is an Intensive Outpatient Program?

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) offer structured treatment for mental health and substance misuse concerns. Participants attend treatment for several hours a day throughout the week but return to their homes in the evenings.

What Services are provided?

Combination of therapy activities

Individual therapy
Group therapy
Family therapy
Education about substance use and mental health conditions
Medication management
Physical health monitoring
Case management
Aftercare planning

Length & Duration

Your IOP experience will depend on your unique treatment needs and your program’s offerings. But most IOPs include a minimum of 6 hours of services each week for adolescents and 9 hours each week for adults.

IOPs aren’t designed to last forever. On average, most people stay in an IOP for approximately 12 weeks. But the time you spend in an IOP will depend on your unique treatment needs.

Step Up or Step Down

A person can enter an IOP as either a step up or a step down in their level of care. It could be that they need more support than weekly outpatient therapy can provide. Or they might enter an IOP when they no longer need the 24/7 support of residential treatment or a partial hospitalization program (PHP).

Best suited for people who have:

Been diagnosed with a mental health or substance use disorder and need more than weekly outpatient treatment but don’t need inpatient treatment
A support system consisting of friends, family, community resources, healthcare providers, and other professionals who can help support continued recovery
Achieved a level of stability that allows them to return to some of their daily activities, like work or school, though they can still benefit from additional support
The motivation to attend all of the programming in their treatment plan
A strong desire to adhere to their goals for recovery
The ability to learn new coping skills and strategies and apply them in their daily lives

Specialized IOP Groups

IOP groups are specialized to the needs of the people attending them

Depression
Anxiety
Trauma
Alcohol or drug misuse
Compulsive behaviors
Coping skills
Anger management
Life skills
Healing family relationships
Relapse prevention
Stress management

Complementary Therapies

IOPs may offer opportunities to include one or more of the following:

Yoga

Mindfulness Meditation

Animal-assisted Therapy

Art Therapy

Dance Therapy

Music Therapy

Acupuncture

Massage

Does insurance cover?

Many health insurance plans cover IOPs, but it’s best to talk to your insurer to understand what’s included with your coverage. Review your plan’s documents or call the number on the back of your insurance card to inquire about your benefits.

Note that most insurance companies that do cover IOPs place a limit on the amount of time you can access this type of care. When you contact your insurance company, ask how many days they will cover.

Cost Concerns?

Contact IOPs to inquire about costs prior to entering treatment. You can also ask them which insurance plans they accept. Their billing department can help with any pre-approvals or documentation you might need to send your insurance company as part of your intake process.