Intensive Outpatient Program
“Navigating the mental-health care continuum can be a daunting task”
The intensive outpatient program (IOP) provides youths and their families with a set of comprehensive mental health support and resources. The intention of the program is to match the needs of a young person with a menu of services that can be combined to build a personalized program that can be increased or decreased depending upon the dynamic needs of the young person receiving services.
We understand that navigating the mental-health care continuum and understanding what resources would be appropriate for the well-being of your child can be a daunting task. With the assistance of our IOP clinical coordinator, we will create a comprehensive treatment plan aimed at providing stabilization and best potential outcome for your child’s wellbeing.
Our IOP begins with a comprehensive assessment of your child’s mental health, social and emotional well-being, family and school functioning. Typical services may include outpatient therapy, crisis and safety management, parental guidance, dialectical behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, wellness coaching, relevant referrals and clinical case management to ensure that all of the collateral providers are aware and engaged with our treatment plan.
We typically become involved with young people at three important inflection points:
Need for higher level of care:
If your child is presenting with worsening mental health symptoms and is struggling with overall functioning and maintaining safety in their community, a short term IOP may provide the necessary support and resources. This may help defer your child from needing a higher level of care such as hospitalization or short-term residential treatment.
Long-term treatment:
Identifying that your child may need longer term care is one of mental health’s greatest challenges. Our IOP coordinator will develop a program that seeks to create stability and on-going assessment and treatment for your child. Our assessment will assist in determining what type of treatment or intervention is necessary and preferable. Some young people will find the on-going treatment and support helpful and appropriate. Others might find that they need more support in school, at home or socially. In which case, we will connect you with an experienced Educational Consultant who will help you find an appropriate residential placement for your child.
What can families and youth expect when looking at our Intensive Outpatient Program:
Sarah, a 16-year-old who struggles with worsening symptoms of depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and self-harming behaviors. Sarah had a history of depression and anxiety and had been struggling with these symptoms for over a year. Her parents were concerned about her and had been trying to get her help, but her condition continued to deteriorate.
Sarah’s parents were informed that their daughter needed a higher level of care, but she did not meet criteria for hospitalization. They had two choices; they could have her evaluated for potential higher level of care, or attempt to defer placement through an intensive outpatient program referred by her therapist at our practice. Sarah’s parents met with our clinical coordinator to create a tailor made two week intensive outpatient program that would include an assessment and comprehensive treatment plan. Sarah and her parents received individualized safety plans for crisis support and parental guidance to help them manage Sarah's symptoms. Sarah also underwent neuropsychological testing to assess her cognitive and emotional functioning, and a school meeting was held to identify any academic or social issues that could be contributing to her symptoms. Subsequently, a 504 plan was developed to provide Sarah with academic accommodations to help her succeed in school while managing her mental health.
During the course of her treatment, Sarah worked with a therapist 3 times a week and received a referral to be seen immediately by a prescriber who specialized in the treatment of depression and anxiety. Sarah received individual therapy, she worked with Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) coach. In addition, a family therapist worked with her and her parents to address her symptoms and underlying issues. Sarah also worked with a therapeutic mentor to study for her license and to work on her basketball skills.
Over the course of two weeks, Sarah's symptoms began to improve, and she was able to develop coping skills to manage her depression, anxiety, and self-harm behaviors. She also learned to communicate more effectively with her parents, received the necessary school accommodations and successfully deferred from higher level of care. She continues to receive DBT coaching, therapy and therapeutic mentoring but at a much reduced scheduled now that her symptoms have improved and she has successfully re-engaged at school.
Example of an IOP Schedule:
Monday
Parent check-in with individual therapist
Individual Therapy session in the morning
Meeting with wellness coach
Thursday
Life Coach session in morning
Check-in with Wellness Coach
Tuesday
Therapeutic Mentor one-hour session in morning.
Parent meeting with youth’s therapist for parental guidance
DBT Coaching session
Friday
Individual Therapy session
Check-in with Therapeutic Mentor
Parents check- in with Family Therapist
Wednesday
Family Therapy session
Check-in with Life Coach
Prescriber Appointment
Step-Down:
If your child is stepping down from a higher level of care such as inpatient hospitalization or residential treatment, an IOP can provide the necessary stabilization and reintegration back into the community. An IOP can provide the critical resources and support necessary for a successful step-down, preventing potential relapse and significantly improving your child’s well-being.
Our Menu of Services:
Fees and Expectations
The IOP program is a comprehensive set of services that is carefully curated for your family and child. Services are established prior to beginning of the IOP with your clinical coordinator and we provide families with a package quote to be paid at the time of agreed upon services. You can learn more about individual service rates here. While we do not contract with insurance we are happy to provide invoices for you to submit for out of network benefits.
Assessment/Testing referrals
School Placement Support
Crisis Management
Problematic Sexual Behaviors Treatment and Consultation