Intensive Outpatient Program

Our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) employs a flexible hybrid model, offering both in-person and virtual attendance options, with an emphasis on in-person participation for children to optimize engagement. Each program is carefully designed to address the developmental needs of specific age groups, incorporating play-based activities for younger participants and focusing on nutrition, lifestyle, and community-building for older individuals.

The Hybrid IOP utilizes evidence-based techniques to provide a supportive therapeutic environment. Specialized tracks target specific mental health concerns: the Trauma Track addresses the impact of traumatic experiences through empirically validated therapies such as EMDR and TF-CBT. The School Refusal Track supports students struggling with attendance by addressing underlying issues and collaborating with schools and families. The Anxiety and OCD Track employs exposure-based cognitive-behavioral techniques, including ERP, to confront fears and reduce the impact of these disorders.

The Self-Harm Track focuses on developing emotional regulation skills, distress tolerance, and alternative coping strategies through DBT and other scientifically-supported approaches to manage self-injurious behaviors. The Mood Track emphasizes behavioral activation and cognitive restructuring to promote positive experiences, challenge negative thought patterns, and improve overall mood and functioning. Family therapy sessions, group reflections, and optional evening activities are designed to foster communication, support, and connection among participants.

The IOP maintains an atmosphere that is both engaging and structured, facilitating the development of practical skills, building resilience, and supporting participants in achieving their mental health goals. All IOP participants have access to interventional psychiatry programs and can adjust the intensity of services based on their individual needs, ensuring the provision of appropriate care and support throughout their therapeutic journey.

Participants commit to 9-15 weekly hours, divided into group therapy, individual sessions, and therapeutic activities. Insurance mandates a minimum of three hours per IOP day, which can be spread throughout the day. We offer convenient times until 5 pm for children and adolescents, 7 pm for teens, and 9 pm for adults to accommodate all schedules.

Yes, absolutely you can! Our program is structured to maximize your freedom around your schedule. We offer a range of session times throughout the day and evening and create a customized IOP program based on your availability. This flexibility allows you to balance treatment with your work or school commitments effectively.

When to Refer & How We Can Help

The Anxiety Center's Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides evidence-based treatment in a patient-centered environment, allowing individuals to maintain their daily lives while receiving the care they need. Our program addresses the growing need for accessible, high-quality mental health care.

Services We Offer:

1. Group Therapy: Patients learn and develop coping skills in a safe space facilitated by expert clinicians while building connections with peers.

2. Individual Therapy: Each patient is assigned a dedicated therapist to focus on their unique clinical needs.

3. Family Therapy: A separate therapist works with families to support the patient's treatment journey.

4. Psychiatry and Medication Management: Patients receive ongoing support from psychiatrists to manage their medication needs.

5. Academic Support: Adolescent patients work closely with an education specialist during the school year to ensure their academic needs are met.

When to Consider IOP: Our IOP is appropriate for children (6-9), adolescents (10-13), teens (14-17) and adults (18+) with mood and/or anxiety disorders (including OCD) that significantly impact their daily functioning at home, work, or school.

Consider referring an individual who:

1. Was recently hospitalized due to psychiatric concerns.

2. Needs more support than traditional outpatient therapy offers.

3. Has expressed or has a history of expressing thoughts of suicide or self-harm.

4. Refuses to engage in regular responsibilities such as work or school.

5. Struggles with activities of daily living, such as proper hygiene and nutrition.

6. Shows increased agitation or isolation from friends or family.

7. Withdraws suddenly from previously enjoyed activities or social outlets.

8. Displays disproportionate emotional responses to stressful experiences.

Our IOP ensures that patients receive the high-quality care they need, offering a flexible and effective solution for those requiring intensive mental health support.

Yes! Our Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) for individuals struggling with mental health and substance use issues are covered by most major insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare. Our experienced intake team is committed to streamlining the admissions process and ensuring that you or your loved one receives the appropriate coverage.

To begin the process, we will conduct a comprehensive initial intake assessment to gather necessary information and understand your unique needs. Following this assessment, our team will submit an authorization request to your insurance provider to secure coverage for the program. We are dedicated to helping you navigate the insurance process, verify your benefits, communicate with your insurance provider, and advocate on your behalf to ensure that you receive the maximum coverage available under your plan.

At The Anxiety Center, we are committed to ensuring that every patient achieves the best possible outcome. The vast majority of patients who participate in our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) will experience a significant reduction in symptoms, and our clinical team will work diligently to provide the necessary psychiatric treatments to help our patients achieve their desired results.

Whether virtual or in-person, our IOP is designed to maximize efficacy and deliver similar positive outcomes. Patients in our program have access to our evidence-based treatments, interventional psychiatry, and community-based support. We collaborate closely with each patient to determine the optimal combination of treatments to achieve their specific goals. Our integrated approach ensures that IOP patients have access to our full scope of services, including ongoing progress monitoring to ensure effective and lasting results.

At one of our online group therapy sessions within our virtual IOP, your adolescent, teen, or adult will connect with peers who are also facing mental health challenges such as depression. These sessions are guided by a skilled therapist who ensures a safe and supportive environment for everyone involved.

During these online sessions, your child will learn and practice core skills essential for managing their mental health. These skills include mindfulness, which helps them stay present and calm in stressful situations, emotion management to understand and regulate their feelings, and distress tolerance to handle difficult emotions and crises effectively. More disorder-specific strategies like exposure and response prevention and behavioral activation are used based on the specific diagnoses of the patient.

Our online therapy sessions are structured to keep participants engaged and motivated. There are regular breaks to ensure focus and prevent burnout, engaging visual media to illustrate key concepts, and experiential activities that make learning interactive and fun. We also invite engaging speakers who bring new perspectives and insights into the sessions.

Small group discussions are a crucial part of our approach, providing opportunities for your child to connect more intimately with their peers and share their experiences. The therapist strategically uses prompting to ensure everyone actively participates and benefits from the session. Additionally, there are opportunities for one-on-one interactions with the therapist, allowing for personalized attention and support.

Real-life practice of skills is emphasized to help y apply what they learn in their daily life. Through the convenience and accessibility of our virtual platform, your child can receive the same high-quality care and support as in-person therapy, all from the comfort and privacy of home. This comprehensive and engaging approach ensures that your child not only learns valuable skills but also feels supported and understood throughout their therapeutic journey.

Psychiatry services within the IOP at The Anxiety Center allow patients to receive psychiatric care while benefiting from the comprehensive, integrated services we offer. Patients will have one to two medication management appointments per week, tailored to the severity of their condition. These appointments are conducted either in-person or via secure telehealth platforms, ensuring continuous and accessible care.

Additionally, all patients have access to our interventional procedures, such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), Ketamine infusions, and Spravato treatments, which are provided at our physical locations. To support these treatments, we offer transportation assistance for those who need it, ensuring that logistical challenges do not hinder access to necessary care.

Genetic testing, which helps personalize medication management, can be conducted either in-person or remotely, offering patients the convenience and flexibility to participate from their homes. This holistic and patient-centered approach ensures that our IOP delivers high-quality, integrated mental health care, combining the convenience of virtual appointments with the efficacy of in-person treatments when needed.