Understanding Teen Intensive Outpatient Programs

Teens are at a higher risk than other demographic groups of struggling with their mental health. This can be from the sensitive nature of their developing brains, school, work, peer relationships, and genetics. As they explore their identities and increase their responsibilities, this can sometimes cause underlying mental health problems to rise to the surface. 

It can be distressing for parents to see their teens develop symptoms of mental health problems that affect their happiness, safety, and daily functioning. Teenage intensive outpatient programs provide a line of support to teens and their families looking for help with mental health or substance abuse problems. 

IOP provides a structured, yet flexible approach to treatment for several mental health disorders in teens. Understanding what IOP is and how it can benefit your teen is helpful when making an informed decision about which treatment program is best. 

What is Teen IOP? 

Teen IOP stands for Intensive Outpatient Programs. They are specialized treatment programs for adolescents with a focus on substance abuse recovery or mental health. They help teens with mild to moderate symptoms find long-lasting healing and build skills for future success. 

Unlike higher levels of care or inpatient programs, IOP allows teens to stay at home. Teens will attend IOP for a set number of hours each week. This structure provides them with a balance of treatment and regular activities in their day-to-day life. It allows teens to stay in school, stay involved in their community, and not have to leave their home or family. 

Teen IOP offers a range of services including individual, group, and family therapy. Common therapies a teen may participate in during an IOP include: 

• CBT
• DBT
• Music therapy
• Art therapy
• EMDR
• Family therapy 
• Peer support programs 
• Medication management and psychiatric services 

What Can IOP Help With? 

IOP can support teens in recovery from substance abuse, co-occurring disorders, or mental health problems. Because IOP is more individualized than higher levels of care, each IOP plan may look different for teens. Teens who struggle with anxiety or depression can use IOP to learn positive coping skills and improve their mental health. Teens with more serious problems such as ODD or substance abuse can use IOP to continue implementing the skills they learned in inpatient treatment. 

Some common disorders IOP can support teens with include: 

• Drug & alcohol addiction recovery
• Depression
• Anxiety
• ADHD 
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder 
• Suicidal ideation & self-harm
• Trauma & PTSD 
• Personality disorders 
• Mood disorders 

Different Types of Teen IOP

There are several types of teenage IOP that exist. Speaking with your teens’ mental health professional is the best way to find out which is best for your family’s needs. Some IOP’s are designed for teenage substance abuse and co-occurring disorders, while others are strictly for mental health issues.

IOPs might be tailored to the unique mental health needs of your teen (eg. IOP for alcohol abuse vs IOP for suicidal ideation or IOP for trauma). As telehealth continues to grow, especially among teens, many centers also now offer both in-person and virtual IOP.  

Virtual IOP

Virtual IOP allows teens to receive treatment from the comfort of their homes. This is an ideal option for teens looking for extra flexibility, or who do not have easy transportation to go to in-person IOP. Virtual IOP is also making mental health treatment more accessible by allowing teens who live in more rural parts of the country to participate in services. Teens may do virtual 1 to 1 counseling, virtual support groups, or online mental health workshops to build healthy coping skills. 

In-Person IOP

In-person IOP is standard IOP. Usually, teens will spend anywhere from 2-4 hours a day at the center receiving treatment. This can be a mix of individual, group, and family therapy sessions. Many in-person IOPs offer both morning and night schedules as a flexible approach for teens and their parents. 

Benefits of IOP for Teens 

There are several benefits that IOP can provide to teens. It is a more flexible approach than higher levels of care, allowing teens to stay in their homes and community. IOP can also be more individualized, allowing you and your teen to have more of a say in the treatment planning. Some of the benefits of IOP for teens include: 

• Flexibility of scheduling 
• Insurance tends to cover IOP more than higher levels of care
• Supports long-term recovery from substance abuse and prevents relapse
• Teaches teens healthy coping skills
• Access to evidence-based therapies 
• Individualized care plans 
• Can address co-occurring disorders 
• Gives teens the chance to practice skills they learned in PHP or residential treatment 

IOP vs PHP vs Residential 

There are several levels of care that teenage mental health centers offer patients and their families. Inpatient care is the highest level, this could be mental health residential treatment or inpatient rehab. Partial hospitalization is the second highest level of care. Depending on the center, this can be inpatient or outpatient. In most cases, PHP is an all-day intensive treatment program where teens return to their homes in the evenings. 

• Residential Treatment: 24/7 care where teens live at the facility. Residential programs may last around 30-90 days. This is the highest level of care and often the most expensive. Teens who are in active addiction, suicidal, or extremely violent may benefit from an RT. 
• PHP: This is the highest level of outpatient care. Teens usually attend a PHP program for the day and return home in the evening. This is similar to residential in that there is a high level of structure & participation in intense therapies, just no living at the facility. Teens who exit residential treatment may benefit from transferring to a PHP. 
• IOP: A more balanced approach to treatment than inpatient care or PHP. IOP’s are more focused on building support for teens in the community. They involve more individualized care plans. Family therapy or home-based interventions may also be part of an IOP plan. 

The Clearfork Academy Approach 

If you identify warning signs that your teen is struggling with their mental health, it’s important to get them the treatment they need. At Clearfork Academy our team of compassionate, licensed therapists understands the complex nature of teenage mental health disorders and are here to help. We offer several levels of care including residential treatment, PHP, and IOP services. Reach out to our Admissions team to learn more. 

Sources

Mental Health Statistics: Children & Young People. Mental Health Foundation.