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Virtual Intensive Outpatient Programs (VIOPs) are growing in popularity as a telehealth option for their ability to offer teens a flexible and accessible alternative to traditional in-person therapy and IOP treatment.
VIOP combines evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), group therapy, and family counseling sessions with digital tools and interactive technology. This can increase engagement and make treatment sessions more relatable for an already tech-savvy generation of youth.
What Is A VIOP?
VIOPs are structured, outpatient treatment programs to support long-term recovery from substance abuse and mental health disorders, completed online. Virtual IOP mirrors the clinical excellence of in-person IOP, but is adapted for extra convenience and flexibility.
They help teens transition out of higher levels of care, such as inpatient residential treatment or partial hospitalization (PHP), back to their communities and daily lives. For teens with mild to moderate behavioral health challenges, it can also be accessed directly without having to go through higher levels of care.
How Virtual IOP Works for Teens
Virtual outpatient programs provide a balanced, online approach to recovery, with flexible scheduling and access to evidence-based therapies. They work similarly to standard IOP, except treatment sessions are done on a virtual, secure platform.
Typical Schedule and Structure
Virtual IOP sessions are typically scheduled several times a week, for 1 to 3 hours, often after school. VIOP allows teens to live at home and participate in treatment while maintaining their day-to-day routines.
Teens can continue attending school, extracurriculars, and other commitments. It also helps break down barriers that can prohibit some teens from accessing treatment, such as a lack of transportation or geographic location (e.g., teens in rural areas).
What Teens Can Expect During Treatment Sessions
VIOP offers many of the same services as in-person IOP, such as individual therapy sessions, group therapy, and family therapy.
- Individual therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) help teens reframe negative thoughts or emotions that drive mental health problems and substance abuse, develop positive coping strategies, and set goals for long-term recovery. Some therapies, such as EMDR or experiential therapies (e.g., adventure therapy) are often only offered in person as they rely on direct, face-to-face interactions and the ability to observe or respond to nonverbal cues.
- Group therapy helps teens connect with other youths who have shared experiences. This fosters a sense of community, validates their feelings, and decreases isolation.
- Family therapy focuses on skills such as communication, conflict resolution, crisis management, and collaborative decision-making to improve family dynamics in the home and reinforce the effectiveness of treatment.
- Medication management under the supervision of a clinical psychiatrist is sometimes offered virtually, depending on the provider and program. Other VIOPs may require teens to come in person, at least initially, for monthly or bi-monthly appointments.
Benefits of Online Intensive Outpatient Programs
IOP is highly recommended as a continuation of care after an inpatient program to support successful treatment outcomes. However, not every teen can commit to an IOP, especially if they lack reliable transportation. This is where virtual IOPs come in.
Flexibility and Accessibility
One of the key benefits of VIOP is the flexibility and accessibility it provides. As long as teens have a stable internet connection and a laptop or computer (many schools now provide Chromebooks to students who do not have computer access at home), they can participate in treatment.
For teens and families who have limited access to the internet, several state and federal programs provide low-cost or subsidized internet services, such as:
- Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
- Connect Home USA
- Lifeline
- Comcast Internet Essentials
Family Involvement from Anywhere
Virtual treatment increases family engagement by allowing family members to participate more frequently and comfortably from their own homes. It removes barriers such as travel, scheduling conflicts, and the stigma of attending conventional, in-person therapy.
Routine and Privacy
Virtual therapy helps teens establish a routine with flexible scheduling that can be tailored to fit the routines of their daily life. Teens and their families can book sessions at consistent times that work best for them, and so are less likely to miss sessions than in-person. Many telehealth platforms also provide automated reminders for re-scheduling and upcoming appointments.
Privacy is also prioritized in virtual therapy through the use of secure, encrypted platforms and wifi networks. Teens are encouraged to participate in a distraction-free environment where they have the same confidentiality they have in an in-person session.
Who Is A Good Fit for VIOP?
VIOPs are an ideal fit for teens transitioning out of higher levels of care, such as inpatient or looking for a higher level of support than standard outpatient. Increased flexibility and accessibility are particularly a good fit for teens who:
- Are busy or involved in extracurriculars
- Do not have reliable transportation for in-person treatment
- Live in a rural area with little access to in-person treatment
- Teens who feel uncomfortable attending in-person therapy due to fear, anxiety, stigma, or shame
Virtual IOP for Teens in Texas: Healing from Home is Possible
Clearfork Academy is a network of behavioral health treatment facilities helping teens recover from substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders. We offer several levels of care, which now include a virtual option for our Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP). VIOP helps teens smoothly transition back to their daily lives and continue attending treatment, no matter where they are or their circumstances.
We offer evidence-based treatments such as CBT, DBT, and EMDR and strive to educate parents about mental health. Contact our admissions team today to see how we can support your family.
Founder & CEO
Originally from the Saginaw, Eagle Mountain area, Austin Davis earned a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministry from Lee University in Cleveland, TN and a Master of Arts in Counseling from The Church of God Theological Seminary. He then went on to become a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in the State of Texas.
Austin’s professional history includes both local church ministry and clinical counseling. At a young age, he began serving youth at the local church in various capacities which led to clinical training and education. Austin gained a vast knowledge of mental health disorders while working in state and public mental health hospitals. This is where he was exposed to almost every type of diagnosis and carries this experience into the daily treatment.
Austin’s longtime passion is Clearfork Academy, a christ-centered residential facility focused on mental health and substance abuse. He finds joy and fulfillment working with “difficult” clients that challenge his heart and clinical skill set. It is his hope and desire that each resident that passes through Clearfork Academy will be one step closer to their created design.
Austin’s greatest pleasures in life are being a husband to his wife, and a father to his growing children. He serves at his local church by playing guitar, speaking and helping with tech arts. Austin also enjoys being physically active, reading, woodworking, and music.
