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Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (VIOP) is an online treatment option for teens to attend outpatient therapy sessions, peer support groups, and medication appointments. It is essentially the same as a standard in-person Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), but conducted online from the comfort of home.
Virtual IOPS are effective, and many teens report being satisfied or preferring online mental health treatment over face-to-face sessions. Read on to learn more about what VIOP is and the benefits of virtual therapy for teens.
What is Virtual IOP?
Virtual Intensive Outpatient (VIOP) is a structured, outpatient treatment program administered online, allowing teens to attend from the comfort of their own homes. They are growing as a popular telehealth choice for their ability to provide teens with flexible and accessible treatment as an alternative to face-to-face therapy.
VIOPs often provide the same services found in traditional outpatient treatment, including individual therapy, group therapy, and psychiatric medication appointments. They are ideal for teens transitioning out of residential inpatient treatment or partial hospitalization (PHP), or for teens with mild mental health challenges who do not require in-person monitoring.
If your family has limited internet access, several programs are available to provide subsidized services as part of efforts to increase internet access to low-income families. Check with local or state organizations, or federal programs such as Connect Home USA [1].
How Does VIOP Benefit Teens?
Virtual outpatient programs can increase teens’ engagement in treatment by making therapy approaches more relatable for a generation that already lives so much online.
The top four benefits of virtual mental health outpatient treatment for teens include:
1. A Game-Changer for Accessibility
Virtual treatment eliminates geographical barriers to care. This is especially helpful for rural youth in the US, who have nearly double the rate of suicide compared to their peers in urban areas and limited access to teen mental health treatment facilities [2].
Under 4% of rural zip codes have mental health facilities that serve youth, and 65% of rural counties lack a psychiatrist. Online treatment offers access to services for teens who lack face-to-face options in their hometown [3].
2. More Options for Specialized Therapies
Teens are best served by those who know how to work with teens and understand the developmental-related concerns of youth. Virtual programs connect teens with providers who may be located in other towns or cities, but can better serve their therapeutic needs. It can also connect them with therapists who specialize in faith-based mental health, non-English speakers, and trauma-informed care.
3. Greater Family Involvement
Family is one of the most important pillars of support in the recovery process for teens. Virtual treatment can increase involvement and keep parents engaged by reducing scheduling conflicts and the need for transportation. Family members who feel stigma around the idea of going to therapy may also be more open to the idea of joining a “family strategy session” online.
4. Increased Engagement
Online VIOP removes the “clinical feeling” from therapy, which can be especially helpful for teens who struggle with trauma or negative past treatment experiences. Online therapists for teens can “gamify” therapy sessions and use interactive tools such as drawing apps, virtual whiteboards, and online games that help engage teens more effectively than just talking [4].
Why Do Teens Like Virtual Therapy?
According to the Journal of Internet Interventions, 72% of teens report they would use online therapy if they had mental health challenges, and one-third would prefer it over face-to-face therapy [5]. Teens appreciate online therapy for several reasons, including:
1. Flexibility that fits their life and schedules. Teens often do not want to give up time with friends, sports, part-time jobs, or extracurricular activities for treatment. Online therapy sessions are easy to access from the comfort of their homes, or even a private location in school during a study hall period. For parents, it takes away the time, stress, and scheduling conflicts of attending in-person treatment.
2. Judgement-free, comfortable space. Teens like the fact that they can attend therapy from their own bed if they desire. This safe and comfortable environment can boost confidence, leading to more honest conversations with their therapist.
3. Increased privacy, reduced stigma. There are no waiting rooms, no chance of running into someone they know, and the stigma of “going to therapy” is often reduced. Teens often worry about stigma and being perceived differently by others due to identity development. Online outpatient programs offer the discretion that many teens need to take the first step in treatment and recovery.
Is Online Mental Health Care Actually Effective?
Many parents wonder if virtual therapy is as effective as in-person therapy, and the current evidence says yes. According to a meta-analysis from the American Journal of Psychiatric Research, online mental health treatment, such as VIOP, is just as effective as in-person treatment [6].
Another study from the Journal of Pediatrics and Parenting reported that over 90% of parents of teens who attended telehealth appointments were satisfied with treatment and felt their teens’ needs were addressed [7].
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, including a virtual option for our Intensive Outpatient Program (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.
Sources
[1] HUD Exchange. ConnectHome USA.
[3] Graves, J. 2020. Rural youth left without access to mental health care. American Public Health Association.
[4] Koukouli, S. (2024). Evaluation of Online Counseling through the Working Experiences of Mental Health Therapists Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 12(4), 495.
[5] Forbes, Y. et al. (2016). Logging into therapy: Adolescent perceptions of online therapies for mental health problems. Internet interventions, 15, 93–99.
[6] Riemann, B. (2022). Comparing efficacy of telehealth to in-person mental health care in intensive-treatment-seeking adults. Journal of psychiatric research, 145, 347–352.
[7] Olateju, A. et al. (2022). Acceptability of Telemedicine Among Parents of Adolescent Patients in an Adolescent Clinic: Cross-sectional Survey Study. JMIR pediatrics and parenting, 5(4),
Austin Davis, LPC-S
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.
