While most people are familiar with traditional individual therapy, less know about intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) that serve to help people with mental health issues in a more intense way. IOP programs combine a combination of individual therapy with group therapy for multiple hours a day and add up to great results when a client is motivated for change. To learn more about whether IOP might be right for you or someone you care about, read on.
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IOP for Substance Abuse
IOP therapy at a place like Charlie Health is a higher level of care for people who are looking for intensive outpatient supports. These outpatient services provide medication management, individual counseling, group therapy, support groups, and ongoing supports after you leave the program.
Many people report having great success with preventing relapse after attending outpatient services through IOP treatment models. A great option to more traditional residential programs, they are often great choices for parents or people with responsibilities at home that would otherwise go unattended in a residential program.
If you’re struggling with a substance abuse issue and are looking for a treatment program that might fit your schedule better and allow you to be home with family members at night but need more support than weekly sessions, an IOP could be right for you.
IOP for Teens
Teenagers are often great candidates for IOP placements. The reality is that many parents are reluctant to admit their children into inpatient treatment facilities because they don’t want to be away from them. With an IOP program, your teenager could get intense, ongoing support and more while returning to the family home every night.
One of the best things about IOP models for young adults is that they can help with self-esteem in teens. Part of the IOP model encourages group activities and practice with peer interaction. This can do wonders for a teen with a low sense of self or social anxiety.
More than many other age groups, teenagers need a strong support network to navigate things like peer pressure, responsibilities, academics, and daily life. An IOP program will set them up with other teenagers going through similar situations and could mean new friends for life.
Axis Two Diagnoses and IOP
IOP programs are great for anyone with more than one diagnosis. Maybe you have a mood disorder and a drug problem. Perhaps you struggle with anxiety and a history of suicide attempts. IOP staff are trained to handle dual-axis diagnoses and can be a great way to safely experiment with medication management as you work through your challenges.
An IOP team including doctors, nurses, social workers, therapists, case managers, and more can be assigned to you to work together to give you effective care no matter what recovery stage you happen to be in. They will build a treatment plan based on your specific needs and always offer intensive levels of care. Most IOP programs offer a number of treatment modalities to draw from.
Through IOP, you’ll be able to work on one challenge at a time in group settings as well as with individual counselors. Some IOP programs even offer evening programs so that you can maintain employment or attend to other life needs on weekdays.
In the end, your decision on whether or not to attend an IOP program is a personal one. However, knowing the benefits of IOP services and being willing to reach out for help can add up to great results when it comes to minimizing the symptoms of poor mental health. Best of luck to you or the person you care about as you decide whether or not IOP could work for you.