IOP: Intensive Outpatient Program
The program is covered by most insurances. Please call to schedule an appointment and our administrative staff would be glad to review your benefits as well.
Who We Are
At Alternative Options, our mission is to guide and support you beyond the challenges that brought you to us. We aim for more than just treatment. Instead, we want you to find a deeper understanding of yourself and equip you with the skills you need for lasting recovery.
Our Commitment to Mental Health and Addiction Recovery
Alternative Options has a long-standing dedication to mental health, substance use disorder, and eating disorders. We’ve helped thousands find their path to recovery, both in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas.
Comprehensive Treatments
We specialize in a range of treatments, addressing challenges like:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- PTSD
- Bipolar disorder
Substance Use Disorder and Addiction
Recognizing the intricate nature of addiction, our team is skilled in providing support and strategies for recovery.
Eating Disorders
We tackle severe conditions such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder with sensitivity and expertise.
For each person who comes to us, we take a comprehensive approach. We look at the mental, emotional, behavioral, and relational sides of individuals’ experiences. We strive to give them a renewed sense of meaning and purpose in their life.
Whether you choose our intensive outpatient program or one of our other services, our dedication to your mental health and recovery remains unwavering. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
What is an Intensive Outpatient Program?
An intensive outpatient program, or IOP, is a treatment plan that allows you to get comprehensive care while still living at home.
Unlike full-time hospital stays, an intensive outpatient program gives you the flexibility to continue with your daily routines, like going to work or school, while attending scheduled therapy or counseling sessions.
Seeking Help at an Intensive Outpatient Program
In 2020, a study revealed that 20.3% of adults had received some form of mental health treatment in the past 12 months.1 This shows that many people are seeking help for their mental health. An intensive outpatient program provides a practical solution for those who need regular support but also want to maintain their day-to-day life.
An Intensive Outpatient Program vs. Traditional Inpatient Care
There are numerous differences between an intensive outpatient program and traditional inpatient treatment, such as:
- Location and Living Arrangements: In traditional inpatient care, you stay at a hospital or a facility. In an IOP, you live at home and attend the program at specific times.
- Commitment: An intensive outpatient program gives you the freedom to engage in daily activities. In contrast, inpatient care requires you to focus entirely on treatments.
- Duration of Sessions: IOP sessions might be daily or several times a week but are limited to specific hours. Inpatient care, on the other hand, is 24/7 until the end of the program.
- Cost: Often, an intensive outpatient program can be more affordable than inpatient care because you aren’t paying for room and board.
- Level of Supervision: Inpatient care provides constant supervision, which might be necessary for some severe cases. An IOP, while intensive, allows for more personal responsibility and autonomy.
Both an intensive outpatient program and traditional inpatient care have their merits. The best choice depends on individual needs, the severity of the condition, and personal circumstances. Consulting with a medical professional can help determine the right fit for you.
How an Intensive Outpatient Program Helps in Mental Health and Addiction Recovery
When you’re healing, the environment can make a big difference. Hospital settings are structured and monitored, providing safety and immediate attention. However, what happens when you leave this controlled environment? This transition can be challenging, especially when it’s sudden.
Intensive outpatient programs help bridge this gap. These treatment programs provide a level of structure similar to hospitals but in an environment closer to real-life settings. You receive care in a setting that mimics your everyday life. This makes the transition smoother.
A study suggests approximately 50% to 70% of participants have successfully maintained abstinence with IOP.2
Benefits of Structured Care Outside of a Hospital
Having structured care outside the hospital offers multiple benefits. These include:
- Familiarity: You stay in familiar surroundings, which can lessen anxiety and stress. This comfort can aid in faster recovery.
- Practicality: An intensive outpatient program lets you practice coping skills in real-world situations. Let’s say you learn a new technique in a session; you can test it out at home or work the very next day.
- Support System: Being close to loved ones can make a huge difference. Their support can complement the professional care you receive in the program.
Balancing Independence and Guidance
Intensive outpatient programs are like a guiding hand that’s there when you need it but allows you to explore on your own.
This balance of independence and guidance is essential for two reasons:
- Building Confidence: Taking charge of your recovery, making decisions, and managing challenges boosts self-confidence. When you see that you can handle situations on your own, it reinforces the belief that you’re on the right path.
- Continuous Learning: Even with newfound skills, you might face situations that are tough to navigate. Having access to professionals means you can discuss these challenges in your next session. It’s like having a safety net; you can venture out, knowing there’s help if you need it.
At Alternative Options, our intensive outpatient program is designed keeping in mind these principles. We understand the need for structured care beyond the hospital walls and strive to offer an environment that encourages both independence and growth.
Services Offered at Alternative Options’ Intensive Outpatient Program
Alternative Options’ intensive outpatient program offers a diverse range of services designed around your unique needs.
Our programs begin with most patients attending outpatient therapy for around 12-15 hours per week. As care continues, this may decrease to around nine hours weekly. Our program also provides separate tracks for adults and adolescents who need help with mental health and substance use disorders.
Some services we offer include:
Group Therapy
Group therapy is when several people come together under the guidance of a trained therapist. In these sessions, each member shares their experiences, listens to others, and provides mutual support.
Group therapy provides a space where everyone has a chance to speak and be heard. The therapist makes sure the session stays focused and everyone feels safe.
In addition, we also include family therapy in our program. Recognizing that mental health and recovery often involve the family unit, our family therapy sessions address familial challenges, helping to improve communication, understanding, and family dynamics.
Benefits of Group Therapy In an Intensive Outpatient Program
Group therapy often achieves better outcomes than individual sessions. However, individual therapy sessions tend to make up about 95% of resources, whereas group therapy only receives 5%.3
However, at Alternative Options, we make sure to fully utilize group therapy as much as needed. Here’s how group therapy can benefit your intensive outpatient program:
- Shared experiences: When you hear someone else talk about their struggles, it can make you feel like you’re not alone. This can be comforting and provide support.
- Multiple perspectives: Getting feedback from several people can help you see things in a new light.
- Learning through others: You can learn from how others handle their challenges.
- Building social skills: Engaging in group discussions can help improve your communication and interpersonal skills.
Group Activities and Modules We Offer
At Alternative Options, our group therapy is more than just talking. We offer various activities and modules to make sessions interactive and beneficial.
Some of the activities we offer include:
- Role-playing: This helps you understand different perspectives and practice new behaviors.
- Skills training: Here, you can learn new coping skills and techniques to handle difficult situations.
- Expressive arts: This utilizes art or music as a way to express your feelings and emotions.
- Discussion topics: Specific topics, like managing stress or building relationships, are discussed in detail to provide actionable insights.
Group therapy is an essential part of the intensive outpatient program at Alternative Options. The dynamics of group sessions allow for mutual support and shared learning. With the multiple benefits it offers, paired with diverse activities, group therapy is a powerful tool on your path to recovery.
Individual Therapy in an Intensive Outpatient Program
Every person’s journey is unique. When you come to Alternative Options, your therapy sessions are custom-designed to fit your specific needs and concerns. Think of it like a tailor-made suit, but for your mental and emotional well-being.
Whether you’re navigating through mental health symptoms, a substance use disorder, or an eating disorder, your sessions will be just as unique as you are.
Techniques and Approaches Used in Individual Therapy
Different challenges need different solutions. Here’s a peek at some of the techniques we use to help you:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This method helps you spot and shift negative thought patterns that might be causing you distress.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT is all about handling your emotions better and improving the quality of your relationships.
- Trauma Therapy: If trauma or fears are holding you back, this technique can help you face and overcome them.
- Diagnostic Testing: This assesses specific psychological disorders and conditions to guide therapy direction.
- Genetic Testing: Genetic testing helps in understanding how genes might influence responses to specific medications, guiding treatment decisions.
- Relaxation Techniques: If you’re feeling stressed or anxious, these methods can help to regulate your emotions.
- Case Management: Case management helps you navigate systems and access resources, ensuring you get the support you need outside of therapy sessions.
Studies have shown that therapy can benefit up to 75% of people who try it. That means three out of every four people find some relief through therapy.4
It’s worth noting that therapy is not just about talking through emotions, but finding actionable solutions to real problems.
Psychiatric Supervision
Psychiatric supervision is a part of the care where psychiatrists oversee your treatment plan. They help understand and treat mental health issues by using a mix of therapy and sometimes medication. This process ensures you get the right support tailored to your needs at Alternative Options.
Ensuring Medication Compliance and Safety
When medication is a part of your treatment plan, it’s important to use it correctly:
- Taking as Prescribed: At Alternative Options, we help you remember and understand how and when to take your medicine.
- Watching for Side Effects: Medication can sometimes have side effects. We monitor these to ensure the medication is helping and not causing new issues.
- Understanding Your Medication: We give clear information about your medicine, explaining why it’s prescribed and what it does.
Teamwork is a big part of how we approach care at Alternative Options. Our professionals ensure that you are aware of your progress and any challenges.
Nutritional Supervision
Nutritional supervision is all about understanding and guiding your food choices while you’re in treatment. It focuses on how the right foods can help your mind and body, especially during recovery from eating disorders.
It’s a blend of science, care, and personalized attention. This often includes:
- Linking mood and food: Food doesn’t just fill your stomach. It can also affect your mood and well-being. For example, not getting enough Omega-3s can make you 65% more likely to feel depressed.5
- Supporting recovery: The foods you eat can help your body heal faster and better when overcoming substance use disorder.
- Clear thoughts and energy: Good nutrition can help you think more clearly and give you the energy needed for recovery.
Customized Nutritional Plans
When creating your customized nutrition plan, we start by learning more about what you like to eat and your health. From there, we can make a meal plan that you’ll both like and benefit from.
Our experts make sure you get a good mix of protein, fats, and carbs. This keeps your body feeling good. If you’re dealing with addiction or an eating disorder, your body might need certain foods more. We add those to your plan.
Adjusting Your Meal Plan
As you move forward, your meal plan might need some changes. We see how you’re doing with your current plan. If something’s not working, we’ll find out and adjust.
Your health or recovery goals might change as you progress. If they do, we’ll update your meal plan to fit those new goals.
At Alternative Options, we think of every detail in your recovery. Making sure you get the right nutrition is a part of that. With the right food choices, we aim to make your recovery smoother and more effective.
Embark on Your Journey with Alternative Options
If you or someone you know are looking for structured yet flexible care that seamlessly integrates into daily life, our intensive outpatient program may be the solution.
We proudly accept most major insurance providers, including both HMO and PPO plans. If you’re uncertain about your coverage, don’t hesitate to reach out. We will work with you to create a treatment plan that works best with your budget, insurance, and symptoms.
Get in Touch Today
At Alternative Options, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Dive into a therapy experience that promises both depth and flexibility, and let us help illuminate your path to wellness.
