IOP mental health is an umbrella term used for part-time outpatient treatment that’s proven effective for addressing a variety of mental health disorders and even help those struggling with a dual diagnosis.
There is a great deal of confusion surrounding addiction treatment, and we’ll clear things up today and show you there is much more to rehabilitation than spending a month or more in a residential treatment center.
Intensive Outpatient Mental Health Services
An IOP or intensive outpatient program is more demanding in terms of a time commitment than a standard outpatient program, but not as intensive as a PHP (partial hospitalization program) – more on that below.
When used to treat mental health disorders, the core aim of an IOP is to offer short-term stabilization and to address at the same time any immediate and pressing flashpoints.
Mental health IOPs give you and your family access to a variety of services all delivered by dedicated healthcare professionals, including licensed therapists, nurses, and psychiatrists.
Programs are time-limited and goal-oriented.
For those suffering from severe mental health disorders, the risk of substance abuse is heightened. Research shows those with mood disorders and anxiety disorders are twice as likely to be diagnosed with substance use disorder as those in the general population.
So, if you don’t feel the need to pack your bags and head to an inpatient treatment center, what sort of intensive outpatient programs can you find near you?
Types of Mental Health IOP
Before we break down some of the different types of mental health IOP, we’ll highlight some points common to all of these programs.
You’ll get a neat balance of structure and support and you should notice a swift improvement in your daily functioning. You’ll also build the skills you need to thrive without being burdened by the symptoms of a mental health condition.
The majority of mental health IOPs meet three times a week. Sessions last for around three hours.
For many people with mental health disorders, standard outpatient programs don’t involve enough time commitment and they fail to provide sufficient structure and support. With an IOP, you’ll take advantage of the flexibility of outpatient therapy, while benefiting from more sessions each week.
If you are thinking of engaging with an intensive outpatient program for a mental health disorder, you’ll need a stable and supportive home environment while you undergo treatment to maximize your chances of a favorable treatment outcome.
It’s commonplace for mental health conditions to co-occur with alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder. This is known as dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder. The most effective mental health IOP can help you address both these debilitating conditions simultaneously with the greatest chance of success outside of a residential treatment center.
The right dual diagnosis treatment allows you to probe the cause of your mental health condition and your substance use disorder. With a combination of evidence-based medication-assisted treatment and psychotherapy, you can heal your body and mind while remaining substance-free.
Untreated mental health disorders will not improve but are liable to develop into even more serious issues, including:
- Increased substance abuse
- Homelessness
- Incarceration
- Exposure to violence
- Deteriorating symptoms of mental health
A mental health IOP is a crucial weapon in the fight against mental health disorders in the United States.
IOP for Depression
If you engage with an IOP for depression, you’ll typically take antidepressants. These medications come in many different types, but they all perform the same broad function of recalibrating brain chemistry.
Alongside medication, you can expect to engage with sessions of CBT or DBT to help you examine some of the flawed thinking that’s leading you to become depressed. You’ll also equip yourself with healthier coping skills.
Since most cases of depression do not call for residential treatment, an intensive outpatient program makes a smooth fit.
Intensive Outpatient for Anxiety
Anxiety is a normal response to life’s stressors as well as unexpected and potentially dangerous events. If you are suffering from an anxiety disorder, though, traditional stress management techniques are often inadequate.
When the symptoms of anxiety disorder are impacting your daily living, you should give some thought to exploring mental health IOPs. You won’t need to disappear from home and work for a month, and you can achieve long-lasting relief from your symptoms with a flexible yet effective method of treatment.
There are several different types of anxiety disorders. These include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Panic disorder
- Phobias
Regardless of the type of anxiety disorder, most treatment follows the same combined medication and talk therapy approach.
Medications used to treat anxiety disorder include:
- Benzodiazepines
- Antidepressants (SSRIs and SNRIs)
- Beta-blockers
Therapies used to treat anxiety disorder include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): This helps you to identify and better understand your patterns of thinking and behavior
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): This form of psychotherapy equips you with distress tolerance skills, and also helps you to more effectively regulate your emotions
- Exposure therapy (ET): This form of therapy helps reduce anxiety and fear responses
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): You can learn to live in the present and to refrain from judgment through the principles of ACT
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): This helps reduce the intensity of distressing thoughts
PTSD IOP
If you are suffering from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), you don’t necessarily need to head to an inpatient treatment center.
When you’re seeking treatment for any trauma, you should be prepared for sustained treatment. In this way, an IOP for PTSD offers you more extended contact with medical professionals than you would receive in a brief stint in inpatient rehab.
Through a combination of exposure therapy, psychotherapy, EMDR, and holistic therapies, you can slowly start regaining control over the distressing thoughts derailing your life.
You’ll have access to the same suite of services as you have when seeking treatment for other mental health conditions in an intensive outpatient capacity.
Finding IOP Mental Health Near Me
You can start by asking friends and family for recommendations. Addiction impacts millions of people in the United States, so there’s a strong chance someone in your personal network can recommend a treatment provider.
Perform a simple Google search for “IOP mental health near me” or “mental health IOP near me”. You may need to get creative with your search terms, but you should soon unearth the best rehabs in your area offering intensive outpatient programming.
Here at TDRC, our mental health IOPs involve
- Psychiatrist-recommended treatment
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Intense, structured psycho-education
- CBT sessions
- DBT sessions
- Medication management
- Substance abuse education
- Relapse prevention
- Addiction management
IOP vs. PHP for Mental Health
Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) and partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) are both forms of outpatient therapy, but they are not interchangeable.
On the continuum of care, a PHP sits just below residential rehab. This is a full-time outpatient program. Sessions last for 6 to 8 hours each day on weekdays.
Despite the name, an IOP is less intensive than a PHP. This part-time form of outpatient treatment takes place for around 9 to 15 hours weekly over three or more days of the week. Sessions can be flexible in line with your schedule.
Both of these forms of treatment have a strong focus on relapse prevention and sustained recovery.
Each of these outpatient programs is much more affordable than inpatient treatment, with PHPs costing more than IOPs based on the additional time commitment.
The District Recovery’s Mental Health IOP
Whether you have a mental health condition in isolation, or it’s co-occurring with alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder, we have a range of solutions here at The District Recovery Community.
Everything starts with an assessment at intake. An accurate assessment of your mental health disorder and any co-occurring conditions allows our team of experts to personalize the right treatment program for your needs.
When you engage with an intensive outpatient program for mental health at TDRC, you’ll have access to ongoing clinical and emotional support. You’ll also have access to peer support systems so you can stay strong and in sound mental health while also staying substance-free.
In the early stages of experiencing symptoms of a mental health disorder like depression, anxiety, or PTSD, it’s natural to imagine those symptoms will go away. If the problem persists, though, don’t bury your head in the sand. Addressing mental health concerns is the surest route to accessing the treatment you need and deserve.
Take the first brave and crucial step by reaching out to the TDRC admissions team at 844.287.8506.
