Intensive Outpatient Psychiatric Program (IOP)

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What Is an IOP? A Flexible Path to Healing and Growth

Mental health crisis treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. You may not require the 24-hour care that inpatient treatment provides or the care provided in a PHP. IOPs offer the treatment needed while allowing you to remain at home and work. An IOP includes several hours of weekly treatment, teaches life skills, and offers other therapies like family, pet, and recreation therapy. 

IOPs provide psychiatric and psychological treatment to address mental health disorders like depression, suicidal thoughts, mood disorders, or thought disorders. Your psychologist or psychiatrist may refer you to an IOP because you’re exhibiting harmful behaviors, like substance abuse, that could potentially lead to hospitalization. Or you could be referred to one as a transition from inpatient, acute, or residential care. IOPs can also be a step-down from a PHP. They also serve as an option for you to stabilize your mental health disorder without entering an inpatient or PHP. IOPs are recommended if you have these qualifications:

• Your mental health symptoms or behaviors are treatable but require monitoring
• You can attend several psychoeducational groups and individual sessions appointments during the week
• Behaviors that need consistent treatment in a more structured environment, which your therapist can provide
• Live in a stable and safe home environment
• If you have a substance abuse issue, it’s stabilized

Benefits of IOPs: Support, Structure, and Community Connection

IOPs offer guidance in your treatment. Traditional therapy asks you to complete assignments and use life skills between therapy sessions. In an IOP, you receive support from your medical and therapeutic team and fellow IOP members. You are also immersed in the treatment you are receiving, which allows you to focus on healing from harmful behaviors. 

IOP treatment can offer acceptance and understanding. You become a part of a recovery community. Community is important because it draws you into socializing with others. Without the support of a community, you might isolate yourself or feel lonely. Isolation and loneliness increase the potential for you to engage in harmful behaviors like substance abuse.

When you become involved in an IOP, you will learn healthy coping skills, discover your strengths, and set goals. Since you’re in a supportive environment, you can share your thoughts and experiences without fearing judgment. 

Ocean View’s philosophy is to meet you where you’re at by recognizing your specific needs. This includes being placed in a group with those who share the same mental health diagnosis and are on an equal cognitive level. Being with people you relate to makes discussing and sharing your thoughts easier. Psychoeducational groups can also keep you motivated. Furthermore, your group is an excellent place to learn about outside support systems, lessons learned by your peers, and to build a community. 

The structure of an IOP holds you accountable for your treatment. Knowing you are committed to attending therapy and life skill sessions creates responsibility. Being responsible helps you build accountability and structure into your daily obligations. Whether in sleep or tasks, structure is vital to your mental health. 

Your treatment is based on the understanding that a comprehensive, holistic approach provides the care you need to heal and recover. We offer life skills training, psychoeducation, pet therapy, and recreation therapy. You will learn stress management, relapse prevention, and coping techniques as you progress. You can try different methods and decide which works best for you. 

Integrated Treatment: Addressing Mental Health

Psychotherapy involves talking with your therapist to identify and manage your emotions and behaviors and learn healthy coping skills. Your therapist may use various techniques to help guide you through the healing process. When they do, they’re using integrated therapy. Integrative therapy aims to use evidence-based methods to treat a mental health disorder. For example, integrative treatment is often used in co-occurring disorders because it combines mental health therapy with substance abuse treatment. 

Integrative therapy isn’t limited to one methodology or technique. Instead, a skilled psychologist or psychiatrist draws on various therapies to tailor your treatment. Drawing on various psychotherapy and holistic therapies is an effective way to adapt treatment. The therapy professionals at Ocean View are trained in multiple psychotherapies, so you can receive the personalized treatment you deserve. They will work with you to design a treatment plan that reflects your unique needs. Examples of integrative therapy are:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Mindfulness
• Family therapy

Integrative therapy can benefit those diagnosed with:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress
• Co-occurring disorders

The benefits of integrative therapy include:

• Individualization of treatment – tailored to each patient’s specific needs
• Flexibility – you aren’t limited to one form of treatment and can adapt your treatment to address changes in your life, experiences, or events
• Adaptability – integrative therapy can be modified to fit your diagnosis
• Holistic – you can learn to combine therapies to understand your mind, body, relationships, or spirituality

Building Essential Life Skills: Coping Mechanisms and Stress Management Techniques

Finding what makes you feel good can take time. When working with your therapist, don’t be afraid to try several different coping mechanisms to see what is best for you. Ask your therapist how to learn and incorporate the holistic skills you learned in other sessions. Find ways to practice stress management techniques like yoga, walking in nature, and journaling in your daily routine.

Don’t be discouraged if your coping or stress-management methods take a while to incorporate into your daily routine. The article “How Habits are Formed: Modelling Habit Formation in the Real World” found, ”On average it took 66 days before habits became automatic.” 

Your care team at Ocean View is here to help you discover which coping and stress management skills benefit you most. We take a personalized approach to your care and want you to succeed in your recovery.

Components of the Ocean View IOP

Ocean View’s IOP is designed so you can successfully attend psychoeducation sessions and remain active in your life. The flexibility of living at home and working helps you adjust to your environment while receiving compassionate, comprehensive mental health care. You will attend several sessions throughout the week and learn life and coping skills. 

You will be a part of the Ocean View community when you’re with us. Since we’re family-owned, we take a compassionate approach to providing evidence-based care. Our program consists of three opportunities a day to attend psychoeducation groups, participate in holistic therapies, receive nutritious food, and discover how you can regulate your mental health. We want you to succeed and feel a part of your positive growth and change.

Program specifics include:

• Our IOP runs Monday through Friday from 10 to 2:30 pm 
• Throughout the day, you will attend three psychoeducation groups, have individual therapy, and participate in recreation therapy 
• You will have the chance to take fresh air breaks
• Catered meals and snacks are provided 

Medication Management: Psychiatric Evaluation and Medication Support (if applicable)

What is a psychiatric evaluation? A psychiatric evaluation is an interview with a clinical staff member to evaluate and identify issues and provide a diagnosis. Once completed, you will see one of our doctors. If you work with a doctor outside of Ocean View, we will contact them to determine the best approach to your medication needs.

Holistic Therapies: Art Therapy, Music Therapy, and Other Mind-Body Practices

Comprehensive care includes holistic therapy. Holistic therapy is a therapeutic approach that focuses on your mind, body, and spirit. It uses techniques to heal you from within by incorporating healthy life skills and coping strategies. A few examples of holistic therapy are:

Art therapy: Creative expression can improve your mood. Art therapy is an outlet that allows you to relieve symptoms of stress, anxiety, or depression. The article “Creativity With Dementia Patients: Can Creativity and Art Stimulate Dementia Patients Positively?” published in Gerontology  states, “Creative activity has been shown to reduce depression and isolation, offering the power of choice and control.”  Some forms of art therapy are:

• Drawing
• Crafting
• Painting

Art therapy is a person-centered recovery approach that can be tailored to meet your interests.

Music therapy: Extended periods of stress are linked with decreased mental and physical health. Music therapy uses elements of music (sound, harmony, and rhythm) to reduce stress or increase your quality of life. A music therapist discusses your needs, music preferences, and experiences to design a personalized session. Your sessions can include writing music, playing instruments, and singing. You may listen to music in some sessions and talk about its meaning. As you participate in music therapy, you will discuss your progress. 

Meditation: In his book The Wheel of Life: Buddhist Perspectives on Cause and Effect, the Dalai Lama wrote, “The mind is definitely something that can be transformed, and meditation is a means to transform it.” 

Mindfulness meditation teaches you how to ground your mind as you work to achieve a sense of calm concentration. It is a way to turn your attention to the present, relieve stress, depression, and anxiety, and boost positive feelings. Researchers have studied mindfulness meditation and discovered that practicing it can change your brain and body in impactful, healthy ways. 

Community Integration: Connecting with Support Networks and Resources

Connecting with others in the community once you complete IOP is vital. You can work with your case manager to identify support groups and networks in your area. They serve as a protection when you’re faced with difficulties. The article “Manage Stress: Strengthen Your Support Network” says, “Experts say that almost all of us benefit from social and emotional support. And though it may seem counterintuitive, having strong social support can actually make you more able to cope with problems independently.” 

You can build your support networks in the following ways:

• Consider what you want from a support network
• Don’t rely on one person or group for your support network. Attend different support group meetings or get involved in a social group. You never know who you might meet who can be a positive force in your life.
• Be involved in your support network. Staying involved in your support system might be challenging, especially if you have a social disorder. You can use the coping skills you learned in your IOP to remain connected to your network.

Support networks have a positive effect on the mind and body. They enhance well-being because you socialize and connect with others who understand you.

Transitioning from Inpatient/PHP to IOP

Ocean View offers all levels of mental health crisis stabilization care. Not everyone starts their healing journey at the IOP level. If you started at a higher level of care, you will work with your case manager to develop a plan to transition from a higher level to a lower level. We will guide you through your journey by tailoring your treatment plan to reflect where you are in your plan. Because we incorporate behavioral therapy with holistic therapies, you can adapt and change as you heal.

A Smooth Transition: Continuing Care Without Interruption

Your care at Ocean View will follow you as you transition from one level of care to another.  Your care team will be with you as you transition so you can confidently move from one stage to another in your recovery journey. Throughout your time with us, you will have the same warmth and respect you had at a different level of care.

Working With Your Treatment Team: Developing a Personalized Discharge Plan

Discharge plans equip you with the essential skills needed for your continued success. Leaving Ocean View Psychiatric Hospital to return to your home environment can be a vulnerable time. Your discharge plan outlines how to use your stress management and coping skills. It will also have a plan for you to find a support network. 

A successful discharge plan is designed to fit your unique personality. Once you complete treatment with us, your therapist will discuss what is important to you. The goals or skills you feel are key to your recovery will be integrated into your plan.

Maintaining Momentum: Building on Progress Made in Prior Levels of Care

It can be challenging to stay motivated throughout your care. However, motivation is possible using the life skills and techniques you learned. 

Ocean View’s Commitment to Patient Well-Being

At Ocean View, we believe in you. We are here to help you achieve your goals in stabilizing your mental health. 

Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) are designed to give you flexibility and structure. At Ocean View, our staff is trained in cutting-edge therapeutic techniques that will guide you to healthy decisions. For more information about our inpatient, partial hospitalization, or intensive outpatient programs, call (844) 562-1212.