An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is structured treatment several days a week, a few hours at a time, while you live at home. At Lotus Recovery Treatment Center, IOP combines group therapy, individual therapy and psychiatric care for mental health or addiction, with day and evening options.
What Is an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)?
An intensive outpatient program is a level of care for mental health or substance use that gives you more support than weekly therapy without an overnight stay. Under the American Society of Addiction Medicine guidelines, adult IOP usually means at least 9 hours of treatment a week, spread across three or more days.
Most of that time is group therapy, combined with individual sessions, psychiatric care and relapse prevention. IOP sits one step below partial hospitalization, so people often join after PHP, detox or a hospital stay, or start here when weekly therapy is not enough.
Our IOP program in Thousand Oaks, CA provides outpatient mental health treatment and care for substance use, with day and evening options, so you keep up with work, school or family.
What to Expect from an IOP in Thousand Oaks
IOP combines evidence-based therapies with practical skills you use right away at home and work.
Many people start IOP after detox, a hospital stay or PHP. Lotus Recovery does not provide detox. If you need it first, we help you arrange it with a medical provider, then you start IOP.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment Services
01
One-on-one Therapy
Meeting with a licensed mental health professional each week gives you the opportunity to explore the underlying reasons for substance use and how to work through these problems. By healing from past trauma or underlying mental illness, you will reduce the need to have drugs or alcohol in your life. This approach aligns with our counseling and behavioral therapy framework to promote emotional stability and resilience.
02
Group Therapy
Addiction is an isolating disease, but group therapy reminds you that you are not alone. Expect to share your experiences, learn from others, improve communication and practice skills in a supportive, non-judgmental setting. Group sessions also integrate relapse prevention planning to help you handle real-world triggers.
03
Life Skills Education
Life skills are important when returning to your everyday life. In an IOP, you will learn essential skills to support a healthy transition, such as communication, empathy, self-care, problem solving and decision making. These skills complement our focus on mental health outpatient therapy and rebuilding healthy daily routines.
04
Medication Management
You will continue your medication regimen in IOP to ensure your symptoms are managed. These could include medications for an opioid or alcohol use disorder, or medications to treat anxiety, insomnia or nausea. For clients with co-occurring needs, we also support integrated dual diagnosis treatment to ensure both mental health and addiction symptoms are properly addressed.
05
Specialized Therapies
Holistic practices such as art therapy and meditation are part of many IOPs. They give you coping tools for stress, anxiety or sadness, alongside your therapy. See our holistic therapy options.
06
Information and Resources
Because the ultimate goal is to have you lead a sober life, IOPs also provide a great deal of information and resources, such as an introduction to the 12 steps and information on aftercare and sober living. Clients may also benefit from optional services such as evening therapy or referrals for TMS treatment when appropriate.
Mental Health IOP and Addiction IOP Tracks
We run separate IOP tracks for mental health and substance use. Our mental health IOP is outpatient mental health treatment for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder or trauma. The IOP for addiction works as an outpatient rehab, focused on cravings, triggers and relapse prevention. When you need both, our dual diagnosis program coordinates your care.
If your days are full, our evening program runs after work hours.
Who Is a Good Fit for an IOP Program?
IOPs can be an entry point into the continuum of care or a step-down form of treatment following an inpatient program or partial hospitalization program. Since IOPs do not require individuals to live onsite, the people who participate in them should have a supportive home environment and reliable transportation. If you are ready for an IOP but don’t have these building blocks, consider sober housing, which provides a safe and supportive environment outside of treatment hours.
Our intensive outpatient program in Thousand Oaks, and Westlake Village, CA, is designed to support individuals looking for a flexible path forward after more intensive care such as detox or drug rehab.
We also recommend IOPs for individuals who have a minimal risk of acute withdrawal, mild psychological symptoms and a willingness to work the program. Individuals spend a lot of time outside of treatment in an IOP, which is why it’s important for them to be ready for change. Our mental health IOP follows the same structure for people managing depression, anxiety or trauma.
Call (805) 856-6690 to ask about our intensive outpatient program. Admissions is open 24/7, and most insurance is accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in an intensive outpatient program (IOP) in Thousand Oaks, CA?
IOP includes individual therapy, group therapy, life skills education, medication management and relapse prevention. Care for co-occurring mental health conditions is built in, and sessions run during the day or evening.
How does an IOP differ from inpatient rehab or standard outpatient therapy?
Inpatient rehab means living at a facility. IOP lets you live at home while attending several sessions a week. Standard outpatient therapy is usually one session a week, so IOP gives you much more support.
How many hours per week do patients typically spend in an intensive outpatient program?
IOP means several sessions a week, a few hours at a time. Your exact schedule is set at your assessment.
How is family involvement integrated into the intensive outpatient program?
Family members can join family therapy sessions, where you work on communication, boundaries and how to support recovery at home.
What strategies are used in IOP to prevent relapse after treatment?
You identify your triggers, practice coping skills in group and individual sessions, and leave with a written relapse prevention plan. Aftercare can include standard outpatient care, support groups and sober living.
What does intensive outpatient therapy mean?
It is structured treatment several days a week, with group therapy, individual therapy or psychiatric care, without an overnight stay.
Is IOP the same as outpatient rehab?
IOP is the more intensive form of outpatient rehab. It means at least 9 hours of treatment a week, while standard outpatient care involves fewer hours for people who are more stable.