Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

What is IOP?
Intensive outpatient programming (IOP) is a level of behavioral healthcare that is typically more structured and intensive than traditional weekly therapy. It is designed for individuals who need more treatment and support than can be provided through traditional outpatient services, but who do not require the level of care provided through residential or inpatient treatment.
IOP typically involves supported groups, individual therapy sessions, and family therapy programming that is conducted several times per week.
The goal of IOP is to provide individuals with the support and treatment they need to manage their mental health issues and achieve lasting recovery, while still allowing them to maintain their daily routines and responsibilities.
What is Virtual IOP?
Virtual intensive outpatient programming (IOP) is a type of IOP that is conducted remotely and securely. It allows individuals to participate in structured groups, individual therapy, and family therapy from the comfort of their own home.
Virtual IOP can be an effective alternative to in-person IOP for individuals who may have difficulty accessing traditional treatment due to geographic or transportation barriers, or who prefer the convenience and flexibility of receiving treatment remotely.
IOP Overview

IOP Groups
By bringing young people with similar mental health challenges together, we’re able to create group environments where clients can learn how to build connections and foster long-term healing.

Individual Therapy
One-on-one connections are critical to the IOP model, which is why each client’s unique treatment plan includes a primary therapist for weekly individual sessions.

Family Therapy
The #1 predictor of success in IOP is family involvement. Our family therapy component teaches communication and coping skills to create a more supportive home environment.
IOP at Charlie Health: A Pioneering Approach
Traditional Care
Offered at hospitals, residential facilities, and other brick and mortar locations.
This forces young people and families to commute to and from treatment multiple times per week.
Charlie Health
The ability to access mental healthcare from home allows many people to feel safer and more comfortable opening up their struggles. Plus, virtual treatment means that teens and young people don't need to miss out on school, work, or other responsibilities in order to receive the care they need.
Traditional Care
When services are limited to what's nearby, compatibility isn't guaranteed.
In most IOPs clients are grouped together based on one factor: where they live. This is usually not the best treatment environment for teens and young adults who would benefit from personalized groups in order to feel seen, heard, and safe throughout their time in IOP.
Charlie Health
We are the first intensive outpatient treatment provider to use information collected at intake in combination with a proprietary algorithm to match clients into groups with peers they can relate to. This allows us to break down the barriers of traditional intensive outpatient programs and help teens and young adults connect with peers who are navigating similar mental health issues. Connection heals.
Traditional Care
Simply put, in-person treatment is expensive for many families
The cost associated with this treatment is too high to be sustainable, forcing them to choose between financial and mental health. And for those without commercial insurance, IOP is even less accessible.
Charlie Health
At Charlie Health, we are proud to partner with major insurance providers and Medicaid in order to make IOP care available to as many teens and young adults as possible. Before intake to our program, all insurance and potential financial obligations are verified by our team. We then review any and all potential costs with clients. The ability to pay should never be a barrier to care.
The core mental health issues our IOP supports
Our Intensive Outpatient Programming
Quality Care
Our data-driven approach to treatment planning combines the unique needs of each client with cutting-edge, evidence-based care modalities for optimal outcomes.
Customized Treatment
Our virtual IOP utilizes skills-based, experiential, and psychoeducational groups that are rooted in clinical best practices and trauma-informed care.
Adolescent IOP Schedule - PM Option
Here’s an example of a typical week of Charlie Health programming for teens
How much time will I spend in virtual IOP?
- 3 hours of supported groups, 3 days per week
- 1-2 hours of family therapy per week
- 1 hour of individual therapy per week
What kinds of groups are available?
Clients are matched into groups based on age, maturity, and experiences to ensure a safe, supportive, and affirmative space for healing. Some of our curated IOP group tracks include:
- Victims of bullying
- Screen addictions
- Female-identifying trauma
- Substance use: active recovery
- LGBTQIA+ advocacy
- Body image
- Split-second decision making
- BIPOC-affirming care
Charlie Health’s IOP program fills a key gap within the behavioral health continuum of care
Emergency departments are overrun and under-equipped. Traditional therapy lacks urgency and focus. The solution? Care that meets you in the middle.
Mental Health Crisis
"Step Down"
Health
"Step Down"
"Step Up"
"Step Up"
Mental Health Concerns
Our evidence-based approaches to IOP
IOP Overview

Supported Groups
By bringing young people with similar mental health challenges together, we’re able to create group environments where clients can learn how to build connections and foster long-term healing. Our team of mental health professionals guides each group through evidence-based therapeutic and psychoeducational practices that align with the unique needs of the group.
In total, clients engage in 9 to 11 hours of care each week, all from home.

Individual Therapy
One-on-one connections are critical to the IOP treatment model. That’s why we pair each client with a primary therapist who will help them reinforce what they learn in a group and learn more about themselves individually.
In total, clients engage in 9 to 11 hours of care each week, all from home.

Family Therapy
One of the top indicators of success in the IOP program is family involvement. When clients are able to identify and mend the root causes of their mental health challenges, healing is more sustainable. Family therapy is an opportunity for each client’s loved ones to come together and support one another by learning effective communication and coping skills.
Charlie Health has dozens of curated cohorts for every type of client.
FAQs for IOP
What is an IOP and why is it used?
IOP is a form of behavioral healthcare designed to treat people who need more than once-weekly therapy.
There are two main reasons someone may enroll in an IOP: a recent discharge from a residential treatment program or emergency department or if they are already attending weekly therapy but are continuing to struggle with their mental health.
What is the success rate of IOP?
At Charlie Health, 94% of our clients do not readmit to a higher level of care (such as an emergency department or inpatient facility) upon completion of their personalized IOP.
What is the IOP process?
1. Get in touch with us. Fill out our form to tell us more about your interest in Charlie Health or contact our Admissions Team 24/7 at 1 (866) 484-8218.
2. Chat with our Admissions Team.
3. Benefits verification
4. BiopsychoSocial assessment (BPS)
5. Care plan personalization
6. Virtual IOP: you will spend 9-12 weeks in virtual IOP
7. Discharge support
8. Alumni programming
How long are most IOP programs?
A typical IOP program lasts between 8-12 weeks.
What do you talk about in IOP?
In an intensive outpatient program, clients meet with therapists and facilitators multiple times each week. Sessions may explore the root cause of their mental health struggles, identifying behaviors that maintain these struggles, developing strategies for coping with symptoms, and learning how to create healthy lifestyle habits.

Comprehensive mental health treatment from home
90% of clients would recommend Charlie Health to a friend or loved one.