An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at Mission Connection
An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a structured form of mental health treatment for those who need a higher degree of support than weekly outpatient therapy sessions.
However, it is less intensive than full-day residential treatment since you are able to continue living at home and maintain your daily responsibilities.
Mission Connection uses IOP treatment as step-down care for those transitioning from residential treatment or a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP). It is also used as a starting point for consistent, structured care for others who think they need more guidance and support than weekly sessions.
On this page, you’ll learn how our IOP works at Mission Connection.
How Is Treatment Delivered in an IOP at Mission Connection?
At Mission Connection, we deliver IOP treatment programs through a community-driven model built on the belief that “community heals faster.”
So, what does this mean for you? Well, you won’t have isolated, once-a-week sessions. Instead, you will become part of a connected therapeutic environment where you will participate in consistent therapeutic support throughout the week.
The foundation of our IOP is group therapy. While group therapy is often deemed the ‘cheaper’ alternative to individual therapy, we don’t treat it as such. In our group therapy sessions, all our clients get to process their experiences in real time, while:
- Learning from their peers,
- Practice new skills, and
- Receiving immediate feedback from both clinicians and the group they are part of.
You will have multiple sessions each week, keeping you engaged in the treatment process and actively supported.
Our program can deliver the equivalent of several months of traditional therapy within a single week of structured care. At the same time, we integrate individual therapy and psychiatric support into our group care model. Individual therapy is necessary for the personalized attention you require for your unique needs.
IOP Formats
Mission Connection’s IOP is highly adaptable. You can choose between the following formats:
In-Person and Hybrid IOP
We offer in-person and hybrid IOP services at several physical locations, including:
- San Juan Capistrano, California
- Bellevue and Seattle (Green Lake, as well as a specialized University of Washington student track), Washington
- Arlington, Virginia
All our clinics provide a face-to-face treatment environment. You can also choose a hybrid form of treatment, which combines in-person attendance with virtual participation.
Fully Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (VIOP)
The fully Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (VIOP) is for those who can’t attend an in-person treatment program due to geographical or other barriers. It is open to everyone from many different states, including California, Washington, Oregon, and Virginia.
Virtual IOP is delivered through secure telehealth platforms with guaranteed, HIPAA-compliant data safety measures in place.
Adolescent Virtual IOP (Mission Connection Teen)
Mission Connection also offers a fully virtual IOP track for adolescents aged 12 to 17 through Mission Connection Teen. This program is currently available in California and Washington.
We include adolescents in age-appropriate group sessions in a structured, clinician-led virtual setting.
What Will Your Schedule Look Like?
Mission Connection structures IOP into customizable schedules. You commit to a minimum of three days per week, and your program will run for a total of 3-5 hours per day.
We don’t follow a rigid, fixed schedule. Instead, you can build your own schedule (whether that’s virtual or in-person):
- Virtual IOP schedule. We operate seven days a week and have sessions available from 6:00 AM PST to 8:30 PM PST. Our day includes nine different 90-minute group blocks, out of which you can choose any block that fits your schedule.
- In-person IOP schedule. Our in-person clinics run Monday through Friday. The timings may vary depending on the location, though. For example, our California programs run from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, whereas the Seattle Green Lake clinic offers extended evening hours until 8:00 PM.
Every week, you will have the following in your IOP schedule:
- Clinician-led group sessions on all days
- One dedicated one-on-one individual therapy session each week
- Psychiatric evaluations and medication management on a biweekly basis
- A bi-weekly Tuesday evening virtual family support group session
What Kind of Therapies Will Be Delivered?
Mission Connection’s IOP delivers evidence-based clinical therapies and holistic approaches. We use these to treat primary mental health conditions along with any co-occurring disorders you may have.
The therapies we offer include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) at select locations
In addition to traditional clinical models, we also include experiential therapies in our IOP that support the mind-body connection. They include art therapy, music therapy, embodied mindfulness practices, trauma-informed yoga, Reiki, etc.
We also structure our program around targeted, real-world skills needed for daily functioning. So, you will have sessions on anger management, maintaining relationship boundaries, regulating your nervous system, goal-setting, self-discovery, etc.
Who Is Our IOP Program For?
Our IOP is for individuals who need more support than what weekly therapy provides, but they are not the candidates for a Partial Hospitalization Program or residential treatment yet.
It is a strong fit for:
- People who feel that once-a-week therapy is not enough to manage their symptoms.
- Those experiencing anxiety, depression, or mood instability that interferes with their daily life.
- Those who want to build and practice coping skills in a real-time, supportive setting.
- Those stepping down from PHP or residential treatment.
Mission Connection is here to help you or your loved one take the next steps towards an improved mental well-being.
What Makes IOP at Mission Connection Different
Here are some of the many things that set our IOP apart:
- We centre your treatment around the belief that a community heals you faster, using group therapy as a primary, high-impact modality rather than a secondary option.
- You get to choose your own therapy days and session blocks.
- We have in-person, hybrid, and fully virtual options to cater to everyone’s needs.
- Group therapy, individual therapy, psychiatric services, and family support are combined as part of a coordinated plan.
If you’re ready to begin an IOP, we encourage you to explore our available locations and program options. Our team is always there to verify your insurance coverage and guide you through the admissions process. Reach out today.