An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is a structured therapeutic program that includes group and private therapy sessions. It can treat several mental health conditions, such as mild to severe depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other treatable concerns.
Rockland Recovery Behavioral Health welcomes Massachusetts residents who are struggling with depression and want to begin working with a professional therapist. Our intensive outpatient treatment program utilizes the top therapeutic methods for treating depression. You will participate in behavioral and holistic therapy to uncover the root cause and develop healthy coping skills. Enrolling in IOP is the safest way to treat all aspects of depression and learn healthy ways of managing symptoms and triggers.
Does intensive outpatient treatment work for depression?
An intensive outpatient treatment program can treat the symptoms of depression using behavioral therapy and medication to ease any symptoms. Some of the symptoms of depression include:
- Continuous low mood
- Feeling hopeless and worthless
- Having low self-esteem and confidence
- Unexplained physical pain such as headaches and stomach aches
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Avoiding social situations
- Trouble sleeping
- Changes in appearance and weight
Behavioral therapy programs like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) work to treat mild to severe depression by focusing on the behaviors it creates.
A behavioral therapist will sit with you to talk about how depression makes you feel and work on finding new behaviors to replace the negative ones. Instead of listening to continuous negative self-talk, you learn to recite a personal mantra, do deep breathing exercises, or take a 5-minute meditation break.
If you experience any depressive symptoms, medication can be used to treat depression and any underlying substance abuse. You may be given medication as part of your treatment program, administered by medical staff. These medications include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and atypical antidepressants, such as Wellbutrin and Remeron.
How does IOP therapy work?
An IOP is a structured program that typically lasts from 4 to 16 weeks. It can treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance use disorders, and other mental health conditions. It generally lasts for 3-5 days per week, where you spend 10-15 hours per week in group and private therapy sessions. It also includes family therapy, skills training, medication management, and holistic therapy, such as mindfulness practices, yoga, and meditation.
How IOP helps with depression
IOP is a great program to treat mild to moderate symptoms of depression. It gives clients more structure and accountability, helps build coping skills much faster, and encourages social support through peer interaction. The friendships you develop can turn into long-lasting relationships that will support you when symptoms return.
IOP can prevent symptoms from worsening by teaching clients healthy ways to process their emotions and communicate how they are feeling in a way that everyone can understand.
Using IOP for severe depression
Using IOP for severe depression is generally not recommended at the start of your depression treatment. If you have severe depressive symptoms, you can enroll in an inpatient treatment program and then graduate to IOP. An inpatient program provides 24/7 support where you live at the treatment center for 30, 60, or 90 days, depending on the severity of symptoms. Once you complete the program, you will then move to an outpatient program.
Who can benefit most from an IOP?
There are many benefits of an IOP for those who are ready to improve their mental health. It teaches them about the disorder, provides a safe space to work on developing coping skills, and creates strong relationships with peers and family members.
The people who benefit most from IOP include:
- People with co-occurring disorders of depression and substance abuse
- Individuals who need more support than regular therapy can provide
- People transitioning from inpatient care to outpatient care
- Those who cannot step away from work, school, or personal responsibilities to work on their mental health
- Those with mild to moderate depressive symptoms
IOP can support children, adolescents, young adults, and adults between the ages of 11 and older. For families, IOP can teach them about the disorder and how they can create a stable and supportive home environment.
The success rates of intensive outpatient treatment
The success rate of IOP depends on the client’s commitment to getting healthy. In fact, studies show an extremely high success rate for those who complete an IOP.1
Here are some statistics on the success rates of IOP:
- Symptom reduction: 70-90% of clients show significant improvement in reducing depression symptoms by the end of the program.
- Long-term effectiveness: 50-70% maintained symptom reduction one year after completing IOP.
- Return-to-function: 65-80% of IOP clients report daily functioning improvements, such as returning to work or school, maintaining relationships, and managing daily tasks.
- Completion rates: 60-80% of clients report their outcomes have significantly improved for those who complete IOP.
Ken Duckworth, the Chief Medical Officer for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, says of IOPs, it is “For patients who are not functioning well in traditional outpatient therapy but don’t meet criteria for inpatient admission.”2
Explore your depression treatment options at Rockland Recovery Behavioral Health today
At Rockland Recovery Behavioral Health, our mission is to aid clients in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. When you come to our discreet location, we will run a full health assessment to determine which treatment programs, therapies, and medication, if necessary, to use. We then create a tailored program that includes group and private therapy sessions where you will learn healthy ways to prevent your symptoms from worsening.
If you or someone you love is struggling with depression, fill out our online form or call 855.520.0531 today to speak with our compassionate team.
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