Adolescence is a time of tremendous change, growth, and development. Teens have always struggled with stress and worry around family issues, friends, school, body image, identity, and the future. Peer pressure can be powerful and hard to resist. Sometimes it can be challenging to distinguish between typical teen behavior and behavior that indicates a deeper mental health issue. At Beyond Healthcare, we provide assessment, diagnosis, and outpatient treatment for adolescents and teens ages 11-17 and their families. If your teen is struggling, reach out to our team to learn more about our treatment options, including our intensive outpatient program (IOP).
What Is IOP?
An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is a non-residential treatment option that provides structured mental health treatment several hours a day, multiple days per week. IOP is ideal for teens who do not require around-the-clock supervision but still need a high level of treatment and support. At Beyond Healthcare, we understand the importance of flexible scheduling so that your adolescent and family can receive treatment that does not interfere with regular daily activities and responsibilities.
If your teen’s mental health symptoms or behavior have become unmanageable and outpatient treatment has not provided enough support, our intensive outpatient program might be the best option. At Beyond Healthcare, we provide comprehensive assessments to ensure proper diagnosis and the right level of care. Our IOP serves teens with diagnoses including, but not limited to:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Substance use and co-occurring disorders
- Trauma, grief, and loss
- Self-harm and suicidal ideation
IOP provides teens with a safe space to process their thoughts, feelings, and experiences with peers who share common diagnoses and life circumstances.
How Long is IOP Treatment?
One of the first questions teens and families have about mental health treatment is, “How long will it take?” It is crucial to remember that mental health issues do not develop overnight. Effective treatment takes time. IOP treatment is typically short-term, lasting between four and twelve weeks. The amount of time your teen will spend in the Beyond Healthcare IOP will depend on their needs, treatment goals, and progress in achieving said goals.
What Are the Benefits of IOP for Teens?
Many teens struggle to admit that they have mental health, substance use, or co-occurring disorders that require treatment. The social stigma still attached to these disorders can lead to feelings of shame or embarrassment. A significant benefit of IOP for teens is that their privacy can be more protected because they do not necessarily have to miss school for treatment.
Three other significant benefits of IOP for teens include:
- The ability to maintain support from friends and family – Research points to the importance of family in the recovery process. IOP is ideal for teens who have a supportive, healthy home environment. Being able to remain living at home during treatment allows teens to benefit from the emotional support of friends and family.
- Resources and a support network – Group therapy is a significant component of IOP treatment, giving teens access to a supportive peer network, allowing them to build a sense of community. IOP also provides resources such as tutoring, life skills, and referrals for aftercare.
- Reduced cost of treatment – Inpatient treatment programs are considerably more costly than outpatient treatment programs. IOP treatment provides access to inpatient treatment structure, routine, and intensity at a cost closer to traditional outpatient treatment.
For teens who have been in inpatient treatment or a partial hospitalization program (PHP), IOP treatment can provide support as they transition back into regular daily life.
Discover the Benefits of IOP for Teens at Beyond Healthcare
Social media and, more recently, COVID-19 have played significant roles in compounding the challenges of adolescence. Statistics show that adolescent mental health disorders are on the rise. Approximately half of the people who experience mental health disorders in their lifetime start having symptoms by age 14.
Beyond Healthcare was founded to address the mental health needs of our youth. We understand that untreated mental health issues, including trauma, have severe implications for development and quality of life. Our IOP for teens provides comprehensive, evidence-based, holistic treatment with flexible scheduling. Call 833.698.0453 to schedule an appointment to discover all of the benefits of our intensive outpatient program for teens.
