Intensive Outpatient Program · Virtual or in-office · San Diego, CA
When one hour of therapy a week isn't cutting it.
Structured support that fits around work, school, and family. 3 hours a day, 3 to 5 days a week, day or evening.
Why IOP works
More support than weekly therapy, without pausing your life.
IOP is built for the middle: enough clinical structure to move the needle, few enough hours that you can keep working, studying, or parenting.
Group therapy as the core
The clinical backbone of most IOP weeks. You'll build skills alongside others working through similar challenges.
Individual & family sessions
Added into your plan as needed, so treatment adapts to what your life actually looks like.
Psychiatric check-ins
Regular medication management and monitoring, coordinated with the rest of your care team.
Day or evening tracks
Flexible scheduling so you can keep working or attending school through program.
Virtual or in-office
Delivered the way your plan of care calls for. Many patients complete IOP entirely virtually.
A step, not a life sentence
Most patients are in program 6 to 12 weeks, stepping down toward weekly outpatient as they stabilize.
What is an Intensive Outpatient Program?
IOP is a structured therapy program designed to sit between standard weekly outpatient care and PHP (Partial Hospitalization). It's built to work around work, school, and family life, so treatment fits into the week rather than replacing it. You'll typically spend 3 hours a day, 3 to 5 days a week in program (9 to 15 hours total), with the option of day or evening tracks. Group therapy is the core. Individual and family sessions are added as needed. Psychiatric check-ins and medication management run on a regular cadence. Most patients are in program 6 to 12 weeks. Some step in from PHP as symptoms improve; others step up from standard outpatient because weekly therapy isn't enough anymore. We also offer Keta-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), which pairs Keta treatment with structured talk therapy for people who haven't found relief through more conventional options. Keta for psychiatric use is considered off-label by the FDA, and insurance coverage for it varies quite a bit by plan and provider. KAP is offered alongside our IOP program all done from the comfort of your home. Insurance covers IOP while the KAP is typically a $10-$40 charge per month for the medication.
- Delivered virtually or in office
- Covered by most major insurance
- Free eligibility & insurance check
- Day or evening tracks available
How IOP works
Real structure, without pausing your life.
Weekly therapy is one hour. PHP is 5 to 6 hours a day, five days a week. IOP lands in the middle: enough clinical time for real progress, few enough hours that you can still keep working, studying, or parenting. A typical week: group therapy as the core, with individual or family sessions layered in as needed, plus periodic psychiatric check-ins and medication management. Day and evening tracks mean the program shapes itself around your life, not the other way around. IOP is a step on a continuum, not a permanent commitment. As you stabilize, your care team steps you down toward standard weekly outpatient therapy, or steps you up to PHP if more support is needed.
Could IOP be the right step for you?The numbers
The structure behind IOP.
IOP is defined by its shape as much as its clinical content. Here's what a typical course looks like. The specifics of your plan are set by the treating clinician.
3 hrs/day
Session length, day or evening.
3-5 days
Per week, depending on your plan of care.
9-15 hrs
Total clinical time per week.
6-12 wks
Typical program duration before stepping down.
These figures describe how IOP is delivered, not a promise of outcomes. Program length and cadence are set by the treating clinician based on your response.
Take the 30-second quizWho it's for
Who IOP is for
Stepping up from weekly therapy
You can function day-to-day (work, school, family), but weekly therapy has stopped moving the needle. You need more support, but not daily oversight.
Stepping down from a higher level of care
You're coming out of PHP or inpatient and don't want to lose the momentum. IOP holds the structure while giving you your life back.
IOP is a level of care, not a single treatment. Eligibility is confirmed by a psychiatric evaluation and a biopsychosocial assessment with a therapist, always by the treating provider, never by our intake team.
Your brain is healingYour brain is healingWho IOP is not for
- Symptoms severe enough to need daily oversight. PHP or a higher level of care is the better step.
- Active suicidal or homicidal ideation, or acute safety risk
- Mild symptoms that respond well to standard weekly therapy
- Unable to commit to 3-hour sessions on a regular schedule
What to expect
Your week in IOP.
From your first evaluation through stepping down, here's how a course of IOP runs.
Before you start
A psychiatric evaluation followed by a biopsychosocial assessment with a therapist confirms IOP is the right level of care and shapes your plan. Our team handles insurance verification and prior authorization on your behalf.
In program
3 hours a day, 3 to 5 days a week, day or evening. Group therapy is the core. Individual and family therapy are added as needed. Psychiatric check-ins and medication management happen on a regular cadence.
Stepping down
Most patients are in program 6 to 12 weeks. As you stabilize, your care team steps you down toward standard weekly outpatient therapy, or up to PHP if more support is needed.
Insurance & cost
We'll handle the paperwork with you.
Most major commercial plans and Medicare cover IOP with prior authorization. Our care coordinators run a free benefits check, request authorization on your behalf, and walk you through any out-of-pocket estimates before you commit to anything.
Most plans
Commercial and Medicare, with prior authorization.
5-7 days
Typical prior authorization turnaround.
Free
Benefits check and program matching.
Coverage details vary by plan. Out-of-pocket costs without insurance can be significant. Ask our team about patient assistance options.
From IOP patients in their words.
"Top-tier care. The whole team creates a personalized treatment plan that works. They are responsive, professional, and treat you like a human being, not just a number. 10/10 recommendation."
David L.
"From the very first phone call, I felt heard and supported. The environment is warm, welcoming, and completely non-judgmental. My doctor took the time to listen to my whole history instead of rushing me. Highly recommend IOP to anyone struggling."
Stephanie M.
"IOP Treatment literally saved my life. The staff, therapists, and doctors here actually care about your progress. The TMS treatment was a total game-changer for my depression when nothing else worked. I can't thank the team enough for giving me my life back."
Michael R
"Incredible staff and compassionate doctors. They got my family member through a very difficult time with exceptional care and dedication. Very thankful for everything they did for us."
Jason T.
"I was hesitant about seeking help, but they walked me through every step of treatment, answered all my questions, and provided constant support throughout my recovery."
Elizabeth K.
Ready to get support?
- No commitment
- Real humans
- Free verification
- HIPAA-compliant
Getting started
How to get started
01
Check
Take the 30-second quiz. We verify your insurance for free.
02
Consult
A care coordinator confirms fit and answers your questions.
03
Evaluate
A psychiatric evaluation and a biopsychosocial assessment confirm IOP is the right level of care.
04
Authorize
We request prior authorization with your insurance, typically 5 to 7 days.
05
Begin
Start program. 3 hours a day, 3 to 5 days a week, day or evening.
Frequently asked questions about IOP.
PHP is the more intensive step: 5 to 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. IOP is 3 hours a day, 3 to 5 days a week. PHP is a full day-treatment commitment; IOP is designed to fit around work, school, or family.
Both are available depending on your program and provider. Many patients complete IOP entirely virtually.
Most patients are in program for 6 to 12 weeks. Your care team adjusts duration based on how you're responding.
Most major commercial plans and Medicare do, with prior authorization. We run the benefits check for free before you commit.
Often yes. That's the whole point of the format. Day and evening tracks are available so you can keep working or attending school.
We'll help route you to the right level of care instead: from standard weekly therapy up through PHP, or adjunct treatments like SPV, TMS, or KAP.
You haven't run out of options. You may just not have been offered the right ones yet.
The quiz takes 30 seconds. Insurance verification is free. If IOP is a fit, we'll match you with a Psycle program in San Diego, CA and handle the paperwork with you.