Teen intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) provide a vital step in the mental health or substance abuse treatment process that can help adolescents continue or begin their recovery journey in an evidence-based, clinical environment. During teen IOP treatment, clients will have access to mental health professionals and various therapy services throughout most of the day while they go home at night and can put the strategies they learn to use in their day-to-day lives.
If you are interested in learning more about Nexus Teen Academy’s adolescent IOP in Arizona, contact our team and tell us a bit about your son or daughter’s situation. From there, we can provide expert recommendations on their treatment path. Now, let’s get a better understanding of what teen IOP is and how it can help.
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ToggleTeen IOP is a step in the treatment process that can follow residential treatment and partial hospitalization programs, or, for less severe disorders, IOP can be the starting point of an individual’s recovery journey.
During an adolescent intensive outpatient program, clients will arrive at the facility three to five days a week and go through various forms of therapy for three to four hours a day. During their time there, they will go through individual and group counseling sessions to improve mental health symptoms, establish positive coping mechanisms, and get to the root cause of their struggles. The ultimate goal during this process is to create or return meaning and purpose to the affected teen’s life and set them up for success moving forward.
Following treatment for the day, clients will return home, allowing them to take what they have learned during their individual and group therapy sessions and put them into practice in their daily lives.
Most IOPs operate during weekdays, however, some teen IOP programs offer help during weekends as well to assist adolescents who do not have leave from schooling.
The duration of teen IOP will depend on each individual client’s situation. That said, IOP for adolescents can last between 2-3 months, however some teens will require longer-term care.
Every treatment program will look different, but at an IOP, there are a few foundations that you can expect from individual to individual. This includes group counseling, individual counseling, academic assistance, and more.
Intensive outpatient programs offer numerous benefits that can help establish a better life for struggling teens and can help set them up for success following the conclusion of IOP and as they begin aftercare programming.
One of the most prominent benefits of intensive outpatient programs is their flexibility. While inpatient residential treatment requires the client to live in the facility in which they are receiving treatment, IOPs are more adaptable. Intensive outpatient allows clients to create a schedule that fits more appropriately with their treatment needs. This can include coming into the facility for a full day of treatment a few times a week while still living and sleeping at home.
While receiving treatment at a teen IOP, clients will benefit from being around others who are dealing with similar experiences. This form of social interaction will allow teens to learn from others’ situations, develop healthy coping mechanisms that may work for others, and practice their social skills, which can be great for some who may be struggling with isolation or social anxiety.
Along with peer support, family involvement is common at Nexus Teen Academy, we ensure that parents, guardians, and siblings remain a part of the healing process. We work directly with families to provide family therapy to keep them up-to-date on their child’s situation and provide insight and advice on how to continue to help their child after leaving our teen IOP
As part of the continuum of care, IOPs offer a strong structured environment where clients can follow a recovery schedule according to their needs. While it is less restrictive than a residential facility, IOPs still offer treatment schedules that involve many forms of evidence-based and holistic treatment methods to ensure your teen receives a comprehensive approach to recovery. Moreover, aftercare options and recommendations are provided for clients after completing IOP treatment.
If you are searching for a teen IOP near you, there are a few things that you should verify before admitting your teen to one of these facilities. Here are some things that can help:
When looking into treatment centers, you should evaluate the credentials of the facility and ensure that whatever program you are checking out has proper licenses. One specific credential that you should look for is the Gold Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission which indicates that the facility goes above and beyond to offer advanced treatment and ensures client safety during their treatment.
Another thing to look into is the clinical team and who will be providing treatment to your teen. Evaluate their clinical director as well as relevant therapists or case managers to ensure that they have proper licenses and experience working in the adolescent mental health space. You can also look into other team members, such as academic advisors, executive chefs, or family involvement personnel, to see what other options these centers provide.
One of the most important aspects when it comes to examining treatment programs is the actual treatment. A few things to look for is to ensure that the program provides both evidence-based and holistic care options so you know your son or daughter is receiving a comprehensive approach to treatment. Moreover, things like dual diagnosis treatment that aims to help with both substance abuse and mental health simultaneously are mandatory for teens who are struggling with these problems.
Along with our teen residential treatment program in Arizona, Nexus Teen Academy is dedicated to helping provide the full continuum of care for your son or daughter, including assistance at our adolescent intensive outpatient program. While in our care, your teen will have access to an array of evidence-based and holistic treatment options, including cognitive behavioral therapy, meditation, motivational interviewing, mindfulness practices, and much more as they work through the treatment process.
Moreover, family involvement is a cornerstone of our treatment program. We involve parents and guardians every step of the way, providing family therapy and constant updates on treatment progress.
To learn more about our specific care options and how they pertain to your son or daughter’s situation, give our intake team a call today.