Intensive Outpatient Program

Program Description

​

What is an Intensive Outpatient Program?

An Intensive Outpatient Program – or IOP – is intended for those persons in need of more support than can be offered in weekly counseling or nutrition sessions. IOP is also appropriate for those persons that are transitioning from a higher level of care, such as residential treatment or a partial hospitalization program. In either case, an IOP offers both support and structure to continue the journey to recovery, while also allowing persons served to work, attend school, and maintain normal living routines. 

Group and Individual Therapy

An intensive outpatient program is structured to include both group and individual therapy. In the group sessions, individuals are at different stages in their recovery. Group members both give and receive empathy and support, relate to the challenges and stages of recovery, and build a sense of community to feel a genuine connection to others. The Bayberry IOP model consists of different group experiences, including emotional processing groups, skills development groups, and mind-body (or experiential) groups. 

All persons enrolled in the IOP receive weekly individual sessions from a team member. The primary goal of the individual sessions is to review the treatment plan and discuss progress in the recovery journey. This may include conversations and coordination with the extended treatment team (e.g., a primary care physician, psychiatrist, or nutrition professional). 

What are the Criteria for Entry into an IOP?

An IOP is appropriate for those individuals that can self-manage emotional regulation and eating behaviors without the need for the structure and support offered by higher levels of care. However, daily activities, relationships, or intrusive thoughts may necessitate the need for predictable structure and support throughout the week. 

Persons served in an IOP are medically stable and do not have conditions that require close monitoring. It is common that an IOP member will also have some form of medication intervention, and, therefore, should have a relationship with a primary care physician or psychiatrist. For those persons with a history of an eating disorder or an eating disorder is likely, we may require you to be cleared for entry into the program with both clinical lab work and a referral from your medical provider. 

What is the Admission Process for the IOP?

Persons interested in the IOP can request an assessment at any time. Entry into the program is based on space available, results of the comprehensive intake assessment, financial considerations, and motivation of the individual. 

The process will begin with an intake assessment (known as a biopsychosocial assessment). This may take up to an hour to complete. In addition, we will collect insurance and financial information to better understand your insurance benefits and financial implications for you. Upon completion of both the assessment and insurance benefits verification, we will provide a comprehensive recommendation for treatment for you. In some cases, Bayberry may not be equipped to manage your individual needs. In that case, we will make a recommendation of other options that may be available to you in the community.

The final consideration is motivation. The IOP programming is offered 3 days per week. Most insurances require that you attend at least 3 days per week for 3 hours per day. Inconsistent attendance may result in the insurance provider denying coverage of your IOP treatment. So it is important to self-assess your ability and commitment to an IOP treatment program.