Flexible, evidence-based treatment for mental health and substance use — designed to fit your life while delivering real clinical results.
What Is an Intensive Outpatient Program?
An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a structured level of behavioral health care that provides multiple therapy sessions per week while allowing you to continue living at home, attending work or school, and maintaining family responsibilities. IOP is less intensive than a partial hospitalization program (PHP) but more comprehensive than traditional weekly therapy.
At Refresh Recovery in San Diego, our IOP provides 9-12 hours of clinical programming per week, typically spread across three to four days. This structure delivers the therapeutic depth needed for meaningful recovery without requiring you to pause your life.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recognizes intensive outpatient programs as an effective, evidence-based treatment option for individuals with substance use disorders, mental health conditions, and co-occurring dual diagnoses.
Who Benefits from IOP?
Our intensive outpatient program in San Diego is ideal for individuals who:
- Are stepping down from PHP or residential treatment and need ongoing structured support
- Have a dual diagnosis requiring integrated mental health and addiction treatment
- Need more than weekly therapy but cannot commit to a full-day program
- Want to maintain work, school, or caregiving responsibilities during treatment
- Are experiencing moderate symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, or substance use
What Happens During IOP?
Each week in our IOP, you will participate in a combination of:
Individual therapy — Work one-on-one with a licensed therapist using CBT, DBT, and trauma-informed approaches tailored to your specific needs.
Group therapy — Build connection and accountability with peers in facilitated sessions covering relapse prevention, emotional regulation, communication skills, and coping strategies.
Psychiatric services — Access medication management and psychiatric evaluation to address the biological components of mental health and addiction.
Family involvement — When appropriate, we include family sessions to strengthen your support system and address relational dynamics that impact recovery. Learn more about our approach to family and trauma healing.
How Long Does IOP Last?
The duration of our intensive outpatient program varies based on individual clinical needs, but most clients participate for 6-12 weeks. Treatment length is determined collaboratively between you and your clinical team, with regular progress assessments guiding decisions about step-downs or extensions.
Some individuals enter IOP as their primary level of care, while others transition into it after completing PHP. Either way, the goal remains the same: building the skills, insights, and resilience you need for sustainable recovery.
What Conditions Does Our IOP Treat?
Refresh Recovery’s intensive outpatient program addresses a wide range of mental health and substance use conditions, including:
Does Insurance Cover IOP?
Yes — intensive outpatient programs are covered by most major insurance plans, as IOP is recognized as a medically necessary level of behavioral health care. Refresh Recovery and most treatment facilities accept most insurance, including PPO, HMO, Medi-Cal, and Medicare plans.
Our admissions team can verify your insurance coverage quickly and confidentially, so you know exactly what to expect before treatment begins.
Why Choose Refresh Recovery's IOP in San Diego?
Refresh Recovery is a California State-approved dual diagnosis treatment center that has earned national recognition for compassionate, innovative care. Our IOP combines clinical expertise with genuine human connection — because recovery is not just about treating symptoms, it is about rebuilding a life worth living. Located in San Diego, we offer a healing environment where evidence-based treatment meets the restorative power of community.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Contact Refresh Recovery to learn how our intensive outpatient program can support your recovery journey in San Diego.
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