Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program
The UCI Health Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is an intensive, outpatient mental health treatment program designed to help teens overcome mental health symptoms by instilling hope, a positive sense of self-worth and increasing self-efficacy.
We understand that managing your child's mental health can be challenging.
At the UCI Health Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), we take a team-based approach to ensure your child leaves our program feeling happier, more confident and better able to cope with stress.
Our approach to IOP
IOP often serves as a step-down from PHP or inpatient care, or a step-up from standard outpatient therapy.
Our program is designed to help preteens and teenagers (ages 12 through 17) struggling with one or more of the following:
- Challenges at school
- Difficulty attending school
- Difficulty managing stressors
- Low self-esteem
- Suicidal thoughts or self-harming behaviors
- Symptoms of anxiety or depression
Our team consists of committed and passionate licensed clinical social workers, nurses and administrative staff who are highly skilled at working with adolescents. We create a safe, welcoming environment to make every adolescent feel like part of the UCI Health IOP family.
Experience advanced, compassionate care for your child
We combine compassionate care with expertise to help adolescents with emotional issues and psychiatric conditions. Call 714-456-2924 to click below to send an email for more information.
Benefits of IOP
Adolescents who complete our program report:
- Feeling happier and more hopeful about their future
- Having more confidence to cope with situations
- Getting along better with parents, siblings, and peers
- Having more positive thoughts about themselves and others
- Doing better in school
What to expect
Families can self-refer, or a physician or therapist can make a referral — a referral isn't required to start the process. The first step is a call to our office at 714-456-2924, followed by a brief screening call and then an intake assessment. Wait times vary; in some cases, we're able to get a teen started right away.
UCI Health provides IOP on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. The program typically runs for six to eight weeks.
Treatments include:
- Individualized treatment to meet teen’s unique needs
- Group therapy
- Evidenced-based treatment interventions
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavioral therapy
- Mindfulness and meditation
IOP follow-up
The IOP is also designed to ease an adolescent's transition from an inpatient setting to the family home, as well as to decrease the risk of relapse.
Teenagers who are not ready to return to the pressures of school or work receive specialized supervision and individualized therapeutic plans. The team works closely with teens and their families to help ensure a supportive transition back to school and the community.
Why choose UCI Health for IOP?
Ranked in the top 10 of California’s hospitals, UCI Health is the premier choice for adolescent care. As the only academic medical center in Orange County, we provide:
- Highest standards and quality of care
- Collaboration with schools, parents and outside providers
- Experts in adolescent mental health
- Seamless transition ofcare after graduationfrom program
- Multifamily groups to focus on family relationships and growth
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