At Garden State Treatment Center (GSTC), we’re committed to helping people transform their lives for the better. So far, we’ve been working towards this goal with a number of substance abuse treatment programs and tracks, from detox to aftercare.
Now, we’re proud to fill a gap in the services available in New Jersey by opening an intensive outpatient program (IOP) dedicated to mental health.
IOPs are short-term, group-based, voluntary programs designed to help people overcome different mental and behavioral issues.
Who should consider this therapeutic option? How long is the program? What is it like? Read on to learn more about the new addition to GSTC’s service range.
Mental Health IOP Explained
Even if the diagnosis is the same, people still experience the symptoms differently. That’s why all our approaches are highly individualized, and we can’t explain exactly what your specific treatment plan will look like.
We can, however, go over the basics of the average intensive outpatient program, from the types and care levels to the insurance coverage.
Types of IOPS: SUD, Mental Health Care, and Dual Diagnosis
Most people know IOPs as a treatment option for substance use disorders (SUDs). But they’re now used for a wide range of mental health conditions and diagnoses.
So, you can find an SUD-focused IOP, an IOP dedicated to mental health treatment, or an IOP that tackles dual diagnosis cases (both an SUD and a mental health issue).
Side Note: GSTC also offers evidence-based IOPs for substance abuse.
Level of Care: What to Expect
No two patients have the same treatment needs, and some will require way more attention than others.
In fact, the level of care that any client’s needs will likely change multiple times. And when professionals talk about the levels of care, they’re usually referencing the classification set by the ASAM.
The care you get in an average IOP is considered a level 2.1. A regular outpatient service (seeing a therapist once or twice a week), however, is considered a level 1.
Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) and residential treatment are all known to deliver a higher level of care, with scores of 2.5 and 3, respectively.
Who It’s for: Two Ways to Use IOPs
Broadly speaking, there are two sorts of clients who could use this treatment program, and they are:
- Someone who has just completed an inpatient treatment program.
- Someone who isn’t getting their mental health care needs met by regular outpatient therapy.
So, the IOP can either be a step-down or a step-up in the provided level of care. Either way, your current therapist is likely going to be the one referring you to the IOP.
And in both cases, all clients need to have the logistics figured out. They will, after all, need to commute to and from the treatment center a few days a week. Of course, the participant needs to be willing and motivated to seek help as well.
As for the scope, many conditions could be tackled during the treatment program. Think depression, anxiety, eating disorders, personality disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
To figure out if you meet the eligibility criteria, get in touch with the GSTC team. Our professional intake counselors will assess your case and help craft a customized treatment plan that caters to your unique needs.
Structure: Expected Time Investment
Some providers define their programs with a specific time frame. At Garden State Treatment Center, however, we tailor the program to each client’s needs. So, it’s hard to guess how long you’ll need to stay in the IOP without a professional assessment.
But if you need to put things in perspective, then the New Jersey Substance Use Overview could come in handy. The report estimates that the mean length of stay in an SUD-focused IOP in 2022 was 108 days (around 3.5 months).
You’ll likely be expected to attend in person for 3–4 hours on 3 days a week or so.
Comprehensive Treatment: Program Aspects and Modalities
The covered behavioral health treatments change from one IOP to another. But group therapy and psychiatry are usually core aspects.
Depending on the case, the professionals and clinicians on the team could resort to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
If needed, the treatment plan will cover medication management as well.
Insurance: Accepted Plans and Providers
The financial aspect can keep a lot of people from seeking the help they need.
Fortunately, at GSTC, we believe that finances should never be a barrier to entry. That’s why we accept health insurance plans from a number of providers.
Contact our admissions department today and ask for a free insurance check.
Why Choose an IOP for Your Mental Health Care
Counselors can help you decide which level of care and treatment intensity is best for you. But there are perks to choosing IOPs rather than inpatient services or weekly therapy.
Here are some of these perks:
1. It Can Reduce Hospitalization Risk
If your current therapist recommends IOP, they probably don’t think regular therapy is cutting it for you. And if you don’t receive the help you really need, you might end up needing inpatient hospitalization.
Getting admitted to a relatively flexible IOP can keep you from getting to that point.
2. It Won’t Be as Disruptive to Your Routine
Mental health patients who end up hospitalized have to drop their responsibilities and leave their “normal” life behind for weeks or even months.
Since IOPs aren’t as restrictive as other high-level programs, it’s possible to balance between your daily life and your treatment plan. You’ll still go home at the end of each day. You’ll still be able to support your family and spend time with your loved ones.
3. You’ll Get to Test Run the Coping Skills in Real-Life Scenarios
Those admitted to inpatient treatment are encouraged to explore their triggers and learn how to cope with their conditions.
However, in an outpatient program, you’ll get to put those coping skills into practice while you’re still actively engaged in treatment. This way, if you have any trouble using these skills in real life, you can bring up the issues in therapy the next day and find out what went wrong.
4. You’ll Find Peer Support and a Sense of Community
In an IOP, you’ll meet people going through similar struggles. This opens the door to peer support, which isn’t something you get from traditional individual therapy.
Plus, you won’t feel pressured to talk all the time. During the group therapy sessions, you can sit back and listen to others until you feel like sharing.
Overall, IOPs offer more comprehensive and holistic approaches to treatment than regular outpatient therapy.
Other Programs Offered at GSTC
Garden State Treatment Center is first and foremost an outpatient and partial care addiction treatment facility, and this is reflected in the program range available on site.
The main evidence-based treatment programs offered at the center are:
- Drug/alcohol detox
- Outpatient rehab
- Partial care program
- Intensive outpatient program
- Evening intensive outpatient program
- Alumni recovery programs
FAQs
Where is Garden State Treatment Center’s new IOP program based?
Which entity oversees mental health IOPs in New Jersey?
What happens after the IOP?
Can I still see my therapists during an IOP?
Find Out More About GSTC’s Dedicated Mental Health IOP Now
In short, an IOP-style program can help both mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
Because of where it falls on the ASAM’s care continuum, IOPs can be used in more than one way.
For one, it could be used to step down the intensity after a residential program. Alternatively, a therapist might make a referral because they believe their client needs more than what the weekly sessions have to offer.
Regardless, Garden State Treatment Center offers 24/7 admissions. So, don’t hesitate to contact us today to see if the IOP is the right therapeutic approach for you.
