Intensive Out Patient Question

My t wants me to think about going to an intensive outpatient program. My question is what do you actually do there? Do they have therapy or do they just adjust medication? I was inpatient in two different psych wards as a juvenile and they didn't really do much therapy, which kind of baffled me.

Hi, it depends what your going for? if you don't mind me asking. Addictions?

I have used both

Some IOPs have 1on 1 therapy in addition to the group therapy. The ones I've been to have a check in where everyone gives a brief statement of how they are doing followed by art therapy, occupational therapy, group therapy where it's more intense there's breaks between groups and lunch. But IOP is all about therapy. Usually they also have a pdoc following up and may also adjust meds but therapy is the focus. Ip doesn't usually provide much therapy any more as inpatient is usually short.

The main reason I would be going would be PTSD. Thanks Nammu.

I've done intensive outpatient treatment a couple of times. All were specialized for eating disorders so my experience may be different than others.

Each IOP program that I've been in had similarities. I guess I'll focus on each of them individually since there were some differences as well. The first was when I was a teenager still. Or, perhaps I had just turned 18. It was 3 days per week, 4 hours each. I would arrive, we would have a check in group where we talked about goals that we set previously as well as those that we wanted to set going forward. Next, we had a meal. As it was an ED program, this was a major focus. Right after the meal, we processed how we were feeling and then either met with a dietitian, therapist, or did an activity such as art, movement, or the like. Following that, we had a general therapy group. And, from there, went home.

The next program I was in I had stepped down to IOP from PHP. Again, it was an ED program and had some similarities to the first program I was in. This one, however, had shorter groups, but more variety. We started out by having our individual sessions with therapy or with the dietitian. Then, had meal planning for the next day and our scheduled meal. We processed after that and then had groups such as body image, CBT, DBT, goal setting, and general therapy. We did activities as well such as art, movement, or yoga. I can't remember now, but I think we saw psychiatry as well. It was definitely focused around groups and that was a positive for me.

The last program was a DBT program. Again, for ED and, again, was in step down from a partial hospitalization program. This was a very different experience. I think it could have been beneficial, but, unfortunately, the program was not equipped to work with people with multiple diagnoses and I was mismatched with a therapist who was not the right fit for me. At all. The program was 5 da+ys to start, 3 hours a day. Then, it dropped to 4 days, 3 days, and 2. We did have a therapist, dietitian, and psychiatrist. We had a meal each day and, in the beginning, a snack too. We did not do any processing of meals. So, we'd get in, have a very short check in, and jump right into breakfast. After that, we had groups until snack time. We would be pulled individually for therapy or psychiatry. And, if you were exempt from snack time, you had just some free time to do whatever you'd like. The groups we had were mostly DBT focused: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and goal setting (which included setting contingencies for having behaviors and the like). We did some planning of our days outside of treatment, but that was a bust for me. And, the obligatory art therapy, music therapy, and movement. I've seen a lot of people benefit from such a program so will not speak badly of it. It just was not for me.

IOP can be a great benefit and definitely worth considering. Not all programs are equal. And, not every program will suit the needs of each individual. Overall, my experiences were mostly positive. I am thankful for those programs during those times of my life. I needed the extra support and supervision and, as such, the programs did help in that regard. I'm happy to answer any other questions you might have or offer support as necessary.

Thank you bloom!

I've done IOP once, for 3 weeks. It was ok. It was Mon - Fri 9-3. It was all about therapy, we had different groups each with a slightly different focus, plus met once a week with a psychiatrist. Because I'm also an alcoholic I also met with an addictions counsellor.

We had breaks and free time for lunch. My only complaint was that there was a little too much free time, which was frustrating.

But overall it helped. I did it as an alternative to going IP. I was SU, but not badly enough that I needed IP.

splitimage

Thanks for the info split.

I am currently in an IOP: M-F 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

In that time, we focus in 4 different areas of DBT. We have a long lunch break and then meet for either mindfulness or occupational therapy for about 45 minutes.

The program is generally 3 weeks, but I'm going a little bit longer....to be followed with another program to help me with work. I was inpatient for a couple of weeks prior to starting this program, due to strong SI.

Thanks for sharing shez.

I work in an Iop program. I know they are all different but this is whay ours is like. Patients come in for either 4 or 5 hours a day 4 days a week (the difference in time each day is based on insurance requirements). The program is typically four weeks. Each patient is assigned a therapist while here. We have recreational therapists and nurses that conduct daily education groups in addition to the therapists. Most of the day is spent in group therapy but the is also one on one time. The patients also sees a psychiatrist or psych np about one a week for med management.

I've done IOP 4 times I think. Sitting here nodding along with everyone's descriptions.
Hugs!

Thank you nottrustin and Kiya.