Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a structured, after-school level of care for children and adolescents who are stable enough to attend school but still need more support than traditional weekly outpatient therapy can provide. IOP allows youth to attend school during the day and participate in treatment in the afternoon, helping them maintain routines while receiving meaningful therapeutic support.
If you are unfamiliar with higher levels of mental health care, learning that your child may benefit from an Intensive Outpatient Program can understandably feel overwhelming. If all of this feels new to you—the terminology, the treatment options, or simply not knowing what to expect—you’re not alone. Many parents feel the same way when they first seek support, and we’re here to guide you through every step of the journey. Together, we will walk through this process one step at a time.
Serving those seeking hope and healing
Our IOP supports children and adolescents ages 8–18 who are stable enough to attend school but continue to struggle with emotional or behavioral concerns that require more support than outpatient therapy. IOP is ideal for youth who benefit from structured skill-building and therapeutic support after school. This may include:
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Anxiety or depression
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Emotional dysregulation that is less frequent or intense than PHP levels
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Difficulty applying coping skills during the school day or evenings
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Peer conflict, social stress, or friendship difficulties
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School-related stress, perfectionism, or academic frustration that do not interfere with regular school attendance
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Mild OCD symptoms or rigidity
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Behavioral challenges at home
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Step-down support after completing PHP
IOP is most appropriate when youth can manage the school day but still need consistent therapeutic structure to maintain progress and build confidence.
Our Intensive Outpatient Program runs Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 3:15 PM to 6:00 PM. Our program includes:
Homework Cafe
Each day, Children and teens begin IOP with an executive functioning group led by our experienced, in-house teacher.
While working on their actual school assignments, participants practice organization, planning, time management, and task completion with hands-on support.
This helps make balancing school and IOP more manageable, reduces the homework burden after program, and allows students to apply executive functioning skills in real time.
Group Therapy
Group therapy is the foundation of our PHP and IOP programs, giving children and teens a supportive space to learn, practice, and understand how to use different skills in everyday settings.
Putting Skills into Practice: IOP focuses on helping children and teens apply therapeutic skills to real-life situations after returning to their everyday routines, including school, sports, activities, friendships, and family life. Groups provide a supportive space to discuss challenges, practice solutions, and strengthen the tools needed to maintain progress outside of treatment.
Expressive Therapy
Each day your child will participate in our Expressive Therapy Group. Expressive Therapy gives children and teens creative, hands-on ways to express themselves, understand their emotions, and practice healthy coping skills beyond traditional talk therapy. Led by our board-certified music therapist, groups incorporate interactive music experiences and therapeutic art activities to promote emotional regulation, self-awareness, connection, confidence, and joy.
Visit our Content page to see how she helped some of our participants write and produce their own song!
Individual Therapy
Your child will meet with a licensed therapist for individual therapy sessions focused on their unique emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs.
Individual therapy provides a safe, supportive space to explore feelings, learn coping strategies, and build confidence. Sessions are tailored to each child’s experiences, helping them understand their emotions and develop healthier ways to navigate challenges.
Family Support
Family Support at Enso includes family therapy sessions or parent coaching, depending on your child’s age and presenting concerns. These sessions strengthen communication, deepen understanding, and help families develop consistent and effective strategies for home. Using collaborative problem-solving, we work together to address challenges and build a supportive, unified foundation that promotes long-term success.
Medication Management
Medication management is provided by our experienced medical team, who collaborate closely with your child’s Primary Care Physician or outpatient Psychiatrist to ensure a safe and effective treatment plan. Your child will meet with our provider for ongoing assessment and medication adjustments as needed. Our provider maintains open communication with families and outpatient professionals to ensure continuity, alignment, and shared decision-making.
