For teenagers who are experiencing mental health issues, they are not alone. Among the various mental health problems that teenagers experience, depression is at the top of the list. According to information published by the CDC, over 3 percent of children are diagnosed with depression. In some situations, teenagers will benefit from regular outpatient therapy. In other cases, teenagers might require a stay at a residential inpatient facility. Those who are looking for something that is in between the two may have heard about intensive outpatient programs. Learn more about a few of the main benefits of a teen intensive outpatient program below.
What Is an Intensive Outpatient Program?
An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is a less intensive treatment than an inpatient or residential program but more intensive than traditional outpatient therapies like regular therapy or a psychiatrist. You stay at home while attending therapy more frequently. IOPs generally meet three to five times weekly for a few hours daily. They are typically mainly group therapy sessions, focusing on emotional regulation, identifying emotions, and many other issues. You will often also meet with a nutritionist or a psychiatrist for medication management, and there are often options for individual therapy. IOPs are usually in person, but with recent technology can also be online.
Is an IOP Right for Your Teen?
IOPs can be excellent for those struggling with a substance use disorder or mental health condition. However, they are not for everyone. Some parameters that mean an IOP may be suitable for your teen include the following:
- A supportive and safe home environment
- Reliable transportation
- No active drug or alcohol use
- No active self-injurious behavior
- No active hallucinations or psychosis
While IOP may not be suitable for your teen now, that doesn’t mean it can’t be the right choice later. IOPs have many benefits and can be used with or after various treatment programs.
Benefits of Intensive Outpatient Programs
There are numerous benefits of intensive outpatient programs. Some of them include:
1. Maintain Privacy with IOP Teen Treatment Programs
One of the major issues that teenagers care about when they are looking for teen treatment programs involves privacy. Many teenagers struggle to admit that they have a problem involving substance abuse, mental health, or other disorders. In some situations, this is going to translate into shame. Even though they have nothing to be ashamed of, protecting their privacy during this time is critical. That is one of the main benefits of intensive outpatient programs. Teenagers will have their privacy protected as they receive the treatment they need to get set up for the recovery process.
2. Maintain the Support of Family Members and Friends During Outpatient Drug Treatment Programs
Another significant benefit of intensive outpatient programs for teens is that they will continue to receive access to the support of family members and friends. Teenagers will spend most of their time in treatment if they enroll in an IOP; however, they may still be able to go home and sleep at night. This provides them with an opportunity to spend time with family members and friends whose emotional support can be critical during the recovery process in treating the following issues:
- Self-harm
- Anxiety
- Trauma
- Substance abuse
3. Build a Sense of Community and Access Additional Resources
To complete the recovery process, teenagers must build a sense of community, providing them with access to the support resources they need. With typical outpatient drug treatment programs, these resources may not be available; however, an IOP can provide teens with access to a wide variety of resources, such as:
- The tutoring they may need to keep up with their schoolwork
- Access to employment opportunities if they require them
- Information on group therapy sessions in the area
- Referrals to specialized outpatient treatment providers when they leave the IOP
- Relationships with sober partners that they may need to keep them focused on their sobriety
When teenagers complete an IOP, they will be familiar with numerous resources that can keep them sober.
4. Reduced Cost of Treatment
One of the biggest hurdles to inpatient treatment programs is that they are more expensive than outpatient options. An intensive outpatient program is between a traditional outpatient program and a traditional inpatient program. As a result, teenagers will receive access to the benefits of the inpatient world at a cost closer to outpatient costs. This can make it easier for many families to afford the treatment their teenager requires to set themselves up to recover.
Count on Destinations for Teens for Intensive Outpatient Programs
Everyone needs to find the proper treatment for their teenager. One option involves intensive outpatient programs such as those from Destinations for Teens. At Destinations for Teens, there are numerous teen treatment programs available. That way, teenagers can customize their treatment program to meet their needs. Contact us today at 877.466.0620 to learn more about how we can help you with your treatment.