Intensive Outpatient Program in San Diego
Structured mental health treatment five days a week to start, in the morning or the evening, so you can keep working, studying or caring for your family.
- Five days a week to start, sometimes three later, morning or evening
- Groups, individual therapy and psychiatry when needed
- The same therapist if you step down from PHP
- Separate programs for men and women
- Works with many PPO plans, and verification is free
If this is a medical emergency, call 911. For a mental health or suicide crisis, call or text 988.
IOP is a program, not weekly therapy
IOP is for people who need more than a weekly session but can keep up with daily life. It is a full program with a treatment team and a plan.
What IOP at Wings includes
- Five days a week to start, sometimes stepping down to three
- A treatment team: therapists, psychiatry when you need it, and case management
- Groups only with men or only with women
- A plan with goals, reviewed as you progress
Not part of IOP
- One therapy session a week on its own
- Psychological or ADHD testing on its own
For weekly therapy, admissions can refer you to Wings Counseling Center.
A morning or an evening IOP schedule
Pick the schedule that fits around work, school or family. Treatment happens at the program office in Carlsbad, and you go home or to supportive housing afterwards.
Morning schedule
Treatment in the morning, with the rest of the day for work, school or family.
5 days a week to startEvening schedule
Treatment after the working day, so you can keep a full-time job.
5 days a week to start
Admissions confirms the exact times for each schedule.
Groups
Process and skills groups, including DBT, CBT and ACT skills.
Individual therapy
Sessions with a licensed therapist, the same one if you are stepping down from PHP.
Trauma work
Trauma-focused care continues, with therapies such as EMDR.
Psychiatry when you need it
Medication management and psychiatric support as part of the plan.
Case management
Help with work, leave paperwork and planning what comes next.
Supportive housing
Available in IOP, with house managers on site, if you need a place to live.
Three ways people come into IOP
The clinical assessment decides whether IOP is the right place to start or continue.
- Stepping down
From PHP or residential
The next step after PHP, with the same therapist, as you go back to work or school.
Partial hospitalization → - Stepping down
After a hospital stay
For adults leaving an inpatient stay who are stable and have support at home.
After a hospital stay → - Stepping up
From weekly therapy
When a weekly session is no longer enough, but you can keep up with daily life.
Depression →
How IOP compares with partial hospitalization
The main difference is how much of the day treatment takes, and whether you can keep working.
IOP
You are hereDays a weekFive to start, sometimes three
HoursMornings or evenings
WorkMany people keep working
Best forBuilding on progress, or more than weekly therapy
PHP
Days a weekFive
HoursAbout six hours a day
WorkUsually time off, with FMLA or short-term disability
Best forStepping down from residential or a hospital stay
At home, or in supportive housing
Most people in IOP live at home. If home is far from Carlsbad or not a safe place to recover, Wings supportive housing in North County San Diego is available, with house managers on site.
PHP and IOP with housingHow long IOP lasts, and what comes after
There is no fixed number of weeks. Your time in IOP is set clinically, reviewed as you progress, and depends on what your plan authorizes. Before you finish, your team plans what comes next.
- Before
Partial hospitalization (PHP)
Five days a week, living in supportive housing or at home.
- You are here
Intensive outpatient (IOP)
Five days a week to start, morning or evening, back at work or school.
- Next
Aftercare
Discharge planning and support after the program ends.
When another level of care fits better than IOP
The clinical assessment decides. When another level of care fits better, this is what usually comes next.
You only need one therapy session a week
Admissions can refer you to Wings Counseling Center for weekly therapy
You need more structure than IOP gives
Under 18
Wings treats adults only. Admissions can point you to adolescent care
You need medical detox, or addiction is the main concern
Admissions will help you find a program that fits
Inside the men's and women's offices
The men's and women's programs each have their own office, the same two locations shown on the maps below. Open a photo to see it larger.
Map and directions ↓Visit our offices in Carlsbad
Office hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m., seven days a week
Wings Recovery on Google Maps ↗Areas we serve: Carlsbad · San Diego · North County San Diego · Los Angeles · Orange County
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Wings works with many PPO insurance plans
Admissions verifies your benefits before admission, free and confidential. For Medi-Cal or Medicare, admissions can point you to programs that accept them.
Questions about IOP
Work, hours, weekly therapy, housing and insurance.
Don't see your question?
Admissions answers calls 9 a.m.–5 p.m., seven days a week. Calls are confidential.
Call(760) 388-6369Visits, phones, what to bring and more in the admissions FAQ →All the ways to reach Wings →Will I keep the same therapist in IOP?
Yes. If you step down from residential or PHP, you keep the same primary therapist in IOP.
Can I work while in IOP?
Yes. IOP runs in the morning or the evening, so many people keep working full or part time. Admissions can help you pick the schedule that fits.
What are the IOP hours?
There is a morning schedule and an evening schedule. IOP starts at five days a week and sometimes steps down to three as you progress. Admissions confirms the exact times when you call.
Is IOP the same as weekly therapy?
IOP is a structured program with groups, individual therapy and psychiatry. If you only need a weekly therapy session, admissions can refer you to Wings Counseling Center.
Can I start in IOP?
Yes, if the clinical assessment shows IOP is the right level of care. Some people start here, and others step down from PHP or residential.
Is there housing during IOP?
Yes. Wings supportive housing is available in IOP, with house managers on site.
Will insurance cover IOP?
Wings works with many PPO plans, including Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Cigna, Aetna and UnitedHealthcare. Admissions verifies your benefits before admission at no cost. If you have Medi-Cal or Medicare, admissions can point you to programs that accept them.