An Intensive Outpatient Program is a highly structured level of care that bridges the gap between standard outpatient therapy and full inpatient treatment. It’s designed for individuals who need more support than once-a-week counseling can provide, but who are still able to manage responsibilities at work, school, or home. By combining consistent access to mental health professionals with the flexibility of living at home, IOPs give clients the chance to strengthen coping skills, practice emotional regulation, and maintain daily routines without the disruption of hospitalization.1
At their core, Intensive Outpatient Programs give people structure and consistency without removing them from daily life. Clients typically take part in several hours of treatment each week, often spread across three to five days, so they can engage in therapy while still working, attending school, or caring for family. Sessions often combine one-on-one counseling, group work, and family involvement, ensuring that support comes from multiple directions. Many IOPs also incorporate psychiatric services, medication monitoring, and educational workshops that teach practical coping skills. This combination makes IOPs a flexible but comprehensive option for people seeking stability and long-term recovery.2
Our IOP in San Diego is perfect for individuals who are struggling with mental health conditions that require more structured treatment. Some of the common reasons an individual would join an intensive outpatient program are:
Whether you are stepping down from inpatient treatment or seeking a substitute for hospitalization, an IOP can give you a safe and supportive framework for ongoing healing.2 Adolescents and adults can both enjoy this degree of care.
Choosing an intensive outpatient program in San Diego offers unique advantages:
AMFM is here to help you or your loved one take the next steps towards an improved mental well-being.
At AMFM’s San Diego treatment facility, clients in the intensive outpatient program usually receive a minimum of nine hours of services a week. Sessions are spaced over several days, with morning and evening appointments available to provide flexibility. A sample day may include:
Group Therapy: Structured discussions where clients share experiences, develop communication skills, and learn new coping skills
Individual Therapy: One-on-one time with a therapist to work on personalized objectives.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is most commonly referred to as “talk therapy,” and is designed to help foster healthier emotional regulation. Qualified professionals offer psychological therapy to move forward with healthy ways of engaging in interpersonal relationships and alleviating physical and emotional distress.
Family members are integrated into the recovery process to build better communication and healthier relationships.
Workshops teach education in practical knowledge about mental illness and effective coping skills for long-term recovery.
Together, these modalities create a treatment program that addresses both the symptoms of mental health issues and the underlying causes.
AMFM Mental Health Treatment accepts most major insurance providers and can find out what your coverage levels would look like for an IOP program in San Diego.
For more information on you or your loved one’s eligibility, coverage, or referral details, you can fill out the HIPAA-compliant form below, or call us to speak confidentially with a member of our care team.
Insurance can be complicated but we are here to help. AMFM has over a decade of experience in the mental health field and is in-network with many large insurance providers.
By using our form, we can quickly determine if you are in-network at one of our facilities. Insurance benefits vary greatly depending on the policy you have, so we obtain a detailed quote of your coverage.
It usually takes between sixty to ninety minutes depending on the time of day.
Our team will check insurance coverage and determine the benefits available to you for mental health services.
We also have private pay options available.
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Healing doesn’t stop when the IOP does. We prioritize aftercare planning on day one at AMFM to support lasting stability. After the program, clients are able to continue with:
That emphasis on long-term care also allows for a smoother integration back into daily life, reducing the risk of relapse while maximizing recovery.
If you, or someone you deeply care about, are struggling to manage the weight of a mental health condition and know that once-a-week outpatient therapy isn’t enough, AMFM’s Intensive Outpatient Program in San Diego can provide the next step. Our program combines intensive scheduling with a compassionate treatment team and evidence-based therapies, creating an environment where healing feels possible and progress becomes sustainable. Every client is met with dignity and respect, and every treatment plan is shaped around individual needs—whether that means developing new coping skills, rebuilding relationships, or learning how to balance daily responsibilities with ongoing recovery.
Call today to learn more about our San Diego IOP program, verify insurance, or schedule an assessment. You’ll have the option of participating through in-person sessions at our San Diego facility or through secure online treatment that brings care directly to your home. Whichever path you choose, AMFM is here to walk with you through the hard days, celebrate the victories, and help you move toward long-term stability, hope, and renewed confidence in your future.
Take a tour of our residential mental health facilities located in California. Our locations offer peace & comfort within a residential environment where you can relax and focus on yourself.
Our well-appointed facilities are located in Carlsbad, Dana Point, Fallbrook, Laguna Hills, Laguna Nigel, Lake Forest, and San Juan Capistrano.
Additionally, we offer both in-person and virtual outpatient services in California so you can be supported after leaving residential.
Arlin Cuncic, “How Do Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) Work?” Verywell Mind, last modified October 17, 2022, https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-an-iop-intensive-outpatient-program-5521766
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Substance Abuse: Clinical Issues in Intensive Outpatient Treatment. Rockville (MD) (US); 2006. Chapter 8. Intensive Outpatient Treatment Approaches. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64102/
D. Mochrie et al., “DBT-informed treatment in a partial hospital and intensive outpatient program,” PMC (NCBI), 2020, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7513610/.
R. Berry et al., “The Impact of Family Therapy Participation on Youths and Young Adults: A Meta-Analysis of Mental Health Outcomes,” Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse (2023), https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10160927/.
