What Is an Intensive Outpatient Program?
Outpatient mental health treatment for teens offers mental health treatment and support in a flexible setting, allowing them to maintain many of their usual routines—like schooling, family life, and healthy extracurricular activities. IOPs can be extremely effective for teens who need a high level of care without 24/7 supervision.
Unlike inpatient and residential treatment programs, which require clients to live on campus, teens in outpatient therapy return home every day after their therapy sessions. In an intensive outpatient program, teens typically spend three hours a day in programming, rather than just an hour or two a week.
“Our IOP creates a safe, supportive space where teens can gain insight, build coping skills, and keep growing- without stepping away from daily life.”
Dr. Ian Wolds, Psy.D., Chief Clinical Officer
What Happens During an IOP at Muir Wood?
Muir Wood’s Petaluma program is designed to support teens who have mental health diagnoses, with or without light substance use. We offer comprehensive care with evidence-based therapeutic modalities that support long-term recovery.
Treatment Team and Campus
Our IOP for teens in Petaluma, California, employs a full network of experienced and empathetic staff, including licensed therapists, care coordinators, and medical professionals. All treatment takes place at our convenient campus in downtown Petaluma, with a central location that makes it an easy daily commute.
Treatment Schedule
Our intensive outpatient program for teens in Petaluma provides nine hours of group therapy each week. This treatment plan focuses on personal development, emotion management, mental health and substance use relapse prevention, and supportive peer relationships.
Our intensive outpatient program also provides clients with weekly individual therapy. Family therapy sessions are provided every one to two weeks. Parents are also invited to attend Muir Wood’s virtual weekly parent psychoeducation and support groups to receive additional guidance and learn skills that aid in the family system’s healing process.
Teen clients seeking treatment to address substance use issues are encouraged to participate in introductory 12-step meetings. Once-weekly drug testing is provided as needed.
| Time | MONDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY |
| 4-5 PM | Personal Inventory | Process Group | Process Group |
| 5-6 PM | Seeking Safety | Relapse Prevention | ACT |
| 6-7 PM | Self and Relationships | DBT | Weekend Goals and Safety Planning |
*Some individual and family therapy sessions will take place Tuesday and Friday between 4:00-7:00 PM.
Therapeutic Modalities
In our teen IOP in Petaluma, we use a range of evidence-based therapies and discussion groups to provide teens with the knowledge and tools to support their recovery. Groups may include:
Personal Inventory
These meetings serve as a check-in for clients to review the weekend and plan for the week ahead. It helps teens focus on the impact they can make in their own recovery process.
Process Group
This group gives teens an opportunity to reflect on their relationships and growth outside the treatment program. Teens will discuss their experiences applying new skills in their day-to-day lives.
Seeking Safety
This evidence-based group helps teens establish safety by exploring the impact of trauma on their mental state. Teens are supported as they identify triggers, manage symptoms, learn coping skills, and build healthier behavioral patterns.
Relapse Prevention
During this group, clients identify and build internal resources and external support structures to establish long-lasting recovery and well-being. They gain tools for managing high-risk situations, thoughts, and feelings—whether those surround substance use or other behaviors.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT treatment gives teens tools that support them in adapting to change, accepting difficult experiences, and aligning their actions with their values. Mindfulness and behavior-change strategies align a teen’s behaviors with their goals.
Self & Relationships
This group offers teens the opportunity to reflect on all aspects of relationships in their lives. Teens participate in experience-based learning, and practice integrating new communication skills that support healthy dynamics.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT techniques help clients regulate their emotional responses and behavioral patterns. In this group, teens learn to use self-assessment tools, self-soothing techniques, and communication skills.
Weekend Goals and Safety Planning
This time allows teens to reflect on everything they’ve learned and make a plan for the weekend ahead. They can identify anticipated obstacles, strategize solutions, and celebrate successes.
Watch our video podcasts to hear how these kinds of groups transformed the lives of alums.
Aftercare Options
An intensive outpatient program is often one important step of the healing journey. The Muir Wood team is prepared to support your family even after this stage of treatment ends.
We help coordinate the transition to other care options, like setting up referrals for individual therapy. We also offer regular check-ins and virtual support groups for teens and families. Parents can take our 16-week aftercare classes at no charge to help them navigate the post-treatment landscape.
Insurance and Intake Process
When it comes to outpatient mental health for teens, Muir Wood accepts the majority of major insurance plans, including Blue Shield, Aetna, Kaiser, Anthem, Optum, Cigna, Halcyon, Simple Behavioral, MHN, TRICARE, and Magellan. Verify your coverage or start an intake assessment to get started.
In-Network With Most Commercial Insurers
IOP Treatment in Petaluma with Muir Wood
Muir Wood provides expert care for teens who need comprehensive mental health support. Our compassionate and individualized treatment plans enable long-term healing and growth. If you’re looking for therapy for teens near you, our expert staff is here to help.
