Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Maybe school has become a daily battle. Maybe your teen is withdrawing, panicking, or swinging from irritability to shut-down. Curfews turn into arguments. Sleep is upside down. They need structure—and you need real help. Or, perhaps your teen is coming out of residential treatment and needs an effective care program to step down to for continued success.

866-705-0828 Get Started

In-Network With Most Commercial Insurers

*Please note that at this time, we are not in network with Medicaid/Medi-Cal

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Clinically reviewed by

Dr. Ian Wolds Psy.D.

Last reviewed on July 16, 2026

Our adolescent intensive outpatient programs (teen IOP) provide extra structure and support—more than a weekly therapy appointment, yet less intensive than full-time residential care—so teens can practice stability while remaining engaged in everyday life. Our intensive outpatient programs help teens stay rooted at home and school as they build steady routines, strengthen communication, and develop practical coping skills for lasting growth.

Meeting in person 3–4 days a week for about three hours, our outpatient treatment program delivers comprehensive care: evidence-based therapy, support for co-occurring substance use, skills training, experiential therapies (such as art therapy and mindfulness), and regular family sessions.

Real Review from Real Parents

Nothing says more about a teen treatment center than reviews—good or bad—from a parent who has lived the experience. Read these and other reviews from real parents of Muir Wood alumni. If you would like to speak to an alumni parent, contact us and we’ll arrange it.

“Had I not gone to Muir Wood and made drastic changes while I was there, my life would be completely different than it is today. I never would have graduated high school; I probably would have died with my drinking and drug use the way it was going. Now I am going to college, and I have my first car, and I get to sponsor young women that come into AA. Getting sober was the best decision I ever made.”

Laci R

“There really are other families that are struggling in more or less the same ways that we are,” she shares in the video below. “I think there’s a way that addiction can make people feel like it’s only happening to them, and it’s really not. It’s behind so many closed doors. And I only wish that more people would come out and get the help that they deserve and that is there to be had. I’m really grateful we found it.”

Katie F

See What Parents Are Saying About Muir Wood

Katie describes her son’s descent into a disturbed, angry existence. Things came to a head when he started failing out of his junior year of high school. Then Katie found Muir Wood.

The Muir Wood Teen Difference

Our team partners closely with parents from day one with clear updates, a personalized plan, and real-world tools you can use between sessions, so your teen can move toward stability and lasting wellness alongside peers facing similar challenges.

Specialists in Adolescent Care

Everything we do is built for teens ages 12 to 17. Board-certified clinicians who focus exclusively on adolescent mental health and substance use deliver evidence-based, developmentally appropriate care.

Community and Connection

Therapist-led groups and daily peer interaction help teens feel understood. Connection with others facing similar challenges becomes a core part of the recovery process.

Primary Mental Health Plus Substance Use

Our trauma-informed approach treats substance use and the mental health conditions underneath it together, so teens heal deeply rather than trading one struggle for another.

Support for the Whole Family

Healing happens together. Families stay involved through therapy, education, and a 16-week aftercare coaching program that builds trust and stability long after treatment ends.

Care Covered by Insurance

We partner with most major insurers to remove financial barriers, so families can access high-quality, evidence-based treatment when it matters most.

Stay in School While Getting Support

Through our WASC-accredited academic program, students keep learning with personalized support, so treatment does not mean falling behind.

Continuum of Care

When a program is complete, we coordinate a thoughtful transition, collaborating with outpatient therapists, schools, and community providers to sustain progress.

Speak With a Teen Treatment Specialist

Connect with our admissions team today to learn how Muir Wood can support your family.

Call: 866-705-0828 Get Started

Our IOP Center Locations

Our gender-specific residential campuses are intentionally located throughout Northern, Central, and Southern California to provide families with accessible, high-quality care in safe, natural settings designed for healing and connection.

Petaluma Intensive Outpatient Program

Our IOP can also be tailored to the unique needs of each family and teen. On select evenings and weekends, our Petaluma location serves as a learning center for families, with presentations facilitated by behavioral health specialists.

Explore the Petaluma Location

Clovis Intensive Outpatient Program

We’re proud to be deepening our commitment to the Central Valley with our Fresno IOP location, where families don’t have to travel far to get the comprehensive, after-school treatment care their kids need.

Explore the Clovis Location

Teen Summer IOP in Petaluma and Fresno

For a teen who’s been struggling, summer can be when things slip. Not because anything new happens, but because the scaffolding is gone. Our Summer Intensive Outpatient Program is built for that window—three to four afternoons a week, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Mornings and early afternoons remain theirs.

Find out why summer is an ideal time to get help for your teen

The single most powerful tool we have is early intervention. It’s not just about treating what’s wrong—it’s about protecting what’s right. The sooner we start, the stronger the outcome. That’s what Muir Wood delivers.

Dr. David E. Smith

Chair, Addiction Medicine & MQAC, Muir Wood

Mental Health & Substance Use Treatment Options

With an integrated therapeutic approach, we help teens address the roots of mental health and substance use challenges so they can break from harmful cycles.

We specialize in helping teens navigate challenges related to:

Teen Anxiety

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Social anxiety disorder
Panic disorder
Separation anxiety disorder
Phobias
School avoidance

Teen Depression and Mood Disorders

Major depressive disorder (MDD)
Persistent or chronic depressed mood
Depression with psychotic features
Bipolar disorder
Grief and loss

Teen Substance Use Disorders

Other Mental & Behavioral Health Conditions

Benefits of IOP for Teens

IOP gives teens the structure they need without pulling them away from daily life. Here’s how it helps:

Flexible, school-aligned care

More support than weekly therapy, less disruption than 24/7 care. Teens stay home, attend school, practice skills between sessions, and bring real-life wins and challenges back to group.

Evidence-based therapies teens can use

Clinician-led CBT and DBT skills, Family Systems work, and experiential therapies (art, mindfulness, movement) help teens manage anxiety, mood, and behavior in the moments that matter.

Integrated behavioral health for co-occurring needs

We address mental health concerns and substance use together when both are present—one plan, one team, clear treatment goals.

Academic support & life skills

Because IOP meets after school, teens can continue with their regular classes. We reinforce executive functioning (planning, organization, time management) so progress shows up in the classroom and daily routines.

Right level of care, right now

A thoughtful step-up from weekly therapy or step-down from residential, with medication coordination when clinically indicated and a plan for what comes next.

Insurance-friendly access

We partner with most major insurance providers and guide you through the admissions process to reduce friction and start care sooner.

What We’re All Seeing, and What the Research Tells Us

When to Seek Help

It’s hard to know when “typical teen” becomes “my child needs more support.” If you’re seeing steady changes in mood, motivation, or behavior—and home strategies aren’t working—IOP can be a thoughtful next step that adds structure without removing your teen from daily life.

Common signs it’s time to reach out include declining grades or missed school, withdrawing from friends or family, persistent irritability or anxiety, sleep or appetite changes, risky choices or emerging substance use, and trouble managing emotions or stress. IOP is best for teens who are safe to remain at home but need more than weekly therapy to make meaningful progress.

Not sure if IOP is the right level of care? Our admissions team can talk through what you’re seeing, verify benefits, and help you choose the safest, most effective path.

Call Us To Learn More

866-705-0828 Get Started

What to Expect: Weekly Rhythm

IOP meets after school, 3–4 days per week for about three hours. Each meeting follows a steady rhythm, so teens know what to expect and how to engage.

Sessions: Teens move through skills practice, therapist-led group therapy, family therapy, and individual therapy sessions. Experiential therapies (e.g., art, mindfulness, movement) help them apply skills in real life.

Peer support: Groups learn together, normalize challenges, and practice healthy communication in a safe, supervised setting.

Consistency: A repeatable structure builds momentum—enough support to create change, with space to stay connected to home and school.

Clinical Approach & Modalities

Care is evidence-based, trauma-informed, and built for adolescents.

Core modalities:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Family Systems work, and experiential therapies.

Integrated care:

We treat mental health concerns and substance use together when both are present (co-occurring disorders).

Personalized plans:

Each teen receives an individualized treatment plan with clear goals.

Team collaboration:

Therapists, clinical staff, and care coordinators meet regularly to align on progress and next steps.

Medication coordination:

When relevant, we coordinate with medical providers regarding medications and ongoing psychiatric care.

Family Involvement

Family involvement isn’t an add-on—it’s central to effective adolescent treatment. Teens may learn skills in session, but those skills take root at home, so we bring parents and caregivers into the work from day one. You’ll participate in regular family therapy and coaching, with clear guidance you can use to strengthen communication, set healthy boundaries, and support progress between sessions. After program completion, caregivers can continue with our free 16-week parent coaching to sustain momentum. Throughout, we keep communication clear and age-appropriate—honoring your teen’s privacy while making sure you have what you need to help them succeed. We’ll also share simple at-home practices (brief mindfulness, grounding, structured routines) so families can support wellness between sessions.

Academic Support & Life Skills

School doesn’t pause for treatment. Most teens attend classes as usual and come to programming outside of the school day. During academic support, therapists help your teen map out assignments, set realistic goals, and practice executive-functioning skills—planning, time management, organization, and communication—so what they’re learning in therapy shows up in the classroom and at home. We also address school-related stressors like test anxiety, avoidance, and social pressures, pairing coping skills with consistent routines for sleep, homework, and technology.

Experiential & Holistic Treatment

Skills stick when teens can feel them in their bodies and practice them in real life. Alongside talk therapy, we use experiential therapies—for example, mindfulness, art-based activities, and movement—to help teens lower stress, regulate emotions, and express what’s hard to say out loud. These whole-person supports complement evidence-based care, reinforcing core goals like emotional regulation, healthy routines, and wellness at home and at school. We tailor activities to each group’s needs and comfort level, always with a focus on safety, engagement, and practical carryover into daily life.

Aftercare & Continued Support

Planning for what comes next starts early. We build a practical, personalized plan with you—then help set first appointments before the program ends. That often includes ongoing individual therapy, psychiatry/medication management when appropriate, and referrals to local providers or community resources. If a different level of care is the better fit, we’ll talk through options and coordinate referrals so there’s no gap in support. Caregivers can also continue with our free 16-week parent coaching program to reinforce skills at home and keep progress moving. Learn more about aftercare support.

Teen Intensive Outpatient Program FAQs

What ages are served in your IOP?

Muir Wood Teen serves adolescents ages 12 to 17.

What is the typical duration of the intensive outpatient program?

The duration of our IOP is based on your child’s needs, but typically 12 weeks for 16 hours a week. We assess their individual needs, goals, and progress to determine when they are ready to fully transition back into their normal routines without guidance from our trusted staff and services.

Do you accept insurance?

Yes! Please fill out our quick and easy Insurance Verification form to see if we accept your health insurance.

How is progress and success measured?

Teens receive comprehensive neuropsychological, cognitive, and personality testing with medical, psychiatric, and clinical evaluations. This allows us to measure your child’s progress, determine their needs, and adjust their treatment plan as necessary.

Are academic or vocational needs addressed?

Yes. Because IOP meets outside school hours, teens keep attending their regular school. We help with planning, organization, time management, and stress management, so progress in treatment shows up in the classroom. We can coordinate with families and school staff to support a smooth transition and appropriate accommodations.

How do I know if my teen is a good fit for this program?

Teens in need of additional guidance and care after residential treatment are often a good fit for our IOP. If your teen is struggling with behavioral issues, mental health, or substance use, but you’re not sure the level of care they require, call us today. Our staff will help determine the right care and treatment necessary for the long-term success of your child.

Accreditations

*Please note that at this time, we are not in network with Medicaid/Medi-Cal