In-Network With Most Commercial Insurers
*Please note that at this time, we are not in network with Medicaid/Medi-Cal
Teen Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program
Sonoma County IOP Center Reviews
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.
“From the moment we walked through the doors, we felt like part of a supportive com- munity dedicated to helping teens thrive. The staff here are compassionate, knowledgeable, and truly invested in the wellbeing of every teen in their care. The programs are tailored to address the needs of each individual, providing a safe space for growth and healing. I highly recommend this center to any parent seeking top-notch care.”
Krista Merlino – May 2024
“Our child had medication resistant severe depression. Muir Wood helped find the right medication and provided a supportive environment, over Covid, no less. My child is thriving and we both agree that even though it was a hard period, it was the best choice to get them treatment. The tutors worked with his teachers and he maintained a 4.0 while getting better.”
Tomasina Burgess – June 2024
“Ruby had a very positive experience overall both times. Many programs make lots of promises and don’t deliver. Muir wood was a transformational experience for Ruby and I think the experience of being part of a community of peers was especially helpful. I’m a mental health professional myself and have already recommended Muir Wood to friends with teens who are struggling.”
Sasha A. Blum – September 2023
“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. – June 2024
“This program was really wonderful for our daughter and our family as a whole. We love the parent classes and the parent support group. L. loved most of the staff and made some great friends with other girls in the program. The communication between staff and parents is excellent.”
Ilene G. – Oct 2025
My daughter is at the Petaluma Site. She has been there for about 40 days and the therapist has been very communicative. I feel apart of her treatment and have been updated weekly as well as a fast response anytime I have had questions. The support has been great and I love the parent classes. I have learned a lot in this time.
Angela R. – Oct 2025
The Muir Wood Teen Difference
Our team partners closely with parents and caregivers from day one—offering clear updates, a personalized plan, and real-world tools you can use between sessions—so your loved one can move toward stability, well-being, and lasting wellness alongside peers facing similar challenges.
Some of our key differentiators include:
Specialists in Adolescent Care
Everything we do is built for teens ages 12–17, not adapted from adult models. Our team includes board-certified psychiatrists, highly trained therapists, nurses, educators, and recovery counselors who specialize exclusively in adolescent mental health and substance use treatment. Working as an integrated team, they deliver evidence-based, developmentally appropriate care tailored to each teen’s unique needs.
Expertise in Primary Mental Health + Substance Use
With expertise in treating both primary mental health and co-occurring substance use challenges, our trauma-informed approach helps teens heal deeply and build lasting change. We focus on the whole person—addressing both emotional well-being and underlying behavioral patterns—to support lifelong healing.
Support for the Whole Family
Healing doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens together. At Muir Wood, families stay actively involved through therapy, education, and a 16-week aftercare coaching program that builds trust, communication, and stability long after treatment ends.
Accessible, High-Quality Care Covered by Insurance
Muir Wood is committed to removing financial barriers to care by partnering with most major insurance providers, ensuring families can access high-quality, evidence-based treatment when it matters most.
Small Groups, Strong Connections
Our IOP cohorts are intentionally small, creating space for focused attention in therapist-led groups while fostering strong peer connections. Teens build trust and safety within a consistent group, learning from each other’s experiences while developing healthy communication and coping skills. Individual sessions complement group work, supporting continued personal growth.
Stay in School While Getting Support
School stays the priority. Because IOP meets outside the school day, teens can keep attending classes while we help them map assignments, manage stress, and practice executive functioning skills such as planning, time management, and communication. When helpful, we coordinate with families and schools so gains in treatment carry into the classroom and daily routines.
Continuum of Care
For teens stepping up or down from Muir Wood residential care, our intensive outpatient program provides seamless continuity. Shared clinical leadership, consistent therapeutic philosophy, and close communication between teams ensure each teen’s progress continues without interruption. We are equally committed to strong collaboration when teens are referred from, or transition back to, outside therapists and IOP/PHP/RTC programs—ensuring coordinated, smooth transitions.
Speak With a Teen Treatment Specialist
Connect with our admissions team today to learn how Muir Wood can support your family.
Meet Your Treatment Team
At the core of every Muir Wood success story is a dedicated team focused on addressing the unique needs of adolescents in a caring, supportive setting. Our team of board-certified psychiatrists, licensed clinicians, nurses, educators, and recovery counselors collaborates daily—exchanging insights, aligning on goals, and working closely with families and external providers. They deliver trauma-informed, evidence-based care that focuses on empathy and authenticity. These mentors and advocates foster safety, protect dignity, and help teens practice real-world skills so progress lasts at home, at school, and with peers.
Dr. Ian Wolds,
Psy.D.
Chief Clinical Officer
Ella Jackson,
LMFT
VP, Clinical Operations
Rawly Glass M.S.W., LCSW
Director of Family Services
Nicolette Gottuso,
LMFT
Clinical Director
Visiting our Intensive Outpatient Center in Sonoma County
Our Petaluma, California program is designed for ease and comfort. From the moment you arrive, the light-filled lobby, calm group rooms, and private therapy spaces create a low-stress, welcoming environment. Convenient parking and an approachable staff make visits simple for both teens and families.
The surrounding area mirrors our treatment philosophy: balance, connection, and routine. Families can schedule sessions around school and activities, keeping life manageable while supporting care. Explore the photos below to see how we’ve shaped a space where teens can focus, participate in group and experiential therapies, and feel supported every step of the way.
Contact Us Now
Someone from our admissions team is standing by to help you find the best treatment for your teen.
What to Expect: Weekly Schedule
Our Petaluma IOP combines clinical expertise with hands-on skill-building, helping teens apply what they learn in real time. Each teen will develop a personalized treatment plan crafted by licensed mental health professionals and progress through evidence-based therapies and structured skills practice tailored to adolescent needs. Sessions take place in person after school, allowing teens to stay engaged with home and academics. The program also serves as a seamless step-down from residential care or a partial hospitalization program (PHP) when a lower level of support is clinically appropriate.
Programming, offered 3–4 afternoons per week, includes:
- 9 hours of group therapy (3 sessions per week)
- Weekly individual therapy
- Family therapy every 1–2 weeks
- A weekly virtual parent support group
- Optional introductory 12-step meetings for teens addressing substance use
- Drug testing when clinically indicated
*Some individual and family therapy sessions will take place Tuesday and Friday between 4:00-7:00 PM.
Personalized Treatment Plans for Substance Use & Mental Health
We individualize care for every teen, creating treatment plans that address the whole person—not just symptoms. Each program integrates support for mental health, substance use, relationships, school performance, and daily routines to ensure progress lasts beyond therapy. Our clinicians specialize in helping adolescents work through challenges related to:
Alcohol
Marijuana
Stimulants
Opioids
Anxiety disorders
Depression
Personality Disorders
Bipolar disorder
Trauma & PTSD
ADHD
Disordered eating
Self-harm
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Suicidal ideation
Support for the Whole Family
Healing extends beyond the individual—it’s a family process. From your first conversation with our admissions team through aftercare, we involve parents and caregivers every step of the way, so growth in treatment becomes growth at home. Families participate in regular therapy sessions and receive consistent, compassionate updates, along with hands-on coaching in communication, boundaries, and routines that foster trust and reduce conflict. Virtual options make it easier to stay engaged, even on busy days.
Support continues long after discharge. Our team helps plan next steps, coordinates with outside providers (with your consent), and offers ongoing education through our 16-week parent aftercare coaching program. Teens remain connected through alumni touchpoints and community events. Together, these connections give families the insight, tools, and confidence to sustain long-term progress and healing.
Videos About Our Teen Treatment Programs
Jeanine’s son had been through several addiction and mental health residential treatment programs before finding the help he needed at 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.
Wes M. was a client during Covid. Now he’s a recovery counselor at a treatment center in North Dakota. He’s a wonderful success story and we could not be more proud! Watch the podcast.
Learn about Muir Wood
or contact our admissions team today.
Types of Therapy Used in Our IOP
Each teen’s treatment plan is built around their needs and goals. When clinically appropriate, we integrate specialized support for ADHD, trauma-related symptoms, or disordered eating—coordinating closely with outside providers to ensure seamless care.
The result is a focused, flexible program that meets teens where they are and helps them move forward with practical, lasting skills.
Core therapeutic approaches in our IOP include:
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Teaches teens how to spot negative thinking patterns, face fears instead of avoiding them, and manage anxiety or depression using real-world tools they can apply every day.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Builds emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness—skills teens can practice in groups, at home, and at school.
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Encourages values-based choices, mindfulness, and meaningful action, even when life feels overwhelming.
Seeking Safety (Trauma-Informed Groups)
Strengthens coping, stability, and safety without requiring trauma exposure.
Relapse Prevention (for co-occurring substance use)
Helps identify triggers, manage cravings, and develop refusal and safety planning skills
Mindfulness & Experiential Therapies
Uses guided mindfulness, creative expression, and movement to reduce stress and build self-awareness.
Process & Psychoeducation Groups
Focuses on problem-solving, communication, and education about mental health, substance use, and healthy daily routines.
Family Therapy Sessions
Provides coaching and shared sessions for caregivers and teens to strengthen communication, boundaries, and consistency at home.
Support for After IOP Treatment
Support doesn’t end when treatment does. Muir Wood stays connected with families through coordinated aftercare and ongoing community support.
After completing IOP, families receive:
- Referrals for continued individual or psychiatric care
- Alumni check-ins and virtual teen support groups
- A complimentary 16-week parent aftercare program focused on communication, boundaries, and long-term success
