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.
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.
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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
The Muir Wood Teen Difference
Specialists in Adolescent Care
Our multidisciplinary team specializes exclusively in adolescent mental health and substance use, providing evidence-based, developmentally appropriate care for teens ages 12–17.
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.
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.
Small Group Sizes
Our IOP cohorts are intentionally small, so teens get focused attention in therapist-led groups while still benefiting from peer support. A consistent peer group builds safety and trust, and we incorporate individual sessions for continued personal growth.
Expertise in Primary Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders
We treat both primary mental health and substance use disorders, building on our dual-diagnosis expertise with a trauma-informed approach that promotes genuine, lasting change. We believe that treating the whole person—both their behavioral health and underlying mental state—leads to better outcomes for lifelong healing.
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.
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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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.