If you're in immediate danger or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or go to your nearest emergency room. We can't provide diagnosis or counseling online.
The Intensive Outpatient Program is built for people who need more than an hour a week, and for people stepping down from inpatient or residential care who want that structure to taper down rather than stop treatment completely. You can live at home, keep working or studying, and come to our Pasadena campus three days a week for structured group therapy, psychiatric oversight, and skills work that carries into your daily life.
Our IOP serves adults 18 and older. Every track is delivered by a treatment team that includes a psychiatrist, licensed therapists, and certified chemical dependency counselors, and RN or LVN. Interventions are individualized even though the work happens in a group setting, and you take part in setting your own treatment goals rather than receiving a plan you are not involved in.
Call (877) 579-9103 for a free, confidential assessment. Our Assessment and Referral Department is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
A Variety of Specialized Tracks
Rather than placing everyone in the same room, we group participants by what they're actually working through. That means the material, the pace, and the peers in the room are dealing with similar circumstances.
Mental Health
The Mental Health track provides support for adults experiencing challenges related to depression, trauma, anxiety, mood swings, negative thoughts, relationship concerns, and difficulties at work or school. Participants learn practical coping skills to reduce symptoms, build resilience, and improve daily functioning through evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Seeking Safety, and Motivational Interviewing (MI).
Acute Mental Health Recovery
The Acute Mental Health Recovery track offers supportive therapy and psychoeducation tailored for adults experiencing acute conditions such as psychosis, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder with psychotic features. Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and intensive life skills training, the program helps participants manage ongoing symptoms, build personal independence, and improve quality of life.
Chemical Dependency
The Chemical Dependency track supports individuals working through alcohol and substance use disorders in targeted group therapy. Grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI), this track focuses on developing healthy coping strategies, preventing relapse, and maintaining long-term recovery. An evening option is available from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm for participants who can't attend during the day.
Dual Diagnosis
The Dual Diagnosis track is designed for adults facing the concurrent challenges of mental health conditions and substance or alcohol use disorders. This integrated track combines psychotherapy and psychoeducation using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI) to help participants maintain emotional stability, support long-term sobriety, and improve daily functioning.
Evening Program
The Evening track serves individuals working through chemical dependency and co-occurring mental health disorders who need a later schedule. It runs from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm and incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and SMART Recovery principles, focusing on maintaining sobriety, managing symptoms, reducing stress, and building healthy daily routines. Dinner is provided before groups begin.
Grief and Loss
The Grief and Loss track provides clinical support for adults navigating profound grief, loss, and related mental health concerns. Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), and Reality Therapy, participants explore how grief affects the Eight Dimensions of Wellness while learning coping strategies that support healing and overall well-being.
Restore to Wellness for College Students
The Restore to Wellness track is built specifically for college students who are currently enrolled or taking a temporary leave of absence because of health challenges. Using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), the track helps students balance academic and personal responsibilities, manage co-occurring disorders, and prepare for a successful return to campus.
Seniors Live Well
The Seniors Live Well track offers dedicated care for adults aged 55 and older who are navigating mental health concerns, grief and loss, or substance use disorders. Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), this track supports emotional wellness, healthy aging, and resilience to improve day-to-day quality of life for older adults.
Young Adults
The Young Adults track is designed for individuals aged 18 to 26 who are experiencing mental health conditions and co-occurring substance use disorders. It addresses the specific challenges of moving into adulthood, including goal setting, decision-making, growing independence, and building healthy routines, using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
Schedule and Transportation
Our day IOP program runs Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 9:30 am to 12:45 pm, with lunch served at 12:45 at no cost to participants. Evening groups run from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm, with dinner provided beforehand. Groups meet in buildings set on the grounds and participants have access to outdoor space between sessions.
We provide van transportation for participants living within roughly 15 miles of the hospital, subject to travel time and route scheduling. Our admissions team can tell you which option fits your track and your location.
Who Intensive Outpatient Treatment Is For?
IOP tends to be the right level of care when one of these describes your situation:
- Weekly outpatient therapy hasn't been enough to stabilize symptoms
- You're discharging from inpatient or residential treatment and want structured support during the transition
- You're managing a mental health condition and a substance use disorder at the same time
- Your symptoms are affecting work, school, or relationships, but you're safe at home and don't need 24-hour supervision
If you're not sure, an assessment can assist in determining what could work best for you. Deciding between levels of care over the phone or from a webpage isn't something we ask families to do on their own.
How to Get Started
Assessments are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through our Assessment and Referral Department. A clinician will talk through your current symptoms, any substance use history, medications, and what you have tried already, then recommend a level of care. If IOP is the right fit, they'll walk you through track placement, schedule, transportation, and benefits verification.
Bring a photo ID, your insurance information if you have coverage, and a list of your current medications.
Call (877) 579-9103 or request a confidential callback.
You can also read more about our admissions process and free assessment.
Insurance and Payment
Las Encinas is a Medicare and Medi-Cal provider and is in network with most major commercial plans, including Aetna, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Cigna, HealthNet, Molina, MHN, Optum and UBH, Tricare, Triwest, UHC Military, and others. We accept most PPO and HMO plans. Self-pay is accepted by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and personal check.
Coverage for outpatient services varies by plan and by track. Our Assessment and Referral staff will verify your benefits before you start and give you current rates if you're paying out of pocket. See accepted insurance plans.
Licensing and Accreditation
Las Encinas Hospital is licensed by the State of California as an acute psychiatric hospital and is separately licensed and certified as a Substance Use Disorder Recovery Hospital by the California Department of Health Care Services. The hospital is also accredited by The Joint Commission. Language assistance is available for patients whose primary language is not English.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Keep Working or Going to School While in IOP?
Absolutely! Day groups end before 1:00 pm and evening groups start at 5:30 pm, and the Restore to Wellness track is built specifically around students balancing coursework with treatment.
Is Lunch or Dinner Included?
Lunch is served at 12:45 pm for day participants at no cost. Dinner is provided before evening groups begin.
Can I Attend Remotely?
Unfortunately, at this time, we do not offer any telehealth options. Our psychiatrist may hold a telehealth session with a client, but only at their discretion.
Do You Treat Adolescents?
No. Las Encinas serves adults 18 and older. Our Young Adults track is designed for participants aged 18 to 26.
What's the Difference between IOP and Residential Treatment?
In IOP treatment, you live at home and come to campus for groups. Residential treatment through the Briar Program means staying on the campus in a bungalow with 24-hour clinical support. Your assessment will determine which is appropriate.
