Discover Healing and Empowerment at Continuum’s Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Learn what an intensive outpatient program (IOP) is and how Continuum Outpatient Center can help you or your loved one find lasting healing.

What is an Intensive Outpatient Program?

An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is a structured form of treatment for people struggling with mental health or substance use disorders. It falls between traditional outpatient counseling and inpatient/residential treatment in terms of the level of care.

An IOP offers a variety of treatments and therapies to address a wide range of mental health conditions, including:

Depression
Anxiety
Trauma
Addiction
Eating disorders
Bipolar disorder
Schizophrenia

Features of an Intensive Outpatient Program

Key features of an intensive outpatient program may include:

Structured sessions: Participants attend regularly scheduled sessions that often occur several times per week, with each session lasting a few hours.
Therapeutic services: An IOP often offers a range of therapeutic services, including individual counseling, group therapy, and sometimes family therapy.
Flexibility: Unlike inpatient programs, participants in an IOP are able to live at home and continue with their daily responsibilities, such as work or school.
Multidisciplinary approach: Treatment in an IOP often involves a multidisciplinary team, which may include therapists, counselors, psychiatrists, and other healthcare professionals.
Focus on skill building: An IOP often emphasizes the development of coping skills, relapse prevention strategies, and other tools. The goal is to help people manage their mental health or substance use issues and develop healthy coping strategies that can sustain recovery in the long-term.
Duration: The duration of an IOP can vary, but it is often more time-intensive than standard outpatient counseling. The length of participation may depend on the person’s progress and the severity of their condition.

Who Benefits from an Intensive Outpatient Program?

An intensive outpatient program is designed to provide a higher level of care than traditional outpatient therapy while still allowing people to maintain some level of independence and connection to their daily lives.

It can be a valuable option for those who need more support than outpatient counseling but do not need the level of care provided by inpatient or residential programs.

The IOP Experience at Continuum Outpatient Center

In our IOP, our clients can expect to take part in a variety of personalized treatments and therapies aimed at addressing their mental health or substance use concerns.

The specific offerings may vary depending on our program and the person’s unique needs, but here are common components found in many intensive outpatient programs:

Individual Counseling

At Continuum Outpatient Center, we believe that mental health and addiction are interconnected. With that, we aim to provide comprehensive mental health support for every individual that trusts us with their care.

In our IOP, participants often receive one-on-one counseling sessions with a therapist or counselor. This allows for personalized exploration of issues and development of coping strategies.

Group Therapy

Group therapy sessions are a fundamental part of our IOP. They provide a supportive environment where people can share their experiences, receive feedback, learn from others facing similar challenges, and hold one another accountable throughout recovery.

Psychoeducation

Our IOP often includes educational components. In these educational sessions, participants focus on topics such as:

Their specific mental health or substance use disorder
Effective coping mechanisms
Strategies for relapse prevention

Family Therapy

At Continuum Outpatient Center, we believe in a family system approach to healing. We believe that family can be a vital resource for individuals during their recovery journey. However, we recognize that mental health and addiction challenges can often put a strain on family bonds.

With that, our family therapy will help loved ones mend tethered:

Family dynamics
Communication patterns
Support systems

We teach families to understand mental health and addiction challenges, how to support their loved ones, and how to establish healthy boundaries that can sustain this healing long after treatment.

Medication Management

If medication is part of the treatment plan, our IOP may include medication management services. This involves regular check-ins with a psychiatrist or medical professional to monitor and adjust medications as needed.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a common therapeutic approach that helps people identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. It is often used in our IOP to address a variety of mental health conditions.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Our IOP may incorporate elements of DBT, a therapeutic approach that focuses on building skills in:

Mindfulness
Distress tolerance
Emotion regulation
Interpersonal effectiveness

DBT is particularly effective for people who are struggling with intense emotions and self-destructive behaviors. Further, DBT teaches individuals the skills and forethought necessary to remain healthy and sober long after IOP treatment.

Mindfulness and Stress Reduction

Techniques such as mindfulness meditation and stress reduction exercises are incorporated into our IOP to help people manage stress and improve their mental well-being.

Relapse Prevention Planning

Our IOP often helps participants to develop a personalized relapse prevention plan. This involves identifying triggers, developing coping strategies, and creating a plan to prevent relapse.

Holistic Therapies

At Continuum Outpatient Center, we incorporate holistic approaches such as art therapy, yoga, or experiential therapies into our IOP. These approaches complement traditional therapeutic methods for improved recovery outcomes.

Peer Support

The group setting in our IOP encourages peer support and the sharing of experiences among participants. This can foster a sense of community and reduce feelings of isolation.

Transformation Through Our 12-Week Curriculum

At Continuum Outpatient Center, we offer a transformative journey with our 12-week curriculum. Designed to guide our clients step-by-step, each week focuses on essential themes to empower them with skills, insights, and resilience for lasting recovery. Here’s a brief overview of our 12-week curriculum:

The Four Agreements

At Continuum Outpatient Center, we employ a holistic approach, blending evidence-based treatments with transformative healing techniques. In the inaugural week, we introduce The Four Agreements.

The Four Agreements lay a robust groundwork of reliability and trust to underpin the patient’s journey towards a future of resilience and well-being.

Brain Works

Week two navigates the intricacies of the mind. Our team focuses on uncovering the impact of trauma and negative thoughts on brain function, which is essential for successful recovery. We dedicate time to guide our clients in comprehending their unique cognitive responses to situations and triggers, empowering them on their path to lasting well-being.

Human Relationships

In our module on Human Relationships, we delve into the profound impact of substance use and mental health disorders on interpersonal connections.

Through this module, participants learn essential strategies to initiate the healing process and rebuild fractured relationships with friends, family, and loved ones. The development of these strategies fosters a path toward restoration and connection.

Trauma and Growth

Trauma and substance use are often closely connected. Because of this, week four of our intensive outpatient program is dedicated to equipping participants with skills to conquer past traumas.

By providing tools for resilience, we establish a solid foundation for healing and self-worth, fostering long-term success on the recovery journey.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy Basics

In our DBT Basics module, we empower clients to:

Embrace the present moment
Manage stress in a healthy way
Repair strained relationships

Participants learn essential skills from dialectical behavior therapy, paving the way for a more mindful and fulfilling life on the journey to recovery.

Emotional IQ

In our “Emotional IQ” module, we focus on enhancing emotional intelligence – a person’s capacity to comprehend, utilize, and regulate emotions in a positive way.

These skills empower people in areas such as:

Stress relief
Effective communication
Empathy
Overcoming challenges
Conflict resolution

Developing a solid emotional IQ proves invaluable in the early stages of recovery.

Mindfulness

Week seven of our IOP emphasizes the intricate link between mind and body, enabling people to fully immerse themselves in the present moment. This practice cultivates a state of being where one remains present without feeling overwhelmed or overly reactive to the surrounding world.

Life Skills

In our Life Skills module, we address how substance use and mental health disorders may overshadow crucial aspects of life. At Continuum, we prioritize equipping participants with essential tools for a healthy, independent, and thriving life in recovery.

These skills include:

Resume and interview skills
Debt and budget management
Developing an “emergency kit”

These are practical skills that pave the way to reclaiming control and building a fulfilling, sustainable future.

Relapse Prevention

In week nine, we guide participants through identifying stressors and triggers that initially fueled substance use and mental health disorders. Through tailored skills and techniques, we empower people to steer clear of triggers or effectively cope with them. This ensures a robust defense against relapse on the journey to sustained recovery.

Balance and Boundaries

In our intensive outpatient program, we dedicate time to imparting the essential skills of setting healthy boundaries and finding balance in one’s life. These pivotal abilities play a key role in achieving lasting success in the recovery journey, ensuring a harmonious and sustainable path toward well-being.

Self-Care

At Continuum Outpatient Center, we recognize the toll that mental health and substance use disorders can take on both the mind and the body. We aim to teach individuals that self-care doesn’t have to be overly indulgent and that each and every individual is deserving of self-love. Our emphasis on self-care is designed to guide our clients in reclaiming balance, allowing their mind and body to embark on a transformative journey toward wellness.

Family Roles

Damaged family relationships are one of the biggest strains and fractures that substance use and mental health disorders may impose. Our IOP teaches essential skills for initiating the healing process and learning how to sustain healthy relationships with family and loved ones. These skills can foster a supportive and nurturing environment on the journey to recovery.

Tailored Timing for Your Recovery Journey at Continuum Outpatient

Discover flexibility in your healing journey with Continuum Outpatient Center, a premier intensive outpatient program for substance use and mental health disorders in captivating San Antonio, Texas.

Our structured schedule includes the following options:

Daytime IOP: Our daytime intensive outpatient program meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Evening IOP: Our evening IOP meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Telehealth Options: Our intensive outpatient program has a telehealth option for added accessibility.

These flexible scheduling options allow you to choose the timing that aligns with your lifestyle as we guide you toward a path of recovery and well-being.

Looking for Outpatient Treatment?

The Continuum Outpatient Center is the perfect place to continue your journey to sobriety. Call us today!

Differentiating Continuum’s IOP

At Continuum Outpatient Center, our intensive outpatient program stands out in its approach and commitment to your well-being. Here’s a look at how our IOP distinguishes itself as a top-tier treatment option in Texas:

Tailored Approach

Our IOP is not a one-size-fits-all solution. We pride ourselves on a personalized approach, crafting treatment plans that address each person’s unique needs and circumstances.

Holistic Healing

At Continuum Outpatient Center, we go beyond addressing symptoms. We incorporate holistic healing techniques that nurture mental, physical, and emotional well-being, fostering a comprehensive approach to recovery.

Community-Centric Support

Our intensive outpatient program creates a sense of community among participants, providing a supportive environment where shared experiences and collective growth contribute to the healing process.

Commitment to Success

While individual results may vary, our intensive outpatient program consistently demonstrates high effectiveness rates. Our evidence-based treatments and supportive community contribute to successful outcomes.

Data-Driven Approach

We utilize data and feedback to continually refine our program. This ensures that our participants receive the most effective and up-to-date interventions for sustained recovery.

Personalized Relapse Prevention

Our aftercare plan is far from generic. We provide personalized relapse prevention strategies, empowering you with the tools to identify triggers and navigate challenges in the post-treatment phase of recovery.

Ongoing Support Networks

Your recovery journey doesn’t end with completing our intensive outpatient program. We provide access to alumni networks, support groups, and other resources for continued support and connection.

A Commitment to Your Unique Journey

At Continuum Outpatient Center, we understand the significance of your journey to recovery. Our IOP goes beyond conventional methods, offering a personalized, effective, and supportive experience tailored to your unique needs and recovery goals.

Recognizing the Need for Professional Help

If mental health or substance use disorders have taken control of your life, impacting your ability to function at home or at work, seeking professional help is a crucial step.

At Continuum Outpatient Center, we believe everyone deserves a life free from the burdens of mental health and substance disorders. Your journey toward fulfillment begins with the strength to seek help. Know that we’re here to help you heal, and we’re proud of you for taking that first step.

Contact Continuum Outpatient Center Today

Your recovery is our commitment, and we’re here to guide you toward a future filled with hope and resilience.

Visit us at 6200 UTSA Blvd., Ste. 102, San Antonio, Texas, 78249, and embark on your path to recovery. Call us today at (210) 405-5935 to create a schedule and plan that works uniquely for you. We’re here for you every step of the way.

Break Free From Substance Use Disorder!

Call Continuum Outpatient Center today for an individualized treatment plan designed to fit your needs.