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GuideWhat does an IOP schedule look like?
It depends on the program. At Shift, groups meet Monday to Friday, 5:30 to 8:30 PM Pacific, with one individual session each week.
A few hours a day, several days a week.
An intensive outpatient program is a block of group therapy plus individual sessions. You go home after each one. There is no single national schedule. Programs differ in how many days they meet, how long each session runs, and whether they meet in the morning, afternoon or evening. Ask any program for its exact hours before you enroll.
Fifteen group hours, five evenings.
Groups
Monday to Friday, 5:30 to 8:30 PM Pacific. Three hours a night, fifteen group hours a week.
One on one
A weekly individual session with your clinician, set at a time that works for you both.
Where it happens
Weekly care runs by secure video, so you attend from home or anywhere private.
In person, if you want it
Optional in-person intensives are available in California. They are an add-on, not a requirement.
Four things change the schedule.
Time of day
Daytime programs conflict with most jobs and classes. Evening programs usually do not.
Level of care
Outpatient, IOP and partial hospitalization carry different hours. IOP sits in the middle.
Your clinical needs
A clinician decides the right level after a screen. The plan can change as you go.
Your life outside
Work shifts, travel and family duties affect how a week is built. Say so at intake.
Do not wait for a schedule.
If you are thinking about harming yourself or someone else, call or text 988, or call 911. IOP is not an emergency service. This page is general education and is not medical advice.
What people ask first.
How many days a week is IOP?
It varies by program. At Shift, groups meet five evenings a week, Monday to Friday, plus one individual session.
How long is each session?
Our groups run three hours, 5:30 to 8:30 PM Pacific. Other programs set their own length.
Can I keep my job?
Often, yes, when groups meet after the workday. Check the hours first. If your shift overlaps group, tell us at the clinical screen.
Do I have to attend in person?
No. Weekly care is by secure video. In-person intensives in California are optional.
How soon can I start?
We check your benefits the same business day. Intake is usually the next business day.
What will it cost?
We are out of network with commercial PPO plans. You get a written cost estimate before your first session. We do not take Medicaid, Medi-Cal or Medicare today.