What is an Intensive Outpatient Program?
An Intensive Outpatient Program, or IOP, is a structured form of therapy that gives you more support than weekly sessions, but without the need to enter a residential treatment center.
Think of it as a bridge between daily life and intensive care. Many people feel that one hour of therapy per week isn’t enough, especially if they are struggling with trauma, addiction, or overwhelming stress. The IOP offers several hours of therapy on multiple days each week, giving you the time and structure needed to stabilise, process, and recover, while still being able to live at home, work, or study.
At Living Free, our IOP is trauma-informed. That means every part of the program – whether it’s individual sessions, group therapy, or psychoeducation – is designed with the nervous system in mind. We don’t just aim to reduce symptoms; we help you understand your responses, rebuild resilience, and develop lasting strategies for life beyond therapy.
How It Works
Structure:
3–5 days per week, several hours each day.
Format:
A combination of individual sessions, small group therapy, psychoeducation, and body-based practices.
Focus:
Trauma recovery, relapse prevention, nervous system regulation, and building resilience.
Integration:
Therapies include CBT, EMDR, IFS, somatic coaching, and lifestyle psychoeducation (nutrition, sleep, exercise).
Who It Helps
The IOP is suitable for people experiencing:
- Addiction
- PTSD
- Complex Trauma
- Stress Disorders
- Eating Disorders
Evidence Base
Research and clinical experience show that intensive outpatient care can accelerate progress by providing structure and frequency, while avoiding the disruption of residential treatment. The IOP at Living Free is grounded in DSM-5 trauma-informed approaches and our six-domain model of resilience.
Contact us to learn if the Intensive Outpatient Program is right for you.
