St. Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute’s Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides intensive outpatient levels of evidence-based behavioral healthcare for a variety of mental health disorders. Individually tailored, in-depth treatment plans are administered to address patients’ specific problems directly. The IOP is recognized as an intensive treatment program by the International OCD Foundation and is certified and licensed.

IOP patients require more structure, closer supervision, or more hours of treatment than standard outpatient care provides but do not require overnight supervision. IOP allows patients to practice at home what they are learning throughout the day in treatment. The IOP clinical team is trained to work with all age groups and includes clinical specialists in childhood and adult disorders.

IOP Services

The primary component of treatment at the IOP is individually administered Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). However, treatment involves several additional services that supplement or enhance CBT.

The Core Treatments:

• Supervised individual CBT
• Pharmacotherapy
• Family consultation/counseling
• Self-conducted homework exercises

Other Services:

• Motivational enhancement and commitment
• Mindfulness & emotion regulation skills
• Distress tolerance
• Social & other behavioral skills training
• Nutritional counseling

Treatment Approach

The individualized treatment approach provides patients with tailored, in-depth treatment for their anxiety or depression. A primary therapist is responsible for overseeing the implementation of your treatment plan. You can work with your existing therapist and/or psychiatrist if desired, but we can assign one to you as necessary. 

Before being admitted to the program, you will spend one or more 45-minute sessions with your primary therapist getting prepared to enter IOP. You and your therapist will design a personalized treatment plan based on cognitive-behavioral principles. Once you are in IOP, you and your primary therapist will meet once or twice per week to evaluate your progress and adjust your treatment plan accordingly. 

Initially, most patients receive two or three hours of care/therapy, five or six days per week (four or more hours of daily care are available for those who need it). In addition to meeting with your primary therapist, you will attend a 2-hour therapy session each day. 

Each IOP session begins with a brief check-in group meeting where participants discuss progress and difficulties that you may have encountered since the last IOP session to collaboratively seek solutions. You will spend the remainder of the IOP session working under the supervision of IOP staff as they follow the individualized treatment plan that you will have developed with your primary therapist. 

IOP sessions available Monday-Friday: 

1. Session A: 10 am – 12 pm
2. Session B: 1 – 3 pm
3. Session C: 3 – 5 pm

Sessions are held daily Monday through Friday. Ordinarily, you attend the same session every day. As discharge approaches, care may be tapered to fewer hours a day or fewer days per week. Length of stay varies, but most patients are discharged after six to eight weeks.

Aftercare & Discharge

Working with a Clinician after Discharge
Patients can receive individual follow-up treatment at the Institute, thus ensuring continuity of care. When the referring clinician or another provider oversees follow-up treatment, the IOP team provides consultation to facilitate a smooth transition and continued recovery.

Relapse Prevention
Patients in the IOP are taught strategies to help prevent relapse and maintain the build upon the gains they achieved while in the program. They learn the early signs of a setback and what to do to reverse a setback and to keep it from progressing into a relapse. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get into the program?
If you are already being seen by an outpatient COARD clinician, your clinician can refer you to the program and will guide you through the process of admission. 

If you are not being seen by a member of the COARD clinical team, you can call the intake office at 314-289-9411 and an intake coordinator will schedule you for a screening, usually conducted over the phone. During the screening, the clinician will review the problems you are experiencing, your mental health history, and if the program is right for you. If the clinician feels that the IOP is not the best program they will recommend an alternative. For general inquiries about the COARD program, please contact [email protected] .

What if I need to be in the IOP for more than a few hours a day, e.g., in a Partial Hospital Program?
The IOP can provide a Partial Hospital level of care if you need it. We can provide referrals to facilities that do offer these higher levels of care, if necessary.

Will I need to devote time to working on my problem when I am not at the Institute?
In addition to time spent in IOP, most patients engage in an hour or more of daily self-guided therapy homework that is typically an extension of the work they did in IOP. 

Will I need to take medical leave?
If your work or school situation allows you to attend the IOP session you’ve been assigned and you are able to follow through with your therapy homework exercises, then you may not need to take a leave. However, there are significant advantages to taking time off to concentrate on therapy. If you have questions about this issue, please discuss it with your primary therapist. 

Where do I stay if I’m coming from outside of St. Louis?
We do not make lodging arrangements but we can provide you with a list of area accommodations, local recreation, dining, shopping and other resources.

How much do intensive services cost?
Intensive services are more expensive than standard outpatient care. However, most insurance plans cover it. The specific amount you will pay varies depending on the type of insurance coverage you have.