Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program
Our virtual intensive outpatient program for anxiety brings the same evidence-based treatment we deliver in person directly to your home. Also called a virtual IOP, it gives adults intensive, structured anxiety treatment three hours a day, Monday through Friday, without the commute or the need to live near a specialty program. It is built on Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold-standard treatment for anxiety, and research confirms that virtual treatment produces the same outcomes as in-person care. For people whose schedules, responsibilities, or location make getting to a clinic difficult, a virtual intensive outpatient program delivers real, specialized treatment wherever you are.
What Is a Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program?
A virtual intensive outpatient program (IOP) delivers the same structured, evidence-based anxiety treatment as our in-person program, entirely from home. It provides three hours of treatment a day, Monday through Friday, over 16 weeks, using secure video so you can take part from wherever you are. It is the same protocols, the same schedule, and the same clinical approach as our on-site care.
The only real difference is where treatment happens. If you want to understand the level of care itself in more depth, you can read about our intensive outpatient program (IOP), which is offered both in person and virtually.
How Virtual IOP Works
Virtual IOP mirrors our in-person program. Clients attend three hours a day, Monday through Friday, in a structured group setting with an 8 to 1 client-to-staff ratio, so you get substantial individual attention alongside peer support. Adult sessions run 12 pm to 3 pm.
Treatment is grounded in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). You gradually face the situations, sensations, and thoughts anxiety has taught you to avoid, while letting go of the safety behaviors and reassurance-seeking that bring short-term relief but keep the fear alive. Doing this work from home means you practice in the exact settings where anxiety tends to show up, which helps the skills take hold in real life.
Does Virtual Treatment Really Work?
Yes. Independent, published research confirms that virtual IOP produces the same outcomes as in-person treatment, with no significant difference between the two. Clients achieve an average 64% reduction in anxiety symptoms and report 92% satisfaction with their care, whether they attend from home or on-site.
In some ways, working from home can strengthen results. Practicing exposures in your own environment builds confidence in the places where you actually live your life, and the structured group format still fosters genuine connection and peer support, even on screen.
Who Is Virtual IOP Right For?
Virtual IOP is designed primarily for adults who need intensive anxiety treatment but cannot easily attend in person. It is a strong fit when work or caregiving makes a daily commute difficult, when there is no specialty program nearby, or when getting to a clinic simply is not feasible right now.
Virtual treatment is also available for adolescents ages 8 to 17. Because availability depends on your state, our admissions department can quickly confirm whether virtual IOP is offered where you live.
What Is Included
- Structured group therapy and community connection
- Daily exposure practice with clinical support
- Family involvement and support
- Skills training that is exposure-focused and DBT-informed
- Family education and parent support groups for younger clients
Insurance and Access
Around 95% of our clients are able to use insurance to help cover virtual IOP, and there is no travel required. Scholarship support is also available for those who need it. Our admissions department can verify your benefits, confirm whether virtual IOP is available in your state, and answer your questions before you commit to anything. You can reach them at 866-303-4227.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does virtual IOP really work as well as in-person treatment?
Yes. Independent, published research confirms that virtual IOP produces outcomes on par with in-person care, with no significant difference between the two. Clients achieve an average 64% reduction in anxiety symptoms and report 92% satisfaction, whether they attend from home or in person. The treatment is the same; only the location changes.
Will I get the same level of attention and support virtually?
Yes. Our virtual program keeps the same 8 to 1 client-to-staff ratio as our in-person program, so you receive substantial individual attention within the group setting. Clients get the same quality of clinical support, along with the guidance and encouragement that come from working alongside peers who understand what they are facing.
Is exposure therapy effective when done from home?
Yes, and it can even be an advantage. Practicing exposures in your own environment means you build skills in the actual settings where you will use them long-term. Research confirms that virtual exposure work produces outcomes equivalent to in-person treatment, so you lose nothing by doing it from home.
Will I feel connected to others in a virtual group?
Most clients do. The group format is built to foster peer support and shared understanding, and the consistent daily schedule creates a real sense of community. Working through similar challenges alongside others, even on video, is often one of the most encouraging parts of treatment.
Who is virtual IOP for?
Virtual IOP is designed primarily for adults who need intensive anxiety treatment but face barriers to attending in person, such as work, caregiving, or distance from a specialty program. It is also available for adolescents ages 8 to 17. Availability depends on your state, which our admissions department can confirm.
Does insurance cover virtual IOP?
In most cases, yes. About 95% of our clients are able to use insurance to help cover treatment, and scholarship support is available for those who need it. Our admissions department verifies your specific benefits before you enroll. Call 866-303-4227 and we will check your coverage with no obligation.
You should not have to live near a specialty program to get specialized anxiety treatment. If getting to a clinic is hard, our virtual intensive outpatient program brings the same evidence-based care to you. Call our admissions department at 866-303-4227 to find out whether virtual IOP is right for you and available where you live.