We’re so used to getting almost everything we need with just a few taps on a screen or presses of a keystroke. It seems like nearly everything can be done virtually these days, from buying groceries to building a career. And it’s becoming increasingly common to seek mental health treatment online as well.

You can receive many levels of mental health care online. Many people talk to a therapist on a regular basis through a camera on their phone or laptop. But if you’re looking for more intensive support without losing the convenience of virtual treatment, a Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (vIOP) is an option to consider.

For many people, a vIOP can provide the intensive support they need to take control of their mental health while still maintaining their daily routines.

Read on to learn who can benefit from a vIOP and what to expect from the experience. Then we’ll dive into how you can get started at the vIOP that we provide at Guidelight Health.

Who a virtual IOP can help

Every person experiencing mental health challenges deserves support and care along their journey. However, it’s not a one-size-fits-all concept. An Intensive Outpatient Program is geared toward helping people who have moderate-to-severe symptoms that they are having trouble managing on their own or with regular outpatient therapy.

With a virtual IOP option, you can receive intensive care from the comfort of your home while still keeping a sense of stability and routine through your everyday responsibilities.

A virtual IOP can be beneficial to people who:

• Have a busy schedule but require intensive support
• Don’t have access to transportation for in-person treatment
• Don’t live near a treatment provider
• Have mobility issues or severe social anxiety that makes it difficult to leave the house
• Need a step down from higher levels of care

If you’re not sure if a vIOP is the right fit for you, talk to your provider to see if it works for the severity of your symptoms, your life circumstances and your overall treatment goals.

At Guidelight, our vIOP treats people who experience daily functioning challenges due to:

• Anger and conflict management
• Anxiety disorders
• Attention deficits
• Depressive disorders
• Emotional regulation
• Impulse control
• Mood disorders
• Personality disorders
• Psychotic disorders
• Self-harm
• Suicidality
• Trauma

People with active psychosis or acute suicidal intent typically require a higher level of care, but a virtual IOP may support individuals with stabilized symptoms that are closely monitored.

What to expect from a virtual IOP

Aside from happening on a screen, the treatment you receive in a virtual IOP is very similar to what you’d experience in person.

The goal of a virtual IOP is to provide comprehensive support through structured treatment that helps you take control of your symptoms and develop strategies to manage them for an improved quality of life.

At Guidelight, our virtual IOP involves treatment three days a week, for three to four hours each day. The flexibility of the program allows you to choose day or evening options so that you can maintain your normal routines as much as possible.

Our virtual IOP combines three major treatment components:

• Individual therapy sessions
• Group therapy sessions
• Medication management

When you start a vIOP, here are a few things to expect:

• Opening up about your mental health challenges with peers
• Challenging your perspective on distressing situations during individual sessions
• Learning long-term skills (e.g., coping and emotional regulation) to manage symptoms

Guidelight is here to support you along your mental health journey with a virtual IOP

Everyone deserves support for their mental health condition, even if they don’t have access to or time to go to a treatment center on a consistent basis. That’s why going the virtual route can be a beneficial option. If you need a step above regular therapy sessions to make significant progress but you’re looking for flexibility in your treatment, our vIOP at Guidelight is worth considering.

Our therapists are licensed to practice virtually in their respective states of Massachusetts and Colorado for ages 18 and older. We use a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform to keep your treatment private.

You can refer yourself to us, or you can be referred by a provider. We’ll contact you to complete an evaluation and determine if a vIOP is the right fit for you.

Everyone has a seat at Guidelight. Contact our team online or call us today for more information about vIOP or to schedule an initial evaluation. We provide treatment across the country — and we’re always expanding. See if we offer care in your state, either online or at one of our local offices.