A Guide to South County Psychiatry's OCD-A Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

At SCP, our IOP team will work with you to reconnect you with valued living while also receiving daily, intensive support for mental health needs. The OCD-A IOP at SCP provides intensive, short-term treatment for people struggling with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, social anxiety, health anxiety, and intense fears (phobias). We emphasize client-focused, evidence-based, and personalized care that provides support while minimally disrupting your life. All sessions take place in a virtual format, so you can receive treatment from the comfort of your home.

The program combines the power of medication management, individual, and group interventions to provide the support you need to make changes in your life. We have three types of groups; a homework report group that allows you to problem-solve issues related to completing exposure exercises on your own, an exposure therapy group in order to provide an opportunity for developing tolerance to anxiety and distress, behavioral coaching and peer support, and a variety of skills groups that education patients on topics such as mindfulness, behavioral activation, and diffusion (among others). Group therapy allows patients to share experiences in an open, compassionate environment and receive peer support and feedback.

Unlike traditional therapy and medication management, which involves maintaining long-term progress in treating a mental health issue, the goal of the OCD-A IOP is to make a significant change in your mental health in a relatively short time. We aim to help you regain your ability to function in the community and emotionally care for yourself, quickly, safely, and successfully.

Comprehensive Evaluation

Before beginning treatment in the program all patients receive a comprehensive, clinical assessment interview administered by a trained psychometrician and supervised by a licensed provider at the doctoral level. This is an evidence-based assessment and the results will be shared with you, your OCD-A IOP and outpatient teams.

First Day of Treatment

Your admission to the OCD-A IOP will begin the day after your evaluation day. You will check in by calling the front desk between 8AM and 9AM. This lets the team know that you are present, logged-in, and ready for treatment.

You will be assigned an individual treatment team consisting of a therapist and a psychiatrist. Both team members will be reaching out to connect individually on the first day. Results from your comprehensive evaluation will also be reviewed with you on this day, and you will have an opportunity to ask questions about your diagnoses and recommended treatment(s). In addition to individual sessions with your treatment team, the program also includes daily homework report, exposure therapy, and skills groups. Information will be provided about what these groups entail, and how to make best use of them.

Program Hours

The program runs 9:00 AM-12:30 PM daily, Monday through Friday.

What We Treat

Our program is a speciality IOP, focusing on the use of multiple exposure based interventions - exposure and response prevention (ERP), interoceptive exposures, and inhibitory learning and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to treat individuals who find that traditional outpatient treatment is insufficient to meet their needs.

Reasons why people choose to attend our program vary, but commonly include:

• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Panic attacks
• Social Anxiety
• Health or illness anxiety, also referred to as hypochondriasis

Intense fears or phobias (such as fear of vomiting, insects, and animals)

Treatment Plans

Our clinicians will work with you to create a treatment plan to target your fears, so that you are able to address them without engaging in compulsions or safety behaviors, in order to help you develop skills which you can use in your daily life as well as engage in value driven activities.

Duration of Program

Length of stay varies depending on individual needs. On average, most people are in the program for 6-8 weeks.

Treatment Model

Our program is based in cutting edge, evidence-based, behavior therapies with documented effectiveness in treating a range of anxiety disorders. These exposure based interventions include exposure and response prevention (ERP), interoceptive exposures, and inhibitory learning and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). A vast body of research confirms that treatment in mid-level care settings like IOPs can significantly improve symptoms such as anxiety and depression, as well as your ability to engage fully in work, hobbies, and time with your family. This effect is achieved through a combination of individual sessions and group therapy, and work together to help you approach your experiences in a different way.

Unlike many other private practices, the OCD-A IOP treatment group is also actively engaged in both reviewing and generating research improving treatment and diagnosis. We place a high value in understanding how and why effective treatment works so we can provide you with the best possible care in our programs.

Individual Treatment Team

Consistent with our commitment to high quality care, you will be assigned to a treatment team with a therapist and a psychiatrist. Our psychiatrists are experts in psychiatric medication and diagnosis, and will review your comprehensive evaluation results with you on your first day.

Individual Therapy

Another vital component of IOP programs is individual therapy. While we believe that group therapy allows patients an opportunity to reduce isolation and stigma, and discuss their experience within a community setting, this does not replace the benefits of individual one-on-one treatment. Your individual therapy sessions will allow for the development of individualized treatment planning and an opportunity to discuss your symptoms in more detail.

Group Therapy

Many of the symptoms associated with OCD and anxiety disorders can be difficult to talk about, leading individuals with lived experience to feel alone, misunderstood, and disconnected from their friends and family. Group therapy allows patients an opportunity to feel understood, validated, and connected to a larger community,

Medication Management

Research has consistently demonstrated that optimal treatment is a combination of psychotherapy and medication. During your stay in the OCD-A IOP you will meet with a psychiatrist to discuss issues related to medication. If you have an outpatient psychiatrist, your IOP psychiatrist will coordinate care with your outpatient prescriber.

Coordination of Care

We at SCP are committed to setting the standard for excellent and coordinated care for everyone in our programs. Part of providing good care is working effectively with your outpatient team. At intake you will be asked to provide a release of information for us to speak with each member of your outpatient mental health team, typically your individual therapist, psychiatric prescriber, and primary care doctor. We will then make outreach calls to inform them of your admission and to discuss any pertinent information to provide the best possible support while you are in IOP. After you discharge from the program we will send a brief discharge summary detailing the treatment provided as well as any recommendations for your care moving forward.

Discharge Planning

After the IOP, our goal is to get you to the point where you can care for yourself again. We want to help you bring your crisis to a close and help you move forward with hope and intention.

We will communicate with your outpatient team prior to discharge to ensure a smooth transition back to your life. If you do not already have providers for therapy and psychiatric medication– and IOP recommends you have those providers– we will do our best to assist you in establishing care with providers in the community.

Insurance Requirements and Coverage

SCP is actively seeking credentialing with local and national insurance groups, and updating our information as we go. If you do not see your method of payment listed below, please contact our facility to inquire whether you may be covered for services. Currently, SCP’s IOP accepts the following methods of payment:

• Blue Cross
• NHP-RI
• Harvard Pilgrim
• United
• Self-Pay

Insurance criteria for covering an IOP program may include:

• Experiencing significant functional impairment in daily life due to psychiatric symptoms that are not responding to outpatient care.
• That failure to receive IOP care could cause the patient to worsen and need inpatient care.
• Providers believe the symptoms will improve in the short term if the patient receives IOP care.
• Dedication to the IOP program and willingness to attend regular group sessions.
• Stable living conditions at home to allow participation in the program.
• IOP provider's documents and information supporting admission

Enrollment and Referral Process

To make a referral, or to seek admission on your own behalf, please contact us via the phone or email listed below. We can answer your questions about our program, determine your insurance coverage, and help you move forward with strength and confidence.