IOP, PHP, OP, what does it all mean? If you are considering eating disorder treatment understanding your options is an important step. Below you will find information on the treatment options available to you at The Lotus Collaborative.
Outpatient Therapy (OP)
Outpatient therapy is simply therapy, deliver by a licensed clinician, in a one on one or group setting. It is the level of care people are most familiar with. The abbreviated initials OP are sometimes used when referring to this level of care. The outpatient level of care is the lowest level of care, meaning it offers the fewest hours of support. It is common to see an outpatient therapist anywhere from once a month up to 3 times a week, depending on your stage of recovery. A standard therapy session is typically 50 minutes, and a standard group therapy session can be anywhere from 50 minutes to 2 hours. This can be a common starting place for those new to treatment but is most appropriate for those in advanced stages of their recovery. Clients are considered appropriate for the OP level of care when they are medically and psychiatrically stable, and their symptoms are under sufficient control to be able to function in normal social, educational, or vocational situations. An important marker in evaluating whether or not OP is right for you is continued progress in recovery. If progress is not being made, a higher level of care/support should be considered. At TLC we offer both individual outpatient therapy sessions as well as outpatient therapy groups.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
An Intensive Outpatient Program, also referred to as IOP, is considered a step up (more therapeutic support) from outpatient therapy, and a step down (less therapeutic support) from a partial hospitalization program. A simplified definition of an IOP is therapeutic individual, group and meal support, provided for a minimum of 3 hrs per day, 3 days per week. Just as the name implies, it is a more intensive treatment option. When stepping up from outpatient therapy, an IOP is appropriate for clients who are able to function independently, but have low-moderate ED symptoms/ behaviors that are disruptive, distressing and are worsening or stagnating in an outpatient setting. An IOP offers clients a more treatment-intensive experience that can assist them in creating new routines and skill-sets for their recovery. When stepping down from PHP, IOP is considered a level of care that is transitioning a person back to their “regular life.” It assists clients in bridging their recovery from higher levels of care treatment into their “at home” lives. At TLC we offer our IOP 7 days a weeks, for 3 hours per day. We also offer a professional track IOP, 4 days a week, for 3 hours a day, in the evenings.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP also know as Day Treatment)
Partial hospitalization provides a structured program of outpatient psychiatric and therapeutic services as an alternative to inpatient psychiatric care. Also referred to as PHP or Day Treatment, a Partial Hospitalization Program is considered a step up (more therapeutic support) from an IOP and a step down (less therapeutic support) from a residential treatment program. Unlike the name implies, you are not "hospitalized" in a PHP program but you are benefiting from therapeutic interventions, supervision and support for 6-7 hrs a day, up to 7 days a week, while still living at home. When stepping down from a residential program, PHP is a highly structured supportive environment to aid in the transition from 24 hr care to living independently. When stepping up from a IOP, PHP offers additional meal support as well as more hours of daily therapeutic support while continuing to live at home. Day treatment offers clients the opportunity to stabilize behaviors, gain traction in recovery, gain insight around motivation to recover as well as learn and develop skills to assist them in daily functioning outside of a treatment setting.