Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in Atlanta, GA
The Summit Wellness Group’s IOP program in Atlanta combines intensive therapy, personalized counseling, life skills training, and more in both group and individual settings. Our intensive outpatient program does not require hospitalization or 24/7 commitment to our rehab facility.
The Summit Wellness Group’s IOP program in Atlanta combines intensive therapy, personalized counseling, life skills training, and more in both group and individual settings. Our intensive outpatient program does not require hospitalization or 24/7 commitment to our rehab facility.
Our lives don’t stop while we seek treatment for substance abuse. An IOP (intensive outpatient program) is the most flexible option you have for rehabilitation. Our program gives you access to a structured environment with treatment from leading industry professionals. The flexibility of our programming gives you the opportunity to continue living life while you are in treatment.
Our Metro Atlanta IOP
IOP’s are effective methods of treating addiction on an outpatient basis. While the quality of programs ranges a great deal, the top programs have qualified therapists, group therapy, holistic therapy, and an in-depth curriculum designed to educate, heal and develop a support system for those in early recovery from addiction or alcoholism.
Intensive outpatient treatment is typically a lower form of care and is often best for people who have already completed an inpatient program or partial hospitalization. It is also a great treatment option for people with outside responsibilities who cannot commit to more intensive levels of care.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) offer a pathway to clinical excellence through a comprehensive therapeutic approach that combines multiple evidence-based treatments within a supportive healing community.
This flexible treatment model integrates various therapeutic modalities, including experiential therapy, family therapy, and group therapy sessions, while providing essential medication management and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for those who need it.
The program’s emphasis on mindfulness strategies and self-compassion helps participants effectively address self-harming symptoms, fostering long-term recovery and emotional stability. Practical considerations such as health insurance coverage and assistance with transportation issues make IOP an accessible option for many individuals seeking help.
The program’s structured yet adaptable nature allows participants to maintain their daily responsibilities while receiving intensive support, making it particularly suitable for those who require more support than traditional outpatient care but less than inpatient treatment.

What To Expect At Our Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program
At The Summit Wellness Group, we provide several different IOP schedules to best accommodate our clients. Clients will attend this addiction treatment track for three hours for three to five days a week. We offer morning, afternoon, and evening sessions to accommodate a wide range of schedules. Our program includes a variety of evidence-based therapies provided in individual, family, and group sessions. Clients may also participate in holistic options such as chiropractic care, meditation, yoga, or adventure therapy. We ensure that even clients in fewer hours still receive the highest care possible.
Our programs last an average of three months. However, the entire outpatient treatment continuum can last six months. Our outpatient rehabs in Atlanta require between 10 and 30 hours per week, with individual sessions lasting 1 to 2 hours, depending on the type of treatment received.
The Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) begins with a comprehensive admissions process to assess patient needs and determine the most appropriate treatment path. Patients can choose between a three-day IOP or five-day IOP schedule, with clinical IOP hours typically running during daytime hours to accommodate work and family commitments.
The programming schedule includes a dynamic mix of therapeutic activities, including group therapy sessions, process group sessions, and experiential group sessions designed to promote healing and personal growth. Skills sessions form a core component of the treatment, helping patients develop practical coping strategies and life skills.
The length of stay is tailored to individual progress, with most participants attending for 8-12 weeks. The program offers various electives to personalize the treatment experience. As patients progress, they may transition to a step-down program, reducing treatment intensity while maintaining support for sustainable recovery.
Benefits of IOP
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) represent a vital component in the continuum of care, bridging the gap between partial hospitalization programs and traditional outpatient services while providing structured clinical care for individuals managing mental health disorders and substance use disorders.
This comprehensive treatment model particularly benefits adolescent mental health, offering a balanced approach that combines group therapy sessions, family therapy, and crisis coaching to address complex behavioral challenges.
As a step-down support option, IOP delivers essential therapeutic interventions within a framework that promotes independence and real-world application. These interventions are complemented by practical vocational services to support long-term recovery and reintegration.
This multifaceted approach ensures clients receive the intensive support they need while maintaining their everyday routines and responsibilities, making it an effective treatment option for those requiring intensive care without full hospitalization.
Personalization
Flexibility
Lower Cost
If the cost of treatment is of concern, then an IOP drug treatment program may be a better alternative toPHP or residential. As there are fewer hours involved, the cost per day is much less than that of higher levels of care.
Insurance coverage for Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) varies widely across different health insurance plans, so thoroughly reviewing your insurance policy before beginning treatment is essential. Most insurance providers offer various coverage options encompassing different types of care, including IOP services, though the extent of coverage may differ significantly.
While in-network providers typically offer the most favorable rates, many insurance plans also include out-of-network benefits, albeit with higher out-of-pocket expenses. For patients facing coverage limitations or lacking comprehensive insurance, we provide alternative payment methods such as payment plans or financial assistance programs, ensuring that necessary care remains accessible regardless of financial circumstances.
Post-Care
A successful transition from Intensive Outpatient Programming (IOP) requires a comprehensive discharge plan that integrates multiple support systems and resources. Central to this transition is developing an individualized aftercare plan that incorporates the seven pillars of self-care: nutrition, hydration, sleep, exercise, stress management, social connection, and emotional wellness.
This foundation is strengthened through continuing care plans and step-down programs that provide structured support while gradually increasing independence. Professional referrals and medication management ensure ongoing clinical oversight, while education programs and post-treatment guidance equip patients with essential coping skills.
Family support groups and recovery resources create a robust support network, and understanding insurance policy details helps maintain uninterrupted access to care. These elements, documented in detailed discharge plans, create a sustainable path toward long-term wellness and recovery.
Mental Health Conditions Treated by IOP
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) offer comprehensive treatment for a wide range of mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and various personality disorders, while also specializing in trauma and PTSD recovery.
These programs are particularly effective for individuals with dual diagnosis, where mental health issues co-occur with substance use disorders, as well as those struggling with eating disorders.
The treatment approach typically combines evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), with specialized interventions, including exposure and response prevention (ERP) for anxiety-related conditions and eye movement desensitization & reprocessing (EMDR) or prolonged exposure therapy for trauma processing.
Medication management is integrated throughout the program, ensuring a holistic approach to mental health recovery while allowing patients to maintain their daily responsibilities.
IOP Therapies Available at The Summit Wellness Group
Individual and group therapies are often the most vital piece of our intensive outpatient program in Atlanta, Georgia. With fewer hours to incorporate treatment, we want to make sure we utilize that time in the most effective way possible. Our programs often include:
Individual Therapy
You’ll be assigned one of our therapists (Master’s level or above) and meet at least one hour per week. During these one-on-one sessions, you’ll work with them to process underlying trauma and other issues fueling addiction. You’ll also create a personalized recovery plan, deal with ongoing issues related to your personal and professional life, and set aftercare goals.
Group Therapy
Each track of our intensive outpatient program features a different assortment of group therapy sessions. These process groups focus on core issues behind addiction, relapse prevention, accountability related to involvement in addiction support groups (12-Step and Non-12-Step), recovery tools, codependency, and more.
Family Therapy
Addiction is a disease that affects the entire family. That’s why we have a heavy emphasis on supporting the family. This includes on-site family therapy overseen by your individual therapist, as well as voluntary biweekly night sessions done on a group level.
Holistic Therapy
Our list of holistic rehab modalities offered to clients of our program includes massage, chiropractic care, guided meditation, yoga, adventure therapy, and nutritional classes.

Our Atlanta Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program Schedule
Cost of Intensive Outpatient Treatment at The Summit Wellness Group
About 80% of our clients use insurance to cover the cost of our intensive outpatient services. For those without insurance, numerous financing plans are available that make self-pay a viable option. We also offer limited full and partial scholarships for our outpatient addiction services.

What People Have To Say About The Summit Wellness Group’s Intensive Outpatient Rehab Programs
Our Other Midtown Atlanta Addiction Treatment Programs
Aside from our Intensive Outpatient Program, we have several other treatment options available. Our Partial Hospitalization Program is a more comprehensive level of care and entails around 30 hours per week. This is usually undergone prior to IOP. Once IOP is completed, it is common for clients to step down to Outpatient Treatment. This is often the final step before someone is finished with our program. While they are encouraged to return for aftercare programs, OP is the final step of the official treatment program.
Before someone begins any of our programs, they must be in a medically stable condition. This sometimes requires a stay in a detox center to safely flush the drugs from someone’s system. Even after someone is medically stable, there may be post-acute withdrawal symptoms, and in these cases, it may be advisable to enter an inpatient rehab program. Coupling IOP with a reputable sober living home is also adviseable in many situations. To find out more about the different levels of care in Midtown Atlanta drug rehab, give us a call. We are happy to help you find the safest and most effective option for you.
We’re Here To Help
Get help now
We’d love the opportunity to help you during this overwhelming and difficult process. The Summit Wellness Group is located in Atlanta and all of your calls will be directed to one of our local staff members. Our sincere passion is helping people recover so that they can live full, meaningful, and healthy lives.
Call us 24/7 at 770-299-1677. Alternatively, you can fill out our contact form and a member of our staff will contact you shortly.