Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in Massachusetts
Our Intensive Outpatient Program gives you structured therapy for a few hours a day, several days a week, with day and evening options so you can keep working or caring for your family. It blends evidence-based therapy with holistic care every day.
What Is an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)?
An Intensive Outpatient Program, or IOP, is a flexible level of addiction treatment built around real life. It is more structured than weekly therapy but lighter than day treatment, which makes it a natural next step as you build stability. At New Wave, IOP means a few hours of programming a day, several days a week, combining structured groups, individual therapy with your own clinician, and holistic care woven in every day.
Because we offer both day and evening options, you can keep your job, stay in school, or care for your family while still getting real clinical support. For many people, IOP is the step down from our PHP (Day Treatment); for others, it is the right starting point. Either way, it meets you where you are.
Can I Work or Go to School During IOP?
No two days feel exactly alike, because our schedule rotates to keep recovery from becoming a grind. A typical day blends clinical and holistic work: you might start with a grounding mindfulness or meditation session, move into a structured group on coping skills or relapse prevention led by a licensed clinician, meet one-on-one with your therapist, then close the day with something restorative like a sound bath, Reiki, or recovery yoga.
Lunch and breaks are built in, and the pace is supportive rather than punishing. You return home each evening to practice what you are learning in real life. It is structure with warmth, the New Wave way.
Is PHP or IOP Right for Me?
PHP (Day Treatment) is usually the right fit if you are coming out of detox, dealing with strong cravings or unstable symptoms, or you simply need more daily structure to get steady. As you build stability, most people step down to our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), which offers fewer hours and more flexibility for work and family. You do not have to choose alone; our team assesses what you need now and adjusts as you grow.
| PHP (Day Treatment) | IOP | |
|---|---|---|
| Intensity | Most supportive level | A step down, lighter |
| Schedule | Several hours a day, ~5 days/week | A few hours a day, ~3 days/week |
| Best for | Early recovery, often right after detox | Balancing treatment with work or family |
| Work & family | Daytime commitment | Day and evening options |
Skills That Protect Long-Term Recovery
IOP focuses on the skills that protect long-term recovery: managing triggers and cravings, rebuilding relationships, processing what is underneath the addiction, and building healthy routines. You will do this through structured groups led by licensed clinicians, individual sessions with your therapist, and daily holistic practices like mindfulness, Reiki, and sound work. Explore our evidence-based and holistic therapies to see how it fits together.
A Typical IOP Session
IOP runs in focused blocks, with day and evening options so treatment fits around work, school, and family. Here is what a typical session looks like.
Arrival
Morning check-in & mindfulness
Open with a brief mindfulness practice and a chance to share where you are that day.
Block 1
Clinical process group
A structured, clinician-led group focused on triggers, coping skills, and real-life challenges.
Block 2
Skills or holistic work
CBT and DBT skill-building, or a holistic practice like sound work or recovery yoga.
As needed
Individual check-ins
Time with your own therapist to keep your personal plan on track between groups.
Day / Evening
Choose what fits your life
Attend in the morning before work or the evening after, so recovery becomes part of your week rather than a pause from it.
Sample structure for illustration. Your actual schedule and track are set during intake.
Where This Fits in Your Recovery
Our programs connect into one seamless journey, and you keep the same therapist as you move through them. Explore the other levels of care at New Wave.
1
Step 1: Detox
We connect you with a trusted detox partner, then welcome you back.
3
Step 3: IOP
Flexible day and evening care.
Care that feels different
We were founded by people in long-term recovery, so the way we treat you comes from having been where you are. That shows up in everything we do.
Founded by people in recovery
When you call New Wave, you talk to someone who has walked this path, not a call center. This is personal for us.
The same therapist throughout
You keep your private therapist as you move between levels of care, so your progress is never interrupted and you never start over.
Holistic care, every day
Reiki, yoga, sound healing, and mindfulness are woven into daily treatment alongside evidence-based therapy, not offered once in a while.
Our Salisbury Facility
Recovery is easier in a space that feels safe and human. Our Salisbury center was designed to feel calm and welcoming, with comfortable group rooms, private therapy spaces, and our signature Zen Den for holistic work.
- Warm, non-institutional spaces
- Dedicated Zen Den for holistic therapy
- Transportation assistance available
- Easy to reach from across the North Shore
Recovery that people remember
Insurance & payment: Contact our team and we will work with you to verify insurance benefits.
Fill out our form and contact us for additional assistance
IOP FAQs
Want to talk to a real person? Call us, someone in recovery will answer.
What is an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)?
IOP is a flexible level of addiction treatment offering structured therapy a few hours a day, several days a week, with day and evening options so you can keep working or caring for family.
How many hours a week is IOP?
IOP generally involves at least 9 hours of structured treatment weekly, often a few hours a day across several days. Your exact schedule is set during intake.
What is the difference between IOP and PHP?
PHP (Day Treatment) is more intensive, with structured care most of the day. IOP offers fewer hours and more flexibility, so it fits around work and family. Many people step down from PHP to IOP.
Can I keep working during IOP?
Yes. With day and evening tracks, IOP is designed to fit around your job, school, or family responsibilities.
How long does IOP last?
It depends on your needs and progress, but many people attend IOP for about 3 months before stepping down to our Relapse Prevention Program.
Do I need to do PHP before IOP?
Not always. Some people start in IOP; others step down to it from PHP. We assess what you need now and adjust as you grow stronger.
Does insurance cover IOP?
Often yes. We are in-network with WellSense and approved through MassHealth (the plan we accept is WellSense). Our team can verify your benefits.
Is holistic care part of IOP?
Yes. Mindfulness, Reiki, sound work, and recovery yoga are woven into IOP alongside evidence-based therapies like CBT and DBT.
Keep learning
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