Madison, Wisconsin’s Premier Intensive Outpatient Program for Adults

Opening Winter 2025

Recognizing that every patient has a different set of needs, we offer multiple levels of care at our behavioral health hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. For patients who are in need of comprehensive care for mental health concerns but require more flexibility with their schedule, we offer an adult intensive outpatient program. 

What Is Intensive Outpatient Programming?

Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are an option for people who can benefit from a structured program but do not need daylong services and do not require monitoring 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Our adult IOP meets three hours a day, three days a week. This allows patients to get well-rounded care in a structured setting while still having the ability to attend to daily responsibilities, such as going to work or participating in family activities.  

Typically, patients spend about two to four weeks in our adult intensive outpatient program. However, some people may benefit from staying in the program for a longer period of time, while some may need less time. The actual length of time a patient spends in our IOP depends on their needs and the progress they make and is determined based on conversations between the patient and their treatment team. 

Who Can Participate in Our Adult IOP?

Our intensive outpatient program is available for adults age 18 and older of all genders. Our team is able to help people who are struggling with many different mental health concerns, such as: 

  • Depressive disorders 
  • Anxiety disorder 
  • Bipolar disorder 
  • Adjustment disorder 
  • Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related concerns 
  • Suicidal ideation 
  • Self-harming behaviors 
  • Schizophrenia 
  • Schizoaffective disorder 
  • Substance use disorders 

Patients who have previously experienced psychosis may also be eligible to receive care in our adult IOP. We can also care for people who are struggling with aggression or similar behavior concerns. 

Before being admitted to our adult intensive outpatient program, each person participates in an assessment with one of our admissions counselors. These assessments are designed to give our team as much information as possible about the person who is seeking care so that we can determine which level of care is right for them. If during this assessment it is apparent that the person does not need a higher level of care, like inpatient hospitalization or a daylong partial hospitalization program, but that they need more than once-weekly therapy, we may recommend that they join our adult IOP.  

What To Expect in Our Adult IOP

At Shorewood Behavioral Health, we believe that regardless of the level of care a person is in, they should have access to a variety of services. Our team wants to make sure that we meet each patient exactly where they are on their healing journey so that they have the best chance of achieving a successful treatment outcome. 

In our adult intensive outpatient program, our team uses multiple types of treatment modalities based on a patient’s specific needs. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing are the three most commonly used modalities. However, if patients have experienced trauma and are suffering from the effects of their experience, including those who are struggling with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, they may benefit from working with our team members who specialize in providing trauma-focused care. We are also able to incorporate aspects of the 12-Step model of recovery for patients who are struggling with addiction concerns. 

In our adult IOP, we offer the following services: 

  • Medication management services: If patients are taking medication, they can meet with a psychiatrist once a week. Our nursing staff is also able to monitor patients to make sure that the medications they are taking are effective. 
  • Medication-assisted treatment (MAT): Patients who are struggling with opioid use disorder and are taking Suboxone® or Vivitrol may be able to participate in MAT. When receiving this type of care, they can work with a nurse practitioner and are required to take part in individual and group counseling sessions. 

Group therapy is the main method of treatment used in our adult IOP. During group therapy sessions, patients have a chance to come together with other individuals who are also struggling with various mental health concerns. This type of interaction can help people realize that they are not alone in the challenges they are facing, and it also allows them to give support to and receive support from their peers. This can be crucial in the healing process.  

Group therapy sessions are held daily and are led by various members of our staff, including counselors, therapists, nurses, and mental health technicians. We offer both process groups and psychoeducational groups in which a number of topics are discussed. Examples of the types of things these group discussions may cover include coping skills, healthy boundaries, self-esteem, and trauma.  

Every patient in our adult intensive outpatient program receives an individualized care plan that outlines what they can expect throughout their time in the program. 

Why Choose Our Adult IOP

We have carefully designed our adult intensive outpatient program to help patients find true and lasting healing. Every aspect of the care we provide is personalized to meet the needs of each individual patient so that they can progress in their therapeutic process at a pace that is best for them. 

While in the adult intensive outpatient program, patients have the opportunity to process their experiences, address the challenges they are facing, identify triggers that may impact certain behaviors, and learn and practice coping skills they can use in their everyday lives.  

At Shorewood Behavioral Health, we also understand that the people who provide care are just as important as the type of care they are providing. We are proud of the highly experienced staff members who make up our teams. They are dedicated to providing the utmost in clinically excellent care while also making sure that each patient is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. Our team consists of professionals from many disciplines, including: 

  • Licensed professional counselors 
  • Licensed clinical social workers 
  • Psychiatrists 
  • Mental health technicians 
  • Activity therapists 
  • Nurse practitioners 
  • Registered nurses 
  • Licensed professional nurses 
  • Registered dietitians 

Not only do patients in our adult IOP work with highly skilled staff members who truly care about them, but they can also benefit from the following: 

  • They receive care in a warm and welcoming environment that is fully conducive to healing. 
  • They are met with a genuine sense of inclusivity so that they can feel respected and understood. 
  • They receive personalized, well-rounded care that is tailored to meet their specific and unique needs. 
  • They are given consistent and ongoing support and encouragement as they navigate their healing journeys. 

Learn More About Our Adult IOP

There is so much to be gained from participating in our adult intensive outpatient program. If you have questions about any aspect of the program, or if you are interested in learning about any of the other services we offer, please contact us today. Our team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help you decide what the best next step for yourself or a loved one may be. 

This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Shorewood Behavioral Health.