A Guide to Local IOPs, If More Support Is Needed

Not every level of care fits neatly into "weekly therapy" or "hospitalization." For a lot of people in recovery, what's actually needed sits somewhere in between, more structure and more frequent contact than a once-a-week session offers, without needing the round-the-clock support of inpatient care. That in-between space is exactly what intensive outpatient programs, or IOPs, are built for.

What an IOP Actually Looks Like

An IOP typically means attending treatment several hours a day, several days a week, while still living at home and staying engaged in daily life. Most programs run at least 9 hours of structured programming a week, spread across 3 to 5 days, though the exact structure varies by provider. Care usually includes a mix of individual therapy, group therapy, and medication management, delivered by a full treatment team rather than a single provider.

Local Options Worth Knowing

If this level of care sounds like it might be the right next step, for yourself or someone you care about, here are a few local programs worth exploring:

• Brandywine Center for Mental Health — Hockessin, DE

• Sanare Today — Wilmington, DE, with virtual options available

• Brandywine Counseling — Newark, Dover, Milford, and Georgetown, DE

• Sun Behavioral Delaware — Georgetown, DE

• Charlie Health — Fully virtual

Each program differs in structure, specialty focus, and availability, so it's worth reaching out directly to whichever ones fit geographically or logistically to learn more about openings and fit.

If a different level of support sounds like it might be the right next step, that's a good conversation to have with your own therapist first, they're the best person to help you think through whether this is the right fit and when. These programs operate independently of IPG, so for questions about scheduling, availability, or admissions, reaching out to them directly is the fastest way to get answers.