Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Tailored to Your Life, Close to Home: Being located in Lakeland, our program is accessible for Polk County residents who previously might have had to travel to Tampa or Orlando for similar care. You get intensive therapy without uprooting your life, and you can immediately start applying the skills you learn at home, with our team just a phone call away for support between sessions.

Part of a Continuum of Care: Lakeland Regional Health’s IOP is embedded in our broader behavioral health continuum. This tight integration increases treatment success and safety.

What does this mean?

• We ensure a smooth transition with our inpatient team briefing our IOP team on what strategies have helped so far.
• If someone in IOP finds they’re in crisis and need a higher level of care, we can expedite admission to our inpatient unit, avoiding lengthy ER waits.
• We also coordinate with our outpatient therapy and psychiatry services for follow-up once the IOP concludes.

Evidence-Based Curriculum with Real-Life Focus: Our IOP uses evidence-based therapeutic models like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills, relapse prevention techniques, and wellness education. Each person works on an individualized treatment plan within the group setting with specific goals.

We assign therapeutic “homework” to practice skills between sessions (such as journaling, mindfulness exercises, or trying new communication techniques with family), then review and troubleshoot together. This practical focus helps patients translate what they learn into their daily lives, yielding lasting change.

Supportive Group Environment: One of the greatest strengths of our IOP is the healing power of group support. Under the guidance of our therapists, patients share experiences and coping strategies in a confidential setting. Many find hope and motivation by witnessing others’ progress. Our facilitators foster an atmosphere of respect, encouragement, and accountability. Over the course of the program, participants often report feeling like they’ve gained a small community or “family” that understands what they’re going through. This sense of connection is a key factor in the IOP’s high success rates and is very much in line with our community-grown spirit.

Please call 863.687.1304 to learn more.

Choosing an intensive outpatient program can feel daunting, but at Lakeland Regional Health, you will find a well-organized, compassionate program that makes the process as easy as possible. Patients graduate from our IOP with renewed confidence, improved mental health, and a robust plan to maintain their gains. We remain available for whatever support is needed going forward.