Coming Soon: Mesa, Arizona’s Preferred Intensive Outpatient Program for Behavioral Health


At Agave Ridge Behavioral Hospital, we offer a comprehensive continuum of care that includes both inpatient and outpatient program options to meet our patients where they are on their journey to better health. As part of our outpatient services, we provide an intensive outpatient program (IOP) for adults age 18 and older who are struggling with behavioral health concerns and substance use disorders. 

The IOP may be suitable for individuals who need flexible yet structured care to achieve their wellness goals. Patients in the intensive outpatient program can benefit from receiving individualized services that are designed to help them build resiliency and function better in their day-to-day lives. 

What Is an Intensive Outpatient Program?

Intensive outpatient programs offer a supportive environment for individuals who need professional care but do not require round-the-clock monitoring. By providing structured therapy sessions, education, and peer support in our adult IOP, we can help individuals build a solid foundation for lasting healing.  

Key features of our adult intensive outpatient program include:  

  • In-depth assessments: Every patient participates in a thorough evaluation conducted by our registered nurses and clinicians. This assessment helps us better understand the challenges each person is facing so that we can create a customized, holistic care plan that addresses their unique needs. 
  • An expert staff: Intensive outpatient programming is led by experienced and compassionate team members, including licensed therapists and trained medical staff. 
  • Flexibility: Our IOP takes place three days a week. This flexibility allows patients to fulfill their daily responsibilities, such as work, school, or family commitments, while receiving the intensive therapeutic support they need. 
  • Evidence-based care: We incorporate a variety of research-backed interventions, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and 12-Step programming, to ensure that our patients receive the most effective care possible. 
  • Opportunities for skill-building: In the IOP, we emphasize the importance of patients developing practical skills they can use to manage symptoms and cope with triggers as they transition back to their daily lives.  
  • Detailed aftercare plans: Discharge planning begins at the start of the intensive outpatient program. Our team monitors each patient’s progress during the program and adjusts their aftercare plan as needed. This helps us ensure that our patients receive appropriate recommendations for ongoing support after their time in our program ends. 

What Are the Benefits of Our Intensive Outpatient Program?

Our intensive outpatient program in Mesa, Arizona, is designed to help adults develop new skills and make meaningful progress toward better health. This program provides several benefits, making it a valuable option for people who are seeking professional care for behavioral health concerns and substance use disorders. 

Key benefits of our intensive outpatient programming include: 

  • Convenience: The intensive outpatient program allows individuals to live at home and continue fulfilling work, school, or family obligations while receiving life-changing services, reducing barriers to care. 
  • Structured care: In our IOP, patients can take part in regularly scheduled therapy sessions, which can provide them with continuous support and a structured routine. 
  • Community and peer support: Group therapy sessions give patients the opportunity to share personal experiences and receive emotional support, fostering a sense of community and belonging among peers. 
  • Transition of care: Our intensive outpatient program can serve as a step-down program for those who have completed inpatient or residential care. Stepping down to a less restrictive program can help individuals access the ongoing support they need as they transition back to their daily lives. 
  • Relapse prevention: Participating in an intensive outpatient program can help patients reinforce the skills they learned during more intensive programming and reduce the risk for relapse for those who are struggling with substance use disorders.  
  • Skill application: Intensive outpatient programming gives patients the chance to apply the skills they learn each day in programming in their homes and communities. 

What To Expect in Our Adult Intensive Outpatient Program

Before participating in the adult intensive outpatient program at Agave Ridge Behavioral Hospital, each patient completes a comprehensive assessment. This allows our team to learn more about the individual’s mental and physical health history, needs, and wellness goals. We then use the results of this evaluation to tailor their care in a way that can yield optimal results.  

Individualized care plans may include: 

  • Medication management services: Patients who can benefit from taking medication as part of their care plan meet with a psychiatrist as needed. Medications may be administered by the staff psychiatrist or one of our registered nurses. 
  • Group therapy sessions: Led by licensed therapists, group therapy sessions cover relevant topics, like life skills, relapse prevention, goal setting, and education. Patients take part in group therapy three times a week. 

In therapy sessions, we may incorporate evidence-based practices, such as:  

  • CBT: CBT emphasizes the relationship between a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. CBT can help individuals recognize and alter negative thought patterns, empowering them to make positive behavior changes and improve their overall quality of life.  
  • 12-Step programming: 12-Step programming is based on a set of guiding principles that outline a course of action for overcoming substance abuse, maintaining recovery, and achieving personal growth.  

The average length of stay in our intensive outpatient programming is eight weeks, though the actual program duration is determined on an individual basis. We closely monitor each patient’s progress during their time in the program and adjust their care plan as needed.  

Who Can Participate in Our Intensive Outpatient Programming?

At our facility located in Mesa, Arizona, patients may enter the IOP directly or by stepping down from a higher level of care.  

In the IOP, we provide focused support for a variety of concerns, including: 

  • Anxiety 
  • Depression 
  • Bipolar disorder 
  • Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 
  • The effects of trauma 
  • Schizoaffective disorder 
  • Schizophrenia 
  • Substance use disorders 

Our intensive outpatient program may be suitable for:  

  • Individuals who are suffering from disruptive symptoms of behavioral health concerns: In our IOP, we offer group therapy sessions that can help patients learn how to cope with life’s stressors and develop skills to improve their well-being. 
  • Individuals who are battling substance use disorders: Our intensive outpatient programming provides a robust framework for substance use disorder recovery, including group counseling, 12-Step programming, and relapse prevention education. 
  • Those who require ongoing support: After completing a more intensive level of care, patients may benefit from transitioning to an IOP. This can help them gradually adjust to everyday life while still receiving professional support and guidance. 
  • Patients who need integrated care: Individuals who have a dual diagnosis may benefit from participating in our intensive outpatient program to address both conditions simultaneously. We are committed to providing our patients with comprehensive care that supports their holistic well-being. 
  • Those who have a supportive living environment: Our intensive outpatient program can be an appropriate option for patients who have a stable home life and strong support system outside of the treatment setting. 
  • Individuals who require flexibility of care: People who are unable to take extended time away from work or family may benefit from our intensive outpatient programming. Our IOP offers flexible scheduling, making it easier for patients to balance treatment with their daily lives. 

If you fit into any of these categories, our intensive outpatient program in Mesa, Arizona, might be the right treatment option for you. We accept patients on a case-by-case basis. Reach out to our admissions coordinators today to determine whether our outpatient services can meet your needs. IOP assessments are typically scheduled during business hours and can be completed virtually. 

To be admitted to our adult IOP, an individual must:  

  • Be struggling with a behavioral health concern or substance use disorder 
  • Be willing to fully engage in all parts of intensive outpatient programming  
  • Be experiencing symptoms that are impairing their ability to lead a productive life 
  • Have a stable living environment  
  • Not require round-the-clock supervision  

We are pleased to speak with prospective patients and referral sources who need more information about the services we provide. Those interested in learning about our IOP can reach out to the team at our outpatient location by calling 505-531-0818 

Learn More About Our Mesa, Arizona, Intensive Outpatient Programming

Agave Ridge Behavioral Hospital is a leader in providing high-quality care, exceptional customer service, and a positive experience for the patients we treat. To learn more about our services and how we are setting the standard for clinically excellent care, contact our team today. We look forward to helping you take the first brave step toward the bright future you deserve.  

This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Agave Ridge Behavioral Hospital.