Virtual IOP (VIOP): flexible online care for college students and youth

Virtual Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) offer college students convenient, structured mental health treatment from home—allowing them to stay connected with their support system while balancing school and personal responsibilities.

We understand how difficult it is to watch a college student struggle with serious mental health challenges. Virtual Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) offer compassionate, effective care that’s more structured than regular therapy, while still providing the flexibility to fit around classes and daily responsibilities—supporting healing without the need for full-time hospitalization.

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What is VIOP

Benefits of VIOP

Payment Options

FAQs

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What Is a Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (VIOP)?

A Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (VIOP) is a flexible online mental health treatment option designed to fit into your college routine. It offers structured virtual therapy and support while letting you stay at home or on campus. Covered by insurance, our VIOP connects you with a care team that helps you manage your mental health without needing to attend in-person sessions—perfect if you’re looking for high-quality support in a virtual format.
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Age Range

college students and young adults ages 16-34

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Genders served

boys, girls, and LGBTQ+ youth
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Conditions treated

mental health and co-occurring issues
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Average treatment length

Treatment plans vary. Please consult an admissions counselor about your specific situation.
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Therapy time commitment

typically in the morning, early afternoon, or evening.
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Weekly commitment

3 hours per day, 4 days a week

What Are the Benefits of a Virtual IOP?

Flexibility

A Virtual IOP gives adolescents, teens, and young adults the flexibility to connect with a therapist from home to overcome behavioral health challenges like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) through a specialized Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) track, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance use.

Inclusive Psychiatry Services

School Source’s Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is inclusive of psychiatric services and medication management. We start with a thorough psychiatric evaluation to craft a tailored treatment plan for your teen or young adult. Regular follow-up visits, occurring as often as bi-weekly but at least once a month, ensure that we are continually adapting and optimizing their care. This approach allows us to provide consistent, high-quality support, making sure no stone is left unturned in their path to recovery.

Industry-Leading Therapists

Our industry-leading online therapists with backgrounds in TF-CBT, ERP, EMDR, motivational interviewing, yoga, music, art therapy and more make treatment at our Virtual IOP engaging for teens and young adults.

Measurable Results

Our therapists provide measurable outcomes that show how far young people have progressed in our virtual intensive outpatient program.

Convenience

Our secure patient portal lets your family easily access premium therapy from wherever you need us.

Accessibility

We aim to meet you where you’re at and that may be in a location that doesn’t have viable in-person treatment options. We can also serve as an option for those who prefer to be at home or are waiting to get into an in-person program. We’re here to help you navigate getting the quality care you need.

How Does School Source's Online IOP Help College Students and Young Adults Heal?

School Source’s Virtual IOP is guided by a unique treatment framework that our therapists and specialists use to help adolescents and teens struggling with issues like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Our virtual IOP programs framework helps teens heal their mental health by providing a structured approach to therapy that focuses on building commitment, fostering acceptance, creating a sense of security, and promoting empathy.

FAQs

How does ERP therapy work for OCD in a Virtual IOP? 
Online ERP Therapy is a crucial component of Embark’s Virtual IOP. With secure video conferencing and virtual tools, adolescents and teens receive evidence-based ERP therapy from their homes.
Led by highly trained therapists and specialists, the program tailors treatment to the individual needs of young people.
Through Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, teens and young adults can gradually confront fears and resist compulsions, supported by their dedicated therapist. This structured and supportive environment enables young people to challenge OCD symptoms effectively, improving their quality of life.
Virtual experiential therapy is a form of activity-based therapy that brings awareness to young people’s experiences, feelings, inner thoughts, interactions, and needs. Examples of these interactive activities include:  
  • Painting and creative arts.  
  • Sculpting.
  • Yoga and mindfulness.
  • Music therapy.  
A Virtual IOP can be a great option for adolescents, teens, young adults, or families who can benefit from the flexibility and accessibility of virtual treatment while staying at home and maintaining their daily schedule. For those who need more in-depth 24-hour care, residential treatment or inpatient hospitalization may provide a more appropriate level of care for their mental health and wellness.
Our virtual intensive outpatient programs for those struggling with mental health and substance use issues are insurance reimbursed. 
Our VIOP outcomes have been in line with similar results and efficacy as found in in-person IOP. Our virtual IOP can be very effective for: 
  • Individuals who would benefit from a Virtual IOP in the convenience of their home. 
  • Adolescents, teens, and young adults who are stepping down from a higher level of care, such as an inpatient hospitalization, or up from a lower level of care, such as weekly individual therapy. 
  • Families who feel they could benefit from online family therapy.  
  • Adolescents, teens, and young adults may feel more comfortable addressing challenges like OCD through therapies such as ERP in a flexible online environment. 
  • Those in boarding school or college who need flexibility in scheduling.
At one of our online group therapy sessions within our Virtual IOP, your adolescent, teen, or young adult will meet with peers to address mental health challenges like depression with the guidance of a therapist. Core skills taught in our online therapy sessions include mindfulness, emotion management, executive functioning, motivational interviewing, and distress tolerance, which are essential life skills for managing mental health and preparing for a successful future. These skills will help change negative thinking patterns and promote positive behavioral changes in daily life.
During an online IOP program, a psychiatrist can prescribe medications to help treat your adolescent or teen. They can also adjust dosages if needed. As your adolescent, teen, or young adult steps down from IOP, we’ll ensure you have the continued psychiatry and medication management support needed. 
During an online IOP program, a psychiatrist can prescribe medications to help treat your adolescent or teen. They can also adjust dosages if needed. As your adolescent, teen, or young adult steps down from IOP, we’ll ensure you have the continued psychiatry and medication management support needed. 
During online family therapy sessions in a Virtual IOP, our therapists and specialists will give your family insights on how to communicate effectively and address conflict caused by issues like depression. You’ll also receive tools and resources that can help your family through its healing journey.

What are my payment options for teen or young adult VIOP?

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In-network

Our virtual IOPs for teens, adolescents, and young adults accept hundreds of insurance plans in all 50 states. Our in-network insurance options also allow for seamless access to our services without having to worry about additional expenses.
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Self pay

We accept a variety of payment options, including cash, credit, check, and direct deposit, to provide you with the flexibility and convenience you need when investing in your teen or young adult’s mental health treatment.
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Out of network

Our out-of-network insurance options allow for seamless access to our services without having to worry about additional expenses.

A Continuum of Mental Health Care Offered Across the U.S.

If outpatient therapy, which includes intensive outpatient and therapeutic day treatment programs, doesn’t offer the level of care your adolescent, teen, or young adult needs, School Source Behavioral Health offers exceptional treatment and therapy options across the United States.

From virtual intensive outpatient programs to residential treatment, our robust continuum of care will provide the right level of treatment to help your child overcome difficult mental health challenges.   
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Your healing journey starts here.

Our services provide your family with affordable help, when and where you need it, at the right level of care. We also accept most insurance.
Contact us today to learn more about our programs and how they are changing teens’ lives across the U.S., helping them embrace a fulfilling and purposeful future that is free from anxiety.
Contact Us
Our Programs