Virtual IOP: Frequently Asked Questions
About the program
A virtual intensive outpatient program is structured mental health treatment held by live video several days a week. You get more support than weekly therapy without a hospital stay.
Adults 18+ in Massachusetts who are living with cancer at any stage, and adult caregivers of someone with cancer who are struggling with their own mental health.
Depression, anxiety, scan anxiety and fear of recurrence, trauma symptoms, insomnia and fatigue, adjustment to diagnosis, and caregiver burnout and anticipatory grief.
The program focuses on cancer-related mental health needs, including scan anxiety, treatment fatigue, changes in identity and caregiving. Founder Nina Abelowitz’s background combines oncology experience with board certification in adult and psychiatric-mental health nursing practice.
Psycho-oncology is mental health care for people affected by cancer, including patients, survivors and caregivers.
Nina Abelowitz, ANP-BC, PMHNP-BC, founded Three Rivers Mental Health. She is a dual board-certified nurse practitioner whose background includes adult medicine, oncology and psychiatry.
No. Groups are led by the clinicians listed on our IOP team page. Nina oversees the program’s clinical content.
Schedule and format
Nine hours a week. Groups meet Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.
The program runs about 4–6 weeks. Group topics rotate every 4 weeks.
Yes. New members can start any week.
Yes.
A private space, a device with a camera and microphone, and reliable internet.
Many people do. Leaders understand treatment fatigue and side effects. Check your schedule with your oncology team.
The hours will be discussed with the team and made up.
Caregivers
Yes. Caregivers who are struggling with their own mental health are IOP clients in their own right, with their own track, assessment and treatment plan.
No. Caregivers are enrolled as clients themselves.
Cost and insurance
The virtual IOP is out of network, but we work with your insurance company. We check your out-of-network benefits and bill your plan, and you pay only your copay, deductible or coinsurance.
It depends on your plan's out-of-network mental health benefits. Many PPO plans include them; many HMO plans don't. We check your benefits for you. If your plan has no out-of-network benefits, you can still join and pay out of pocket.
It depends on your insurance plan. You pay only what your plan says you owe, such as a copay, deductible or coinsurance. There’s no charge for the assessment. Call us to talk through your costs.
Getting started
Call (857) 229-2852 or join the waitlist. Details on how quickly we return calls are coming soon.
No. You can refer yourself. Providers can also refer you.
Usually within a week of your first call, after a video assessment.
PHP usually runs most of the day, five days a week. IOP runs a few hours a day, about three days a week.
Before you finish, your team plans your next step, such as weekly therapy or medication management with Three Rivers or your own provider.
Yes.
With your permission, yes. We coordinate with your oncology team.
No. If you're in crisis, call or text 988 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Yes. Our program director answers questions about the Virtual IOP by email.
Talk it through with us
Have a question about the program? Call the practice.
If you are in crisis, call or text 988, or go to your nearest emergency room.