Is a Virtual IOP Right for Me?
An intensive outpatient program (IOP) gives you several hours of structured therapy each week while you live at home. It fits between weekly therapy and partial hospitalization (PHP). Our virtual IOP is designed for adults 18+ living with cancer and for the people caring for them.
What is an IOP?
An IOP is a structured mental health program that meets several days a week, usually for a few hours at a time. Most of the work happens in small therapy groups, where you learn skills and get support from people facing similar challenges. You keep living at home and can keep up with work, family and medical appointments.
Levels of mental health care, compared
| Level of care | Typical time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Outpatient therapy | About 1 hour, weekly or every other week | Symptoms you can manage with regular support |
| Intensive outpatient (IOP)Our program | Several hours, 3 days a week (our program: Mon/Wed/Fri mornings) | When weekly therapy isn't enough, but you don't need daily care |
| Partial hospitalization (PHP) | Most of the day, about 5 days a week | When you need daily, structured care but can sleep at home |
| Inpatient / residential | 24 hours a day | When you're not safe at home or need round-the-clock care |
- Level of care
- Outpatient therapy
- Typical time
- About 1 hour, weekly or every other week
- Best for
- Symptoms you can manage with regular support
- Level of care
- Intensive outpatient (IOP)Our program
- Typical time
- Several hours, 3 days a week (our program: Mon/Wed/Fri mornings)
- Best for
- When weekly therapy isn't enough, but you don't need daily care
- Level of care
- Partial hospitalization (PHP)
- Typical time
- Most of the day, about 5 days a week
- Best for
- When you need daily, structured care but can sleep at home
- Level of care
- Inpatient / residential
- Typical time
- 24 hours a day
- Best for
- When you're not safe at home or need round-the-clock care
IOP vs PHP: what's the difference?
The main difference is time. A PHP usually runs most of the day, five days a week. An IOP runs a few hours a day, about three days a week. IOP is often a "step down" after PHP or a hospital stay, or a "step up" when weekly therapy isn't enough.
Our virtual IOP may be a good fit if you:
- Are 18 or older and live in Massachusetts.
- Are living with cancer at any stage, or are the main caregiver for someone who is.
- Feel depressed, anxious, panicky, numb or overwhelmed most days.
- Can't stop thinking about scans, test results or the cancer coming back.
- Aren't sleeping, or exhaustion is affecting your mood and relationships.
- Have tried weekly therapy and need more support right now.
- Are finishing a PHP or hospital stay and want structure as you step down.
- Can join video sessions from a private space.
When a higher level of care is safer
A virtual IOP may not be enough if you:
- Are thinking about harming yourself or someone else and might act on it.
- Need medical detox from alcohol or drugs.
- Can't keep yourself safe between sessions or need 24-hour support.
- Are experiencing symptoms like severe confusion or losing touch with reality.
If this is you, please call or text 988, or go to your nearest emergency room. If you're unsure, call us at (857) 229-2852. A clinician will help you find the right level of care, even if it's not our program.
For caregivers
Caring for someone with cancer can lead to burnout, depression, anxiety and grief before a loss has happened. Caregivers who are struggling with their own mental health are IOP clients in their own right, with their own track, assessment and treatment plan. You don't need to be the patient to get care here.
Questions about fit
Virtual IOP waitlist
Let us know you’re interested.
For adults living with cancer, cancer survivors, and caregivers in Massachusetts.
Joining the waitlist does not enroll you in the program.
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.