Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for Young Adults
OCD & Anxiety Colorado’s Young Adult Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a specialized, evidence-based program for young adults ages 17 through their 30s who are struggling with OCD, anxiety disorders, and related concerns.
Our neurodivergent-affirming IOP is grounded in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and is designed for individuals who need more support and treatment intensity than traditional once-weekly outpatient therapy can provide. The program combines structured, clinician-supported treatment with opportunities to practice skills alongside peers navigating similar challenges.
Throughout our 3-hour sessions, participants engage in clinician-supported exposure practice, individualized goal setting, psychoeducation, peer connection, and process time. Treatment focuses on helping participants reduce compulsions and avoidance, increase their ability to tolerate uncertainty and discomfort, and build greater independence and engagement in the areas of life that matter to them.
Who Might Benefit From Young Adult IOP?
Young Adult IOP may be appropriate when OCD or anxiety is significantly interfering with daily functioning, independence, relationships, school, work, or other important areas of life. It may be particularly helpful for individuals who are:
Spending significant time engaging in compulsions, reassurance seeking, rumination, avoidance, or other anxiety-driven behaviors
Struggling to attend or participate consistently in college, work, or other responsibilities
Experiencing OCD or anxiety that is interfering with relationships, social connection, independence, or daily routines
Avoiding important situations, activities, responsibilities, sensations, or experiences because of anxiety or fear
Having difficulty completing exposures or making meaningful progress with once-weekly outpatient therapy
Experiencing symptoms that have continued or worsened despite outpatient treatment
Navigating major life transitions while OCD or anxiety makes it difficult to move toward greater independence
Stepping down from a higher level of care and needing continued structure, support, and frequent ERP practice
In need of a supportive peer environment where they can practice skills alongside others who understand the challenges of OCD and anxiety
Each participant also attends a weekly individual therapy session with their assigned OAC clinician, allowing treatment to be personalized around their specific symptoms, goals, strengths, and needs. Individual therapy provides additional time to develop targeted ERP goals and address challenges that may benefit from more focused attention outside of the group setting.
Additional wraparound services are also available through OAC, including family therapy, medication management, occupational therapy, and executive functioning and academic support.
Young Adult IOP meets Monday through Thursday from 4:00–7:00 PM.
With small group sizes, individualized treatment planning, frequent opportunities to practice ERP, peer connection, and a strong emphasis on applying treatment to everyday life, our Young Adult IOP helps participants build the skills and confidence needed to create meaningful, sustainable change beyond the program.
Focus on Building a Meaningful, Independent Life
Treatment is about more than reducing symptoms. We help young adults build the skills and confidence to participate more fully in the lives they want to create.
Build skills for independence, time management, decision-making, self-care, relationships, and healthy boundaries.
Practice ERP in real-life situations that matter, including school, work, dating, friendships, driving, appointments, and other everyday responsibilities.
Address avoidance, perfectionism, and anxiety that may be getting in the way of education, career goals, relationships, or independent living.
Connect treatment goals to each person’s values so progress extends beyond IOP and into everyday life.
Intensive Support That Fits Into Everyday Life
Our Young Adult IOP provides a higher level of structured support while allowing participants to remain engaged in school, work, relationships, and everyday responsibilities.
Evening programming allows participants to continue with college, work, school, and other daytime commitments.
Three days of programming each week provides increased treatment intensity and more frequent opportunities to practice ERP.
Participants can apply what they are learning directly to real-life situations between sessions.
IOP provides structured, intensive treatment while allowing young adults to continue living at home and participating in their daily lives.
Collaborative & Respectful Family Support
We recognize that young adults are building independence while families can still play an important role in supporting recovery. Our approach respects each participant’s autonomy while helping families learn how to support meaningful, lasting change.
Family therapy and parent support are available as optional services based on each young adult’s needs and preferences.
We help families recognize and reduce patterns of reassurance, accommodation, or rescuing that may unintentionally reinforce OCD and anxiety.
Parents and loved ones can learn strategies for responding with support and confidence while encouraging greater independence.
We prioritize the young adult’s autonomy, privacy, and treatment goals while thoughtfully involving family when appropriate.
Clear, Data-Informed Progress Tracking
We use ongoing assessment to understand progress, identify areas that need additional support, and help guide individualized treatment decisions.
Standardized measures, including the Y-BOCS, GAD-7, and PHQ-9, help us track changes in OCD, anxiety, and related symptoms throughout treatment.
Progress is reviewed alongside each participant’s individualized goals, functioning, and real-world changes—not symptom scores alone.
Discharge and aftercare planning begins early so participants have a clear plan for maintaining progress and continuing care after IOP, with family collaboration when appropriate.
