What to Expect on Your First Day in IOP (and How to Prepare)

The first day in an intensive outpatient program (IOP) can feel daunting. The days leading up to it can even feel bigger than the day itself as you wonder what it’ll be like and how it’ll work for yourself or a loved one.

This guide is here to reassure you and let you know what the first day or two of IOP will be like and how to prepare. In short, your first day is going to be geared towards setting you up for success throughout the program. There may be a bit of paperwork to get started, but then there’ll be a warm check-in with the team, and an easy introduction to the group. 

Below, we’ll walk through how to get ready and what actually happens once you arrive in more detail. 

How Do You Prepare for Your First Day of IOP?

The good news is there’s not much you have to do to get ready, though a few things to consider include:

• Clothing: Clothes that you feel comfortable in and maybe bring a layer or two you can throw on so you’re never too warm or cold.
• Medications: A list of any current medications and recent discharge records if you have them.
• Your ID and insurance card for check-in.
• A notebook or a notes app, if you like to write things down (this is optional).

At our Culver City center, you can travel light, we have water, coffee and snacks out all day, and parking is free.

Ahead of your first day you may also need to sort out your work school, or childcare around the IOP schedule. If you need time away from work, you generally don’t have to share your diagnosis with your employer. In California, an employer can ask a provider to confirm you need medical leave, but not what the condition is, so ‘a medical program’ is often all your boss needs to hear.

If you need formal leave, our admissions team can help you with the paperwork, and the half-day schedule may provide added flexibility for people who are still working or in school.

Once you have your IOP schedule, it can help to line up childcare or travel plans across the first week or two so you don’t have to think about it day-to-day.

You also don’t need to prepare anything to say before your program starts. Come as you are and if there’s anything making you feel anxious, you’re welcome to speak with our team or come for a tour before the start of your program. We also have a short “day in the life” video that shows what an ordinary day looks like before you ever walk through the door. And remember that this is your care, so it’s okay to ask to see your treatment plan and to ask questions on day one.

Is the Cost Sorted Before Day One of IOP?

Yes, the cost of your IOP should be handled during the admissions process before you start, so cost is one less thing to think about as the start of your program approaches.

When you first reach out, our admissions team runs a check with your insurance and walks you through what’s covered and what, if anything, you would pay out of pocket. We’re in-network with Blue Shield of California, Magellan, TRICARE, and TriWest, and we work with major insurers like Aetna, Anthem, and UnitedHealthcare out-of-network. If you’re out-of-network, we’ll talk through your options before you commit, so the number you hear up front is the number you can count on.

You should know where you stand financially before your first session. If you’re still unsure though, reach out to our team and we’d be happy to help.

What Happens When You Arrive on Day One?

Your first day is an intake day that’ll generally take two to three hours. The goal of day one is to help you settle in and get to know the people you’ll be working with.

When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by someone on our team to help you check in and work through any required forms (like consent and confidentiality forms). Then, we’ll do a short assessment of your history and what you’re hoping to work on during the program so that your care can be shaped around you.

After that, someone walks you through how the days are structured and answers any questions you have. You’ll also meet your treatment team, including your primary therapist and the group facilitators, and you’ll meet the other people in your group.

One thing people mention again and again is how the space feels. We built the environment on purpose to feel warm and human rather than clinical. Our Culver City center is designed for you to settle in and feel comfortable in from the first session.

What Does a Typical Day in IOP Look Like?

Once the intake process is complete, the program will settle into a steady rhythm. A day usually runs about three hours, and most days follow a similar shape:

• You arrive for the day and do a quick check-in, where people share how they’re doing that day.
• A facilitator opens a group session around a topic or a skill, and the group works through it together.
• There’s a break, with coffee and snacks, to catch your breath.
• Then a second group session, or a one-on-one with your therapist, or a psychiatry or medical follow-up.
• The day closes with a short round to name one thing you’re taking into your evening.

Generally, IOP will run three to five days per week, Monday through Friday. Sessions usually take place on mornings or afternoons, and the program is designed to fit around work, classes, and other commitments.

You also won’t spend all day talking. Alongside group therapy and skill-building, there are creative sessions like art, music, and yoga available. These sessions are included to help you connect with your body.

The structured feel is by design. A steady routine generally helps the nervous system settle and when your days are predictable, your brain can stop bracing and start to stabilize. 

Is IOP One-on-One or Group Therapy?

When people think of therapy, most picture the version they’ve seen on TV. Sitting on a couch and talking to a therapist, that’s part of it. But IOP is based on group therapy where a small group sits together in a room, with a licensed facilitator guiding the conversation.

Group therapy is proven to be effective, and offers a safe space for honest discussion. The facilitator is there to guide conversation, help everyone feel heard, and share practical skills throughout the session.

One thing  that’s good for a lot of people to hear before their first day of IOP is that you don’t have to sit and talk all day. Listening is just fine too, and plenty of people spend their first day or two mostly listening and getting comfortable with the program.

What surprises people is how much the listening helps. Hearing someone else put words to how they feel can help us to understand how we’re feeling too.

The sessions IOP is based around are rooted in real life, too. So sessions might be about topics like building healthier relationships or handling a difficult workplace.

What’s Expected of You in IOP?

IOP can only work if you’re present. So consistent attendance throughout the program matters. The routine is what makes the skills and learnings stick and helps you to progress towards what you’re hoping to achieve.

And when you’re in a session, try to be in it. Phones go away so the group has your attention and you have theirs.

Another thing to note is that what’s shared in group stays in group. Everyone agrees to it, and it’s what makes honesty possible in the first place. Beyond that, the ask is simple. Show up, and be as open as you can manage, with no pressure to perform or to share before you’re ready.

Day One is Designed to Ease You In

Starting anything new can feel overwhelming and daunting. But hopefully this guide will help you to feel more confident and comfortable ahead of your first day. 

Day one of IOP at Los Angeles Outpatient Center is designed to ease you into the process. You show up, get any needed forms signed, meet a few people, and start getting into the routine of the program.

Underneath all of it, people are at the heart of any IOP, and our team is here because they genuinely care. Compassion and respect aren’t poster words for us, they’re how we approach everything. 

If you’re weighing whether an IOP is your next step, we’d be glad to talk it through. We run a CARF-accredited PHP and IOP here in Culver City — call our admissions team at 888-293-3205 or fill out the form on our site, and we’ll check your coverage and walk you through what your first day would actually look like, with no pressure either way.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I bring on my first day of IOP? 

You don’t need to bring a lot with you. Above all else, try to wear clothing you’ll be comfortable to sit in for a few hours as well as bringing your ID and insurance card for check-in and a list of your current medications. At Los Angeles Outpatient Center, food, coffee, and parking are taken care of.

How many hours is IOP each day?

IOP usually runs about three hours a day, three to five days a week. Your first day may run a little longer due to the intake and orientation.

Will I have to talk in group therapy on the first day? 

You’ll never feel pressured to speak in group therapy. You’re welcome to sit and listen in during the first few sessions and can join conversations when you feel comfortable and settled in. 

Many people do exactly that for the first day or two, and no one will push you to do more.

Can I use my phone during the program?

During IOP sessions, phones should ideally go away so everyone can stay present and engaged in the discussions. You’ll have breaks through the day to check messages, step outside, and handle anything that needs you.