Behavioral health

Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program

A virtual group therapy model that removes barriers to access.

UCHealth launched its Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in 2022, to improve patient access to specialized behavioral health care. The goal is to ensure vulnerable Coloradans continue to receive high-level therapy and support, no matter where they live.

The virtual IOP provides intensive treatment for Coloradans who are struggling with life issues that are interfering with work, school or daily living. Their mental health challenges might include depression, PTSD, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, substance use or other major illness. The program includes virtual group therapy sessions for three hours, three times per week, for six to eight weeks.

Removing barriers

Prior to the implementation of this program, patients would be seen in private, in-person therapy. The virtual group therapy model removes barriers, such as needing to travel a long distance from home multiple times per week, and increases access to what can be life-saving treatments, especially in rural parts of the state where therapy gaps exist.

Currently our IOP program consists of five different therapy groups. The largest one, the Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) group, is for patients who are experiencing symptoms of trauma, emotion dysregulation, challenges with relationships, symptoms of borderline personality disorder, or, at times, challenges with mood and suicidal ideation and self-harm.

Additional groups include Depression and Anxiety; Adolescent IOP; Mental Health and Substance Use; and Grief and Trauma. These groups are completely virtual and take place in the comfort of the patient’s home.