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Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) NJ
Recovery shouldn’t cost you your career, your education, or your role in the family.
For many individuals struggling with substance use, the idea of leaving home for 30 days to attend inpatient rehab is simply not an option. You may have a job you cannot leave, children who rely on you, or you may have already completed residential treatment and need a structured safety net as you transition back into society.
At Preferred Behavioral Health Group, our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in Ocean County provides a clinically robust bridge between standard therapy and inpatient rehab. We offer the structure you need to achieve sobriety while allowing you to sleep in your own bed and maintain your daily responsibilities.
Balancing Recovery with Real Life
Our IOP is designed for the “real world.” It allows you to receive high-level clinical care without pausing your life.
- Structure: Clients typically engage in 9–19 hours of weekly therapy. This provides enough intensity to treat addiction effectively while leaving time for work and family.
- Stepping Down or Stepping Up: This program serves as an ideal "step down" for those leaving residential detox, or a "step up" for those where standard weekly counseling is no longer sufficient.
- Home-Based Healing: Unlike residential treatment, you return home every night. This allows you to immediately apply the coping skills learned in treatment to your real-world environment.
Flexible Scheduling: Evening & Virtual Tracks
We understand that you have obligations to your employer and your family. That is why our IOP offers flexible scheduling designed to protect your livelihood.
- Evening Tracks: Our "3 nights per week" structure allows professionals to complete a full work day before attending treatment.
- Hybrid & Virtual Options: For those with transportation barriers or tight schedules, we offer virtual intensive outpatient program options to ensure you never miss a session.
- Convenient Locations: In-person sessions are available at our Lakewood, Toms River, and Barnegat facilities, serving the greater Ocean County community.
Clinical Excellence: Trauma-Informed & MAT Support
At PBHG, you are not just joining a support group; you are entering a medical-grade treatment environment staffed by a long-tenured clinical team. We focus on treating the underlying causes of addiction, not just the symptoms.
- Trauma-Informed Care: We utilize evidence-based therapies to address the trauma that often drives substance use.
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): For clients who require it, our IOP coordinates seamlessly with our Medication Assisted Treatment program to manage cravings and ensure physiological stability.
- Safety & Accountability: Regular drug screenings provide a safety net, helping to ensure accountability throughout your recovery journey.
Beyond Therapy: Employment & Vocational Support
One of the greatest stressors in recovery is financial stability. Unlike many other programs, PBHG actively helps you secure and maintain employment while you are in treatment. We believe that meaningful work is a pillar of sustained sobriety.
- Supported Employment: Job readiness, placement, and ongoing support to help individuals secure and maintain meaningful employment.
- Supported Education: Assistance with returning to school, vocational training, or completing educational goals.
- Career & Re-Entry Support: Resume assistance, guidance navigating the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), and specialized support for individuals with legal involvement re-entering the workforce.
What to Expect: Group & Individual Therapy
Recovery is not one-size-fits-all. Your treatment plan is individualized based on your specific history, triggers, and goals.
Small Group Sizes
We keep groups intimate to ensure a safe, trusting environment where peers support one another.
Individual Attention
In addition to group processing, you will have one-on-one sessions with your primary counselor.
Progress-Based Duration
We do not believe in cookie-cutter timelines. The duration of your time in IOP depends on your clinical progress, not just insurance caps.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
You don’t have to wait to get support. If you or a loved one needs structured addiction treatment that fits real life, we’re here to help.
Contact us today to learn more or begin the intake process.