Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in Sacramento, CA

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Accredited By

Accredited by California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)

Sacramento Wellness offers an intensive outpatient program for adults seeking recovery from addiction. You can attend therapy sessions 3 to 5 days a week while living at home. Our IOP program includes group therapy, individual counseling, and relapse prevention skills at a private location in Sacramento. Call us (877) 359-6760 to find out if this program is right for you.

Outpatient Addiction Treatment for Adults in Sacramento

Adults across Sacramento choose our addiction treatment program because it fits into real life. You can keep your job, go to school, and stay with your family while getting help for substance abuse or mental health issues. Sacramento Wellness provides 9 to 12 hours of therapy each week. Sessions are available in the morning or afternoon.

Our intensive outpatient program is different from residential treatment. You learn recovery skills during therapy and practice them at home. You can also work the same day. This balance helps you build lasting sobriety in your everyday life.

We protect your privacy from the moment you arrive until you leave. Our whole-person approach addresses your mental, physical, and emotional health together.

Outpatient Addiction Treatment for Adults in Sacramento

PHP Near Me in Sacramento

Sacramento Wellness is located conveniently in Sacramento, with parking and public transit options to make recovery easier.

We serve adults throughout Sacramento County. Our proximity makes it easy for families to reach us and makes attending 5 days a week more convenient.

What is an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)?

An intensive outpatient treatment program gives you more support than weekly therapy, but less than full-time residential care. You attend 3 to 5 days a week, usually for three hours each day. Most programs last 8 to 12 weeks, though some people continue longer depending on their needs.

IOP services include individual therapy, group therapy, and education about addiction recovery. You learn how to cope with cravings, manage stress at work, and improve communication with your family. This structure helps you build new habits while managing daily responsibilities, such as work, school, or parenting.

Who Benefits from an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)?

The IOP program is best for adults with moderate substance use disorder who do not need 24-hour medical care. You may have finished detox or moved down from a partial hospitalization program. If you still drink or use drugs on weekends and it affects your work or family, an outpatient program can give you support. You can stay at home while getting help.

Who Benefits from an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

IOP is also a good fit for adults who have both addiction and other issues like depression, anxiety, or trauma. If weekly counseling has not helped you stop using, more intensive outpatient care may be more effective. Getting the right level of treatment can make the difference between lasting recovery and relapse.

Here are the groups who get the most benefit from IOP:

  • Adults with alcohol or drug misuse already stabilized from withdrawal symptoms.
  • People caught in binge use patterns that damage work or interpersonal relationships.
  • Adults with anxiety, depression, or PTSD, along with substance abuse
  • Professionals who want private treatment.
  • Parents or partners rebuilding family trust and communication after addiction.
  • People who tried outpatient therapy alone and still feel stuck or at risk

Our Outpatient Program Approach for Long-Term Recovery

At Sacramento Wellness, each treatment plan is based on therapies supported by research. Our intensive outpatient program combines group therapy, individual counseling, and life skills training. We check your progress often and adjust your plan as you move forward.

Having structure helps create stability in early recovery. We focus on the whole person, treating mental health issues along with addiction. If you need more support, we can help arrange residential treatment or detox. As you make progress, we plan your transition to ongoing care after IOP.

Therapeutic Modalities

Our IOP includes individual counseling to help you work through personal trauma and set goals. Group therapy connects you with others facing similar challenges. If cravings or withdrawal symptoms are strong, we coordinate Medication-Assisted Treatment with our prescribing partners. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps you change unhelpful thoughts. DBT skills teach you how to manage emotions and stress.

Relapse Prevention and Life Skills

Each session gives you tools you can use after treatment. You learn to identify personal triggers, such as stress, certain people, or specific places. We teach skills like managing cravings, setting boundaries, and handling situations with people who still use substances. Good sleep habits, stress management, and planning safe social activities become part of your routine. These skills help protect your long-term recovery from addiction.

Family Involvement

At Sacramento Wellness, we invite your loved ones to join family therapy sessions. These sessions focus on rebuilding trust, improving communication, and setting healthy boundaries at home.

We also provide education about substance use disorder and mental health, so your family understands what you are going through. Participation is encouraged but never required.

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Testimonials

Recovery Stories from Our Clients

What We Treat in the Outpatient Program at Sacramento Wellness

Our intensive outpatient program treats both substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions for Sacramento residents. We help with alcohol, opioids, stimulants, and other substances. From the first day, we also address anxiety, depression, trauma, and related emotional concerns. Our team brings everything together into a single integrated treatment plan.

What We Treat in the Outpatient Program at Sacramento Wellness
Alcohol Use Disorder

Adults who drink more than they intend or cannot stop despite consequences can get help here. We focus on building safer habits, managing cravings, and repairing relationships at work or home. If you need medical detox before starting IOP, we will connect you with the right alcohol rehab or detox facility first.

Prescription pain pills, heroin, and fentanyl can cause serious physical dependence. Our team provides education about overdose and harm reduction. We also work with prescribing providers to offer Medication-Assisted Treatment with buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone when it supports your recovery.

Methamphetamine and cocaine can cause mood swings, sleep problems, and risky behavior. We use therapy to help you change thinking patterns and improve impulse control. During treatment, we pay special attention to triggers. These include nightlife, online contacts, or stressful work environments.

Dual diagnosis treatment addresses mental health and addiction together in one plan. Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and mood disorders often occur with substance use. We work with psychiatrists when medication can help stabilize your symptoms. We see you as a whole person, not just a diagnosis.

IOP Hours and Weekly Program Structure

Most people attend our IOP for 3 or 4 days each week. Sessions last about 3 hours each day. Morning and late afternoon blocks let you choose times that fit around jobs, parenting, or school. An average IOP program runs 8 to 12 weeks, but duration depends on your recovery journey. As you make progress, we reduce intensity. We then plan your step-down to regular outpatient treatment.

Each week includes a mix of services to avoid repeating the same activities every day. Group therapy offers peer support and accountability. Individual therapy helps you work on personal goals and trauma. Skills groups teach coping strategies you can use at home. We explain all time commitments before you begin, so you can plan your schedule.

A typical week looks like this:

  • 3 days of group therapy sessions (about 2 hours each).
  • 1 individual therapy session (50 to 60 minutes).
  • 1 family therapy session as needed.
  • Optional phone support between visits.

What You Can Expect Each Week in Our Sacramento IOP

When you join our intensive outpatient program, each week follows a calm routine. You will see the same therapists and group members. Private rooms keep your conversations confidential. Sessions build on each other, so your skills grow over time. The supportive environment quickly feels familiar.

Individual Therapy

Your one-on-one sessions with a therapist focus on topics that are too personal for group discussion. You work on trauma, set recovery goals, and review your relapse prevention plan. Your therapist helps break big problems into small, manageable steps. Between sessions, you practice new skills at home and at work.

Group Therapy

Group therapy connects you with 8 to 12 other adults facing substance abuse or mental health struggles. A trained therapist leads each session. You share experiences, hear how others handle cravings. This community support reduces isolation that feeds addiction. Topics include triggers, relationships, work stress, and building a sober life.

Therapy and Skills Groups

Skills groups help you put what you learn into action. You practice grounding exercises, challenging unhelpful thoughts, and naming your emotions. Problem-solving and communication practice prepare you for difficult conversations at home or work. Worksheets, role plays, and short exercises keep learning active. These coping strategies become tools to use during cravings or stressful times.

Medication Support When Needed

Some people benefit from psychiatric services or Medication-Assisted Treatment for addiction. Sacramento Wellness works with prescribing providers for medications that reduce cravings, ease withdrawal, or stabilize mood. We monitor side effects and check your progress regularly. Medication is used alongside therapy, not as a replacement for counseling.

Addiction Rehab Facility Tour

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How We Help Through Therapy and Counseling

Counseling at Sacramento Wellness helps you explore your thoughts, emotions, physical signals, and daily choices. Therapists help you notice patterns that lead to substance use. You can talk about your recent days, cravings, and stress in a private space with someone who listens.

During sessions, you practice grounding exercises, challenge unhelpful thoughts, and identify your emotions. Together, we plan for safer choices on evenings, weekends, and in high-risk situations. Building these skills helps you turn ideas into actions you can use at work, home, or social events.

How We Help Through Therapy and Counseling

Trauma-informed treatment helps you work through shame, grief, and broken trust with yourself and others. We focus on setting healthy boundaries and rebuilding self-esteem that may have been hurt by addiction. Healing takes time, but each session helps you move forward.

Counseling focus areas include:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to change unhelpful thoughts and habits.
  • DBT skills for emotion regulation and distress tolerance.
  • Relapse prevention planning and early warning sign tracking.
  • Communication and boundary skills for family and work.
  • Stress and anxiety management are linked to recovery goals.
  • Trauma processing in a safe, compassionate space.

Dual Diagnosis Support During IOP Care

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Dual diagnosis means treating mental health conditions and substance use together in one plan. Many adults who drink too much also have depression. People who use stimulants often struggle with anxiety. Those with opioid use disorder may have a history of trauma. Our team addresses both issues at the same time, because treating only one can lead to relapse.

We work with psychiatrists when medication can help stabilize mood or anxiety symptoms. Individual and group therapy sessions cover topics like mood swings, intrusive memories, and sleep problems. Our approach treats you as a whole person, focusing on your daily life and long-term stability, not just a label.

Aftercare and Ongoing Support After IOP

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We start planning for your recovery before you finish IOP. Together, we create a written relapse prevention plan with crisis contacts and a schedule for your next steps. You leave with a clear plan for the weeks and months ahead.

After IOP, you can step down to weekly outpatient treatment, join alumni groups, or have virtual check-in calls. Many people continue care at Sacramento Wellness, while others connect with outside therapists depending on their needs.

We connect you to community support throughout Sacramento. Peer recovery meetings, sober activities, and primary care providers become part of your ongoing recovery network. IOP may end, but your support continues.

We Accept Most Insurances

Your recovery should never wait because of coverage questions. Call us to verify your benefits today.

Why Choose Sacramento Wellness for Outpatient Addiction Treatment

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Sacramento Wellness offers a private, calming space for adults seeking an intensive outpatient program in Sacramento. We use evidence-based therapies, treat the whole person, and respect your dignity at every step. Our approach is tailored to what works best for you.

Evidence-Based, Whole-Person Approach

Our therapists use treatments supported by clinical research. CBT, DBT skills, and trauma-informed methods address your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors together. We combine mental health and substance abuse treatment in one integrated plan. Each session focuses on helping you function better at work, at home, and in your relationships.

Calm, Private Environment

Our office feels quiet and safe the moment you arrive. Small groups and private therapy rooms protect your confidentiality. Our staff greet you warmly and never rush you. The relaxed pace lets you focus on recovery without the crowded, clinical atmosphere of a hospital.

Right Level of Treatment

We help you find the right treatment, even if it is not with us. If you need detox or residential care first, we connect you with those services. If a lighter outpatient program is better, we recommend that instead. We always have honest conversations, never sales pressure.

Local Sacramento Roots and Accountability

Sacramento Wellness is part of this community. Our team understands local employers, schools, and families. With your consent, we coordinate your care with nearby hospitals and doctors. We serve Sacramento Valley families and professionals, not a distant corporation.

Our Team

  • Charles Van Leuven
    Charles Van Leuven
    Executive Director
  • Chris Sharghi
    Chris Sharghi
    Program Director
  • Dr. Christian Small
    Dr. Christian Small
    Medical Director

Areas We Serve in and Around Sacramento

Adults from neighborhoods all over the Sacramento Valley come to our IOP. Some want privacy and choose treatment outside their immediate area. Others live nearby and appreciate a short commute. Our location offers easy access from central Sacramento and nearby communities.

Areas We Serve in and Around Sacramento

Major roads like Highway 50, I-80, and Highway 99 make it easy to reach our office. Free parking and a discreet entrance help you feel comfortable when you arrive and leave. We serve working adults, parents, and students from across the region.

  • Sacramento
  • Midtown Sacramento
  • East Sacramento
  • Arden-Arcade
  • Carmichael
  • Fair Oaks
  • Rancho Cordova
  • Citrus Heights
  • Elk Grove
  • Folsom
  • Roseville
  • West Sacramento

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does IOP last at Sacramento Wellness?

Most adults attend our program for 8 to 12 weeks. Duration depends on your treatment plan, progress, and recovery needs. Some people complete faster. Others continue longer based on clinical recommendations. We review your situation regularly and adjust the timeline together.

IOP works best after acute withdrawal ends. If you drink heavily or use opioids daily, you may need medical detox first. We assess your situation during intake and connect you with detox services when needed. Starting IOP at the right time protects your safety.

Yes. Our schedule includes morning and afternoon sessions so you can balance IOP with work, college, or family commitments. Most adults keep working while in treatment. The time commitment runs about 9 to 12 hours per week across 3 or 4 days.

Life creates conflicts sometimes. Missing 1 session does not end your treatment. Contact us as soon as you become aware of a conflict. We work with you to reschedule or plan how to stay on track. Consistent attendance supports your recovery, and we help you stay consistent.

Most major insurance plans cover intensive outpatient treatment for addiction and mental health. Call us with your insurance information, and we verify your benefits before you start. We also discuss payment options if you have out-of-pocket costs.

Federal HIPAA laws and California state rules protect your health information. We do not share records without your written permission. Our private office, confidential sessions, and careful policies keep your treatment between you and your clinical team.

Some people discover they need residential treatment or partial hospitalization after starting IOP. We monitor your progress and have honest conversations about your needs. If a higher level works better, we help you transfer to the right program without judgment.

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Charles Van Leuven
Executive Director

Charles Van Leuven is a mission-driven behavioral health entrepreneur and operator with over 12 years of frontline and executive leadership in addiction recovery, mental health, transport logistics, and residential treatment. He is the Co-Founder of Valor Behavioral Health, a 56-bed treatment center dedicated to comprehensive, client-centered care, and the Founder & CEO of National Treatment Transport, one of the nation’s most trusted adolescent transport services, known for safety, professionalism, and discretion.

Charles began his career in the Bay Area, providing direct care services to individuals and families navigating addiction. He went on to found Independence Recovery Coaching, delivering custom detox coordination, sober companionship, and intervention services. As a Founding Board Member of AMATS (Association of Mediation and Transport Services), he continues to lead industry-wide efforts to elevate safety, ethics, and training in adolescent transport.

He holds a Healthcare Management certificate from Cornell University and is a Nationally Certified Recovery Coach II. Across all of his ventures, Charles has supported thousands of families in navigating recovery, placement, and life-saving transitions with care, clarity, and integrity.

Chris Sharghi
Program Director

As the Program Director at Sacramento Wellness, Chris brings not only professional expertise, but also a deeply personal understanding of the journey to recovery. Being a certified alcohol and drug counselor, Chris has experience across all levels of care in the addiction treatment field. His path to recovery has instilled in him a profound empathy and a unique insight into the challenges and triumphs our clients face. Chris is deeply passionate about guiding others on their journey to wellness, driven by the belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to lead a fulfilling, substance free life. His commitment is to provide compassionate, evidence-based care and to empower each client with the tools and support needed for lasting recovery.

Dr. Christian Small
Medical Director

Dr. Small received his medical degree at the University of Hawaii. He completed his medical residency in Psychiatry and Family Medicine at UCSD. He is board certified in Psychiatry, Addiction Medicine, and Family Medicine. Dr. Small is passionate about bringing quality care to patients suffering with addiction.

Education:
University of Hawaii Burns school of medicine, FS3192995 ISSUE DATE 1/29/24