Intensive Outpatient (IOP) & Partial Hospitalization (PHP) in Sacramento

Real help, without the hospital stay

Recovery does not look the same for everyone. Some people want the stability of a full day of care and the comfort of sleeping at home. Others are ready to balance therapy with work or school. At Sacramento Wellness, we offer two paths that meet you where you are: Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP).

Neither option means you are left on your own. Each one gives you structure, accountability, and a team in your corner.

What PHP looks like

Think of PHP as near-inpatient care without the overnight bed. You are with us most weekdays, usually five or six, for a large part of the day. It is focused and structured. It can feel intense at first, and for many people that is exactly what is needed after detox or residential treatment.

A typical day may include:

A morning group to set goals and check in
A one-to-one session with your therapist
A visit with our medical team for medication management
Skills workshops on stress, nutrition, sleep, or mindfulness
An end-of-day huddle to plan how you will use the tools at home

You head back in the evening to your family, a sober living home, or your own apartment. It is a serious treatment, with your independence preserved.

What IOP looks like

IOP is fewer hours on site and more time in your routine. Most clients come three to five times a week for a few hours at a stretch. It is not a lightweight version of care. It simply fits better if you are working, attending classes, or caring for kids.

Many clients describe it this way: “IOP kept me accountable and still let me practice real life.” That balance matters.

PHP vs IOP: how to choose

This is everybody’s question. An honest answer depends on how steady you feel on that particular day.

Fresh out of residential care, or feeling unsteady without a set routine? PHP gives you the daily structure that keeps you on track.
If your footing feels stronger and you want room for work or classes, IOP pairs independence with regular support.

We do not guess. Our team completes a detailed intake, looks at your history and goals, and recommends the level of care that makes sense for you.

More than “stopping use”

Getting sober is one part. Recovery also means mindset, relationships, daily structure, and better ways to ride out tough moments.

Expect a mix of CBT, DBT, and motivational interviewing, along with trauma-informed care and mindfulness. The goal is simple: tools you can use when triggers show up—grounded in research and tailored to you.

We’re not here to tick a box and call it a day. We are here to help you feel strong, calm, and ready for what comes next.

Why outpatient therapy works

People often ask, “If I am not in rehab full time, will this still work?” For the right person, yes. Outpatient care lets you practice recovery in real life with a safety net around you.

Clients often point to benefits like:

Keep your job or classes while you’re in care.
Spend less than a full residential stay.
Build peer support with people facing similar struggles.
Try some coping mechanisms at personal time, and then fine-tune them with your therapist the next day.

Practice, review, rework, repeat. That’s how progress increases.

Our promise

Recovery is rarely a single leap. It is a series of steps, sometimes forward, sometimes sideways. At Sacramento Wellness, you’ll have people who listen, a plan that fits your life, and programs that treat you like a person—not a number.

Take your step

If you are wondering whether IOP or PHP is right for you, you have already taken the first step. Call us. We will walk you through insurance, schedules, and what your first day would look like.