Becoming an adult presents both opportunities and challenges. To help you meet those challenges, the Austen Riggs Center has created an online Intensive Outpatient Program that serves emerging adults (age 18 - 30) who are located in Massachusetts and whose struggles interfere with meeting the academic, work, social, and emotional challenges of young adulthood. We use a psychodynamic team approach, which aims to better understand your emotional experience, relationship patterns, and conflicting desires. This approach can help you become more self-aware, confident in your abilities, and capable of harnessing emotions and relationships in the service of growth and lasting change.
Designed with a flexible schedule to meet the demands of young adult life, the Riggs IOP offers:
3 hours of groups, 2-3 days/week*
Individual psychotherapy with doctoral-level therapists
Medication management and consultation
Family therapy
Partnership with other mental health resources (including school counseling centers)
*Groups focus on building a community of mutual support, discovering resilience by learning about oneself through relationships, and acquiring coping skills.
We understand how hectic your schedule can be. To meet your needs, we've created a range of time and date options to choose from.
Day 1 Monday
2-3 p.m. Resilience Through Relationships Process Group
3-4 p.m. Yoga, Mindfulness, and Meditation
4-5 p.m. Coping: Skills Within Stories
Day 2 Tuesday
Psychopharmacology (scheduled between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.)
Family Therapy (scheduled between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.)
Individual Psychotherapy (scheduled between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.)
Day 3 Wednesday
2-3 p.m. Resilience Through Relationships Process Group
3-4 p.m. Yoga, Mindfulness, and Meditation
4-5 p.m. Coping: Skills Within Stories
Day 4 Thursday
2-3 p.m. Resilience Through Relationships Process Group
3-4 p.m. Yoga, Mindfulness, and Meditation
4-5 p.m. Coping: Skills Within Stories
Day 5 Friday
Psychopharmacology (scheduled between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.)
Family Therapy (scheduled between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.)
Individual Psychotherapy (scheduled between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.)
Who is Eligible?
You must be 18-30 years old.
You must be physically located in Massachusetts while receiving IOP services.
The IOP is not for crisis stabilization or if you have an active substance use disorder. It may be appropriate if you’re struggling to remain in school or stepping down from higher levels of care and need services beyond individual outpatient treatment.
All services are via remote access (Zoom) to facilitate your ability to participate from campus or home.
I had an amazing experience with individual therapy. It definitely will inform therapy going forward. I have an understanding how a lot can be accomplished through individual therapy and establishing a treatment relationship."
- Former IOP Patient
One of my greatest areas of learning and growth was understanding where my symptoms of suppressing thoughts and emotions and stress are coming from."
- Former IOP Patient
I tried another online program, but I ended up not engaging and leaving the program. The way this program was structured–the Team, not having an overwhelming amount of people–it really felt different. Hearing the Team perspective was so helpful."
- Former IOP Patient
I don’t have suicidal ideation like I did before. It’s been way better. I feel like myself now."
- Former IOP Patient
I’ve gotten a lot better. I didn’t skip any classes this semester. I’m much more motivated."
- Former IOP Patient
I really liked that it was all remote. It was easy for me to juggle everything. There were times I had to run from class to go remote--if it was in person, I wouldn’t have been able to do it."
- Former IOP Patient
I had previously done different types of therapy, DBT, CBT but I had never done psychodynamic therapy. Getting to the root of problems was really important. It helped me feel validation in my struggles."
- Former IOP Patient
I have gotten so much better. I feel like I am now capable of going to therapy and seeing my therapist and interacting with my trauma without falling apart and getting overwhelmed. I can manage between sessions. I couldn't do that before."
- Former IOP Patient
This program probably saved my life. It was the structure, having groups to show up for. But then I got really connected to people. I've found a community in this program."
- Former IOP Patient
I had an amazing experience with individual therapy. It definitely will inform therapy going forward. I have an understanding how a lot can be accomplished through individual therapy and establishing a treatment relationship."
- Former IOP Patient
One of my greatest areas of learning and growth was understanding where my symptoms of suppressing thoughts and emotions and stress are coming from."
- Former IOP Patient
I tried another online program, but I ended up not engaging and leaving the program. The way this program was structured–the Team, not having an overwhelming amount of people–it really felt different. Hearing the Team perspective was so helpful."
- Former IOP Patient
I don’t have suicidal ideation like I did before. It’s been way better. I feel like myself now."
- Former IOP Patient
I’ve gotten a lot better. I didn’t skip any classes this semester. I’m much more motivated."
- Former IOP Patient
I really liked that it was all remote. It was easy for me to juggle everything. There were times I had to run from class to go remote--if it was in person, I wouldn’t have been able to do it."
- Former IOP Patient
I had previously done different types of therapy, DBT, CBT but I had never done psychodynamic therapy. Getting to the root of problems was really important. It helped me feel validation in my struggles."
- Former IOP Patient
I have gotten so much better. I feel like I am now capable of going to therapy and seeing my therapist and interacting with my trauma without falling apart and getting overwhelmed. I can manage between sessions. I couldn't do that before."
- Former IOP Patient
This program probably saved my life. It was the structure, having groups to show up for. But then I got really connected to people. I've found a community in this program."
- Former IOP Patient
I had an amazing experience with individual therapy. It definitely will inform therapy going forward. I have an understanding how a lot can be accomplished through individual therapy and establishing a treatment relationship."
- Former IOP Patient
One of my greatest areas of learning and growth was understanding where my symptoms of suppressing thoughts and emotions and stress are coming from."
- Former IOP Patient
I tried another online program, but I ended up not engaging and leaving the program. The way this program was structured–the Team, not having an overwhelming amount of people–it really felt different. Hearing the Team perspective was so helpful."
- Former IOP Patient
I don’t have suicidal ideation like I did before. It’s been way better. I feel like myself now."
- Former IOP Patient
I’ve gotten a lot better. I didn’t skip any classes this semester. I’m much more motivated."
- Former IOP Patient
I really liked that it was all remote. It was easy for me to juggle everything. There were times I had to run from class to go remote--if it was in person, I wouldn’t have been able to do it."
- Former IOP Patient
I had previously done different types of therapy, DBT, CBT but I had never done psychodynamic therapy. Getting to the root of problems was really important. It helped me feel validation in my struggles."
- Former IOP Patient
I have gotten so much better. I feel like I am now capable of going to therapy and seeing my therapist and interacting with my trauma without falling apart and getting overwhelmed. I can manage between sessions. I couldn't do that before."
- Former IOP Patient
This program probably saved my life. It was the structure, having groups to show up for. But then I got really connected to people. I've found a community in this program."
- Former IOP Patient
Start the Admission Process
To learn more about the Austen Riggs Center Online Intensive Outpatient Program for College Students and Emerging Adults or to begin the admission process, please contact our admissions team