Online IOP for College Students and Emerging Adults in MA & VT
If you are a clinician, college counseling professional, parent, family member, or emerging adult wondering whether a higher level of care may be needed, we invite you to join us for a live online information session about the Austen Riggs Online Intensive Outpatient Program. These sessions offer a practical opportunity to ask questions about how the program works, whom it may be appropriate for, and how to begin the admissions process.
Upcoming Sessions
Sessions are offered from 6:00-6:50 p.m. (Eastern) on multiple dates throughout the year. Registration is required, but there's no cost to attend. Select a date that works for you and register in advance—a Zoom link will be sent to you directly.
- July 22
- August 26
- September 23
- October 28
About These Sessions
Choosing or recommending an intensive outpatient program can raise a lot of questions. Is IOP the right level of care? How is an online program structured? What kinds of young adults tend to benefit? How does Riggs think about treatment, symptoms, relationships, and lasting change? These free online sessions are designed to help referrers, prospective patients, and families better understand the Austen Riggs Online IOP and whether it may be a good fit. Dr. Spencer Biel, Director of Online IOP, will provide an overview of the program, explain the admissions process, and answer general questions from attendees. For referrers, this is a chance to explore whether the Riggs IOP may be appropriate for a patient whose outpatient treatment is not enough, whose progress has plateaued, or who is stepping down from a higher level of care. For prospective patients and families, this is an opportunity to learn more about the program in a low-pressure setting before deciding whether to take the next step.
What We’ll Cover
Each session will include an overview of:
- Who the Online IOP is designed to help
- How the program supports college students and emerging adults
- What makes the Riggs psychodynamic team approach different
- How the program helps patients understand emotions, relationship patterns, coping, and resilience
- What the weekly schedule can look like
- Eligibility requirements for patients in Massachusetts and Vermont
- When IOP may be appropriate—and when another level of care may be needed
- How admissions, consultation, and referral work
- How Riggs can collaborate with families, referring clinicians, school counseling centers, and other treatment providers
Who is the Online IOP For?
The Riggs Online IOP is designed for college students and emerging adults, ages 18-30, who are physically located in Massachusetts or Vermont and are struggling with the academic, work, social, emotional, and relational challenges of young adulthood.
Who Leads the Sessions
Spencer Biel, PsyD—Online IOP Director
Dr. Biel brings deep experience helping individuals and families determine whether the online IOP from Riggs is the right fit—and what to expect if it is.