Online IOP for College Students and Emerging Adults in MA & VT
Frequently Asked Questions - IOP
Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Austen Riggs Center Intensive Outpatient Program.
Who is this program for?
The Intensive Outpatient Program is designed for college and graduate students and other emerging adults, ages 18-30, who reside in Massachusetts or Vermont.
Due to licensing restrictions, all IOP patients must be physically located in Massachusetts or Vermont while receiving treatment. This program is not appropriate for people struggling with active addiction or who have a high risk for taking imminent suicidal action.
What if I’m enrolled in school but on medical leave?
You may still participate in the program as long as you are physically located in Massachusetts or Vermont during treatment. Many people have participated in the IOP while on medical leave and found that treatment helped them return to school, work, and other important parts of their lives.
Can I participate in the IOP while taking classes?
Yes. Some students reduce their course load while participating in the IOP, while others maintain some or all of their courseload. The program is designed to support your continued engagement in life, including school, work, relationships, and other commitments.
Because the program is online, you do not have to spend additional time commuting to and from appointments.
How many hours per week does the program require?
The IOP provides approximately 9-12 hours of treatment per week, spaced out over five days (Monday-Friday). This level of intensity helps concentrate and often accelerate learning and change. You can view a sample schedule with specific program offerings on our main Online IOP page.
How does remote treatment work, and is it secure?
All individual and group sessions take place online through a HIPAA-compliant video platform, ensuring your privacy and security. You can access sessions through a link provided to your email.
Does the online IOP treatment work?
Patients consistently report benefits from our online IOP treatment along with significant reductions in symptoms. View specific outcomes information and former patient testimonials here.
Is the IOP a step-down from Riggs residential treatment?
The IOP can provide a useful transition to or from Riggs residential treatment, but prior treatment at Riggs is not required to participate.
Does the program run year-round?
Yes. The program runs year-round, including over holiday breaks, and offers rolling admission so that treatment can begin when you need it most.
Because patients must be physically located in Massachusetts or Vermont while participating, students or young adults who travel out of state for school breaks, vacations, or other reasons cannot participate in the program while they are outside of Massachusetts or Vermont.
How long does treatment usually last?
Treatment duration is determined based on each patient’s goals and clinical assessments.
The minimum length of treatment is six weeks. This provides enough time for a thorough assessment and gives patients a chance to settle into the program and benefit from their involvement.
The average length of treatment is about three months. Many people find that they begin learning about themselves in new ways and want to deepen that understanding so they can feel more confident and thrive after discharge, rather than focusing only on short-term stabilization.
Does the IOP work with my school’s counseling center?
Yes. With patient authorization, the IOP works closely with school counseling centers, with patient authorization, to support continuity of care and help patients remain connected to their lives as students on campus.
Does my family need to be involved in my treatment?
Family involvement only occurs with patient authorization. It is not required, but involving family members can sometimes be helpful, particularly around insurance coverage, treatment expenses, and practical support.
Some patients also find periodic family meetings helpful as an additional source of support and as an opportunity to clarify and address their struggles.
Do you accept insurance?
We are in-network with Cigna (Wellfleet) / Evernorth, Carelon (Wellpoint), Point32Health, Harvard Pilgrim, and Tufts Health Plan, and out-of-network with all other providers.
For out-of-network patients, we work with your insurance company to help you receive the coverage you are entitled to under your specific plan. Before you begin treatment, we will verify your insurance coverage and share this information with you.
Is financial assistance available?
Yes. The program offers need-based assistance to help make high-quality care accessible. The daily rate reflects the full cost of service, but depending on your financial situation—including income, household size, and insurance coverage—you may be eligible for a reduced rate. View detailed information about online IOP treatment costs here.
We will review your information confidentially and free of charge, and let you know your personalized rate before you commit to treatment.
If we verify that you do not have insurance coverage for treatment, you may be eligible for the Harold Grinspoon IOP Patient Aid Fund.
Are there deadlines to apply for admission?
No. The program admits on a rolling basis, meaning we review your application when it comes in.
How do I contact the IOP?
You can call 833.921.5700, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Eastern, email us at IOP admissions@austenriggs.hush.com or use the online contact form.
Online IOP Blogs & News
News
What Is Trauma?
July 9, 2026
Online IOP social worker Miriam Desgazon, MSW, LICSW, explains that trauma isn't defined by the event itself but by its lasting emotional and psychological impact on a person, distinguishing between overwhelming "Big T" traumas and cumulative "small t" traumas.
News
Why Do I Feel Empty When My Life Looks Fine?
June 30, 2026
Feeling empty even when life looks good? Austen Riggs psychiatrist Dr. Erin Seery explores why high-achieving students experience numbness, and what the transition into emerging adulthood has to do with it.
News