Youth IOP Programs in Boston
Consistent, compassionate care for teens — and peace of mind for their families
You and your teen have already faced a lot.
Maybe your teen is stepping down from PHP or struggling with depression, anxiety, or ADHD symptoms that make school, family, and daily life feel impossible. Most of all, you know this isn’t something they can just “grow out of.”
What your teen needs is a structured, supportive program that helps your teen get the care they need while still enjoying and experiencing this special time in their life—and building skills that last a lifetime.
Our youth IOP in Boston helps bridge the gap by providing consistent support, community, and space to heal—without disrupting your teen’s education or family life.
At Direction Behavioral Health, licensed professionals combine expert care with a Wholeistic approach, supporting your teen and family every step of the way toward lasting wellness.
Why Boston Teens Need Behavioral Health Support
You’re not alone in facing these challenges. Many teens in Boston—and across the U.S.—face mental health challenges that affect their daily lives. According to CDC research, nearly 20% of U.S. high school students report feeling persistently sad or hopeless enough to disrupt their daily lives. Symptoms of depression are especially common among female students (53%) and LGBTQ+ youth (65%).
Anxiety affects nearly 1 in 12 children and 1 in 4 adolescents in the U.S., including social anxiety, specific phobias, and generalized anxiety disorder (American Family Physician Journal).
ADHD is diagnosed in boys about two to three times more often than in girls, according to research from the National Institutes of Health. In teen males, symptoms like hyperactivity and impulsivity can significantly impact academic performance, social relationships, and emotional health.
These challenges are real—but compassionate, youth behavioral health support in Boston is available to help your teen through this.
A Closer Look at Depression and Emotional Health
Boston teens face unique pressures—from school to social media—that impact their emotional well-being.
Direction Behavioral Health’s youth IOP programs provide consistent care designed to fit your teen’s life, supporting healing while keeping them connected to school, family, and friends.
We’ve treated adolescents with:
IOP vs. PHP: What's the Difference?
Both IOP and PHP offer structured mental health support, but the intensity and time commitment are different.
- PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program) runs during the day, often five days a week. It’s the most intensive outpatient option and typically replaces school during treatment.
- IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) takes place after school, three to five days a week. Teens stay enrolled in school and sleep at home.
At Direction Behavioral, all of our teens start with our PHP. Then, as they progress, they step down from our PHP to our IOP.
What Is a Youth IOP Program?
A Youth Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a structured, short-term mental health service for teens who need more support than weekly therapy—but not 24/7 care. It’s often the next step after a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), or a helpful bridge when symptoms become too much to manage at home alone.
Our youth IOP near Boston helps teens work through depression, anxiety, ADHD, and emotional dysregulation—while staying rooted in school, family, and everyday life.
What Makes Our Boston IOP Different?
Our program blends expert clinical care with activities that nurture the whole teen—mind, body, and creativity.
Teens start with our PHP program, and are given the foundational care they need to "step down" to our IOP. Then, in our IOP, they attend programming after school, typically 3 to 5 days a week for several hours each day. This allows them to maintain their education, spend time with loved ones, and participate in the activities that make them feel like themselves.
Each day includes:
- Individual therapy with a licensed clinician
- Group therapy sessions focused on emotional regulation and peer connection
- Creative therapies like art and music to support self-expression
- Movement-based activities such as yoga, hiking, or basketball to reduce stress and build confidence
- Medication management, if needed, overseen by our clinical team
Backed by licensed professionals and our Wholeistic model, our Boston IOP is structured helps teens make real progress, without pulling them away from what matters most.
What Teens and Families Can Expect
Grounded in our Wholeistic approach, the youth IOP supports the whole teen—not just their diagnosis—through emotional care, creative outlets, movement, and connection.
A Typical Afternoon in IOP
Teens arrive after school and step into a supportive, structured routine.. They’ll begin with group or individual therapy, where they can build emotional skills, talk through challenges, and connect with others who share similar experiences of being a teen living with depression, anxiety, or ADHD.
Creative outlets like art and music give teens new ways to express feelings when words aren’t enough. And movement-based activities like yoga, basketball, or hiking help release stress, strengthen confidence, and restore energy.
When clinically appropriate,
medication management is also available, guided by our experienced psychiatric team.
Growth You Can See
Throughout the IOP, teens and clinicians set measurable, realistic goals to track progress—not just symptom relief but real emotional growth and confidence.
Support That Extends Beyond Sessions
Each day ends with teens returning home to apply new skills in school, family, and friendships. Healing continues beyond our doors.
For Parents and Caregivers: You’re Part of the Process
Supporting your teen often means sacrificing your own time and energy. You don’t have to do it alone. Our Parenting Groups provide connection, practical tools, and encouragement—all led by licensed clinicians.
Find support, insight, and breathing room in a community that understands.
Supporting Your Teen’s Growth and Well-Being
Choosing a youth IOP in Boston at Direction Behavioral Health means expert care combined with a whole-child approach—helping your teen build skills, confidence, and balance for a healthier future.
With expert care and a wholeistic approach, we’re here to guide you both through this journey, helping your teen build lasting skills and confidence for the future.