IOP · Orange County
Intensive Outpatient Programin Orange County
About three hours a day in Laguna Beach for mental health and substance use, with evenings at home or at the Truth House.
Located in Laguna Beach, California
(949) 670-9345- Week3–5 days
- DayAbout 3 hours
- EveningsHome or Truth House
What IOP is
Treatment That Leaves Room for Work and School
Our intensive outpatient program in Orange County sits between weekly therapy and a full PHP day. You come to our Laguna Beach clinic about three hours a day, at least three and up to five days a week, for two group sessions each day. You also have your own therapist, a case manager, and a doctor for medication if you want one. IOP is also available virtually for adults in California.
Think of it as a part-time commitment to your health.
Two Groups a Day, Built on the Same Three-Part Model
Each IOP day uses the same clinical model as PHP in about three hours. You have two group sessions each treatment day, and through the week you also meet your therapist, your case manager, and a doctor for medication if you want one.
Body
Somatic care uses yoga, mindfulness, and other therapies to help with physical pain and emotional ups and downs.
Mind
Cognitive work helps you notice the automatic thoughts that pop into your head and how they feed what you're struggling with.
Brain
Psychoanalytical work explores your unconscious mind, hidden emotions, and patterns, so you can understand why you feel and act the way you do.
Skills & 1:1
Groups teach skills from DBT, CBT, and ACT, and you meet one-on-one with your own therapist during the week.
Virtual IOP
IOP Is Also Available Virtually
Exist now offers a virtual IOP for adults in California. You join half days of group therapy and 1:1 sessions on a secure video call. Call us and we'll tell you honestly whether virtual or in-person IOP fits your week.
See how virtual IOP works- Format
- Half days
- Sessions
- Group and 1:1
- Where
- Secure video call
- Who
- Adults in California
Our Approach
Every client is a human simply trying to survive a painful existence.
The Exist philosophy
IOP runs on Dr. Courtney Tracy's three-part model, built from more than a decade of clinical work with co-occurring disorders. We respect the 12 Steps and encourage peer meetings, but our program is therapy, every hour of it.
Founder
Dr. Courtney Tracy
Credentials
LCSW · PsyD · CCTP
Accreditation
The Joint Commission
Conditions We Treat in IOP
IOP is for mild to moderate concerns, and it treats these conditions on their own or together, including mental health and substance use at the same time.
See what we treatPersonality
BPD care uses DBT and IFS-informed sessions, and full treatment usually lasts four to five months.
- Borderline
- DBT
Depression
We use behavioral activation for depression, and mood tracking for bipolar disorder, alongside your therapy.
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
Anxiety
Anxiety care uses exposure-based therapy and somatic work, and OCD care uses exposure and response prevention (ERP).
- GAD
- Panic
- OCD
Substance Use
We treat substance use, including alcohol, with individual therapy, group support, and skills classes.
- Alcohol
- Drugs
Dual Diagnosis
Mental health and substance use in one intensive outpatient program.
- Co-occurring
- Both conditions
Stay at the Truth House While You're in IOP
The Truth House is transitional living in Laguna Canyon, about a mile from the clinic, for clients in our PHP or IOP. It has single and double rooms, a live-in house manager, and daily rides to morning and afternoon programs. Insurance doesn't cover the house.
- Single and double rooms
- Co-ed environment
- On-site night staff
- Food provided
- Fitness and yoga studio
- About a mile from the clinic
- Free trolley to downtown
- House bikes
Who You'll Work With
Meet the team
Mikaela Karpinski
Executive Director
LCSW · trauma and substance use
Maggie Scotto
Somatic practitioner
RADT · RYT-500 · somatic therapy
Dr. Randall Turner
Medical director
DO · psychiatry and addiction medicine
Dr. Nathan Ngo
Medical director
Psychiatry · mood, anxiety, and trauma
How IOP and PHP Compare
IOP
The day
About three hours, three to five days
About six hours, Monday to Friday
Evenings
Home or Truth House
Home or Truth House
Groups
Two each day
Four each day
Best for
Keeping time for work or school
Needing more than weekly therapy
How You Pay
We check your IOP benefits for free and get back to you within one business day. We also accept Anthem Blue Cross and Kaiser. Verification isn't a guarantee of coverage, since benefits vary by plan.
In-Network
Aetna, Cigna, Blue Shield of California, UnitedHealthcare, Optum, Magellan, and TRICARE.
Out-of-Network
Many other plans may pay back part of the cost, usually with higher out-of-pocket costs. We'll check yours before you start.
Private Pay
You can pay by credit card or set up a payment plan, and we accept CareCredit.
Three Steps to Start IOP
- 01
Tell Us About You
Call us, or tell us about yourself on the insurance form.
- 02
We Call or Text You
We complete an assessment with you, go over the financial side, and set your intake date.
- 03
Your First Day
You get your schedule ahead of time, and we give you a warm welcome when you arrive.
Common Questions About IOP
Yes. Exist runs an intensive outpatient program for mental health and co-occurring substance use at our clinic in downtown Laguna Beach. Call (949) 670-9345 to talk with us about it.
Something we didn’t cover? Call (949) 670-9345 or text us.
Talk With Us About IOP
Call and tell us what's going on. We'll tell you honestly whether our intensive outpatient program in Orange County fits, or whether PHP, 1:1 therapy, or a referral would serve you better.
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Courtney Tracy, LCSW, PsyD · Reviewed September 2026