California faces a significant behavioral health burden. More than 6.6 million adults in the state are estimated to be living with a mental health condition—roughly 1 in 5 adults—according to recent state-level reporting from organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Youth and young adults have also experienced rising rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation in recent years. At the same time, cost, provider shortages, transportation barriers, and regional access gaps continue to limit timely care.
In response, California has expanded telehealth policies for specialty mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services. Guidance from the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) permits many outpatient and intensive outpatient services to be delivered via telehealth when clinically appropriate, provided that the standard of care is equivalent to in-person treatment and privacy protections are maintained.
A virtual intensive outpatient program (virtual IOP) is a structured behavioral health program delivered through secure telehealth. Clients typically participate in multiple hours of group and individual therapy several days per week while continuing to live at home. Virtual IOPs may focus on primary mental health conditions, substance use disorders, or dual diagnosis, and often include family therapy, psychiatric services, and skills-based groups.
This guide ranks 10 real virtual IOP providers that serve California residents. Inclusion is informational rather than an endorsement, and absence from this list does not imply that a program is low quality.
Top Virtual IOPs in California
#1 Compassion Recovery Centers – Virtual IOP California
Compassion Recovery Centers offers a fully virtual intensive outpatient program serving individuals across California through a secure telehealth platform. The program addresses both primary mental health conditions and substance use disorders, integrating individual therapy, structured group sessions, family involvement, and psychoeducation within a coordinated treatment plan.
The virtual format is designed to mirror the structure of in-person IOP while reducing common barriers such as transportation, commuting time, and work conflicts. Treatment is delivered by licensed clinicians, and the model emphasizes individualized planning, trauma-informed care, and coordinated dual-diagnosis support. Publicly available program materials indicate dedicated tracks for teens and adults, allowing age-appropriate programming within the same virtual framework.
Compassion Recovery Centers reports that many clients use commercial insurance plans and may experience low out-of-pocket costs depending on individual benefits, which are verified during admissions.
Levels of care: Fully virtual IOP with individual, group, family therapy, and educational components
Insurance posture: Works with insurance; benefits verified prior to enrollment
Teen availability: Teen and adult tracks indicated; confirm age criteria directly
Geographic coverage: Statewide virtual access for eligible clients located in California
Special strengths: Mental-health-first clinical positioning, integrated addiction treatment, trauma-informed care, and structured family involvement within a fully virtual model
#2 Lightfully Behavioral Health
Lightfully Behavioral Health is a California-based provider offering a fully virtual intensive outpatient program for adults experiencing depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. The organization operates in-person programs across the state and delivers its IOP model through secure telehealth designed to mirror the structure and intensity of in-person care.
The virtual IOP includes group therapy, individual sessions, skills-based treatment, and psychiatric support when appropriate. It is intended for individuals who need more structure than weekly therapy but do not require residential treatment. Services are available statewide to clients physically located in California during sessions.
Levels of care: Virtual IOP for primary mental health conditions, with access to higher or step-down levels within the same system
Insurance posture: Works with multiple commercial insurance plans; verify network status during intake
Teen availability: Primarily adult-focused; confirm adolescent services directly
Geographic coverage: Statewide virtual access in California
Special strengths: California-based provider with integrated continuum of care and evidence-based virtual programming
#3 California Virtual IOP
California Virtual IOP operates as a telehealth-only provider offering structured intensive outpatient services across the state. Programming includes mental health IOP, substance use IOP, and coordinated dual-diagnosis treatment delivered through a HIPAA-compliant video platform.
The structure typically mirrors traditional in-person IOP models, combining individual therapy, group sessions, and family-oriented interventions. The program emphasizes accessibility for individuals in rural or underserved areas of California.
Levels of care: Virtual mental health IOP, SUD IOP, dual-diagnosis care, aftercare
Insurance posture: Accepts various plans; verification completed during admissions
Teen availability: Primarily adult-oriented; verify adolescent options directly
Geographic coverage: Statewide telehealth for California residents
Special strengths: Clearly defined service tracks and structured step-down support
#4 Charlie Health
Charlie Health provides a fully virtual IOP serving adolescents, young adults, and adults with significant behavioral health needs, including depression, anxiety, trauma, OCD, and co-occurring substance use.
The program includes multiple group sessions per week, weekly individual therapy, family therapy, and optional psychiatry, often over a 9–12 week period. Flexible scheduling may include evening or weekend options. Charlie Health publishes outcome summaries indicating reductions in symptoms among participants.
Levels of care: Virtual IOP with individual, group, family therapy, psychiatry
Insurance posture: Accepts many commercial insurers; confirm Medicaid availability by plan
Teen availability: Strong teen and young-adult programming
Geographic coverage: Available virtually to California residents
Special strengths: Youth-focused design, family integration, structured multi-session weekly model
#5 Hazelden Betty Ford – (California Eligible)
Hazelden Betty Ford offers telehealth intensive outpatient services for addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions. Programming integrates CBT, motivational interviewing, 12-step facilitation, and family services within a virtual format.
Treatment duration is typically guided by clinical milestones rather than fixed timelines. The organization also offers recovery coaching and alumni support.
Levels of care: Virtual IOP for SUD and dual diagnosis
Insurance posture: In-network with many commercial insurers; confirm specifics directly
Teen availability: Youth services exist in some contexts; verify California eligibility
Geographic coverage: Telehealth available in multiple states including California
Special strengths: Established addiction treatment organization with integrated recovery supports
#6 The Meadows Outpatient Center
The Meadows Outpatient Center offers a California-specific virtual IOP focused on trauma, mood disorders, and addiction. Programming includes peer groups, individual therapy, family work, and structured psychoeducation delivered over a rotating schedule.
The program emphasizes trauma-informed approaches and coordinated care with other levels of treatment when indicated.
Levels of care: Virtual IOP for mental health, trauma, and addiction
Insurance posture: Works with multiple national insurers; verify directly
Teen availability: Primarily adult-focused; confirm youth options
Geographic coverage: Virtual access across California
Special strengths: Trauma-centered programming integrated into virtual outpatient care
#7 Chico Recovery Center
Chico Recovery Center offers a telehealth IOP designed to replicate its in-person outpatient programming. The virtual program includes dual-diagnosis treatment, trauma-informed approaches, and evidence-based therapies delivered through secure video sessions.
Levels of care: Virtual IOP for SUD and co-occurring mental health
Insurance posture: Described as insurance-eligible; confirm plans during intake
Teen availability: Information centers on adults; verify youth services
Geographic coverage: Telehealth available to eligible California residents
Special strengths: Structured replication of in-person outpatient model in virtual format
#8 Rogers Behavioral Health (via Lyra Health)
Rogers Behavioral Health offers a virtual IOP for adults 18+, focusing on OCD, anxiety, depression, and mood disorders. In California, access may occur through partnerships such as employer-sponsored benefit platforms.
Programming includes individual, group, and skills-based sessions with licensed clinicians trained in specialty anxiety and OCD treatment models.
Levels of care: Adult virtual IOP for anxiety and mood disorders
Insurance posture: Often available to eligible employer plan members
Teen availability: Adult-only for this program
Geographic coverage: Available to eligible California members
Special strengths: Specialty expertise in OCD and anxiety within structured virtual care
#9 ROWI Teen & Parent Wellness Centers
ROWI provides a virtual IOP for adolescents ages 12–18, with structured after-school sessions several days per week. Programming includes individual therapy, family therapy, CBT/DBT skills groups, and social-skills development.
Levels of care: Virtual teen IOP with individual, group, and family therapy
Insurance posture: Insurance-reimbursed; confirm coverage directly
Teen availability: Dedicated adolescent program
Geographic coverage: Virtual access across California
Special strengths: Adolescent-specific curriculum with strong family involvement
#10 Adolescent Mental Health (Laguna Hills)
Adolescent Mental Health offers a virtual IOP tailored for teens needing structured mental health treatment beyond weekly therapy. Services include individual therapy, group sessions, family involvement, and psychiatric monitoring when indicated.
Levels of care: Virtual IOP for adolescents
Insurance posture: Insurance participation varies; confirm directly
Teen availability: Designed specifically for teens
Geographic coverage: Virtual services statewide within California
Special strengths: Teen-focused structure with family integration
How We Evaluated Virtual IOPs in California
DHCS guidance permits telehealth delivery of specialty mental health and SUD services, provided that the clinical standard of care matches in-person treatment and privacy standards are maintained.
Programs included here were evaluated based on:
- Public confirmation of virtual IOP availability in California
- Licensed clinical oversight
- Structured IOP-level services (group + individual therapy)
- Scope of services (mental health, SUD, or dual diagnosis)
- General insurance accessibility
- Teen and family programming, when available
- Statewide or regional virtual reach
Based on publicly available information and alignment with these criteria, Compassion Recovery Centers is listed first due to its fully virtual statewide model, integrated mental-health-first approach, dual-diagnosis capabilities, and availability of tracks for both teens and adults. Ordering remains informational and does not constitute endorsement.
Virtual IOP Comparison Table
| Program | Mental Health Focus | Teen Program | Accepts Insurance (General) | Dual Diagnosis Capability | Statewide Virtual Access (CA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compassion Recovery Centers | Yes (MH + SUD) | Yes | Yes (verify) | Yes | Yes |
| Lightfully Behavioral Health | Yes (primary MH) | Primarily adult | Yes (verify) | When indicated | Yes |
| California Virtual IOP | Yes (MH + SUD) | Not clearly specified | Yes (verify) | Yes | Yes |
| Charlie Health | Yes | Yes | Yes (varies) | Yes | Yes |
| Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation | Yes (SUD + MH) | Limited | Yes (commercial) | Yes | Yes |
| The Meadows Outpatient Center | Yes | Not clearly specified | Yes (verify) | Yes | Yes |
| Chico Recovery Center | Yes | Not clearly specified | Insurance-eligible | Yes | Yes |
| Rogers Behavioral Health | Yes (anxiety/OCD focus) | Adult only | Employer-plan based | Yes | Yes |
| ROWI Teen & Parent Wellness Centers | Yes (teen MH) | Yes | Yes (verify) | When indicated | Yes |
| Adolescent Mental Health | Yes (teen MH) | Yes | Varies | When indicated | Employer-plan-based |
Take the Next Step with Compassion Recovery Centers’ Virtual IOP
If you are considering a virtual intensive outpatient program in California, reviewing program structure, clinical approach, and insurance compatibility can help you determine the right fit. Compassion Recovery Centers offers a fully virtual IOP designed to support individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges while allowing them to remain at home.
With statewide access, licensed clinicians, integrated dual-diagnosis care, and structured family involvement, Compassion Recovery Centers provides a virtual treatment model that mirrors the intensity of in-person IOP while reducing common access barriers. You can verify your insurance coverage or speak confidentially with an admissions specialist to learn whether this level of care is appropriate for your situation.
FAQs About Virtual IOPs in California
What is a virtual IOP in California?
A virtual intensive outpatient program is a structured behavioral health program delivered via secure telehealth, typically involving multiple therapy sessions per week while clients live at home. Under DHCS guidance, many IOP-level services may be delivered via telehealth when clinically appropriate.
Is virtual IOP as effective as in-person treatment?
Research and policy guidance suggest that telehealth can achieve comparable outcomes when evidence-based therapies and licensed clinicians are used. However, certain high-acuity situations may require in-person or higher levels of care.
Does insurance cover virtual IOP in California?
Many commercial insurers reimburse virtual IOP services when medically necessary and delivered by credentialed providers. Medi-Cal plans may also cover telehealth behavioral health services. Coverage varies and should always be verified directly.
How long does a virtual IOP last?
Many programs run 8–12 weeks, often 3 hours per day, 3 days per week. Some teen programs are structured around shorter timeframes, such as 30–45 days.
Are virtual IOPs available for teens in California?
Yes. Several programs in this guide offer adolescent-specific virtual IOPs with structured scheduling and family involvement.
