Skip to main content
Smiling group of young people and a black service dog in front of a colorful mural, Bright Path Behavioral Health teen programs
4.5 Average of 22 Google reviews

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for Teens in North Carolina

Reviewed by Shantel Sullivan, EdD, LCSW, Chief Executive Officer | Last reviewed

Bright Path provides a teen intensive outpatient program (IOP) at our Wake Forest and Hillsborough, NC locations for ages 12–18. Nearly 30% of North Carolina high school students reported persistent sadness or hopelessness in 2025. IOP gives those teens structured therapy 3 afternoons a week after school, so classes and friendships continue. This CARF accredited intensive outpatient program for teens sits between weekly therapy and a full-day partial hospitalization program. Every teen learns Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills in group and meets weekly with a primary therapist. Teens also connect with a psychiatric provider, whether on medication or not.

    Licenses, Accreditations, and Awards

    CARF accredits Bright Path's teen IOP and PHP, and both locations hold NC DHHS licenses MHL-092-975 and MHL-068-168.

    CARF accredited

    NC DHHS licensed

    Wake Forest Area Chamber member

    Bright Path’s IOP consists of Three Clinical Components and 2 Support Services

    Our IOP for teens pairs three clinical components with two support services, so families never arrange care elsewhere. The five tabs below explain each one, and all five are included at our Wake Forest and Hillsborough locations.

    Group Therapy

    Group sessions are the heartbeat of IOP: three afternoons a week, teens learn DBT skills together and practice them between sessions. Teens bring back what worked, what didn't and what surprised them, and the group works through it together. That rhythm of trying things and processing them together is where a lot of the most meaningful growth happens.

    Each session draws from four group types, because not everything worth learning can be talked through in a chair:

    • Psychoeducational groups
    • Skill-building groups
    • Processing groups
    • Experiential groups

    Process groups keep a confidentiality rule: what's said in group stays in group, except when someone's safety is at risk. The peer dynamic isn't incidental: teens practice new skills on each other in real time and learn they aren't alone. The group isn't just a scheduling choice — it's one of the most effective therapeutic environments for teens at this stage of life.

    Two women with name tags smiling side by side at Bright Path

    What Is a Teen Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)?

    A teen intensive outpatient program is after-school mental health treatment giving teens 9 hours of group therapy a week, plus individual therapy, without missing class. Adolescent IOP at Bright Path is a teen outpatient program for middle and high school students ages 12–18 in Wake Forest and Hillsborough, NC. Teens attend three afternoons a week for 3 hours each afternoon and sleep at home every night. Each week also includes individual therapy with a primary therapist. Groups teach DBT skills and draw on Bright Path's other core modalities: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), attachment-based therapy and trauma-informed care.

    IOP at a glance

    Ages 12–18

    Middle and high school students

    3 afternoons a week

    3 PM to 6 PM, after the school day

    2 tracks

    River Path Tuesday to Thursday, Horizon Path Monday, Wednesday and Friday

    2 North Carolina locations

    Wake Forest and Hillsborough

    How Many Hours a Week Is Teen IOP?

    Teen IOP at Bright Path is 9 hours of group therapy and 1 hour of individual therapy a week, spread across 3 afternoons from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. IOP is outpatient care, so teens attend school during the day and sleep at home every night.

    River Path IOPHorizon Path IOP
    Built forTeens new to intensive treatment, group therapy or DBTTeens who completed PHP or already know DBT basics
    DaysTuesday, Wednesday and ThursdayMonday, Wednesday and Friday
    Time3:00 PM to 6:00 PM3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
    Group therapy9 hours a week9 hours a week
    Individual therapy1 hour a week1 hour a week

    Who Is a Teen IOP Designed For?

    Teen IOP is designed for adolescents who manage school but need more support than one therapy session a week. Our clinical team in Wake Forest and Hillsborough confirms the right level of care with each family at a free assessment. Teens begin our adolescent intensive outpatient program from one of these four starting points:

    • Weekly outpatient therapy that isn't creating enough momentum
    • A step down from PHP or residential treatment
    • Symptoms that are escalating while school and home life still function
    • A motivated teen who needs intensive skill-building

    Every IOP teen also needs a family that keeps them safe at home between sessions. Teens needing 24-hour supervision or medical stabilization, or with more than one suicide attempt in the past month, are referred to a higher level of care. Our team explains why and helps families find the right program.

    Teens in crisis or thinking about suicide reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 24/7: call or text 988, or chat at chat.988lifeline.org.

    How Does Teen IOP Compare With PHP and Weekly Therapy?

    Teen IOP in North Carolina is the middle step between weekly therapy and PHP, adding 9 hours of group therapy and 1 hour of individual therapy a week. Bright Path runs IOP and PHP at both Wake Forest and Hillsborough, and refers teens on to weekly adolescent outpatient treatment after discharge. The table below sets out how the three levels of care differ in therapy time, schedule, school and fit.

    Weekly outpatient therapyIOPPHP
    Weekly therapy timeOne session9 hours a week across 3 afternoons, plus weekly individual therapy6 hours a day, 5 days a week
    ScheduleOne appointment a week3 afternoons, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PMMonday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
    SchoolFull attendanceFull attendance, with sessions after classes endHomebound status with a daily academic hour
    Fits teens whoStay stable with weekly supportHandle classes but need more than one session a weekNeed full-day treatment to stabilize symptoms

    Teens who need daily structure step up to our partial hospitalization program for teens, and Horizon Path is the recommended step down for teens finishing PHP.

    Bright Path’s IOP Paths

    Each teen joins River Path or Horizon Path based on treatment experience, not age, so groups learn at one pace. Both paths of our intensive outpatient program for teens meet three afternoons a week, and our clinical team chooses the path at assessment.

    eye-icon

    River Path IOP

    River Path is for teens new to intensive treatment, group therapy or DBT, so every skill is built from the ground up. Groups build emotional awareness, self-regulation and resilience through everyday examples, with no prior knowledge required. River Path meets Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, on this weekly rotation:

    • Tuesday: Horticulture therapy at 3:00 PM, interpersonal effectiveness at 4:00 PM, and challenge group at 5:00 PM
    • Wednesday: Distress tolerance at 3:00 PM, emotion regulation at 4:00 PM, and process group at 5:00 PM
    • Thursday: KIT (Knowledge Integration Testing) at 3:00 PM, Cope Ahead and identity work at 4:00 PM, and creative expression at 5:00 PM
    Women talking in front of the Bright Path rainbow wall sign, one holding a blue gift bag

    Why is Bright Path’s IOP different from others?

    Placement by treatment experience, not age, sets our teen IOP program apart from other adolescent IOP programs in North Carolina. No track takes more than 12 teens, and families in Wake Forest and Hillsborough get every service in one after-school program.

    The Right Track, Not Just the Next Available Spot

    Not every teen comes into IOP from the same place, and at Bright Path, we don't treat them like they do. River and Horizon exist because where a teen is in their therapeutic journey matters more than how old they are or when they walked in the door. Beginners learn alongside beginners, and teens with a solid foundation go deeper together. Placement is intentional, because the right fit makes all the difference. Each track holds no more than 12 teens, so everyone is heard in every group.

    Woman writing on a whiteboard with a pink marker at Bright Path

    An After-School Program Worth Showing Up To

    Three afternoons a week, teens come to Bright Path the way they might show up to a club, a sport, or any other meaningful after-school commitment, except this one builds skills that change things. The structure is real, with snack breaks built into every afternoon. The setting is warm, teen-centered, and nothing like a clinical waiting room. Intensive support doesn't have to feel institutional.

    Visitors gathered in a doorway beneath the rainbow mural at Bright Path

    Rolling Admissions

    We don't make families wait for the next session to start. Teens can enter IOP on a rolling basis — because when the time is right, the door should actually be open.

    Young woman wearing a name tag in conversation with a woman at Bright Path

    All-Inclusive, No Fine Print

    Every service in our IOP comes in one program, with no add-ons and no separate appointments somewhere else. The following five services are included for every teen:

    • Group therapy
    • Individual therapy
    • Psychiatric services
    • Care advocacy
    • Aftercare coordination

    No surprise costs. Just the full program, for every teen, every time.

    Woman holding long tweezers over a terrarium while another woman laughs at Bright Path

    You're Part of It Too

    Every Bright Path family has access to a weekly in-person caregiver support group throughout their teen's time in IOP and for up to six weeks after discharge. Caregivers also receive bi-weekly updates from their teen's primary therapist — not just a check-in, but a real conversation about how things are progressing. The work your teen is doing affects the whole family, and you deserve to know how it's going.

    Woman speaking to a group seated on orange floor cushions in a Bright Path group room

    From First Call to First Day

    1. 1

      Contact Us

      telephone-icon
    2. 2

      Trailhead Check-In

      home-step-icon
    3. 3

      Clinical Review

      step3-home-icon
    4. 4

      First Day of Care

      step4-home-icon

    Understanding IOP for Teens at Bright Path

    with Jalecia Beatty LCMHC, Regional Clinical Director

    Bright Path collaborates with leading North Carolina health systems, school districts, and universities, including

    Bright Path is Led by a Team Who is Both Skilled And Deeply Human

    Bright Path’s team includes licensed therapists, psychiatry providers, educators, and other professionals who are both skilled and passionate about adolescent mental health

    Shantel Sullivan, Ed.D., LCSW, Chief Executive Officer

    Shantel Sullivan - Chief Executive Officer

    A licensed clinical social worker with over a decade of clinical leadership.

    Read More
    Jennifer Hoffman, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

    Jennifer Hoffman - Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

    Provides psychiatric care and medication management.

    Read More
    Abigail Krieck, Director of Strategic Impact and Outreach

    Abigail Krieck - Director of Strategic Impact and Outreach

    Connects families to their next level of care after discharge.

    Read More
    Jalecia Beatty, LCMHC, Regional Clinical Director

    Jalecia Beatty - Regional Clinical Director

    Leads clinical programming and began here as an intern.

    Read More
    Ari D'Alessandro, Teen Care Advocate

    Ari D’Alessandro - Teen Care Advocate

    Supports families and teaches teens DBT skills.

    Read More
    Michele Jones, MSW, LCSWA, Director of Education

    Michele Jones - Education Liaison

    Coordinates schoolwork and each teen’s return to class.

    Read More

    Reviews from Teens and Families

    Choosing a teen IOP isn't just about credentials and curriculum. It's about finding a place where your teen can be authentic, make real connections, and build lasting skills for managing life's challenges.

    Scout O’Brien

    Scout O’Brien

    This place is awesome!!!! From my experience as a patient here, all the staff are really kind and patient and have helped me through my crisis and my therapy journey. They also have snacks!!! I highly recommend this place for anyone who needs it. :D

    Posted on

    Google

    Sandy

    Brightpath provided a safe place for our son who received a professional and caring team to help him navigate the personal struggles that he had been experiencing. They not only provided him with such wonderful therapy but also the necessary tools for him to continue treatment outside of their facility. They provided him with such care that we as a family will always be grateful for. We can't say enough good things about Brightpath. Thank you, to all the Brightpath team but a special Thanks to Zkhia, Michele, and Jordan. We could not have asked for a better group of people to come into our lives at a time that was needed the most! Brightpath team will forever be in our hearts and prayers:)

    Posted on

    Google

    Joanna Rojas

    We’re so grateful for the help all the staff (therapists, medication providers, patient liaisons, education coordinators, etc.) at bright path provided to our daughter and family during her time there. Kendall and Lia were outstanding, the staff truly cares for the patients and worked closely with us on her treatment. This is a great place!

    Posted on

    Google

    Caroline Brucks

    This place is top notch. The team leaves no parent or child behind. They keep you informed and are focused on your child’s wellbeing. I have been amazed by these people and how they keep surpassing my expectations. Mental health is their focus and they listen with compassion and have answers and guidance. I deeply want to thank them. This review is one way I hope to repay their love for our children and community.

    Posted on

    Google

    Lesley Ireland

    I don’t typically leave reviews but I do not want any other child or family to struggle when there is an amazing resource like Bright Path in our community. My daughter is still a patient in the PHP and has also been in the IOP. I can’t say enough wonderful things about the program, the staff and most importantly, the significant improvement in my daughter’s symptoms. It is not an exaggeration when I say she is a different person and for the better. She was suffering with symptoms she didn’t understand and the team at Bright Path has given her the tools to continue her mental health self care throughout her life. I wish every teen had this opportunity. I can’t thank BP enough and I wish I could give a million stars rather than 5!

    Posted on

    Google

    K Farnsworth

    K Farnsworth

    My child went through the PHP program and it was a major turning point in their recovery. It was Bright Path or residential, and having that option for PHP at a place that felt safe with practitioners who truly care was a godsend. I can’t say enough good things about how my child did. The bonus was that my child also liked going! They made some true friends there.

    Posted on

    Google

    Tiffany Munro

    Tiffany Munro

    I can't say enough good things about Bright Path. They are so different than other PHPs in the Raleigh area. The staff genuinely cares about the clients and their families. From intake to graduation from the program we felt care and professionalism every step of the way. Positive attitudes, willingness to look deeper into issues, communication is excellent, and always willing to listen to find solutions or just be the support we needed. I wish they could train other PHPs in the state, because they are doing it the right way.

    Posted on

    Google

    IOP Frequently Asked Questions

    Intensive outpatient treatment for teens has no fixed end date, and your teen's treatment team discusses an estimated length of stay at admission. Every teen's healing timeline is different.

    Yes, teens keep attending school during IOP, because every session starts at 3:00 PM after classes end. Our Education Liaison communicates directly with your teen's school to support academic progress throughout treatment.

    IOP cost depends on your insurance plan, and IOP coverage is typically similar to PHP coverage. Our admissions team verifies your benefits for free and explains your out-of-pocket responsibility before your teen starts, with no separate facility fees. We also handle pre-authorization and submit claims directly to your insurer, and payment plans at 0% interest are available.

    Families stay involved through bi-weekly updates from their teen's primary therapist, a weekly caregiver support group and a Teen Care Advocate. The caregiver group is led by our CEO and stays open to families for up to six weeks after discharge.

    Many teens step down to IOP after PHP, because IOP is typically the recommended next step after partial hospitalization. Our Horizon Path IOP is built for teens who completed PHP, here or elsewhere, and already know DBT basics. Our clinical team makes this decision based on assessment.

    Support continues after IOP through the Bright Path alumni program, which offers monthly alumni groups, quarterly social events and a parent alumni network. Teens who need extra help after a new life stressor can return for booster sessions. Our team also follows up with families 30, 60 and 90 days after discharge.

    No, our IOP staff never use restraint or seclusion. Staff use de-escalation, coping skills and relationship-based interventions instead. A teen who cannot stay safe in our setting is helped to the right level of care.

    Insurance Providers We Work With

    We Serve Teens Throughout North Carolina

    Our IOP program for teens runs in Wake Forest and Hillsborough, so Research Triangle families can attend after school. Wake Forest is the closer IOP for families near Raleigh, NC, and Hillsborough serves Orange County.

    Wake Forest IOP

    Wake Forest mental health care for teens is based at 203 Capcom Ave #104, Wake Forest, NC 27587, serving families throughout the Research Triangle.

    Hillsborough IOP

    Our Hillsborough teen mental health center at 980 Corporate Dr, Hillsborough, NC 27278 serves families in Chapel Hill, Durham, Carrboro, Mebane, Burlington, and surrounding areas.

    Tour Our North Carolina Facilities

    Our facilities feel more like community centers than clinical spaces, because teens heal better in environments designed for them. Both our Wake Forest and Hillsborough facilities host IOP groups after school.

    Group therapy rooms are comfortable and welcoming, with separate spaces for River Path and Horizon Path groups.

    Educational spaces support daily academic programming for PHP students, with coordination across North Carolina school districts. Michele and our education team work with your teen's school so coursework stays on track during IOP.

    Common areas give teens space for peer connection during breaks and host our Behavior Bingo celebrations. Our behavioral incentive system rewards positive participation with meaningful activities and treats.

    Clear backpack policies keep programming safe while respecting teen autonomy.

    Front entrance of the Bright Path Hillsborough building at 980 Corporate Dr

    What Conditions Does Our Teen IOP Treat?

    Our teen IOP in Wake Forest and Hillsborough treats five primary conditions that need more than weekly therapy:

    • Depression
    • Anxiety
    • Trauma responses
    • Self-harm
    • Suicidal ideation

    IOP also addresses ADHD with emotional dysregulation, mood dysregulation, family relationship challenges, and co-occurring conditions.