✓ Medically reviewed by Dr. David T. Gigliotti, DO, FASAM, Medical Director · Reviewed October 16, 2026
A week in Ripple’s intensive outpatient program (IOP) means three to five days of programming, usually a few hours each, adding up to 9 to 15 hours. Each day combines group therapy with individual counseling, relapse prevention, and, when it helps, family sessions. You attend in the morning or the evening and go home after. The rest of the week is yours, which is the point: IOP is built for practicing recovery in real life, not away from it.
Here is what the week actually looks like at our Barrington and Cherry Hill locations. For program details, see our intensive outpatient program in Camden County, NJ. Schedules vary by person, so treat this as a typical shape rather than a timetable.
This article walks through the schedule. For the basics of what an intensive outpatient program is, including the ASAM hours and who it is not right for, start there.
What is the weekly IOP schedule?
| Day | What a typical session includes | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Group therapy, check-in on the weekend, goal setting for the week | About 3 hours, morning or evening track |
| Tuesday | Individual counseling session with your clinician | About 1 hour |
| Wednesday | Group therapy focused on relapse prevention and coping skills | About 3 hours |
| Thursday | Group therapy, often with a life skills or job readiness component | About 3 hours |
| Friday | Group therapy or family therapy session, planning for the weekend | About 3 hours |
Your exact weekly schedule is set with your clinical team to meet the program’s weekly hours, so treat this table as the general shape of a week, not a fixed timetable. The team adjusts it as you progress.
What happens in an IOP group session?
Group is the core of IOP. Sessions run a few hours and are led by a clinician. A typical group opens with a check-in, where each person says how the days since the last session went, including cravings, stress, and wins. Then the group works through a topic: identifying triggers, managing cravings, communication, boundaries, or a skill from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Groups close with each person naming one thing they will practice before the next session.
The people in your group are at different stages of recovery. That is by design. Someone in week ten has something to offer someone in week two, and hearing your own thinking described by someone else is often where the shift happens.
What happens in individual counseling?
Once a week, you meet one-on-one with your counselor. This is where the personal work lives: the history that group is not the place for, the pattern behind your use, and the plan for what comes next. Individual sessions are also where treatment plans get reviewed and where a step-down to OP gets discussed when the time is right.
Where does family therapy fit?
Family therapy and family education are part of IOP at Ripple, scheduled around your family’s availability. Sessions help the people close to you understand what recovery asks of them and how to support it without slipping into old roles. Families who want to prepare can read our guide on helping a family member get into treatment.
Morning track or evening track?
Both are available at both locations. The morning track suits people who work afternoons or evenings, parents whose kids are at school, and people who prefer to start the day with structure. The evening track suits people who work a standard day. Many people choose the evening track and keep their job through the whole program. Our article on working during outpatient treatment covers the legal protections and how to talk with an employer.
What do the other hours of the week look like?
This is where IOP differs most from higher levels of care. Outside of sessions you are working, parenting, sleeping in your own bed, and running into the situations that used to lead to using. That is the practice field. Clients often keep a simple log of triggers and how they handled them, and bring it to group. Case management helps with the practical side: housing, legal appointments, transportation, and community resources. Life skills coaching covers budgeting, time management, and communication. Job readiness support covers resumes and interviews for people who are between jobs.
Not sure where to start? Our admissions team can walk you through each step and check your insurance benefits before you commit to anything.
How does the week change as IOP goes on?
Early weeks are heavier: more days, more structure, more check-ins. As stability builds, the team may reduce days from five to three and shift the focus from getting through the week to building the life that comes after treatment. By the final weeks, sessions are as much about the transition to OP as about the present. IOP at Ripple typically lasts 6 to 12 weeks; our article on how long IOP lasts explains what sets the timeline.
Frequently asked questions
How many days a week is IOP?
Three to five days a week at Ripple, for a few hours at a time. Most clients attend between 9 and 15 hours per week in total.
How long is each IOP session?
Group sessions usually run about three hours. Individual counseling is about an hour. Family sessions vary.
Can I pick my own schedule?
You choose between the morning and evening track, and the team works with your availability within that. The number of days depends on your assessment and progress.
What if I miss a session?
Tell your counselor. One missed session is normal life. A pattern of missed sessions is a signal the team wants to talk about, because it often means something outside treatment needs attention. If getting there is the problem, ask about transportation assistance.
Is IOP the same at Barrington and Cherry Hill?
Yes. Both locations run the same IOP structure with morning and evening tracks. Choose the location closer to home or work.
How do I get started?
Call (856) 215-5253 or contact us online. Call us and we will explain each admissions step.
See the full program
Read about Ripple’s intensive outpatient program in Camden County, NJ, offered at our Barrington and Cherry Hill locations. If you are in crisis, call or text 988. For free treatment referrals in New Jersey, call ReachNJ at 1-844-732-2465.
Ready for the next step? See how admissions works at Ripple, or verify your insurance first.