Weekly therapy sessions designed for aviation professionals. Prioritize your mental health without sacrificing your flight schedule—1-2 flexible appointments per week, just minutes from John Wayne Airport.
6-8 Minutes from SNA
Our Tustin location offers easy access via the 55 Freeway or MacArthur Blvd. Schedule sessions on your days off, between trip pairings, or before heading to the airport for your next assignment.
Not every mental health concern requires intensive daily treatment. Many airline employees benefit most from consistent weekly support that fits seamlessly into their lives.
Our outpatient program offers 1-2 therapy sessions per week—enough structure to create meaningful change without disrupting your career. You’ll work with licensed therapists who understand the unique pressures of aviation work: circadian disruption, time away from family, passenger interactions, performance evaluations, and the emotional labor of maintaining composure at 30,000 feet.
Whether you’re a flight attendant managing pre-flight anxiety, a pilot navigating FAA medical certification requirements, or ground crew dealing with workplace burnout, outpatient therapy provides sustainable support while you maintain your full flight schedule.
Outpatient therapy works well for aviation professionals experiencing:
Mild to Moderate Symptoms Anxiety, low mood, or stress that affects your quality of life but doesn’t require daily structured treatment. You’re functioning at work but know something isn’t right.
Maintenance After Intensive Treatment You’ve completed IOP or PHP and need ongoing support to maintain your progress and prevent relapse.
Early Intervention You’re recognizing warning signs—sleep problems, irritability, dreading trips—and want professional support before issues escalate.
Relationship or Life Transitions Navigating divorce, family strain from your schedule, career uncertainty, or other life changes that benefit from professional guidance.
Career-Related Stress Performance anxiety, difficult passenger interactions, or workplace conflicts that you want to address proactively.
Schedule-Flexible Appointments
We know “every Tuesday at 3pm” doesn’t work when your schedule changes monthly. Book sessions around your current bid, reschedule without penalty when assignments change, and access telehealth sessions during extended layovers.
Therapists Who Understand Aviation
No need to spend sessions explaining what a trip pairing is or why you can’t “just sleep more.” Our clinicians understand:
Evidence-Based Treatment
We use proven therapeutic approaches adapted for aviation lifestyles:
Career-Conscious Confidentiality
Your treatment is protected by HIPAA. Your airline—whether Alaska, Southwest, United, Delta, American, or any carrier—has no access to your records without your explicit written consent.
Outpatient (OP) | 1-2 hours | Mild symptoms, maintenance, prevention | Full schedule compatible |
Intensive Outpatient (IOP) | 9-15 hours | Moderate-severe symptoms, step-down from PHP | Modified schedule or days off |
Partial Hospitalization (PHP) | 20-30 hours | Severe symptoms, crisis stabilization | Medical leave recommended |
Not sure which level fits your situation? We offer free confidential assessments. Many aviation professionals start with outpatient care, while others step down to outpatient after completing more intensive treatment. There’s no wrong door—we’ll help you find the right level.
→ Need more intensive support? Learn about our IOP & PHP programs for airline employees.
Anxiety Disorders Performance anxiety before flights, fear of passenger confrontations, panic symptoms, social anxiety during layovers, and generalized worry that follows you home.
Depression Persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed, fatigue that goes beyond schedule exhaustion, difficulty finding meaning in work that used to excite you.
Sleep Disorders Insomnia that persists beyond typical jet lag adjustment, difficulty sleeping during layovers, shift work sleep disorder affecting your safety and wellbeing.
Occupational Burnout Emotional exhaustion, cynicism about passengers and coworkers, reduced sense of accomplishment. The World Health Organization recognizes burnout as an occupational phenomenon requiring intervention.
PTSD & Trauma Processing difficult in-flight medical emergencies, security incidents, severe turbulence events, or threatening passenger encounters that continue affecting you months later.
Relationship Concerns Strain from irregular schedules, communication breakdown with partners, guilt about missing family milestones, parenting challenges when you’re away half the month.
Individual Therapy One-on-one sessions with a licensed therapist focused on your specific concerns. This is the core of outpatient treatment—a consistent therapeutic relationship where you can process challenges and build coping strategies.
Psychiatric Consultation Access to medication management when clinically appropriate. Our psychiatric providers understand FAA certification requirements and can discuss how different medications may affect your medical status.
Flexible Scheduling Options
Care Coordination With your consent, we can coordinate with your Aviation Medical Examiner (AME), primary care physician, or other providers involved in your care.
Step-Up Support If Needed If outpatient care isn’t providing enough support, we can seamlessly transition you to IOP or PHP without starting over somewhere new.
Major Carriers at John Wayne Airport (SNA)
Aviation Professionals in Our Care
We also serve aviation professionals based at LAX, Long Beach (LGB), Ontario (ONT), and other Southern California airports who prefer our Orange County location.
We understand pilots face unique considerations around mental health treatment and FAA medical certification. Many mental health conditions—including depression and anxiety—can be treated while maintaining your medical certificate when properly documented and managed.
Our providers are familiar with:
The goal is supporting your mental health while respecting the realities of your career. We encourage pilots to address concerns early—before they escalate to levels that create certification complications.
Major airlines provide strong PPO insurance plans with comprehensive mental health benefits. Most aviation professionals have good coverage for outpatient therapy.
Insurance Plans We Accept:
Free Insurance Verification
We’ll confirm your specific benefits and explain any out-of-pocket costs before your first appointment. No surprises.
Step 1: Reach Out Call or complete our confidential contact form. We’ll briefly discuss your concerns and schedule a free assessment.
Step 2: Free Assessment Meet with our clinical team to discuss your symptoms, goals, and schedule constraints. We’ll recommend the appropriate level of care—no pressure, no obligation.
Step 3: Insurance Verification We verify your airline insurance benefits and explain exactly what’s covered before you commit to treatment.
Step 4: Begin Therapy Schedule your first session around your current trip pairings. Start working with a therapist who gets aviation life.
You don’t have to wait until things get worse. Outpatient therapy offers meaningful support while you maintain the career you’ve built.
Friendly Recovery Center 15991 Red Hill Ave Suite 101 Tustin, CA 92780
Location: 6-8 minutes from John Wayne Airport (SNA)
Outpatient involves 1-2 therapy sessions weekly (1-2 hours total). It's designed for mild-to-moderate symptoms or maintenance after intensive treatment. IOP requires 9-15 hours weekly, and PHP requires 20-30 hours—both better suited for moderate-to-severe symptoms needing structured daily support.
Yes. Outpatient is specifically designed for people maintaining full-time work. You'll schedule sessions on days off or at times that fit your monthly bid. Many clients attend before or after trips.
No. Treatment is completely confidential under HIPAA. We don't contact employers, unions, or anyone else without your explicit written permission.
Many pilots receive mental health treatment while maintaining their FAA medical certificate. Our providers understand certification requirements and can provide appropriate, documented care. We recommend addressing concerns early, before they escalate.
We offer flexible booking based on your current schedule. Reschedule without penalty when assignments change. Use telehealth during layovers when you can't make it to our office.
We'll adjust your care level. If outpatient isn't enough, we can transition you to IOP or PHP seamlessly—same location, same care team, no starting over.
It varies. Some people address specific concerns in 2-3 months. Others benefit from longer-term support or ongoing maintenance sessions. We'll discuss realistic expectations and adjust as you progress.
We provide between-session support for urgent concerns. You're not on your own just because your next appointment is a week away.
Ready to start your journey towards recovery and stability? Contact Friendly Recovery Center today and let us help you improve your mental health and wellness.
Our experienced team provides expert IOP, PHP, and outpatient care for individuals in Orange County. We deliver personalized counseling, group therapy, and holistic treatments in a supportive environment designed to improve your life.
Our team is ready to help—call us now!
All calls are 100% free and confidential
