Outpatient Mental Health Program in Los Angeles County, CA
Our Outpatient Program (OP) provides ongoing, structured mental health support for Los Angeles County residents who need consistent care without the intensity of daily programming. Whether you’re stepping down from our IOP or PHP or entering treatment for the first time with manageable but persistent symptoms, OP gives you the tools and therapeutic structure to keep moving forward.
Available via telehealth and in-person at our Tustin facility, with scheduling designed to fit around your life in LA County.
“Living in Long Beach, I tried several outpatient programs in LA County. The waitlists were weeks long and the groups felt impersonal. Friendly Recovery’s telehealth option meant I could attend from home, and when I drove to their Tustin facility, the environment was peaceful and focused. The flexibility made all the difference in my recovery.”
Get the Outpatient Support You Need Today
Contact us today to learn how our Outpatient Mental Health Program can help you or a loved one in Los Angeles County.
Who Is the Outpatient Program For?
Our OP is designed for a specific stage of the recovery process. It’s not the right fit for everyone, and that’s by design—we want to make sure you’re in the level of care that will actually help you the most.
OP may be right for you if:
You’re stepping down from IOP or PHP and need continued structure to maintain your progress. Your symptoms are persistent but manageable—you’re functioning at work and in daily life but struggling with ongoing anxiety, depression, mood instability, or stress. You’ve been in weekly individual therapy but feel you need the added accountability and connection of a group-based program. You’re looking for maintenance-level care to prevent relapse after completing a more intensive program. You want professional support while navigating a life transition, relationship challenge, or ongoing stressor.
OP may not be the best fit if:
Your symptoms are significantly impacting your ability to work, maintain relationships, or complete daily tasks—in that case, our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) or Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) would provide the level of support you need. During your initial assessment, our clinical team will recommend the appropriate level of care based on your specific situation.
How the Outpatient Program Works
Our OP is built around consistent, repeatable therapeutic engagement that reinforces the coping skills and strategies you’ve been developing—whether in a previous level of care or through your own journey. Here’s exactly what the program involves.
Session Structure
The program consists of one group session, five times per week, with each session lasting 1 to 1.5 hours. This frequency provides consistent therapeutic contact without requiring the time commitment of IOP or PHP. Sessions are clinician-led and follow a structured format that balances skill-building, peer support, and real-world application.
What Happens in a Typical Session
Check-in (10–15 minutes)
Each session begins with a brief check-in where group members share how they’re doing, what challenges they’ve faced since the last session, and any wins—big or small. This creates accountability and helps the clinician identify themes to address in the session.
Skill-building or psychoeducation (30–40 minutes)
The core of each session focuses on a specific topic or skill. Depending on where the group is in the curriculum, this might include cognitive behavioral techniques for managing negative thought patterns, DBT-based emotional regulation strategies, mindfulness exercises for staying grounded, stress management and boundary-setting tools, or relapse prevention planning and trigger identification.
Group discussion and peer support (15–20 minutes)
After the skill-building component, the group discusses how the day’s topic applies to their real lives. This is where some of the most valuable work happens—hearing how others are navigating similar challenges normalizes the experience and often generates practical insights that go beyond what a textbook can teach.
Closing and goal-setting (5–10 minutes)
Each session closes with a brief goal-setting exercise. You’ll identify one specific thing to practice or be mindful of before the next session. These micro-goals build momentum and help translate what you learn in group into lasting behavioral change.
Beyond Group Sessions
In addition to the five weekly group sessions, OP clients have access to individual therapy sessions scheduled based on your availability and clinical needs. If medication management is part of your treatment plan, psychiatric consultations are available to monitor your response and make adjustments as needed. Your treatment team is also available between sessions for urgent concerns.
Key Features of Our OP Program
Individualized Treatment Plans: A pre-admission assessment ensures each client receives a customized treatment plan tailored to their specific needs.
Comprehensive Therapy Options: We offer a range of evidence-based therapies to support mental health, including:
Group Therapy: A space for clients to share experiences, develop coping skills, and connect with peers.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Helps with mindfulness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance.
Trauma-Informed Care: Supports healing by addressing past trauma in a safe environment.
Family Therapy: Strengthens relationships and improves communication among loved ones.
Holistic Treatment Modalities: Incorporates mindfulness, physical wellness, and emotional balance.
Flexible Scheduling: Multiple session times are available, with options for in-person or telehealth participation.
Evening Sessions for Working Individuals: Evening telehealth sessions ensure accessibility for those with daytime commitments.
What a Typical Week in OP Looks Like
Here’s a sample week for an LA County client attending OP via telehealth:
Day | Time | Focus |
Monday | Evening | CBT skill-building: identifying and restructuring thought patterns |
Tuesday | Evening | Emotional regulation and distress tolerance strategies |
Wednesday | Evening | Mindfulness practice and stress management techniques |
Thursday | Evening | Interpersonal skills and boundary-setting |
Friday | Evening | Week review, relapse prevention, and weekend planning |
This is a sample schedule. Your actual program is customized based on your clinical needs and preferences. Individual therapy and psychiatric consultations are scheduled separately.
How OP Fits Into Your Treatment Journey
Our outpatient program doesn’t exist in isolation—it’s part of a full continuum of care that you can move through as your needs evolve. Understanding where OP fits helps you see it as one stage in a bigger picture, not a standalone solution.
Coming from PHP or IOP:
If you’ve completed our PHP or IOP, OP serves as your step-down level of care. You’ve done the intensive work—stabilized your symptoms, built your coping toolkit, and started applying skills in real life. OP keeps that momentum going with consistent therapeutic contact and accountability, while giving you more independence. The transition is seamless because you stay with the same clinical team who already knows your history, triggers, and goals.
Entering treatment for the first time:
Not everyone needs PHP or IOP. If your symptoms are persistent but you’re managing daily life—going to work, maintaining relationships, functioning independently—OP can be an excellent entry point. It provides the structure and professional support that weekly individual therapy alone sometimes can’t deliver, particularly the peer connection of group work.
Stepping up if needed:
Recovery isn’t always linear. If your symptoms intensify during OP—due to a life event, a setback, or a change in circumstances—you can step up to IOP or PHP without starting over at a new facility. Your team already knows you, and the transition happens quickly.
After OP — aftercare and ongoing support:
When you and your treatment team agree you’re ready to complete OP, we don’t just say goodbye. We develop an aftercare plan that includes strategies for maintaining your progress, warning signs to watch for, a relapse prevention framework, and recommendations for ongoing individual therapy or community support. The goal is to give you confidence that you can manage your mental health independently—and know where to turn if you need support again.
What Progress Looks Like in Outpatient Treatment
Progress in OP is often more subtle than in intensive programs—it’s less about dramatic breakthroughs and more about consistent, sustainable change. Here’s what our clients and clinicians typically observe:
Early weeks (weeks 1–3): Establishing routine and building group trust. You’re getting comfortable with the format, starting to open up in group, and identifying the specific patterns and triggers that affect you most. Your treatment team is refining your plan based on what they observe.
Mid-treatment (weeks 4–8): Applying skills in real life. This is where the work gets practical. You’re using CBT techniques to catch distorted thoughts before they spiral, practicing emotional regulation when stress hits, and starting to see measurable changes in how you respond to triggers. Group discussions become richer as members build trust and hold each other accountable.
Later weeks (weeks 8+): Building independence and confidence. You’re handling situations that used to overwhelm you. The skills feel more natural, less forced. You’re starting to think about what life looks like after structured treatment. Your clinician begins aftercare planning with you, ensuring you have a solid framework for maintaining progress.
Discharge readiness: Your treatment team assesses readiness based on symptom stability, skill application, confidence in managing triggers independently, and a strong aftercare plan. We never rush discharge—and we never hold you in treatment longer than necessary.
Telehealth and In-Person Options for LA County Residents
We built our OP with LA County residents in mind. That means telehealth isn’t an afterthought—it’s a core delivery method.
Telehealth (available for all OP sessions):
Attend from anywhere in LA County via our secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. Evening sessions accommodate work schedules. No commute, no traffic, no rearranging your day. Same clinicians, same quality, same group experience as in-person. Ideal for residents of Long Beach, Pasadena, Glendale, Santa Monica, Santa Clarita, and everywhere in between.
In-person at our Tustin facility:
15991 Red Hill Ave, Suite 101, Tustin, CA 92780. A peaceful, professional environment away from the noise of daily life. Accessible from southern LA County via the 5, 605, or 710 freeways—many clients find the 30–45 minute drive from Long Beach, Downey, Whittier, or Cerritos to be worthwhile for the focused in-person experience.
Hybrid approach:
Some clients attend in-person when they can and switch to telehealth when logistics don’t allow the drive. We accommodate both without disruption to your treatment.
Conditions Treated in Our Outpatient Program
- Trauma-Related Disorders
- Dual Diagnosis
- Substance Use Disorders
Insurance and Getting Started
We accept most major insurance plans including Aetna, Cigna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Carelon, GEHA, Health Net, UMR, Meritain, Halcyon, Tufts, and MultiPlan. Most insurance plans cover outpatient mental health treatment as an essential health benefit.
Here’s how to get started:
- Call or reach out online. Contact us or through our contact form. Our admissions team will conduct a brief, free assessment to understand your needs.
- Insurance verification. We’ll verify your benefits and explain your coverage before you commit to anything. Verify insurance online here.
- Clinical assessment. Our clinical team determines whether OP is the right level of care or if IOP or PHP would be more appropriate for where you are right now.
- Begin treatment. Most clients start within 24–48 hours. Telehealth clients can begin as soon as the next available session.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Outpatient Program
-
How is the Outpatient Program different from IOP?
The main differences are intensity and time commitment. OP involves one group session five times per week, 1–1.5 hours each. IOP involves 3–5 sessions per week at approximately 3 hours each, with a more intensive clinical focus. OP is designed for maintenance and ongoing support, while IOP is designed for active symptom management. Many clients start in IOP and step down to OP as they stabilize.
-
Can I start directly in OP without doing IOP or PHP first?
Yes. If your symptoms are persistent but manageable, OP can be an appropriate entry point. Our clinical team determines this during your initial assessment. Not everyone needs intensive programming—some people benefit most from consistent, maintenance-level support from the start.
-
Can I attend all sessions via telehealth from LA County?
Yes. Our OP is fully available via telehealth with evening sessions. Many LA County clients complete the entire program remotely. You also have the option to attend in-person at our Tustin facility or use a hybrid approach.
-
How long will I be in the Outpatient Program?
There’s no fixed timeline. Some clients are in OP for 8–12 weeks, while others benefit from longer-term support. Duration depends on your progress, symptom stability, and personal goals. Your treatment team regularly evaluates your readiness and discusses the plan with you—you’re always part of the decision.
-
What if my symptoms get worse while I’m in OP?
You can step up to IOP or PHP at any time without switching providers or starting over. Your clinical team already knows your history, so the transition is seamless and fast.
-
What conditions do you treat in the Outpatient Program?
Our OP supports individuals with a wide range of mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, OCD, dual diagnosis, and other conditions. For a full list of what we treat, visit our comprehensive LA County mental health treatment page.
-
Will treatment interfere with my work schedule or commute?
We designed our programs specifically to accommodate working professionals. Our evening telehealth IOP sessions allow you to participate after the workday and commute are done. Standard outpatient appointments can be scheduled around your availability. For PHP, which requires daytime attendance, we work with your schedule and can coordinate with employers if needed. Many SCV commuters find that telehealth actually saves time compared to adding another appointment to a packed day.
-
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed. Contact us directly for a free, confidential assessment. If you’re currently working with a therapist or psychiatrist, we’re happy to coordinate care.
-
How quickly can I start treatment?
Most clients begin within 24–48 hours of completing their assessment and insurance verification. For Santa Clarita residents using telehealth, it’s possible to start the same day. We understand that when you’ve made the decision to seek help, momentum matters.
Ready to Get Started?
Our Outpatient Program gives you consistent, professional support that fits into your life—not the other way around. Whether you’re continuing your progress from a more intensive program or starting treatment for the first time, we’re here to help you build the skills and stability for lasting wellness.
Call today for a free, confidential assessment. Or verify your insurance online to see what your plan covers.
For a complete overview of all our mental health programs available to LA County residents, visit our Mental Health Treatment in Los Angeles County page.
