Minnesota Mental Health Clinics

Intensive Outpatient Programs

Structured, skills-based group treatment

Minnesota Mental Health Clinics offers several Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) designed to provide structured, skills-based treatment for individuals who need more support than traditional weekly therapy. These programs combine evidence-based therapy with group support to help individuals build coping skills, improve emotional regulation, and strengthen resilience.

Our IOP programs involve three hours of structured programming per session and are led by licensed clinicians trained in trauma-informed care and evidence-based therapies. Many participants continue working with their individual therapist or medication provider while attending group.

Make a referralCall (651) 395-5796Match me with a provider →

Our programs

Find the program that fits

Each program targets a specific focus area. Eligibility for a specialty track is determined at intake — reach out and our team will help you find the right fit.

TraumaIn person

TraumaWise IOP

A skills-based, accelerated group therapy experience designed to help individuals understand and heal from trauma.

  • Understand how trauma affects the brain and nervous system
  • Build emotional regulation and distress tolerance skills
  • Strengthen self-awareness and self-compassion
  • Develop tools to increase safety, stability, and resilience

Three 3-hour sessions per week · 9-week curriculum

Learn more about TraumaWise IOP →
PerinatalIn person

Perinatal IOP

For individuals who are pregnant or up to 12 months postpartum and navigating reproductive-related mental health concerns. This trauma-informed program integrates evidence-based psychotherapy, somatic regulation, and peer support.

  • Reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety
  • Strengthen parent–child bonding and attachment
  • Improve relationship health and communication
  • Increase emotional awareness and nervous system regulation

6 weeks · rolling admission and discharge

DBT / CBT skillsIn person

DaTRAC Skills Group

A skills-training group — not a support group — focused on practical coping and emotional regulation skills based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Participants learn and practice tools they can apply directly to everyday life.

  • Strengthen emotional regulation skills
  • Improve distress tolerance during difficult moments
  • Develop healthier thinking patterns
  • Apply practical coping strategies to real-life challenges

6 weeks · rolling admission and discharge

DBT continuationFully virtual

Reflections Program

For individuals who have completed DaTRAC or another DBT-based program and want continued support applying these skills in their daily lives.

  • Strengthen previously learned DBT skills
  • Apply coping strategies to real-life situations
  • Maintain emotional regulation during ongoing challenges
  • Build consistency and accountability in skill practice

Typically enrolled for six months

Anger managementFully virtual

Anger Management Program

Helps individuals better understand and manage anger using structured skills and practical strategies. The curriculum meets the clinical and educational requirements for court-mandated programming.

  • Recognize triggers and warning signs of anger
  • Reduce aggressive or reactive behaviors
  • Increase control over thoughts and responses
  • Communicate needs and emotions more effectively

8 weeks

Who may benefit

Is IOP right for you?

  • Need more structured support than weekly therapy
  • Want to build practical coping and emotional regulation skills
  • Are working through trauma, relationship challenges, anxiety, or mood concerns
  • Benefit from group learning and peer support

Clients may continue working with their individual therapist and medication provider while participating in group programming.

Admission criteria

What we look for at intake

General admission criteria

Clients appropriate for IOP:

  • Are psychiatrically and medically stable for group treatment
  • Can safely participate in 3-hour sessions, 1–3 times weekly
  • Can maintain safety without 24-hour supervision
  • Would benefit from group-based, skills-focused, trauma-informed therapy
  • Demonstrate insight, motivation, and readiness for treatment
  • May experience functional impairment related to ADHD, ASD, AuDHD, or other neurodivergence

Program-specific eligibility

In addition to the general criteria, clients must meet the requirements for their specialty track:

DaTRAC (General IOP)
Meets general admission criteria
Reflections
Completed a DBT or DBT-informed program within the past 5 years
Anger Management
Anger management or emotional regulation identified as a primary concern at intake
Trauma
Trauma identified as a primary concern; can participate in trauma-related discussions, regulate emotions, and focus on symptom management rather than trauma processing in group
Perinatal
Currently pregnant or within 2 years postpartum
In-person groups
Able to attend sessions consistently in person

Population eligibility

  • Age 18+ and no longer attending high school
  • Meet SPMI criteria, including but not limited to mood, anxiety, trauma-related, or adjustment disorders

Readiness requirements

  • Ability to participate appropriately in a group setting
  • Cognitive and emotional capacity to benefit from treatment
  • Commitment to attendance expectations (minimum 80%)
  • Ability to maintain respectful participation and confidentiality

Good to know

When IOP may not be the right fit

IOP may not be appropriate for individuals experiencing:

  • Active suicidal or homicidal intent requiring crisis stabilization
  • Acute psychosis, mania, or severe impairment affecting group participation
  • Substance use requiring detoxification or a higher level of care
  • Medical instability requiring intensive medical care or supervision
  • Active eating disorder symptoms as the primary concern
  • Significant cognitive impairment limiting participation
  • Lack of a safe environment

Insurance

Clients who have Medicare as their only insurance cannot be accepted. Clients with both Medicare and Medicaid plans are accepted.

How to refer

Make a referral

Programs line

(651) 395-5796contactus@mnmentalhealth.com

Call or email the programs line to make a referral.

Looking for additional services?

(651) 377-5253

To match with additional services at MMHC, call Minnesota Mental Health Clinics.

Start your recovery journey

Our Intensive Outpatient Programs provide structured support, practical skill building, and compassionate care to help individuals move toward greater stability, resilience, and healing. To learn more about available groups or determine if a program is the right fit, please reach out.

Make a referral →Call (651) 395-5796