Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
for OCD and Anxiety

Where Progress Meets Possibility

When OCD or anxiety is getting in the way of daily life, our intensive outpatient program provides structured care across Greater Boston and beyond. Choose from our Cambridge, Melrose, or Norwell locations, or join virtually, all while continuing with work, school, and family responsibilities.

What is an Intensive Outpatient Program?

Typical outpatient therapy meets once a week for 45–60 minutes. For some individuals, this isn’t quite enough to jumpstart progress. Intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) provides additional time, structure, and support to help you or your loved one make meaningful change.

At NECOA, our IOP runs for four weeks, Monday through Friday, for two hours each day. Sessions can take place in our office, virtually, or a combination of both—depending on what makes sense for your treatment goals. Our program uses evidence-based treatment modalities, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), to help participants make meaningful progress. This structure allows for deeper therapeutic work and faster results, while still maintaining flexibility for your schedule.

What is ACT (Acceptance Commitment Therapy)?

What is ERP (Exposure Response Prevention)?

Why This Therapy Works

NECOA’s IOP uses science-backed treatment approaches — including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) — that are proven to improve the lives of those struggling with anxiety and OCD.

This structured and supportive format helps individuals:

Build momentum and consistency in their treatment
Develop coping strategies more effectively
Receive daily guidance and feedback from experienced clinicians and cognitive behavioral coaches

ERP takes practice, which is why our IOP includes three 2-hour coaching sessions each week alongside individual therapy. Your Cognitive Behavioral Coach supports you in the settings where you need it most—whether in our office, virtually, or, when clinically appropriate, in community settings—so you can practice skills where they matter in daily life. Many people find that ACT and ERP complement each other well. Together, they help you build a life guided by your values, rather than by what anxiety tells you to do. At NECOA, we use both approaches in ways that are tailored to each person’s needs.

What is Cognivite Behavioral Coaching?

Why NECOA?

We specialize exclusively in OCD and Anxiety conditions. Our team of clinicians has extensive training and experience in evidence-based treatments – specifically Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

With locations across Massachusetts and New York, we're here to serve New England families. Whether you prefer in-person sessions, virtual appointments, or a combination of both, we work with you to create a schedule that fits your life.

What's Included in the Program?

A 90-minute Diagnostic Assessment
Two 2-hour individual Behavioral Therapy (BT) sessions per week with your primary clinician to create and work on your treatment plan
Three 2-hour Cognitive Behavioral Coaching sessions weekly to practice skills—in our office, virtually, or when appropriate, in other settings that make sense for your goals
Group therapy options:
- OCD Adult Support Group
- SPACE groups for parents (when working with children and adolescents) to learn supportive strategies based on evidence-based approaches

Session times and locations are scheduled around your needs. Some people do morning sessions before work, others prefer afternoons or evenings. We offer both in-person and virtual options, or a combination of both, depending on what works best for you.

Please note our IOP in NY is virtual only.

Locations

We serve Cambridge, Melrose, Norwell, Hanover, and nearby communities such as Somerville, Arlington, Medford, Reading, Woburn, Hingham, and Scituate, with virtual care available in Massachusetts and New York.

Our Locations in Massachusetts:

Greater Boston Area:

1734 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge
678 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge
612 Main Street, Melrose

South Shore:

80 Washington St o54, Norwell
Mudflower Farm, 742 Broadway, Hanover

Sample IOP Schedule:

All schedules are tailored specifically to the client's availability and are extremely flexible.

Monday

10 AM - Noon

Session with Behavioral Therapist

Tuesday

1 PM - 3 PM

Session with Cognitive Behavioral Coach

Wednesday

1 PM - 3 PM

Session with Cognitive Behavioral Coach

Thursday

10 AM - Noon

Session with Behavioral Therapist

Friday

Noon - 2 PM

Session with Cognitive Behavioral Coach

Sessions Breakdown:

Review ERP homework
Psychoeducation on anxiety/OCD
Learn thought defusion strategies and mindful awareness
Explore values and meaningful actions
Work collaboratively to plan and optimize ERPs linking ERPs
to value-based actions
Practice skills in real-time
Troubleshoot and tailor skills to meet the individual needs
of the client
Assign more practice for outside of session

Review ERP homework with the coach
Complete and practice agreed upon ERP with coaching support
Engage in valued-action linked to ERP work

What Happens When the IOP Ends?

Your care doesn’t stop when the program ends. After completing the IOP, we offer step-down options to gradually reduce the frequency of sessions while maintaining progress.

Your primary therapist will work with you to develop a personalized plan for continued care — ensuring a smooth transition back into day-to-day life with ongoing support from the NECOA team.

Who's a good fit?

You may be a good candidate for NECOA’s IOP if:

Anxiety and/or OCD symptoms are significantly interfering with you or a loved one's daily life
Weekly outpatient therapy hasn’t provided enough progress

Get Started