Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in Des Moines, Iowa

High-Level Support Without the Overnight Stay
Clinical Goal
Continue the deep work of fixing the roots of addiction while integrating back into daily life..
Support System
Access to master’s-level therapists and peer support groups during high-risk transition periods.
Flexible Schedule
Structured day or evening sessions designed to work around your job, school, or family.
Frequency
to 5 days per week, totaling 9 to 15 hours of clinical engagement each week to ensure progress.
Evidence-Based Care
Ongoing use of CBT and DBT to reinforce healthy behavioral patterns and prevent relapse.
Dual Diagnosis
Continued psychiatric support for co-occurring mental health disorders like anxiety and depression.
Learn more — Dual DiagnosisLocal Connection
Facility located right here in Des Moines, accessible from major roads.
Most Major Private Insurance Plans Accepted
At Des Moines Wellness Center, we believe that financial barriers should never stand in the way of life-saving care. Our admissions team works directly with your provider to maximize your benefits and minimize out-of-pocket costs. We provide a 100% confidential insurance verification process to get you the answers you need in minutes.
Intensive Outpatient Support for Long-Term Sobriety in Iowa
Sustainable Healing That Fits Your Life
Our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a wellness-focused treatment model designed to provide high-level clinical care without an overnight stay. It serves as a vital bridge, allowing you to transition from intensive stabilization back into your daily routine while maintaining a strong connection to your recovery community. You attend sessions at our Des Moines rehab and return to your own home at night, giving you the space to integrate new, healthy habits into your actual living environment while preventing relapse.
Who is it for?
The Step-Down Patient
Individuals who have completed detox or residential treatment and need a structured transition to prevent relapse.
The Working Professional
People who require professional clinical help but must maintain their responsibilities at a job or career.
Students & Caregivers
Those with school commitments or family duties who cannot step away for a 30-day inpatient stay.
Early-Stage Recovery
Individuals with a stable living environment who are catching a substance use issue before it requires 24/7 medical oversight.
IOP in Des Moines: A Foundation for Your Daily Routine
What your day looks like
Morning or Evening Sessions
We offer blocks of time that work around your professional or family commitments.
Group Therapy & Peer Connection
Connect with others walking the same path in a moderated, clinical setting to build your local support network.
One-on-One Clinical Work
Weekly individual sessions with a master's-level therapist to dive deep into fixing the roots of your addiction.
Life Skills & Wellness Workshops
Practical sessions focused on nutrition, stress management, and emotional intelligence.
Accountability & Support
Regular check-ins and a structured environment to keep you focused on your wellness goals while living at home.
Holistic Integration
We incorporate mindfulness and wellness practices that help you maintain emotional balance as you navigate the complexities of daily life.
Where IOP Fits in the continuum of care in Iowa
- 1
Medical Detox
Get Rid Of The Substance. The first step focuses on physical safety, clearing substances from your system under 24/7 medical supervision.
- 2
Residential Inpatient
Immersive Stabilization. You move into our private sanctuary for intensive deep work, living on-site to fix the roots of addiction away from daily triggers.
- 3
Outpatient Programs
Back to Real Life. We support your transition back to daily life, providing therapy and peer support to help you stay sober in the real world.
Our Specialized IOP Treatment Tracks
Personalized Support for Real-World Recovery
In our Intensive Outpatient Program, we adapt our clinical focus to the specific substance you are recovering from. Since you are living at home, these tracks emphasize relapse prevention and navigating daily triggers in the Des Moines community.
Focuses on social pressure management and rebuilding a lifestyle that doesn’t revolve around alcohol while you navigate your normal social circles.
Prioritizes nervous system regulation and natural anxiety management tools as you handle daily stressors without a prescription.
Centers on long-term craving management and building a “sober safety net” to protect against the high risk of relapse in the community.
Focuses on restoring motivation, improving sleep hygiene, and finding healthy ways to manage boredom or stress in your daily routine.
Emphasizes cognitive repair and dopamine restoration, helping you find natural energy and focus as you return to work or school.
Aims to break the behavioral loops of pilling for pain or stress, replacing them with sustainable, holistic wellness habits.
Teaches you to identify environmental cues in your neighborhood or friend groups that trigger cravings, providing immediate tools to stay sober.
Addresses co-occurring mental health issues like depression or PTSD in real-time, helping you stabilize your mood while managing life’s responsibilities.
Why Families Choose Our Des Moines IOP Program
THE DES MOINES WELLNESS DIFFERENCE
Master’s-Level Clinicians
Unlike many outpatient centers, your care is led by high-level therapists who specialize in fixing the roots of addiction, not just managing symptoms.
Flexible Life-First Scheduling
We offer morning and evening tracks specifically designed for working professionals, students, and parents who need to stay active in their roles.
Seamless Step-Down Transitions
We provide a stabilized path for those moving out of residential care, ensuring there is no gap in support during the most vulnerable stages of recovery.
Accredited Decade of Expertise
Backed by the Quadrant Health Network’s 10+ years of experience, we provide gold-standard, accredited care. This ensures your recovery follows the highest national clinical protocols,
Convenient Access for Central Iowa
A private, calm space to reset your life
By Car
Conveniently located just off IA-413 (NW 86th St) and minutes from the I-35/I-80 interchange, making us easily accessible for those commuting from across the region.
Public Transit
Our facility is serviced by local DART routes, ensuring reliable access for those using public transportation.
Logistics Support
We understand that transportation can be a hurdle. Our team can assist with local transport logistics to ensure you can attend your sessions without stress.

Medically Reviewed By Wesley Starlin, LMHC
Wesley Starlin is the Executive Director at Des Moines Wellness Center with over 15 years of experience in behavioral health and addiction treatment.
Immediate Clinical Consultation & Placement
Don’t navigate the complexities of addiction alone. Whether you are seeking admission for yourself or a loved one, our Des Moines team is ready to provide a confidential clinical assessment and verify your insurance coverage. Your path to stabilization begins with a single conversation.
Des Moines' Leading Inpatient Treatment Center
your RECOVERY STARTS HERE
Choosing the right residential treatment center is a life-changing decision. At Des Moines Wellness, we provide a high-intensity inpatient program designed to fix the underlying causes of substance use. By combining dual diagnosis care with a complete environmental reset, we help individuals from across Central Iowa and beyond break the cycle of chronic relapse in a safe, physician-led setting.
Whether you are seeking help for alcoholism, opioid addiction, or prescription drug dependency, our master’s-level clinicians are ready to help. As part of the Quadrant Health Network, we offer a premier clinical sanctuary for those in Des Moines, Ankeny, Polk County and people traveling from all Iowa or out of state. Don’t wait for the perfect time to start your medical stabilization and recovery journey. Call today.
Secure Your Private Clinical Assessment
START THE PROCESS
Ready to move from research to recovery? Fill out the confidential form below to connect directly with our Des Moines admissions team. We provide a comprehensive medical review and insurance verification to ensure your transition into detox, residential or outpatient programs is seamless and immediate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers & Resources
Yes. Our program is specifically designed to be flexible. With morning and evening session options, you can maintain your professional or academic commitments while receiving high-level clinical support.
Typically, IOP involves 9 to 15 hours of clinical programming per week. This usually consists of three-hour sessions, three to five days a week, allowing for a structured “step-down” as you gain more stability in your recovery.
Not necessarily. While many people use IOP as a transition from inpatient care, it is also an effective starting point for those with a stable home environment who need more than traditional weekly therapy to fix the roots of their addiction.
Standard outpatient therapy usually involves one hour-long session per week. Our IOP is much more intensive, providing 9 to 15 hours of clinical engagement weekly. This higher dosage of care is designed to create a breakthrough in your recovery while providing a much stronger support network than traditional therapy alone.
Absolutely. We believe that family support is a cornerstone of long-term wellness. We offer family therapy sessions and educational resources to help your loved ones understand the recovery process, heal together, and create a supportive environment at home as you navigate your IOP journey.
Most major private insurance plans cover Intensive Outpatient Programming. We offer a free, confidential insurance verification to help you understand your coverage and any potential out-of-pocket costs before you start. Call us at (888) 378-2158 to get a fast answer.
Client Testimonials
They Trusted Us. So Can You.
Find Us
Minutes from Des Moines, in Johnston
Our campus sits at 5820 Winwood Dr, Johnston, IA 50131, a short drive from downtown Des Moines and easily reached from Polk and Dallas County.
