Adolescent IOP for 11-14 Year Olds
When your pre-teen is overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, or challenging behavior, they need more than just weekly therapy. Our Intensive Outpatient Program for Middle Schoolers (Adolescent IOP) offers structured, age-appropriate support to help them heal and thrive.
Our Adolescent IOP for 6th, 7th and 8th Graders
Our Adolescent IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) is designed for middle schoolers aged 11–14 who are struggling with anxiety, depression, or behavioral challenges.
This structured, 6-week program runs three days a week, for three hours per day.
Through a combination of individual counseling, group therapy, and skill-building activities, we help pre-teens develop emotional regulation, communication, and coping strategies in a supportive, age-appropriate environment—while still allowing them to stay connected to school, family, and daily life.
What is an Middle School IOP Program for 11-14 Year Olds?
Our 6-week Adolescent IOP for Middle Schoolers incorporates intensive individual, group therapy, and family therapy for three hours per day, three days per week.
Our Middle School IOP for 6th, 7th and 8th graders has been specially designed to provide support, structure, and more hours of therapy than traditional outpatient therapy. This is done during the summer break so children will not miss any school.
What makes our program unique is our integration of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT®) skills training, which helps children learn and practice tools for managing emotions, building healthy relationships, tolerating distress, and staying present. Through interactive group sessions and guided activities, teens gain practical coping strategies they can use in real-life situations—empowering them to feel more in control, confident, and connected.
Why Should You Consider the IOP for Middle School Students?
Adolescents may be under stress caused by social media, bullying, academic pressure, gender identity questions, exposure to abuse or violence, divorce or separated parents, traumatic home environment, neurodivergence (ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder), or other factors.
In Texas, roughly 1-in-5 youth report having at least one mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral problem, and 31% of surveyed Texas youth reported feeling sad or hopeless every day.
Pre-teens’ poor mental health can impact their life in many areas, including poor decision-making, low grades, substance abuse, and their emotional well-being.
Why We Have an IOP for Middle School Pre-Teens
Our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is specifically designed for children aged 11-14, as this is a critical stage of life, representing an often-overlooked period of transition. During this time, children are moving out of the structure and familiarity of elementary school, yet aren’t quite ready for the independence and complexity of high school. Many middle schoolers experience a surge in emotional, social, and academic pressures, along with the physical and hormonal changes of early adolescence. It’s a period marked by identity development, shifting peer dynamics, and increasing demands at home and school.
Despite these challenges, the Austin community has limited mental health resources tailored to this unique age group. Our IOP for adolescents fills that gap by providing targeted support, structure, and evidence-based therapy to help middle schoolers navigate this important developmental stage with resilience and confidence.
Multi-Generational Group Therapy
The Adolescent IOP includes in-person DBT® skills groups for the parents and the Middle School participants. This weekly one-hour group provides practical tools and support to help kids and their families better understand and reinforce the skills that are being learned in IOP.
Led by a licensed clinician, the group introduces key concepts from the four core DBT® modules: core mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance. In a supportive, face-to-face setting, participants will learn how to model and encourage skillful behavior at home—an approach shown to improve treatment outcomes and strengthen family relationships.
Join a community of others navigating similar challenges and gain the confidence to respond more effectively in difficult moments.
Details About Our IOP Program for Adolescents 11-14
This Midde School IOP program includes 18 3-hour sessions over 6 weeks. It will take place in person at the Austin DBT Associates office. This is a cash-pay (direct pay) program, costing $240 per session. (Each child should complete at least 18 sessions over the 6-week period.)
Program Times:
- Tuesday: 9:00am – 12:00pm
- Wednesday: 9:00am – 12:00pm
- Thursday: 9:00am-12:00pm
What to Expect in our Adolescent IOP for 11-14
A 90-minute intake assessment is conducted by a licensed DBT® clinician. During this time, the clinician will assess your teen’s history, needs, and goals in order to identify the best course of treatment for them. You and your teen will learn more about the Adolescent IOP program.
The initial intake assessment fee is $180.
