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Levels of care

Outpatient rehab in Orange County

Standard outpatient care is therapy a few hours a week. It works best when you are stable and want steady support as you rebuild daily life.

  • 110 outpatient programs

What outpatient looks like

Expect one or two group sessions and an individual session each week, sometimes with medication management. It is often the long tail of treatment after IOP, and it can last months.

Outpatient through Medi-Cal

Outpatient and intensive outpatient services are part of Orange County’s DMC-ODS benefit for Medi-Cal members. Call the Beneficiary Access Line at (800) 723-8641 to be screened and referred.

Who standard outpatient works for

  • People who have finished IOP and want ongoing support
  • People with mild substance use who are medically stable
  • People on medication-assisted treatment who want counseling alongside it
  • People who need care that fits around full-time work or school

What a week might look like

One evening group, one individual session, and perhaps a monthly visit with a prescriber. Many programs also offer family sessions and relapse prevention groups. Over time, sessions become less frequent as you build a stable routine.

Signs you need more support

  • You are using again or close to it
  • You are missing sessions
  • Your living situation has become unsafe or not sober
  • Mental health symptoms are getting worse

If so, ask your counselor about stepping up to IOP or PHP for a while. Moving between levels is normal.

Outpatient therapies you may see

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): spotting and changing thoughts that lead to use
  • Motivational interviewing: building your own reasons for change
  • Contingency management: small rewards for negative drug tests, especially effective for stimulants
  • Family therapy: repairing trust and communication

Licensed outpatient programs in Orange County

110 of 110 licensed or certified programs

Source: California DHCS licensing data, retrieved November 9, 2026. Listings are free and shown alphabetically by city. Confirm a license on the DHCS website before you choose.

Before you call a program

  • Ask for the DHCS license or certification number and check it.
  • Ask which levels of care they provide on site.
  • Ask what your insurance covers and what you will owe.
  • Ask where you would go next when this level of care ends.

More questions to ask →

Frequently asked questions

How is outpatient different from IOP?

IOP is more hours, usually 9 or more a week. Standard outpatient is fewer than 9 hours a week.

Can I do outpatient online?

Many California programs offer telehealth outpatient sessions. Ask whether your insurance covers them.

Last reviewed November 9, 2026. General information only, not medical advice. In an emergency call 911.

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