LGBTQIA+ Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Reclaim Your Voice, Reconnect with Your Power
At Element Q Healing Center, our mission is to create space for growth, connection, and renewal for the LGBTQIA+ community. Our specialized Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in San Diego offers a safe, affirming environment where your identity is not just acknowledged but also celebrated as an essential part of your healing journey.


A San Diego IOP Designed for the LGBTQIA+ Community
Our Intensive Outpatient Program was thoughtfully developed by practitioners within the LGBTQIA+ community who intimately understand our community members’ specific needs, challenges, and strengths. We recognize that inclusive and identity-based healthcare is not a privilege—it’s a right that has been hard-won by generations before us.
Standing on the foundation built by those who fought tirelessly for LGBTQIA+ rights and recognition, Element Q Healing Center offers an IOP where:
- Your identity is celebrated, not just tolerated or accommodated
- Your trauma is met with understanding and specialized care informed by lived experience
- Your story and experiences are honored and centered in your healing journey
- Your voice is amplified and empowered through every stage of treatment
Our program provides structured therapeutic support while allowing you to maintain your daily responsibilities and home life. Unlike conventional mental health programs that treat LGBTQIA+ identity as an afterthought, the IOP at Element Q creates a therapeutic environment where you can focus entirely on healing without the additional emotional labor of explaining or justifying your identity.
LGBTQ IOP Structure & Schedule
Our LGBTQIA+ Intensive Outpatient Program in San Diego offers two flexible options to accommodate your unique needs while providing structured therapeutic support that allows you to maintain your daily responsibilities.
Standard IOP (IOPx5)
- Days: Monday through Friday
- Hours: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
- Level of Care: Structured daily treatment with flexibility for work and life commitments
- Focus: LGBTQIA+ affirming trauma treatment with identity-centered care
Standard IOP (IOPx3)
- Days: Three days of your choice, Monday through Friday
- Hours: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
- Level of Care: Balanced therapeutic support with maximum flexibility
- Focus: LGBTQIA+ affirming trauma treatment with identity-centered care
The IOP level of care is ideal for those who:
- Need more structure and support than traditional weekly therapy
- Are stepping down from a more intensive level of care like PHP or residential treatment
- Require focused therapeutic intervention while maintaining work, school, or family responsibilities
- Want to address mental health concerns, trauma, or substance use in a community-based setting
- Are seeking LGBTQIA+-specific care that centers identity in the healing process
Levels of Care for LGBTQ+ Mental Health Treatment
Element Q Healing Center offers a continuum of LGBTQIA+-affirming care to meet you wherever you are in your healing journey. Our interconnected programs allow you to seamlessly transition between different levels of support as your needs change while maintaining the same quality of identity-affirming, trauma-informed treatment throughout.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Our most intensive level of care, the LGBTQIA+ Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), provides comprehensive daily therapeutic support while allowing you to return home each evening. This structured program combines various therapeutic modalities and holistic approaches in a community setting. PHP is ideal for those requiring intensive treatment after hospitalization, those needing more support than an IOP can provide, or those seeking an alternative to residential treatment while safely residing at home.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Our LGBTQIA+ Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides structured therapeutic support with greater flexibility, allowing you to begin applying healing practices in your daily life. The IOP serves as a bridge between intensive treatment and everyday living, with flexible scheduling options that accommodate work and personal commitments while still providing the consistent support needed for meaningful recovery.
Outpatient Program (OP)
Our Outpatient Program (OP) is designed for LGBTQIA+ individuals who have progressed in their recovery through our IOP or PHP and are ready for less structured support. Outpatient treatment emphasizes sustainable healing practices and continued growth as you progress in your recovery journey while fully embracing your authentic identity. OP is perfect for those who have developed strong coping skills and are actively implementing them daily but still benefit from consistent professional support.
What to Expect from Our San Diego IOP
Element Q’s Intensive Outpatient Program integrates evidence-based therapeutic modalities with holistic healing practices specifically tailored to address the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals. Our comprehensive program provides multiple layers of support to address the whole person:
Personalized Neuropsychological Assessment
Our program begins with a full battery neuropsychological evaluation to understand your unique cognitive functioning. This comprehensive assessment allows us to identify specific areas affected by trauma or mental health challenges and create targeted interventions that work for your individual needs. Unlike standard outpatient programs, this detailed evaluation ensures your treatment plan addresses your specific neurological patterns and needs within the IOP framework.
LGBTQIA+ Affirming Individual Therapy
IOP clients receive weekly individual therapy sessions with their primary provider specializing in LGBTQIA+-affirming care. These sessions create a safe space to process trauma, explore identity, and develop personalized coping strategies. Our therapists understand the unique stressors and experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community and integrate this knowledge into every aspect of treatment, creating a genuinely affirming therapeutic experience that supports your daily life outside of the program.
Traditional Chinese Medicine & Holistic Healing
As part of our innovative approach, clients receive individual sessions with a Doctor of Chinese Medicine. These sessions incorporate culturally-informed healing practices, including acupuncture, cupping, Qigong, craniosacral acupressure, and Reiki. These modalities help address the physical manifestations of trauma and stress, promoting balance and healing that complements the cognitive and emotional work done in therapy while allowing you to integrate these practices into your daily routine.
Identity-Affirming Psychiatry
Our psychiatry team understands the complex intersection of mental health, identity, and trauma. Medication management is provided by practitioners who recognize how gender, sexuality, and lived experiences can impact treatment responses. This nuanced approach ensures any medication interventions are tailored to your specific needs as an LGBTQIA+ individual while supporting your functioning in work, school, and home environments.
Community Connection & Peer Support
Healing happens through connection. Our IOP includes group therapy and community-building opportunities with peers with similar experiences. These connections reduce isolation, validate experiences, and create a sense of belonging that is essential to healing. Many clients report that these connections become valuable resources long after completing our program, providing ongoing support as you apply your recovery skills to everyday life.

Empowering LGBTQIA+ Wellness
Unlike conventional treatment centers, Element Q provides an integrated, personalized, and diverse range of services designed explicitly for LGBTQIA+ individuals.
What We Treat
Our San Diego Intensive Outpatient Program provides specialized care for LGBTQIA+ individuals experiencing:
- Trauma
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Bipolar Disorder
- PTSD
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Body Image Concerns
- Gender-Identity Challenges
- Substance Abuse
- Relationship Issues
- ADHD/Neurodiversity
- Co-Occurring Disorders
- Dual Diagnosis
- Domestic Violence
- Drug Abuse
- Alcohol Addiction
- Panic Disorders
- Anxiety Disorders
- Mood Disorders
- Stress Disorders
- Disordered Eating
- And others
The Element Q Difference
What makes our Intensive Outpatient Program unique is our unwavering commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community. We don’t just offer “LGBTQ-friendly” services—we provide care fundamentally shaped by and created for our community.
1. By The Community, For The Community
Our team consists of diverse LGBTQIA+ practitioners with lived experience who understand the nuances of queer identity and the specific health challenges our community faces. When you choose Element Q, you’re working with providers who:
- Share in the LGBTQIA+ experience
- Have specialized training in queer-specific healthcare
- Are committed to social justice and restorative healing
- Create a space where being seen and heard is not a privilege but a promise
2. Integrated Care Network
Healing doesn’t happen in isolation. We believe in creating a comprehensive support system that extends beyond our walls. Our connections throughout the San Diego community ensure access to affirming care in all areas of your life. Element Q maintains a vast network of queer-specific medical providers specializing in gender-affirming care. Through our case management services, we connect you with:
- LGBTQIA+ affirming primary care providers
- Specialists in gender-affirming healthcare
- Community resources and support groups
- Housing and employment assistance when needed
- Legal aid and advocacy services

You Belong Here
Find strength in a program that fits your life while honoring your authentic self. Contact Element Q today to discover how our San Diego Intensive Outpatient Program can support your path to wellness.
“Inclusive and identity-based healthcare is a right, not a privilege.”
Let's Connect
At Element Q Healing Center, we’re committed to providing affirming and accessible care for the LGBTQIA+ community. Whether you’re seeking treatment for yourself or supporting a loved one, we’re here to guide you through the process with compassion and understanding.
Our team is ready to answer your questions about our programs, insurance coverage, or how to get started. Your journey toward healing and empowerment begins with reaching out.
Contact Us
Contact Details
Element Q Healing Center creates space for growth, connection, and renewal through identity-affirming and trauma-focused care. Our team of LGBTQIA+ practitioners understands your unique needs and is dedicated to supporting your wellness journey.
Email address
info@elementqhealingcenter.com
Location
3750 Convoy St # 310,San Diego, CA 92111