TRAUMA-FOCUSED INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM IN WILMINGTON, NC | CHRYSALIS CENTER


Healing from trauma is possible—and you don’t have to do it alone!
At Chrysalis Center, we believe that recovery from trauma begins with feeling safe, supported, and understood. Our Trauma-Focused Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is Joint Commission-accredited and specifically designed for adults ages 18 and older who are experiencing the lasting effects of traumatic events, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex trauma, and related mental health concerns.

Whether you’re dealing with the impact of a single traumatic event or ongoing, complex trauma, our IOP offers a structured path to healing. We provide evidence-based trauma treatment in a supportive group setting that address the emotional, physical, and psychological impact of trauma. Our program fosters a sense of community and connection, helping clients reclaim their lives with greater self-awareness, resilience, and hope.


CONNECT WITH US


Serving Wilmington, NC and surrounding areas


Contact Emily Foster, LCMHC-A – IOP Treatment Coordinator


emily.foster@chrysaliscenter-nc.com


At Chrysalis, we honor each individual’s story and provide a space where healing becomes not only possible—but sustainable.


PROGRAM OVERVIEW


Our Trauma-Focused IOP is a six-week program rooted in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)—an evidence-based treatment shown to be highly effective in reducing PTSD symptoms.The program meets three times per week—Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 2:00 to 5:00 PM. Participants may also engage in individual therapy, family or couples therapy (when clinically indicated), and psychiatric support.

Participants join a closed cohort of up to 10 individuals. Everyone begins and ends the program at the same time, allowing for deeper connections and shared healing in a consistent, supportive environment.

This program is ideal for individuals who need more support than traditional outpatient therapy but do not require inpatient or residential care.

CORE COMPONENTS


Through our trauma-focused IOP, Chrysalis Center provides individualized, trauma-informed care grounded in collaboration, respect, and clinical excellence.

  • Comprehensive intake assessment and treatment planning

  • Weekly individual therapy with a licensed clinician

  • Evidence-based group therapy sessions

  • Coordination with referring providers and existing care teams

  • Optional psychiatric evaluation and medication management

  • Family or couples therapy, when beneficial

  • Structured aftercare planning to support sustained healing post-discharge

OVERVIEW OF IOP GROUPS

Our Trauma-Focused IOP combines CPT with a variety of holistic and skills-based groups that support healing from the emotional, physical, and psychological impact of trauma. Learn more about each group below!


  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) Group
  • Compassionate Coping Group
  • Process Group
  • Mindful Movement & Arts Group
  • Experiential Group
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) Group

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a structured, evidence-based form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) proven effective in reducing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and other trauma-related responses. This group is a core component of our Trauma-Focused IOP, designed to help individuals process and reframe the distressing thoughts and beliefs that often follow traumatic experiences.

Throughout the program, participants learn to identify how trauma has impacted their thoughts about themselves, others, and the world. CPT helps clients recognize unhelpful thinking patterns—such as guilt, shame, or self-blame—and replace them with more balanced, compassionate, and realistic perspectives.

Each CPT session includes guided skill-building, structured discussions, and daily therapeutic homework to reinforce progress outside of group. Homework is reviewed in each session, allowing clients to apply concepts to their real-life experiences and track meaningful change over time.

Compassionate Coping Group

Compassionate Coping Group is a skills-based, psychoeducational group designed to help clients build resilience and emotional regulation in the aftermath of trauma. Drawing from both Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), this group offers practical tools to manage distress and stay grounded in the present moment.

Participants will engage in a combination of interactive lessons, experiential exercises, and supportive group discussions. Core skills include mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness—all essential for navigating challenging emotions and improving relationships during trauma recovery.

Process Group

Our Process Group offers a safe, supportive space for clients to explore their personal challenges related to trauma recovery. This open-format group encourages honest, respectful discussion, fostering a sense of connection, validation, and shared understanding among participants.

Facilitated by a licensed therapist, the group helps clients process emotions, gain insight, and strengthen interpersonal skills through real-time feedback and support from peers. This experience promotes deeper emotional healing and reinforces the sense that no one has to navigate trauma alone.

Mindful Movement & Arts Group

The Mindful Movement and Arts Group combines elements of expressive arts therapy and somatic awareness to support emotional healing and self-discovery. Using creative modalities such as art-making, guided movement, and mindfulness practices, participants explore their inner experiences in a nonverbal, embodied way.

This group helps foster a stronger mind-body connection, encourages healthy emotional expression, and promotes personal insight through the creative process. Ideal for individuals recovering from trauma, this group invites participants to engage imagination, curiosity, and self-compassion on their path to healing.

Experiential Group

The Experiential Trauma Group offers a dynamic approach to trauma recovery by incorporating techniques from somatic therapy, sensorimotor processing, and other experiential healing modalities. This group focuses on helping participants safely access and process stored trauma through guided activities that engage both the body and the mind.

By creating space for nervous system regulation, emotional release, and embodied insight, clients can begin to shift trauma that talk therapy alone may not fully reach. This group supports deeper healing, increased self-awareness, and a stronger sense of presence and connection.

About Us

At Chrysalis, we believe that a supportive, healing environment is essential in order for change and growth to occur. We seek to offer such an environment to clients and help them create that in their lives and relationships. Read More

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Hours

Mon: 8AM – 6PM
Tue: 8AM – 6PM
Wed: 8AM – 6PM
Thu: 8AM – 6PM
Fri: 8AM – 4PM
Sat: CLOSED
Sun: CLOSED

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