Summary
This article reviews mental health treatment from an outpatient perspective, what it is, how long it lasts, and who can benefit from it.
Today, the majority of individuals who struggle with mental health disorders never get the help they need. There are several reasons why individuals fail to get proper treatment, but many of them center on an inability to step away from daily life for months at a time, living at a treatment center, let alone the cost of a residential, live-in treatment center.
Thankfully, outpatient programs provide an alternative to this, one that is more often covered by major insurance providers, more affordable, and more flexible.
What is Outpatient Mental Health Treatment?
Outpatient mental health treatment consists of a partial or full day of therapy and holistic sessions, with the freedom to return home after each day. This is a form of care juxtaposed with residential or inpatient programs where clients are required to remain under 24-hour supervision.
Outpatient Mental Health Treatment Duration
The length of time for an outpatient mental health treatment program varies based on the individual. For some people with mild, single mental health conditions, a partial day program might be the best fit, meeting just a few hours each day, a couple of days per week. However, for other people with more severe mental health conditions or co-occurring disorders, a full-time outpatient program might be best, meeting for an average of 6 hours per day, every day of the week.
The number of weeks or months for a respective outpatient program also depends on the individual. For example, someone seeking treatment for depression might get a recommendation for cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy follows a structured set of sessions divided into three groups spanning approximately 12 to 18 weeks. As such, someone participating in a cognitive behavioral therapy program might participate in outpatient treatment for several months.
What to Expect from Outpatient Treatment with East Coast Recovery
At East Coast Recovery, our outpatient treatment programs provide an option for part-time or full-time care. With each level of care, individuals participate in a combination of therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy as well as holistic treatments like yoga, art therapy, and meditation.
Our goal is to provide accessible care with various levels of outpatient treatment, designed for long-term success and symptom management. In some cases, that success hinges on a combination of medication and therapy, while in others it is centered on family integration.
Each client is different, and so are our programs. Whether you are struggling with a mild to moderate mental health disorder, our team can help you with an initial assessment, verify your insurance benefits on your behalf, and make recommendations for the best course of action, including the right level of treatment.
Call our team today to start your initial assessment and learn about outpatient mental health treatment.
FAQ
What Qualifies as Outpatient Mental Health Treatment?
Outpatient mental health treatment is any form of care that provides counseling, therapy, and other support services for mild to moderate mental health conditions without an individual having to stay overnight. This can extend to our day and partial day programs with flexible services ranging from a few hours, a few days per week, to several hours, every day of the week. Outpatient therapy gives clients a comparable form of treatment to residential care while allowing individuals to reside at home and continue managing other personal or professional responsibilities like work, school, or family.
When to Go to Outpatient Mental Health?
The earlier you get treatment for a mental health condition, the better. You do not have to wait until there is a risk of self-harm or until symptoms become so severe that they interfere with daily function. If you are noticing symptoms that are causing problems, even if they are mild, you can reach out for outpatient mental health treatment.
Is Outpatient the Same as Therapy?
No, outpatient programs are not the same as therapy, but therapy is offered as part of an outpatient program. Both therapy and outpatient programs allow you to manage symptoms and cravings while adjusting to daily life in a more flexible way. Rather than living full-time at a facility, you can reside at home or in a sober living center and then attend your outpatient program, including your therapy sessions.
What Are Examples of Outpatient Therapy?
Outpatient therapy can include a combination of evidence-based treatments, with one of the most common being cognitive behavioral therapy for mental health disorders. Other options include individual and group therapy, as well as family therapy or motivational interviewing. The combination of outpatient therapies that an individual client participates in will vary depending on individual circumstances and mental health needs.
What is the Most Effective Mental Health Treatment?
The most effective outpatient mental health treatment is a personalized combination of therapy and, in some cases, medication, as well as holistic care. Holistic care includes evidence-based practices that can improve mental and physical well-being, like proper nutrition, stress reduction, relaxation techniques, including yoga, and other fitness options. Therapy can include a combination of things like cognitive behavioral therapy or dialectical behavioral therapy, things that help to deal with negative thought patterns, manage intense emotions, and build better mindfulness and acceptance of difficult situations.
How Many Hours Per Day is Outpatient Therapy?
At our facility, outpatient treatment can range between 3 and 6 hours per day. This is based on your circumstances and individual needs. The highest level of care we offer is 6 hours per day, every day of the week, as a more intensive program, but those who have a mild mental health condition or who have already completed a higher level of care can benefit from our partial-day program, only a few hours each day, a few days per week.
