If you are struggling with the symptoms of a mental health condition you were diagnosed with, you suspect you may have underlying issues of a mental health nature, or you find it hard to cope with everyday challenges that affect your emotions, thoughts, and behavior, outpatient mental health treatment can be the answer for you.
In this article, we will discover the characteristics of outpatient mental health programs, their benefits, variations, and steps to take to undergo treatment in an outpatient setting without pausing your life.
What Is Outpatient Mental Health Treatment?
Outpatient mental health treatment refers to a treatment program a patient can benefit from while maintaining a balance between their daily life and mental health care. If your symptoms do not prevent you from taking part in your usual activities and you can cope with the signs of the mental illness or addiction you are recovering from without the constant supervision of medical professionals, outpatient care may be the best option for you.
How Does Outpatient Mental Health Work?
Outpatient mental health treatment typically includes the following steps:
- A patient is getting assessed – while your mental health is a priority, mental health professionals will also pay attention to your physical condition in case your mental health issues damaged your physical state in any way. After the evaluation, the patient is sent to a counselor who is capable of working with diagnoses like theirs.
- Once the work with a therapist begins, a patient gets to share their therapy goals, concerns, fears, and worries. The counselor will examine their medical history and come up with an individual plan of treatment – for example, outpatient therapy for depression may include one-on-one counseling, group therapy, medication management, and specialized forms of therapy to address certain manifestations of the illness.
- Even when the outpatient treatment comes to an end, a patient will be given an aftercare plan to implement specific techniques in the future despite no longer consulting with a therapist since the purpose of the outpatient treatment is to equip the individual with the knowledge they need to cope with their condition on their own or prevent it from occurring in the future.
Types of Outpatient Mental Health Services
| Type of Treatment | Description |
| Standard Outpatient Treatment | This is the most common type of outpatient counseling patients with mild to moderate symptoms receive to get better – it may last for a few weeks while the individual goes to school or continues to work, and provides the person with the flexibility they need at this moment |
| Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) | An intensive outpatient program is more demanding – while the patient does not have to reside at the facility, they have to attend therapy sessions and go to therapeutic procedures three or four times per week for several hours |
| Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) | A partial hospitalization program typically requires the patient to spend almost every day of the week at a mental health center while they come back home for the night |
| Specialized Therapy Options | In case therapy targets a specific mental health condition or there are practices for every patient to implement in their treatment, these modalities are typically put in a separate category – a counselor will tell you more about cognitive restructuring, trauma-focused care, and exposure therapy if your symptoms require a more tailored approach |
Key Benefits of Outpatient Mental Health Treatment
There are many advantages to psychiatric outpatient treatment when you compare it with similar treatment options:
| Benefit | Description |
| Convenience and Flexibility | You get to reconcile your family obligations, work responsibilities, and mental health care when you visit a facility for a therapy session or procedure – you are in charge of your schedule |
| Support of Community | Patients who need to stay at a hospital under medical supervision lack communication with their families and friends – when you attend a medical center for outpatient help, you get to spend enough time with your loved ones and rely on them on your way to recovery |
| Personalized Treatment | Therapists and psychiatrists will be able to come up with treatment tailored to your needs when there is no need to ensure your personal safety or monitor you round-the-clock – still, your progress will be properly monitored every week |
| Cost-Effective Solution | When you stay at a mental health facility full-time, it may be rather expensive – depending on your income and insurance options, outpatient treatment can be the optimal solution for your finances and your nerves |
How to Decide If Outpatient Mental Health Care Is Right for You
If you are thinking about undergoing an outpatient mental health program, you should weigh all the pros and cons to make an informed decision:
- There are certain factors to consider when you are making your choice – your symptoms are mild enough for you to reside at home while you are attending the facility, you have the support of your inner circle to help you out in case of emergency, and the objectives of therapy you have set with your therapist can be achieved through outpatient treatment or have been accomplished already.
- Pick the right time to transition from inpatient to outpatient care – since the former requires constant monitoring, it is recommended for people whose symptoms put them and others at risk. If the combined efforts of the patient, their therapists, and psychiatrists allowed them to eliminate the most severe signs of the mental health condition, outpatient treatment could be the next step.
- Always consult with mental health professionals before admission to an outpatient mental health facility – while there will be a thorough process of evaluation, learn the opinion of the counselor you have worked with before to be certain outpatient mental health treatment is going to heal you.
Comparing Inpatient and Outpatient Mental Health Treatment
Outpatient treatment means a patient gets to live at home and take care of their professional and personal obligations without major adjustments while inpatient treatment requires more time from the person. It is likely they will not be able to go to work or attend classes for a specific period of time since the treatment they receive requires doctors to monitor them during the night as well – the individual stays at the facility until they are recovered enough to go back home. If the therapy is serious enough and your symptoms may lead to you harming yourself or others, inpatient treatment is going to be the best solution.
Steps to Get Started with Outpatient Mental Health Care
There are several options available for a person who wants to start outpatient mental health care:
- Get a referral from your current physician or a psychiatrist – after a single appointment, they should be able to tell you if you need outpatient treatment or an alternative form of mental health support is preferable.
- Transition from a residential treatment program or detox – outpatient treatment does not require medical professionals to supervise you 24/7 so as soon as you are more or less stable, you can continue therapy in a less strict setting.
- Reach out to outpatient mental health facilities in your area – the administrators will schedule an evaluation to figure out what therapeutic procedures will work the best for you and tell you when the first counseling session will take place.
FAQs
- Who benefits from outpatient mental health treatment?
People with symptoms that can be easily managed or eliminated fully as well as those who do not need to be observed because their behavior is not influenced by their mental condition can do well by receiving treatment on an appointment basis.
- Can outpatient psychiatry be as effective as residential treatment?
The type of treatment a patient receives must be effective enough for their symptoms – a person with severe trauma may not feel the advantages of weekly counseling sessions an individual with anxiety will enjoy. Based on the evaluation of the person, therapists and psychiatrists will be able to recommend outpatient treatment as the most reasonable option.
- Do I need a referral to receive outpatient treatment?
While this is one of the ways to receive psychotherapeutic treatment for less severe symptoms, you do not have to discuss this opportunity with your therapist if you do not want to – look for nearby facilities that offer outpatient treatment and schedule an assessment with them directly.
- Can I sign up for an IOP program near me?
If your therapist believes you would benefit from a more intensive form of treatment, you can find a mental health center not far from your home so that you can spend enough time with your family and undergo treatment almost on a daily basis to feel better quicker.
- Can I transition from inpatient treatment to an outpatient program?
It is the right of the patient to decide what treatment program is the best for them – talk to your counselors after a few weeks of undergoing inpatient treatment, and you can tell them about your plans to transfer to an outpatient program. With or without their approval, you can continue your treatment while you reside at home.
