Mental health conditions can impact every part of a person’s life. Mental health symptoms can affect daily functioning, relationships, health, and quality of life.
Comprehensive treatment programs can empower people and help them manage their mental health symptoms. Treatment plans typically include medication management, therapy, education, holistic therapies, and more.
There are several types of mental health services and treatment options. This article will explore outpatient mental health treatment programs. You will learn:
- An overview of different levels of behavioral health care
- What to expect in outpatient care
- The benefits of outpatient programs
- How to determine if outpatient care is right for you
- Where to find comprehensive mental health care
If you or someone you love needs treatment for a mental health condition, you are not alone. Find compassionate, effective treatment at Agape Behavioral Health. Learn about our programs or schedule an intake by contacting our specialists today.
Mental Health Treatment: Understanding the Levels of Care
Every person has unique mental health care needs. There are several levels of care to help each person receive the tailored, comprehensive treatment they need to manage a mental health condition.
Here is an overview of the levels of mental health care.
Residential or Inpatient treatment
Inpatient mental health programs provide round-the-clock care for people with intensive treatment needs. People may attend inpatient treatment to manage a mental health crisis or address new or worsening mental health symptoms.
Inpatient and residential programs offer the most intensive levels of care. People may begin treatment in an inpatient program before transitioning into outpatient care.
Partial hospitalization programs (PHP)
A PHP is the most intensive level of outpatient mental health care. People may attend a PHP after completing an inpatient program. Partial hospitalization programs include:
- Medication management
- Assessments and screenings
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other behavioral therapies
- Individual, group, and family therapy
- Education
- Holistic therapies
Partial programs require an intensive time commitment. People may spend 30 hours or more engaging in treatment each week.
Intensive outpatient programming (IOP)
IOPs provide intensive outpatient mental health support. Intensive outpatient treatment involves therapies, education, counseling, holistic therapies, and other forms of support. Like partial programs, an IOP can provide critical treatment and support for people with intensive mental health needs. However, an intensive outpatient program typically offers fewer treatment sessions per week. People may spend 15-25 hours a week in treatment.
Outpatient mental health treatment
Outpatient mental health treatment programs provide structure, support systems, and treatment on an outpatient basis. Treatment may include:
- Individual therapy sessions
- Group counseling
- Education
- Medication management
People may participate in treatment once per week or more, depending on their needs. This level of care is ideal for people who need consistent help managing a mental health condition but do not require more intensive treatment.
Dual diagnosis treatment
People with a co-occurring mental health condition and substance use disorder (SUD) require specialized treatment programs to address both conditions. Depending on their needs or stage of recovery, people may attend inpatient or outpatient dual diagnosis treatment programs.
Contact the Agape Behavioral Health specialists to learn more about what to expect in each level of mental health care.
Agape Behavioral Accepts Private Insurance Plans 
Who Should Go to Outpatient Mental Health Treatment
Outpatient mental health treatment may be the best option for people who:
Have mild or moderate mental health symptoms
Outpatient treatment is ideal if your symptoms are manageable without 24/7 care, allowing you to continue daily responsibilities while receiving support.
Have completed inpatient or residential treatment
If you’ve already received intensive care and need continued therapy and guidance, outpatient treatment helps you transition back to everyday life. Regular therapy and check-ins can help prevent relapse and provide coping strategies to maintain mental wellness.
Are motivated to attend treatment sessions
Outpatient care requires commitment, as you’ll need to consistently attend appointments and actively participate in your recovery. If you know you won’t be motivated to attend all treatment sessions, a higher level of care with more supervision may be right for you.
Have safe, stable housing
A secure home environment allows you to focus on healing without the added stress of unstable living conditions. People without safe, stable housing may be better suited for inpatient rehab.
Have a good support system in the community
Having friends, family, or community resources to lean on can make outpatient treatment more effective and sustainable.
Before beginning treatment, people must undergo a mental health evaluation. A mental health evaluation will assess a person’s symptoms, physical health, substance use, family history, and more. This assessment will help mental health professionals determine which level of care will best meet each person’s needs.
Benefits of Outpatient Mental Health Care
Research shows that mental health treatment can help people manage their symptoms in the long term. Here are some of the most significant benefits of outpatient mental health care.
Personalized treatment
Outpatient mental health treatment programs can meet a wide range of needs. People with intensive treatment requirements may benefit from a PHP or IOP. Those needing consistent support may attend outpatient programs after attending higher levels of care. Mental health specialists evaluate people’s needs throughout treatment and adjust treatment plans when necessary.
Cost-effective treatment
In most cases, outpatient mental health treatment may cost less than inpatient care. Insurance typically covers some or all costs related to outpatient treatment.
Holistic care
Outpatient mental health care programs provide care for a person’s mind, body, relationships, and more. These programs offer comprehensive therapies that address the complex roots of mental health symptoms, allowing people to manage their symptoms more effectively.
Flexible treatment programs
Outpatient programs are flexible, letting people stay connected to their support systems, continue working, or care for family. Flexible outpatient programming allows people to get the help they need while continuing to manage other responsibilities.
Contact the Agape Behavioral Health specialists to learn more about our outpatient treatment programs.
Find Mental Health Treatment
If you or a loved one needs support to manage a mental health condition, you are not alone. Contact the intake team at Agape Behavioral Health to learn about our programs or to schedule an intake appointment.
