Last updated on December 8th, 2022 at 08:33 pm
Looking for mental health treatment options can be a bit overwhelming. With so many different possibilities, it can be hard to know exactly what to do. But no matter your situation, it is possible to find the right solution.
First, Rule Out Inpatient Care
Before we go any further, it is important to decide if outpatient treatment is right for you or your loved one.
The first step is to rule out inpatient treatment. Inpatient programs are more intensive, time-consuming, and often more expensive. They involve spending entire days or weeks at a treatment facility, receiving round-the-clock care and support. This level of care is often unnecessary, and for many patients simply causes too much disruption.
A consultation with a mental health professional is necessary to fully determine if a patient requires a high level of support that inpatient treatment provides. Situations, where inpatient treatment is likely needed, include cases with substance abuse elements, repeated unsuccessful outpatient attempts, patients with self-harm risk, or patients who pose a risk to others.
Who is Outpatient Care For?
Outpatient care is a broad term that includes a variety of treatment plans detailed further on in this article. Outpatient mental health treatments are ideal for anyone with mild to moderate (and in some cases severe) mental health issues.
They provide a framework for the accurate diagnosis and monitoring of the condition, structure for coping with the problem, and potentially pharmaceutical support when applicable.
Outpatient care can treat conditions like eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and more. Your condition doesn’t need to be severe to benefit from outpatient care. These treatment options help you identify stressors and triggers and develop strategies for dealing with them in a healthy way.
Types of Outpatient Care
Outpatient care is highly flexible and comes with many different varieties from a wide selection of providers. While the best route varies widely between patients, and the decision should ultimately be one that is made with the help of a mental health professional, it is important to know your options.
- Counseling/Therapy: Counseling is the backbone of outpatient treatment. By working with a counselor one-on-one, you can learn to cope with stressors and triggers, leading to a healthier daily life. Counselors offer different appointment frequencies and lengths but generally consist of one or more hour-long appointments each week.
- Group Therapy: Group therapy generally involves weekly sessions where you work with a counselor in a group setting, getting support and help from your peers. Group therapy is often best paired with counseling or psychiatry and can serve as a long-term support solution.
- Psychiatry: A psychiatrist will work with your counselor or psychologist, using their feedback to determine if you need medical support including pharmaceuticals in your treatment plan. This is generally a treatment option that goes along with therapy, working hand in hand to create a robust treatment solution.
- Home Care: People rarely think of mental health when they hear homecare. But home caregivers don’t just help patients with physical conditions. Caregivers are trained to give mental and emotional support to patients who are stuck at home due to physical limitations or age. This care option can be a great solution for patients that need lots of care but aren’t good candidates for inpatient treatment. Caregivers can help patients with personality disorders, eating disorders, anxiety, and more, offering support throughout their day.
Mental Health Services at Sunrise
Here at Sunrise Community Behavioral Health, we are committed to improving your mental health by providing the highest quality outpatient services, focused on each individual’s unique needs.
If you believe that an outpatient solution is best for you or a loved one, or need a consultation to help determine the best path.
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