Finding the right treatment program can be challenging. Many treatment centers offer multiple levels of care and various services. Outpatient treatment is one of the most flexible types of programs and allows clients to return home at night and on the weekend. You may wonder, is outpatient treatment right for me? Every case is unique and outpatient treatment might be what you need to address your mental health symptoms. Laguna Shores Recovery Center provides evidence-based treatment options, including intensive outpatient (IOP) and partial hospitalization (PHP) programs.
What Is Outpatient Treatment?
IOP and PHP programs provide comprehensive treatment services for individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) or persistent mental health issues. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), outpatient programs “[O]ffer services to clients seeking primary treatment; step-down care from inpatient, residential, and withdrawal management settings; or step-up treatment from individual or group outpatient treatment.” Outpatient treatment allows clients to engage in structured care throughout the week while returning home at night and on the weekends. You can continue to work and take care of responsibilities at home while benefiting from comprehensive treatment services.
When is outpatient treatment ideal? Outpatient treatment is ideal for individuals with the following:
- Mild symptoms
- Less severe disorders
- Work or home responsibilities
- A strong support system
- Young children
Your recovery starts the moment you reach out for help. The clinicians at Laguna Shores can help you determine the best level of care to meet your unique needs and preferences. You will have an opportunity to collaborate with the care team and create a personalized treatment plan. Outpatient treatment is often more flexible than residential or inpatient care.
When Is Outpatient Treatment Beneficial?
Outpatient treatment is often a stepping stone between different levels of care. Some people start in residential treatment and transition to outpatient as they progress in their recovery. Other people begin in outpatient care and gradually transition into aftercare.
Clients undergo an assessment during admission to determine which level of care will provide the best outcome. Individualized treatment plans take into account the severity of symptoms and various factors that may impact recovery, including:
- Type, severity, and amount of active symptoms
- Potential side effects
- Client motivation
- Whether there is a strong support system in place
- Past treatment outcomes
- Family dynamics
- Home environment
Outpatient treatment programs are beneficial for clients with the motivation to maintain self-accountability between treatment sessions. Unlike residential or inpatient programs, clients in IOP or PHP programs must stay focused and practice the skills learned during weekday sessions. Some clients make slow progress unless they have the desire and drive to work with the care team and make lasting lifestyle changes. You can collaborate with the clinicians to find healthy ways to motivate yourself during treatment and aftercare.
Most Common Methods Used in Outpatient Treatment
Laguna Shores Recovery Center provides personalized treatment plans. To ensure integrative and individualized care, clinicians use various treatment methods. You can expect to be treated using a combination of therapeutic techniques.
Some of the most common services provided by outpatient treatment programs include:
- Self-help or 12-Step groups
- Group and individual psychotherapy
- Alternative holistic therapies
- Peer support
- Community engagement
- Case management
- Aftercare planning and extended support services
- Trauma-informed care.
Laguna Shores provides various forms of evidence-based and holistic therapies, including:
- Psychoeducational groups
- Skills development
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Interpersonal process groups
- Acceptance therapy
Treatment focuses on ensuring each client receives the tools to heal and recover successfully after completing treatment.
Disorders Treated in Outpatient Care
Outpatient programs treat most of the same conditions as residential care. However, you are more likely to participate in IOP and PHP programs if you have less severe symptoms. Some of the most common disorders treated using outpatient services include:
- Schizophrenia
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Anxiety
- Major depression
- Bipolar disorder (BD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Personality disorders
- Neurocognitive disorders
- Suicidal ideations
More severe versions of these disorders may require temporary treatment in an inpatient program. However, milder symptoms can be treated by comprehensive outpatient care.
How Is Outpatient Treatment Care Different?
Utilizing an outpatient program prioritizes the safety and preferences of clients recovering from persistent and complex mental health disorders. The programs offer integrative trauma-informed care to ensure clients feel safe and supported throughout treatment. In addition, peer support is an essential part of the programs. You will spend a significant amount of time collaborating with peers who share similar life experiences.
Outpatient treatment embodies our values by providing clients with the following:
- Compassionate care
- Transparency in treatment
- Honest and clear communication
Outpatient programs provide a welcoming community of peers and clinicians. You can rely on the care team to give you access to the tools and resources you need to heal and thrive in recovery.
Outpatient care is an excellent choice for many clients recovering from mental health disorders. However, not everyone is ready for outpatient treatment. Some people may need to go through other levels of care before transitioning to IOP or PHP programs. Every case is unique, and the care team at Laguna Shores Recovery Center uses comprehensive assessments and screening tools to determine if potential clients will benefit from our outpatient programs. Individuals with a strong support system at home and mild symptoms often have better outcomes after participating in IOP or PHP. The programs offer peer support and evidence-based care. To learn more about our services and programs, call our office today at (866) 774-1532.
