Understanding Mental Health Treatment Options
- Tori Arceneaux, LPC-Associate
- May 5
- 2 min read
As we’re jumping into the summer season and entering one of my favorite times of year, not just for the sunshine and vacations, I think about the month of May and the reminders that it can send to people. May is “Mental Health Awareness Month”. With conversations around mental health becoming less stigmatized with each passing day, I thought I’d shed some light on the options for treatment available to you and your loved ones.
Mental health conditions can affect individuals in different ways, which is why a wide range of care and support options are available. From less intensive outpatient services to more comprehensive inpatient programs, treatment levels are designed to meet people where they are and provide the support they need most.
Outpatient: Typical therapy services we think of
Outpatient therapists provide support with managing symptoms on a weekly to biweekly basis until clients have become equipped enough to manage symptoms and concerns on their own, requiring less frequent visits for support.
Intensive Outpatient: More frequent option for therapy
IOP services allow clients to gain support both through group and individual therapy sessions. Typically services are offered a few times a week and span a few hours in the day.
This can help with integration and application of coping skills while still participating in routine activities such as school/work.
Partial Hospitalization: Day treatment
PHP provides similar support as IOP with more structure. Services are typically offered for a full day ranging 5-7 days out of the week, allowing for more support in group, individual and even family sessions.
This level allows clients to focus on learning skills through various modalities and approaches and offers stabilization of symptoms with ability to return to a safe environment outside of treatment to begin implementing skills.
Residential: Therapy “camp”
Residential treatment provides round the clock the care of stabilization and symptom management, though typically a longer stay than inpatient. Clients reside in a therapeutic setting typically for 30-90 days working with a team of support in both group and individual settings.
This is a space for focusing solely on presenting concerns with the intention of making more long-term progress and reduction of external influences during care.
Inpatient: Acute/Crisis care settings
Inpatient facilities are utilized for stabilization for acute cases and emergency situations where people are at risk for harm to self or others through various means. Acute cases can span substance use, eating disorders, suicidality, psychosis, etc. Clients will be hospitalized and cared for round the clock by therapists and physicians until the crisis can be managed, making the length of stay conditional for each individual, though these are typically shorter stays with the intention of transitioning to another level of care.
Mental health resources are widely available to offer the support you or your loved ones may need. If you're experiencing symptoms, I encourage you to explore the options available to you. As mental health professionals, we're here to help—you're not alone.
Supervised by Shannon Lynch McFarlin, Ph.D., LPC-S, CSC
