Many people who need behavioral health treatment are unable to access services. Reports of individuals endlessly navigating inaccurate provider directories, insurance denials, and high out-of-pocket costs have continued to surface during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Long-term treatment programs provide a more holistic approach to mental illness care. In addition to the traditional clinical settings, these programs offer a therapeutic community setting.

Long-Term Inpatient Treatment

Long-term residential treatment, sometimes called “long-term rehab,” can last three to six months or more. During this time, patients reside in the facility and receive around-the-clock care. Typically, this type of rehabilitation will involve detoxing and participating in group or individual therapy.

Long-term rehab is designed for young adults who need to address a range of mental health issues or co-occurring conditions. These include underlying trauma and attachment wounds, which are the root causes of negative behaviors like substance misuse. During a long-term stay, young adults can live in home-like residential treatment centers or therapeutic communities and participate in various experiential therapies like Equine-Assisted Therapy, horticulture therapy, art therapy, and yoga. These programs also provide family counseling to help heal relationships affected by addiction and recovery. Many residential treatment programs will help young adults transition to a Partial Hospitalization Program or Intensive Outpatient Treatment upon discharge. This helps ensure a successful transition to a healthy, independent life.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment programs are a bit more flexible than inpatient programs, but they still require that clients come to the clinic at scheduled times for sessions and appointments. Some outpatient treatment programs offer night or early morning hours to accommodate work and family schedules.

Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) involve 3 to 4 hours of therapy per day for up to five days each week. These programs provide more structure than standard outpatient treatment, but patients are free to go home for the remainder of the day and tend to their personal or professional responsibilities during this time.

For many, outpatient mental health treatment is the right fit. It can be less costly than inpatient treatment and it also allows people to continue with their normal lives. However, not everyone is a good candidate for outpatient treatment, so it’s important to research the best options. Also, be sure to ask about insurance coverage before committing to a program.

Partial Hospitalization

A partial hospitalization program (PHP) provides intensive therapy during the day but allows you to return home at night to attend to your family responsibilities. It’s an effective option for individuals who are not ready to commit to the full commitment of inpatient treatment or are unable to afford residential care. PHPs are typically covered by private insurance and are eligible for reimbursement under Medicare Part B.

It can also help a person assimilate back into their life after leaving a psychiatric hospital setting and may even prevent the need for an inpatient stay. It’s an excellent step-down from a full hospitalization program and can provide the necessary structure that can be missing from traditional outpatient care.

Like IOPs, PHP programs last for several hours each day and meet up to five days a week. Many programs offer telehealth options to accommodate those who cannot travel to their sessions. This is a highly structured form of outpatient care and is considered a higher level of care than standard outpatient therapy or individual counseling.

Individual Counseling

Individual counseling, or therapist sessions, provide an opportunity to discuss personal concerns with a licensed professional in a safe, private and confidential setting. Often, these sessions can help individuals understand their emotions and behaviors better and identify life situations they would like to change or improve.

During these sessions, your therapist will take the time to review your family mental health history, as well as your current living situation and relationships with others. They will also help you set short and long-term goals, and develop a plan to achieve them.

The one-on-one context of these sessions allows for more sensitive topics to be discussed than in group therapy, which is helpful for those who struggle with feelings such as anxiety or depression and do not feel comfortable opening up to a stranger. However, this does not mean that these conversations will sway for conversation’s sake; they will remain focused on the topic at hand. These sessions can also teach you healthy coping skills, so that you can manage your symptoms without the use of drugs or alcohol.