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If you struggle with symptoms of a mental health condition, you are not alone. According to the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH), “more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness.”[1]
The best way to recover from a mental health condition is to attend a professional treatment program. While inpatient care is recommended for severe symptoms and mental health emergencies, outpatient treatment is often the standard for mental health care. Whether you have an anxiety disorder, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or bipolar disorder, outpatient treatment can help you recover.
During mental health outpatient treatment in Hillsborough, you’ll receive a personalized treatment plan that addresses all of your mental health issues. You will engage in individual therapy, group counseling, family therapy, and medication management. The goal of an outpatient treatment center is to help you learn how to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life while you live in the comfort of your own home.
In this article, you will learn:
- What types of outpatient treatment programs are there?
- Why is outpatient treatment ideal for mental health issues?
- What should you expect from a mental health outpatient treatment center in Hillsborough?
What Types of Outpatient Behavioral Health Services Are There?
When it comes to mental health care, you want to make sure you know all of your options. While inpatient treatment is considered the highest level of care, sometimes it’s best to live in the comfort of your own home during the recovery process. This is especially true if you have a supportive family at home who can help you succeed.
The options for outpatient mental health care include:
Partial Hospitalization Programs
Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) are the most intensive level of outpatient care. They are very similar to inpatient treatment, with the exception being the living situation. During PHP, you’ll still be allowed to live at home.
Depending on your needs, you’ll have treatment sessions 3 to 5 days per week. You’ll receive care from mental health professionals during each treatment session. You might engage in individual therapy, group counseling, and family therapy.
You’ll also have access to a psychiatrist who will assess you to determine if medication is right for you. Sometimes medication is used short-term to relieve symptoms while you begin therapy, however, other people might need medication long-term to manage conditions like bipolar disorder.
Intensive Outpatient Programs
Intensive outpatient programs are considered one step down from PHPs. They offer intensive care while providing you a bit more freedom and flexibility in scheduling. Usually, intensive outpatient programs have treatment sessions 3 times per week.
Like PHP, you’ll have access to individual therapy, group counseling, and family therapy with licensed mental health professionals. Intensive outpatient programs also allow you to take advantage of medication management services if needed.
Outpatient Programs
Traditional outpatient programs are less intensive than intensive outpatient programs and PHP. Usually, they only require you to attend treatment sessions 1 to 3 times per week. It’s very similar to simply attending therapy regularly.
This form of mental health treatment can be used for a wide range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and more. You’ll be able to engage in individual therapy, group counseling, and family therapy depending on what the treatment team believes you need to recover.
What to Expect During Outpatient Mental Health Treatment in Hillsborough
If you are suffering from mental health challenges, it’s time to consider receiving behavioral health services. Outpatient mental health treatment can provide you with the support and tools you need to manage the symptoms of your mental health concerns. You’ll receive evidence-based treatments for mental health disorders, individualized treatment, outpatient therapy, and ongoing support.
During an outpatient therapy program in Hillsborough, you can expect:
In-Depth Assessment
Outpatient mental health treatment begins with an in-depth assessment. You’ll be asked questions about what symptoms you are currently experiencing, whether you’ve had any form of mental health treatment before, and if you’ve ever been diagnosed with a mental health disorder. The questions asked will help mental health professionals determine what methods of mental health treatment are right for you.
Individual Counseling
Behavioral health services like outpatient mental health treatment always include individual counseling sessions. You’ll work one-on-one with a therapist to evaluate your symptoms, learn what is causing your challenges, and come up with a plan to learn how to manage your mental health condition. Depending on what disorder you have, you might engage in evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
If you have co-occurring substance abuse issues, you might be referred to dual diagnosis care. If your substance abuse issues are mild, you might be able to overcome them in an outpatient mental health treatment program. Substance use treatment often requires medical detox, which can’t be completed in an outpatient mental health treatment program.
Group Therapy and Family Therapy
Outpatient care often involves group therapy. Depending on what mental health condition you have, working with a group of your peers to develop healthy coping skills can be incredibly beneficial. For example, people with social anxiety might learn how to communicate effectively and overcome their fears in a group therapy setting.
Outpatient mental health treatment might also include family therapy. You’ll learn how to communicate effectively, set boundaries, and develop coping skills for things that your family does to trigger you.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Many mental health disorders require daily medication to manage symptoms, as they cause chemical imbalances in your brain. Outpatient services help you find a medication that works for you by allowing you to visit with a psychiatrist at least once a week. Once you’ve been prescribed a medication, your visits will revolve around discussing your side effects, altering dosages, or switching to a new medication that might work better for you.
Get Connected to a Mental Health Counseling Center in Hillsborough County
If you want to attend mental health treatment in an outpatient setting, New Jersey Behavioral Health Center is the perfect facility for you. We offer outpatient care to our patients who want to learn how to manage their mental illness while living in the comfort of their own home. We offer treatments for a wide range of mental disorders and co-occurring disorders like substance use disorder.
Whether you need family counseling, proven methods like CBT, or a supportive environment, New Jersey Behavioral Health Center is the best option in Hillsborough. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you recover.
References:
- The National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH): Mental Illness