Mental Health: Levels of Care
Perhaps you’ve never thought about it but mental health care is structured in several levels, each offering varying degrees of support depending on the severity of the condition.
The most common and lowest level of care, Outpatient Treatment, involves regular therapy appointments (individual or group) with mental health professionals. It’s suitable for a variety of mental health issues and can be either short-term or long-term. The next level of care, an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), is usually conducted in a group setting and offers 3-hour therapy sessions multiple times a week, focusing on skills-building, psychoeducation, coping strategies and group work. This level of care is ideal for those needing more support but who can maintain daily routines at home.
The next level of care steps up the intensity from an IOP and is called the Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP). You may be wondering if a PHP requires an overnight hospital stay since “Hospitalization” is in the name? The answer to that is NO though the individual would get more medical support offered through psychiatrists, RNs and others if needed. The PHP usually runs 5 days a week with structured therapy, medication management, and additional support services (e.g., education support, yoga, music therapy, EMDR). It is for individuals requiring intensive treatment.
The next two levels of care require 24-hour support for varying timeframes depending on the severity of the presenting client issues.
The first is Residential Treatment which is ideal for individuals with severe mental health conditions. It offers therapy, medication management, and other services in a structured facility. This is long-term care for those needing constant supervision and care.
The highest level of care is Inpatient Hospitalization, which provides 24-hour monitoring and treatment in a psychiatric hospital or facility. It is intended for individuals in severe mental health crises, such as suicidal ideation or psychosis, and is focused on stabilization.
So, there you have it – levels of care ranging from one-on-one therapy when you just need a therapist to help guide you through some issues to 24-hour monitoring and treatment for those experiencing a severe mental health crisis. Levels of care that meet all of us wherever we may be on our mental health journey.
Intensive Outpatient (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization (PHP) Programs side-by-side comparison
Perhaps you’ve heard about a couple of mental health programs that have recently been out there and were wondering what exactly an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) were. First of all, they are both structured mental health treatment options, designed to provide a higher level of care than traditional outpatient therapy but less intensive than inpatient care. While they share some similarities, there are key differences in the level of care, treatment intensity, and duration of the programs.
Side by Side Comparison:
| IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) | PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program) | |
|---|---|---|
| Level of Care | Less intensive than PHP, outpatient setting | More intensive, almost full-day treatment program |
| Duration | 3–5 days a week, 3–4 hours per day | 5–7 days a week, 5–8 hours per day |
| Intensity | Moderate intensity, flexible | High intensity, structured, highly supportive |
| Goal | Stabilization and support for moderate issues | Stabilization for more severe conditions |
| School/Flexibility | Teens can attend school or engage in activities | Limited flexibility, may not attend school daily |
| Family Involvement | Encouraged, family therapy included | High involvement, therapy includes family support |
In summary, an IOP is best suited for teens who need a more intensive level of care than typical outpatient therapy but do not require daily or constant supervision. It’s great for those with moderate symptoms or as a step down from inpatient care. PHP, on the other hand, provides a higher level of care for teens experiencing more severe symptoms or in crisis, often serving as a bridge between inpatient care and outpatient treatment. The right choice depends on the teen’s specific mental health needs, the severity of their condition, and the level of care required.