There are numerous types of mental health care and the terminology may be very puzzling. The word outpatient is one of the most used terms you are going to hear. But what is it and what is the difference between inpatient care and outpatient?
Most individuals believe that outpatient care is simply a visit to a therapist once a few times, however, this is not the case as it encompasses a lot of treatments. Being aware of what can be considered outpatient care will assist you to find the appropriate amount of support and are aware of the options open to them.
Outpatient vs. Inpatient: A Basic Overview
- Inpatient care refers to you spending the night (or days and weeks) in a hospital or a treatment center.
- Outpatient care implies that you live at home and visit the appointments during the day.
Why Understanding Care Levels Matters for Recovery and Access
Receiving an appropriate amount of care is important to your recovery. Inpatient may seem like too much in case you only require therapy on a weekly basis. Conversely, when you are in emergency, you may not be able to handle your crisis through outpatient sessions. An understanding of where outpatient works can inform your decisions.
Outpatient Care
Outpatient mental health care in its essence refers to care which is not accompanied by an overnight stay at a facility. You continue to receive support, structure and professional assistance and live your everyday life.
The Core Definition of Outpatient Mental Health Care
You Don’t Stay Overnight
The most significant reason is the simplest one: in outpatient care, you go home following every session. It can be a tms therapy, psychiatry, group programs, but at the end of the day, you go back to your own environment.
Flexible Scheduling – Sessions Happen During the Day
Outpatient services are constructed around appointments. They can be in form of weekly, several times a week, or even daily (in more intensive programs). This enables individuals to incorporate treatment into school, work or family.
Often Covered by Insurance With Less Disruption to Daily Life
A majority of outpatient services are insured. They tend to be cheaper than an inpatient or residential treatment because you are not paying to stay in a room, eat or to be monitored 24/7. This renders outpatient treatment more affordable to a large number of families.
Common Types of Outpatient Mental Health Services
Individual Therapy (Talk Therapy)
It is the best known outpatient treatment. You sit down individually with a therapist and discuss your thoughts, feelings and actions.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Assists in modifying unhelpful thinking.
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): It is frequently applied in case of trauma.
- Psychodynamic therapy: Investigates the ways that your past influences your current life.
Psychiatry and Medication Management
Psychiatrists/psychiatric nurse practitioners offer assessment, medication and follow-up visits. These visits are typically brief (15-30 minutes) yet significant in making corrections on medications.
Group Therapy or Support Groups
Group therapy makes individuals unite with other people having similar struggles. A therapist facilitates the group and the members share, learn and practice skills. Such examples are anxiety, addiction, or trauma groups.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs)
The step further up of the weekly therapy is IOPs. Their duration is 3-5 days a week with a few hours a day running. IOPs give therapy and skill building and support but still enable you to live at home.
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs)
PHPs are yet more organized than the IOPs. They are frequently operated 5 days a week, almost full-day (as in a job). You go to groups, therapy, and psychiatry but you come home at night.
Telehealth Mental Health Services
Telehealth has become the norm. Several therapists and psychiatrists attend to clients in an online manner. Through the telehealth you can receive outpatient care at the comfort of your home.
What’s Not Outpatient Care?
Inpatient Hospitalization
That is inpatient in case you are taken to a hospital where you are under 24/7 care and monitoring. It is normally used on those in crisis who require urgent stabilization.
Residential Treatment Centers
That is inpatient in case you are taken to a hospital where you are under 24/7 care and monitoring. It is normally used on those in crisis who require urgent stabilization.
Emergency Services or Psychiatric Holds
Emergency or inpatient care, not outpatient, would be the case when you are taken to the emergency or kept on a psychiatric hold. Planned, scheduled care, not crisis level care.
Who Is a Good Fit for Outpatient Mental Health Care?
People With Mild to Moderate Symptoms
Outpatient care can be a suitable option in case your symptoms are uncomfortable, but not harmful. You can acquire coping skills without having to be constantly monitored.
Those Needing Ongoing Support After Hospitalization
A lot of individuals leave to outpatient care following an inpatient treatment. It enables them to keep healing and at the same time they regain their independence.
Individuals With Strong Support Systems at Home
When you have relatives, friends or you are in a stable background where you will get your recovery, outpatient treatment can be effective.
People Managing Mental Health With Work, School, or Family Life
Outpatient best suits a person who wishes to be treated and at the same time maintain regular life commitments.
Benefits of Outpatient Mental Health Care
Flexibility and Privacy
Outpatient care can be accommodated in your schedule. It gives you privacy because at the end of one session you go home.
Lower Cost Than Inpatient or Residential Treatment
Outpatient can be far cheaper as you do not pay as much as accommodation or 24-hour attendance.
Ability to Stay Connected to Daily Life While Healing
You may continue to work, go to school and spend time with the family and be given care.
Often Easier to Access and Maintain Long Term
Outpatient is less time consuming per week therefore many people can easily adhere to treatment.
How to Get Started With Outpatient Mental Health Care
Talk to Your Primary Care Provider or Therapist
Your psychiatrist or existing therapist may refer you to outpatient options that may suit you.
Find a Local Mental Health Clinic or Telehealth Provider
Search clinics, community centers or telehealth services. Most of the ones provide free consultation to mentor.
Understand Your Insurance Coverage
Look in your insurance coverage on mental health. A lot of cover therapy, psychiatry and even IOPs or PHPs.
Ask About IOPs or PHPs If You Need More Intensive Support
In case there is not enough time to do therapy weekly, inquire about organized outpatient programs. They are able to offer a more in-depth and continuous support.
Conclusion
The outpatient mental health care is not only a weekly appointment, it is actually a broad range of treatments, including individual therapy or organized day programs. To most of the individuals, outpatient care is a transition between normal life and serious recovery. It enables recovery and still being in touch with regular activities. The correct support is available. Outpatient services are flexible, cheap and accessible.
To research more on the choices of treatments and the correct one to follow in your journey, visit Minds Over Matter. Your life can start on the same day to heal, you can make the step and find care that can help your life.
FAQs
Outpatient implies that you live at home and see the appointments. Inpatient is when you are permanently in a hospital or facility.
It depends on your needs. There are those who attend once a week, others who attend more than once a week particularly in IOP or PHP programs.
It may be, particularly with organized programs as IOP or PHP. However, in an emergency inpatient treatment can be more safe.
Outpatient therapy, psychiatry and even IOP or PHP are mostly covered by insurance plans. Always make sure you check your plan details.
Yes. Outpatient therapy is aimed at allowing one to carry on with day-to-day life along with assistance.
One of the outpatient services is therapy, although other outpatient services are psychiatry, groups, IOPs, PHPs, and telehealth.
Typically, your provider will evaluate your requirements and prescribe the appropriate care.
