All you need to know about outpatient therapy

Outpatient therapy can help individuals to recover from trauma, substance use disorders, or mental health conditions. During this therapy, client travels to a facility and attends that therapy. This therapy does not include 24/7 supervision and overnight stay.

In this article, we will discuss all the information regarding outpatient therapy.

What is outpatient therapy?

Outpatient therapy is as any psychotherapy service offered when the patient is not admitted to any inpatient setting such as hospital or residential program. Outpatient therapy provides services to individuals who have mental illness and seeking support and who do not require around the clock services.

This therapy can be provided through hospitals, group practices, in doctor’s offices, or private practice.

Psychologists, counselors, clinical social workers, and some medical professionals can provide outpatient therapy. Students and interns working towards a degree in mental health can also provide outpatient therapy with oversight and supervision from a licensed, qualified, professional.

 

Difference between outpatient and inpatient therapy

The main difference between outpatient and inpatient therapy is that a person lives with many other patients in a hospital during their stay in inpatient therapy. Inpatient therapy is considered as full time because patients need to pause their daily life routine such as school or work.

Outpatient therapy occurs outside of the residential system or hospital.

 

Types of outpatient therapy

There are many forms of outpatient therapy, depending on the needs of the client. Individual therapy, couple therapy, family therapy, group therapy, can all be offered in an outpatient therapy. Sessions can vary depending on the need and progress in treatment of clients in regularity, including on time in a week, twice a week, every alternate week, and monthly.

Therapists who provide outpatient services can practice from different speculations depending on the personal style of therapist and training background. Most aspects taught in the counseling and clinical programs can be applied in an outpatient therapy, including:

 

• Adlerian therapy

A short therapy approach that focuses attention on setting and overcoming the sense of inferiority in order to achieve happiness and success. This therapy is humanistic, positive, and integrative that can be adjusted for the basic needs of people.

• Behavioral therapy

It is an umbrella term for different types of therapies to treat mental health disorders. It is based on the fact that all behaviors are learned and these behaviors can be changed.

 

• Cognitive therapy

It is typically a short-term therapy which explores how someone’s thinking and thoughts affect feelings and behaviors.

 

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy

This form of therapy aims to help individuals to identify the link or connection between behavior, emotions and manipulative thoughts and replace them with positive attitude or changes.

 

• Humanistic therapy

This therapy focuses on human potential, self discovery and free will. This type of therapy helps clients to find their “true self” and educates them to live peaceful lives.

 

• Psychoanalysis

This long-term therapy includes treating and explaining emotional and mental disorders by freely talking with patients about herself and himself, especially about problems, dreams, and early childhood experiences and memories.

 

• Psychodynamic therapy

It is a long-term therapy which involves deep understanding and exploration of thoughts and emotions through talk therapy.

 

• Strengths-based therapy

This therapy focuses on the already existing strengths of a client and then helps clients to use these strengths in upcoming life.

 

Techniques of outpatient therapy

Outpatient therapy techniques will vary depending on the personal style of therapist and individual needs of a client. It also includes talk therapy or psychotherapy. Talk therapy includes a variety of treatments that articulate to help people determine and then change troubling thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

Outpatient therapy contains sessions with gaps in sessions. Many therapists will give homework such as assignments. These assignments include tracking emotions and thoughts, meditation exercise or mindfulness, or trying various communication styles.

 

What outpatient therapy can help with?

Outpatient therapy helps with a wide range of mental health concerns. Therapists can use this therapy to cure anxiety, trauma, depression, and stress.

What is outpatient therapy for depression?

In outpatient therapy for depression, without staying overnight in a psychological health facility patients receive mental health treatment.

Outpatient depression treatment includes family, individual, or group counseling with a psychiatrist. This therapy is called psychotherapy or talk therapy. Outpatient  therapy can be conducted online nowadays. Online therapy is called teletherapy or virtual therapy.

When necessary, outpatient depression treatment can also include sessions with a psychologist or psychiatrist. Prescription medication, like antidepressants, can be part of your treatment.

While receiving outpatient depression treatment, patients can perform their usual schedule, such as work, meeting with loved ones, hobbies, and school.

 

Benefits of outpatient treatment for mental health

Outpatient therapy is the best option for patients who have mild to moderate symptoms of a mental health illness and have the ability to function independently.

Some benefits of this therapy are following:

• In this therapy, patients can schedule sessions and treatment goals on the basis of their availability, priorities and their needs.
• This therapy allows clients to get support and services for their mental health illness, but clientscan live their lives during sessions. Clients can continue to go to school or work while seeking treatment plans.
• There are various types of outpatient therapy, so clientscan choose therapy according to their needs. This therapy can be conducted through telehealth, that’s why people living in rural areas do not have to travel to seek services.
• It allows clients to stay connected with their closed ones while receiving treatment they want.
• Clientscan maintain commitments and responsibilities with school or work.
• Patients can apply treatment strategies and skills to daily life situations. So clients learn to cope with stressors in everyday environment.
• This therapy offers more privacy. So that youcan go to school or work like always. So, no one will know that you are getting treatment unless you tell them.
• This therapy offers similar options of therapy like inpatient settings, such as group therapies, medications and education management.
• Most outpatient therapies are less expensive than residential programs.

Salary of outpatient therapist

 The average salary of outpatient therapist in US is typically  $67,267, but salary range between $56,687 – $80,006.

This salary may vary on the basis of many factors such as, number of years you have spent in your field, education, additional skills, certifications.

 

Effectiveness of outpatient therapy

There are many types of outpatient therapy. So, their effectiveness also varies according to their evidence-based data. However, this therapy reduces the risk of patients needing inpatient mental health support or psychological hospitalization.

Some research shows that outpatient therapy helps to cope with symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression. This therapy is an important support for clients who suddenly discharge from hospital and need additional care and services. It also reduces the need of patients to remain admitted in hospital.

 

How to get started

If you think that you would benefit from this therapy, you can find an outpatient therapist whose style and training fits your preferences and needs.

Your first session of outpatient therapy will include providing instructions about your family history, personal history and symptoms.

When your therapy starts, then it takes time to create support and trust with your therapist. You might find investigating feelings or emotions you had not previously noticed. You have to try more than one outpatient therapist before you get a therapist who is best for you.

Your therapist and you will work together to develop goals and treatment plans that address your symptoms of specific disease.

Starting this therapy can be stressful, but it helps you to live your life peacefully while getting support for your mental health issues.

 

Summary

 Outpatient therapy is the best option for you, if you are struggling with a mental health disorder and can live independently.

People who are not able to live independently and need to be seen daily may require inpatient or residential treatment. If you go through suicidal thoughts then you need to advance level of care to make sure your safety.

You can contact your insurance company to seek knowledge about the cost required for the therapy services while investigating the kind of therapy you need. You can talk to your employer to know whether you have an Employee Assistance Program that gives a limited number of free sessions.