Major depressive disorder (MDD) has both emotional and physical symptoms that can limit your abilities. If your depression drains your energy and makes everyday tasks more difficult, you’re not alone. Making it to a day program at a treatment center five days a week may not seem doable. Depression can affect your attendance and your ability to participate in meaningful ways. Fortunately, there’s a way to receive comprehensive treatment for depression online. Lightfully is now offering a Virtual Partial Hospitalization Program (vPHP) to make treatment more accessible and more convenient.

If you’re experiencing a mental health emergency, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.

In this blog post, we’ll outline seven ways Virtual PHP can be especially helpful to people who are seeking online treatment for depression.

7 ways Virtual PHP can be especially helpful to those managing depression

There’s a significant treatment gap for many people who have moderate to severe depression. While they may benefit from a high level of care, their symptoms aren’t always acute enough for inpatient hospitalization. Now that telehealth is more widely available, online depression treatments are helping more people take their first steps toward mental wellness. The therapeutic benefits of online programs like Virtual PHP are equivalent to in-person treatment.

Our Virtual PHP is the highest level of treatment we offer in an online format. It includes at least 20 hours a week of clinical services from licensed providers. Each client receives a personalized treatment plan that combines several evidence-based treatments. These include one-on-one psychotherapy, group therapy sessions, family therapy and medication management. It’s a good option for people in almost any living situation who may have a hard time making the commute to treatment every day.

If you have have depression, you can benefit from Virtual PHP in the following ways:

• Treatment without leaving home — During treatment, people who have depression might not have much energy to spare. Getting ready to leave the house in the morning and doing household chores may take a lot of effort. Virtual PHP eliminates the commute and makes your day much simpler.
• Staying close to your pets and loved ones — If you have pets, children or a significant other at home, they can be a great comfort while you’re in treatment. Virtual PHP allows you to stay close to them. Hugs and cuddles during your breaks can make your days in treatment a bit brighter.
• No division between treatment and life at home — When you go to a treatment center every day, it can be easy to mentally check out when you go home for the night. Both types of treatment have their benefits, and they’re equally effective for most people. However, when you receive treatment at home, translating what you’ve learned to your day-to-day life can be a bit smoother.
• Building healthy habits in your home environment — Building new habits and skills in your own way is a significant part of treatment. Being able to do this work in your home environment can be a big advantage. You’ll have access to any resources you need during treatment. You can prepare the tools you’ll need or create reminders right away. With no daily commute, you’ll also have more time to spend on your morning routine and make mindful transitions.
• Talking with other people who understand — Many of our clients choose Virtual PHP because their depression makes in-person treatment more difficult. The program includes four to six hours of interactive group treatments per day. You can get to know the other people in your groups and form deep connections. Giving and receiving support can help you find the motivation to keep showing up to treatment every day.
• Learning about depression patterns and mental health — Learning about how depression affects your mind and your overall health is an important part of treatment. Virtual PHP includes interactive learning sessions where you’ll have a chance to ask questions and participate in activities that bring these concepts to life. 
• Receiving a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan — At Lightfully, each of our clients receives a treatment plan that’s tailored to their unique condition and their life goals. Yours will include several evidence-based treatments chosen to help you achieve long-term mental wellness.

Is Virtual PHP at Lightfully right for you?

Each person’s experience in Virtual PHP is tailored to their individual needs and treatment goals. Our licensed clinicians use our Precision Care Model (PCM) to ensure that each client receives the evidence-based treatments that will make the biggest impact for them. If the challenges of going to a day treatment center have held you back from seeking treatment for your depression, online treatment may be a better option.

Virtual PHP is helpful for many people who struggle with depression. People who have medical conditions that limit their mobility, people who live in rural areas and those who care for young children have benefited from our program. Talking with other people who’ve had similar experiences during group sessions can help you feel less alone.

Are you considering online treatment for depression? The first step is scheduling an assessment. Reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team today. Let’s explore your next steps together.