Taking the step to seek inpatient psychiatric care is a courageous decision toward getting the support you need. Inpatient care can provide you with a safe and structured environment where you can focus on your healing and stabilization. It can be a life-changing experience with dedicated, compassionate personalized treatments. By focusing on your safety, stabilization and personalized treatments, inpatient care can help you build a strong foundation for your mental health journey. Remember, you’re not alone in this. With support and the right tools, healing and mental well-being can be within reach. 

What can you expect during your stay at an inpatient psychiatric care program?

During your stay and work in an inpatient care program, aspects you may experience include:

• Safety and stabilization — General inpatient care programs are designed to prioritize your safety and well-being. The compassionate staff will work closely with you to ensure you’re in a secure environment, free from self-harm or harm to others. This may involve monitoring medications, having access to crisis intervention resources, and creating a safe space for you to have open and honest communication about your struggles. 
• Individualized treatment plans — There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Your dedicated care team, which can include psychiatrists, therapists, nurses and social workers, will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan. Your plan will address your specific needs that brought you to inpatient care. It will take into consideration your diagnosis and symptoms, medical history, and treatment preferences. 
• Medication management — A psychiatrist can do an evaluation to determine if you could benefit from medication. If so, they’ll work with you to find the right medication and dosage to help manage your symptoms and promote your stability. You’ll be monitored closely for any potential side effects, and adjustments can be made as needed. It’s important to remember medication can be just a single piece of your treatment. It can be used alongside therapy and other interventions. It’s also essential to remember medications may not have an immediate effect and take some time to see results. Keep taking medication as prescribed for it to be the most beneficial for your well-being.
• Therapy — Therapy can be a cornerstone of inpatient care. You’ll likely participate in both individual and group therapy sessions. Individual therapy allows you to explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences in a safe and confidential space. Group therapy provides you with a supportive environment where you can connect with others who understand what you’re going through. Therapy can help you learn healthy coping mechanisms, develop more effective communication skills and build a sense of community. 
• Daily structure and routine — Inpatient care provides you with a structured daily routine. This routine includes scheduled meals, group activities, therapy sessions and medication administration. While it may not be your usual routine, the structure is set up to help you establish healthy habits and can give you a needed sense of stability. 
• Discharge planning — Even while focusing on the present and your healing, inpatient care can also help you look toward your future. The length of your stay can vary depending on the severity of your condition and your individual progress. However, your care team will begin your discharge planning early on. This might include:
• Connecting with outpatient therapists and psychiatrists — This connection will help set you up for continued support after your discharge. If you don’t already have a mental health provider, they can provide recommendations or help set up continued support. You may go to fully outpatient treatment or you might transition to a Residential Treatment Center or Day Treatment Program. A Residential Treatment Center provides care in a residential setting at a higher level than a Day Treatment Program. Day Treatment Programs provide you with the continued daily structure with the ability to return home after the treatment programs each day. It can be an ideal gentle transition with the opportunity to continue to build your new skills.
• Medication management — If you need medication for additional support, your care team will help create a plan for you to manage your medication once you’re home.
• Relapse prevention planning — Your care team will help you develop strategies to identify early warning signs of a crisis and create a plan to help you manage them.
• Involving family and support systems — Your continued recovery can be boosted by having your loved ones better educated about your mental health condition and equipped with ways to best support you.

Your entire inpatient care team will be there to help support you on your journey toward healing. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, voice your concerns and be an active participant in your treatment plan. 

Lightfully can help you after inpatient care

At Lightfully, we understand when challenges become overwhelming, inpatient psychiatric care can be a critical first step toward your healing and growing, and continuing your care is essential to supporting your journey. Aftercare planning should begin while you’re still inpatient, with the help and guidance of the facility’s inpatient care team. 

Our licensed clinical experts can offer you a unique approach to therapy with our process-based therapy framework. We strive to provide you with the best personalized treatment to help you achieve long-term changes beyond symptom management. We see you as a whole person, not just your diagnosis. Together, we can work to help you develop greater self-compassion and acceptance so you can achieve your optimal well-being.

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.