Everyone’s mental health journey is different. Some people start treatment young due to early signs. Others may not be diagnosed with a condition until they have a mental health crisis. As a teen, it’s possible to start showing symptoms of mental health conditions, such as major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder or bipolar disorder.

A continuum of care is a model that’s utilized in many health care facilities, including mental health treatment. It means that a client’s treatment evolves based on their changing needs, symptoms and goals. It also helps prevent gaps in care during transitions between different levels of care. By moving through the right stages, a teen can gain long-term skills that can help them for years in the future.

We’ll discuss what a continuum of care for a teen’s mental health treatment can look like. We’ll also talk about Lightfully’s continuum of care for teens.

What’s involved in a continuum of care for a teen’s mental health care treatment

Every type of mental health care option for a teen has the same overall goals. The teen should gain a better understanding of how their condition affects their day-to-day life and learn how to manage the symptoms. The key is to develop the skills they need to manage their mental health.

When a teen starts their mental health treatment, they’ll collaborate with their providers to determine the most effective option for their current needs and challenges. Once they start treatment, a teen can move up or down the stages of the continuum of care for sustainable growth and support. It allows treatment to be adapted to wherever a teen is in their mental health journey. 

Mental health concerns are often addressed through therapy and medication. However, the therapeutic approaches can vary. Medication is often prescribed early on a teen’s mental health journey if they’re having moderate to severe symptoms that they can’t manage on their own.

Here’s what a continuum of care looks like for teens receiving mental health treatment:

• Regular outpatient psychotherapy sessions — When a teen is first diagnosed with a mental health condition, or they’re having consistent mental health challenges, they’ll be referred to a psychotherapist. Through weekly or biweekly sessions, a therapist can help a teen gain an understanding of their mental health challenges and how those challenges are affecting their quality of life. They’ll also learn about the root causes of their concerns. They can develop skills necessary to alleviate the symptoms in their day-to-day life.

• Intensive Outpatient Program — A teen may need a bit more in-depth support beyond regular psychotherapy sessions. An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) involves a structured schedule of programming and therapy sessions. It allows teens to balance their mental health treatment during the day with their everyday routines. It provides a high level of care without intensive treatment. It can help teens with moderate to severe mental health concerns or condition symptoms.
• Partial Hospitalization Program — Often referred to as PHP, a Partial Hospitalization Program is the next level up on the continuum of care above IOP. If your teen’s symptoms are having a significant impact on their everyday responsibilities and relationships, a PHP might be the best option. It provides the highest level of inpatient care during the day, while still allowing them to return home each night. A PHP involves a structured schedule of programming and therapy along with medication management.
• Residential Treatment Center — If your teen has severe mental health concerns that require 24/7 support and behavioral care, a Residential Treatment Center (RTC) may be the answer. An RTC allows a teen to focus solely on improving their mental health treatment in a safe, homelike environment. They will have a full day of structured programming and therapy. Residential Treatment also includes movement opportunities and exposure outings. It often works as a transitional phase in the continuum of care following a mental health crisis.
• Inpatient care — If your teen’s symptoms put them in danger to themselves or others, they should be admitted into an inpatient treatment center. Inpatient care refers to treatment in a psychiatric hospital or a psychiatric unit in a general hospital. Teens admitted for inpatient care can have an overnight or extended stay. It involves 24/7 supervision along with therapy and medication management. The goal is to address immediate mental health concerns to reduce suicidal thoughts or self-harm behavior.

Lightfully Teen focuses on the continuum of care for a teen’s mental health

As a teen grows and changes throughout different chapters of their adolescence, so should their mental health treatment. A teen can be moved throughout the continuum of care during their mental health journey. They may start with outpatient therapy but require more intensive care later. Maybe they started their journey with inpatient care and worked their way down to a lower level as they progressed. Since family support is often important in the treatment of adolescent mental health issues, the role of family involvement is prevalent in every stage of the continuum.

At Lightfully Teen, we use a continuum of care to ensure that every teen’s mental health concerns and goals are met with the appropriate yet effective amount of care. Anything more intensive than regular psychotherapy sessions, or less severe than inpatient hospitalization, we can help.

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