Having a stable and supportive environment during intensive mental health treatments helps you stay focused so you can make lasting progress. However, symptoms such as fatigue, emotional overwhelm and avoidance can make it hard to live at home independently. Inpatient treatment at a psychiatric hospital may not be a good fit either, even if you need a high level of care. Stays are usually limited to about seven days, and the hospital setting generally isn’t very soothing or peaceful.
When you’re at your lowest, it can take several months of intensive treatments to start feeling like yourself again. If your symptoms are limiting daily activities like driving or preparing meals, Residential Treatment may be the first stage of your journey. At Lightfully, our Residential Treatment Centers (RTCs) provide 24-hour nursing, a structured daily schedule, and a balance of support and independence in modern yet comfortable residences.
In this blog post, we’ll share seven frequently asked questions answered by our Admissions Concierge Team, including the length of Residential Treatment.
7 FAQs about Residential Treatment answered by our mental health admissions team
Residential Treatment at Lightfully is quite different from inpatient treatment at a psychiatric hospital. Clients stay at our private residences, which are home-based environments designed with tranquility and healing in mind. You’re allowed to bring personal items with you for your comfort and enjoyment. Many clients bring a journal, books to read, craft supplies such as adult coloring books, and other materials for their hobbies. There are some items that must be kept in a secure location on-site for your safety and some things that are not allowed.
Find out about the length of Residential Treatment and more in these frequently asked questions answered by our Admissions Concierge Team:
- How long are Residential Treatment stays? — Stays at our Residential Treatment Centers typically last about 30 days. However, each person’s treatment plan is unique to their needs and responsive to their progress.
- Does Lightfully take my insurance? — We can help you find out. We’re in network with most major insurance carriers, including Kaiser, Anthem and IEHP. If we are out of network with your insurance company, you may be able to use your out-of-network benefits to help cover the cost of programming. We could also pursue a single case agreement to request authorization with your in-network benefits. Otherwise, we have flexible payment plan options and financial assistance to support you if needed. Check out our Admissions page for a list of insurance carriers we work with.
- Can I bring my electronics? — Yes, you can bring electronics to Residential Treatment at Lightfully. You can keep your smartphone with you. However, other electronic items such as laptops, tablets, smartwatches, hair styling devices and other electronics will be kept in a designated location and available for checkout. Electronics may only be charged in a staff office or designated area. Don’t forget to bring your own charger!
- Which items can/can’t I bring? — Clients are encouraged to bring the following items during their stay at Lightfully:
- Valid photo ID and insurance card
- Current prescriptions in original containers (any medications that are not prescribed by a physician will be disposed of by Lightfully staff)
- Over-the-counter medications. All bottles must be sealed/unopened.
- Name, address and phone number of emergency contact, outpatient therapist, psychiatrist and primary care doctor
- Comfortable clothing and a variety of shoes, such as tennis shoes, sandals and house shoes
- Toiletry and personal care items, such as toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, lotion, feminine hygiene products, makeup, hairbrush and styling products
- Light jacket or coat, depending on the season
- Cellphone and charger (electronics are charged in the staff offices or a designated location in the facility)
- Notebooks or journals, stationery, and stamps
- Books to read if desired
- Personal pictures, e.g., family, friends and support system
There are several items that we allow in our RTCs on the condition that they will be kept in a designated location. Clients may check them out, but staff must be aware of these items and hold them when not in use:
- Razors
- Nail clippers
- Tweezers
- Wallet
- Cash
- Credit cards
- Blow dryer
- Nail polish
- Nail polish remover
- Eye drops
- Mouthwash
- Hand sanitizer
- Self-pleasure items
- Curling iron
- Hair straightener
- Pencil sharpener
- Art supplies
- Scissors and sewing needles
- Cigarettes, e-cigarettes and vapes
- Laptop
- Smartwatches
- Car keys
- Tablet/Kindle
- Mirrors and makeup with mirrors
The following items are not allowed in Lightfully’s Residential Treatment Centers:
- Items with sexually explicit material, drugs or alcohol
- Glass (picture frames)
- Belts
- Towels
- Throw pillows, sleeping pillows and blankets of any kind
- Open containers of any kind (e.g., lotions or toiletries)
- Weapons
- Ties and scarves
- Clothing with drawstrings
- Shoes with shoestrings
- Bras with convertible straps
- Any supplements, medications or essential oils unapproved by medical staff
- Zip-lock bags or plastic bags
- Medication prescribed to someone else other than the client
- Outside food or beverages
- Alcohol, recreational drugs or illegal drugs (Lightfully is a drug- and alcohol-free facility. If you bring these items, they will be disposed of by Lightfully staff)
- What are Lightfully’s procedures for visitations and day passes? — Visitations are on the weekend and can be coordinated with your treatment team. The first visit is required to be at the house, but future visits can include day passes. Permission for day passes is based on safety and approved by your team.
- What are Lightfully’s outing policies? — There will be outings throughout the week and weekend with the group. You’ll get to run errands on the outings as well if you need to get anything.
- Is there parking on-site? — There is parking at our RTCs and on side streets in the neighborhood.
Contact us to ask more questions about Residential Treatment and other levels of care
residential treatment has become more widely accessible or recognized recently. Some of our clients choose RTC to avoid staying in a hospital. For others, it can help shorten their inpatient hospital stay. Starting a Residential Treatment program is a big commitment, but it’s a commitment you’re making to yourself and your mental well-being. At Lightfully, we designed our Residential Treatment Centers to make this important step as comfortable and as effective as possible.
Are you currently considering Residential Treatment? We’re here to answer more of your questions. Please contact us or reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. Let’s create your unique plan for mental wellness.
