Major depressive disorder can be difficult for teens to manage. Depression involves symptoms that affect cognitive focus and motivation. These symptoms can make it hard to take part in social and academic life. Are you a teen experiencing the symptoms of depression? If so, seeking treatment should be a top priority. Finding the right treatment approach can help you find relief from your symptoms and retake control of your life.
Ready to find an effective teen depression treatment program? There are plenty of options available. With many levels of care, the mental health professional responsible for your teen’s care can help you find the treatment that best fits your particular situation. Each kind of treatment program has its own array of advantages. By learning more about each treatment level, you can have a better idea of what to expect as you move through your mental health continuum of care.
Intensive Outpatient Programs
An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) offers a flexible option while delivering high-quality treatment. Though this is not a Residential Program, it provides a lot of programming — between three to six hours each day. This means you can accelerate your recovery and build plenty of skills during treatment. Because this is an outpatient program, you can continue to keep up with daily responsibilities. Your grades and social life do not have to suffer. The flexibility of an IOP can be beneficial for those who need intensive support but do not necessarily need the structured environment of Residential Treatment.
One significant advantage of an IOP is real-world integration. As you gain new coping skills, you can immediately put these into practice in your daily life. Between one-on-one psychotherapy sessions and ongoing family therapy, you will have plenty of learning opportunities. Using what you learn in treatment immediately can feel gratifying and serve as a great motivation to continue treatment. If you are looking for comprehensive treatment that can accommodate other aspects of your life, an IOP may be the right option for you.
Partial hospitalization programs
A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is considered to be the highest level of outpatient care. These programs offer a structured yet less intensive option than residential care. With a PHP, you can experience many of the benefits of residential care while avoiding some of the downsides. A PHP for teens with depression often lasts for six to eight weeks. You will receive treatment on most or all days depending on your condition. During this period you will have six to seven hours of programming each day. This time is spent engaging in various therapies and discovering a path to full recovery. You will have access to a full treatment team including licensed clinical therapists and a psychiatrist. Every other week, you can meet with your full treatment team to review your progress and plan for future improvement milestones.
PHPs offer a full treatment schedule designed to improve your mental and behavioral health. This can make them a great transition between residential care and traditional outpatient care. A major benefit of a PHP is that you can return to your home at the end of each day. As a hybrid approach, a PHP can be effective for those who need extra support and supervision while working to become more independent.
Residential Treatment Centers
If your condition is severe, going to a Residential Treatment Center (RTC) can be a safe and effective option. These centers are designed to provide an immersive and supportive environment for teens struggling with depression. You can receive support and supervision around the clock. This makes RTCs a good choice for those dealing with suicidality and self-harm. The structured environment can help teens practice healthy routines and coping mechanisms in a safe space. Treatment consists of various therapies and activities. While treatment plans vary based on individual needs, each treatment plan typically includes clinician-led group sessions and one-one-one therapy.
Residential Treatment Centers can be the best treatment option for a crisis. It is often used by teens who have recently experienced a mental health crisis involving self-harm and other severe symptoms. Teens with depression often benefit from the comprehensive holistic approach of Residential Programs. By integrating a range of treatment approaches, Residential Programs use a clinical model designed to promote multidimensional wellness. Being fully immersed in this treatment can help you experience a rapid recovery and learn to develop long-term mental health management skills.
Lightfully offers many effective depression treatment options for teens
Ready to decide on a teen-oriented depression treatment program? Regardless of the program you choose, you can benefit from the top-notch services offered by Lightfully Behavioral Health. The framework of our clinic consists of evidence-based, clearly defined, data-driven and whole-person-centered care. With our help, you can get the level of depression treatment you need.
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.
