Recent data reveals that there are 25 beds available in California inpatient and residential mental health facilities for every 100,000 people living in this state. Have you or a loved one recently completed this type of treatment in Los Angeles? Doing so is definitely an important step in your mental health journey. However, it’s vital to recognize that your mental health will likely require lifelong management and support. This is especially true if you have a specific mental health disorder. 

You may be wondering what the next step in your treatment journey should be. And that’s good. The transition from inpatient to outpatient treatment is a critical part of your overall mental health treatment journey. To help you manage this transition, we’ll look at some next steps that may happen in your treatment program. 

What should you consider after you complete your inpatient treatment?

If you’ve recently completed an inpatient mental health care program at a hospital in Los Angeles, you may be unsure of the next steps. After a hospital stay, the right kind of follow-up care can significantly improve your recovery process. 

Before we dive into ongoing treatment options, let’s review some important things to consider as you look at post-inpatient treatments, including: 

• What follow-up appointments you’ll need to make
• Who will help you manage your medication going forward 
• What your crisis intervention plan will be
• What lifestyle adjustments will you need to make
• How you’ll get yourself back into a daily routine

Once you’ve considered these needs, you’ll be able to make sure you’re getting them met as you move into the next phase of your treatment. 

What post-inpatient treatments should you know about?

Here are some possible next treatment options that your health care provider may recommend after you’ve completed inpatient treatment:

• Residential Treatment Program — These programs involve treatment at a residential care facility 24 hours a day. Are you located in Los Angeles? You may want to consider a Residential Treatment Program in the LA area, such as a facility in Brentwood or Santa Monica. Residential facilities can provide a high level of care to clients in a comforting, safe home environment.
• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) or Day Treatment Program — Also known as Day Treatment, a PHP is a valuable care option. It’s often utilized as a step-down from inpatient care. Programming takes place during the day and focuses on skill-building, coping strategies and relapse prevention. For clients leaving a highly controlled hospital environment, a PHP can ease their transition to greater independence and autonomy.
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) — IOPs are partial day care programs. They are often utilized as a transition after a PHP. It’s also a way to start treatment in an environment that encourages autonomy. It involves sessions that take place in a facility several times a week. It allows you to balance your mental health care with other responsibilities, such as work. IOP includes daily programming, group sessions and medication management. 
• Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (vIOP) — Virtual Intensive Outpatient Programs help you to receive the mental health care you need through the flexibility of virtual programming. It also includes group sessions and ongoing family therapy. It can be an effective option for people who are transitioning from higher levels of care. Perhaps you need to work your treatment around your particular needs and schedules. It can also be helpful for people who are just starting to dip their toes into therapy.

Lightfully can provide intensive inpatient aftercare treatment options in LA

After you leave an inpatient program in an LA hospital, you’re likely asking yourself, “What now?” It’s important to remember that your mental journey includes several stops along the way toward the fullest, brightest version of you. Those stops are not roadblocks, but launchpads toward the person you hope to be. With proper aftercare as the next stop following inpatient treatment, you can continue to receive the support you need.

Our inpatient aftercare treatment options include four levels of care: Residential Treatment Center, Intensive Outpatient Program, Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program or Partial-Hospitalization Program, also known as our Day Treatment Program.

Our intensive treatment consists of evidence-based, data-driven and whole-person-centered care. We have experience working with various mental health conditions, including those who’ve recently come out of inpatient care from an LA hospital. 

When you’re ready to continue your mental health journey after a hospital inpatient program, be sure that you reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team.