If you need mental health treatment, you’re not alone. Research shows that about 1 in 5 U.S. adults is dealing with a mental health disorder. When it comes to treatment, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Everyone has different needs, and those needs can change over time. That’s why mental health treatment is often described as a continuum of care. A continuum of care means there are a range of options designed to provide the right support at the right time. Whether you’re just starting your mental health journey or you need more long-term, focused help, these levels of care can be matched to your needs and guide you toward recovery.

The basic levels of care in mental health treatment

• Outpatient therapy — Outpatient therapy is the least intensive level of care. This option may be ideal if you’re seeking mental health treatment for the first time or are only experiencing mild symptoms. When engaging in traditional outpatient therapy, you’ll meet with a licensed clinical therapist regularly (typically once a week). Sessions may last for around an hour. If you’ve recently completed a more intensive treatment program, outpatient therapy can be a great way to ease your transition. With your therapist, you can focus on maintaining your progress and addressing any ongoing challenges.
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) — If regular therapy sessions aren’t providing the support you need, an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) may be a good next step for you. IOPs are designed to provide more comprehensive support than traditional outpatient therapy. With an IOP, you’ll attend treatment for several hours a day, a few days a week. This program will include one-on-one psychotherapy along with group treatment and other activities. An IOP can be a great way to get intensive support in managing symptoms and building coping skills. At the same time, IOPs tend to be more flexible than inpatient treatment options. This can make it easier to balance treatment with your daily responsibilities. Overall, IOPs are a great choice for people who need more structure or are struggling to manage their symptoms, but still want to spend their nights at home and maintain some of their usual routines.
• Partial Hospitalization Program — A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is sometimes called a Day Treatment Program. It offers even more structure and support than an IOP. You’ll spend about six hours each day in treatment, five days a week. Like IOPs, PHPs include individual and group treatment sessions, as well as regular check-ins with a psychiatrist. PHPs are designed for people whose symptoms are more severe and need extra attention, but don’t require 24/7 care. This level is a step below Residential Treatment. A PHP can be a great option if you need all-day support but want to spend your nights independently.
• Residential Treatment — Residential Treatment Centers (RTCs) are designed for people who need round-the-clock care and support. These programs offer a safe, nurturing space where you can focus fully on healing without distractions from everyday life. A great RTC will offer a warm, welcoming environment for recovery. Treatment typically includes frequent one-on-one psychotherapy sessions, group support, weekly family sessions and more. Like other programs, RTC treatment plans can be personalized to match your needs and mental health goals.
• Inpatient hospitalization — Inpatient hospitalization is primarily for people who may pose an active risk to themselves or others. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense suicidality or otherwise experiencing a major mental health crisis, inpatient hospitalization could be necessary. Inpatient hospital units are monitored 24/7 to ensure safety. The main focus of inpatient care is stabilizing symptoms quickly so that clients can transition to lower levels of care once they are safe.

Why mental health care is a continuum

Mental health recovery isn’t typically a straight line. Some days, you may feel like you’re making great progress; other days, you might feel like you’re taking a step back. That’s completely natural. The important thing is having the right support for wherever you are in the process.

This is why mental health care works as a continuum. It allows you to get care that matches your current needs. Whether you just need a little help or you need more dedicated hands-on support, you can find a level of care that’s right for you. You may move through the levels of care as your mental health journey continues and things change in your life.

You can think of the mental health care continuum as a ladder. You can climb up or down based on what you need, but you’re never stuck in one place. If your symptoms aren’t getting better in an IOP, for example, you may benefit from a more intensive program like a PHP. When your symptoms improve, you may want to transition back to outpatient treatment. A good continuum of care helps ensure that you don’t fall through the cracks. Instead, you can always be supported with options that work for you.

Get the level of care you need at Lightfully

Mental health care tends to work best when it’s designed around the unique needs of each person. At Lightfully, the framework of everything we do is centered around data-driven and whole-person-centered care provided by compassionate experts. We take a unique approach to treatment called Precision Care Model (PCM). You can think of PCM as a fully personalized framework using the most effective aspects of evidence-based modalities like cognitive behavioral therapy. At any level of care, PCM can work to target the drivers behind mental health disorders and symptoms.

Change is possible. When you’re ready to find a level of care that fits your needs, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.