When you’re feeling well, there are many parts of your day that you likely don’t give a second thought to, such as getting dressed in the morning or brushing your teeth. Although these basic tasks are typically part of an everyday routine, it’s also worth recognizing when they’re taking more and more effort to complete. If you’re having a difficult time carrying out daily functions, perhaps even having trouble getting out of bed in the morning, it may be time to seek intensive treatment for your depression. 

Major depressive disorder can lead to overwhelming feelings of sadness and malaise that can interfere with every aspect of your life. It can also cause fatigue and sluggishness to the point of not being able to move. Beyond the physical symptoms, depression can also lead to a lack of motivation or make you feel hopeless for the future, making it difficult to carry on throughout the day.

If you’re unable to properly perform your daily functions due to depression symptoms, a mental health treatment option like a Virtual Partial Hospitalization Program (vPHP) can make a significant difference. Other signs that it’s time to seek mental health care include:

• Socially isolating or withdrawing from your loved ones
• Inability to complete responsibilities at work, at school or around the house
• Worsening symptoms or ones that persist over a significant period of time
• Lack of results from outpatient therapy sessions

Many symptoms of depression can often be managed through outpatient therapy sessions and medication management. However, a vPHP is an option when you need more intensive support along your mental health journey. With this level of care, you can reduce the risk of the symptoms worsening and potentially leading to a mental health crisis.

If you’re at risk to yourself or you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.

A Virtual Partial Hospitalization Program provides structured support for people who are experiencing a significant impact on their quality of life due to a mental health condition, such as depression, but who don’t require overnight supervision. A vPHP not only allows you to maintain independence by spending your nights at home carrying out your regular activities, but it also encourages greater flexibility for those who wouldn’t otherwise be able to access needed mental health care.

The goals of a vPHP for depression include:

• Learning to manage and take control of your depression symptoms
• Developing coping skills to handle depressive triggers
• Improving abilities to carry out daily functions and responsibilities
• Transition following inpatient care for continuity and steady progress

The benefits of a vPHP for depression include:

• Intensive care without a hospital setting
• Comfort in your own space, allowing for greater vulnerability and engagement
• Comprehensive support to help all aspects of mental and emotional well-being
• Encouraging independence for gaining confidence in your own capabilities 
• Range of therapy dynamics, including group, individual and family sessions

At Lightfully, we pride ourselves on providing the same level of support virtually as we do through our in-person Partial Hospitalization Program. Our vPHP lasts approximately one month and takes place five to seven days a week. It includes:

• Weekly therapy sessions
• Medication management 
• Biweekly family sessions
• At least four hours of daily group sessions
• Clinical services by licensed providers
• Programming five days per week

With our Precision Care Model (PCM) as a framework, we can treat you holistically with a personalized care plan that’s tailored to the severity of your symptoms, challenges and overall wellness goals. We know that you’re more than your depression, and we want you to know that, too. 

Our clinical model works by focusing on the four core drivers at the basis of depression:

• Difficulty with emotions
• Difficulty with relationships
• Difficulty with behaviors 
• Difficulty with thoughts

We address these core drivers through integrated interventions, which are backed by data and incorporate aspects from several evidence-based psychotherapy approaches. Integrated interventions that may be used in your treatment plan include:

• Mindfulness
• Emotion regulation
• Behavior management 
• Crisis stabilization
• Motivational enhancement

By integrating PCM into the Virtual Partial Hospitalization Program, we can provide well-rounded, structured care that works to improve all aspects of your depression for a better quality of life and greater productivity.

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