Mental Health Levels of Care
Hello there!
I’m here today to help explain some of the verbiage that professionals use in hopes of reaching my forever goal of normalizing all aspects of mental health. In this field, we often use the term level of care (LOC) in order to describe a client’s current treatment narrative. LOC is often fluid, as clients can go from one level to another often seamlessly and quickly. For starters, here are some common levels of care:
Outpatient therapy: often every week or every other week, typically considered the lowest level of care, because clients who fall into this category need to be mostly stable on their own with few safety risks. This is completed in individual or group settings, or can also be done with an in-home therapist.
Intensive Outpatient (IOP): A program that usually meets for around 10 hours a week which is designed to help people who need more than an hour of treatment at a time, done in a group setting. Depending on the program, the groups may meet Monday through Friday or only a few days a week.
Partial Hospitalization (PHP): A day program which typically takes the place of school or work for patients who may be on the verge of inpatient hospitalization or have just finished an inpatient hospitalization program. Generally, about 30-40 hours a week in a group setting.
Inpatient: A short-term modality typically for people who are in crisis – experiencing symptoms which are what we consider “holdable” in the field, meaning you are an imminent risk to yourself (suicidal) or someone else (homicidal), or you are gravely disabled from the symptoms you’re experiencing (unable to function in society for a time). The term “holdable” stems from an M-1 hold which is utilized to ensure stabilization and treatment for those at risk, though people can certainly come to inpatient treatment voluntarily if they are aware of their own needs.
Residential: a long-term treatment setting which is often utilized by those with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI). At these facilities, residents will live on site for a period of time, though your ability to come and go will vary depending on what kind of facility you are at and what your needs are. These are more commonly used for children who may be disruptive at home and school, and families have not found success utilizing the lower levels of care described above. For kids, these facilities will integrate therapeutic treatment with education to ensure the children are not falling behind in their time there. For adults, these agencies are often geared toward dual-diagnosis, which means they help those struggling with mental illness and addiction.
Naturally, there are many nuances to these levels of care, and your exact situation may not be described above – that’s okay! What I want this to provide is a basic guideline for what treatment options are out there, and help you decide what could be a good idea to look into. And of course, check in with your individual counselor to help make the best decision. Additionally, many crisis walk-in clinics can help you parse out what LOC would be most appropriate for you.
Anything else you would add? Let me know in the comments!
Meagan
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational and educational purposes, and is not to be used as a substitute for a therapeutic relationship, individualized mental healthcare, or medical healthcare.