Levels of Care
Most of this resource focuses on outpatient care but behavioral treatment is a continuum of intensity that should be matched to your needs.
Inpatient
Treatment that takes place in a hospital setting. Typically focused on helping a person through a crisis and transition to less intensive care. Psychiatric inpatient care for adults is usually 3-5 days
Partial Hospitalization
Treatment takes place 5 days a week for approximately 5hrs/day. People return home in the evenings and weekends. Typically lasts 2-4 weeks.
Intensive Outpatient (IOP)
Treatment takes place 3 days per week for approximately 3 hours/day. Typically lasts 6-12 weeks.
Residential
Treatment where you stay in the treatment setting for several weeks during treatment. Treatment length varies by condition.
Outpatient
What most people think of when they think of psychotherapy. Sessions should occur regularly and typically occur between weekly or every few weeks depending on the setting and approach your therapist takes. Used as a general term for treatment that takes place in an office, hospital, or clinical setting, but involves no overnight stays.