Is Outpatient the Same as Therapy?
At Insight Northwest Recovery, we work to empower our clients to conquer substance abuse and mental illness. It is also our goal to answer as many questions about the treatment process as we can so you feel confident, informed, and supported as you navigate your journey with recovery.
We offer various levels of care via outpatient treatment to teens and young adults, ages 13-25.
A question that we often get asked is “How are outpatient therapy programs different from traditional talk therapy?” While there are some similarities, the main differences boil down to the intensity and time commitment involved in therapy vs outpatient care.
Inpatient vs Outpatient
First, let’s go over the difference between inpatient treatment and outpatient therapy:
Inpatient Treatment:
Most people seeking recovery from substance abuse or mental health conditions begin at an inpatient treatment program. Inpatient, or residential treatment, means that you stay at the treatment facility for an extended period of time and do not return home in between sessions. These programs often focus on substance abuse, and mental health conditions like anxiety disorder, depression, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and other behavioral health disorders. Often, this level of care is more focused on harm reduction and suicide prevention, which is why it is a more supervised treatment option. These programs often engage in talk therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), group and family therapy, education, and offer medication management.
Outpatient Treatment:
Often, following the completion of an inpatient treatment program, people will transition to outpatient treatment to continue their care.
There are different types of outpatient therapy programs, but the main differentiator in outpatient settings is that patients can return home every day during their recovery process. Structured outpatient programs are often a step down in intensity from residential treatment, and treat the same addiction and behavioral health disorders as inpatient treatment. These programs offer the opportunity for continued support in early recovery, while providing a flexible schedule that fits into your day-to-day life. At Insight Northwest Recovery, we offer four levels of care in our outpatient treatment programs that step down in the level of intensity, frequency and time commitment – from Intensive Day Treatment (PHP), through Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP) and After Care. While not all outpatient programs offer medication management, they do all engage in talk therapy, group therapy, group and family therapy, and alternative educational units. We also work with clients to find a path for recovery that works for them. We partner with Insight Northwest Counseling to provide medication management and on-going therapy services that fit into your treatment plan.
One of the most helpful aspects to outpatient treatment are the group therapy sessions with your peers. In those sessions, you will learn from the experiences of others, have an opportunity to share your own process and the feelings that come up, and go through the recovery journey as a group. This supportive environment provides a safe space to heal, grow, learn, and be held accountable as you navigate your recovery.
The different levels of outpatient care often fall into these categories:
Intensive Day Treatment, or Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)
Learn more about our outpatient treatment programs here.
Talk Therapy
Like outpatient treatment, you are able to conduct talk therapy in a way that is minimally disruptive to your daily life. Most people meet with their therapist once a week or less frequently. This allows you to easily fit therapy into your everyday life and utilize it as a tool for mental wellness. Many practices even utilize online therapy, which allows you to conduct therapy sessions virtually from the comfort of your own home. If you are in Oregon and looking to see a therapist online, visit our partner organization Insight Northwest Counseling.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 155 Million people currently live in an area with a shortage of mental health providers, and online therapy can bridge that gap.
Often, talk therapy falls into one of these three psychotherapy practices:
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• Eye Movement and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
Sessions are approximately an hour, and typically occur once a week for an extended period of time. Unless an external person is brought in to further progress or help coordinate care, these sessions are between you and your therapist, and not conducted in a group setting.
It is crucial that this relationship is built on trust, and that your therapist is able to create a safe space for you to heal and grow. It is important to note that not all therapists will be the correct fit for your personal mental health treatment, and it is helpful if you can take the time to screen therapists and have consultations to make sure that this partnership is one that will be productive and collaborative for you. You may need to meet with one or two providers before you find the right fit – but this is can be such a helpful process to connect you with the right therapist and create on-going support in your life.
How Outpatient Programs Differ From Traditional Therapy
Now that we’ve gone over the different types of treatment options, we can discuss how traditional therapy programs differ from outpatient therapy programs. While both options give clients the ability to participate in activities and responsibilities outside of treatment, the main differentiators are time and intensity of care.
Talk therapy sessions are usually 1 hour, 1 day a week. While outpatient treatment, depending on the level of the program, can be 4 hours a day, 5 days a week. However, outpatient programs are meant to be completed in a set period of time, often within 3 months. Therapy is ongoing and can continue for as long as is needed. Engaging in therapy can be a step in After Care following outpatient mental health treatment, and is an important protocol in maintaining recovery.
Another difference is the inclusion of therapeutic and educational practices in outpatient settings such as group therapy, family therapy, art therapy, and wilderness therapy.
Establishing a peer network is a vital part of the recovery process in these programs, and will strengthen your support system once your outpatient care is complete. Because of the extended time commitment of outpatient treatment programs, it is possible for the mental health practitioner to provide additional resources and education for additional support on your road to recovery.
While both therapy and outpatient programs give you the ability to return home following treatment, therapy is minimally invasive in terms of time commitment. Outpatient care may require more adjustments to daily life to accommodate the time commitment. It is important to talk to a medical professional to determine the level of care that best fits your needs.
If you would like to learn more, set up a free consultation with one of our team members to discuss a customized treatment plan, and get started on the path to recovery today!