Outpatient Program (OP)

What is an Outpatient Program?

Outpatient programs are a form of regularly scheduled treatment where clients visit a treatment center to attend one-on-one or group sessions as part of their ongoing long-term mental health plan or recovery program.

Unlike an inpatient program, where clients stay overnight at the same residential or psychiatric facility where they receive treatment, outpatient programs are designed to provide mental health support while a client continues to attend to their day-to-day responsibilities.

Outpatient programs range in length and duration; weekly programs may range from 2-3 sessions a week, at a duration of just an hour or two per session. In many cases, outpatient programs are the final step towards complete self-sufficiency in long-term recovery. Clients who transition into an outpatient program will soon be ready to “end” treatment but are encouraged to continue to take part in local support groups, or regularly visit a therapist to support their mental wellbeing.

What to Expect from our Outpatient Programs at Resolutions

Outpatient programs at Resolutions are often the most flexible treatment option. As the last tier within the continuum of care, outpatient program plans can vary greatly between individuals. Clients are expected to visit the Resolutions treatment center at least once a week, depending on how their program is structured.

Every client’s outpatient program is unique – we offer bespoke weekly programming based on a client’s needs and circumstances. Some weeks may require more treatment hours than others, but the number of weekly treatment hours in an outpatient program at Resolutions tends to hover between 1 and 8 hours a week.

Outpatient programs are not designed to enforce a rigid structure in a client’s life. At this point in the recovery process, clients will be dedicating themselves to other responsibilities, and focusing on managing their home life and work-related stressors, while receiving additional support through an outpatient program.

Therapeutic Services

Outpatient programs usually involve fewer treatment hours per week than more intensive plans, so clients focus on therapeutic services that help the most with self-sufficiency and long-term recovery.

Outpatient programs may focus on life skills, family dynamics, building healthy relationships, brushing up on stress management habits and coping mechanisms, and one-on-one talk therapy.

Flexible Scheduling

Individuality is respected and celebrated at Resolutions, but it’s also a crucial element in treatment. Not everyone’s needs are the same, even between two people with similar backgrounds and diagnoses.

Outpatient programs are adjusted on a weekly basis, so clients know what to expect for the coming days but aren’t bound to a single schedule for weeks at a time, especially as their needs might change throughout the transition period.

When is an Outpatient Program Recommended?

Outpatient programs are often recommended as the last step before transitioning into day-to-day living with minimal professional support, with a greater reliance on homegrown support systems, such as friends and family.

For clients coming from an inpatient or residential treatment facility, a long-term transition toward simple outpatient care may involve a few weeks spent in PHP or an Intensive Outpatient plan first.