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What Does it Mean When Your Counselor Says You Need a Higher Level of Care?

The right level of care matches to the severity of your condition. The highest level of care is what you need when you’re in crisis. The lowest level of care is what you need when you want to make an improvement in your life, but don’t face any immediate risk of harm if you don’t. Below are the different types of levels of care with definitions:

Intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) programs are a higher level of care than weekly talk therapy, but a less intensive level of care than inpatient treatment or partial hospitalization programs. They focus on group therapy sessions, which are held two to three times each week. Most IOPs also offer individual therapy on a weekly, as-needed, or by-request basis. Other services vary from program to program and may include psychiatry and therapeutic activities. You can usually choose either day or evening groups so you can still work while receiving a higher level of care than you would with individual talk therapy alone.

Partial hospitalization program (PHP) or day treatment is one of the highest levels of care you can get outside of a hospital. Going to day treatment is like going to school or a job. You spend several hours (often 5-6) at the program each day (usually with weekends off), then go home. The program consists of group and individual therapy along with psychiatric care and a mix of therapeutic activities.

PHP programs are often used as step-down care, or care that helps you readjust to life after inpatient treatment. They are the right level of care when you’re ready to be discharged from the hospital but need more than standard outpatient treatment. It can also be a good option if you have a complex condition and need intensive programming to address all aspects of it.

Highest Levels of Care

Inpatient treatment is also known as psychiatric hospitalization and is the highest level of mental health care. It’s designed to help you get through a mental health crisis safely. Inpatient treatment takes you out of stressful life circumstances and places you in a secure environment where you receive psychiatric care around the clock. Inpatient treatment usually consists of a combination of group and individual therapy, medication administration and management, and therapeutic activities. It usually lasts for 3-15 days.

Residential or long-term inpatient treatment is usually only recommended if short-term inpatient treatment doesn’t stabilize you. It consists of the same kinds of activities as acute inpatient treatment, but often on a larger campus that includes outdoor and recreational spaces. This allows the facility to provide more types of therapeutic recreation and rehabilitation.

Your counselor will openly discuss with you your options and their recommendations as well as answer any questions about the process.