The field of counseling and mental healthcare is full of different phrases and terminologies used to describe various conditions, treatments and the like. One such phrase commonly heard is ‘levels of care,’ which speaks to the varying intensities of services provided to each client. Levels of care might be as hands-off as traditional talk-therapy, or as involved as residential treatment.
Depending on the certain factors unique to every client, the level of care is determined at the initial appointment in the hopes of creating a mental trajectory or path of recovery with crucial milestones and a tangible goal. For those who weigh residential mental health treatment as an option, this path not only includes holistic healing for that individual, but allows them to visualize their progress as they participate in residential treatment and slowly work down into lower levels of care.
Time spent in a residential treatment center sets the tone for the remainder of their recovery, providing each client with a supportive community, round-the-clock care and therapy of various kinds in order to give them the best chance at total recovery.
What is residential treatment?
Residential treatment is exactly what it sounds like – clients reside at the treatment center where they not only go about daily life in a supportive environment alongside peers, but receive frequent support from specialized doctors, therapists and other mental health experts. It is one of the most intensive levels of care as a staff member is available 24/7, yet it is much more comfortable than a treatment requiring hospitalization as the environment is peacefully homelike unlike the potentially busy chaos of a hospital wing.
Residential treatment focuses on the holistic approach of healing and provides the time needed to do so. Whereas inpatient treatment in a hospital primarily focuses on stabilizing a person physically, or talk therapy focuses primarily on increased mental health over time, residential treatment provides both at once. For example, the residents of our Lake Ariel treatment center not only can take advantage of the psychiatrists and medical doctors when needed, but they partake in therapeutic activities like yoga and music therapy as well to promote whole mind and body healing.
Why residential treatment?
Many choose residential mental health treatment not just for the environment, but for the countless other benefits it offers, including:
- Removal from one’s current situation – Traditional therapy, while it might specifically take place in a counselor’s office, does not remove the client from the situation. They still are around the people, places and things that could act as triggers, challenges or reminders of their struggle. Residential therapy, on the other hand, entirely removes the individual from their environment and offers them a place in which to start over and craft healthy, productive habits and ways of life for themselves.
- Various forms of helpful therapy – We offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), medication-assisted treatment, medication management, family support groups, individual and group therapy to serve the client in all areas, thereby preparing them thoroughly for when they leave treatment.
- Round-the-clock care – While certain mental health conditions do not endanger the life of the client, others do pose a threat to the safety of the individual. Residential treatment provides a safe location with constant supervision for those requiring continual access to medical assistance.
- Support during and after treatment – Those who go through residential treatment go through the program with other peers who experience the same program. This can be incredibly helpful both during the program as well as after. During the time they’re onsite, they can process their experiences together, and after they leave they have a support group on which to rely who understands their journey on a personal level. This creates a very strong, special bond not to be taken for granted.
Is residential treatment for me?
Residential treatment through The Light Program is available to women ages 18 and older, looking to receive healing in a supportive, positive environment. Treatment addresses more than just one type of disorder, and may be the best choice for those who haven’t had success with other forms of therapy or levels of care. Residential treatment offers personalized treatment options for anyone struggling with:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Bipolar disorder
- Mood disorders
- Personality disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Substance abuse
- Dual diagnosis
- Eating disorders
No matter what your story or experiences may be, there is a level of care guaranteed to offer you the treatment you need. Whether that means weekly meetings with a therapist or time spent in a residential treatment center, recovery from mental illness is possible and tangible.
To learn more or apply to our residential treatment facility, contact the Light Program today at 610-644-6464.
