Mental Health: Levels of Care

The arrows indicate stepping up or stepping down a different level of care

Mental health care is structured across a continuum of levels, each designed to meet varying degrees of need, severity, and intensity. Here’s a breakdown of the main levels of care:

Mental Health: Levels of Care

1. Outpatient Care

  • Who it’s for: Individuals with mild to moderate symptoms who can function independently.
  • Services include:
    • Weekly or biweekly therapy sessions
    • Psychiatric evaluations/ Medication management (Meet Provider bi-monthly upto 90days)
  • Settings: Private practices, clinics, community mental health centers

2. Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)

  • Who it’s for: Those needing more support than traditional outpatient care but not 24/7 supervision.
  • Services include:
    • Group therapy 3 to 5 times per week
    • Individual therapy ad Psychoeducation and skill-building
  • Settings: Specialized clinics like the Transformation Center

3. Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)

  • Who it’s for: Individuals with moderate to severe symptoms who need structured daytime care but can return home at night. (Eg: Passvie suicidal ideations, panic attacks)
  • Services include:
    • Daily therapy sessions
    • Psychiatric monitoring and Medication management
  • Settings: Specialized clinics like the Transformation Center

4. Residential Treatment

  • Who it’s for: Those with chronic or severe mental health issues needing 24/7 support in a non-hospital setting.
  • Services include:
    • Long-term therapy
    • Medication and psychiatric care/Life skills training
  • Settings: Residential facilities or therapeutic communities

5. Inpatient Psychiatric/Hospital  Care

  • Who it’s for: Individuals in crisis or with acute symptoms requiring immediate stabilization (e.g., suicidal ideation, Intrusive thoguhts).
  • Services include:
    • 24/7 medical and psychiatric supervision
    • Crisis intervention / Intensive therapy and medication management
  • Settings: Psychiatric hospitals or units within general hospitals

6. Extended Hospitalizations/ Crisis Services

  • Who it’s for: People experiencing a mental health emergency (e.g., suicidal ideation with plan, psychosis).
  • Services include:
    • Emergency room evaluations
    • Short-term hospitalization
  • Settings: Emergency departments, crisis stabilization units
Each level is designed to match the intensity of care with the individual’s needs, and transitions between levels are common as symptoms improve or worsen.
Would you like help figuring out which level might be appropriate for you? Call us 901-755-1396