Outpatient care can mean more than just a weekly individual therapy session that lasts for an hour. Different degrees of treatment are available within the spectrum of outpatient services. At Palms Behavioral Health in Harlingen, Texas, we offer comprehensive outpatient care programs for adolescents and adults. All of our participants in outpatient care are facing a variety of mental and behavioral health concerns, but their needs don’t rise to the level of requiring overnight medical supervision.
Our Outpatient Services
Our outpatient programs offer structure, support, and a nurturing environment where patients can develop the skills to grow and heal. The programs we offer are accredited, evidence-based, and trauma-informed. In addition, they are in-network for most insurance plans.
We offer two levels of outpatient treatment at Palms. These include:
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) – of our two outpatient options, PHP is considered the higher level of care, meaning that it is more structured and involved than IOP. PHP can be considered a “step down” from hospitalization or a “step up” from IOP if the patient has started in one of those other programs. This level of care is sometimes called “Day Treatment.” Participants in PHP meet Monday through Friday for up to six hours per day, usually for one to three weeks.
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) – this level of care is also sometimes referred to as “Outpatient Day Treatment” or “Part-Time Treatment.” An IOP is less involved than PHP but still provides some added structure. Sessions are typically three hours long and participants usually meet three to five times per week. This can make it easier for patients to maintain their work, community, and family life, while still having the oversight of a doctor.
Diagnoses We Treat Through Outpatient Services
Some of the concerns our PHP and IOP can address through virtual and in-person outpatient programming are:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Suicidal thoughts
- Schizophrenia
- Substance use disorders
- Other mental health disorders
Therapy Types Offered
In outpatient treatment, a variety of therapeutic modalities are available, such as:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – this is one of the most common and widely studied types of therapy. It explores the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. CBT empowers patients to have better control over their choices by helping them identify negative thoughts and find new, helpful ways to think about stressful situations.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – this type of therapy focuses on finding a more balanced path between two extreme and seemingly opposed ideas. DBT can help patients to better manage discomfort and make changes.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – this modality focuses on psychological flexibility and well-being. Patients are taught mindfulness practices to help them accept challenges they experience and make choices that align with their values and goals.
Benefits of Outpatient Services
Participants in our outpatient programs receive:
- Medical supervision
- Medication management
- Group therapy
- Meals and snacks that promote balanced nutrition
- Heightened support as they reintegrate into their regular lives
Adolescent and Adult Tracks
Although Palms serves teens and adults in our outpatient programs, each of these groups has separate tracks and structures. They do not meet together. Additionally, each patient, adult or adolescent, has their own unique treatment plan that is tailored to meet their specific needs.
How to Get Started
Assessments are free and can be scheduled by a prospective patient, their doctor, a friend, or a family member. Assessments are a confidential tool we use to learn about a person and determine what treatment options would best serve their needs. It is appropriate to contact us when a mental or behavioral health concern is disrupting a person’s education, job, or home life.
What Patients Can Expect Following Discharge
Our participants are discharged with a plan that connects them to community resources they can continue to utilize after they no longer need our services. With their written permission, we will call to follow up with our patients after they have been discharged to make sure things are going as planned. We reach out to patients one month, six months, and a year after they have completed treatment.
At Palms Behavioral Health, we believe that offering a continuum of care allows our patients a better chance to receive precisely the care they need in the setting that works best for them. Whether they are being treated for a substance use disorder or a mental health condition, we want to meet them where they are with the tools they need to succeed.
